Archive for the ‘Opinion’ Category

Objectifying My Experience

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

I’ve been thinking about objectifying women from a mechanical level. Reducing people to objects is wrong if this leads you to forget that the person is an agent of their own interests. They aren’t an object upon which my interests can be fulfilled without consent on their part. And there’s no reason to see this as a topic that only relates to sex, I could be interested in having women hang around me while I go bar crawling. In this scenario, their consent is as important.

It seems objectifying is flat wrong but then, objectifying comes from something. I think there is a useful purpose in the basic ability to objectify someone but I don’t think that purpose is generally applicable in the sense that you can’t just use it all the time, it’s a specific case kind of skill. Objectifying a soldier might be done by commanders so that they can move soldiers as pawns on the battlefield. Thinking too much about the individual agency of each soldier might be counterproductive when the focus needs to be on a strategic level.
(more…)

Add This! Blinkbits Blinklist Blogmarks BlogMemes BlueDot BlogLines co.mments Connotea del.icio.us de.lirio.us Digg Diigo DZone Facebook FeedMeLinks Folkd.com Fleck Furl Google Google Reader icio.de IndianPad Leonaut LinkaGoGo Linkarena Linkter Magnolia Mister Wong MyShare Ask.com MyStuff Ask.com Yahoo! MyWeb Netscape Netvouz Newsgator Newsvine Oneview.de RawSugar reddit Rojo Segnalo Shadows Simpy SlashDot Smarking Sphere Spurl Startaid StumbleUpon TailRank Technorati ThisNext yigg.de Webnews.de ReadMe.ru Dobavi.com Dao.bg Lubimi.com Ping.bg Pipe.bg Svejo.net Web-bg.com Plugin by Dichev.com

Taylor Carson – Defending the Name

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

It’s coming out and you can preorder it in various formats and with various accessories such as shirts and posters from Taylor’s website. My favorite song I heard of his was yet to be recorded and might be “Make Me Believe”. I’ll recognize it if I hear it. Anyway, I think his talent is showing and I’m looking forward to the release.

Add This! Blinkbits Blinklist Blogmarks BlogMemes BlueDot BlogLines co.mments Connotea del.icio.us de.lirio.us Digg Diigo DZone Facebook FeedMeLinks Folkd.com Fleck Furl Google Google Reader icio.de IndianPad Leonaut LinkaGoGo Linkarena Linkter Magnolia Mister Wong MyShare Ask.com MyStuff Ask.com Yahoo! MyWeb Netscape Netvouz Newsgator Newsvine Oneview.de RawSugar reddit Rojo Segnalo Shadows Simpy SlashDot Smarking Sphere Spurl Startaid StumbleUpon TailRank Technorati ThisNext yigg.de Webnews.de ReadMe.ru Dobavi.com Dao.bg Lubimi.com Ping.bg Pipe.bg Svejo.net Web-bg.com Plugin by Dichev.com

The Opposite of Pretty Women

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Okay. You know how you have heaven and hell? They exist as opposites, right. In cases like values which heaven and hell hint at, the existence of one implies the other. If I see Satan for example, and I leap to the existence of a god, then I’m aware that both god and Satan are from the same book. I’m acknowledging the book. That’s a mistake an atheist like me isn’t going to make.

You know how you have pretty women? They exist as opposites, right. Everybody else is ugly or we can get modern and be like “normal” is the opposite of pretty. This kind of makes normal the new ugly.
(more…)

Add This! Blinkbits Blinklist Blogmarks BlogMemes BlueDot BlogLines co.mments Connotea del.icio.us de.lirio.us Digg Diigo DZone Facebook FeedMeLinks Folkd.com Fleck Furl Google Google Reader icio.de IndianPad Leonaut LinkaGoGo Linkarena Linkter Magnolia Mister Wong MyShare Ask.com MyStuff Ask.com Yahoo! MyWeb Netscape Netvouz Newsgator Newsvine Oneview.de RawSugar reddit Rojo Segnalo Shadows Simpy SlashDot Smarking Sphere Spurl Startaid StumbleUpon TailRank Technorati ThisNext yigg.de Webnews.de ReadMe.ru Dobavi.com Dao.bg Lubimi.com Ping.bg Pipe.bg Svejo.net Web-bg.com Plugin by Dichev.com

Cohering the Masses

Friday, August 27th, 2010

I snapped at my girlfriend. I emailed a friend. I started a thread on the forum. And it’s all about this topic. I want an utopia. It’s what I want, and I’m not fucking apologizing for wanting to experience such a place. However, I do not know for sure how realistic it is to want such a thing.

I’m a portion of many different types of people. I’m part white South-Eastern American male. I’m part atheist. I’m part penis. I’m part philosophical. I’m contrarian. I’m a writer. I’m a software engineer. I could potentially be polyamorous or at least an ally. I think racism, sexism and more are still alive and will take active work to make the experience of my fellow women and minority citizens better. I’m not even selfless. I don’t care about other people as a whole. I like some individuals for all sorts of reasons and I just want their experience to be as pleasant as possible. I want a utopia.
(more…)

Add This! Blinkbits Blinklist Blogmarks BlogMemes BlueDot BlogLines co.mments Connotea del.icio.us de.lirio.us Digg Diigo DZone Facebook FeedMeLinks Folkd.com Fleck Furl Google Google Reader icio.de IndianPad Leonaut LinkaGoGo Linkarena Linkter Magnolia Mister Wong MyShare Ask.com MyStuff Ask.com Yahoo! MyWeb Netscape Netvouz Newsgator Newsvine Oneview.de RawSugar reddit Rojo Segnalo Shadows Simpy SlashDot Smarking Sphere Spurl Startaid StumbleUpon TailRank Technorati ThisNext yigg.de Webnews.de ReadMe.ru Dobavi.com Dao.bg Lubimi.com Ping.bg Pipe.bg Svejo.net Web-bg.com Plugin by Dichev.com

Gran Torino as a Look at Entitlement

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

I watched Gran Torino last night after 10pm which means that I’m surprised I paid attention. But I did and the movie exceeded my expectations. On one of my hour and a half commutes, I got to thinking about it some more. I saw the movie as a commentary about different types of people and their feelings of entitlement.

Clint Eastwood played Walter Kowalski, an aging Vietnam Korean War vet who’s wife’s funeral begins the movie. He’s gruff and difficult and his kids don’t like him any better than he likes them. The first sense of entitlement displayed was his kids and grandkids and how they felt like he should love them or behave differently because they deserved it, even though the audience probably didn’t see a whole lot of endearing qualities from Walter’s kids.
(more…)

Add This! Blinkbits Blinklist Blogmarks BlogMemes BlueDot BlogLines co.mments Connotea del.icio.us de.lirio.us Digg Diigo DZone Facebook FeedMeLinks Folkd.com Fleck Furl Google Google Reader icio.de IndianPad Leonaut LinkaGoGo Linkarena Linkter Magnolia Mister Wong MyShare Ask.com MyStuff Ask.com Yahoo! MyWeb Netscape Netvouz Newsgator Newsvine Oneview.de RawSugar reddit Rojo Segnalo Shadows Simpy SlashDot Smarking Sphere Spurl Startaid StumbleUpon TailRank Technorati ThisNext yigg.de Webnews.de ReadMe.ru Dobavi.com Dao.bg Lubimi.com Ping.bg Pipe.bg Svejo.net Web-bg.com Plugin by Dichev.com

Friends and Real Friends

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

I know a question on my mind. Can I articulate how I evaluate people of importance in my life so that prospective important people and current important people can reasonably evaluate their own standing and predict how I might value them?

I’ll be friends with anybody in a sense. Intellectually, I’ll hang out with anybody. I’ll help anybody. I’ll sit next to anybody. I’d have sex with anybody. All things are possible if the chemistry is right. And one thing being not possible doesn’t drag the rest of the possibilities away. That’s my standard. I may or may not meet that standard. I prefer certain activities with certain types of people. I like my sports with more energetic people. I like my sex with women. I prefer to help those I trust. But I don’t reserve any of those activities (in the conceptual world) to any of those groups. I firmly believe we have to transcend expectations and one way to do that is to reduce the limits by which I will investigate a potential friend for a potential type of bond. In this case, the bonds identified are helping out, sitting near, having sex, and sports.
(more…)

Add This! Blinkbits Blinklist Blogmarks BlogMemes BlueDot BlogLines co.mments Connotea del.icio.us de.lirio.us Digg Diigo DZone Facebook FeedMeLinks Folkd.com Fleck Furl Google Google Reader icio.de IndianPad Leonaut LinkaGoGo Linkarena Linkter Magnolia Mister Wong MyShare Ask.com MyStuff Ask.com Yahoo! MyWeb Netscape Netvouz Newsgator Newsvine Oneview.de RawSugar reddit Rojo Segnalo Shadows Simpy SlashDot Smarking Sphere Spurl Startaid StumbleUpon TailRank Technorati ThisNext yigg.de Webnews.de ReadMe.ru Dobavi.com Dao.bg Lubimi.com Ping.bg Pipe.bg Svejo.net Web-bg.com Plugin by Dichev.com

The Great Atheist Debate

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Here’s a rather fun dispute between people who have like-mindedly disavowed belief systems whether or not to be a dick about it. The comments section is more fun than the post that started it off.

So what’s a Seth to do in a world so divided among like minds? I’m already convinced there is nothing supernatural, that religion is at best entertainment and at worst the same kind of crap teams of nasty people are made of.  Should I be nice about it or what?

Me?  I take it on a case by case basis.  The louder and more sensational an announcement the quicker I am to ridicule.  Billboards, bumper stickers, and TV ads piss me off because they promote religion without a conversation, without human to human interaction.   I have been a believer and I have friends of a diversity of types.  Since most of the time religion isn’t the purpose of hanging out, in those cases, their beliefs become benign.  Disputing evolution is idiotic, but if the peer is a computer scientist, then the opinion is irrelevant.

And besides, I’ve got my own favorite fish to fry.  Let’s talk about sex, baby.  Let’s talk about something that is typically fun for everyone that got turned into a morality choice, a vulnerability, a social statement and more.  Some people think chastity is a virtue.  Also, there is homophobia.  Women have to worry about predators (we all do, but this is a common concern). Then there are diseases.   Monogamy is the right relationship pattern especially for those of us who want votes.  And all of this stuff gets in the way of our ability to take situations a case at a time and to mix our safety features with living in the moment.  The best sex happens when we feel like it after all.  And blah blah blah fucking.

So you have people preparing for the return of god.  You have suicide bombers and some of the hottest women around dressed the most discretely (muslim ladies).  I don’t have time to focus on religion and change the world because I’m on a perv mission.  Quit trying to distract me.

K?
Thanks.

Add This! Blinkbits Blinklist Blogmarks BlogMemes BlueDot BlogLines co.mments Connotea del.icio.us de.lirio.us Digg Diigo DZone Facebook FeedMeLinks Folkd.com Fleck Furl Google Google Reader icio.de IndianPad Leonaut LinkaGoGo Linkarena Linkter Magnolia Mister Wong MyShare Ask.com MyStuff Ask.com Yahoo! MyWeb Netscape Netvouz Newsgator Newsvine Oneview.de RawSugar reddit Rojo Segnalo Shadows Simpy SlashDot Smarking Sphere Spurl Startaid StumbleUpon TailRank Technorati ThisNext yigg.de Webnews.de ReadMe.ru Dobavi.com Dao.bg Lubimi.com Ping.bg Pipe.bg Svejo.net Web-bg.com Plugin by Dichev.com

What I think About Your Opinion

Monday, July 19th, 2010

I used to think you had
layers like an onion.
Now you just piss me off
Fuck your opinion.

I don’t even wanna hang out
If you pay for lunch, honey
Complication fixed with a
Fuck your opinion.

Somewhere how we talked got all complicated
We can’t just speak aloud. So much time is wasted.
Somehow, where we’re at doesn’t get the right reception
Wait it out. Wait it out. Give it time for reconnection.

I used to think you had
jokes that were funny
Now it’s just racist
Fuck your opinion

I used to think morals
Had to come from something
Now I’ve had some time to think
Fuck your opinion.

Word.

Add This! Blinkbits Blinklist Blogmarks BlogMemes BlueDot BlogLines co.mments Connotea del.icio.us de.lirio.us Digg Diigo DZone Facebook FeedMeLinks Folkd.com Fleck Furl Google Google Reader icio.de IndianPad Leonaut LinkaGoGo Linkarena Linkter Magnolia Mister Wong MyShare Ask.com MyStuff Ask.com Yahoo! MyWeb Netscape Netvouz Newsgator Newsvine Oneview.de RawSugar reddit Rojo Segnalo Shadows Simpy SlashDot Smarking Sphere Spurl Startaid StumbleUpon TailRank Technorati ThisNext yigg.de Webnews.de ReadMe.ru Dobavi.com Dao.bg Lubimi.com Ping.bg Pipe.bg Svejo.net Web-bg.com Plugin by Dichev.com

Charlottesville Police Department

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Those guys and women earned their keep today by manning just about every traffic signal in the city. A storm ripped through which I underestimated and took down trees everywhere. When trees go down, so do the power grids.

Anyhow, they had to not only direct traffic, but they seem to have thought through the traffic patterns and coned off lanes that led to more gridlock. I thought they chose smartly. They earned the speeding ticket for which I have yet to pay. Well done.

Add This! Blinkbits Blinklist Blogmarks BlogMemes BlueDot BlogLines co.mments Connotea del.icio.us de.lirio.us Digg Diigo DZone Facebook FeedMeLinks Folkd.com Fleck Furl Google Google Reader icio.de IndianPad Leonaut LinkaGoGo Linkarena Linkter Magnolia Mister Wong MyShare Ask.com MyStuff Ask.com Yahoo! MyWeb Netscape Netvouz Newsgator Newsvine Oneview.de RawSugar reddit Rojo Segnalo Shadows Simpy SlashDot Smarking Sphere Spurl Startaid StumbleUpon TailRank Technorati ThisNext yigg.de Webnews.de ReadMe.ru Dobavi.com Dao.bg Lubimi.com Ping.bg Pipe.bg Svejo.net Web-bg.com Plugin by Dichev.com

Memorable Day

Friday, May 28th, 2010

I want to strike a balance if I can manage it.  I think a primary relationship that involves home building and adult stuff should somehow take what the people involved already had individually and add to that.  I don’t really like or truly understand the flip side which is the compromises and rules.  That is partly because I am disagreeable.  Also, partly I feel this way because when people who would date meet, they don’t have all the rules and things work well enough to make them think they should go further.  The state of feeling like you want to go further is one I’d like to live in with a newspaper for an umbrella.

Sometimes I wander away from my partner.  I’ve thought about this and there are tons of reasons.  Sometimes, I’m just not paying attention and that’s not a good thing.  Sometimes, I am simply taking “me” time and that me time takes a variety of forms.  Some forms involve me alone.  Some involve me with buddies (read: non-sexual friends) and some involve me with people who have chemistry.  Wandering away is a funny thing to balance in a relationship because I need to be me to maintain me.  In my mind, that’s the me that comes back to my partner home builder and who she (or he) really wants.

Relationships of any kind take some level of work.  There are light and easy days and there are problem days with real genuine problems to be solved.  There are even days where there are moods which aren’t always related very well to a solvable problem.  It seems like those days are sort of like catch up days for being so high energy all the time.  Being supported reminds me why relationships of any kind have value.  Being accompanied makes life feel worthwhile.

Hepfat reminded me of some basic rules when I read one of her posts.  My friends aren’t necessarily friends with each other.  I’d qualify that to say the level of importance changes.  I think generally my friends do support my other friends as a way of supporting me.  I’ve been really fortunate that way.  But she’s right, a near lover of mine cannot be expected to be that with my house building partner.  It’s too much and too entangled.

And my friends aren’t my team’s friends necessarily.  They are mine in as much as my choice of interacting with them is almost vacuum like when I can consider simply my feelings on whether to keep a friend or not.  There are dick ways to do this and nice ways to do this.  But basically my friendships formed simply between the parties involved and are non transferable.  The good news is I think new friendships can definitely form between friends of friends.  The bad news is this leads to jealousy and uncertainty on the part of friends (or lovers) that feel left behind.

It’s apples and oranges sometimes talking about commitment and sustainability to the point where I sometimes feel that one person’s pleasure is in fact taking cookies right out of the other person’s cookie jar of happiness.   If that’s the case, then the foundation is flawed and the existing structure of the relationship cannot be trusted.  The good news is the people can step back and consider reforming with the new information.

It doesn’t make you insignificant because you’re very important.  It doesn’t make you disposable if we have to walk away from something that means so much.  It just makes us tougher, smarter, and more likely to build a happy hearth and home if we approach our relationship as one form of two very devoted friends who want to see the other person thrive while thriving along side.

I mentioned the other day and I think it’s true that my entire life has changed so much in my perspective.  I used to think in terms of right and wrong as set by God and through God influenced men.  I’ve gone beyond that to a world where there are many valid goals and compromises seem to leave all the goals a bit unfulfilled.  I’ve gone from having a moral compass to the uncertainty that comes with believing I have no idea what environment works best for me.  And I hope to get there.  And I’ve only even tried with people who have displayed awesome levels of qualities I admire.  There’s no shame there.  And there’s a lot of hope to boot.

Add This! Blinkbits Blinklist Blogmarks BlogMemes BlueDot BlogLines co.mments Connotea del.icio.us de.lirio.us Digg Diigo DZone Facebook FeedMeLinks Folkd.com Fleck Furl Google Google Reader icio.de IndianPad Leonaut LinkaGoGo Linkarena Linkter Magnolia Mister Wong MyShare Ask.com MyStuff Ask.com Yahoo! MyWeb Netscape Netvouz Newsgator Newsvine Oneview.de RawSugar reddit Rojo Segnalo Shadows Simpy SlashDot Smarking Sphere Spurl Startaid StumbleUpon TailRank Technorati ThisNext yigg.de Webnews.de ReadMe.ru Dobavi.com Dao.bg Lubimi.com Ping.bg Pipe.bg Svejo.net Web-bg.com Plugin by Dichev.com