tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post6736824230118135956..comments2024-03-28T20:04:20.286-07:00Comments on One Cʘsmos: Being Liberal Means Always Having to Say You're SordidGagdad Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-42723001334093648702011-07-26T01:50:52.157-07:002011-07-26T01:50:52.157-07:00"My personal problem was always acadameic/int..."My personal problem was always acadameic/intellectual competition as bloodsport." (JP)<br /><br />" Thus, in a way, existentialism was a kind of helpful training for spiritual athleticism, i,e., verticalisthenics and gymnostics." (Bob)<br /><br />Yea. I guess when it comes to the 'Truth' I take no prisoners either. But for me it is ruthless yet double-edged where _I_ am not out to win as an individual, but to find out the 'Truth' (If someone brings forth to me an unrefutable truth that I have overlooked and undermines my position on a given subject, it becomes part of me and my world view).<br /><br />But the TRUTH is real and transcendental, whereas a silly game is local and provincial given only for the gratification of the individual and perhaps my ego (if I am a small enough man).<br /><br />What is important, I think, is to figure out what IS real and transcendent and focus your energies on those ideas and things and ...people in your life. After all, life is short. <br /><br />Very short.<br /><br />--------------<br /><br />The Skin Horse had lived longer in the nursery than any of the others. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces. He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by-and-by break their mainsprings and pass away, and he knew that they were only toys, and would never turn into anything else. For nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understand all about it. <br /><br />"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?" <br /><br />"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." <br /><br />"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit. <br /><br />"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." <br /><br />"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?" <br /><br />"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." <br /><br />"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. <br /><br />But the Skin Horse only smiled."<br /><br />http://quotes.livejournal.com/5773196.htmlCond0011https://www.blogger.com/profile/04576204654819543273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-26425308614810525022011-07-25T14:50:18.967-07:002011-07-25T14:50:18.967-07:00A little friendly competition can be a good and he...A little friendly competition can be a good and healthy thing, and of course sports have all sorts of great benefits. It's when one's entire identity is wrapped up in winning or clobbering the competition (especially beyond a certain age) that it becomes problematic. <br /><br />I'm reminded of an uncle of mine who had a talent for ruining almost any competitive family activity because he was always too wrapped up in winning. When he lost a game, he almost invariably lost his temper, and his "wins" were often at the expense of someone else's well-being - as often one of the kids in the family as not.juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-7780586021711854572011-07-25T12:49:53.596-07:002011-07-25T12:49:53.596-07:00I don't know about running, except that I enjo...I don't know about running, except that I enjoyed the exercise when I biked everywhere and would like to bike again now that I'm older and more sloped around the middle than is my wont.<br /><br />But I have considerably mellowed as far as my atheltics are concerned... I no longer berate myself ferociously for errors, though I'm still nettled some. I hate disappointing teammates. Ironically, playing on lower-level teams (and out of position, since I'm a goalie by custom) has done more than anything else to treat the condition. For one thing, I'm clearly not going to set the world on fire out of the nets; for another, the goalie we do have seems to have mastered this lesson that I needed so dearly. Most of the team is further along than I am, in fact, but the goalie has peace that surpasseth all understanding. I think I'm finally learning not to try to understand it.nightflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04666773766092187348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-80122718179041313562011-07-25T07:25:22.113-07:002011-07-25T07:25:22.113-07:00Saw a good movie this weekend, which relates in a ...Saw a good movie this weekend, which relates in a way with Uncle Rico's Disease. Movie is Midnight in Paris. I think you would like it Bob. Reminds of an issue you have with Schuon.Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13720790978632771716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1902991055333956722011-07-25T07:19:11.979-07:002011-07-25T07:19:11.979-07:00We knew that already. Charles is frantically tryi...We knew that already. Charles is frantically trying to distance himself, which is unnecessary, since the man was obviously crazy.Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-71258472688670526482011-07-25T07:13:45.165-07:002011-07-25T07:13:45.165-07:00We Interrupt These Comments for a OneCosmos Breaki...We Interrupt These Comments for a OneCosmos Breaking News Update...<br /><br />...reports are coming in that the Norwegian Mass-Killer incorporated writings from Little Green Footballs into his manifesto....<br /><br />...more later...JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11126071014909954387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-51530066435769857622011-07-25T07:09:06.486-07:002011-07-25T07:09:06.486-07:00Uncle Rico would make a poor existentialist. Regr...Uncle Rico would make a poor existentialist. <i>Regret</i> for the life one has lived and the choices one has made is perhaps its one grave sin. Rather, we must burn off the present, with no remainder.Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-89231059629463798422011-07-25T07:05:58.996-07:002011-07-25T07:05:58.996-07:00I think I just found a way to tie this into today&...I think I just found a way to tie this into today's post. Must bear down!Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-19615942946837899482011-07-25T07:05:26.264-07:002011-07-25T07:05:26.264-07:00Uncle Rico's Disease. Excellent.Uncle Rico's Disease. Excellent.Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-10749807104327449472011-07-25T07:04:05.956-07:002011-07-25T07:04:05.956-07:00And the pressure to be like the Others is intense,...And the pressure to be like the Others is <i>intense</i>, which, I think, is one of the benefits of our anti-cult of individuals. One of the things I work on with the Boy is the ability to resist this ubiquitous Pressure to conform. If one doesn't master it, one ends up either a conformist or an annoying, knee-jerk non-conformist, or rebel, but not oneself.Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-26436411696025050502011-07-25T07:03:50.014-07:002011-07-25T07:03:50.014-07:00My brother suffers from Uncle Rico's Disease.
...My brother suffers from Uncle Rico's Disease.<br />Maybe we all do to varying degrees.Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13720790978632771716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-57934246508180783242011-07-25T07:00:21.172-07:002011-07-25T07:00:21.172-07:00"I find it impossible to take seriously the s..."I find it impossible to take seriously the silly things most other people take seriously, and I take seriously"<br /><br />Nailed.Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13720790978632771716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-29022635715526577502011-07-25T06:53:03.693-07:002011-07-25T06:53:03.693-07:00In short, I find it impossible to take seriously t...In short, I find it impossible to take seriously the silly things most other people take seriously, and I take seriously things that are of no importance to most people (or to which they pay lip service). Thus, in a way, existentialism was a kind of helpful training for spiritual athleticism, i,e., verticalisthenics and gymnostics. Haven't read much Kierkegaard, but I've heard him referred to as a "Christian existentialist."Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-63441643638517978822011-07-25T06:45:50.014-07:002011-07-25T06:45:50.014-07:00Cond0100--
Yes, once you see through the game, it...Cond0100--<br /><br />Yes, once you see through the game, it's impossible to take it seriously, whether one is an atheist or a believer. I did by the time I was 18 or so, which is precisely why I plunged into existentialism with both feet. Then, only after seeing existentialism through to its end, was I able to come full circle, back to reality. But in any case, I didn't go in for half measures, but always sought consistency.Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-86022843959463478092011-07-25T06:06:15.835-07:002011-07-25T06:06:15.835-07:00My former law partner played for "blood"...My former law partner played for "blood".<br /><br />He particulary liked going after judges and attorneys, preferably stripping them of their juducial position and/or law license.<br /><br />It was competition combined with punishment.<br /><br />Not sure what I think about that one. It did have the net result of helping people.<br /><br />My personal problem was always acadameic/intellectual competition as bloodsport.<br /><br />Now there's a strange combination.JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11126071014909954387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-62006044537975458012011-07-25T04:59:12.100-07:002011-07-25T04:59:12.100-07:00Norway madness
'explained'Norway madness <br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903999904576465801154130960.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_opinion" rel="nofollow">'explained'</a>gehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02015936407999495181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-31749886179571619162011-07-25T03:03:29.245-07:002011-07-25T03:03:29.245-07:00". All fallen men feel a need to prove themse...". All fallen men feel a need to prove themselves to others, whether through money, power, athletic prowess, looks, etc."<br /><br />Compeition has a touch of murder to it, Bob.<br /><br />There comes a time for all mature people that they realize it and understand it is really only for children and young adults - until they 'come of age' and realize it for what it is.<br /><br />When I do 'compete', it is a social thing (as it was for the 'gentleman' of bygone eras) where I am in it more for fun, comraderie, and a few laughs.<br /><br />Playing for 'Blood' when you are older is... unseemly... and embarrassing to watch.Cond0011https://www.blogger.com/profile/04576204654819543273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-23570546911064728852011-07-24T18:22:57.392-07:002011-07-24T18:22:57.392-07:00"Now, metaphysics is obviously about first pr..."Now, metaphysics is obviously about first principles. Our intention is to have a completely consistent metaphysic, so that, in order to answer any question, we need only return to first principles, and take it from there"<br /><br />Bingo. It's amazing the lengths people will go to deny the need for identifying their metaphysics and first principles. It is always pretty amusing though, if you can get them to engage in it, as they watch all their 'smart' positions crumble beneath the answers they can't avoid giving.<br /><br />I did engage in a bit of that from the <a href="http://blogodidact.blogspot.com/2011/07/madness-of-left-and-right-politically.html" rel="nofollow">Left vs Right point of view yesterday</a>, seemed necessary after the Norway 'Right Winger!' mess.<br /><br />Look (and look out) for amazing political theater over the next two weeks.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-63625796420134786732011-07-24T18:14:08.338-07:002011-07-24T18:14:08.338-07:00Quite the chuckle fest in the comments today.
I&#...Quite the chuckle fest in the comments today.<br /><br />I've always been kinda repulsed by the people who are so obsessive about one particular skill or ability... 'I can do x in 7n's! Can you? Can you?! I Can!', whether it be sport or fat index... it's just really weird.<br /><br />Which I suppose explains willian's compulsion.<br /><br />I did actually make one record though, kind of accidentally, in high school: the standing broad jump. I had to do it for whatever reason in P.E. & it blew the coach away... he had me do it officially and it set the record which I think still stood through graduation. <br /><br />He tried to get me to join track, but discipline... not to mention showing up daily early in the morning, or afternoon, to be bored and physically tormented... didn't fit my M.O.<br /><br />I was a pretty quick sprinter... I don't know what my times were, but I always caught the guy I was chasing, so....<br /><br />wv:tokeing<br />No wv, that never caught my interest either, again, going out of my way to experience pain for some supposed benefit after... thanks, but no thanks.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-13924151644296735802011-07-24T17:22:27.319-07:002011-07-24T17:22:27.319-07:00I'm sure I posted about it. Can't remembe...I'm sure I posted about it. Can't remember when.Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-26706167406922133152011-07-24T17:20:00.806-07:002011-07-24T17:20:00.806-07:00"I vividly remember when the former came on l..."I vividly remember when the former came on line quite unexpectedly and with great force."<br /><br />I'd like to hear more about it. These are my favorite.Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13720790978632771716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-47917684572894620342011-07-24T17:13:33.988-07:002011-07-24T17:13:33.988-07:00To say nothing of their spiritual athleticism....To say nothing of their <i>spiritual</i> athleticism....Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-65746297977070540652011-07-24T17:07:00.267-07:002011-07-24T17:07:00.267-07:00I also remember reading somewhere that in order to...I also remember reading somewhere that in order to be a man, one must do something, know something, or be something (or someOne, to be precise). It's similar to the caste system, with the saints at the high end, as their accomplishment pertains to pure (and proper) being. And we all benefit from their attainment much more than the profane man can ever realize.Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-47508277116876458312011-07-24T17:01:50.487-07:002011-07-24T17:01:50.487-07:00Reminds me of that crack by Schuon about the motiv...Reminds me of that crack by Schuon about the motives of the base man, in comparison to the more elevated man who does things first so as to avoid displeasing God, and eventually to glorify him. I vividly remember when the former came on line quite unexpectedly and with great force. <i>J'accuse!</i> The latter has been more gradual.Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-56759688056737525812011-07-24T16:57:28.292-07:002011-07-24T16:57:28.292-07:00If it was just the running it would be one thing. ...If it was just the running it would be one thing. The ego I think is not really the cause.<br />Anyway, you say athlete, but in his case he's just willing to punish himself more than most people. That's his talent. He may do well "for his age".<br />You think the training is boring. You should go watch a marathon.<br />I don't get the "prove to myself stuff" all that much. To be honest. Maybe since seeing him do it in exchange for what he's given up. I wish he cared one tenth as much about the latter. You may be on to something with the autistic ritual, Bob. I see it in his other ways.Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13720790978632771716noreply@blogger.com