On Circles and Recycling and Floating Children (585 hits)
Category: Politics -> IraqRating: 0.83 on 31 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by water and dirt mixed together (View user info) at 2008-02-25 10:47:28 EST
As I get older I find that life gets a little more bothersome. What I mean to say is that I feel this undeniable pull towards rational thought and general awareness of life the circles that exist outside of my immediate circle. The circles in my vision have expanded from me, to myself and wife, to myself, wife and children, to community, nation and world.
Frankly I find this expanding awareness somewhat bothersome and tiring but never the less there it is, inescapable and destined to sit atop my shoulder with its constant nagging and mocking.
"Ignorance starts tomorrow" is a phrase that I'm sure I've heard in the past and likely will again in the future but when I read it in the context of a book called "Cradle to Cradle" the simple weight of it doubled, possibly even tripled. The book, although not a book in the traditional paper and ink sense, was essentially about continuing cycles be they biological or technological.
The 'book', written by an Architect and a Chemical Engineer discusses the difference between the Cradle to Grave mentality and the Cradle to Cradle mentality from a manufacturing standpoint. Their opinion is that even the things that we recycle are not truly recycled but are more 'down-cycled' into a less product and eventually will end up in the dump as they would have if we hadn't recycled them in the first place. Along the way the constant down-cycling of the product will use up additional resources in a effort to make everyone feel like they are being more 'green'.
An example would be a plastic water bottle. If you recycle a water bottle if we're lucky it could be a water bottle once or possible twice more. From there our precious little bottle may become carpet or some other life span oriented product before it is eventually tossed into the local dump all the while abrading chemicals into the air.
Ignorance starts tomorrow.
Of course when thinking about all of these things and allowing them to take up space in your mind you begin to put out other things such as love and passion, attention and care and so on. You can become the grand total of all the things you are so worried about; essentially a wandering slobbering mess of disorganization and excrement.
And really...who wants all of that.
So it is to 'balance' that we look for direction. But what does that even mean...balance...and who quantifies or qualifies it? Surely not the same organizations that weigh heavily on one side while telling you about the positives of another. Balance cannot be found in hypocrisy can it?
Over the past month or so I'm continuously surprised by my mind's insatiable appetite. I say the last month or so because even though I've been advancing in life in one way or another for the last 15 or so years I think I've been doing so at a handicapped pace and over the last 2 months the handicap is gone. My mind has been freed and seems hell bent on racking up as much damning knowledge as I will allow into it.
Sans the voice and cannibalistic innuendo I liken my new brain to an ever hungry space alien house plant like creature.
To feed my "Audrey 2" I took a trip to the book store the other night with my youngest and at the time sickest child in tow. Yes she was sick and no...I don't care. I'm somewhat of a bastard mix of the female hypochondriac and the male indestructible when it comes to being sick. If they are puking I take them nowhere...if they are just coughing and generally congested I feel that movement is a good thing for them.
Anyhow I picked up some books and sped home with the child and promptly dropped her in a high chair and shoveled something that resembled food at her. I began reading a book by Deepak Choppra and at the behest of said child I was reading the book out loud. I'm pretty sure it wasn't her quest for enlightenment but rather a selfish bid for attention but I conceded and we shared a few moments with Deepak.
When she was done hovering about the kitchen, legs crossed and chanting my child came back to this earth and looked at me in a way oddly beyond her years and said "Ignorance starts tomorrow". Then she floated to the pantry grabbed a box of cookies, cookies she's not allowed to have otherwise, and went one her merrily peaceful way. I will say that with all the new powers bestowed upon her the ability to change her own shitty diaper is strangely still absent; perhaps an ongoing experiment in my own karmic episode.
All these happenings did lend me to think about how right it was that this revelation came from a child. A child....fairly free from coercion and rhetoric, without the knowledge that you cannot control the world around you, would certainly believe that we were still capable of change in a positive manner.
So how does one change the world?
I can't say for certain but I imagine it starts with the smallest circles and works its way outwards.
User Reviews
Submitted by HellRazer (user info) at 2008-03-20 16:53:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by monkeyswithguns (user info) at 2008-02-26 10:01:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
That's a pretty cool picture. I'd like to be able to walk on fresh grass all the time. Except for the snakes and spiders and fireants and nettles and prickly grass, and cacti parts.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2008-02-26 01:48:07 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by rorrim (user info) at 2008-02-25 16:24:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by icarus1987 (user info) at 2008-02-25 15:28:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Despite the obvious pretention and neurosis and "OMG look at me I just referenced Deepak", I'm still giving you a +2.
Submitted by JulsInsane (user info) at 2008-02-25 14:13:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by MudWhistle (user info) at 2008-02-25 12:36:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
My girls no nothing of American Dolls....if I have my druthers it will remain that way.
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I agree with trying to keep them away from brand merchandising. Though the American Dolls is great in that they come with a whole lot of books, they are historical characters, they don't have boobies when they are supposed to be 10 or so. The Cafe is lovely though, its a little girl paradise, they do the tea parties with the dolls, and they have a harpist and all kinds of stuff. Whats really nuts is to see how well behaved the kids are, no screaming, yelling, just really chill and happy. I guess if you raise the bar for children's behavior they will rise to the occasion if you give them the opportunity.
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2008-02-25 13:25:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2008-02-25 11:26:25 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Snooze fest
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...heh, ironically self-deprecating.
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2008-02-25 13:24:19 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Sweet pic.
Awareness is fun, but infinitely depressing.
This is kind of neat...
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
She isn't TOO liberal and preachy, and says some things that really need to be heard - but are sadly ignored.
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2008-02-25 13:13:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
they're autistic then?
suffer from severe detachement disorders?
I KID! i kid... it's actually NICE when they aren't... keep it up. They'll never have thier self-esteem hinge on if they carry the right Coach bag or not..
Submitted by MudWhistle (user info) at 2008-02-25 13:06:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
actually neither of my girls have any affinity towards any certain toy, brand, blanket or woobie or anything like that.
its odd kind of.
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2008-02-25 13:01:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
hey, my girl still plays with matchbox cars, wooden blocks, and legos. She didn't really go for the transformers though... she spiralled into "Disney Fairies"..
but I'll agree that transformers are better than barbies, anyday.
Submitted by MudWhistle (user info) at 2008-02-25 12:45:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I'd rather my girls were excited about Transformers.
To each his (or hers but but it doesn't count as much) own.
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2008-02-25 12:38:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
in my opinion, I'd rather have my girl excited about American girl dolls than barbie dolls.
and yes, that's the way it is...
Submitted by MudWhistle (user info) at 2008-02-25 12:36:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
My girls no nothing of American Dolls....if I have my druthers it will remain that way.
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2008-02-25 12:35:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
hahaha
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Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2008-02-25 08:00:39 PST (#)
Ranking: 2
I think my ignorance started last week.
Submitted by whiskey_jack (user info) at 2008-02-25 12:32:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by JulsInsane (user info) at 2008-02-25 12:24:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I love children, thats why I am not having any.
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Is this a bad time to tell you I'm pregnant then?
Submitted by JulsInsane (user info) at 2008-02-25 12:24:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Take your girls to the American Dolls Cafe, they will probably love you forever (or approx. 48 hours).
Good luck getting through 6 floors of dolls on sale till you get to the top floor where the cafe is and then all the way back down again without drama and crying. I just got reservations for my goddaughter and they are booked 5 months out. I love children, thats why I am not having any.
Submitted by MudWhistle (user info) at 2008-02-25 11:30:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2008-02-25 11:25:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
You know what I wonder about?
I wonder how many people on uber are REALLY creepy and/or weird. Like the people that live in your building that you tell your friends about.
I'm saying 15%.
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i think it depends on which word you emphasize. are REALLY or really ARE.
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2008-02-25 11:26:25 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Snooze fest
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2008-02-25 11:25:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
You know what I wonder about?
I wonder how many people on uber are REALLY creepy and/or weird. Like the people that live in your building that you tell your friends about.
I'm saying 15%.
Submitted by MudWhistle (user info) at 2008-02-25 11:21:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
did you give any more thought to what we spoke about the other day?
I ran it by some in the biz and they seemed to think it an overwhelming undertaking.
slackers
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2008-02-25 11:19:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
your end thought is really answered by the whole, 'all politics is local' idea.
remember to read some krishnamurti, you'll thank me later.
Submitted by MudWhistle (user info) at 2008-02-25 11:02:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2008-02-25 11:00:39 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I think my ignorance started last week.
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you give yourself too much credit
ok i'm just kidding.
Submitted by MudWhistle (user info) at 2008-02-25 11:02:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by iddqd (user info) at 2008-02-25 11:00:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
boooooring
Submitted by Ltap (user info) at 2008-02-25 10:58:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
The post was a bit boring but the picture kicked ass.
++++++++++++
I think it could be said that a lot of things in life are boring. I don't find shitting to be terribly exciting but as it is....it happens.
thank you for your support.
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2008-02-25 11:00:39 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I think my ignorance started last week.
Submitted by iddqd (user info) at 2008-02-25 11:00:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
boooooring
Submitted by Brdn_Nkd (user info) at 2008-02-25 10:59:11 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
kids can inspire some interesting and totally unrelated thoughts in life.
Submitted by Ltap (user info) at 2008-02-25 10:58:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
The post was a bit boring but the picture kicked ass.
Submitted by MudWhistle (user info) at 2008-02-25 10:58:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Politics in Iraq as the header clearly states.
Submitted by HadToBeDone (user info) at 2008-02-25 10:56:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
What the fuck are you babbling about?
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2008-02-25 10:49:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
cool pic