DaveTown

I cribbed this quote from the Anti-Socialist Tendencies blog, because it goes with my previous post about whether or not following politics is a worthwhile pursuit:

I must say that among educated people, politics occupies far too great a proportion of time. All the periodicals, all the newspapers are saturated with politics, although many of the objects they are discussing are very transient and short-term. Of course, many people do occupy themselves with higher themes… But in general, modern humankind is characterized by the loss of the ability to answer the principal problems of life and death. People are prepared to stuff their heads with anything, and to talk of any subject, but only to block off the contemplation of this subject. This is the reason for the increasing pettiness of our society, the concentration on the small and irrelevant.

— Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Politics Seesaw

I’m going back and forth constantly about whether or not I want to follow politics. Part of me thinks it is vital to be current on the events that shape our lives. Part of me thinks it makes no difference, because all politicians are the same and there’s no need to think any of them are going to do anything extreme, either for good or bad simply, because to do so would be inexpedient.

Part of me enjoys the train-wreck aspect of it; part of me is sickened by same. .

Part of me is depressed by the spectacle of politicians fawning for the cameras, trotting out their same tired old lies; part of me is sickened by the reporters who cover it like a sporting event or gladiatorial contest. Oh, wait, I’m not conflicted much by that part.

Part of me feels a civic duty to be fully informed so I can take seriously the sacred duty to vote. Part of me mocks that other part of me for being such a sucker as to think my vote has any meaning.

Part of me grieves that most people let their views on politics be influenced by David Letterman and Jon Stewart. Part of me really thinks they’re hilarious.

Thoughts?

I know just enough about physics and linguistics to find this funny (from physicsweb.org):

“Werner Heisenberg, Kurt Godel and Noam Chomsky walk into a bar.

Heisenberg looks around the bar and says, “Because there are three of us and because this is a bar, it must be a joke. But the question remains, is it funny or not?”

And Godel thinks for a moment and says, “Well, because we’re inside the joke, we can’t tell whether it’s funny. We’d have to be outside looking at it.”

And Chomsky looks at both of them and says, “Of course it’s funny. You’re just telling it wrong.”

And if somebody asks nicely, I’ll share the joke my psychologist friend and I made up. It’s especially for those who’ve ever studied psych and/or education.

I’ve been in denial about the death of Johnny Cash. I hardly want to live in a world without a Johnny Cash in it. If I were really a writer, this is what I would have written about his death.

STUDIO SCRIPT NOTES ON ‘THE PASSION’

If I was in charge of either the Bush or Kerry campaigns, I’d take the road less travelled and not say anything until oh, about October or so. This strategy would have two possible outcomes, both very good:

A) Since the large majority of Americans don’t pay any attention to the candidates’ drivel until a month before the election anyway, millions of dollars would be saved by just shutting up until people are listening.

B) For those political junkies who do pay attention, hearing only one candidate, incessantly, for the next 8 months would undoubtedly make everyone sick of him, thus making the silent candidate look like a genius by comparison come October.

I offer this advice freely to both candidates; I won’t even take a consulting fee, especially if we’re lucky enough to have both candidates take me up on it. I’d consider it my little contribution to making America a better place.

FRIDAY FIVE (Courtesy, as always, of Heather)

What was…

1. …your first grade teacher’s name?

Well, I had three, because we moved a lot. But the one I remember is Mrs. Fretz. She was the first person other than my Mom who thought I was something special.

2. …your favorite Saturday morning cartoon?

Hot Wheels, and Banana Splits

3. …the name of your very first best friend?

John Pizzulo

4. …your favorite breakfast cereal?

Super Sugar Crisp

5. …your favorite thing to do after school?

Play ball. Basketball, baseball, or football, depending on the season.