The Category of Thinking But Only Through a Filter

My mother ranted to me a little today. She was recounting a story of a time when a professional she worked with was unable to grasp a concept she was trying to explain. There was a particular word definition she was using in this professional context, but the other person required that she repeat herself several times, correcting her definition with his own understanding. No matter how she put it, he would not or could not conceed his understanding.

I have talked to people who hold opinions that are the complete opposite of mine. Many times, the intelligent ones will have excellent reasons for their views and are able to defend them, but others are shut off to discussion, and anything I say clearly is not even begun to be understood. This often, in my experience, has happened with the anti-religious. Typically, these are the closed minded people, who have decided to hate instead of listen, defend instead of consider, and protect their views from the crazy religious people around them. Strange how I find the self proclaimed "open minded atheists" to be the most closed minded people to talk to.

I explained the situation to my father who was perplexed by my mother's story, wondering how a professional could be so dense that he could not understand what my mother was explaining. I told him that some people develop filters for their minds, and this is how the experience new information in their lives. Someone gives them something to chew on, and it bumps up against their brain filter; if it matches what they already know, it passes through, like a cube through the square hole. It's when it doesn't immediately match what they understand that the new suggestion gets stuck, chucked, rejected. These filters make talking with them dull, upsetting, and pointless. Sometimes I don't share my opinion because a person genuinely won't want to hear it, other times, I just know they won't even understand.

Speaking of brain filters, I had this idea for a way to eat the brains of smokers after I become a zombie...

The Category of Population Consideration and Context

Sometimes I think people do not pay enough attention to context. I specifically am referring to people who like to make serious suggestions or ideas based on a possibility that does not exist. Sometimes philosophers will discuss things like this just for perspective, such as in the case of multiple realiability, and that's ok. For example, the concept of "pain" as some chemical experience in the brain stimulated by nerves is a prejudiced concept when you consider the possiblity of AI (Artificial Intelligence) or robots who could eventually feel pain as something electronic in their motherboard. In fact, even the idea that aliens could have different anatomy that relies on a series of biological tubes within which water flows, requires the definition of pain to not be central only to humans. But I digress.

Certain ethics or innovations are useless. Sometimes ideas a born and pursued that have no business having a continued existence. I would love to specifically rail on Communism as an example without anyone being offended, but as some people still cling to this strange idea, I will be more liberal in my examples. The main point of this blog post in fact is the realization I had that many people cannot fathom the concept of populations of thousands of people. There are many studies that show this to be the case, and for the most part is biological and natural, rather than just stupid. Not sure if in this enlightened age you can use that excuse, but it's the way it is. People, when faced with large numbers of other people, naturally comprehend the mass of people as a single, authoritative entity. They do not consider that every single person making that mob up is an individual with slightly differing tastes, opinions, views, ideas, and lives. This sounds obvious, but consider the following.

"Mob Mentality" is a psychologically proven concept. People act differently, even in uncharacteristic ways, when faced with a mob of people doing something. Riots often escalate to very violent, destructive levels because of this, and many people get hurt. Studies show if a person is shown a square and rectangle on a piece of paper, and the group he is in all claim that it was definetly two squares, the person will admit (in most cases) that it was actually two squares. People can be influenced by a mass of people, but it is not because it is many versus one; it is because of the authority that people mentally give to that singular entity. People experience their own lives only, and are reduced to assumptions and observations about other people's lives and experience. Before I get too philosophical, let's get back on point.

Communism works in theory. This is a common phrase uttered by those discussing the history of its implementation. However, reality has shown that it has yet to work successfully as it is intended to. Countries who adopt this form of government typically have higher poverty rates, and a larger gap between the upper and lower class. Now, some will claim that the theory hold true despite its failed execution in practice, and I have an idea why. These people are not considering the greatest flaw in the concept of Communism, and that is people. Not just some, but an extremely large group of people. And people are rarely the same enough to be satisfied with similar treatment.

I don't believe that Communism doesn't work due entirely to the human evil some possess, and that it has to be the case that it fails when someone takes advantage of the situation. In my opinion, it is a concept that requires a very large group of people all participate in a concept that they must all agree on. This is nothing short of IMPOSSIBLE. Why are we still talking about Communism? This is a theory based entirely in metaphysical discussion, and has no business still being considered. This is not the only time people do not consider how many people are really out there. I watched a documentary about the second election for George Bush Jr., in which Michael Moore travelled the country encouraging young people to get out and vote. Not telling them to vote a certain way, just telling them to actually do it. Despite the largest turn out of young voters in all of American history, Bush won a second time. This was a very confusing thing to happen considering his political history, at least for some.

Then I saw the movie "Jesus Camp". In this one, fundamental Christians were shown lining up in church to kiss a cardboard cutout of Bush (tell me how this isn't idolotry, but I probably won't listen), and I realized that lots of people out there hold opinions that others would find strange or impossible. These people exist. Watch Dragon's Den or visit a Patent Office and see the things people believe are a good idea. There is insanity out there folks, and it's not far away. I may sound like I've lost faith in people, but I haven't, I just have perspective. People need to understand that the reason (in my opinion anyway) democracy works so well is because it caters to the flaws of our society; the crazies. You can't have a system of government that relies on everyone agreeing, or even understanding, because you won't have that. Democracy is about everyone having input in some way, and basically having an excuse to shut up those who claim they have better reasons for their beliefs. Think abortion is immoral and should be completely banned to save our souls? Well, we know there are enough people who want it, so you'll just have to take it up with them.

I think people need to realize that "Common Sense" is not actually common. People rag on Dr. Phil because all he does is spout common sense, without considering that the people on his show clearly have been acting without this sense. He happens to be a professional in terms of knowing what people need to hear and how. The subtleties of his interaction skills impress me so much, when you know what you're seeing. His beginning sentences to young misbehaving teens of "You're clearly a smart person, who can make decisions for themselves" is obviously opening them up to what he has to say, but some people would say he was being an idiot to say something so untrue. In any case, common sense is not common, and so many people out there do not know or agree with it. Things would probably be a lot easier in life if common sense were real. In any case, the idea to take away from this is that you really can't fathom the different perspectives of thousands of people at once; we aren't built to do it. We can really just compare our own understanding to one other person's at a time. We may be able to compare to many, but the infinite inevitably becomes categorized in our minds. Hopefully we don't hold ourselves back too much trying. Or hold ourselves back by not.

In any case, much of this will be irrelevant. Communism could actually work on zombies who all share an identical set of desires, beliefs, and philosophies. We'll be better off I guess, politically, when zombies make up our thousands.

Categorizing Something Strange Like Pet Peeves

Knowing that in our society, specifically North American, there is an increase and abundance of mental disorders and emotional fluctuations in our population, I find it interesting to reflect on pet peeves. These of course are things that bother you, and are not really a rational cause for extreme emotion, however, do cause in you something many others think nothing of. I know I have a few myself, but I wonder what they stem from, and if other cultures, like 3rd world countries suffer from them as well. I will name mine right off the bat; I hate when someone's shirt tag sticks out, and when I can see a strand of hair on someone's clothing. I know that my girlfriend has a pet peeve about people who don't walk on the right side when travelling in busy areas (stay to the right).

These things should not be causing anxiety, but the worst part about it is that you can rarely do something to address these issues, because you are a minority if you actually care that much. I can't help people with a problem they don't believe is a problem, and so I am left to suffer alone. Realistically we keep our mouths shut, only revealing these peeves to our friends who know us, because otherwise we may be seen as anal or crazy. I don't have much more to comment, other than on how my pet peeve is having pet peeves.

Don't you just hate it when people waste ammunition for celebration or warnings during a zombie apocolypse? I mean, I get that you have more, and that it makes you psychologically feel better, but geez, gets on my nerves...

The Category of Not Writing in a While

I have not posted on this blog in a while now. I know that will be obvious to my followers, but for those of you just joining us, it's been weeks. It's not that I don't have anything interesting to talk about, I'm just not really used to sharing it all in written form. I have never kept a diary, and in general, discussing my thoughts in person is adequate. I actually am only writing this post because I think it is sad to have a blog and not write in it. What I thought I'd share is my view on life and its overall length.

A lot of people will say "Life is short" or "Live every day like it's your last", and frankly I understand the sentiment, but do not share it myself. Maybe it's because I'm young, but it really does not ever feel this way to me. I'm going to give a small analogy instead of coming right out and telling you what I mean because I want to, and I'm in no rush to have you fully understand. When I was sitting in the classroom before my motorcycle drive test, we reviewed all the things I'd have to remember while on the road. It seemed quite overwhelming, and I could not fathom how I would remember all the little motions and procedures I would have to perform while on the road. I got nervous that I would either forget, or get confused. However, once I was driving on the road, I realized I had lots of time when I was simply driving straight, and I had plenty of time to sort my thoughts, and do very well.

I sort of feel this way with life. Yes, we only have a collection of decades, and for three or four of these, we may be a little less functional than in our prime, but I try to give myself a real kind of perspective. Realistically, while going through life, we have to experience every waking moment we live. We are alive, thinking, and basically being who we are, and we do this every second. There are a lot of minutes in a day, let me tell you. A day where there is nothing to do can crawl by very slowly. Even days that have busy mornings that zoom by can slow incredibly in the afternoon. We will have to go through a lot of time in our lives, and really, unless something happens to us, chances are we will keep doing this for a very long time.

I try not to be in a rush. Sometimes this is procrastination, but a lot of time, I consider it being realistic. I don't want to feel stressed trying to squeeze in accomplishments, or rush head first into important life decisions. I have always planned to get married by 25, but if it took me til 30, I wouldn't be too upset. I had a friend who at 27 was complaining he didn't even know any women he could date, and felt he was really running out of time. Now at 29, he's married. Change can happen at any moment, and take you places you didn't expect, or even didn't expect for a long time. I am somewhat living by this understanding, not rushing, trying to enjoy and experience.

One of the most influential writers I have ever read, Alexander Pope, described what it was like for young people who approached poetry as a mountain to be conquered. He talked about their vision of poetry being something to master, to prepare themselves for, to struggle and work to beat it, to put their whole effort into the task of reaching the summit, and finally, after all their work and dedication, getting to the peak. He wrote about how, from that successful vantage point they achieved, they looked off into the distance, and saw other mountain peaks of future mountains, reaching off into the distance. This he said was the folly of youth, to assume that you understand life's challenges in full. To think that you can possibly complete a life's work in your youth. In reality, he showed that there will be more mountains to climb, and it may be impossible to climb them all. I think of this when I write.

I love to write poetry, but haven't seriously done so for almost 3 years. I set a goal for myself as a poet, achieved it, and have laid back to enjoy it. I do not struggle anymore, because I believe that I have my whole life to struggle. I enjoy the climb as much as I'll enjoy reaching another summit. I see no reason to try and accomplish something that takes a lifetime to complete. I know that my pace will make me better for it. This is probably why Captain Kirk is climbing a mountain...

Pope also wrote "True ease in writing comes from art not chance, as those move easiest who have learned to dance." This line has influenced my writing just as much. I believe that it is work to be good at art; no true artist sits down when inspirtation hits, pours out work in a completed state, and is successful. True art is work, practice, dedication, etc. and I take this seriously. If you've never read Pope, maybe check out his Essay on Criticism...it's inspirational, especially to writers.

I don't know when I'll write in this blog again, hopefully not too long. I'm busy with school, work, D&D planning, and social activities, but if I can, I'll put more down on this page. Lord knows it's been way too long since I've made some sort of internet zombie reference...