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11/11/16

The Sea of Faith Was once, too, at the full, and round earth’s shore Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled

The abbot asked, "You heard him say it?  'Pain's the only evil I know about.'  You heard that?"

The monk nodded solemnly.

"And that society is the only thing which determines an act is wrong or not? That too?"

"Yes."

"Dearest God, how did these two heresies get back into the world after all this time?"
_____________________
From  A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr

The post title is from the poem Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold

8/28/16

Tired of your job?  Hate the daily commute?  Want to tell your boss what you think?  Has your life become insane and you just want to leave the rat race behind?

Back in 1953 at age 46 one man did it and he never looked back.  He found a life much more fulfilling. More

8/19/16

The Incredible Story of Phineas Gage

Photograph comparing Phineas Gage's skull to three foot seven inch tamping iron that went through it in 1848.  Gage lived and has become a medical legend. Read more here.

8/8/16

Love Within The Machines

Without the brain we would not have consciousness.  Does it follow that consciousness is a product of the brain?  (An "epiphenomenon of the brain.")  The epiphenomenalists would have it so.  The reason is clear.

4/25/16

Don't Forget This


In ancient Rome, a general, many to become emperors, presided over The Triumph (Triumphus), a victory parade through the streets of the city with throngs watching him pass by.  In a chariot he lead the parade, and heard the ovations of the masses. He wore a purple tunic, for purple was a rare dye only the nobility and powerful could afford.  Behind him walked all his army, his men and women captives, soon to become slaves, followed by his other spoils of war.  A slave held his golden crown, but the main role of the slave was to occasionally whisper in his ear,

Memento mori, memento mori.

Translated it means, Remember, you will die.

I dedicate this story to all politicians of power and high station.

4/14/16

Winnie The Pooh on Free Will


"If I hadn’t spent so much time studying Earthlings,” said the Tralfamadorian, “I wouldn’t have any idea what was meant by free will. I’ve visited thirty-one inhabited planets in the universe, and I have studied reports on one hundred more. Only on Earth is there any talk of free will.” (Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse–Five)

"There's a very large question here." (Winnie The Pooh)