At present humans aspire to gain material wealth. Obviously one may enjoy life more possessing such wealth. However no one our little rock that I can see has come up with anything to show it is any more significant than an ant colony in the grand scheme of things (i.e. the place it inhabits - the universe). So ultimately no matter how much money you made or how successful you were, all that will be left of you is history - just a record, just another statistic in the old earth history books/ computer records/ databases or whatever.
Unless you believe in God or Religions, we really have no purpose at the moment and I can only hope we evolve biologically and technologically into a greater species and a planet we can be proud of. Imagine some relatively highly advanced alien civilization paid us a visit and communicated with us. Would you be proud of our planet in its present state? At one end of the spectrum we have celebrities - the very epitome of capitalism - wallowing in their wealth like a pig in mud, living lives of extravagant luxury. At the other end you get all of the starving and diseased members of our species who weren't so lucky to be born into such capitalist opportunity. While the celebrities in "Hollywood" spend millions on pieces of gold and rock, newborns (if they even reach that stage) at other parts of the world die of starvation. Where is the sense in that? Our world governments should be ashamed for continuing to let such inequalities exist particularly if they have the audacity to call themselves intelligent and civilized individuals.
Other members of the human race discriminate people because of their religion, sexuality, gender, ethnicity... The list does go on. The fact of the matter is that there are two types of people in our world at present. The powerful and the proletariat. The powerful are the government, corporations and their influence including the media. The proletariat is everyone else regardless of their beliefs, origins, sexuality, gender... We should be united because we are the oppressed - oppressed by a capitalist system. I say that not as someone who has a secret agenda or anything. I went to school just like everyone else. I graduated from college. I work 40 hours a week for a wage which mostly goes to supporting my family. I consider myself well off because me and my family will never have to worry about food or water and we are (financially) about 3 times better off than families who don't work in my country, through choice or otherwise. You could call me a benefactor of capitalism yet I despise it because of the inequalities it causes in our world. I don't know entirely about socialism or communism - many people associate them with words like "bad", "evil", "totalitarian", "oppressive", but the way I see it those associations are made because of propaganda and generalisations. I know this isn't conceivable and if you aren't open-minded you may consider the idea silly but I think a socialist one world government would be ideal. Every citizen on earth would be entitled to a basic Providence of food, water, health, shelter and education. Those who don't work (but are able) would get that and perhaps a slight amount of money. Those who aren't able would be provided for. Those who do would get all the benefits of the current system. Caps would exist on wealth. Corporate possession and insane levels of profit would be cut right down. There would be more than enough wealth to distribute among the people and government provided services. The world would truly be happier place without all of the inequalities that make me ashamed to be a benefactor of capitalism, not through choice but because want for my family.
The true ultimate insignificance of wealth is undeniable. So many wars are caused by money and so much death. We're just what Carl Sagan calls a pale blue dot. We aren't even a mere grain of sand in our own universe (Who knows how many more universes exist outside our own? The number could easily by far exceed billions). Yet (lets say we're ants) we quarrel over little rocks, pieces of dirt and food, when there's more than enough on our little Earth for everyone to be happy. A significant reason for this? Sure. It's a vicious circle - the corporations own (or at least have huge influence over) the governments and the corporations like their power so would never see the death of capitalism, what would there be for them to gain from that? Well being due to the knowledge they made the world a better place despite losing all of their wealth? Ha.
I'll finish there. Again as always, just some thoughts I had.
26 October 2010
25 October 2010
Regarding "God"
While I cannot disprove the existence of a God, I personally find it easy to conclude that no God exists.
It is certainly possible for a species to evolve (either biologically or technologically) to a stage where it (in our eyes) appears to possess god-like abilities. Does this make that being a god? Perhaps if you go by our traditional somewhat primitive definitions. Then are we not Gods to ants? Does this mean if member of an extra terrestrial species were to visit earth and that being had omnipotent abilities we should worship it? Imagine a being with the ability to create whole worlds and star systems with living ecosystems and billions of species to inhabit them. That does not entitle it to be called a God. Who knows how far our own species will have come in millions of years from now? If we haven't annihilated ourselves with our (or rather the powerful people, corporations and governments of our world's) stupid primitive wars and power games then I'm sure we will be much more advanced than we presently are.
I do not consider myself a narrow-minded individual however the idea of a God just seems like an idea that hasn't been thought about a great deal for the logical reasons I mentioned above.
Just because a belief exists for many, many generations it does not mean it should be continued. Many of our ancestors probably believed in witches and approved of the witch burnings of their time. That's certainly a belief I'm sure most people will agree is better left in the past. What about religion? Do we continue to believe in the existence of a God just because our parents and grandparents and great-grandparents (and so on) possessed these beliefs? Yet when we think deeply about these belief systems we find no proof, evidence or logical reasons - just old books passed down throughout the generations, written by people thousands of years ago at a time when our world was very primitive in comparison to the technology and knowledge at our disposal today.
Admittedly one may experience some emotional guilt at relinquishing their beliefs which may have been their family's only hope in life but I think it's sad when people can't enjoy life without the (probably false) hope religion gives them. My own family are Christians and I make my being atheist no secret to them. I feel no guilt - I didn't ask when I was born to be baptised and forced into joining a religion when I certainly didn't have the mind to consent to doing so. I don't try to preach to my family nor do I approve of people preaching atheism to religious people (or people preaching religion to atheists/ members of other religion/ people who don't welcome their preaching - people preaching anything when uninvited to do so). However this is my blog where I will post the thoughts that exist in my mind and I don't consider that preaching, just spilling my thoughts and opinions out where anyone can view them. Feel free to believe whatever you want, the above is just what I choose to believe and my explained reasons.
It is certainly possible for a species to evolve (either biologically or technologically) to a stage where it (in our eyes) appears to possess god-like abilities. Does this make that being a god? Perhaps if you go by our traditional somewhat primitive definitions. Then are we not Gods to ants? Does this mean if member of an extra terrestrial species were to visit earth and that being had omnipotent abilities we should worship it? Imagine a being with the ability to create whole worlds and star systems with living ecosystems and billions of species to inhabit them. That does not entitle it to be called a God. Who knows how far our own species will have come in millions of years from now? If we haven't annihilated ourselves with our (or rather the powerful people, corporations and governments of our world's) stupid primitive wars and power games then I'm sure we will be much more advanced than we presently are.
I do not consider myself a narrow-minded individual however the idea of a God just seems like an idea that hasn't been thought about a great deal for the logical reasons I mentioned above.
Just because a belief exists for many, many generations it does not mean it should be continued. Many of our ancestors probably believed in witches and approved of the witch burnings of their time. That's certainly a belief I'm sure most people will agree is better left in the past. What about religion? Do we continue to believe in the existence of a God just because our parents and grandparents and great-grandparents (and so on) possessed these beliefs? Yet when we think deeply about these belief systems we find no proof, evidence or logical reasons - just old books passed down throughout the generations, written by people thousands of years ago at a time when our world was very primitive in comparison to the technology and knowledge at our disposal today.
Admittedly one may experience some emotional guilt at relinquishing their beliefs which may have been their family's only hope in life but I think it's sad when people can't enjoy life without the (probably false) hope religion gives them. My own family are Christians and I make my being atheist no secret to them. I feel no guilt - I didn't ask when I was born to be baptised and forced into joining a religion when I certainly didn't have the mind to consent to doing so. I don't try to preach to my family nor do I approve of people preaching atheism to religious people (or people preaching religion to atheists/ members of other religion/ people who don't welcome their preaching - people preaching anything when uninvited to do so). However this is my blog where I will post the thoughts that exist in my mind and I don't consider that preaching, just spilling my thoughts and opinions out where anyone can view them. Feel free to believe whatever you want, the above is just what I choose to believe and my explained reasons.
Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful. - Seneca the Younger
7 October 2010
Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy governs the manner in which My Thoughts Now collects, uses, maintains and discloses information collected from users (each, a "User") of the my-thoughts-now.blogspot.co.uk website ("Site"). This privacy policy applies to the Site and all products and services offered by My Thoughts Now.
Personal identification information
We may collect personal identification information from Users in a variety of ways in connection with activities, services, features or resources we make available on our Site.. Users may visit our Site anonymously. We will collect personal identification information from Users only if they voluntarily submit such information to us. Users can always refuse to supply personally identification information, except that it may prevent them from engaging in certain Site related activities.
Non-personal identification information
We may collect non-personal identification information about Users whenever they interact with our Site. Non-personal identification information may include the browser name, the type of computer and technical information about Users means of connection to our Site, such as the operating system and the Internet service providers utilized and other similar information.
Web browser cookies
Our Site may use "cookies" to enhance User experience. User's web browser places cookies on their hard drive for record-keeping purposes and sometimes to track information about them. User may choose to set their web browser to refuse cookies, or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If they do so, note that some parts of the Site may not function properly.
How we use collected information
My Thoughts Now may collect and use Users personal information for the following purposes:
- To improve customer service
Information you provide helps us respond to your customer service requests and support needs more efficiently.
How we protect your information
We adopt appropriate data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction of your personal information, username, password, transaction information and data stored on our Site.
Sharing your personal information
We do not sell, trade, or rent Users personal identification information to others. We may share generic aggregated demographic information not linked to any personal identification information regarding visitors and users with our business partners, trusted affiliates and advertisers for the purposes outlined above.
Google Adsense
Some of the ads may be served by Google. Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to Users based on their visit to our Site and other sites on the Internet. DART uses "non personally identifiable information" and does NOT track personal information about you, such as your name, email address, physical address, etc. You may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy at http://www.google.com/privacy_ads.html
Changes to this privacy policy
My Thoughts Now has the discretion to update this privacy policy at any time. When we do, we will revise the updated date at the bottom of this page. We encourage Users to frequently check this page for any changes to stay informed about how we are helping to protect the personal information we collect. You acknowledge and agree that it is your responsibility to review this privacy policy periodically and become aware of modifications.
Your acceptance of these terms
By using this Site, you signify your acceptance of this policy. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our Site. Your continued use of the Site following the posting of changes to this policy will be deemed your acceptance of those changes.
Contacting us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this site, please contact us at:
My Thoughts Now
my-thoughts-now.blogspot.co.uk
This document was last updated on October 7th 2010.
Personal identification information
We may collect personal identification information from Users in a variety of ways in connection with activities, services, features or resources we make available on our Site.. Users may visit our Site anonymously. We will collect personal identification information from Users only if they voluntarily submit such information to us. Users can always refuse to supply personally identification information, except that it may prevent them from engaging in certain Site related activities.
Non-personal identification information
We may collect non-personal identification information about Users whenever they interact with our Site. Non-personal identification information may include the browser name, the type of computer and technical information about Users means of connection to our Site, such as the operating system and the Internet service providers utilized and other similar information.
Web browser cookies
Our Site may use "cookies" to enhance User experience. User's web browser places cookies on their hard drive for record-keeping purposes and sometimes to track information about them. User may choose to set their web browser to refuse cookies, or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If they do so, note that some parts of the Site may not function properly.
How we use collected information
My Thoughts Now may collect and use Users personal information for the following purposes:
- To improve customer service
Information you provide helps us respond to your customer service requests and support needs more efficiently.
How we protect your information
We adopt appropriate data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction of your personal information, username, password, transaction information and data stored on our Site.
Sharing your personal information
We do not sell, trade, or rent Users personal identification information to others. We may share generic aggregated demographic information not linked to any personal identification information regarding visitors and users with our business partners, trusted affiliates and advertisers for the purposes outlined above.
Google Adsense
Some of the ads may be served by Google. Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to Users based on their visit to our Site and other sites on the Internet. DART uses "non personally identifiable information" and does NOT track personal information about you, such as your name, email address, physical address, etc. You may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy at http://www.google.com/privacy_ads.html
Changes to this privacy policy
My Thoughts Now has the discretion to update this privacy policy at any time. When we do, we will revise the updated date at the bottom of this page. We encourage Users to frequently check this page for any changes to stay informed about how we are helping to protect the personal information we collect. You acknowledge and agree that it is your responsibility to review this privacy policy periodically and become aware of modifications.
Your acceptance of these terms
By using this Site, you signify your acceptance of this policy. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our Site. Your continued use of the Site following the posting of changes to this policy will be deemed your acceptance of those changes.
Contacting us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this site, please contact us at:
My Thoughts Now
my-thoughts-now.blogspot.co.uk
This document was last updated on October 7th 2010.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)