Questioning Esteem, Suicide, Comments, Pretty, AI, and Sex

 

“When you lose your ego, you win. It really is that simple.”

-- Shannon L. Alder

Who in your life surprised you by telling you that they have low self-esteem?

It has never happened. When I was thinking this, I joined the Air Force and they made sure I never felt like that ever again. When you bring people with you, they have a hard time thinking they have low esteem.

What are activities that make one think, "I would rather be doing nothing else"?

Having unforgiving sex with a woman.

Why do the people who hurt me have a better life than me?

If I had a better life than you, the last thing on my mind would be hurting you, unless you started it. Are they really hurting you, or are you simply imagining that they are since they have a better life? My mantra, at 70 years of life, is to strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It is a choice, a better choice than to worry over people who have a better life but don’t have true happiness. If they did, they would be bringing you along, not knocking you down.

What factors or motivations prevent you from giving up when facing challenges or adversity?

Perseverance in the face of failure. It isn’t the challenges or adversity that hold one back, it is what they do with them that moves them forward.

What is something you accomplished later in life, and why? Are you proud to have done it in the end?

When my father had his first stroke, in 2015, I gave up my fruitful life in Olympia, Washington to move down to the Gulf Coast of Mississippi to take care of him and my mother. He died in 2019, after his 4th stroke, and my mom died in 2023. I took care of both of them, the best I could. In the end? I am proud I was here. I am proud I could give back to them, even a little of what they have given me, over the years. Family is something we take for granted, and we really shouldn’t.

How did you leave your parent's nest and gain independence on your own starting with nothing? I don’t think my life matters enough, nor am I capable of living independently, and I don’t think my parents think I am either.

I joined the United States Air Force, from my second year in college, when I was drafted for Vietnam. I ended up serving for 23 years and never looked back. It was the best time of my life.

"Heroism doesn't always happen in a burst of glory. Sometimes small triumphs and large hearts change the course of history."

-- Mary Roach

Who are you so thankful for that you would give your life for?

My mom and dad have both passed on. They gave me life, I would give it back to save them.

How do you shut down someone who thinks and argues that AI has no "real" intelligence, and is only able to parrot back what was fed to it during its training?

Isaac Asimov was way before his time when he wrote “I, Robot” in 1950. When artificial intelligence is given enough information to be able to think for itself, protect itself, and is told to do so, people are on the way out. To argue this point is to be in an argument with another jackass. 

Should resources be directed toward solving issues here on Earth first?

Uh… where else are we solving issues? 

Reader comment: Space exploration.

My reply: Not an issue. It’s a project. And, besides, space exploration expands our knowledge which helps solve issues here.

Reader reply: Whether or not there are “issues” in space exploration, I do think the question is probably about space exploration. A major criticism of space exploration is that it uses resources that could be better used solving problems on Earth. Obviously that's very much a matter of opinion.

My reply: Very much.

Do people turn statements into questions to begin arguments on Quora?

This would be the League of the Perpetually Offended. It is what they do on this site. They ask a question, you answer, and they jump. The moment they jump, you should leave the conversation... because it won’t be one.

Do you have to be exactly like your friends?

How boring would that be? Not that they’re boring, but it could morph into that.

What is the most destructive force in your life?

I am. It is why I have embraced true happiness as a philosophy. I strive for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It is a choice. Or, I can contemplate torturing an enemy until I get the required information. Better that I strive for true happiness.

“The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.”

-- Rachel Carson

Why can't I post a rude comment to an offensive answer someone wrote to a question that I asked?

Two wrongs don’t make a right? Why do you think it is proper for you to drop down to their level? If they are offensive, everybody understands. Point out that you think their answer is rude, and press on. We give too much time to assholes, of which I can be one. But, at least, I try to make it humorous.

Why do we promote all the confused and potentially crazy individuals in high positions of power in business, arts, and politics, while common sense and intelligent people are isolated and marginalized? What is happening?

Voters. Most of them don’t bother with due diligence.

Which abstract concepts fascinate you?

Time. It is a human concept, a creation, that gives structure to our lives, but what do we really know about it?

How patient do you feel yourself in daily life?

I’m retired… twice. Pretty freakin patient.

Why do most people not want to know the reasons for everything?

Too much drama to know the reasons for everything. People like to have some mystery and humor in their lives. I feel comfortable not knowing what people don’t want me to know. Hey... ignorance is bliss.

Why do some trolls ask triggering questions?

They’re trolls. I try to ignore them.

“Arguing with anonymous strangers on the Internet is a sucker's game because they almost always turn out to be—or to be indistinguishable from—self-righteous sixteen-year-olds possessing infinite amounts of free time.”

-- Neal Stephenson

Why do I feel like I’m not pretty enough for my friend? She is tall and skinny, but I am stubby and 90 kg at 16. Is this in my head or am I just too insecure?

Ask your friend. Friendship is about being friends, not judging. If she agrees with you, the insecurity is on her, not on you. She needs to do some introspection.

What are some satisfying quotes about people who hurt you?

“He’s bleeding! You’ve made your point!”

Are stupid people in a kind of trance of ignorance? I notice that stupid people seem to be oblivious to many things, missing things right in front of them, not noticing things written in texts, etc, it seems like they are in a trace or something.

There’s a difference between being stupid and being ignorant. Ignorance signifies that you don’t know something. Stupid signifies that you have a problem with learning something. If you’re ignorant and stupid, well…

When do we realize that our actions have greater consequences in our society?

When we succeed at something important to society.

Do you consider someone who criticizes someone else for the slightest error or mistake an ignorant individual?

If they’re teaching, then someone needs to learn. The “slightest error” in a bomb disposal unit could have disastrous consequences. The “slightest error” in war planning could annihilate a friendly village.

Why are some people so convinced that AI will never develop a consciousness of its own?

It needs to be programmed to develop a consciousness.

“AI won‘t be foolproof in the future since it will only be as good as the data and information that we give it to learn. It could be the case that simple elementary tricks could fool the AI algorithm and it may serve a complete waste of output as a result.”

-- Zoltan Andrejkovics

Is humanity not in danger from artificial intelligence?

It depends on the programmer. If it is programmed to learn on its own, there is a lot of danger to go around. Considering the countries too stupid to look ahead, I'd say we're in deep doo-doo.

What is the biggest lie society has taught you to believe?

To trust that politicians will do the right thing. I’ve learned to be critical. 

Is faith necessary even when we have knowledge of the truth (God)?

Absolutely. We need faith that the knowledge of “truth” will be recognized by those with responsibility. The “truth” is only as good as those who know it. Concerning the knowledge of God, however, “faith” is a belief in something for which there is little or no proof. Neither atheists nor theists have any incontrovertible proof to support their belief. 

Why does [this site] allow nude posts?

Site supervision must enjoy them. However, it doesn’t bother me a bit.

Why is it hard for you to look at a situation without being biased at all?

At 70 years of age, the only bias I hold onto is the idiot in charge of the situation. I use the term “idiot” because it has become a “situation” which means the idiot didn’t have a clue. 

How do you get feelings out of your way when making decisions?

You begin with “feelings” and then you push them aside for “critical thought” processes. “Critical thought” has no room for emotion, if it is done properly. You take the facts, as they are known, and you make the best decision, regardless of your feelings.

“Let us not become victims of a crippling reasoning pattern. If we want to improve our decision-making and critical thinking, we must recognize our mental biases and be willing to overcome them. Let us avoid creating arguments to confirm pre-existing beliefs at all costs and invest in a ‘sunk cost fallacy.’ Better alight from a car out of control than drive it off the cliff.”

-- Erik Pevernagie

How do I feel if my wife had sex with another guy?

She did, many times. I divorced her. It took me 25 years to get a clue, Yeah, I’m a bit thick.

Why would a man flirt with me when he knows I'm married?

He wants to know how serious you are about your marriage. He’s interested in whether you’ll cheat. You must be good-looking.

Why would a husband not care that his wife doesn’t feel well?

When he needs a “roll in the hay.”

How can you answer a difficult question without revealing personal information?

How is my “personal information” revealed while answering a difficult question that doesn’t pertain to my “personal” information?

How did a son get into incest with your own mother?

I’d have to say, the overly sexed “mother” probably had a hand in this.

Note to my readers: This answer was deleted by the site because it violated their policy.  The question didn't violate the policy, but my answer did. Go figure.

Do guys like being called daddy?

It depends on the woman.

"I have an angel watching over me, and I call him Daddy."

-- 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 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 in 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