Gratuitous Common Sense

I’ve been contemplating some changes to the site. My curiosity about having/running/using a blog has been satisfied for quite some time now. So its usefulness, at this point, is next to nothing for me.

I’ve still got plenty to say, but really have no reason to put it out there. I’ve never been one to open my mouth without provocation or invitation, so spouting my opinion on my own blog is really against my nature. The only thing that’s really stimulated me to write anything is the opportunity to learn more about the blogging world/experience in that ‘throw a rock in the pond and watch the ripples’ kind of way.

I’m not suggesting I’ve seen it all at this point, but my thirst for knowledge in this area has been quenched. If I’m going to write something, I’d rather it be in the pursuit of something more rewarding or stimulating for myself at this point. Honestly, even an online forum is a little more to my liking because there is a constant conversation, a back and forth discussion that creates a dynamic that is largely unrealized in the blogging world.

The article-comments-riposte agenda that blogs follow in lockstep is one of the toughest forms of communication. It’s already tough to communicate in writing since a large part of our indicators in live communication are non-verbal (inflection, tone, expression, volume, etc.). The thoroughness of the blog post or “article” attempts to push past those boundaries by being well developed, illustrating and explaining the point, and showing the readers the story instead of just telling them. But then the comments come… and communication, more often than not, breaks down for one reason or another. The responses are often paraphrased, summarized, or at worst knee-jerk reactions. The commenter dismisses an article that took a day to write with a sentence that took them all of 12 seconds to fully develop. The sarcasm is mistaken. The point is missed. Whether they are wrong or not doesn’t matter.

This is fast turning into an indictment of blogging, which it is not supposed to be, so I’ll stop there. Certainly, some people enjoy it, some love it, some have a different angle that genuinely helps people, some give bad advice, some write for SEO, and most are better at it than me. More power to them. I say keep doing what you’re doing as long as you’re getting what you want out of it.

As for the changes to happen here, I’m considering a number of different directions. Maybe I’ll just open up the site for anyone to author their version of common sense. Maybe setting up something new, like a forum of some kind (I haven’t learned too much about those yet). Maybe I’ll just go back to a personal site that wasn’t of interest to anyone outside of my immediate circle, y’know, like a myspace page.

Anyway, who knows. Change is brewing. I’ll play around with some ideas, consider the challenges. It’s my site, I can do what I please. That’s the beauty of it.

Share This

I’ve haven’t been writing much recently, and when I have it’s been increasingly political. It’s an exercise in futility to try to inject common sense into politics, so it’s time to get back to basics.

What are some other common sense things that I could write about? Just to get the wheels spinning, let’s go with a random list of things you should know if you’re old enough to have pubic hair…

General Stuff

• The word “utilize” is just about entirely and universally unnecessary.
• Respect is earned… and easily lost when it’s only given because of your age.
• The promotion of Restless Legs Syndrome is a prime example of disease mongering. In matters of personal health, it’s best to consider the source and their vested interest in supplying the health information.
• There is an enormous difference between trust and faith, you would do well to learn it.

Fashion

• Axe body spray makes you smell like shit when you basically shower in it.
• Popped Collars have an inverse relationship with level of intelligence.
• Crocs are not meant to be worn in public. The only thing they go with is involuntary abstinence.

Academics

• Evolution is real… I know, because Noah didn’t have this thing on his boat.
• Numbers are not interchangeable with words in your sentences… “4″ is not an acceptable abbreviation of “for”.
• Just because there are two sides to every issue doesn’t mean that both sides are equal.

Driving

• The left lane is for passing ONLY. If you’re not passing someone, you don’t belong there.
• The on-ramp is for accelerating, not coasting.
• If you’re talking on your phone, you shouldn’t be driving. Period.
• If you’re texting and driving, then any attempt on your life is justifiable homicide.

Religion

• Santa Claus is real… all you need is faith.
• Xenu is real… all you need is faith.
• Jesus was not born in December… The Christians arbitrarily put it there to steal the celebration from the Pagans and profit off its popularity.
• See the quote adorning the top of the page.

Money

• $150 is too much to spend on shoes if you, or anyone older than you in your family, relies on an hourly wage for their primary source of income.
• Chances are, you have no idea about economic, monetary, or fiscal management even though it affects everything you do.
• Emergencies aside, your credit card debt is, most likely, all your fault.

Ahhh, now that feels good. All that common sense purged from my brain. It’s so… refreshing.

Of course, it’s not an exhaustive list, but it makes me feel better. And really, isn’t that what a blog is all about?

Share This

As you might imagine, I get a lot of hate mail. Jesus Fucking Christ even took the time to tell me himself.

Your site is horrible, and My Dad and I will damn you to Hell because of it.

Peace be with you.

- Caucasian Jesus

Now, I usually try not to link to any Jesus loving sites. But I figured I’d make an exception here since I now have confirmation that I’m going to Hell.

Personally, I think Jesus should feel pretty lucky that I am not only posting his vile email, but also linking to his fucking site. If all those disciples were right, then forgiveness is undoubtedly in my future.

What’s really odd is that I didn’t even have to pray to get Him to talk to me. I mean, some people spend their whole lives on their knees, hoping to be touched by his noodly appendage. Or was it ‘his word’?

I don’t remember. Who cares?

The point is, I’m well on my way to feeling his love, and there’s nothing any of you fucking church-goers can do about it.

Share This

“All great truths begin as blasphemies.”

- George Bernard Shaw

Share This

“Which is it, is man one of God’s blunders or is God one of man’s?”

- Friedrich Nietzsche

Share This

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people complain about Wal-mart driving mom & pop stores out of business as if they share no burden of responsibility in making that happen. You see, in the pseudo-capatalistic society we live in here, it’s impossible for a retailer like Wal-mart to push a smaller company into bankruptcy by shear force of its own will or presence.

When all is said and done, Wal-mart still relies on the consumer to do that for them.

It’s pretty basic economics, but Wal-mart, somehow, gets all the blame. It’s as if these people are admitting their lemming-like status as consumers who will go wherever the lowest prices are, regardless of what consequences it may have for their neighbors.

And the reasoning behind blaming Wal-mart goes like this… Since Wal-mart knows that all these people are lemmings who can’t think for themselves about the long-term consequences of their actions, they are therefore responsible for the outcome of those actions. Backwards as it is, that’s the way people think about it.

Wal-mart knows that people will buy from them if they build a store in a small community in rural Missouri. Wal-mart knows that it will take customers away from the established small-businesses that are run by locals. And if they build a store while being aware of these things, then it’s their fault for coming in and being so appealing to the consumers.

But I could go on and on about how this relates to possible government intervention, freedom of the individual and choice, anti-trust laws, and Wal-mart-like employment practices.

But I won’t, because this is really about the sign above. A sign that fixes the blame, where it should be… on you.

Share This

The proof… courtesy of the (former) mayor of Crestwood, IL…

This is probably related to my last post, if you’re paying attention. It’s also kind of ironic considering Mr. Stranczek is the son of Polish immigrants, and didn’t speak a word of English until he was 8 years old. Apparently the implicit need to learn the English language isn’t as strong as it was when he was a kid, so a persuasion of the more explicit variety is required these days… like an artificial designation of English as “our language”.

Of course this is perfectly in line with the tried and true New American Century Republican party line - ‘Let the market/individuals decide, unless we don’t like which way the market is going, then government will take care of it’. You know, like when “the market” wouldn’t choose Halliburton to build their outhouses, much less an entire country’s infrastructure.

But what the hell am I talking about? The dubious sign isn’t about war or government or no bid contracts. To go down that path requires entirely too much nuance and, oh, what do they call it, critical thinking. The sign is about immigrants, damnit! You know, those people who come here and siphon our tax dollars through welfare and public education systems, and don’t contribute anything, except direct evidence that Reaganomics doesn’t work because it creates the incentive for businesses to provide jobs to the people who are willing to accept the lowest standard of living (thus widening “the gap“).

But I digress. This sign isn’t necessarily about immigration itself. It’s about language. More specifically, it’s about the inherent annoyance of people speaking a language that you do not know. I’m sure if the unfamiliar language that was being spoken in this country most predominately was Polish instead of Spanish, then Chester wouldn’t have as much of a problem with it. But really, beyond the feeling of insecurity and the almost unavoidable suspicion that they are talking about you (you conceited bastard), what’s the problem with people speaking a language that you do not?

The answer is “nothing”… that is, until someone becomes so attached and possessive of their language that they expect everyone to cater to them by either 1) speaking their language or 2) finding someone who can translate in lieu of learning. Seeing as how we are supposed to be a free country and as a result government doesn’t declare an official language. Those two characteristics create an interesting juxtaposition.

The problem is that people like Chester see it as a one way street when there is nothing but their righteous indignation to suggest that it is.

Share This

Actually… no… no it doesn’t.

So nevermind.

Share This

“To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Share This

Maybe we aren’t all that different…

But who am I kidding? This kind of harmony and similarity between species is so beautiful that the only possible explanation is that it was designed by someone or something far superior to ourselves.

I mean, just look at it. Could you design that? I don’t think so.

Share This