I have come to wonder of balance. We are quick to wish away bad experiences, bad people, hate, fear, and so on. What would happen if those things actually went away? Will all be well? If the good things in life were the only things that were, there would be nothing to define them for what they are. For example, we define cold as the absence of heat. We define darkness as the absence of light. Life would get very boring without such balance. We have to have bad days to fully appreciate the good ones. Then again, would that life be better because of the lack of corruption? Every day would be one-sided, but no harm is done. We would just live in ignorance of what could be.
Courage cannot exist without fear. Pleasure cannot exist without pain. Heroes would not exist without tragedy. Love cannot exist without hate. If only one of the opposites exists, it becomes something that is expressed or experienced everyday with no counter. It becomes repetetive. Insignificant. Predictable. It's like an army with no enemy - it does nothing, but it's still there. It might as well be nothing.
If we had no balance in life, we would fall.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
The 5th Dimention: Part 2
Is modern civilization destroying us or building us?
Life has been made easier with advancements in the medical field, transportation, and so on. However, it is not all good.
Parts of the entertainment industry have severely limited the average teen's imagination and attention-span - in particular video games and movies. Video games have taught the younger generation that fast-paced action is the way to go. Movies and video games have defined our imagination for us. Yes, I do love video games and movies, but I feel that people rely on these forms of entertainment too much. Table games such as (most famously) Dungeons and Dragons have lost popularity (at least in my local area) possibly due to the degeneration of the attention span. Is it a result of the popularity of video games and movies? Maybe. Go ahead, call me a nerd. It seems to me that nerds enjoy using their imagination much more than those who spend hours watching a TV. "Nerds" create their own worlds, and heck, even their own rules when playing these table games. Sure, it may be slow, but there is no comparison to the entertainment that the imagination can produce. These people are the ones who make the famous movies and video games - they illustrate their imagination for others to enjoy. Ancient astronomers found patterns in the stars and created stories to go with the figures they saw. Today, it is difficult for me to find such people (I find it hard to find patterns myself). Has modern technology taken the place of our once expansive imagination? Have we become slaves to society?
Life has been made easier with advancements in the medical field, transportation, and so on. However, it is not all good.
Parts of the entertainment industry have severely limited the average teen's imagination and attention-span - in particular video games and movies. Video games have taught the younger generation that fast-paced action is the way to go. Movies and video games have defined our imagination for us. Yes, I do love video games and movies, but I feel that people rely on these forms of entertainment too much. Table games such as (most famously) Dungeons and Dragons have lost popularity (at least in my local area) possibly due to the degeneration of the attention span. Is it a result of the popularity of video games and movies? Maybe. Go ahead, call me a nerd. It seems to me that nerds enjoy using their imagination much more than those who spend hours watching a TV. "Nerds" create their own worlds, and heck, even their own rules when playing these table games. Sure, it may be slow, but there is no comparison to the entertainment that the imagination can produce. These people are the ones who make the famous movies and video games - they illustrate their imagination for others to enjoy. Ancient astronomers found patterns in the stars and created stories to go with the figures they saw. Today, it is difficult for me to find such people (I find it hard to find patterns myself). Has modern technology taken the place of our once expansive imagination? Have we become slaves to society?
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Opposition
No one likes it when they are wrong. That is why we have so many arguments nowadays. Personal opinions can turn people into something nasty, though they can also unite people. It all comes down to what you say (or don't say). Sometimes, expressing your opinion to someone that opposes your opinion will just cause them to hold on to their own beliefs tighter partly because they don't want to be proven wrong. Personally, I don't mind it. I don't like to drag out unnecessary arguments. However, there are those topics where neither side can be right or wrong, at least for the time being.
For example, global warming. Some argue that humans have an impact on it and something should be done to prevent it. Some argue it's just part of nature. Even still, there are some that argue that it's not even happening. Research has implied it's just a natural process that happens regardless of what humans do. But let's say we didn't know that. These sides will argue on whether or not humans should do something. This is a tricky situation. It's impossible to know what is right until it's too late.
Here's another slightly different scenario - communism vs. democracy. This has caused wars. The United States believes that democracy is right. So, back during the Cold War era, it wants to spread it to other countries and prevent communist reign. But why? Why does everyone need to be democratic even if it's against that country's will? That just creates more enemies. Vietnam is one of them. The Soviet Union is another. Just because the U.S. believes democracy is right doesn't mean they need to force others to accept the same ideals. Let the people choose what to believe. Even though they have different beliefs, they can still be allies as long no one shoves foreign ideas down their throats.
For example, global warming. Some argue that humans have an impact on it and something should be done to prevent it. Some argue it's just part of nature. Even still, there are some that argue that it's not even happening. Research has implied it's just a natural process that happens regardless of what humans do. But let's say we didn't know that. These sides will argue on whether or not humans should do something. This is a tricky situation. It's impossible to know what is right until it's too late.
Here's another slightly different scenario - communism vs. democracy. This has caused wars. The United States believes that democracy is right. So, back during the Cold War era, it wants to spread it to other countries and prevent communist reign. But why? Why does everyone need to be democratic even if it's against that country's will? That just creates more enemies. Vietnam is one of them. The Soviet Union is another. Just because the U.S. believes democracy is right doesn't mean they need to force others to accept the same ideals. Let the people choose what to believe. Even though they have different beliefs, they can still be allies as long no one shoves foreign ideas down their throats.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Time and Terminators
The storyline (or should I say timeline?) of the movie, Terminator presents a few questions. A Terminator was sent back in time to kill the mother of a future resistance leader: Sarah Connor. The terminator is part of a system called Skynet. Skynet's AI became self-aware and turned against all who threatened its existence - the humans. Terminators were created to eliminate the threat. So, the terminator that was sent back in time to kill Sarah failed its mission. The remains of this terminator was then found by the future creator of Skynet and reverse-engineered.
This brings us to the question: Where did the terminator come from? Who invented it? Would this suggest the existence of parallel universes?
It appears that the terminator was invented by no one. It was just reverse-engineered and re-created. It boggles the mind.
This brings us to the question: Where did the terminator come from? Who invented it? Would this suggest the existence of parallel universes?
It appears that the terminator was invented by no one. It was just reverse-engineered and re-created. It boggles the mind.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Music Experiment
Music. The only universal language, and in my opinion the easiest to become fluent at. It conveys all emotions - even those which are indescribable by words. Though I believe instrumental songs are most of the time superior to songs with lyrics. The songs with lyrics are constrained to one meaning, one emotion, one story. Instrumental songs are up to your imagination. They can tell many stories, and can have many meanings. However, each have their own same range of emotions. If songs with lyrics are to compete with instrumental songs, the singer must have a voice that follows his or her story or message. Singers may want to portray their one meaning or story, and that is fine, and some do it with near perfection. But my personal preference is a song with a variety of meanings. It can be the same song, but it can tell a different story the next time I listen to it. This way, the song stays fresh and interesting - unlike lyrical songs that you can sing the lyrics to over and over again. Instrumental songs have that sense of mystery - a sense that calls the listener to interpret the countless meanings, to feel the variety of emotions, and to engage in the hidden stories.
So here is my experiment:
Listen to some of the songs below and post a comment describing what you hear. I would like to see how everyone's opinion compares. Minimize the window if there is a video to make the results better. Feel free to post what you hear from other songs too.
1. Gary Jules - Mad World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N3N1MlvVc4&NR=1&feature=fvwp
2. God is an Astronaut - Echoes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXFprnuyOEM&feature=related
3. Ronald Jenkees - Guitar Sound
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UvzD4gZnw4&feature=PlayList&p=9412082B3BF96B93&index=4
4. Steven King - Scarborough Fair
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYHDQHQDS-4
5. Ronald Jenkees - Throwing Fire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O2aH4XLbto&feature=fvw
6. John Petrucci - Glasgow Kiss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFXvfBL4WkU
7. Rufus Wainwright - Hallelujah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMrZ7lChK-g
So here is my experiment:
Listen to some of the songs below and post a comment describing what you hear. I would like to see how everyone's opinion compares. Minimize the window if there is a video to make the results better. Feel free to post what you hear from other songs too.
1. Gary Jules - Mad World
http://www.youtube.com/wat
2. God is an Astronaut - Echoes
http://www.youtube.com/wat
3. Ronald Jenkees - Guitar Sound
http://www.youtube.com/wat
4. Steven King - Scarborough Fair
http://www.youtube.com/wat
5. Ronald Jenkees - Throwing Fire
http://www.youtube.com/wat
6. John Petrucci - Glasgow Kiss
http://www.youtube.com/wat
7. Rufus Wainwright - Hallelujah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMrZ7lChK-g
Two Thoughts on Dreams
1. 6/4/09
I believe dreams are our brains' way of entertaining itself, like movies. Many people believe they are to be interpreted and mean something, but how can dreams tell you something you don't know? They may just point out less obvious things. I believed this at first until recently. I'll tell you what changed my mind later. I believe dreams are just random things that your brain put together subconsciously and against your will. Those things may be pull from prominent events in your life, but they are still random. No matter how hard you try to have your dream your way, it's still random.
Here is what changed my mind. It's sort of a mind game. I don't know if it just happens to me, but you should try it sometime. I have noticed that I think of two things at once: what I am originally thinking, and there are random other things that just appear. I do not try to think of random things; they are just there. Here's the challenge: as you lay down to go to sleep (it is near impossible to do it with distractions) try to not to think of anything. Pay attention to that other part of your thoughts that is constantly spitting out random things. If you try to think of random things, it won't work. I have noticed even random images appear. I realized that it is hard to do this for more than a second. I believe this is what your dreams are based on.
Here's my theory: When you go to sleep, your brain rests the part of your brain that you use to think during the day. Then the random part (that rests during the day) takes over, and therefore your dreams appear.
Side note: If you want to remember your dreams, just think before you go to sleep that you will remember it. This may sound stupid, but from my experience, it works.
2. 2/20/10
After watching an interesting (great) show called Fringe, I came up with another thought about dreams are. But first, you need to know about alternate/parallel universes.
This thought is based on the theory of alternate universes. These exist anywhere and everywhere, you just can't see them or get to them. In these alternate universes are versions of you and me; it is also possible that you don't exist in them too. Those versions of you are different in a way because they have made different decisions than you. Because there is an infinite amount of decisions you could have made, there is an infinite amount of universes where those alternate decisions are carried out. For example, you could be dancing in an alternate dimension right now instead of reading this. Earth could also be a desolate wasteland due to an alien invasion - the possibilities are endless.
Now that you know that, here is my thought: Dreams are view-ports into those alternate dimensions. That would explain the similarities to your own life as well as the weird stuff.
Another far-fetched thought: Mirrors are portals to those alternate dimensions - it's just the person on the other side is blocking you from getting through.
This may sound crazy, but it makes for a good story.
I believe dreams are our brains' way of entertaining itself, like movies. Many people believe they are to be interpreted and mean something, but how can dreams tell you something you don't know? They may just point out less obvious things. I believed this at first until recently. I'll tell you what changed my mind later. I believe dreams are just random things that your brain put together subconsciously and against your will. Those things may be pull from prominent events in your life, but they are still random. No matter how hard you try to have your dream your way, it's still random.
Here is what changed my mind. It's sort of a mind game. I don't know if it just happens to me, but you should try it sometime. I have noticed that I think of two things at once: what I am originally thinking, and there are random other things that just appear. I do not try to think of random things; they are just there. Here's the challenge: as you lay down to go to sleep (it is near impossible to do it with distractions) try to not to think of anything. Pay attention to that other part of your thoughts that is constantly spitting out random things. If you try to think of random things, it won't work. I have noticed even random images appear. I realized that it is hard to do this for more than a second. I believe this is what your dreams are based on.
Here's my theory: When you go to sleep, your brain rests the part of your brain that you use to think during the day. Then the random part (that rests during the day) takes over, and therefore your dreams appear.
Side note: If you want to remember your dreams, just think before you go to sleep that you will remember it. This may sound stupid, but from my experience, it works.
2. 2/20/10
After watching an interesting (great) show called Fringe, I came up with another thought about dreams are. But first, you need to know about alternate/parallel universes.
This thought is based on the theory of alternate universes. These exist anywhere and everywhere, you just can't see them or get to them. In these alternate universes are versions of you and me; it is also possible that you don't exist in them too. Those versions of you are different in a way because they have made different decisions than you. Because there is an infinite amount of decisions you could have made, there is an infinite amount of universes where those alternate decisions are carried out. For example, you could be dancing in an alternate dimension right now instead of reading this. Earth could also be a desolate wasteland due to an alien invasion - the possibilities are endless.
Now that you know that, here is my thought: Dreams are view-ports into those alternate dimensions. That would explain the similarities to your own life as well as the weird stuff.
Another far-fetched thought: Mirrors are portals to those alternate dimensions - it's just the person on the other side is blocking you from getting through.
This may sound crazy, but it makes for a good story.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Good vs. Evil
Good versus evil - the basis of most epic tales. I have come to realize that evil comes from selfishness and good comes from selflessness. People may not realize that they look for these traits to determine the good guys and the bad guys. I did not at first. Batman and the Joker is a great example. If you looked at their appearance they both look like bad guys. So the viewer looks to see what they do. Joker fights for himself (selfish) and Batman fights for Gotham (selfless).
Though, this can also be applied in the real world as well as a story. There is no real way of telling if a person is good or not unless you look to see if they are selfless. This is the only trait that defines a good guy. I can't think of any other way.
After thinking more about this, I began to wonder: why is it so hard to be good? Why is it so easy to be selfish? Is it just human nature that we care more about ourselves? It may be because most people do not like to sacrifice something of their own to help someone else. It may be because most people think they will get nothing out of it (this thought is selfish in itself). You decide.
-Inspired by the movie Seven Pounds-
Though, this can also be applied in the real world as well as a story. There is no real way of telling if a person is good or not unless you look to see if they are selfless. This is the only trait that defines a good guy. I can't think of any other way.
After thinking more about this, I began to wonder: why is it so hard to be good? Why is it so easy to be selfish? Is it just human nature that we care more about ourselves? It may be because most people do not like to sacrifice something of their own to help someone else. It may be because most people think they will get nothing out of it (this thought is selfish in itself). You decide.
-Inspired by the movie Seven Pounds-
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