Captain Picard Day 2012

Just follow the recipe, really, that's the secret to any trick. Just follow what sticks.

Jean Luc is where it's at. Lost? Discombobulated? Riding tides of rides of goats and camels and what the fucks? Put your faith in Captain Picard, for surely, no saner, more reasonable man has there been in the Federation light years wide. Even if made of cake, ask yourself: What would Jean Luc Picard do? And follow that answer.

Babies are our future, don't ya know? Treat them well and let them lead the way. Also, they are pure awesomeness.

Committed

Fervor and commitment create the same in others, spreading like fire and thus culture is made, over time. The inspirational nature of the spiritual occasion gives it more or less power, so you better put on a good show. Pass these lessons on and let them cook in the oven of time and voila, Religion.

Also, I am dreading the inevitable increase in "WORLD TO END 2012 MAYA APOCALYPSE REPENT!!!" talk. I saw an ad for Ameritrade or some such investment company and they directly referenced 12/21/12, the DAY OF DOOM. Reversal of gravity, apparently, which would actually be an awesome way to end the world. But it's not going to happen!

I once dabbled in 2012 dreaming, having read all about the Mayan calendar decades ago. But back then, no one else much knew, so it was cool. But now? LAME!

No, now I know and understand Science, and thus have moved past all mythological answers to real questions. The world might end on 12/21/12 - but it could also end tomorrow. Or a billion years from now - it will end one day, our world at least. An asteroid, a volcano, a cosmic ray, lots of ways. But I bet it won't end on 12/21/12 and if by some strange chance it did, that still proves nothing about Mayan religion of Gods. It might speak to their astronomy, however doubtful.


But! The very idea of it - and this meme has grown wings and will soar ever higher in the sky as we approach the dread date - aye! This very idea will be self creating, as lost, lonely people latch onto it and try to make it real. Hoarding, looting, general mayhem could happen as fear mongers in the media ratchet up the tension.

Wait and see. I had a vision.

Symbols, Ruined

Where do you draw the line between co-incidence and intent?

Utah is NOT to be trusted.

Remember "The Theosophical Society"? Me neither. Wikipedia does though.

The swastika is one of the oldest symbols used by mankind. This is the Samarra Bowl, dated circa 4000BCE.

The swastika was a Native American symbol long before the White Devil showed up from the East. Here's the Proto-Lakers, 1909. The symbol was  quite popular as a good luck charm in the Western world pre-1935 or so. Ruined, by that nasty ass Hitler and his master propagandists. Don't ever underestimate the power of propaganda.

Did you know about this? Read about this? Prior to WW2, American kids gave the old "Roman Salute" to the American flag before class. This sign of allegiance, as suggested by the name, goes back directly to the Romans. Makes sense, right? It's pretty basic. Another symbol ruined by Hitler - truly, perhaps, the greatest monster in mankind's history. And not just for the body count, though that of course is big stone. But rather the cold calculation of it all. 


We are right to be afraid of this - science used in the pursuit of power and control - but I fear it's inevitable.

Liberal media. Washington Post story blurb - they could have chose any picture, right? But they chose a random hand gesture to make it appear Chancellor Merkel is giving the old Sieg Heil. She wasn't, but gosh, here's some proof otherwise.

Cult o' Snuggie

In the year 2020 a comet passes between the Earth and Moon, wrenching the Moon's orbit asunder, sending the Earth into an age of Sorcery and Super Science. From the ashes arose the Cult o' Snuggie, effectively warmed yet with their hands free to cast spells and hit points and what nots. What can you do, mortal, with a simple blanket?

There is indeed a better way.

My Own Private Gondolin

Much like Turgon dreaming of Ulmo, I have a vision of a fortress in the forested woods, far from man and his many fancies, on the South side of a mountain, shielded to the West and to the South by other mountains, off the grid yet fully powered by new technologies (wind, solar, geothermal), waiting for That Day, the day Melkor the Morgoth's metaphorical hordes are unleashed on an unsuspecting world.

But I suspected it! And in my woodsy redoubt I will gather strength in preparation for this day, waiting for the fires to simmer before coming down the mountain, bearing HOPE....


Yeah. Gotta stop reading Tolkien.

Also, due to lack of funds, my future Gondolin will look nothing like the building in this picture (The Keck Observatory in Hawai'i). But boy wouldn't it be sweet?!

Time and Tandy

Behold, the power of the Tandy 5000!

Check out that price! And those specs! Ooo-la-la!

But seriously, and as a function of the previous post concerning our coming robot overlords, this is a great example of the transition period we are in, and have been in for some time. But we're nearing the end of it.

For example, look at the specs on this machine -- yes, seriously underpowered, but not really that different than something you could buy today. It's a 386 processor, whose family line is still kicking about. It uses all the same fundamentals as computers today, in fact, besides the undersized monitor, it doesn't even look that different than computers today.

And yet, look at the year of the ad: For 1989. Almost twenty years ago!

My point is, these emerging trends take much longer than people normally credit. The mobile phone concept was discussed in the 1920's, for example, and a basic technology developed at the time, but as we all know, the actual use of mobile phones did not start until the 1980's, and really only took off in the 2000's.

Computers are following the same path. But, as I said, we're close to the end of this process. It won't be long now for the mobile phone and computer to merge completely; following that logic, the DVR, game system, stereo, PC and TV will all be merged in the home soon enough, and then I suppose the next logical step is for implants. But that's for another post!


Enjoy these days, my Chicken Littles, for surely, the sky IS about to fall.

The Wave

Not only is Obama going to be a great President, but in his wake will come a new generation/breed of politicians, riding the wave of change which will sweep out the stables, so to speak, at least a bit.

Obama has been a sought after campaigner for years for many other Democrats, even for the despicable Lieberman, who's staff begged him to help (and for this he gets what?). Barack has worked the small towns and small stages of America for a great many other politicians, building his foundation, and from the elections of 2006 onward there has been an ever gathering collection of people organizing, energizing, and getting the dirty business of winning elections done. There is a new spirit in America, a spirit that Obama has awakened, and is now for us all to realize.

I kid you not -- I know I sound like a cult member -- but I feel that Obama has already improved my life, personally, and has improved the state of the world -- already there is progress and change that he has asked for. I cannot wait to see what next year will bring. Won't you join us?

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