"The end of Eternity" is one of those rogue Asimov novels that don't fit within his Foundation / Robots universe.
Ignoring all the plot devices, the background tells a tale of an elite organization which continually alters reality with time travel devices, tasking themselves with the job of pre-emptively preventing suffering and unhappiness.
They ultimately cause the demise of humanity, since their actions delayed the development of interstellar travel.
People happy -> no incentive to move or expand their horizons. The invention of many new technologies were prevented, because they were inevitably misused and caused more suffering than happiness, and thus deemed undesirable. Any deviation from the norm suppressed -> evolution of mankind was halted for thousands of years.
Asimov has this way of presenting his facts and theories in a "matter of fact" way which goes a long way to convincing you that there's no reason they couldn't be true.
Well it was a cute idea. =p But I'm all for increasing happiness and reducing suffering, thank you very much =p
Wednesday
Saturday
the other side of the fence
Carbon dioxide: They call it a pollutant. We call it Life.
That's the latest ad tagline of an environmental think tank called CEI funded by, surprise, the oil industry.
This is their response to Time magazine's "Special Report" on Global Warming.
I thought the points they made were interesting and valid, but I doubt many people will bother to read through it. =p Their stance in general is that the hype about the dangers of Global Warming is unsubstantiated, fuelled through sensationalism in articles from supposedly reputable publications like Time =p
That's the latest ad tagline of an environmental think tank called CEI funded by, surprise, the oil industry.
This is their response to Time magazine's "Special Report" on Global Warming.
I thought the points they made were interesting and valid, but I doubt many people will bother to read through it. =p Their stance in general is that the hype about the dangers of Global Warming is unsubstantiated, fuelled through sensationalism in articles from supposedly reputable publications like Time =p
Tuesday
cool =p
Found posted by an anonymous user, I had a few laughs =p
(yes, anonymous never forgives =p)
-~-
I'm sick and tired of all this America bashing. We OWN the fucking world. We're the only super power left, which means we're the rulers. Don't like it, go move to Mars or turn your shitty little country into a super power. Oh yeah, that's right. You CAN'T!
Yeah there's wars and shit, but that's only because you won't get into line. If everyone would just accept it the entire world could be living like the USA under a Pax Americana. Look at Japan and Canada. They gave in and accepted American superiority. They got to keep the elements of their culture they liked and filled in the rest with American culture. They do what they're told and they live happy prosperous lives. Every other country in the world could have it just as good if they'd do the same thing.
You cause shit with us, don't fall into line, we spank you with bombs. Do what we want and EVERYONE wins. Why is that so fucking hard for the rest of you to get through your dumb-fucking heads? America doesn't hate you. America doesn't WANT to bomb you. But if you get in America's way, if you make yourselves into problems and start hating on America, what the fuck are we supposed to do? If it wasn't for America you wouldn't even have an internet to bitch about us on.
Seriously, I'm getting sick of all this anti-America bosnian bullshit. We can all get along if we all DO WHAT WE'RE TOLD!
(yes, anonymous never forgives =p)
-~-
I'm sick and tired of all this America bashing. We OWN the fucking world. We're the only super power left, which means we're the rulers. Don't like it, go move to Mars or turn your shitty little country into a super power. Oh yeah, that's right. You CAN'T!
Yeah there's wars and shit, but that's only because you won't get into line. If everyone would just accept it the entire world could be living like the USA under a Pax Americana. Look at Japan and Canada. They gave in and accepted American superiority. They got to keep the elements of their culture they liked and filled in the rest with American culture. They do what they're told and they live happy prosperous lives. Every other country in the world could have it just as good if they'd do the same thing.
You cause shit with us, don't fall into line, we spank you with bombs. Do what we want and EVERYONE wins. Why is that so fucking hard for the rest of you to get through your dumb-fucking heads? America doesn't hate you. America doesn't WANT to bomb you. But if you get in America's way, if you make yourselves into problems and start hating on America, what the fuck are we supposed to do? If it wasn't for America you wouldn't even have an internet to bitch about us on.
Seriously, I'm getting sick of all this anti-America bosnian bullshit. We can all get along if we all DO WHAT WE'RE TOLD!
Monday
So here goes nothing.
We move on: people come and go: I loved every one of you, in my own inadequate way, both too little and too much at the same time.
Signing off.
Signing off.
Friday
Points of Authority
The Crystal Method remix was never released commercially, only available as part of a fan club membership perk. Their remix of it is faster, edgier, more chaotic, uses a lot of synth and distortion. I like it, but I'm sure most people won't =p
The first verse has always held a strange appeal to me : evokes feelings of the hardcore competitive gaming clique : the need to prove your worth, pull your weight, or you're out.
Forfeit the game
Before somebody else
Takes you out of the frame
Puts your name to shame
Cover up your face
You can't run the race
The pace is too fast
You just won't last
edit: the remix of this same some from Reanimation by Jay Gordon (and the accompanying music video) is also worthy of a mention, quite enjoyable stuff =p
The first verse has always held a strange appeal to me : evokes feelings of the hardcore competitive gaming clique : the need to prove your worth, pull your weight, or you're out.
Forfeit the game
Before somebody else
Takes you out of the frame
Puts your name to shame
Cover up your face
You can't run the race
The pace is too fast
You just won't last
edit: the remix of this same some from Reanimation by Jay Gordon (and the accompanying music video) is also worthy of a mention, quite enjoyable stuff =p
Thursday
mystery of happiness
In response to Xany.
Being perpetually happy necessarily involves some level of self delusion, overestimation of abilities, letting go of some issues which you should have tackled, and rushing headlong into certain situations which could bear more careful thought.
It's within the realm of possibility that perpetually unhappy people actually might have a better life, make less mistakes, and are better organized, but too bad they might not enjoy it as much.
Being perpetually happy necessarily involves some level of self delusion, overestimation of abilities, letting go of some issues which you should have tackled, and rushing headlong into certain situations which could bear more careful thought.
It's within the realm of possibility that perpetually unhappy people actually might have a better life, make less mistakes, and are better organized, but too bad they might not enjoy it as much.
Wednesday
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)