culture
691159483517452288
by James Wildman
190572634122
188068978252
We are living in a culture entirely hypnotized by the illusion of time, in which the so-called present moment is felt as nothing but an infinitesimal hairline between a causative past and an absorbingly important future. We have no present. Our consciousness is almost completely preoccupied with memory and expectation. We do not realize that there never was, is, nor will be any other experience than present experience. We are therefore out of touch with reality.
162815045382
This world is — and when I say “this world” I mean it, I don’t mean it in an ideal sense. I mean it in every day, every little thing you do — it’s such a “Gimme, gimme, gimme.” Everybody back off. Everybody’s taught that from school. Everywhere. Big business: You wanna be successful? You wanna be like Trump? Gimme, gimme, gimme. Push, push, push, push. Step, step, step. Crush, crush, crush. That’s how it all is. And it’s like nobody ever stops, you know?
161417138812
“Another factor encouraging my positive attitude about
problem solving was World War II when the U.S. spent billions of dollars
for weapons of mass destruction in the Manhattan Project. Cost was no
object and it was one of the largest and best-financed projects
undertaken to that date. I realized the same energies that went into the
Manhattan Project could be channeled to improve and update our way of
life, and to achieve and maintain the optimal symbiotic relationship
between nature and humankind. If we are willing to spend that amount of
money, resources, and human lives in times of war, we must ask why we
don’t commit equal resources to improving the lives of everyone and
anticipating humane needs for the future in times of peace.
When
scientists were called upon to solve problems of a military nature, the
answers were immediately forthcoming. This demonstrated to me the
ability of science and technology to solve problems when properly
organized and funded, but it is shameful that these methods are not
applied to solving social problems on a global scale. In my work I am
not attempting to predict the future. I am only pointing out what is
possible with the intelligent application and humane use of science and
technology. This does not call for scientists to manage society. What I
suggest is applying the methods of science to the social system for the
benefit of human kind and the environment.”
RIP Jacque Fresco
(March 13, 1916 – May 18, 2017)
159324777212
Passion Versus Obsession
Because passionate people are driven to create as a way to grow and achieve their potential, they are constantly seeking out others who share their passion in a quest for collaboration, friction and inspiration. Because they have a strong sense of self, passionate people are well-equipped to form relationships. They present themselves in ways that invite trust – they have little time for pretense and they are willing to express vulnerability and need in order to receive the help they need in achieving their own potential. Because they are passionate, they are willing to share their own knowledge and experience when they encounter someone sharing their passion. They are also intensely curious, seeking to understand the other passionate people they encounter in order to better see where and how they can collaborate to get better faster.
In contrast, obsessive people hide behind their objects of obsession. The objects are what are important, not others or even themselves. As a result, obsessive people are hard to get to know and trust – they share little of themselves and they exhibit minimal interest or curiosity regarding the needs or feelings of others. One of the hallmarks of obsessive people is that they tend to talk endlessly and often repetitively about the same thing, rarely inviting commentary or reaction from others, and ultimately pushing others away with their obsessive rants.
158502700977
Because parents have power over children. They feel they have to do what their parents say. But the love of money is the root of all evil. And this is a sweet child. And to see him turn like this, this isn’t him. This is not him.