Joined Dec 2022
@RodrickSage - And while abstract concepts are easy enough for reasonable people to agree upon, translating those reasonable concepts into reality, among such flawed creatures as humans, is a monumental task.
So that's why I debate, and ponder. It's an effort to tease out a way of living in harmony with our flawed nature, while creating the best world that can be achieved.
@RodrickSage - Perhaps the question is rhetorical... but I'll give a literal answer as to why I spend energy pondering such things:
I'm anticipating societal collapse. There's really no such thing as clean slate when building a society (as in video games - which I enjoy), but rebuilding in the aftermath of collapse is as close as humanity ever gets, to a fresh start. And when the task of rebuilding falls upon our shoulders, it's worth taking the time and effort, to rebuild for the ages.
@basedbagel - The experience was humbling though, and left me with more questions than answers.
Beyond those three personal discoveries listed above, anything is up for debate, as far as I'm concerned.
And the way I see it, whatever or whoever God may be... If he wants us to know him, then asking questions is always fair game. 🍻
@basedbagel - some things.
1) There is a God
2) Death is not the end of existence
3) And the implication of me not dying, is that we are meant to live for as long as we are able.
___
I understand many people will find this to be unbelievable, or will dismiss a near death experience as hallucination.
I have paid good money to hallucinate before... and I know it wasn't that. But if others are dismissive, it doesn't bother me. 💁🏻♂️ I just happen to know these things, and that's enough for me.
@basedbagel - I'm no atheist, but I generally despise churches. The dynamic is all wrong in a church - far too much obedience.
I'm not a Christian either... Trinity never made sense, and after carrying Jesus's message to its logical conclusion, Jesus isn't someone I would choose to follow.
I believe God has many names, and there's room for mystery. I'm leaning toward Paganism these days.
Also, I had a near death experience during a young suicide attempt many years ago, that convinced me of ➡️
@37712 - Nice!
I used to call gold impractical, because it was too dense, value-wise. But then I saw 1/4 & 1/10oz coins for sale at JMBullion.com. And that seems like it would be plenty usable.
I always get nervous when sending out money for gold... too much fraud in the world. But I've ordered silver from there, and it arrived with no problem. 🍻
@VeganBob @Tfmonkey - Surprisingly, in "The Blank Slate", Pinker makes the case for the opposite - That much of human psychological and cognitive traits are inborn.
Of course, Pinker is also the guy who once said 'Females are nonviolent', so clearly, his head is at least partially up his ass... (or simply inexperienced) 🙄
But I find he's a great source for hard data (Well, as hard as can be found in such a soft science anyway). But yeah, I largely disregard his broad societal recommendations.
@VeganBob @Tfmonkey - Alice in Wonderland is also an excellent read. Lewis Carroll's mathematician background shines through, in an engaging manner.
And everyone loves Chronicles of Narnia, for good reason.
For podcasts, Dan Carlin's "Hardcore History" is an excellent choice.
I also found 1491 an enlightening read (about pre-Columbian America).
For psychology, Stephen Pinker is as blue-pilled as hell... but his books do offer some fascinating insights into cognition, and human development.
@VeganBob @Tfmonkey - I also really like non-fiction history. Nowadays though, most contemporary historians are trying to make a hard science of it. And the result has been, that it's largely unreadable. The field is a dry stack of minutia anymore - missing the forest for the trees. But Lars Brownworth has a couple books that are well done.
If you prefer the classics, I can't recommend Moby Dick highly enough. It's a thick book, but very readable.
@VeganBob @Tfmonkey - Aw, thanks homey. 🫡🍻
I like Graham Hancock's books - the archeological journalism, but not so much the novels. The archeological ones are a little out there, a little bit "woo", but it's refreshing to hear an alternative view of human development.
Giles Kristian wrote a couple of excellent adventure series set in the Viking age. Just rollicking and epic coming-of-age and vengeance stories.
Mary Stewart has a great series centered on Merlin, of Arthurian lore.
@basedbagel - People used to think I was gay in school too... I was thin and handsome, but awkward with no GF.
Fuck'em. They don't matter.
I started lifting heavy objects. I started training in boxing. I became proficient in firearms. And TFM was kind enough to make the world make more sense with a red pill... And now I don't worry about jealous guys. I know they're not worth any measure of compassion, & I understand why.
They will purge themselves, when hard times arrive, & won't be missed.
@VeganBob @Tfmonkey - I drive for a living... so it's audiobooks for me. I'm listening to the series: "A History of the English Speaking Peoples" by Winston Churchill. It's good times.
But I like the earlier history better than the recent stuff. All the minutia builds up, and gets a little snoozy at times - which is bad for business.
@basedbagel - Everything on my wishlist now, is too big to be mobile (pedal powered grain thresher for example).
So I'm looking to buy land. And one could say I'm financially ill prepared for that. But I don't fret. I've been developing a skill set to be useful in any case. YouTube is great for such learning.
If I had savings and no trade or food preps right now, I'd spend it on that - and worry about retirement later.
Cheers, and Best Wishes. Let me know if you wanna talk prepping. 🍻
@basedbagel - For the last few years, I spent my money as soon as I got it, anticipating financial collapse. No regrets for that. Now, instead of money, I have all the stuff money would buy (food, guns, ammo, gasoline storage as a one way bugout ticket, garden stuff & seeds, tools of my chosen dark age trade - woodworking & blacksmithing). It gives me great peace of mind.
Not meant as a brag, but as a sharing of perspective. I'm as set as can be for a migrationary collapse strategy.
@Tfmonkey - Like many, I'm a reluctant mgtow... I was born a romantic.
That is legitimately the sweetest conversation I've probably ever overheard. 🍻
Joined Dec 2022
