I just read a funny quote:
“Except for ending slavery, fascism, Nazism & communism, war has never solved anything.”
It came from an article about Joel Surnow (creator of the TV show 24) in the New Yorker. I thought it was funny, as Surnow is obviously very anti-liberal. I will disagree with the part about war ending communism though. Wasn't it internal rot with brought down the Soviet Union? And China & North Korea are still alive and well. (North Korea maybe isn't so well). Perhaps some wars are unavoidable...
edit: That quote reminded me of another quote, which was very funny, from the movie Life of Brian:
"All right, but apart from the sanitation, medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?"
Well, it's funnier in context. Just watch the movie :)
Monday, April 23, 2007
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Raptors game 1
I just watched my first full Raptors game ever, since moving to the USA. Expectations were raised this year, after winning a division crown, and with the hated Vince Carter coming to town.
It was not a pretty game for the most part. Jason Kidd pretty much controlled a large part of the game leading to most of Richard Jefferson's points in the paint, and I'm not sure what Sam Mitchell's strategy was. The Raptors transition defense seemed brutal during the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Chris Bosh seems to be a good outside shooter, but I didn't see much of a post-up game or much offensive rebounding today. Then again, he didn't see any playing time in the first half...
Well, I hope next game will bring a more inspiring performance.
It was not a pretty game for the most part. Jason Kidd pretty much controlled a large part of the game leading to most of Richard Jefferson's points in the paint, and I'm not sure what Sam Mitchell's strategy was. The Raptors transition defense seemed brutal during the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Chris Bosh seems to be a good outside shooter, but I didn't see much of a post-up game or much offensive rebounding today. Then again, he didn't see any playing time in the first half...
Well, I hope next game will bring a more inspiring performance.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
quote
"If I cannot extrapolate my standard of living to the whole world and still find nature flourishing, my standard of living is immoral." -John Carmody
clarifications
After reading the last post, Kay thought it was a little strange and inappropriate. Ah well, you can't please everybody.
So, in response, I've decided to expound further. You see, I am a happy man, because I have a good family life. I live in a relatively free country, and I have money, a house, privacy, a good job, and all those things that most people want in their lives. Things aren't perfect, but I'm occasionally working on making things better for myself, my family, and for those people around me.
Recently, I had minor toe surgery. It was a little bit painful and sore for a couple of days, but not too bad overall. Hopefully, this won't be a problem for me again in the future. Also, I just bought a new car recently. It is a silver Honda Fit. It's a cute little hatchback with decent head room. It will be my commuter car from now on. At some point, I'll post a picture.
OK, that's it for now. Now it's your turn. Why don't you tell me why your life is (or isn't) happy...
So, in response, I've decided to expound further. You see, I am a happy man, because I have a good family life. I live in a relatively free country, and I have money, a house, privacy, a good job, and all those things that most people want in their lives. Things aren't perfect, but I'm occasionally working on making things better for myself, my family, and for those people around me.
Recently, I had minor toe surgery. It was a little bit painful and sore for a couple of days, but not too bad overall. Hopefully, this won't be a problem for me again in the future. Also, I just bought a new car recently. It is a silver Honda Fit. It's a cute little hatchback with decent head room. It will be my commuter car from now on. At some point, I'll post a picture.
OK, that's it for now. Now it's your turn. Why don't you tell me why your life is (or isn't) happy...
I am a happy man
Over the past few days, I've heard various people mention that there are some similarities between myself and the Virginia Tech killer. After viewing his 'multimedia manifesto' and certain images and descriptions, I do understand why people would say such things. Even my wife was somewhat afraid and concerned about this.
Here, I would like to respond to these concerns. First of all, I am a very happy, married man with a good son, and expecting a second child soon. I feel quite stable with regard to my mental state and capacity at this time. Therefore, to all of you who were terrified about being gunned down, please allow me to allay your fears. I do not possess any firearm, nor do I have any desire to do so. Please remember, I am a merely decent human being, just like you. Sincerely, your humble friend..... Frank [last name has been obliterated due to reasons of privacy and humility]
Here, I would like to respond to these concerns. First of all, I am a very happy, married man with a good son, and expecting a second child soon. I feel quite stable with regard to my mental state and capacity at this time. Therefore, to all of you who were terrified about being gunned down, please allow me to allay your fears. I do not possess any firearm, nor do I have any desire to do so. Please remember, I am a merely decent human being, just like you. Sincerely, your humble friend..... Frank [last name has been obliterated due to reasons of privacy and humility]
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Future imperfect (or my most depressing post yet !!)
1. eating oil
2. peak oil
3. oil and medicine
If you want to be depressed, try reading these articles which are linked above... I've touched on some of these issues in an earlier post, but I just wanted reiterate to everyone out there that our future is not looking good. For anyone living in rich countries, the second half of the 20th century looks like it was a time of fantastic prosperity, and also a time when humanity destroyed its future. This is in retrospect, of course.
These are only predictions, but they are based on some reasonable science and assumptions, based on my reading so far. The question is, what good is this information to us now?
Well, if you're a Christian or religious, and you believe that the world will be ending within the next 50 years or so, then this really doesn't matter. (Except of course for those poor saps who get left behind.)
I'm afraid that most people aren't in that category though. Either you're not religious, or you are religious and you don't really think you know when the world is going to end. Until then, I think it would be wise to consider our future whenever we make any important decisions.
A few things that we should all consider (these are stated by many other people, but it doesn't hurt to list them here on my little blog):
1. halt population growth (actually it would be better for the world population to decline considerably)
2. conserve energy
3. pray for divine intervention or an incredible technological breakthrough
#2 is a huge category, but it means things like:
- buy a hybrid or a used car, or don't use a car at all, or decrease car use, and reduce flying
- stop or reduce eating meat
- conserve energy at home (improve insulation, use less heating & air conditioning)
- spread the word
- it would also help to stop wasting energy on things like wars
It's clear that our politicians will not get it done. Unfortunately, the general public won't get it done either, I'm afraid. Therefore, the rest of us will just have to make the best of it, and try to prepare for a future with a lower standard of living (at best) or a future with a catastrophic collapse of modern civilization (at worst :)
Anyway, one of my goals is to teach my children about these things. I realize that I have already personally wasted far more energy than the average human being. My penance will be to try to improve, and to have my children do the same. If we're lucky, young Ian will be a genius who will solve the world's problems. I encourage you to do the same. Good luck ! (BTW, this is not an April Fools Day joke !)
2. peak oil
3. oil and medicine
If you want to be depressed, try reading these articles which are linked above... I've touched on some of these issues in an earlier post, but I just wanted reiterate to everyone out there that our future is not looking good. For anyone living in rich countries, the second half of the 20th century looks like it was a time of fantastic prosperity, and also a time when humanity destroyed its future. This is in retrospect, of course.
These are only predictions, but they are based on some reasonable science and assumptions, based on my reading so far. The question is, what good is this information to us now?
Well, if you're a Christian or religious, and you believe that the world will be ending within the next 50 years or so, then this really doesn't matter. (Except of course for those poor saps who get left behind.)
I'm afraid that most people aren't in that category though. Either you're not religious, or you are religious and you don't really think you know when the world is going to end. Until then, I think it would be wise to consider our future whenever we make any important decisions.
A few things that we should all consider (these are stated by many other people, but it doesn't hurt to list them here on my little blog):
1. halt population growth (actually it would be better for the world population to decline considerably)
2. conserve energy
3. pray for divine intervention or an incredible technological breakthrough
#2 is a huge category, but it means things like:
- buy a hybrid or a used car, or don't use a car at all, or decrease car use, and reduce flying
- stop or reduce eating meat
- conserve energy at home (improve insulation, use less heating & air conditioning)
- spread the word
- it would also help to stop wasting energy on things like wars
It's clear that our politicians will not get it done. Unfortunately, the general public won't get it done either, I'm afraid. Therefore, the rest of us will just have to make the best of it, and try to prepare for a future with a lower standard of living (at best) or a future with a catastrophic collapse of modern civilization (at worst :)
Anyway, one of my goals is to teach my children about these things. I realize that I have already personally wasted far more energy than the average human being. My penance will be to try to improve, and to have my children do the same. If we're lucky, young Ian will be a genius who will solve the world's problems. I encourage you to do the same. Good luck ! (BTW, this is not an April Fools Day joke !)
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