I'm possibly reflecting my setting, or my age group, or my sense of oddity relative to, what seems to be, a norm, but I find it ever so intolerable to meet people with a complex about themselves. What do I mean by a "complex about themselves"? Well, I'll tell ya!
I'm referring to people who you speak to for a time and then they simply... stop. Now, my immediate thought might be - I am doing something wrong. Let me express some confidence in who I am and iterate that I do not think I am doing anything wrong save for being myself (which, admittedly, can be, or so I've heard, intimidating). I enjoy meeting people and make some effort to learn who they are - no matter what they look like or, generally, how they express themselves. Usually, this is received with open arms, but as time passes, it seems that the novelty of learning about someone wears off and almost always the other person simply stops communicating. Now, I'm not the type of person to push the issue. I simply give it one good attempt and if I see there will be no response in the future - I dismiss.
What bothers me is how quickly people seem to lose interest in others; the need for constant entertainment and "playing one's cards" juuuuust right is more than annoying, actually, rather angering. I don't mean to say that I am angry at any individual person, but it makes me angry to know there are a large number of people (based on my sample size) that need to be spoken to in a particular way to which they remained entertained by your person - hear me when I say this: that is pathetic.
I could absolutely make an argument that we are always in a state of "selling" ourselves to others, but the level of discreet disrespect people have for one another, as if saying, "I'm bored of you, I won't speak to you any longer" is so common it is nearly expected, save for the shred of hope that you meet one of those few who actually appreciate your existence for what/who you are without heaping their expectations upon you.
My thoughts are scattered right now, but this is more of an expression of disdain for behavior of that caliber. On a personal level, it does not bother me, because after I realize I have been "shut out", I simply "delete" in my mind. I have had people contact me (months, or even a year, later) when they were (as admitted by them) bored as if expecting me to entertain them again. These people... man, oh, man.. I refuse to play the game. It comes off as disgustingly immature.
My fear, however, is that although I put stipulations that this may be a particular group (or age) of people, this is an occurrence throughout life that will persist regardless of location, age, culture (and on). In that case, hold onto those who will stand by you and put, even a small, effort into your interpersonal relationship.
Honestly, I have plenty more to say (shocker..), but I am tired and my mind isn't functioning all that optimally at the moment. Rest assured, I will touch on the subject again in the future as it is something that I notice over and over again - not necessarily to me, but to a multitude of people (almost as if there is a hierarchy with the most genuine at the bottom and the spoiled/egoistical at the top). Oh well, in the end, it should have no impact on your emotional well being as these encounters should be as dust wiped off your shoulder.
Listening to: "Recursive Self- Improvement" by How to Destroy Angels (sort of fitting, in a way)
Monday, September 22, 2014
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Evolution, Join Us
I'm currently taking Biology and we've been covering evolution (Brace thy angus, here we go...). It hasn't been made apparent to me of late, but it always gets me thinking about those few that do not *believe* in evolution. Admittedly, the idea is difficult to grasp, not because it is complicated in root, but because it is such an incredible process. However, having said that, it makes sense - albeit still being an expansive idea.
What gets me is the ability for people to cherry pick information presented by science to their liking. Let's be honest, choosing to believe in electricity or gravity and then choosing to not believe in evolution is so far out of my realm of understanding, I can't even begin to comprehend the reasoning behind that thought process. I realize that most, if not all, of the people who refuse to believe the theory of evolution are religious, and it goes without saying that their level of faith is in many respects tested to a greater degree than it is for non-believers. So, in this respect, I find it overly confusing that religious people wouldn't take the "leap of faith" on a theory like evolution. I mean, my favorite example is turning on a light switch - shall we?
If a person stands in a door way of a dark room, they instinctively start groping the wall for the switch. Why? Because they believe that when they flip the switch it will turn the light on. How does one get to that level of faith in the functionality of electricity that one, without thought, reaches for the light switch, and instinctively *believes* with absolute certainty that the electricity will light the bulb?
Well, two fold, they have experienced it enough times to know that is what happens. Secondly, they have experienced it enough times to know that is what happens, because science has made it a possibility for them to experience it; not only that, science has told them that is what will happen. So, we are willing to trust science from small, subconscious gestures as that one to massive, conscious leaps of faith such as "this plane will carry me across the ocean", or, "this needle they are violating me with is full of a substance that will heal me". We accept these things unconditionally, unwavering - all due to science and its profound influence to convince us that it is capable of doing incredible things, teaching us incredible things. So, what gives?
Essentially, this is the thought process, "I will trust science with all matters of my life that it does with extreme ease, accuracy, and has made my overall quality of life a nigh miracle, but when science tells me (which it has gotten everything else correct) that evolution is how we reached the person we are now, I will refuse this vehemently."
Da fuck?
Makes ZERO sense. And thus, cherry pickers. Enjoy the spoils of science, but the things that do not directly impact your life can suddenly be hotly debated. I'll bet that if the belief in evolution was a necessity to enjoy the many spoils science offers us, there would me a massive influx of "believers".
So, science has earned your trust in every other way, and has shown you, more than *anything* on this planet that it knows a thing or two, and yet some people still can't take that "leap of faith (with evidence, making it less of a leap and more of a little bunny hop)". That boggles my mind - I do not understand.
Now, I'm sure some people will throw out the argument that God is actually using science as a tool of His creation so we should not be giving the credit to science, but to God. Well, here's my reply:
That is not an argument that you want to make. If that is indeed true (let's get hypothetical and assume it is), then if science informs you of evolution, and scientific discoveries are in fact an opening of God's world privileged to us by God, then what's the hesitation? Jump on the evolution train - choo choo, MFers!
Then, of course, there is the Bible. I'm going to make this quick: in school, if you have one book that says one thing with no evidence, and then you have every other book in existence saying another thing with a massive amount of evidence, what have you been taught to believe? (Whispers) "Cherry pickers..."
Finally, I realize that evolution is not something can exactly be replicated in a lab, but smaller elements that encompass it can be observed in daily life. For example, the mutation of bacteria around anti-biotics (adaptation to hostile presence), or sweating when your body is overheated (adaptation to one's surroundings). If this happens enough, adaptation happens in chronic cases (Darwin's research on birds is a perfect example). Animals have changed their physical appearance and ability based on their environment for millions of years, and news flash, we're animals (debatable, I know, but for this argument, it is correct).
Confusion abounds.
Listening to: Vampire Weekend, "A-Punk"
What gets me is the ability for people to cherry pick information presented by science to their liking. Let's be honest, choosing to believe in electricity or gravity and then choosing to not believe in evolution is so far out of my realm of understanding, I can't even begin to comprehend the reasoning behind that thought process. I realize that most, if not all, of the people who refuse to believe the theory of evolution are religious, and it goes without saying that their level of faith is in many respects tested to a greater degree than it is for non-believers. So, in this respect, I find it overly confusing that religious people wouldn't take the "leap of faith" on a theory like evolution. I mean, my favorite example is turning on a light switch - shall we?
If a person stands in a door way of a dark room, they instinctively start groping the wall for the switch. Why? Because they believe that when they flip the switch it will turn the light on. How does one get to that level of faith in the functionality of electricity that one, without thought, reaches for the light switch, and instinctively *believes* with absolute certainty that the electricity will light the bulb?
Well, two fold, they have experienced it enough times to know that is what happens. Secondly, they have experienced it enough times to know that is what happens, because science has made it a possibility for them to experience it; not only that, science has told them that is what will happen. So, we are willing to trust science from small, subconscious gestures as that one to massive, conscious leaps of faith such as "this plane will carry me across the ocean", or, "this needle they are violating me with is full of a substance that will heal me". We accept these things unconditionally, unwavering - all due to science and its profound influence to convince us that it is capable of doing incredible things, teaching us incredible things. So, what gives?
Essentially, this is the thought process, "I will trust science with all matters of my life that it does with extreme ease, accuracy, and has made my overall quality of life a nigh miracle, but when science tells me (which it has gotten everything else correct) that evolution is how we reached the person we are now, I will refuse this vehemently."
Da fuck?
Makes ZERO sense. And thus, cherry pickers. Enjoy the spoils of science, but the things that do not directly impact your life can suddenly be hotly debated. I'll bet that if the belief in evolution was a necessity to enjoy the many spoils science offers us, there would me a massive influx of "believers".
So, science has earned your trust in every other way, and has shown you, more than *anything* on this planet that it knows a thing or two, and yet some people still can't take that "leap of faith (with evidence, making it less of a leap and more of a little bunny hop)". That boggles my mind - I do not understand.
Now, I'm sure some people will throw out the argument that God is actually using science as a tool of His creation so we should not be giving the credit to science, but to God. Well, here's my reply:
That is not an argument that you want to make. If that is indeed true (let's get hypothetical and assume it is), then if science informs you of evolution, and scientific discoveries are in fact an opening of God's world privileged to us by God, then what's the hesitation? Jump on the evolution train - choo choo, MFers!
Then, of course, there is the Bible. I'm going to make this quick: in school, if you have one book that says one thing with no evidence, and then you have every other book in existence saying another thing with a massive amount of evidence, what have you been taught to believe? (Whispers) "Cherry pickers..."
Finally, I realize that evolution is not something can exactly be replicated in a lab, but smaller elements that encompass it can be observed in daily life. For example, the mutation of bacteria around anti-biotics (adaptation to hostile presence), or sweating when your body is overheated (adaptation to one's surroundings). If this happens enough, adaptation happens in chronic cases (Darwin's research on birds is a perfect example). Animals have changed their physical appearance and ability based on their environment for millions of years, and news flash, we're animals (debatable, I know, but for this argument, it is correct).
Confusion abounds.
Listening to: Vampire Weekend, "A-Punk"
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Motivated People
There are plenty of motivated people on this planet - plenty for one reason and plenty for others, but I think there is something to be said of people who find themselves in unmotivated slumps (we all get them, even the most motivated of us). It is interesting to meet people who have this innate drive to just move forward, no matter. At times, they seem so undeniably consumed by passion and burning with desire to reach some ever moving, ever persistently allusive goal; meanwhile, at other times, they seem gassed, as if they've hit a wall. Now, the difference between the two is really only the current attitude, but the long term goal never changes. Speak to a motivated person about their goals, there delivery will go few ways, but it will always fall between these two end points - excitable, exuberant, knowing, and calm, passive, knowing.
Now, my illustrated point is that the end result will remain, but as we are human we will have our ups and downs. Talk to a motivated person during either up or down, they will give you the same reply, simply the delivery will be different. To them, the idea of anything "other", an "other" outcome than the one they have ordained for themselves has never been imagined, and simply isn't an option. Removing the option from their mind has given them liberty (or a cage, you choose) to continue to move forward, be it by running forward or falling, but again, the result will remain in the hands of progress.
Now, granted, forward movement can take massive leaps in short time periods, but it can also crawl forward as if bound by chains. The point is, that no matter the speed, no matter the energy put behind it, a motivated person will only find disappointment, anger, and feel unfulfilled in the face of immobility, but so long as mobility is achieved, even in its deadest sense, this is enough to satisfy the craving of movement toward ones goals. As we are human, from a point of nigh immobility, we can also suddenly surge with energy, as well.
It is pretty remarkable to observe, feel, or even notice. Moving forward is the necessity, the speed by which is the impulse, but even the impulse sometimes "pulses" out and we make peace with the little we are able to do with the current state of our being (often morose).
Listening to: "Dream Run" - Parkway Drive
Now, my illustrated point is that the end result will remain, but as we are human we will have our ups and downs. Talk to a motivated person during either up or down, they will give you the same reply, simply the delivery will be different. To them, the idea of anything "other", an "other" outcome than the one they have ordained for themselves has never been imagined, and simply isn't an option. Removing the option from their mind has given them liberty (or a cage, you choose) to continue to move forward, be it by running forward or falling, but again, the result will remain in the hands of progress.
Now, granted, forward movement can take massive leaps in short time periods, but it can also crawl forward as if bound by chains. The point is, that no matter the speed, no matter the energy put behind it, a motivated person will only find disappointment, anger, and feel unfulfilled in the face of immobility, but so long as mobility is achieved, even in its deadest sense, this is enough to satisfy the craving of movement toward ones goals. As we are human, from a point of nigh immobility, we can also suddenly surge with energy, as well.
It is pretty remarkable to observe, feel, or even notice. Moving forward is the necessity, the speed by which is the impulse, but even the impulse sometimes "pulses" out and we make peace with the little we are able to do with the current state of our being (often morose).
Listening to: "Dream Run" - Parkway Drive
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