Food for Thought II
© July 2024,
P. Arthur Stuart
pastuart@pastuart.com
Like the other "Food for Thought" page which I'm going to limit to posters or pictures, this page will be written words. Some of the items can be found on other of my pages and may be redundant, although I'll likely add an explanation. Sorry! I just think they are important enough to repeat; and repeat.
Throughout this page, for the sake of understanding, let's start by establishing a common viewpoint*, not to be confused with a point of view. For this page I repeat, when I use the following terms, this is what I mean:
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Everyone or Nobody means 1 to 5 in a million. My definition. Example -- Nobody wants the earth to explode and kill everyone, yet there are probably some out there that would think this is a great idea.
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Large Number or Many: means 25 or more in a hundred. My definition.
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Majority: means more than half.
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A few: Less than ten percent. My definition.
*For a more in depth understanding of my viewing point, please checkout "Establishing a Common Reference Point."
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The Story of the Donkey and The Tiger
The Donkey told The Tiger: "The grass is blue.”
The Tiger replied: "No, the grass is green.”
The discussion became heated up, and the two decided to submit the issue to arbitration, and to do so they approached The Lion, King of the Jungle. Before reaching the clearing in the forest where The Lion was sitting on his throne, The Donkey started screaming: "Your Highness, is it true that grass is blue?”
The Lion replied: "If you believe it is true, the grass is blue.”
The Donkey rushed forward and continued: "The Tiger disagrees with me and contradicts me and annoys me please punish him.”
The King then declared: "The Tiger will be punished with 5 years of silence.”
The Donkey jumped for joy and went on his way, content and repeating: "The grass is blue, The grass is blue, The grass is blue, . . .”
The Tiger accepted his punishment, but he asked The Lion: "Your Majesty, why have you punished me, after all, the grass is green?”
The Lion replied: "In fact, the grass is green.”
The Tiger asked: "So why do you punish me?”
The Lion replied: "That has nothing to do with the question of whether the grass is blue or green. The punishment is because it is not possible for a brave, intelligent creature like you to waste time arguing with a donkey, and on top of that to come and bother me with that question.”
Moral: The worst waste of time is arguing with the fool and fanatic who doesn't care about truth or reality, but only the victory of their beliefs and illusions. Never waste time on discussions that make no sense . . . There are people who for all the evidence presented to them, do not have the ability to understand, and others who are blinded by ego, hatred, and resentment, and the only thing that they want is to be right even if they aren't. When ignorance screams, intelligence shuts up. Your peace and tranquility are worth more.
Author unknown -- This appeared on "English Literature: A Community on Facebook.” -- This site also offers other such inspiration.
It just occurred to me that the Donkey Votes!
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
May 2024
September 8, 2023: In a poling 77% of the respondents indicated that Biden, at 80, is too old to do the job. I don’t know if he’d do a good or bad job if elected again.
This is not about politics; this is about misconceptions and stereotyping, and from my point of view it is gross stupidity.
I’m currently 86; I know more today than I did when I was younger and the decisions I make are better thought out—I’m a bit wiser. While my body may show the signs of aging, I believe my mind is still capable of doing anything I could have done when I was younger.
I started writing around the time I turned seventy six. I’ve completed eight book. I have at least that many more in progress. Whether they are good or bad, remains to be seen. I did a word count and it is over one million. I maintain my own website. I use all sorts of computer programs.
While I know my physical abilities are not what they used to be, I’m not as strong and fast as I once was, however there are many younger men that aren’t as physically fit as I am. When it comes to my thought process it hasn’t changed. I’ve always had difficulty responding quickly in debates. People have that ability to make statements, many of which are not true or really irrelevant to the discussion. I’m not prepared to respond to them because I lack a thorough knowledge of the topic. When I check it out later I nearly always find it’s either incorrect or just not true. Throughout these pages I give ample examples.
Along with culture in Asia and the far east, native Americans not only respected their elders, but they also look to them for wisdom and guidance.
My Dog: A Mission Statement
June 2024
When I was being trained to be a facilitator for a school district seminar, “The Seven Habits of Effective People,” we were instructed to write, they called it, “A Mission Statement.” Mine is on my homepage, which I call my Avatar. Before we prepared ours, we were given lots of examples. My favorite and for me the most profound was:
“I want to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.”
Sometimes Kismet Happens.
May 2024
She was a giver and I was a taker, in the emotional sense. Money and things never seemed to matter much to either of us. On my navy salary we were able to get the essentials: buy a house, two cars, food, and other essentials. My biggest worry was providing for the family and out future. Except for a few frivolous things like a tennis racket, bowling ball, and eating out occasionally, we pretty much had all we needed and wanted. My arithmetic errors aside, our checkbook balance and we paid all our bills.
My failing was I didn’t know how good I had it. Somehow down deep I knew she loved me. I see it today when it’s too late to let her know I love her also. I don’t know if I had ask myself “What if Pat died” when she was alive. Would I have been able to see her as I do now? Is it even possible?
We gather at places of least resistance.
February 2024
While I was nursing my wine, one of the bar (not the legal one) attendees said he was out with a friend, a nice guy, but the guy was a liberal. Except for me, all the others kind of snickered like the guy was crazy—that is the liberal. Duh, it occurred to me that we tend to gather with others that believe what we believe. Therefore, when we spout whatever, the others will agree and add whatever, regardless of it being accurate, as long as it supports our view.
Personally, I’m proud that I’d rather talk to other people that disagree with me, as long as it doesn’t get loud or physical. I usually learn from these exchanges.
Senses
When we think of our natural senses, we think of smell, hearing, sight, touch, and taste; all of which dull with age. However, there are senses to consider when looking at one’s ability to live within their environment. These senses, which are not easily observable or measurable are those that occur in the mind. Some of them are: a sense of humor, a sense of compassion, understanding or empathy, loving, and very important "right and wrong.”
Goals
How can you know where you're going, if you don't know where you're at?
Nature and Animals
I think there are basically three types of people when it comes to nature and animals: those that love them, those that are indifference, and those that see them as a commodity or plaything. From years of subjective observation has led me to the following conclusion. In general, I have found people that love animals and nature are concerned about the environment, care about others, are kind, will help others freely, are gregarious, and friendly. I want to state, there are always exceptions.
Stupidity
As I perused my Facebook page, I discovered that I'm stupid; according to others. Many posts either state or imply, if you (being me) don't agree, you're stupid (that again being me.)
Sometimes You've Got To Lose To Win!
While I served in the Navy, when a ship was going to be in port for an extended period, the ship took its electrical power from the shore station. The method for shifting was to turn off ship's power and then turn on the shore power; the reverse when leaving. It frustrated me because I thought we should parallel* when shifting, which would be beneficial for many reasons. At the time it was my belief, as well as nearly all my comrades, that it was against regulations to parallel when shifting. While undergoing refresher training, one of the instructors told me that in fact the regulation said you should parallel to transfer power. I, of course told him he was wrong, and bet him he couldn't show me. He did show me and I was elated. I lost the bet but really won, because now I could parallel to shift. I managed to convince my bosses and it became standard practice on my ship. You can find a more detailed explanation on my webpage If It Doesn't Make Sense – Check It Out.
* Paralleling allows for connecting ships power with shore power thereby avoiding interruption of the ships systems.
I Love You
I was perusing some old papers I had scribbled and it stirred old memories. I wrote this perhaps 30 or more years ago, circa 1990:
As I go through life, whether in this world or the next, I will forever hold you near and dear. You should know that this message is intended for all time.
I love you; no other three words combination means more or evokes the emotion they do. These words can make us glad of heart, incredibly happy, and produce a spirit of magic and wonder. They make rainbows brighter, sunsets more colorful, and life all the more meaningful.
I love you can be spoken in many ways: to a child it means I'm wanted, to the parent it means you're needed, and between a man and woman it means I'm cared for and needed.
Between a man and woman, it makes the physical and spiritual union enthralling and fulfilling.
Pat, regardless of what life has in store for you and me, no matter where you are, no matter what the future brings, I want you to know, wherever and whatever I may be, "I Love You.”
2022 -- Today If I wrote this would add, "Always and All Ways,” which holds special meaning for Pat and me.
Quote: Confucius.
"Choose a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life.”
Turkish Proverb.
"The forest was shrinking, but the trees kept voting for the Axe for the Axe was clever and convinced the Trees that because his handle was made of wood, he was one of them.”
Quote: Joseph Joubert
The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress.
People will do what they believe is in their own best interest
When I studied economics I learned that a major principle was, "People will do what they believe is in their own best interest.” Recently my research indicated that this principle was first put forth by Adam Smith, circa mid-1700s.
I wondered about this when I found people often sacrifice personal gain, and sometimes their life, for others. History is full of them and I’ve known a few that put others ahead of themselves. So, if the principle "Self-interest first,” is correct how do you explain this, self-sacrificing?
My gut feeling is it has something to do with a person’s value system. Values such as: Integrity, Caring, Compassion, Ethics, Dignity, Courage, and Love. Even though they do something that doesn’t necessarily benefit them financially, physically, or emotionally they do it to make life better for others; and they usually don’t expect anything in return. I suppose the best example of this is the Medal of Honor recipients; most of which made the ultimate "Sacrifice” to save others and America.
Quote: Maya Angelou
"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Psychologist Joyce Brothers
Men have two basic needs. Neither of them, no matter what they say, is sex. They need love and they need work. And work takes priority over love. If a woman could know only one fact about men and work, it should be that work is the most seductive mistress most men ever have.
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