Come On Sense

Here are a few things to think about. Remember, reading them is not thinking about them.

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We are oft to blame in this,
‘Tis too much proved – that with devotion’s visage
And pious action we do sugar o’er
The devil himself.

Shakespeare’s Hamlet Act 3, Scene 1

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Terms that contradict themselves: Null set: Is null set a member of a null set? Panacea: If there is no such a thing as a panacea, is the word panacea a member of a null set? Ultimate Solution: if there is no ultimate solution than … Well you get the point? And, if there are members of a null set, how can it be a null set?

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If you do not know the people your revere you are an idolater. You worship illusions and delusions. Find your heroes from among those you can touch. Worshiping false idols is a preoccupation for children. Are you really willing to die a child? Does your life have that little meaning to you?

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A society which reveres celebrities is hollow. If we see politicians as celebrities, we get what we deserve – whores to special interest – because we are only whores to another special interest – our fantasy version of reality.

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If a company’s actions, product or services cost society, should the company pay those costs? Or does profit trump the public good?

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The great capitalist dream has become to do nothing or as little as possible and get paid as much as possible for it – in other words, to scam the morons. From Wall Street to companies to the Internet, the rallying cry is “shear the sheep”. Don’t play their game.

The real definition of capitalism: We keep the profits and the public underwrites the losses and liabilities.

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June 12, 2010: Unfocused anger will always rebound on the angry – nothing is gained by raging – only by doing with purpose can changed be brought about

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The truth is often right in front of you – hidden behind your prejudices.

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If it smells like crap, and looks like crap and feels like crap it is probably crap – no matter how much sugar the politicians and business interests cover it with. Do you really need to taste it? Are you actually going to eat this stuff?

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If you only relate to your government virtually, you will end up with virtually no government.

Effective solutions in complex systems are counter intuitive. Logical or common sense approaches to sociopolitical challenges are doomed to failure because the second and third order unintended consequences quickly overwhelm the intentions of the initial actions.

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Wishing is not the same as having. Most political grandstanding is based on the hope that the listener will wish for what is being sold but never have the highly disappointing experience of having what is being sold.

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Forget the political hacks from both sides – shut them out and think for yourself. That will make you better than them. Humans make better citizens than robots.

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