Hubris. Mm, interesting word. Have never thought much about that before. My dictionary is limited and only says "Gr: hybris - excessive pride, wanton violence." Depends on local definitions, I guess.
It does, though, seem to be interestingly apt. So (not in any particular order)The Greeks, Macedonians, Babylonians, Egytians, Ottomans, Romans, Spanish, English and Portugese, Germans also, had a crack at inflicting their version of "the right way to be" on the rest of the world as they knew it.
So now we see the "americans".
Perhaps my daddy was wrong when he told me "lead by example, laddy, not by the butt of a gun."
Well, he would have, if he had not died defending Australia against "imperialism" in 1945.
"imperialism" manifests itself in many ways - perhaps by the fact that I find it difficult to turn on my TV without having the grating, arrogant, abrasive, assertive, abusive , american accent and attitudes thrust down my throat. Perhaps it is difficult to actually purchase a product, without - after research - finding that the bulk of the profit(?) ends up in american hands. Perhaps it is because - if I go to the cinema - cannot find very much "comfortable" to my own culture and upbringinging. I, and most of the people that I know, have no basic desire to "rape, pillage, plunder, morph myself into a superhero, or to blow up buildings/cars/lives with spectacular "special effects". I pick up a "news" paper, and find it difficult to discover careful and thoughtful analysis, media is full of "shock/ horror/isn’t it dreadful sort of journalism . ( and yes, Rupert Murdoch began his "career" in little old Adelaide, South Australia. mm perhaps america is the only place that will put up with him.)
FREEDOM. To me, is the ability to walk 500 kilometers/miles in the open air, to say whatever I choose without the niggling suspicion that I will have any effect on governments, not get shot, and to cross local borders without having to "prove" who I am (In a "normal" society what need have I for anything but the name I was born with? am 60, been there, done that). Seems very peculiar to me that a person who wishes to inflict "freedom" on the rest of the world has to hide behind 12 thousand or so Black clad and visored palace guard, and 15 thousand or so heavily armed military Not to mention Attack helicopters, missile launchers, overflights of Stealth bombers, and parades of the "national" flag. Good Lord, what IS the man afraid of?
(shades of Nuremberg and Red Square?)
The budget for the "Inaugural " party alone could probably restore the water supply in Iraq.
DEMOCRACY. Perhaps I live on a different planet. Where I live, each, and every citizen (yer well, those eligible) is required to vote - and 97% of us do. Gives a different perspective on "democracy", when I look at a country where 30.. 50..or on a good day, 60% of the population can be bribed/ coerced/ deterred/ manipulated/ .. and actually vote. ( hey, perhaps Saddam and GWB are not so different after all. On second thoughts -at least Saddam did it all on his own, and - it seems to me - not a "good time charlie" manipulated by low profile puppet masters))
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Ephemeris2
Funny, really, this old.. um.. ancient conundrum.
What does a civil society, with finite resources ( whether we like it or not, or pretend otherwise) DO?
Build an unclimbable fence at the top of the cliff.. or put an ambulance and coroners cart at the bottom?
What does a civil society, with finite resources ( whether we like it or not, or pretend otherwise) DO?
Build an unclimbable fence at the top of the cliff.. or put an ambulance and coroners cart at the bottom?
ephemeris
Ah, how fleeting a life we have. Have just been whiffling around the web for ancient information (Thank whatever lord one believes in - for books) and find that most web sites exist only for as long as one PAYS for them. Similarly, was having a chat with a cousin who was somewhat peeved with the local cemetary because the 25 year LEASE on the plot of a revered ancestor had just run out, and the plaque was in danger of being melted down for scrap.
Thankyou Ronald MacDonald (of "cardboard food and packaging" fame), for convincing us we live in a "throwaway" society.. I hope your ancestor's shades will gather together, haunt and taunt you for evermore.
Thankyou Ronald MacDonald (of "cardboard food and packaging" fame), for convincing us we live in a "throwaway" society.. I hope your ancestor's shades will gather together, haunt and taunt you for evermore.
Saturday, January 15, 2005
letter to a boy 1
LETTER TO A PECULIAR YOUNG MAN
‘Tis strange, this notion of time. We are given - as the saying goes - "three score and ten" years (give or take a few). The "three score " has passed with disturbing rapidity, and have no real idea of what to do with the next ten (give or take a few).
You, on the other hand, are now entering the next phase (my arbitrary choice) - of your life.
Can I give advice? No, not really. 25 years ago circumstances took you far away from me. There was no further communication. That was my choice, as I wanted you to grow and develop in your "new" family without the "complication" of me. Hoping, of course, that you would become "curious" about me later, as you matured. Then, two years ago, unpredictably, circumstances gave me a brief meeting. Did we communicate then, no, not really.
(but I know you far better than you know me)
What I can do now, though, is record some of my thoughts, perhaps experiences, perhaps failures, perhaps fantasies - on this medium. What you make of them is up to you.
I was there at the beginning, (watched your head appear, several wet strands - and then, there you were - a tiny, complete, bundle of potential) and for a few years after that. Then, well, you grew and developed beyond my control. (or rather.. under the control of others.) I wonder if you will ever know what all that is like. I hope not, though the notion of "control" is a curious one. How much control do we really think we have… or need… over anything. In some aspects control is allied with discipline, and "discipline" is an uncomfortable word to a young man. (It’s not much fun for an old(?) man either, but a line has to drawn somewhere(grins). Will have a think about the concept of "anarchy", later)
Life, I’ve found, is mostly a series of decisions. Some are as simple as deciding what and when to eat. Some have ramifications far into the future. (um, after a thought - even deciding "what" to eat has ramifications into the future, but don’t want to go into that - just yet.)
When I was young(er), I too gave scant thought to the future - or even the past, if it comes to that. (though, increasingly, "the past’’ sneaks up and boots me in the bum when I least expect it) It was for "today" that I lived, and followed my nose. That nose led me through rose gardens, forests of eucalypt, seashells and seashores, sand dunes and desert skies, up hill and down dale… and also into places that stank.
You will, of course, follow your "own" path. Nobody really knows where that will lead. Life IS unpredictable. Some lives are "programmed" by parents and past history into predictability. Some people make conscious "plans" - the diary is full… day by day, week by week, year by year. School, college, university, career. Doctor, lawyer, cabinet or candlestick maker. Some make up their lives as they go along.
I would suggest, however, it is a rare person who can anticipate EVERY eventuality.
[and yer, know I said no advice. Drat, oh well, will wriggle out of it by saying that "suggestions" are different from "advice". Eek, just looked it up. SUGGESTION .. ‘hint’, ‘information without oath’. From the Latin: suggerere gestum .. sub(under) gerere(carry). ADVICE .. ‘counsel’, intelligence’, etc. From the Latin: ad visum .. ‘according to what seems, or is seen, to be best’. mm, I learn a new thing every day. Will have to keep all that in mind.]
OK, Advice. Umm, If you choose to follow an "unpredictable" path, (as you have) then I think that the "best" thing to do for the next ten years or so is collect as many skills for success, as well as "survival" techniques, that you can muster. Some of them will fail you. From 30 onwards the going gets tougher. You are no longer a "boy", and there is some serious competition out there. I know not whether "lack of compassion" is part of your "survival" technique but you are showing very little of it so far. Perhaps compassion, and care for the feelings of others only comes after you have children of your own (if ever).
You might not understand this, as yet, but am pleased that you tried to respond to our recent "battle of the emails". You showed me that you could write a reasoned, coherent (but somewhat brutal in tone) statement.
A "Declaration of Independence."
And I respect that. However, am not dead yet but, since you made it quite clear - am now unable to communicate directly, have (one more time) taken to the sidelines. Perhaps you will read this one day, perhaps not. It did, however, raise some more questions - and if I wanted to be "picky", some minor points of spelling and grammar, and some of your reasoning is debatable. And Yes, I do have a tendency to be obtuse, to obfuscate - as well as use elliptical arguments and uncommon words - so there were some points that you apparently missed, or failed to understand. Perhaps, in 30 years time, with more experience, you will remember.
Hopefully, in time, we will comprehend.
‘Tis strange, this notion of time. We are given - as the saying goes - "three score and ten" years (give or take a few). The "three score " has passed with disturbing rapidity, and have no real idea of what to do with the next ten (give or take a few).
You, on the other hand, are now entering the next phase (my arbitrary choice) - of your life.
Can I give advice? No, not really. 25 years ago circumstances took you far away from me. There was no further communication. That was my choice, as I wanted you to grow and develop in your "new" family without the "complication" of me. Hoping, of course, that you would become "curious" about me later, as you matured. Then, two years ago, unpredictably, circumstances gave me a brief meeting. Did we communicate then, no, not really.
(but I know you far better than you know me)
What I can do now, though, is record some of my thoughts, perhaps experiences, perhaps failures, perhaps fantasies - on this medium. What you make of them is up to you.
I was there at the beginning, (watched your head appear, several wet strands - and then, there you were - a tiny, complete, bundle of potential) and for a few years after that. Then, well, you grew and developed beyond my control. (or rather.. under the control of others.) I wonder if you will ever know what all that is like. I hope not, though the notion of "control" is a curious one. How much control do we really think we have… or need… over anything. In some aspects control is allied with discipline, and "discipline" is an uncomfortable word to a young man. (It’s not much fun for an old(?) man either, but a line has to drawn somewhere(grins). Will have a think about the concept of "anarchy", later)
Life, I’ve found, is mostly a series of decisions. Some are as simple as deciding what and when to eat. Some have ramifications far into the future. (um, after a thought - even deciding "what" to eat has ramifications into the future, but don’t want to go into that - just yet.)
When I was young(er), I too gave scant thought to the future - or even the past, if it comes to that. (though, increasingly, "the past’’ sneaks up and boots me in the bum when I least expect it) It was for "today" that I lived, and followed my nose. That nose led me through rose gardens, forests of eucalypt, seashells and seashores, sand dunes and desert skies, up hill and down dale… and also into places that stank.
You will, of course, follow your "own" path. Nobody really knows where that will lead. Life IS unpredictable. Some lives are "programmed" by parents and past history into predictability. Some people make conscious "plans" - the diary is full… day by day, week by week, year by year. School, college, university, career. Doctor, lawyer, cabinet or candlestick maker. Some make up their lives as they go along.
I would suggest, however, it is a rare person who can anticipate EVERY eventuality.
[and yer, know I said no advice. Drat, oh well, will wriggle out of it by saying that "suggestions" are different from "advice". Eek, just looked it up. SUGGESTION .. ‘hint’, ‘information without oath’. From the Latin: suggerere gestum .. sub(under) gerere(carry). ADVICE .. ‘counsel’, intelligence’, etc. From the Latin: ad visum .. ‘according to what seems, or is seen, to be best’. mm, I learn a new thing every day. Will have to keep all that in mind.]
OK, Advice. Umm, If you choose to follow an "unpredictable" path, (as you have) then I think that the "best" thing to do for the next ten years or so is collect as many skills for success, as well as "survival" techniques, that you can muster. Some of them will fail you. From 30 onwards the going gets tougher. You are no longer a "boy", and there is some serious competition out there. I know not whether "lack of compassion" is part of your "survival" technique but you are showing very little of it so far. Perhaps compassion, and care for the feelings of others only comes after you have children of your own (if ever).
You might not understand this, as yet, but am pleased that you tried to respond to our recent "battle of the emails". You showed me that you could write a reasoned, coherent (but somewhat brutal in tone) statement.
A "Declaration of Independence."
And I respect that. However, am not dead yet but, since you made it quite clear - am now unable to communicate directly, have (one more time) taken to the sidelines. Perhaps you will read this one day, perhaps not. It did, however, raise some more questions - and if I wanted to be "picky", some minor points of spelling and grammar, and some of your reasoning is debatable. And Yes, I do have a tendency to be obtuse, to obfuscate - as well as use elliptical arguments and uncommon words - so there were some points that you apparently missed, or failed to understand. Perhaps, in 30 years time, with more experience, you will remember.
Hopefully, in time, we will comprehend.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Introduction
Be patient with me, Dear Reader, I was born before Television (as we know it) was invented, rode a bike (purchased with pounds and shillings - my lollies with pennies) 5 mile to catch the school bus, learned to write with a pen, nib and inkwell…. (Was that only 60 years ago?? ye gods). My computer is "steam driven", and uses a telephone to hook into "the web".
This is all very new to me. I am, in fact, a neophyte.. a Blog virgin. (blog virgin, ya twit.. not an everythingelse virgin). I could use it as a sort of "letters to the Editor" with guaranteed publication, a "drivel diary", or.. apparently.. anything that took my fancy. Am still at the experimental stage, so some things may change.
I’d like, though, to keep revolving around a theme of "communications", "perceptions", "understandings", "mis-understandings" and "deliberate deceptions."
And Yes, I know that field is wide and far ranging. I work in the daytime and mostly sleep at night, so progress will be slow. There will also be times when I misplace a comma, a word, lapse into "local jargon", or forget the rules of grammar entirely (not that I’m an "expert" in the first place), so what you think you are reading may not be what I’m trying to say.
The English Language is a complex beast.
Am NOT, in fact, an expert at anything. Sort of know a little about a lot, and a lot about very little.
This blog was, however, set up with a specific purpose in mind which may, or may not, become apparent as time passes, and I become more comfortable with it.
Waffles. I had thought of "whinges", but think that "waffles" are far more palatable. What is a Waffle? Dunno really. Could be a kind of batter-cake, baked in an iron utensil with hinged halves, sometimes covered with Jam, cream or icecream. There is also a variation meaning "to wave". Probably derived from the Scottish - "waff". In Australia, it is also jargon for a speech with no substance.. sooo.
I also have to say that Wombats are not very good cooks, and sometimes spill the salt, or use Quince jam.
This is all very new to me. I am, in fact, a neophyte.. a Blog virgin. (blog virgin, ya twit.. not an everythingelse virgin). I could use it as a sort of "letters to the Editor" with guaranteed publication, a "drivel diary", or.. apparently.. anything that took my fancy. Am still at the experimental stage, so some things may change.
I’d like, though, to keep revolving around a theme of "communications", "perceptions", "understandings", "mis-understandings" and "deliberate deceptions."
And Yes, I know that field is wide and far ranging. I work in the daytime and mostly sleep at night, so progress will be slow. There will also be times when I misplace a comma, a word, lapse into "local jargon", or forget the rules of grammar entirely (not that I’m an "expert" in the first place), so what you think you are reading may not be what I’m trying to say.
The English Language is a complex beast.
Am NOT, in fact, an expert at anything. Sort of know a little about a lot, and a lot about very little.
This blog was, however, set up with a specific purpose in mind which may, or may not, become apparent as time passes, and I become more comfortable with it.
Waffles. I had thought of "whinges", but think that "waffles" are far more palatable. What is a Waffle? Dunno really. Could be a kind of batter-cake, baked in an iron utensil with hinged halves, sometimes covered with Jam, cream or icecream. There is also a variation meaning "to wave". Probably derived from the Scottish - "waff". In Australia, it is also jargon for a speech with no substance.. sooo.
I also have to say that Wombats are not very good cooks, and sometimes spill the salt, or use Quince jam.
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