A Series Of Funerals

Science advances by discovering new things and developing new ideas.  Few truly new ideas are developed without abandoning old ones first.  As theoretical physicist Max Planck (1858–1947) noted, “A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.”  In other words, science advances by a series of funerals.
—    John Brockman
From his book:  “This Idea Must Die: Scientific Theories That Are Blocking Progress “
.
On This Day In:
2022	One Link In The Chain
2021	Life Measures
	First Thing Every Morning
2020	Like #45 And Many Of His Supporters
(Leap Year 29th)	With Some Epic Scenery Along The Way
2019	Creative Prayer Time
	ADF: Day 9:5
2018	#DumbDonald: Start With Hearing What You Don’t Want Said
2017	The Press Is NOT The Enemy
2016	It Ain’t Easy
(Leap Year 29th)	Or Try To, Anyway…
(Leap Year 29th)	Circles Within Circles
2015	A Series Of Funerals
2014	And Your Point Is?
2013	Infinitely Care
2012	In My Room
(Leap Year 29th)	Stingray – TV Series Review  (This is my most popular post since starting my blog – hands down!  It still draws hits almost every week.  The hits seem to come mostly from Central Europe.  I guess the show must be in syndication there.  //  2020 update:  While this is still my all-time, most popular post, it is no longer being viewed every week – or even every month.  I guess the show is no longer in syndication.)
(Leap Year 29th)	A Single Thread
2011	Lyrical Mixture
	Teaching = Translating

Read Full Post »

This High Place

Tyrtaeus of Sparta
I would not say anything for a man nor take account of him
For any speed of his feet or wrestling skill he might have,
Not if he had the size of a Cyclops and strength to go with it,
Not if he could outrun Boreas, the North Wind of Thrace,
Not if he were more handsome and gracefully formed than Tithonos,
Or had more riches than Midas had, or Kinyras too,
Not if he were more of a king than Tantalid Pelops,
Or had the power of speech and persuasion Adrastos had,
Not if he had all splendors except for a fighting spirit.
For no man ever proves himself a good man in war
Unless he can endure to face the blood and the slaughter,
Go close against the enemy and fight with his hands.
Here is courage, mankind’s finest possession, here is
The noblest prize that a young man can endeavor to win,
And it is a good thing his city and all the people share with him
When a man plants his feet and stands in the foremost spears
Relentlessly, all thought of foul flight completely forgotten,
And has well trained his heart to be steadfast and to endure,
And with words encourages the man who is stationed beside him.
Here is a man who proves himself to be valiant in war.
With a sudden rush he turns to flight the rugged battalions
Of the enemy, and sustains the beating waves of assault.
And he who so falls among the champions and loses his sweet life,
So blessing with honor his city, his father, and all his people,
With wounds in his chest, where the spear that he was facing has transfixed
That massive guard of his shield, and gone through his breastplate as well,
Why, such a man is lamented alike by the young and the elders,
And all his city goes into mourning and grieves for his loss.
His tomb is pointed to with pride, and so are his children,
And his children’s children, and afterward all the race that is his.
His shining glory is never forgotten, his name is remembered,
And he becomes an immortal, though he lies under the ground,
When one who was a brave man has been killed by the furious War God
Standing his ground and fighting hard for his children and land.
But if he escapes the doom of death, the destroyer of bodies,
And wins his battle, and bright renown for the work of his spear,
All men give place to him alike, the youth and the elders,
And much joy comes his way before he goes down to the dead.
Aging, he has reputation among his citizens.  No one
Tries to interfere with his honors or all he deserves;
All men withdraw before his presence, and yield their seats to him,
The youth, and the men his age, and even those older than he.
Thus a man should endeavor to reach this high place of courage
With all his heart, and, so trying, never be backward in war.
.
On This Day In:
2022	Like Smiles, Flowers And Rainbows
2021	On Your Marks, Get Set…
	Absolutely Nothing
	Roses And Chores
2020	Which Is Which
2019	Were You Saying Something?
2018	Ethics Lesson
2017	May I Have Some More, Please?
2016	A Little Lost
2015	This High Place
2014	Elected Madness
2013	Well Written
2012	Related Parts
2011	The King Is Oscar
	Better Reputation?

Read Full Post »

On The Road To Failure

Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens.  They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people in order to betray them.
—    Joseph Story
Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States
[Found at one of the many blogs I follow:  http://jrbenjamin.com/
The specific post / page is at:  http://jrbenjamin.com/2015/01/26/americas-threat-from-within/
Please visit the original site if you have a moment to spare…    —    kmab]
.
On This Day In:
2022	Don’t Pretend
2021	I Like Curves More, Too
	I Don’t Know What I’d Do
2020	Pay It Forward
2019	From My Sullied Prison
2018	In My Room (2)
2017	Pretending
2016	And Songs Too…
2015	On The Road To Failure
2014	Each Moment
2013	Conversation
2012	4 Down, 11 Done (At Last)
	I’m Not Afraid
2011	Who’s Risk Is It, Anyway?

Read Full Post »

Absorbed And Civilized

[On China in 1935…]  No victory of arms, or tyranny of alien finance, can long suppress a nation so rich in resources and vitality.  The invader will lose funds or patience before the loins of China will lose virility;  within a century China will have absorbed and civilized her conquerors, and will have learned all the technique of what transiently bears the name of modern industry;  roads and communications will give her unity, economy and thrift will give her funds, and a strong government will give her order and peace.
—   Will Durant
From his book:  “The History of Civilization:  Our Oriental Heritage“
.
On This Day In:
2022	Until Something Better Comes Along
2021	Facing The Headwinds
	Still Thankful, Still Don’t Read Well
2020	Write For Yourself
2019	I’m Actively Irresponsible
2018	I Will Love You… Forever
2017	Pebbles In Your Shoe?
2016	Resolute Will
2015	Absorbed And Civilized
2014	Relax And Lead
2013	Location, Location, Location
2012	Are You Really Good?
2011	Relatively Objective, Anyway

Read Full Post »

Is It Time Yet?

Let us never be afraid to engage, and if ever the day comes that we are;  perhaps it’s time to reevaluate our positions.
[Found on one of the blogs I follow:   http://culturemonk.com/
The quote is from the specific post at:   http://culturemonk.com/2014/09/22/afraid-to-engage-really/
Please visit the original site if you have a chance.    —    kmab]
.
On This Day In:
2022	Full Of It
2021	I’m Still Learning To Play
	What Are You Looking For?
2020	All You Can
2019	No Wall And Not One Dollar
	‘Cause It Makes Me Scratch
2018	Mirror, Mirror
2017	Keep On Keeping On
2016	Reflections
2015	Is It Time Yet?
2014	Ask Any Follower
2013	Cornered Or Surrounded?
2012	Escape
2011	Achievement
	Not Unreasonable Enough

Read Full Post »

Positive Acts Of Creation

First the Dominant Minority attempts to hold by force  —  against all right and reason  —  a position of inherited privilege which it has ceased to merit;  and then the Proletariat repays injustice with resentment, fear with hate, and violence with violence when it executes its acts of secession.  Yet the whole movement ends in positive acts of creation  —  and this on the part of all the actors in the tragedy of disintegration.  The Dominant Minority creates a universal state, the Internal Proletariat a universal church, and the External Proletariat a bevy of barbarian war-bands.
—    Arnold J. Toynbee
From his book:  “A Study of History”
.
On This Day In:
2022	Suggestions (The Order Of Precedence Is Optional)…
2021	But That’s Certainly Irrational
	Just Goin’ To My Room
2020	The Butterflies Are In Trouble
2019	The Deep Center
2018	Oh, Heaven (Too)
2017	Now Pausing Makes Sense
2016	Just Spicy
	Only One Part
2015	Positive Acts Of Creation
2014	One Thing Is Clear
2013	Corrections
	See Greatness
2012	Gemutlichkeit
2011	Back On The Asphalt

Read Full Post »

We Are All Explorers

Up until about a hundred years ago, there was one question that burned in every Human, that made us study the stars and dream of traveling to them.  Are we alone?  Our generation is privileged to know the answer to that question.  We are all explorers driven to know what’s over the horizon, what’s beyond our own shores.  And yet the more I’ve experienced, the more I’ve learned that no matter how far we travel, or how fast we get there, the most profound discoveries are not necessarily beyond that next star.  They’re within us, woven into the threads that bind us, all of us, to each other.  A final frontier begins in this hall.  Let’s explore it together.
—   Captain Jonathan Archer
From the TV series:  “Star Trek: Enterprise“
Episode:  “Terra Prime (part 2)“
.
On This Day In:
2022	Desert Springs
2021	And Usually The Former
	The Real Heir…
2020	The Doggie Dab
	A Fork In The Road
2019	#LyingDonald’s Problem With The News And Truth
2018	Oh, Hell
2017	No Welcome Mat Here
2016	Making It Up
	A Missed Beat
2015	We Are All Explorers
2014	Still Trying To Cope
2013	Dear Diary (A good chuckle!)
2012	Conveniently Sequential
2011	King’s Speech Number Four
	Rational Probability

Read Full Post »

Are You Listening Ladies?

Never Love Unless
Never love unless you can
Bear with all the faults of man:
Men sometimes will jealous be
Though but little cause they see;
And hang the head, as discontent,
And speak what straight they will repent.
Men that but one saint adore
Make a show of love to more.
Beauty must be scorned in none,
Though but truly served in one:
For what is courtship but disguise?
True hearts may have dissembling eyes.
Men, when their affairs require,
Must awhile themselves retire;
Sometimes hunt, and sometimes hawk,
And not ever sit and talk.
If these and such-like you can bear,
Then like, and love, and never fear!
—    Written by:  Thomas Campion
.
On This Day In:
2022	Beautiful Curves
2021	Life Is…
	Thank You Guardians (OTG)*
2020	Why #DonTheCon Hates, Belittles And Fires Honest Government Employees
2019	What Do You Want?
2018	Wakanda Forever
	I’d Be Happy With Another Score (Or So)
2017	In Defense Of A Free Press
2016	Lost Opportunity
2015	Are You Listening Ladies?
2014	Practice, Practice, Practice
2013	A Fist Full Of Confusion
2012	Teaching Faith
2011	The Heart Of Terror
	The Proportion Of Gravity And Probability

Read Full Post »

Tools And Weapons

My Objection To Being Stepped On
At the end of the row
I stepped on the toe
Of an unemployed hoe.
It rose in offense
And struck me a blow
In the seat of my sense.
It wasn’t to blame
But I called it a name.
And I must say it dealt
Me a blow that I felt
Like a malice prepense.
You may call me a fool,
But was there a rule
The weapon should be
Turned into a tool?
And what do we see?
The first tool I step on
Turned into a weapon.
—    Written by:  Robert Frost
.
On This Day In:
2022	Overbooked
2021	One Month In: Learning To Play Guitar
	Cause The Melody Keeps Haunting Me
2020	Working On My 2019 Tax Returns
2019	Three Beliefs
2018	He Found Them On-Line
2017	Maybe In A Future World
2016	Largely A Mystery
2015	Tools And Weapons
2014	Likes And Dislikes
2013	Pillars Of Learning
2012	Another JCoM Review
	Move It
2011	Expected Value

Read Full Post »

Wicked

Today I watched the action / revenge flic:  “John Wick” (2014), starring Keanu Reeves as the title character.  Basically, the movie is what it is:  a violent action film about a retired assassin who comes out of retirement to punish a group of Russian mobsters for breaking into his house, stealing his car (a 1969 Mustang Mach 1) and killing a puppy he received from his recently deceased wife.  Blah, blah, blah – storyline, cut to action…  The movie is a long string of violent encounters where-in Wick kills about 50 or so mobsters.  I say, “50 or so” because I stopped counting at 20 and that was only about a third of the way through the movie — and he was just getting started.
The movie is very predictable from the point where the dog dies and Wick wakes up.  Hey bad guys, if you’re going to kill the dog, you better kill the owner…
Strangely, the movie works.  The action, fight choreography, shooting and crashing cars are all visible and not lost in confusing close-ups or distant shots which leave you squinting at the screen trying to follow the action.  The acting is just light enough to let you catch your breath between action scenes, but realistic enough that you can empathize with both Wick and the main bad guy (Viggo Tarasov played by Michael Nyqvist).
This movie is in no way a family movie.  It is far too violent for children below their mid-teens.  Did I mention it’s violent?  Despite that qualification / limitation, it is a pretty good action movie which I understand already has a sequel getting prepared.  Final recommendation:  Keanu Reeves turns in a solid performance and the movie gets a strong (but not highly) recommendation.
.
On This Day In:
2022	I Learn Something New
2021	I’m Retired, I Always Have Time For It!
	Just Mice Elf
	That Was A Shot In The Arm
2020	Decide, Support, Vote
2019	Aware Some
2018	Know Any Christians?
2017	The Only Thing I Can Give…
2016	Wiser But Less Cocksure
2015	Not Today
	Wicked
2014	…Am Too
2013	Credible?
2012	Both
2011	Risking Hidden Linkage

Read Full Post »

Not Today

If there is a glory to be found in war it is from the mercy the victor must show the vanquished;  the friendships that can be forged while fighting for one’s life;  and, when many, many years from now, when there is a calling to war, mankind’s finally gaining the ability to say, “Yes, we have fought before, but we will not do so today,” and make it stand for eternity.  Then perhaps we will know the glory of war to be man’s rising above it (and himself).
—    kmab
.
On This Day In:
2022	I Learn Something New
2021	I’m Retired, I Always Have Time For It!
	Just Mice Elf
	That Was A Shot In The Arm
2020	Decide, Support, Vote
2019	Aware Some
2018	Know Any Christians?
2017	The Only Thing I Can Give…
2016	Wiser But Less Cocksure
2015	Not Today
	Wicked
2014	…Am Too
2013	Credible?
2012	Both
2011	Risking Hidden Linkage

Read Full Post »

Beginnings

Over the last few weeks I’ve been “binge-ing” on the TV series:  “Star Trek: Enterprise“.   There are ninety-eight episodes representing over seventy hours of viewing so it was quite an investment of time!!  The series originally ran from 2001 through 2005 and I saw about twenty-five of the episodes when they originally aired.  I’m not sure why I never watched them all, but I’m nearly positive I didn’t as I remembered so few.  The series is about the first Starship Enterprise and humanity’s first attempts to explore “deep space” with the development of a Warp-5 capable spaceship.
Now, with full disclosure, I am a “Trekkie” and saw all of the original series (Star Trek:  TOS) in their initial broadcasts and have subsequently viewed them all at least three times and most of them far, far more than that as I used to watch them back in the ’70’s and ’80’s when they were in syndication.  Back then, you could watch them day after day and so see most of the 79 episodes four times in a single year.  In fact, you could see them more than that as the series ran on a couple of different channels a various times of day.  Yeah, I know, a bit OCD!!
Anyway, as SciFi goes, like most of the other Star Trek franchises, this is not very good.  In terms of special effects, it is pretty good to outstanding – particularly for TV.  In terms of acting, the series starts out MUCH better than TOS (The Original Series) or TNG (The Next Generation).  TOS never had a chance to explain much of its back history and TNG was incredibly stiff in its first season.  Picard (played by Patrick Steward) was particularly wooden.  In terms of “realism”, this series is pretty much the same as all the others – little or none.
Does any of that (bad science, poor realism) matter?  Not one iota!!  The show is about humanity and our efforts to deal with “ultimate” issues:  war, racism, sexism, slavery, social justice, etc.  All the things which have always made all of / each of the Star Trek franchise TV series great viewing.
This is a VERY good TV series which I thoroughly enjoyed watching!  I hate to say it, but it is every bit as good as the best episodes of TOS and TNG.
(I was never a big fan of DS9 (Star Trek: Deep Space 9) or Star Trek: Voyager and barely watched any of either.  Just a couple of seasons of each and then the odd episode.  I recognize that both of those series have their fans, but as neither of those series have had a sniff of interest in getting turned into a movie franchise, I think my opinion is justified.  I will admit, though, that now they are available (more or less free) on Netflix, I will be watching them both as and when I have time.  I doubt I’ll be binge-ing on them, though.)
As with both TOS and TNG, the stories all center around the senior staff and the most interesting characters are the Captain (Jonathan Archer played by Scott Bakula) and the main alien – as in TOS – the Vulcan First Officer (T’Pol played by Jolene Blalock).  Over the course of the series, the former goes from being an idealistic explorer to a military commander and diplomat while the latter goes from being an emotionally suppressed Vulcan to an openly emotional “almost human” female.  As such, the stories are mostly self-contained episodes with sub-story arcs which span a couple of episodes to the entire series.  Watching the whole series in compressed mode, therefore, made it seem much more understandable to me as I was easily able to remember nuances which I almost certainly would have missed (or forgotten) if I had viewed the series over a four year time span.
If you consider yourself a “Trekkie”, you must watch this series.  If you just want enjoyable SciFi about space exploration and humans meeting alien species, this is a great series.  As I said, it’s well written and character driven and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it and highly recommend it.
.
On This Day In:
2022	First, To Understand
2021	So How Should We Persuade The Dangerous?
	Can A Loser Ever Win?
2020	Maybe More Than A Very Few
2019	Missing Failure
2018	Praise God
2017	Necessary Gaps
2016	Nor My Dogs
2015	Say What?
	I’m A Dog, Too!
	Beginnings
2014	Astonishing Choices
2013	Three Hard Tasks
2012	The Only Remains
2011	Personal Capability
	What Price Failure?
	Both Of W’s Elections
	Tea (Baggers) Anyone?

Read Full Post »

I’m A Dog, Too!

If being a dog means you’re like Mr. Peabody, who never turns his back on you and who’s always there to pick you up when you fall and loves you no matter how many times you mess up;  if that’s what it means to be a dog, then yeah!
[Proudly] I’M A DOG, TOO!
—   Sherman Peabody
From the movie:  “Mr. Peabody and Sherman“
[Yesterday, I watched a very cute animated movie titled:  “Mr. Peabody and Sherman” (2014).  The movie is an extended version of a Saturday morning TV cartoon series by the same name which I used to watch as a young child way back in the early 1960’s.  Basically, a super-intelligent canine named Mr. Peabody adopts a human boy and raises the boy (Sherman) as his “son”.  Peabody invents a time-machine to take his son back in time so the son can learn life-lessons from history.  I really enjoyed watching this show as a child and I’m happy to report I found the movie is every bit as good as I remember the show to have been.
To be honest, I wasn’t intending to watch the movie any time soon, but my own son, James, was visiting over the weekend and he said it was really good and he thanked me for recommending it to him.  Apparently, he asked me about it some time ago and I said I hadn’t heard the movie was coming out, but the TV series was really good when I was a kid.  As I said, his review was to definitely see it as it was both educational and funny.  (And it’s available on Netflix.)
This is a family movie you can take your kids and grand-kids to.  There is no real violence and no bad language.   It is funny, touching and educational.  Final review:  Highly recommended!!    —    kmab]
.
On This Day In:
2022	First, To Understand
2021	So How Should We Persuade The Dangerous?
	Can A Loser Ever Win?
2020	Maybe More Than A Very Few
2019	Missing Failure
2018	Praise God
2017	Necessary Gaps
2016	Nor My Dogs
2015	Say What?
	I’m A Dog, Too!
	Beginnings
2014	Astonishing Choices
2013	Three Hard Tasks
2012	The Only Remains
2011	Personal Capability
	What Price Failure?
	Both Of W’s Elections
	Tea (Baggers) Anyone?

Read Full Post »

Say What?

No man means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thought is viscous.
—   Henry Adams
.
On This Day In:
2022	First, To Understand
2021	So How Should We Persuade The Dangerous?
	Can A Loser Ever Win?
2020	Maybe More Than A Very Few
2019	Missing Failure
2018	Praise God
2017	Necessary Gaps
2016	Nor My Dogs
2015	Say What?
	I’m A Dog, Too!
	Beginnings
2014	Astonishing Choices
2013	Three Hard Tasks
2012	The Only Remains
2011	Personal Capability
	What Price Failure?
	Both Of W’s Elections
	Tea (Baggers) Anyone?

Read Full Post »

Within The System

If you can function and follow the rules and understand what you’re doing and why, you can maintain your individuality.
—    Pat Rogan
.
On This Day In:
2022	True Measures
2021	Moments With You
	I Remember I Told My Sorrow
2020	A Post-Valentine Thought
2019	A Little Magic
	‘Cause It Makes Me Feel Happy
	The Mark Against Your Name
2018	Nice To Meet You
2017	All Nations & Religions
2016	Given The Choice
	Why Is He Wearing Red?
2015	Within The System
2014	None But…
2013	Obviously Longer
2012	A Childhood Poem
	Who Are You Callin’ Leather-Faced?
2011	In No Particular Order
	The Need For Proof

Read Full Post »