This page contains a fairly random assortment of my views on anything that comes to mind really. It's a bit rough around the edges, and if you don't like it, well, I could simply apologize profusely or plead the headaches, but I'd much rather say the following (in the words of Ray Gardner):
Come on then!
Come on! Right now! You and me!
Come on France! Europe! The World! I'll take you all on! I'm Ray Gardner, I drink Blackcurrant Tango!
Politics |
Some diverse thoughts on how to live your life spirit |
My fundamental beliefs:
I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
Individuals can be intelligent, but on the whole people are stupid. Governments and corporations are dangerous, although the individuals who make up these organizations don't usually mean to be. Most newspapers disseminate lies or half truths, because they are under the control of large media corporations. In fact half a dozen corporations control the vast majority of media outlets on the planet. Newspapers will not print anything that conflicts with the interests of their parent company. Similarly organizations do not wish to be sued by others. Also, the objective of newspapers is to make money, not to inform people of what is going on. Newspapers try to give people what they want, and to write stories that will sell, regardless of any basis in truth. In fact many newspapers and television stations go beyond this and actually define what people want, essentially reshaping our culture and brainwashing the masses like the cattle they are.
Age, wisdom, cleverness, intelligence, emotional intelligence, laziness, arrogance, boredom
I think that age usually but not always implies experience. Wisdom implies experience, but experience does not imply wisdom unless you learn from that experience. To say that age automatically implies wisdom is dubious. I think a great many people die having learnt nothing about life despite their long years.
I read somewhere that superstitions and phobias imply a lack of intelligence. This is probably true, which is bad news for me...
Very much the in thing now is emotional intelligence. One definition of this is: the ability to regulate and monitor one's own and other's feelings and to use these to guide thought and action. Sounds like a neat trick, but how you would measure this is beyond me. Now I do know a little bit about intelligence, having been a member of Mensa for a year. I took an intelligence test, but unfortunately they wanted it back. It placed me in the top two per cent of the population, with an IQ of 151. Does this mean that I am somehow better than everyone else and more able to carry out tasks and solve problems? No, all it means is that if I took another intelligence test I would most likely achieve a similar score. You cannot measure or define such things as IQ or EQ in an anywhere near useful manner. I think cleverness depends to a large extent on memory, and often leads to arrogance.
Do only unintelligent (or tired?) people get bored? Surely if they had any intelligence or imagination they'd be able to think of something to do, regardless of their surroundings. Is intelligence related to imagination? Or is it only intelligent people who get bored? After all, people with low intelligence are very easily amused and don't tend to think a lot, whereas the more intelligent, who are often arrogant to boot, think more which leads to dissatisfaction and boredom. I don't think anyone should ever be bored. Boredom stagnates the mind - keep yourself occupied at all costs. I also think that in this country at least, nobody should be waiting for anything, and if they are then someone should be in there making money.
Can humans create beings more intelligent than themselves? eg A.I., movie characters. I don't think so.
Apathy, morality
Many people do not care what happens in the world as long as they have their television, sport and pubs. If people do care about an issue they will generally not do anything about it if it doesn't affect them directly. People will, however, generally do as much (or as little) as they can get away with.
Most people are capable of anything, given the right incentive (usually money). It has been said that every man has a price, and only dies righteous if no-one offers it. I'm sure people who cannot be bought do exist; however, most people nowadays would do virtually anything if they were offered enough money, casting aside morality and common sense. This means that we are all potential murderers or terrorists.
If I were a millionaire I would experiment with people to see what they would do for money. You know the sort of stuff, eating shit, having your head chewed off by a leopard.
Governments, lifestyles
Clearly something makes the world go round, otherwise everyone would simply lay down and die. It might be love, but in many cases I think money and sex seem closer to the mark. It's the obsession with money that shows how messed up most of us really are. I believe that money and material possessions mean nothing next to human relationships and emotions, but many peoples' ultimate goal in life is to win the Lottery. Of course you need money to buy clothes, houses, cars, spin dryers, food, television sets etc. etc. This is after all what is drilled into everyone from a very early age: The way to do things is this; get an education, get a job, get some money, buy a house, buy some stuff, get married, produce children, die. Seemingly there is no other way of living, but of course there is.
Western Civilisation: what is it, and why would it be such a good idea? Sadly the economies of many Western countries, notably the USA, depend on three things:
- Drugs
- Arms
- Pornography
Many Governments around the world, most notably in the US, are largely under the control of large corporations.
Many people, especially those in positions of power, are hypocrites. Let's face it - in this world the only crime is to be "found out". I do not think that people should admit all that they do, but simply that they should not claim to be different from what they are.
What's wrong with smoking? From where I'm sitting, smoking looks harmless enough, and can look sexy and mature, but above all it makes you feel good. So all these Government health warnings can naff off right now. OK, so it's a health risk, possibly but so's water if you drink six gallons of it. Honestly the way people talk you'd think you were guaranteed to die of lung cancer if you start smoking. It's simply not true, the risk may be increased but you still have a risk of getting cancer if you never smoke at all, so why not have some fun while you can?
Global warming- is it a myth? Does the Earth even know we're here? Are we even here? Does the Earth have any form of consciousness?
What is art? Clearly it is not just something which looks beautiful or displays great technical skill. I believe that a work of art is something which draws you into its world, letting you leave with something gained, and also possibly has a hidden meaning. Cinema is of course an art form.
Maturity in Adulthood: (the idea that childhood is just a silly phase you go through and when you come of age you shrug off childish idiosyncrasies and thoughts and can view the world as it really is). This is a fallacy. You are the same person you were when you were younger. Yes, you may have been naïve about some things, and yes, there are situations in adult life that require a responsible approach, but what really gets my goat is people who, when their years of childhood are over, start what I shall call a "mature act", when they refuse to do anything in the least bit silly or childish or fun because they view it as childish, therefore irresponsible, therefore to be stamped out. Two points to be made here: One; I wouldn't mind if they weren't such hypocrites, and two; what is the point of being uptight, boring, with no sense of humour?
When you are a child you view the world with insight, and a sense of wonder and adventure. If this is lost when you "become" an adult then you might as well be dead.
Do not be dependent on anything (people, TV shows, chemical substances). Obviously relationships involve some interdependency but you must retain some independence in order to survive when that person leaves or dies which will likely as not happen. Some sort of balance is required.
Everyone has a purpose in life, which they may not find in their lifetime.
I think some good objectives are to:
- be happy (pleasure)
- form lasting, worthwhile relationships
- succeed (fulfil ambition)
- do what you want (purpose or hedonism?)
Success comes from other people's trust (or your ruthless coercion). This trust comes from your ability to make decisions based on experience and stick to them.
Success (usually) brings money. Money and power go hand in hand, and power corrupts, bringing paranoia and doubt. This changes a person from what they were before they became successful, so they will fail, unless they were like that anyway.
Trust is a cornerstone of any relationship. You can only really get to know someone and hence form a solid relationship with them by going through Hell with them (fighting, arguing, killing each other). A person's true character is exposed in these moments when their shell is removed, and the relationship becomes stronger. Or if you're dead, the relationship will be over. But it's a risk worth taking.
What is human nature? Part of it seems to be to destroy things which try to help us, and ultimately to destroy ourselves.
People I hate:
Unfortunately I fall into all four categories.
Written by Ed between August and November 1998. Last modified 4/6/02.