An excellent essay from The Cleaver encourages us to investigate the infinity of the mind & the universe:
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Monday, January 05, 2009
Mayan Calendar Countdown
I change my background image every week at work & I was looking for something for the New Year.
There's a mini Aztec Sun Stone in a glass case over my desk, so I found a big picture of the stone from the museum in Mexico. After added some lighting effects, extending the background, & cropping, I had a desktop image -
I am always amazed by the stark differences cultures can have in things like keeping time or cosmology. There's endless ways to describe the Universe, & humanity has experimented with all kinds...
In the video below, Daniel Pinchbeck describes the Mayan intellectual elite as "shamanic scientists."
I think is a great description because the scientific knowledge of Mayan culture was extremely accurate - it just had crazy creative mythic themes intertwined with it.
The mystical aspect of reality is something all of history's most brilliant scientists have pondered, even in the West. You can't look closely into the reality we inhabit without being overwhelmed by the sheer craziness of our situation.
All the talk of 2012 being either a Doomsday or an Ascension of some sort will hopefully amount to nothing. I think there are an infinite number of cosmic disasters that could happen at any second & wipe this entire planet out- regardless of what 'B'ak'tun' the Mayan calendar is running on.
Still, it is amazing that these ancient people encoded their perception of the universe in such an elaborate way. Looking at something like the Aztec Sun Stone is amazing just from the perspective of a powerful image. When you study the glyphs & the layout and start to understand the symbolism, it's an even more impressive work of art.
There's a mini Aztec Sun Stone in a glass case over my desk, so I found a big picture of the stone from the museum in Mexico. After added some lighting effects, extending the background, & cropping, I had a desktop image -
click to enlarge
I am always amazed by the stark differences cultures can have in things like keeping time or cosmology. There's endless ways to describe the Universe, & humanity has experimented with all kinds...
In the video below, Daniel Pinchbeck describes the Mayan intellectual elite as "shamanic scientists."
I think is a great description because the scientific knowledge of Mayan culture was extremely accurate - it just had crazy creative mythic themes intertwined with it.
The mystical aspect of reality is something all of history's most brilliant scientists have pondered, even in the West. You can't look closely into the reality we inhabit without being overwhelmed by the sheer craziness of our situation.
All the talk of 2012 being either a Doomsday or an Ascension of some sort will hopefully amount to nothing. I think there are an infinite number of cosmic disasters that could happen at any second & wipe this entire planet out- regardless of what 'B'ak'tun' the Mayan calendar is running on.
Still, it is amazing that these ancient people encoded their perception of the universe in such an elaborate way. Looking at something like the Aztec Sun Stone is amazing just from the perspective of a powerful image. When you study the glyphs & the layout and start to understand the symbolism, it's an even more impressive work of art.
Boredom
This article caught my eye on Reality Sandwich, which contemplates the state of mind called 'boredom'.
I'm never really bored. In fact, 'doing nothing' is one of my favorite things. Even stuff like waiting in offices or lines don't bother me at all. I love to sit and think or observe my surroundings & other people.
Although there's always a desire to be productive, I also have no problem lounging and thinking or relaxing while staring at a wall.
Personally, I don't really practice any kind of formal meditation. (Monkey Buddhism is way too advanced for such things. haha) However, even leisurely studies of Buddhist and TM techniques make one more aware of the mind and the human experience.
Even a little bit of knowledge on such subjects go a long way to a consistent peace of mind.
When you are sitting in the same spot for hours, or there's no immediate sources of stimulation, such situations can be focused on inward calmness instead of agitation...
I'm never really bored. In fact, 'doing nothing' is one of my favorite things. Even stuff like waiting in offices or lines don't bother me at all. I love to sit and think or observe my surroundings & other people.
Although there's always a desire to be productive, I also have no problem lounging and thinking or relaxing while staring at a wall.
Personally, I don't really practice any kind of formal meditation. (Monkey Buddhism is way too advanced for such things. haha) However, even leisurely studies of Buddhist and TM techniques make one more aware of the mind and the human experience.
Even a little bit of knowledge on such subjects go a long way to a consistent peace of mind.
When you are sitting in the same spot for hours, or there's no immediate sources of stimulation, such situations can be focused on inward calmness instead of agitation...
Sunday, January 04, 2009
New Year's Resolution: Learn 'CymaGlyphs'
My life is pretty moderate & fairly satisfying to me overall, so there's not many things to make New Years resolutions about.
I know a little Spanish, but it would be very cool to learn alot of other languages. Italian would be first on my list. It would be very interesting to learn Chinese, but I'm too lazy too try to tackle that task. (This is where downloading knowledge via the iThink comes in.)
Even more intriguing would be learning how to communicate with other species.
Researchers are saying that intelligent cetacean language takes the form of 3-dimensional ultrasonic waveforms. The structures of these waveforms, called CymaGlyphs, are like visual icons representing something to be communicated.
I'm sure we'll soon have a lexicon of 'words' compiled & one day even have an ultrasound beam generator to create messages in dolphin-speak.
I originally saw this story on ScienceDaily.com, but they took the story down. Maybe the inevitable idea of interspecies communication is too outrageous to investigate.
I know a little Spanish, but it would be very cool to learn alot of other languages. Italian would be first on my list. It would be very interesting to learn Chinese, but I'm too lazy too try to tackle that task. (This is where downloading knowledge via the iThink comes in.)
Even more intriguing would be learning how to communicate with other species.
Researchers are saying that intelligent cetacean language takes the form of 3-dimensional ultrasonic waveforms. The structures of these waveforms, called CymaGlyphs, are like visual icons representing something to be communicated.
I'm sure we'll soon have a lexicon of 'words' compiled & one day even have an ultrasound beam generator to create messages in dolphin-speak.
I originally saw this story on ScienceDaily.com, but they took the story down. Maybe the inevitable idea of interspecies communication is too outrageous to investigate.
"CymaGlyphs - Dolphin Picture Words"
Prepare for the 'Dolphin Mind-Meld'...
Friday, January 02, 2009
A Retrospective of Failed Leadership
The entire world is anxiously waiting for the worst President in modern history to take his criminally-negligent ass back to Texas.
Valiant souls have tried in vain to list the endless crimes & scandals that Dubya has allowed to denigrate our country during his term.
There are more web links documenting the myriad failures of the Bush Administration than any one person can sift through.
For these reasons, one well-created image can substitute the thousands of words one would have to read to truly grasp the malfeasance of The War Monkey and his cabal.
David Horsey of the Seattle Post Intelligencer has created such a picture that sums up the disastrous past eight years in one cartoon.
Valiant souls have tried in vain to list the endless crimes & scandals that Dubya has allowed to denigrate our country during his term.
There are more web links documenting the myriad failures of the Bush Administration than any one person can sift through.
For these reasons, one well-created image can substitute the thousands of words one would have to read to truly grasp the malfeasance of The War Monkey and his cabal.
David Horsey of the Seattle Post Intelligencer has created such a picture that sums up the disastrous past eight years in one cartoon.
(click image for larger size)
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
The World's Best Christmas Images
I have scoured the Intertubes far & wide for the most profound Christmas imagery ever known to man.
These powerful images speak volumes about the true spirit of Christmas...
Finally, the greatest Christmas image ever - Santa Claus taking hold of the all-powerful Infinity Gauntlet:
These powerful images speak volumes about the true spirit of Christmas...
Finally, the greatest Christmas image ever - Santa Claus taking hold of the all-powerful Infinity Gauntlet:
Classic Christmas Clips
Here are some of my favorite video Christmas moments that I remember from my childhood.
First, the legendary Pee-Wee Herman. When we were kids, me & my siblings found him endlessly amusing. We still bring up bits from his insanely funny movie & completely ridiculous TV show. This is the opening to his Christmas Special:
Another holiday special my family loved was The California Raisins claymation special. One of the best parts was the funky camels singing "We Three Kings":
Finally, this was a great SNL clip showing a 'lost' ending to It's a Wonderful Life. I only saw this movie for the first time a couple weeks ago, but I thought this was funny anyway when I saw it on SNL:
First, the legendary Pee-Wee Herman. When we were kids, me & my siblings found him endlessly amusing. We still bring up bits from his insanely funny movie & completely ridiculous TV show. This is the opening to his Christmas Special:
Another holiday special my family loved was The California Raisins claymation special. One of the best parts was the funky camels singing "We Three Kings":
Finally, this was a great SNL clip showing a 'lost' ending to It's a Wonderful Life. I only saw this movie for the first time a couple weeks ago, but I thought this was funny anyway when I saw it on SNL:
Monday, December 22, 2008
Patent for Magnetohydrodynamic (UFO) Propulsion
I saw a story on Posthuman Blues that a patent is being reviewed - for what is basically flying saucer propulsion!
The inventor is Subrata Roy, an associate engineering professor specializing in Computational Plasma Dynamics. Here is his faculty page with links to news stories about his research.
The limit of the human mind's creative potential is limitless. All that is needed is a collection of brilliant minds like Subrata Roy's to manipulate ideas into reality. Having completed a few semesters of mech. engineering & also being a US patent holder (for a much less technical invention!), I definitely appreciate the overwhelming amount of time and research that goes into mind-boggling work like this-
The idea of UFO's & alien life have always interested me ever since I was a kid.
I've posted before about theories of how 'alien' propulsion actually worked. Of course, it's a mystery to the masses whether flying saucers are actually from other planets, or if they are even from this time-space continuum.
There is most likely "Life" throughout the universe, but the totality of life that has spanned time & space is probably incomprehensible.
The fact that such seemingly 'magic' technology is being realized in front of our eyes is truly amazing.
The inventor is Subrata Roy, an associate engineering professor specializing in Computational Plasma Dynamics. Here is his faculty page with links to news stories about his research.
The limit of the human mind's creative potential is limitless. All that is needed is a collection of brilliant minds like Subrata Roy's to manipulate ideas into reality. Having completed a few semesters of mech. engineering & also being a US patent holder (for a much less technical invention!), I definitely appreciate the overwhelming amount of time and research that goes into mind-boggling work like this-
Scientific American:
"The World's First Flying Saucer:
Made Right Here on Earth"
"The World's First Flying Saucer:
Made Right Here on Earth"
The idea of UFO's & alien life have always interested me ever since I was a kid.
I've posted before about theories of how 'alien' propulsion actually worked. Of course, it's a mystery to the masses whether flying saucers are actually from other planets, or if they are even from this time-space continuum.
There is most likely "Life" throughout the universe, but the totality of life that has spanned time & space is probably incomprehensible.
The fact that such seemingly 'magic' technology is being realized in front of our eyes is truly amazing.
Could this be Human spacecraft in the future?...
Observing History
I caught a bit of Keith Olbermann replaying the crowd's reaction at Obama's election victory for his "Best Person 2008". It's a fresh reminder how horrible Bush's reign of terror has been & how powerful American society can be when it's inspired to positive action...
The election was only about a month ago, but it's already history.
Just like this post.
The election was only about a month ago, but it's already history.
Just like this post.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Humanzees vs. Robosapiens
My family was sitting around after Sunday dinner at my parents' house watching TV. We got sucked into 2 shows on the Discovery HD channel.
The programs they showed back to back were equally fascinating & disturbing in what they revealed about the nature of the collection of water, cells, & microorganisms known as the human being.
The first program was about the unique chimp that was named Oliver the 'Humanzee'. Unlike every other chimp, Oliver walked upright naturally & related to humans more closely than other primates. Strangely, the novel creature was first brought to Blackwood, NJ which is where my Dad grew up, less than a 1/2 hour from where I live now. This evolutionary anomaly illustrates the hiccups of nature that could produce major physiological differences in one lifetime.
Right after that intriguing look into the effects of biological processes on how life functions, Discover aired "Rise of the Cyborgs". This show focused on the tech that is driving cybernetic body augmentation. This is an even more drastic source of immediate change, as far as the human experience is concerned.
With such enhancements as robotic arms, bionic vision, and neural-computer interfacing advancing quickly, the future is looking much more complex than the mysteries of a bipedal chimp.
Beyond the physical connections involved, scientists are also taking the initial steps to interpreting the internal experiences that result from a person's brain activity.
Just the logistics of creating programs that can directly interface with the human mind will probably make many theories of organizing information obsolete.
The programs they showed back to back were equally fascinating & disturbing in what they revealed about the nature of the collection of water, cells, & microorganisms known as the human being.
The first program was about the unique chimp that was named Oliver the 'Humanzee'. Unlike every other chimp, Oliver walked upright naturally & related to humans more closely than other primates. Strangely, the novel creature was first brought to Blackwood, NJ which is where my Dad grew up, less than a 1/2 hour from where I live now. This evolutionary anomaly illustrates the hiccups of nature that could produce major physiological differences in one lifetime.
Right after that intriguing look into the effects of biological processes on how life functions, Discover aired "Rise of the Cyborgs". This show focused on the tech that is driving cybernetic body augmentation. This is an even more drastic source of immediate change, as far as the human experience is concerned.
With such enhancements as robotic arms, bionic vision, and neural-computer interfacing advancing quickly, the future is looking much more complex than the mysteries of a bipedal chimp.
Beyond the physical connections involved, scientists are also taking the initial steps to interpreting the internal experiences that result from a person's brain activity.
Just the logistics of creating programs that can directly interface with the human mind will probably make many theories of organizing information obsolete.
Reinventing Humanity
The Future of Human-Machine Intelligence
The Future of Human-Machine Intelligence
Sunbeam Poem Projector
Saw this on ffffound! then looked around for some more info.
An engaging statement on the transient nature of both art and life...
An engaging statement on the transient nature of both art and life...
Click here to see time-lapse video.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Funny Tee Designs by Glenn Jones
I saw a few humorous Star Wars Tees linked on Geekologie.com.
More fun designs by the artist Glenn Jones can be found here:
More fun designs by the artist Glenn Jones can be found here:
Monday, December 15, 2008
Dodging Shoes: Bush's Only Skill
After a week of not posting anything due to procrastination & a weekend of crappiness due to a cold/fever, leave it to Dubya to give me something worth commenting on.
A reporter threw his shoes at George W. during a press conference in Iraq & called him a "dog".
Unable to admit how bad both he & everything that he represents completely sucks, Dubya afterward exclaimed that such actions were proof of the freedom of Democracy™!
In my opinion this was an understated gesture, if anything. It's really surprising this sort of thing doesn't happen constantly! I also can't believe Bush's brain reacted quick enough to dodge the incoming footwear. The guy is a horrible speaker & leader, but he'd make a champion dodgeball player.
A reporter threw his shoes at George W. during a press conference in Iraq & called him a "dog".
Unable to admit how bad both he & everything that he represents completely sucks, Dubya afterward exclaimed that such actions were proof of the freedom of Democracy™!
In my opinion this was an understated gesture, if anything. It's really surprising this sort of thing doesn't happen constantly! I also can't believe Bush's brain reacted quick enough to dodge the incoming footwear. The guy is a horrible speaker & leader, but he'd make a champion dodgeball player.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Solar Distiller Design
There is alot of hope for the incoming Obama administration's potential to kick off a new age in American productivity.
This must be done through domestic investment in all forms of education, but also research & development for new tech other than new ways to create a bomb.
One of the exciting things about living in The Age of Novelty is the potential to effectively solve pervasive problems in an innovative way.
For instance, one of humanity's biggest problems is the lack of fresh water.
Methods of obtaining freshwater through methods like desalination have been around for centuries, but people are still finding ways to improve the process.
On a simpler scale, the process of evaporation can be used to collect water in a Condensation Trap. Here's a video of how to make one using household items.
On YankoDesign.com I saw some graphics made by Seol-Hee Sohn, Seung-Hyun Yoon & Cheol-Yeon Cho . There doesn't seem to be a website associated with the designers, but they convey the idea clearly & simply. The "Engrish" is barely noticeable & is forgiveable considering how nice the images are:
This must be done through domestic investment in all forms of education, but also research & development for new tech other than new ways to create a bomb.
One of the exciting things about living in The Age of Novelty is the potential to effectively solve pervasive problems in an innovative way.
For instance, one of humanity's biggest problems is the lack of fresh water.
Methods of obtaining freshwater through methods like desalination have been around for centuries, but people are still finding ways to improve the process.
On a simpler scale, the process of evaporation can be used to collect water in a Condensation Trap. Here's a video of how to make one using household items.
On YankoDesign.com I saw some graphics made by Seol-Hee Sohn, Seung-Hyun Yoon & Cheol-Yeon Cho . There doesn't seem to be a website associated with the designers, but they convey the idea clearly & simply. The "Engrish" is barely noticeable & is forgiveable considering how nice the images are:
"What must you need to be rescued on
the bosom of the ocean?"
the bosom of the ocean?"
Monkey Art by Mark Bryan
I'm not sure where I first saw Mark Bryan's art but I thought it was pretty cool.
In the midst of the hopelessly desperate period in the middle of the Bush administration's second term, I posted about his political art. He really captured the depravity and irrationality that has seemed to lead the last 8 years.
However, I clicked on the bookmark I have for his site & was amused to see some monkey art that I haven't seen.
The idea of flying monkeys carrying helpless clowns around a mid-ocean citadel is a truly profound concept.
I also thought that this painting "Last of the Merlot" was crazy & funny.
In the midst of the hopelessly desperate period in the middle of the Bush administration's second term, I posted about his political art. He really captured the depravity and irrationality that has seemed to lead the last 8 years.
However, I clicked on the bookmark I have for his site & was amused to see some monkey art that I haven't seen.
The idea of flying monkeys carrying helpless clowns around a mid-ocean citadel is a truly profound concept.
I also thought that this painting "Last of the Merlot" was crazy & funny.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
360º Cities
Immersive technology is one way that computers are drastically changing the things humans are able to experience.
3D effects & 360º panoramic imaging are only the primitive foundations of digital immersion.
Neatorama had a link to this website of hi-res 360º images of places around the world. It is really awesome.
To be able to choose a place like the Pantheon in Rome or the Karnak Temple in Egypt and look around wherever you want is great. It really gives a greater appreciation of such inspiring places.
Once everyone has an iThink connected to their brain (ha ha), the possibilities for "virtual reality" will be endless. I predict a person will be able to stand in an ancient ruin & have 3D information uploaded directly to their visual cortex. Information from the interplanetary database of the future will create the effect of directly observing any time period with data to simulate that place. You would be able to control the simulated environment being projected into your vision just by thinking about it. It will be the ultimate way to experience the cultures of the past.
...but I'm getting ahead of myself.
Here are some views of the The Temple of Amun at Karnak.
It's hard to look at this place & not imagine the once-roofed halls as they were when this place was new & painted. It was an enclosed building containing awe-inspiring spaces like the gigantic Hypostyle Hall:
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Digital Conversion for Seniors
I saw this relatively ancient (& totally hysterical) video on Gizmondo. It is a tutorial for seniors who have never used a computer, nor a search engine.
Watching this gives me flashbacks of The Dark Ages before the Internet became the information & media tool it is today.
"Youtube: Surfing for Seniors"
My old pal Dan the Man forwarded me an audio clip today that was along the same lines. It's a humorous look at the dilemma for older people facing the coming digital media conversion. I found the video online & the visuals make it even funnier:
Watching this gives me flashbacks of The Dark Ages before the Internet became the information & media tool it is today.
"Youtube: Surfing for Seniors"
My old pal Dan the Man forwarded me an audio clip today that was along the same lines. It's a humorous look at the dilemma for older people facing the coming digital media conversion. I found the video online & the visuals make it even funnier:
Optima Prime
Typography is an area of design that all good designers need to be skilled in to some extent. However, some designers choose to specifically focus on creating new fonts & working with type.
I saw this neat use of letters & numbers to make up the face of Optimus Prime, the leader of the Transformers I used to watch as a kid in the 80's.
The actual typeface used to created the image is called Optima, adding some special design dorkiness into the mix.
I saw this neat use of letters & numbers to make up the face of Optimus Prime, the leader of the Transformers I used to watch as a kid in the 80's.
The actual typeface used to created the image is called Optima, adding some special design dorkiness into the mix.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Time for Thanksgiving
When this video of Sarah Palin talking at a turkey farm was shown on TV recently, it was one of the most bizarre & unsettling videos I had ever seen.
Her damn babbling rant is so incoherent & meaningless it actually makes your brain implode by listening to her. The combination of her inane chatter & the turkey death-throes in the background can scramble a person's higher cognitive functions.
What am I thankful for this year? I am thankful beyond expression that The Long Legged Mack Daddy and the grownups seem to be going to take control of the train-wreck called the Bush Administration. Also, that the sassy she-devil Sarah Palin is as far from leading this country as possible.
The only thing I've seen on the internet about Sarah Palin that's crazier & more mind-boggling is this link with what may be the greatest title for an article ever:
Mayan Palingenesis
Whore of Babylon & Rise of the Fourth Reich
Whore of Babylon & Rise of the Fourth Reich
Anyone who can actually make it through that entire essay^ has to be crazy themselves. Knowing how long it takes me even to put a short post like this online, I can't imagine someone taking the time to put all that madness together.
The Debut of the Shockmaster
I don't really waste time watching pro wrestling, but my brother sent me this & it is really funny.
He sent me a really blurry version, but I found this high quality version with commentary by legend Dusty Rhodes.
The sparkly Imperial Stormtrooper helmet is priceless.
He sent me a really blurry version, but I found this high quality version with commentary by legend Dusty Rhodes.
The sparkly Imperial Stormtrooper helmet is priceless.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Google Life Archive
No, the 'Google Life Archive' is not the digital database backup for your 'iThink'...
There's been alot of buzz about Google's Life archive. It's dedicated to millions of Life magazine's historic photos.
I truly live for visual reference like this. This is definitely an awesome collection. It demonstrates the potential of digital media to continually expand & organize humanity's countless artistic endeavors.
I did a search for monkey photos. These stuck out at me:
• Engraving of a Monkey Stiking a Pose
• A tiny, helpless simian life form that we strapped into a metal cylinder & propelled into space.
• Dirty hippy monkey playing the drums in a rock n' roll band
There's been alot of buzz about Google's Life archive. It's dedicated to millions of Life magazine's historic photos.
I truly live for visual reference like this. This is definitely an awesome collection. It demonstrates the potential of digital media to continually expand & organize humanity's countless artistic endeavors.
I did a search for monkey photos. These stuck out at me:
• Engraving of a Monkey Stiking a Pose
• A tiny, helpless simian life form that we strapped into a metal cylinder & propelled into space.
• Dirty hippy monkey playing the drums in a rock n' roll band
Civic Literacy Quiz
I wasn't a fan of history/social studies in school because it just seemed like a bunch of names & dates. There was not nearly enough pictures and visual information to interest me at the time- before the Rise of the Internets and the Age of the History Channel. Thankfully, I tried to be a good overall student & retained alot of information, anyway.
As I get older, even more infinitely wise about subjects like politics, I've become much more mindful of civic knowledge.
This link is to a Civil Liberty Quiz that I skimmed through. My score was a 75%, which is worse than I thought it was gonna be. After I went back & compared answers there were a few more I should've known. Surprise! The rest America appears to have failed it.
I would love to know if our own lame-monkey President is capable of scoring a 50%. Even that would be shocking to me.
As I get older, even more infinitely wise about subjects like politics, I've become much more mindful of civic knowledge.
This link is to a Civil Liberty Quiz that I skimmed through. My score was a 75%, which is worse than I thought it was gonna be. After I went back & compared answers there were a few more I should've known. Surprise! The rest America appears to have failed it.
I would love to know if our own lame-monkey President is capable of scoring a 50%. Even that would be shocking to me.
Ship of Fools
I saw this Economist article linked at Daily Kos & thought it was pretty much spot on.
The Republican Party as an organization has done itself and the country a huge disservice by basing its modern existence on unproductive fear-mongering & division. I still consider myself an Independent, but the idea of myself supporting the Republicans in the foreseeable future is about as unlikely as me moving to the Congo in Africa.
The Republican Party as an organization has done itself and the country a huge disservice by basing its modern existence on unproductive fear-mongering & division. I still consider myself an Independent, but the idea of myself supporting the Republicans in the foreseeable future is about as unlikely as me moving to the Congo in Africa.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Random Politics & Science
Decisions, decisions...
Last night I was veggin out switching between watching cable news or History Channel's 'The Universe'.
I opted to avoid the news. The big story was that the Democrats allowed the most obnoxiously two-faced weasel in national politics, Joe Lieberman, to retain his chairmanship of a key committee. I will patiently wait for future outrage over some jerk-off move that Joe the Two-Timing Weasel will inevitably pull against the Obama administration.
Mack-daddy Obama took the waaaay high ground on this one, but maybe his forgiving gesture will pay off. If you're not careful, though, someone like that will do you really dirty. Joe Lieberman looks like Senator Palpatine & it occurs to me that 'Holy Joe's' potential antagonism toward Obama might end up resembling the following scenario:
So anyway.... I watched The Universe instead. The animations on thse kinds of shows are great mental visualization tools. All the talk though of entities such as gravitons, superstrings, parallel universes, higher dimensions, & so on, are just creative labels for the endless manifestations of infinity. Science is, generally speaking, another story or symbol set we manipulate to mainly affect our own consciousness. We may think it somehow describes things "out there", but it is mostly the organization of the perceptions in our own head.
One way to describe what appears to be the physical universe would be "infinites upon infinites nested inside the infinity of countless infinites". Some would say that the universe is a fractal, but it would be more accurate to say that 'Reality' is infinite- with fractal patterns being an aspect of the infinity.
Either that, or it's all just a dream.
Last night I was veggin out switching between watching cable news or History Channel's 'The Universe'.
I opted to avoid the news. The big story was that the Democrats allowed the most obnoxiously two-faced weasel in national politics, Joe Lieberman, to retain his chairmanship of a key committee. I will patiently wait for future outrage over some jerk-off move that Joe the Two-Timing Weasel will inevitably pull against the Obama administration.
Mack-daddy Obama took the waaaay high ground on this one, but maybe his forgiving gesture will pay off. If you're not careful, though, someone like that will do you really dirty. Joe Lieberman looks like Senator Palpatine & it occurs to me that 'Holy Joe's' potential antagonism toward Obama might end up resembling the following scenario:
So anyway.... I watched The Universe instead. The animations on thse kinds of shows are great mental visualization tools. All the talk though of entities such as gravitons, superstrings, parallel universes, higher dimensions, & so on, are just creative labels for the endless manifestations of infinity. Science is, generally speaking, another story or symbol set we manipulate to mainly affect our own consciousness. We may think it somehow describes things "out there", but it is mostly the organization of the perceptions in our own head.
One way to describe what appears to be the physical universe would be "infinites upon infinites nested inside the infinity of countless infinites". Some would say that the universe is a fractal, but it would be more accurate to say that 'Reality' is infinite- with fractal patterns being an aspect of the infinity.
Either that, or it's all just a dream.
Monday, November 17, 2008
F*ck Yeah Sharks
Sharks have always been pretty terrifying to me, but who knew they could be funny, too?
I saw this linked somewhere, but I forget where now...
South Park: Hope Diamond Heist
I missed this episode of South Park when it first aired, but I actually had people texting me about it, telling me I had to see it. I finally saw it during a replay & like most episodes, it had me laughing at loud.
It turns out that the Presidential campaign was a farce... Barack Obama, John McCain, & Sarah Palin were actually on a team. Their plan was to infiltrate the White House to gain access to the secret underground tunnel that runs beneath The Smithsonian. The mission? Steal the Hope Diamond!
I particularly enjoyed Sarah Palin as a covert British spy.
Episode Guide: About Last Night...
It turns out that the Presidential campaign was a farce... Barack Obama, John McCain, & Sarah Palin were actually on a team. Their plan was to infiltrate the White House to gain access to the secret underground tunnel that runs beneath The Smithsonian. The mission? Steal the Hope Diamond!
I particularly enjoyed Sarah Palin as a covert British spy.
Episode Guide: About Last Night...
Friday, November 14, 2008
Dio - Holy Diver
I heard this song tonight pulling into my driveway listening to Sirius Radio. I took a trip to the store so I could rock out to it.
There was a hilarious South Park episode where Ronnie James Dio was playing "Holy Diver" at the elementary school dance. That's the first time I ever heard a Dio song, even though I knew he replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath.
When I looked the "Holy Diver" video on Youtube, I was amazed at how silly & ridiculous it looked. Evil never appeared so cheesy.
It also doesn't help that 'Dio' himself looks like this guy.
God, I can't believe I lived throught the 80's...
There was a hilarious South Park episode where Ronnie James Dio was playing "Holy Diver" at the elementary school dance. That's the first time I ever heard a Dio song, even though I knew he replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath.
When I looked the "Holy Diver" video on Youtube, I was amazed at how silly & ridiculous it looked. Evil never appeared so cheesy.
It also doesn't help that 'Dio' himself looks like this guy.
BEWARE THE CARDBOARD SATAN!!!!
God, I can't believe I lived throught the 80's...
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Kids at Obama's Speech
Here's another example to go along with my last post about children being a source of hope.
I'm currently reading a great book called Everything Toltec Wisdom which (among other things) discusses the freedom of our mind when we are children and how it's eventually diminished. Eventually, a child's mind becomes domesticated by family & society, and becomes subject to the "Mitote". This is an abstract "parasite" in our consciousness that binds us with distorted perceptions, fears, & anxieties.
This photo series from Obama's acceptance speech demonstrates the idea of a united human society in which childlike acceptance and freedom are possible.
I'm currently reading a great book called Everything Toltec Wisdom which (among other things) discusses the freedom of our mind when we are children and how it's eventually diminished. Eventually, a child's mind becomes domesticated by family & society, and becomes subject to the "Mitote". This is an abstract "parasite" in our consciousness that binds us with distorted perceptions, fears, & anxieties.
This photo series from Obama's acceptance speech demonstrates the idea of a united human society in which childlike acceptance and freedom are possible.
Brenden Foster, Bodhisattva
If this video doesn't affect you, you have no soul.
Brenden Foster is a boy who is only 11 years old & about to die of leukemia.
On the cusp of The Great Unknown, instead of being terrified or woeful, Brendon put his last bit of energy on Earth to help people he didn't even know & would never get a chance to meet. He realized that despite his hopeless condition, there are countless others in worse circumstances who also need help. Although it's tough to live up to his level of altruism, it's the most noble attitude to have toward fellow human beings.
In this seemingly mad world of parasitic vampires in charge of banking, commerce, and government, the seeds of compassion are still being sown. Brendon is a bodhisattva saint in the form of a child. His wish is the eternal dream of a better life for as many people as possible.
Brenden Foster is a boy who is only 11 years old & about to die of leukemia.
On the cusp of The Great Unknown, instead of being terrified or woeful, Brendon put his last bit of energy on Earth to help people he didn't even know & would never get a chance to meet. He realized that despite his hopeless condition, there are countless others in worse circumstances who also need help. Although it's tough to live up to his level of altruism, it's the most noble attitude to have toward fellow human beings.
In this seemingly mad world of parasitic vampires in charge of banking, commerce, and government, the seeds of compassion are still being sown. Brendon is a bodhisattva saint in the form of a child. His wish is the eternal dream of a better life for as many people as possible.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story
Tonight I got caught up in watching PBS since they were showing a documentary called "Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story".
I was already familiar with Atwater's history & his influence on the Pigboy Karl Rove's approach to George W. Bush's operations.
This is essential viewing to understand the recent history of negative campaigning & fear tactics that have gripped the political process, especially on the Republican side. His tragic demise adds an interesting dimension to his story. He had brain cancer & found himself looking into the black abyss of death. I've already personally tackled the meaning of life, but the idea of death is a topic I intend to post about soon. That is, if I don't die first.
After chasing the ungratifying illusions of fame, wealth, and especially power, Lee Atwater apparently came to realize the immeasurable human value of caring relationships. He deeply regretted tearing people & the country down, but there are still people out there who don't learn this lesson of causality easily.
Star Wars Pop Culture
My friend & fellow artist Dan the Man forwarded me a cool set of Star Wars pop culture images.
I put up some of my favorites below.
I put up some of my favorites below.
"Star Wars en la Cultura Pop"
Here's another set from the Flickrstream for the Official Star Wars blog:
Monday, November 10, 2008
Black Man Given Nation's Worst Job
I've been waiting this past week, expecting Obama's victory last Tuesday to be some sort of cruel prank.
Seeing as Dubya was escorting the President-elect around The Den of Iniquity (aka The White House) today, it looks like Obama is in fact headed to office. He has the special honor of cleaning up the huge pile of elephant crap left on America by the years of Republican party rule.
Leave it to The Onion to inject a laughably relevant spin on the situation:
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Election Thoughts
"OBAMA!!!!"
"OBAMA IS A MACK-DADDY!"
"OBAMA IS A MACK-DADDY!"
• Wow - I've always liked the long-legged freak, but I really, truly thought that there was no way in hell that enough Americans would actually vote for someone named Barack Hussein Obama.
• 'Obama/Biden' is so close to 'Osama Bin Ladin' that it has to be a cosmic joke.
• Yeah, the guy's half-black. This is historic only because America is still full of haters & morons.
• What's more important, as a practical matter - the new President is actually going to be SMART, ELOQUENT, & COMPETENT. Imagine that!
• I always try to prepare myself for the worst scenarios in any given situation. When things actually work out nicely, it ends up seeming like a miracle.
• This result of this election is like an 'anti-9/11', in the sense that our entire county of millions joined together. Except, instead of horror, sadness, and anger... the outcome was full of joy and celebration.
• We are obviously oscillating towards the singularity.
• God clearly doesn't like the Republican party anymore.
• Besides his pandering to the design industry, the Obama campaign's use of art & media was very impressive. Also impressive has been the positive influence Barack's campaign has has on the art community.
• Tina Fey & Katie Couric helped save our Republic from further zombification.
• Barack Obama is powerless against magnetic pole reversals, solar flares, and every other natural phenomenon.
• CNN is the NASA of infographics & Sith technology.
• I kind of felt bad for McCain when he called himself a failure in his final speech. The guy should be proud of himself. Even if I personally thought he wasn't the better candidate, he should be respected as a hero.
• It was McCain's clueless She-Bush sidekick who was unbearable to me & the rest of America. If Sarah Palin wins in 2012, then I will assume that the Mayan doomsday is at hand.
• Obama is crazy for even wanting this responsibility. The dude seems unbelievably motivated, though. Compared to the rogue's gallery that Bush put together, Obama's executive leadership might actually start being effective.
• Fortunately (as the supreme jerk, Donald Trump, said in this interview), "He cannot do worse than Bush... he's been a catastrophe." What he says about Condoleeza is hysterical too.
• 'The Donald' is basically clarifying what cannot ever be emphasized enough: George W. Bush has been a complete failure in every respect & has been an unholy curse on this nation. Good &*%&^&! riddance.
• 'Obama/Biden' is so close to 'Osama Bin Ladin' that it has to be a cosmic joke.
• Yeah, the guy's half-black. This is historic only because America is still full of haters & morons.
• What's more important, as a practical matter - the new President is actually going to be SMART, ELOQUENT, & COMPETENT. Imagine that!
• I always try to prepare myself for the worst scenarios in any given situation. When things actually work out nicely, it ends up seeming like a miracle.
• This result of this election is like an 'anti-9/11', in the sense that our entire county of millions joined together. Except, instead of horror, sadness, and anger... the outcome was full of joy and celebration.
• We are obviously oscillating towards the singularity.
• God clearly doesn't like the Republican party anymore.
• Besides his pandering to the design industry, the Obama campaign's use of art & media was very impressive. Also impressive has been the positive influence Barack's campaign has has on the art community.
• Tina Fey & Katie Couric helped save our Republic from further zombification.
• Barack Obama is powerless against magnetic pole reversals, solar flares, and every other natural phenomenon.
• CNN is the NASA of infographics & Sith technology.
• I kind of felt bad for McCain when he called himself a failure in his final speech. The guy should be proud of himself. Even if I personally thought he wasn't the better candidate, he should be respected as a hero.
• It was McCain's clueless She-Bush sidekick who was unbearable to me & the rest of America. If Sarah Palin wins in 2012, then I will assume that the Mayan doomsday is at hand.
• Obama is crazy for even wanting this responsibility. The dude seems unbelievably motivated, though. Compared to the rogue's gallery that Bush put together, Obama's executive leadership might actually start being effective.
• Fortunately (as the supreme jerk, Donald Trump, said in this interview), "He cannot do worse than Bush... he's been a catastrophe." What he says about Condoleeza is hysterical too.
• 'The Donald' is basically clarifying what cannot ever be emphasized enough: George W. Bush has been a complete failure in every respect & has been an unholy curse on this nation. Good &*%&^&! riddance.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Barack Obama: Monkey Buddhist!
I was going to keep this secret under wraps...
The real reason I'm rooting for Barack Obama is that he is apparently an observer of the non-existent, yet mind-expanding, belief system that is arbitrarily labeled Monkey Buddhism. (The true name of this imaginary philosophical tradition is 10^22378 letters long.)
Obama's allegiance is evident by the lucky Hanuman idol that was sent to him from India by well-wishers.
Also revealed earlier in the campaign was Sen. Obama's collection of lucky charms he has collected including a symbolic Monkey figure.
"Obama has also carried a small gold statue of the Monkey King,
revered in India because Hindus believe monkeys
are descendants of the monkey god, Hanuman."
revered in India because Hindus believe monkeys
are descendants of the monkey god, Hanuman."
This. F*cking. Election.
Despite the 'profane' site name, www.thisf*ckingelection.com is actually a pretty plain chronological stream of keywords. Even though it's simple words & phrases, there's waaaay too many references for even a political guru such as myself to recognize. It is a visual timeline of the memes that were propogated throughout the Presidential campaign.
I (like the rest of the world) have to wonder what the Election Multiverse will finally reveal.
Will America really choose an accomplished intellectual with passion and insight for the important issues? Will America, instead, choose an weathered footsoldier who will battle us through the same old battles & terrain?
I really try to avoid predicting anything with certainty. Especially since the last 8 years have proven to be really ridiculous & unpredictable. I still remain hopeful that America will find itself under more pragmatic leadership w/ Barack Obama. However, I also equally expect the possibility of experiencing more of the Rightwingoverse.
I (like the rest of the world) have to wonder what the Election Multiverse will finally reveal.
Will America really choose an accomplished intellectual with passion and insight for the important issues? Will America, instead, choose an weathered footsoldier who will battle us through the same old battles & terrain?
I really try to avoid predicting anything with certainty. Especially since the last 8 years have proven to be really ridiculous & unpredictable. I still remain hopeful that America will find itself under more pragmatic leadership w/ Barack Obama. However, I also equally expect the possibility of experiencing more of the Rightwingoverse.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Peruvian Shamans Send U.S. Election Vibes
As the rate of mankind's learning increases, ancient traditions & esoteric perspectives have continued to gain attention in our global culture.
I don't trust the self-appointed prophets of political punditry who claim that The Long-Legged Mack Daddy is ahead. I don't even trust my own eyes that show endless crowds of people at Obama's recent rallies. I definitely don't trust the outcome of our election to some South American shamans either... but at least they are enthusiastic! Perhaps they are excited at the prospect of a modern-day Sun Being in the form of Barakhenaten.
What I do trust is that Bush & Cheney are the most powerful bastards in the world. Hopefully I'm wrong, but I think it's going to take much more than some worked-up holy men to rip the reigns from their disastrous control.
I don't trust the self-appointed prophets of political punditry who claim that The Long-Legged Mack Daddy is ahead. I don't even trust my own eyes that show endless crowds of people at Obama's recent rallies. I definitely don't trust the outcome of our election to some South American shamans either... but at least they are enthusiastic! Perhaps they are excited at the prospect of a modern-day Sun Being in the form of Barakhenaten.
What I do trust is that Bush & Cheney are the most powerful bastards in the world. Hopefully I'm wrong, but I think it's going to take much more than some worked-up holy men to rip the reigns from their disastrous control.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Candy Corn Sucks
I've always thought candy corn was gross.
When my siblings & I were younger, my parents would take me to my grandmom's neighborhood to trick-or-treat. At the corner of her road, there was an old lady who my Dad knew since he was little. Every year, without fail, she would hand out loose candy corns through the mail slot in her door.
The problem was that her mangy dog would come up to the door & we'd see it slobbering and licking the bowl of candy corn. I would throw them all out when I got back to the house.
Thanks to the internet as platform for idea distribution, even horrible food items are subject to specialized scrutiny.
I saw this linked on Neatorama:
When my siblings & I were younger, my parents would take me to my grandmom's neighborhood to trick-or-treat. At the corner of her road, there was an old lady who my Dad knew since he was little. Every year, without fail, she would hand out loose candy corns through the mail slot in her door.
The problem was that her mangy dog would come up to the door & we'd see it slobbering and licking the bowl of candy corn. I would throw them all out when I got back to the house.
Thanks to the internet as platform for idea distribution, even horrible food items are subject to specialized scrutiny.
I saw this linked on Neatorama:
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Phillies Win!!!
Living 1/2 hour away from Philadelphia, my family has always been Philly sports fans.
The last time the Phillies won the World Series, I was only 2 years old. I grew up playing baseball and following Mike Schmidt & Pete Rose. When I was a kid, it didn't seem that long ago. Now it's like "Damn, it's been 25+ years?!?!"
Well, Philly fans are nuts & the team definitely deserves the championship.
My brothers & Jen have incurable Phillies Madness
The last time the Phillies won the World Series, I was only 2 years old. I grew up playing baseball and following Mike Schmidt & Pete Rose. When I was a kid, it didn't seem that long ago. Now it's like "Damn, it's been 25+ years?!?!"
Well, Philly fans are nuts & the team definitely deserves the championship.
The whole family rootin for the Phillies at my parent's house
My brothers & Jen have incurable Phillies Madness
Grand-Dude (Big Paul) & his Lil' Dude (Baby Greg).
The Obama 1/2 Hour
Obama is Ballin'!
I have to say Obama & his campaign impress me by at least thinking progressively & outside the box. Watching his half-hour infomercial/ad/documentary/biography that took up the major networks was planned pre-World Series game viewing for me. In addition to my love of general knowledge & trivia, I've considered political affairs much more intensely, thanks to the shocking malfeasance of Bush/Cheney's reign of error.
I'm sure plenty of people thought "The Obama 1/2 Hour" was an annoyance or just propaganda... but even my cynical eye was still impressed with the production, message, & boldness of it. I thought the ad was actually very engaging.
As someone who appreciates the intellectual heritage of humanity's great thinkers Heraclitus, the Dalia Lama, Isaac Newton, Howard Stern, and others, I don't say lightly that Obama is a brilliant person.
He doesn't even spend one minute attacking McPain in the entire 30 minute segment...
Classy and smart.
Hopefully America has learned & we get competent, intelligent leadership...
I have to say Obama & his campaign impress me by at least thinking progressively & outside the box. Watching his half-hour infomercial/ad/documentary/biography that took up the major networks was planned pre-World Series game viewing for me. In addition to my love of general knowledge & trivia, I've considered political affairs much more intensely, thanks to the shocking malfeasance of Bush/Cheney's reign of error.
I'm sure plenty of people thought "The Obama 1/2 Hour" was an annoyance or just propaganda... but even my cynical eye was still impressed with the production, message, & boldness of it. I thought the ad was actually very engaging.
As someone who appreciates the intellectual heritage of humanity's great thinkers Heraclitus, the Dalia Lama, Isaac Newton, Howard Stern, and others, I don't say lightly that Obama is a brilliant person.
He doesn't even spend one minute attacking McPain in the entire 30 minute segment...
Classy and smart.
Hopefully America has learned & we get competent, intelligent leadership...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
McPain '08
I've always thought that John McCain was a man who deserves some respect. The guy's been through hell & I hate to have an ill opinion of him.
Unfortunately, he is clearly not the better leader of the two Presidential candidates. If Sen. McCain can barely keep his own party & staff of loyalists together through this campaign, how do people expect him to MANAGE THE ENTIRE COUNTRY?!?!?!
At first, I thought Sarah Palin seemed at least interesting...
Then, she started yakking & attacking and, by golly, she hasn't even stopped once to think (literally).
Personally, I'm stickin' with the Socialist Muslim Black Panther Antichrist Terrorist Sympathizer, the Long-legged Freak himself.
I won't claim that Obama is a perfect candidate or that all his policy approaches are the best. His tremendous ability to communicate, organize, & inspire are fairly self-evident, though.
With Halloween this Friday & the election in less than a week, the scariest thing to me in the immediate future is the idea of more regressive Republican rule in the White House. This is especially true in the face of such a strong possibility for a new approach to governing.
I find the McCain campaign's approach to pretty much everything to be distasteful. To properly express how I feel about their low-brow style of politics, I made a little mash-up of the dysfunctional "McPain" team, using my superior Photoshop skills.
Click the image below for a larger, even more disturbing size.
Warning:
If you stare at it for too long you will definitely lose your mind.
Unfortunately, he is clearly not the better leader of the two Presidential candidates. If Sen. McCain can barely keep his own party & staff of loyalists together through this campaign, how do people expect him to MANAGE THE ENTIRE COUNTRY?!?!?!
At first, I thought Sarah Palin seemed at least interesting...
Then, she started yakking & attacking and, by golly, she hasn't even stopped once to think (literally).
Personally, I'm stickin' with the Socialist Muslim Black Panther Antichrist Terrorist Sympathizer, the Long-legged Freak himself.
I won't claim that Obama is a perfect candidate or that all his policy approaches are the best. His tremendous ability to communicate, organize, & inspire are fairly self-evident, though.
With Halloween this Friday & the election in less than a week, the scariest thing to me in the immediate future is the idea of more regressive Republican rule in the White House. This is especially true in the face of such a strong possibility for a new approach to governing.
I find the McCain campaign's approach to pretty much everything to be distasteful. To properly express how I feel about their low-brow style of politics, I made a little mash-up of the dysfunctional "McPain" team, using my superior Photoshop skills.
Click the image below for a larger, even more disturbing size.
Warning:
If you stare at it for too long you will definitely lose your mind.
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