Least sensitive things ever said: Ooh, look, they have some early morning fireworks over by the World Trade Center! How was it living on beach-front property for 14 years, Mr. Dantes? Oh, it was terrible! You don’t know what it’s…
I’ve heard it argued in various circles that children are born without a belief in God, which technically makes them atheists. Richard Dawkins argues something of the sort. Others disagree. The Catholic church, for example, registers every baptized child as…
In rereading an essay I wrote several years ago for my paradoxes class, I noticed that I was marked off for assuming that the universe existed. “A universe is a necessary being?!!” My teacher said. Allow me to defend my…
Apparently, it’s hard to classically condition people. For a while now I’ve been trying to condition people to check my blog regularly like malnourished orphans hoping that the lady who runs the bread line will get over her hangover soon.…
Overheard phone conversation: 1: Hello. 1: Hello. 1: This is he. 1: Hello. 1: I think the best bet would be to take care of this tomorrow when everyone’s available. 1: Oh. 1: I’m free at 5. 1: I’ll see…
How karma should be practiced: be nice to strangers, respect life, do not cause harm, all else being equal, choose the path which generates the greatest good for the greatest number. How karma should not be practiced: To ease your…
Karma is a good philosophy to live by. I say that because I think that a society in which everyone believes in karma is more likely to be nicer, easier and happier than a society which believes in the opposite.…
Back soon. Please see local listings for regularly scheduled blog posts starting next season, starting approximately September 1st. Until then, please enjoy the following worthwhile articles and past posts. Regresare pronto. Por favor mantenga un ojo en sus listas locales…
A friend of mine has a child who shall hitherforth remain nameless. This nameless child and I recently had a conversation over dinner (he’s 1, I’m 22, so I felt we were equals). During this conversation, his mother (Alethea B.)…
T-Rob: Foreknowledge in itself does not entail determinism. Foreknowledge AND omnipotence does. God interfered the instant he created everything. My response: I agree with this point insofar as we assume that the set of God includes all knowledge and ability…
And now, a chapter-by-chapter non-verbal reaction to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Dark Lord Ascending Whoa! In Memoriam Hm. *sigh* The Dursleys Departing Aww. :'( The Seven Potters !! Fallen Warrior Eep! The Ghoul in Pajamas Whoa. The Will…
I have a friend that gives me homework. Every time I talk to him, I end up leaving with more to do than before I ran into him. Obviously, I’ve learned to avoid seeing him if at all possible. I…
So, wait, what exactly did Napoleon do wrong at Waterloo? Was it just that he had split up his forces to scare away the Prussians, but didn’t actually succeed in anything but splitting up his forces and defeating a rather…
I find a distinctly good book: A Void. Also, an author authored a alliterative article: Alphabetical Africa. One I seek, I share immediate to others: The Caedic Cadenza. All of those examples of constrained writing, admittedly are far superior to…
I hope I’m not the only one who wishes more and more fervently for death whenever I’m faced with an impending deadline for a project I don’t really care about. That’s probably not healthy. Nor is it healthy to prefer…
I’ve decided to learn French. J’ai décidé d’apprendre le français The reason I’ve decided this is because a friend of mine had some extra language tapes that she wasn’t using, so I figured I might as well. Besides: I’ve always…
Happy Bastille Day!! I know, I can’t believe my favorite holiday is back! Whoo!! Whoo!! Whoo!!
I took the Graduate Records Examination today, which, for those of you who are not aware, is the equivalent of two SATs and a swift kick to the groin. I woke up early, had a good, light breakfast and went…