a fruitless discussion

     I just watched a documentary in which a lot of otherwise rational people are drawn into a discussion about whether or not God exists. I find this discussion pointless, always, and I am surprised at some of the people who are witless enough to be dragged into it. If you continue such a discussion long enough, you will find that belief in God is not the philosophical dividing line that it is often assumed to be. Many people who claim to believe in God also claim that it doesn't matter what they do, either because they have no responsibility for their own behavior in the first place, or because God will fix it all up for them later. Other people who claim to believe in God also believe that they are responsible for what they do, and believe that they must behave accordingly.
     Many people who claim that they do not believe in God do believe that they are responsible for what they do. Others who claim that they do not believe in God believe that they have no responsibility for, or control over, their own behavior.
     The philosophical dividing line is responsibility, especially responsibility for our own behavior. Spend your time arguing about free will and responsibility, and leave God as a subject for theologians.

having advice taken

     Ever try to offer someone advice that they never take, even if they asked for advice in the first place? It's because they were taught never to take any free advice. Next time, charge them, and see what happens.

then it swallowed itself by the tail

     According to psychoanalysis, most human behavior can be classified as a mental disease--in other words, everyone is crazy. The belief that everyone is crazy is, according to psychoanalysis, considered a sign of serious psychological illness.

but how does it work when it rains?

    If I thought I could get along with a communications system that doesn't work when it rains, I would just draw in the dirt with a stick--that wouldn't work when it rains, and I'd save on internet charges. For long distance I could try smoke signals--those wouldn't work in the rain, either. Or maybe a flashing mirror to make a telegraph--that could send messages for a mile or so, and  would only work on sunny days.
    On rainy days we are all supposed to take the day off, I think.

an unanswered question

     Does the Earth have a top and a bottom? Is the United States naturally on the top half of a round globe, with Australia on the bottom, or is it only that way because the maps in current use were drawn by people from the "top half"?   Anyone standing on Earth would  be on the surface, meaning, of course, the "top". Each person standing on Earth would have an only slightly different view of  the universe spread in all directions from himself , infinitely. But would each person perceive himself to be on "top" of the world? Does a person at the North Pole feel that he is at the "top" of the world? Or should we save that expression as a synonym for euphoria?

the kids are all right

Want your kids to learn some geography? Tell them to check their clothes and other household items to find out where they were made. They will be looking up the names of countries in a matter of minutes. No, really.

May Day

    Today, the first of May, is a holiday for workers in many countries. It's like Labor Day in the United States. It's a good day to think about all of the work done by others that goes into making a modern life--yours and mine.