Beware the savage jaw of 1984. --David Bowie In his novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell presents readers with a society so repressive that even the mere thought of dissent is outlawed. Every citizen has a 24-hour monitoring device, the telescreen, installed in his or her home, and even the English vernacular has been altered to … Continue reading Thought Crime
Category: Human Nature
Cosmic HubrisÂ
There's a hedge that believers frequently cite when discussing the existence of a supreme being. It's better to believe in God regardless of whether or not God exists, because the consequences of believing in a God that doesn't exist are less than for not believing in a God that does. The same argument can be … Continue reading Cosmic HubrisÂ
What Nature IntendedÂ
To someone trying to reason out why people behave the way they do, homosexuality may seem like an anomaly. Two men together or two women together cannot produce a child, and since the biological imperative for all creatures on earth seems to be to survive and procreate, homosexuality doesn't appear to play a role … Continue reading What Nature IntendedÂ
Ecological Meltdown
We satisfy our endless needs and justify our bloody deeds in the name of yesterday and in the name of God - The Eagles The earth's ecosystem didn't pop up overnight. It has developed over billions of years, and humans have only been a part of it for a few hundred thousand at most. This … Continue reading Ecological Meltdown
Existential Void
In his book, Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl tells the story that on his first day in a Nazi concentration camp, an older and more experienced prisoner pointed to him and, based on the older prisoner's experience, said Frankl was the type who wouldn't survive. Frankl did survive and one way he managed … Continue reading Existential Void
Biological ImperativeÂ
In Genesis, the first humans are instructed to be fruitful and multiply. Given that the human population now exceeds seven billion individuals, one could assume humans took that instruction to heart. Along the way, the transition from hunter gathers, where the population was constantly on the move, to an agrarian society where everyone stays … Continue reading Biological ImperativeÂ
War of WordsÂ
For centuries, those attempting to manipulate the public conscience have understood that appealing to emotions or instincts is far more effective than appealing to intellect. The advertising industry makes a fortune each year manipulating the audience's emotions to sell everything from coffee and toothpaste, to candidates for all levels of public office. In his review … Continue reading War of WordsÂ
Secrets, Lies, and Home InvasionsÂ
Travis Maudlin is a man of many quirks and peculiarities, much of which he keeps to himself, though some of his oddities can't be so easily contained. On more than one occasion, his coworkers have noted his habit of muttering to himself under his breath; his almost pathological refusal to use anyone's name in … Continue reading Secrets, Lies, and Home InvasionsÂ
Random Thoughts, 16 December 2015
Creating a to do list is often one of the things I never have time to do. I wonder if Rhonda ever got around to helping that guy. If the grammar checker in Word is indicative of the current state of technology, we have nothing to fear from Skynet. I must confess, I originally … Continue reading Random Thoughts, 16 December 2015
Like a Rolling Stone: Pharris Matthew Stribling, 1901-1950
Pharris Matthew Stribling, possibly his graduation photo from around 1918. My grandfather, Pharris Matthew Stribling, could have been the inspiration behind the song, Papa was a Rolling Stone. According to World War II draft records, he was born 27 February 1901, in Lincolnton, Lincoln County, Georgia, the second child and oldest son of Charles and … Continue reading Like a Rolling Stone: Pharris Matthew Stribling, 1901-1950