Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The Simple Dollar » The Little Things Do Matter: Twelve Little Hacks That Add Up To A Lot

The Simple Dollar » The Little Things Do Matter: Twelve Little Hacks That Add Up To A Lot

12 Things I Learned By 42 That I Wish I Knew At 22 | The Wisdom Journal

12 Things I Learned By 42 That I Wish I Knew At 22 | The Wisdom Journal

Possible Democratic voters prefer MCCAIN??

So, I've heard a couple of times of possible Democratic voters who are vaguely dissatisfied with the field of Democratic candidates stating that they'll vote for McCain, as if he's the closest Republican candidate.

What the heck??

Are these people paying attention? Are they real Democrats? How many Democratic voters are crypto-Republicans, NIMBY Democrats? People (you) need to engage in the issues and get traction and realize that if you don't cough up some sort of sacrifice, this country (and world) will continue its slide into evil. You know that thing about evil flourishing when good people stand by.

Sorry. I don't feel like cleaning that up. Where are Amos and Micah when you need them?

Monday, January 28, 2008

Getting Tired of Post-

So, I heard the term "post-racial" used to describe Democratic party politics on NPR today.

I have to say, I'm tired of "post-" this and "neo-" that.

Cisco's Big Switch - Forbes.com

Cisco's Big Switch - Forbes.com

The return of the Glass House. Will Microsoft be the new IBM, or will its competitors use this development to edge them out? Are we always destined for "good enough", where "good enough" is usually far short of what could be?

Sunday, January 27, 2008

The world is destroying itself

Just read an essay in the October Harper's on "disaster capitalism". It's basically about the systematic pitting of the haves against the have-nots.

I just heard back-to-back news stories on the BBC (radio) of the violence in Kenya (which I think is regarded as Africa's most "civilized" nation, apart from South Africa) and violence in India between Hindu nationalists and Christians.

And I'm thinking of ethnic "cleansing" (as if) in places around the world.

And I'm wondering if that sort of thing will ever to this nation (the United States). My next-door neighbors are a couple in which he is white and she is Indian (or Pakistani, maybe).

Do we (the world) have to go through this? Is the Age of Enlightenment over? Or has it simply not reached into every corner of the world yet?

Are evil times coming? What sort of world will my children live in?

What should I do in prep for this? Build relationships with people like me (white)? Establish a better relationship with God/Jesus and prepare to follow in His footsteps, meaning: I should be ready to sacrifice myself for what's right?

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Prayer in church last Sunday

Went to church with my parents last Sunday. Presbyterian church in a conservative-ish middle-class city in North Carolina (no, they're not all conservative and middle-class, but this one is).

This was the prayer that Sunday, and I like it so much I'm putting it in here:

O God of such truth as sweeps away all lies, of such grace as shrivels all excuses, come now to find us for we have lost ourselves in a shuffle of disguises and the rattle of empty words. We withdraw in arrogance, hide in timidity, disappear in fear rather than reaching out in hope, engaging in humility, risking in faith. Let your mercy move in and through us now, freeing us to love honesty [honestly?], live joyfully, and claim the audacious revolution of Christ and your kingdom. Amen.


Myths of postmodernity and the Emergent Church

Myths of postmodernity and the Emergent Church

Ok, commentses as I reads.

He sez:

If we are trying to figure out postmodernity, we really have only the first part. Who truly can stand outside of the context?

I sez: People in the 3rd world, baby. "Postmodernism" is just that: post modern. Take a look at Uganda or Peru or Appalachia.


He sez:

The Postmodern response is, “Exactly, and we like it that way!”

I sez: Hmm, can we distinguish between "I like" and "I'm comfortable"? I think we would all like things to be less chaotic and more predictable, but maybe some can find a way to function and make progress in chaos.

Actually, come to think of it, I think there might be a famous Rudyard Kipling poem about this. Something about "...then you'll be a man, my son." Kind of off-putting, but isn't that about making progress in chaos? And isn't it from the 19th century?

He sez:

Myth: One can become a Postmodern.

Reality: You can try, but it is difficult.

I sez: I don't know why he put that in there. I totally believe one can "become" postmodern. If postmodernism flows from modernism, then we can become postmodern. I understand the rest of his text about checking off checkboxes and following procedures. As long as you want to be Zen, you can't be. So? Does that mean you can't achieve it? No.



The rest of the thing is actually pretty good, and, no, I'm not damning with faint praise.