Thursday, September 11, 2003
But I digress…
I have been asked repeatedly “Why ‘brainfarts’?”. Hmm, let’s see…
It’s a simple principle really. Crap in, crap out.
Have you not noticed that some foods result in the smelliest of farts. Take popcorn, for instance. How is it that a food that is the epitome of nothing results in nothing but wind? (It’s a gaseous volume thing rather than stink, for me.). Isn’t that exactly what popcorn is – the illusion of substance?
Other foods are reeking at the input stage and at output it is as if the stench has simply been refined and distilled. Broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts are all qualifiers, but my all time favorite must be that fish sauce stuff they stick on Thai food.
And isn’t it so …satisfying… All that built up pressure and bloat, and you let out a real howler that kind of reverberates (particularly rewarding in small, confined spaces).
This is the other point of it – it is so antisocial, a pure “up yours mate!” How does anyone respond with any dignity? I mean, especially in a small, confined space. Do the anal thing and pretend the reality away? Act indignant? (which is of course, instantly taken as admission of guilt)
Lastly, isn’t your own stink so much more tolerable than anyone else’s? In fact it’s kind of fascinating what your body can actually produce all on its own with just a little input.
And this one’s mine.
It’s a simple principle really. Crap in, crap out.
Have you not noticed that some foods result in the smelliest of farts. Take popcorn, for instance. How is it that a food that is the epitome of nothing results in nothing but wind? (It’s a gaseous volume thing rather than stink, for me.). Isn’t that exactly what popcorn is – the illusion of substance?
Other foods are reeking at the input stage and at output it is as if the stench has simply been refined and distilled. Broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts are all qualifiers, but my all time favorite must be that fish sauce stuff they stick on Thai food.
And isn’t it so …satisfying… All that built up pressure and bloat, and you let out a real howler that kind of reverberates (particularly rewarding in small, confined spaces).
This is the other point of it – it is so antisocial, a pure “up yours mate!” How does anyone respond with any dignity? I mean, especially in a small, confined space. Do the anal thing and pretend the reality away? Act indignant? (which is of course, instantly taken as admission of guilt)
Lastly, isn’t your own stink so much more tolerable than anyone else’s? In fact it’s kind of fascinating what your body can actually produce all on its own with just a little input.
And this one’s mine.
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Equality vs social debt
I see a political predicament in choosing how to deal with social inequality (obvious in an abundantly unequal society like South Africa). The alternatives are simply to allow (encourage?) inequality, extracting some social tax, or systematically eliminate all inequality by subtraction and addition.
(Our current government appears to do both, but this is self defeating.)
The first approach is the creation of a social debt.
An individual grows up to 'owe' the society for the advantages and opportunities that she ... well, takes advantage of. The society is seems must claim responsibility for all advantage else we have the dilemma of "was her good looks, or his big muscles given by the society?”
The society then extracts this debt in proportion to the advantage gained. The society is then presumably in a position to distribute the proceeds of this debt collection or use it to further advantage others. The method of collection seems to be multifaceted, but more on this some other time.
The second approach is to destroy inequality.
This appears contrary to the human condition so this is not so much about making humans equal, but rather taking the proceeds from one and giving them to many. A kind of ‘reverse insurance’… no actually… exactly like insurance.
To achieve this the society creates not a sense of self as an individual, but rather a sense of self as a part of the whole – not a viable, independent agent. Not so much owing, but rather contributing and sharing. An enforced generosity.
Is there a third way?
A logical extreme - ‘everyone for themselves’?
An evolutionary approach - ‘survival of the fittest’?
Destruction of need so that inequality is invisible?
(Our current government appears to do both, but this is self defeating.)
The first approach is the creation of a social debt.
An individual grows up to 'owe' the society for the advantages and opportunities that she ... well, takes advantage of. The society is seems must claim responsibility for all advantage else we have the dilemma of "was her good looks, or his big muscles given by the society?”
The society then extracts this debt in proportion to the advantage gained. The society is then presumably in a position to distribute the proceeds of this debt collection or use it to further advantage others. The method of collection seems to be multifaceted, but more on this some other time.
The second approach is to destroy inequality.
This appears contrary to the human condition so this is not so much about making humans equal, but rather taking the proceeds from one and giving them to many. A kind of ‘reverse insurance’… no actually… exactly like insurance.
To achieve this the society creates not a sense of self as an individual, but rather a sense of self as a part of the whole – not a viable, independent agent. Not so much owing, but rather contributing and sharing. An enforced generosity.
Is there a third way?
A logical extreme - ‘everyone for themselves’?
An evolutionary approach - ‘survival of the fittest’?
Destruction of need so that inequality is invisible?
Monday, September 01, 2003
prime directive: consistent and authentic
Authentic:
Consistency of a internal and external state.
Outward appearance = internal intention
Consistent:
Harmony of intention
Harmony of expression of intention
Harmony of expression of intention over time
Consistency of a internal and external state.
Outward appearance = internal intention
Consistent:
Harmony of intention
Harmony of expression of intention
Harmony of expression of intention over time
