“The present age is one of understanding, of reflection, devoid of passion, an age which flies into enthusiasm for a momentonly to decline back into indolence. Not even a suicide does away with himself out of desperation, he considers the act so long and so deliberately, that he kills himself with thinking—one could barely call it suicide since it is thinking which takes his life. He does not kill himself with deliberation but rather kills himself because of deliberation. Therefore, one can not really prosecute this generation, for its art, its understanding, its virtuosity and good sense lies in reaching a judgement or a decision, not in taking action.” -Read the rest here http://cliffarnold.com/thepresentage.pdf

The above was written by Soren Kierkegaard in the 19th century and sadly this is becoming even more true today. There are still two types of intellectuals:those that go along with the herd and those that digress. It has always been this way. Noam Chomsky talked about how in America we tend to side with the digressers when they are in another culture and within our own country we tend to side with the main argument. This is quite absolutely true of mainstream society in American.

It is the fact that the majority of American’s have a true forgetting of their past, no memory of their history, not for that of all mankind, not for their country, and not for themselves. Everything is fly by night reflection and yet never actually addresses the real, important, and underlying issues. People today are trained to think in a certain fashion. What Chomsky has stated the public relations committee refer to as ‘manufacturing consent’.

It’s a terrible fact that no one truly seems to take a stand for anything anymore. Everyone just merely talks about it. Even I don’t know what a person can really do anymore. If a person does try and get something done that may oppose the current system, they are either hushed or their credibility is tarnished. This is happening in almost every institution. Yet, the common mass does not know, nor do they care, their minds are filled with popular culture; which has no importance or barring within the realm of reality, not even in the physical, whatsoever. The contradiction between the materialist worldview and the virtual reality within the television and video games is hilarious to say the least.
“A man who as a physical being is always turned toward the outside, thinking that his happiness lies outside him, finally turns inward and discovers that the source is within him.”-Soren Kierkegaard

I’m truly fascinated with the prophetic messages and warnings that many great minds gave centuries ago and you can find them all throughout history. Once again at their time they are seen as ridiculous and then later people realize their importance and their truth. It’s also funny to note that even “Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.” Chomsky also says that historically the digressing intellectual was the prophet of old.

I feel like the debate has always been what is truly good and what is truly bad for man. Men come and go with different ideologies. The best of them I have found is existentialism because it understands that the sole purpose of existence is up to the individual. Within existentialism you have the theological in Kierkegaard and the atheist in Nietzsche to very different viewpoint but both understanding the necessity of the individual and the subjective experience.

Kierkegaard said that you cannot have faith without doubt because if you did not have down one would have solid evidence and thus it could no longer be faith. He argued the dangerous of blind faith. He would be the utmost interesting person to debate the new atheist today.

Nietzsche exclaimed that, “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. Yet his shadow still looms. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? What was holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet owned has bled to death under our knives: who will wipe this blood off us? What water is there for us to clean ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we have to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we ourselves not become gods simply to appear worthy of it?”

Killing all the ideals. Those words resulting in the very culture we have today. One running rapid with people whom have ideals but cannot express for which they really come. They deny the supernatural even though the very denial of the supernatural renders every bit of their life meaningless and their very thought constructs and emotions being nothing more than biologically and chemical reactions adapted byproducts of an evolutionary process that one man Charles Darwin postulated. Yet, his theory makes absolutely no sense of the true origin of that first single celled organism and in fact has no idea how it could have become manifest out of the inorganic material.

The Atheist Scientist of today assert two different explanations for how that inorganic material created the first organic single celled organism. 1) We were seeded here by some other highly evolved species, Aliens. or 2) The cell piggybacked on crystals. I have no idea how the second even counts as a hypothesis because the chances of that are very very slim. Even still the very fact that they are happier to give the creation of earth’s creatures up to some aliens or some crystals is quite humorous but they sure won’t give it to a God that just doesn’t coincide with their agenda.

And Flaubert warned of the stupidity of modernity and by God was he right!

And Post modernity is far stranger and maybe stupider than even modernity as it refuses any solidify position as to what it is to be a post modernist because to define it would be to defile it.

It seems to me to be more and more ridiculous circular logic that gives no grounds for truly settling on a position or coming to a solid understanding of anyone else. No one can come to a proper conclusion. There is no longer a proper way to determine if any work or deed is good or bad because they cannot tell you by which means to arrive at its definition.

To me the simple truth is this: if you get rid of the idea of supernaturalism and only adhere to naturalism you are limiting your ability towards any ultimate understanding. You are rendering your even your strongest emotions nothing more than biological and chemical reactions and thus feeling extremely happy or extremely sad aren’t really here nor there. No life or death matters. However, if you can keep the idea of supernaturalism there begins to be a much bigger picture of which to look at and much more details to pick through. Consciousness first and foremost to be studied can open a whole new world of dialog. And see that in naturalism things like love would not exist.

This last two are lengthy but all of the videos within this post are very important because there is a certain, if researched undeniable leadership propagating certain thought patterns and belief systems. They intend have intended throughout history to try and halt a true progress of all mankind and manifest a faulty one that falls in the leadership of a few and allows for great loss and suffering for many whether that loss be a life, a job, true education, or simply a hushed voice. The truly intellectual - those who can think for themselves and are willing to hear and learn the voice of others, have a great responsibility to keep the dialog open for progress for the world over.

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This blog is intended to demonstrate the impact music has on society. When I think of the artist that have had the greatest impact on society as a whole there are four artist that come to mind. They are Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Bob Marley and Michael Jackson. Each of the individuals even those within the band have greatly increased the feeling of prosperity within us all. The feeling of oneness and collectedness throughout all of life. This is a message that must be heeded. It is the only message we should be subjecting ourselves to in a time where the world seems as if it is falling apart.

The earth itself is a wondrous and beautiful thing. It is teaming with life. It is plentiful in its nourishment for all of life. We have been suck in system of separation. One in which we constantly compare ourselves to others. Many of us look towards celebrities in whatever field for guidance. The truth is they are people just like everyone else. They too have ups and downs and while it may seem their life is easier than yours, it may not be so. Each person is given the circumstances they can overcome. The truth is that love is the answer. If you can be aware of love and cherish it both within yourself and for all the rest of life you will know peace. Jimi Hendrix once said that “when the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace”. This is absolutely true. “Imagine all the people living for today.”

Now is the time to recognize your own gifts and talents. Now is the time to be thankful for the things you have instead of hoping for something gained. Now is the time to make precious each and every moment for it is just that. Michael Jackson said, “in a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.”

Each of these particular artist were truly a voice for the people. They were not concerned with the material possessions or wealth. They knew that true wealth was within the hearts and minds of men; within shared conversation, within shared wisdom, and simply within sharing. They used their fame as a catalyst for enlightenment and understanding to demonstrate the goodness in the world, in love, that is free to anyone whom seeks it and especially to anyone who shares it. The examples of them pressing this message of hope is endless but I have picked a few examples for you all to reflect on. So many of us place great blame upon ourselves and others but we can truly only grow when we as a whole stop being victims and decide to become creators. Manifesting our own destiny.

Let It Be by The Beatles is a great song for reflection and meditation. “When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be”

All You Need Is Love by The Beatles is obvious and brilliant anthem for this critical time. It speaks of all aspects of life and explains the answer is simple, “all you need is love.”

And as individuals The Beatles continued to promote this same message of love each in their own way. With John we most typically think of Imagine because it is such an eloquent and magical gem that grows evermore inspiring with each year.

Because the system sucks and feeds us nothing but lies

Because we want love and peace here on earth!

“All things must pass” there is no use in worrying in what is gone, be strong and be happy for what you have but all things must pass. Let life flow, let it roll. “within you or without you”.

Because everyone loves “silly loves songs”

and Because “in love our problems disappear but all in all we soon discover that one and one is all we long to hear!”

Ringo Starr gives us a recipe for success: “You got to love everything breath you breathe. Look at the sky and believe.”

And because “every soul has a secret give it away or keep it but yesterday is gone so tell me why you carry the weight of the world?”

Because the truth and all the answers are “blowin’ in the wind”.

The nasty truth of the “masters of war” Who are the cowards through out history. “We just want you to know we can see through your mask.”

And ongoing into the darker side of our history as a people - these masters - these leaders, DO NOT REALLY CARE ABOUT US!

And because we have no one to blame but ourselves. Like Gandhi said, “be the change you want to see in the world.” Michael says, “starting with the man in the mirror, make that change.”

Because deep, deep, down within each of us is the desire for that ONE LOVE. “Let’s get together and feel alright.”

And because it is time for the whole world, all of humanity to be redeemed. “Won’t you help to sing these songs of freedom, cause all I ever have redemption songs. Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds. Have no fear for atomic energy, ‘Cause none of them can stop the time. How long shall they kill our prophets while we stand aside and look”?

All of the artist in this post had a dream of living in peace. They did not concern themselves with material goods. They wanted truth, justice, peace, and love. This is music that is good for the soul. It enriches and transforms the listener. Look not on others to be your guide, be your own guide. Be the light! Be the change! Shine bright and love even when it is hard because that is when the power of love is needed the most.

Someone asked me on ChaCha me if Tiger Woods owed me an apology. I went a little nutty and wrote out a rant. Enjoy.

No. I really don’t care what Tiger Woods does during his free time. In fact, I think the media should apologize for giving him so much publicity for such a private matter. I don’t understand why the media or our general public finds the private lives of celebrities so fascinating. I think that is a major issue in our society, seeing them as demigods or something and looking at our own lives and not being satisfied.

Guitar Man - Bread

I’m in love with this song, all over again. It’s a beautiful thing. I was born in the wrong time period. But I could never decide what era I should have been born in so I will just be satisfied that I was born in a time where all that was known before now (seems) easily accessible. We have a whole world new world of culture on the web. Damn I am such a rambler!