Questioning Startups, Reading, Trust, Falsehoods, and Messaging

   

"Hence (if you will not misunderstand me) the exquisite arbitrariness and irresponsibility of this love. I have no duty to be anyone's Friend and no man in the world has a duty to be mine. No claims, no shadow of necessity. Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art, like the universe itself (for God did not need to create). It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival."

-- C.S. Lewis

Why am I not satisfied with my friends?

Are they really your friends, or are they really just acquaintances? Maybe, finding real friends would solve this issue. 

What can you say to refute this argument: "Why work so hard for an honest living if someone else can just make more money and live better than you by lying, cheating, and stealing."?

Are you moral and ethical? If so, the striving to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances can be considered success in life. You really don’t have to embrace being an immoral, lying, cheating, thief, an asshole, to enjoy happiness. It is a choice.

Why is it so hard to start a successful YouTube channel?

I would think that a lack of funds, knowledge, legal challenges, problems with navigating regulations, and being accepted by a viewer base, all might have something to do with this.

If everything is made of atoms, what is kindness made of?

Not everything is made of atoms. Kindness is a thought. Thoughts, as I understand it, are not made of atoms, they are generated when neurons fire creating electrochemical reactions. Regardless of whether thoughts are atomic, kindness is one of the best thoughts to have.

What does it mean when someone thinks they are the author of the story of life and everyone must fit within their perception of how things are?

They are a legend in their own mind, better to be ignored than given attention.

Is the probability of being bad of bad parents higher? Is the elimination of that family ethical?

It would be better to remove the child from the abuse being visited on them by the parents. Child Services needs to do its job and save the child from becoming a mirror of their upbringing.

“Childhood should be carefree, playing in the sun; not living a nightmare in the darkness of the soul.”

-- Dave Pelzer

Why do some people say reading books is better and more entertaining than watching TV?

Indeed! I do both, and reading is much more satisfying than the boob tube. Your brain doesn’t atrophy.

How do you deal with judgmental people who think they know everything about you?

I laugh. There is no way they know “everything” about me. If they did, the book might be a bestseller. Judgmental people should do some introspection, and see all the flaws they, themselves, should be dealing with.

I don’t feel satisfied with anything I’m constantly craving something and I don’t know what. What do I do?

Find a good woman that will satisfy your cravings.

What are the steps in the problem-solving process as you see them?

Identify the problem. Identify why the problem is occurring. Fix or stop the problem causing the occurrence. In the long run, applying the “5 Whys” of problem-solving might be advantageous.

So, apparently, opportunities are everywhere. Sometimes we're just not ready to acknowledge them…yet. Your thoughts?

I agree. But, if you’re not ready to acknowledge them, you probably haven’t been looking for them, either.

Why is my mind blank most of the time? I don't understand how people have a new topic to talk about every convo and when I'm doing normal activities there's nothing going on in my head.

You might need to get an interesting life. Having an interesting life gives you something to talk to people about. You will have interesting, and hopefully humorous, anecdotes to share. If you’re doing activities, and nothing is going through your head, I’d be on the lookout for the accident you’re inviting.

“In an empty mind, there is only noise of darkness, not the light of insight.”

-- Ehsan Sehgal

Can you always trust your own judgments?

Unless someone I trust has more knowledge on a subject than I do, I trust myself. Even if someone has more information than I do, I still have to trust my senses to do what they might recommend. It is still my life. Ultimately, I am responsible for everything I do in my life. 

How do you prevent people from commenting?

Don’t ask questions.

What happens if you talk about stupid laws?

There will always be a member of the League of the Perpetually Offended who will stand up and criticize you for badmouthing stupid laws. A “stupid” law, for me, makes little good sense in today’s society. 

What is the difference between “right away” and “straightaway”?

None. 

Is it more helpful to be understanding than to be observant?

I find it hard to be “understanding” without being “observant” of the issue. I have to hear or see the issue so I can be helpful and understanding of the person's plight. Without my “observations,” any “understanding” I give will seem pretty empty.

What is your opinion on the current state of artificial Intelligence and its impact on society?

We don’t seem to be as concerned about Asimov’s “Laws of Robotics” as we should be. The “impact” on society will be its downfall if we ignore these:

First Law

A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

Second Law

A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

Third Law

A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Fourth Law (added in 1986)

A robot must reproduce. As long as such reproduction does not interfere with the First, or Second, or Third Law.

“To deny humanity the lesson of consequences would be a mistake. And I do not make mistakes.”

-- Neal Shusterman

 How would you personally justify the idea that any implication with a false antecedent is true?

I would “justify” keeping an open mind that the implication, the “false antecedent” notwithstanding, might be true. It would rest on the arguments for its validity against those for its non-validity.

What is your opinion on Alfred Lord Tennyson's quote? "Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."

Very true! I have always treasured the loves I’ve had, even my ex-wife. Do never have loved is a life wasted.

Who should you put your trust in first?

Yourself. If that fails, you are lost and at the mercy of others, whom you put “trust” in.

Reader comment: In this day and age, you have no idea how difficult it is to have to do both of those simultaneously. Deal with the loss of trusting your own mind and surrender your reasoning to another. It’s fucked up in a lot of ways and you have to suffer it alone. Imagine not trusting anyone... you free fall until your intuition becomes really powerful. Then you just take a leap, let it ride, flip a coin, close your eyes, and pray. 

My reply: Indeed!

How do you respond to someone who believes in intelligent design?

It is their belief. Why do you feel the need to respond, unless they ask you? If they asked me, I would be respectful of their belief, as I would hope they would be as respectful of mine.

Why doesn’t everyone understand that poverty doesn't mean impecunious? Poverty also includes needs.

Oh! You used a multiple-syllable word. Bravo!

Poverty might include needs, and they might not. Those who have embraced their poverty might have also embraced striving for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of their circumstances.

What are some ways one could control the urge to act before thinking things through?

You need to learn to take a breath, and not fall into the trap of “knee-jerk” reactions. Take a breath, and tell yourself to think before you act. This is especially true if you’re getting into a fight. You need to think about how badly you want to be beaten, if you can’t take the guy. Ribs don’t heal that rapidly, and your face… well, as a ladies man, I have thought seriously about fights.

“We fail to say the right words because we choose to say the wrong words! We choose to say the wrong words because we fail to think about the right words!”

-- Ernest Agyemang Yeboah 

Why does everyone on any side want attention to the message of their shirt?

I refuse to be an advertisement billboard for any product. However, I will wear shirts that have some serious humor on them. Everyone needs to have a laugh, if not with my shirt, maybe with someone else’s.

Do other people exist? Are they also illusory like our own minds?

Our minds are not an illusion. We can create illusion with our minds, but our minds are as real as the other people we see and interact with.

What is a case when it's ethically allowed to do things against a person's rational will, and what is a case when it's not ethically allowed to do things against a person's rational will? What is the separating factor?

Desire. 

What are some common estimating mistakes to avoid?

Estimating too high or too low. Estimating is about getting as close as you can get to reality.

What is the method for me to accomplish the task at hand?

“Start” is always my first thought. If you don’t start, nothing will be accomplished.

Why do most French people sound way too arrogant? I was learning French to explore French culture, but now I am a little discouraged as they simply ignore people. I was like, "Don't overestimate yourself. No one really urges you!" after meeting the French.

Why are we always the “ugly American”? Everyone sees another culture through their own lens. Sometimes, we use each other’s lenses. I went overseas much when I was with military Intelligence. You learn to accept people the way they are, get to know them, and understand them and their culture. That it is their culture is what you need to pay attention to. Their culture, not yours. We need to get over our block to their acceptance - ourselves.

“Strangers in a new culture see only what they know.”

-- Unknown

 

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch - it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either view any more right or wrong than the other. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint.

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions, and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions offered. After twenty-three years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience... and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As a weapon for his war on intolerance... he chose the pen. He wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com