| Bible Review |
[Feb. 7th, 2012|01:57 pm] |
In spite of my brother Marc's opposition, I decided it would be a good idea to give a very brief summary of each book of the bible as I read them.
( Read more... )
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| Deep Optimism and Natural Pessimism |
[Feb. 3rd, 2012|01:59 pm] |
I wanted to write today about what my thoughts have been about predominantly of late, so for your reading pleasure here it goes:
In the past several months I have found myself approaching a strange new philosophy that I am trying to work the details out for. I have generally in my life been what I would call a positive person, though many may disagree with me, but for at least the past decade or so this is how I see myself. What does this mean? To me it means that I am generally an optimist both for myself and the world at large. I see the world as being a place of vast wonder and good. Having said this, a few years ago, I was very worried about the world and saw its doom as imminent. I thought this was due to the greed of people and the desire to always have more with no respect for the consequences to others. While I think this is true to an extent my mind has since changed considerably.
I see the world as a place of infinite goodness and far less corruption than I ever have. I see people in general as a good and generous lot, that if you ask anyone to do you a favor he will always help you if he can. I see the world as only getting better and in fewer ways worse. I think the problem before was I saw the world as other people and particularly news agencies did or would have me see it. This was problematic for two separate but equally unfortunate reasons. For the former reason (seeing the world as other people see it) it demonstrates what I perceive to be the inherent pessimism people generally seem to have. The latter reason (being the way news agencies report things) makes more sense to me but is perhaps more annoying. It builds on sensationalism and the morbid curiosity factor of the former reason. What I mean is news reports things to get attention and thereby an audience... it takes advantage of people's natural inclination to be pessimistic and paranoid. I can't blame the news for doing this, they are simply doing what they need to to make it. I also don't mind hearing bad news too much, but what bothers me about it is how under-representing it is of the true good that goes on at a very common level. I suppose it's like finding a watch or other unique item in a beach full of sand, it sticks out and is far more interesting.
So, I understand the sensationalism, though I am sure it should be as easy to sensationalize positive things far more and maybe they do, but the negative things stick out to me about the news. What I don't get, however, is the insistence of most people to focus on the doom and negativity of life and particularly the future. Of course, most people don't do it all the time, but when I ask people what they think will happen to society in x number of years there are few positive comments made. I think most people have optimistic ideas about themselves but think everything else is going to hell in a hand basket. I personally see the future as being a wonderful time to be alive and better than today with little regression. I think almost everything will be better in most ways for most people. Of course bad things will happen, but relatively less often.
What I struggle with now is how to fit people as a whole into things. I can't stand cynicism and see it as being irrelevant at best, but many people are jaded. Can I blame them for being that way? Not particularly, maybe it helps them cope with things in a more cautious way than before, but to whose benefit? So it leads to the age old question of if people are naturally good or bad? This is where I am struggling because I see them being on the whole good, but with exceptions. I think most people will seldom be intentionally malicious and even if they are in their minds at the time they are totally justified, it is rare to find people doing things they know are wrong before or during the time they do them, though I am sure it happens, and if it is wrong to them it is less wrong than not doing it. So it is hard for me to condemn anyone of nearly any action for that reason, I may disagree with them and in some cases vehemently but I can't say in their situation I would have done differently.
So are people good or bad? I think really what it comes down to is that people are mostly good and do what they think is right or beneficial most of the time, but everyone has the capability to be bad or to do things that hurt themselves and others. Of course, in all of us is selfishness, it just makes sense, but I think in most of us there is also a capacity to deeply care about others that somewhat balances it out. Whatever the motivations for doing good things I think we all have a seed of altruism to go along with our sense of self-preservation and selfishness. This combined with the fact that though we all improve the world with everyday that passes in spite of our collective cynicism leaves me at a strange opinion.
I guess simply said I see people thus: We are a group of individuals who do what's right for ourselves and if we are able to, for others. We see the world as a bad place generally getting worse but work to make it better voluntarily or not, and we do continue to really improve it. As a collective we want to help each other but don't always trust each other as much as we should.
I guess this is a fairly comprehensive and I hope accurate way of the way I see my brethren on the whole. What I don't get is when I hear anyone say or suggest that he hates people, or people are stupid etc. I sometimes feel this way but work every day to remember that everyone else out there is about like me, and in some way my superior, it helps me to smile and feel better about the world. Perhaps I am delusional and use it as a coping mechanism but I feel if I must cope it is better to do it this way than simply to write humanity off in a fit of some sort of elitist exceptionalism. I realize the tone of this must come across on elitist and exceptionalist but I assure anyone I don't mean it that way, I get why it may be appealing to be feel the world is going downhill, maybe it's simply a conclusion they've drawn out of raw logic and it's not a desirable viewpoint to them but a "realistic" one, still having been through that perspective myself I have learned that the world is a good place (I think having seen and understood a lot of it has helped).
The world is a place I am happy to be, and though my life could be much worse and jade me, I am happy that it doesn't and that I don't feel that way. This isn't to say I haven't had ample opportunity to be jaded either, I have been swindled countless times, suffered agonizing heartbreak and loss, suffered racism and other bigotry and poverty. Certainly someone has suffered every one of these things worse than I have, but I feel that I have a right to be as bitter as anyone else, but I'm not. Like the news these things are exceptional and stand out to me but I know they are both rare and irrelevant to my daily life. I'd like to think that the bad things that happen to me only strengthen my belief in the good and wonder of this life and inspire me to find it, as historically it has.
This is something I've been wondering about for a long time, and for the time being I'm satisfied with the conclusion I have come to but would welcome (albeit grudgingly) any contradictions or comments. |
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| 10,517 Days alive, |
[Jul. 31st, 2011|08:23 pm] |
I have lived for 10,517 days so far and counting, I can't believe I've been alive over 10,000 days it's crazy to me and makes me wonder how many more I'll be blessed with, well at least I've made it past the five digit mark |
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| My Personal Creed |
[Jul. 17th, 2011|08:05 pm] |
I don't know how many people still read this journal, but I intend to write in it slightly more often than I have been lately, which means maybe twice a year... anyway this is a constant work in progress, but one that I think will hopefully help me to think straight or at least to remember some very important things: my creed.
I got this idea from Kevin and basically think that the power words have over us may be subtle but still powerful. I think if I repeat something to this effect every day it will help me so here is what I have so far.
My Personal Creed
- I, Jason David Pickett with all of my being, believe in myself, my abilities and my potential above all things.
- I strongly believe that I can and will do anything I desire.
- I believe I am a morally good person, and that most people are to some extent
- I know that I am my own protagonist and in myself lies my future, more than any other single entity or being.
- I trust my friends and family and know that they will do me right nearly always, as I will for them.
- I believe in the power of logic, rationalism and optimism and know that they hold the greatest truth in the universe.
- I believe I can never know everything but that I am improving as a person in demeanor, knowledge and experience daily.
- I know that I have accomplished many of the goals that I have set forth for myself and have the same potential to accomplish many more.
- I believe that almost everything is better than they it appears to be.
- I believe that I make my own reality and though I don’t control everything completely, I do control my reactions and my perceptions
- I believe that all knowledge is useful and it is one of my greatest duties to gather as much of it as I can.
- I believe in the power of appearance and presentation and should never neglect them
- I believe I must do things constantly... to make mistakes, mistakes help me to learn and to know that I’m doing things, they may be wrong, but they only contribute to my greater person.
- I believe it is crucial to always be adapting, as the world is always changing.
- I believe in the virtues of forgiveness, confidence, honesty, temperance, reason, kindness, diligence, generosity and tolerance... these are my core values and I would do well to always bear them in mind. |
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| Independence Day |
[Jul. 4th, 2011|06:47 pm] |
Hey, so I'm just writing a brief entry today, as usual... I want to say happy 4th of July to anyone who still reads this. I've been thinking about America and its place in the world economically lately, and though I don't really consider myself patriotic particularly, neither do I consider myself much of a critic of it. I think it's wrong to see anything as something one admires without scrutiny. I feel this way about a lot more than just nationality as well, such as sport teams or music bands... anything someone can feel allegiance to. There are things that I love and give leeway to many things, but I think it's most prudent to do it with people you personally know.
I do recognize the merits that certain countries and cultures have, and I think there is a lot of good to America as there is to any country, but moreover, the US has the power to truly do good, and I believe it will, as I also believe the other major countries will in turn, but not without selfishness. Anyway that's it for now, but just wanted to say something after so long. |
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| Relationships |
[Feb. 22nd, 2010|03:17 am] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Denver, USA | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  curious | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Fas et Nefas: Ensemble Unicorn | ] |
This is something I've been thinking about off and on for a long time now and thought maybe I should just write my thoughts about it to help me understand what I think of relationships and what I want as far as they go. So to begin, I'll just say that in my estimation it's been a while since I would have considered myself to be in one... as everything in my life seems to be ambiguous I won't say how long, just a long time. I don't know if this will color my thoughts, but it is something to remember as I go through this. Now something I find very difficult to pin down is exactly what a relationship is, because most 'relationships' I've been in have been different one to the other with some tenets remaining the same. For most people I think, relationships (romantically) are a social agreement with another person to be emotionally, sexually, and temporally devoted to each other to the exclusion or near-exclusion of others. I know there are lots of variations on this theme, but that seems to be the main one people consider it. I personally am not so bound to the idea, neither am I repelled by it entirely.
So there are a few points I am curious about now that I've roughly established what a relationship is. What is the appeal of a relationship to anyone? Why does it seem that many people devote so much of their lives to establishing and keeping these things? Are relationships natural and if so are there other possibilities? What benefits does it serve to be in a relationship versus not being in one? Why are people so devoted to their relationships at their own obvious detriments? Finally, what is it I want as far as these things go, and why?
For the first question: what is the appeal of a relationship to anyone? I think to answer this it would be more prudent to answer most of the other questions first, but since I asked these in the order I thought of them in we'll stick to the order. I think the main appeal comes from the positive attributes of relationships, and moreover often times the appeal also comes from being a social animal. As difficult as being a social animal really is, it is how we are and I think that wanting to form any kind of relationship is an extension of that. Additionally, I think that many people fear being alone, because the world is scary alone, having someone else there brings comfort, especially someone close and kind.
Why does it seem that many people devote so much of their lives to establishing and keeping these things? Well along with the appeal answer, I think it mostly has to do with a sense of purpose in life, it is my impression that people find fulfillment and moreover a sense of community, belonging etc through these things. It may be that people feel that it is just the thing to do, whether or not it is innate human nature I can't say, and I have to say I don't think it is innate human nature in the way that people think entirely. I don't know if we naturally are a chronically monogamous species, I would suspect that ultimately we're not really, but I don't think there is one universal human condition in this regard either. I have been in such relationships before, and found myself happy in them, so I am not discounting them or that they do work. I also realize that many people remain single and seem to be quite content in that way, very often including myself. But I do reiterate it seems to be for a sense of belonging and companionship that people establish and stay in a relationship.
Are relationships natural, and if so are there other possibilities? I believe that they are somewhat natural, but I also think that what is probably the absolute most natural is for people to be polygamous, based purely on primatology and anthropology. I do know that pure chronic monogamy does not seem to be natural, that people if they do stay in monogamous relationships are more naturally inclined to be serial monogamousists, meaning they go from relationship to relationship about every seven years or so (about the time to naturally rear a child to an independent level in primeval times). Let us say for the sake of argument that I'm wrong and that chronic monogamy is natural and what we humans are inclined toward... I still don't think this is the only fulfilling type of relationship or state to be in. I have several uncles and aunts who have been single (to my knowledge) all of their lives and seem to be happy with that. Is there something missing if you choose to be: single, polygamous, polyamorous, in an open relationship, or a swinger? I'd like to hope not. I realize that these lifestyles are also not for everyone, but what I don't know is why we seem to think as a rule that our love can only be given to just one person at a time... and it needs to be given to one person all the time, or we're somehow unfulfilled. I don't know personally if I want, really, a relationship that is non-traditional, but I also don't want to reject the idea without some consideration.
What benefits does it serve to be in a relationship versus not being in one? The benefits as far as I can tell are, companionship, sexual and intimate relations (relations is beautiful), a partner in philosophy and decision making, self-reassurance, emotional support, etc. I'm sure there is more I can add, but that seems to cover all I can think of for now. The negative aspects are: lack of freedom, discontinued selection ability, loss of time, loss of independent personality/morals, unavailability to friends/ others, increased conflict etc. Again I'm sure there are other limitations but I can't think of them all right now. With me personally, I'm not sure that the positive outweighs the negative right now. Simply stated, my independence and openness for all options seems to be too important to me, but I know this can and likely will change at some point.
Why are people so devoted to their relationships at their own obvious detriments? This is something I wonder about with probably the fewest ready answers. The only obvious answer I can think of is, familiarity is comfortable. I don't know if this is really the true reason people stay in such bad relationships, but I wouldn't doubt it. I am sure in many ways even the bad relationships have to be good, there must be some sort of benefit for people to stay in them, or maybe it is purely a product of guilt, duty, or devotion. This is one thing that frightens me about love, that it can be so personally devastating and it makes me fretful.
What is it I want as far as these things go, and why? This is a good question indeed. Right now I think I just really want deep companionship, though I am known for being a bit amorous it is truly companionship and intelligent relating I really want most. I think before, when my friends seemed to be more available, I didn't have such a need as most of my needs were being fulfilled. Now I feel the absence and long for company, but the idea of a relationship itself frightens me. It frightens me because I feel like I have places to go that I don't want to bother with taking someone else with me. I think in many ways I'm too selfish right now to consider someone else so highly. Maybe it's just that my standards are too high for my own good. Everyone has their list, and my is simple (so I feel): deep intelligence and conversation with a ability and even desire to talk about absolutely anything with no offense even taken; kindness, I can't stand cruelty or bitterness in my mate, I realize that everyone will eventually be angry, bitter etc, but, kindness is one of the most attractive things to me in a person; and beauty, I need to find whoever I am with pleasing to look at, but my exceptions for beauty are fairly encompassing; and finally a general sobriety, we all have our vices and I certainly have mine, but I enjoy direct consciousness so much that I simply can't understand the appeal of intoxication and I don't think I could understand it in another person. I don't think this list is unreasonable, and I realize that there are many tacit requirements I have that are not here. I would like to think that when opportunity comes knocking my proverbial door, I'll answer, but maybe I'm simply in a need to be alone. I enjoy my solitude too, I enjoy having freedom and being without extra responsibility, and I guess in many ways I don't want to impose any responsibility to anyone else. So these are my thoughts for now, but I hope this makes sense, or is maybe even enlightening etc.
Jason |
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| 27 |
[Oct. 14th, 2009|10:58 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Denver, USA | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  chipper | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition | ] |
So, as it is 11:00 MST (my time zone) I still have an hour left to write a birthday piece, probably the first LJ entry I'll have done in months, which reminds me I should also do a vlog. Anyway, so let's put 26 in review and 27 in projections.
26 was a good yet unproductive and many times frustrating year. It began with me in Germany, and travelling through Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Turkey (through Bulgaria but barely stopping there), Greece, Italy, Tunisia, France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, back to the US via the UK and Ireland, and finally to Hawaii and back. That has been the majority of my travel experience, which is a good deal. What have I done since that time, well, I'm still wondering that, but what I'm proud of that I did was begin a couple Spanish classes, catch up with old friends pretty in depth, and I figured a few things out and listened to over half of my massive music collection. What I didn't do that I wish I would have... I didn't write as much as I wish I would have, specifically about my trip and other ideas I wish I'd written about. I didn't get a job, or try that hard for one, but hopefully I'll change that in the great age of 27, and I didn't do any of the cool ideas I was hoping to do, like WOOFing, living in a monastery and things like that. But, I think all in all it was a decent year, certainly not the worst I've ever had, and I'm only hoping the experiences from this year can teach me much for the future. Oh and I also made the coolest Lego castle I've ever made in my life, which I am hoping to use for some artistic endeavors in the future.
What I'm hoping to do in my lovely 27th year is find employment that I enjoy, travel to Argentina, possibly Chile and Paraguay as well. Write a great deal, and just create in general. Expand my social circle a lot, as well as maintain my current friendships well. Figure out what I'm going to do with the rest of my time, although I have a good idea, but more importantly I want to actually implement things I am thinking of, and do things. I seem to have a lifelong paralysis pertaining to actually doing things in the right way or the right time, so I'm hoping beyond everything I can change that. I'll consider this year a success if I get a decent job, and write at least 100.000 words in two or more texts. I'm not saying I don't want to do a lot more than this, but these are the basic specific things I can point to. Also, if possible, I'd like to feel at the end of this first year of my late 20's that I am moving in a good and positive direction, that I am continuing my great goal of living life in a meaningful and experiential way. Anyway, that's it for now, hopefully when I'm 28, I'll look back on this and laugh about how much more I actually did, We'll see though.
Jason |
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