The Serial Thinker Blog

Thinking Aloud - Saturday Morning

Good Morning Thinkers - Today is Saturday, February 13th, it is the 24th day of the Biden Kakistocracy. In recognition of this critical day in our nation's history we will consider the words of eminent scientist Carl Sagan,

“One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken. Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back.”
― Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark
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The universe is infinite.

The universe has limits.

A paradox?

Not when dealing with humans - especially Rangers.

We have seen first hand what we, and others, are capable of achieving with the indomitable mind set. Every day we move further, faster, and fight harder than any other soldier - consistently giving 100% and then some. It’s our creed.

On the other hand, our disregard of personal circumstances in pursuit of our objectives can put us in the express lane to self-destruction. My recent absence from this platform is a direct result of this phenomenon. We can drive a beast, even ourselves, only so hard.

The universe is infinite.

The universe has limits.
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Oversimplification is the opiate of the stupid - Ellis Reyes (2016)

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Ad hominem attacks are the refuge of the ill prepared - Ellis Reyes (2016)
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"The Constitution is not a living organism, it is a legal document. It says what it says, and it doesn't say what it doesn't say," Justice Antonin Scalia
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Teenagers don't sleep, they hibernate nightly. Ellis Reyes (2016)

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A teaching colleague posted a really cool rendering of her Bitmoji classroom for March all decorated in shamrocks and green for St. Patrick's Day. Here is my response:

I would be destroyed in my school/district for displaying anything so Eurocentric and blatantly Christian. As a male, perceived white educator, I would clearly be exploiting my privilege and position of power and authority to oppress those community members and comrades with my systemically racist, sexist, misogynist etc. worldview.

In public schools, Marxism is a big yes, God is a big NO!
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A Black political science professor is profiled in the Seattle Times because he has a lot to say about the Trump impeachment trial. Here are the comments that I posted publicly:

How does the esteemed professor have any legitimacy addressing this issue as he is not a Republican, not a conservative, and not a upper income white male? Isn't permission to address issues publicly granted by one's membership in the group being scrutinized? I've been told countless times, "No uterus, no voice," when addressing women's rights issues. I've been shouted down by BLM activists because of my melanin deficit when addressing issues of race and  culture. And I've been canceled on LGBTQ+ issues because of my cis-heteronormativity. Why does this man have a platform on anything related to the GOP?
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The Naked Truth

According to a 19th century legend, the Truth and the Lie meet one day. The Lie says to the Truth: "It's a marvellous day today"! The Truth looks up to the skies and sighs, for the day was really beautiful. They spend a lot of time together, ultimately arriving beside a well. The Lie tells the Truth: "The water is very nice, let's take a bath together!" The Truth, once again suspicious, tests the water and discovers that it indeed is very nice. They undress and start bathing. Suddenly, the Lie comes out of the water, puts on the clothes of the Truth and runs away. The furious Truth comes out of the well and runs everywhere to find the Lie and to get her clothes back. The World, seeing the Truth naked, turns its gaze away, with contempt and rage.
The poor Truth returns to the well and disappears forever, hiding therein, its shame. Since then, the Lie travels around the world, dressed as the Truth, satisfying the needs of society, because, the World, in any case, harbours no wish at all to meet the naked Truth.

The world famous painting- "The Truth coming out of the well" Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1896.

Waltzing Matilda - The Dancing Ghost

Waltzing Matilda, a ghost so fair, Danced through the halls with ghostly air. With ethereal grace and a ghostly gleam, She twirled and whirled in a ghostly dream.

Her translucent form, a sight to behold, As she danced in the moonlight, so bold. She waltzed to the music of the night, With a rhythm that gave us such delight.

But as the clock struck twelve, she disappeared, Leaving us all with ghostly fear. For Waltzing Matilda, our ghostly friend, Was a ghost who danced until the very end.

But in our hearts, she'll forever stay, Dancing and waltzing, night and day. A ghost who brought us such joy and glee, Waltzing Matilda, we'll always see thee.

Final Farewell

The forest is my home, my heart, my all,

Where I roamed free, proud, and tall.

I've seen the seasons change, the leaves fall,

And heard the howls of my kin, one and all.

 

I am an old wolf now, my time is near,

My strength is waning, my end is here.

But I will not die in my den, in fear,

I'll go out to the forest, to make my final cheer.

 

I'll run through the woods, with my head held high,

And let the wind be my final sigh.

I'll lay down among the trees, beneath the sky,

And close my eyes, as the world goes by.

 

For I have lived a life of honor and pride,

I've been a leader, a protector, a guide.

My pack will remember me, when I have died,

And tell stories of the old wolf, who went out to die.

My spirit will join the wind and the trees,

And be part of the forest's melody.

I'll be with my kin, forever at ease,

And be remembered as a wolf of dignity.

 

So let me go now, to the forest I love,

To die in peace, beneath the stars above.

I'll be remembered, my legacy will be passed on,

As a wolf of valor, who lived and died strong.

The Girl and the Pony - A Cautionary Tale

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled in the rolling hills, there was a girl named Emily who was known for her incredible work ethic. She was always the first one to wake up in the morning, and the last one to go to bed at night. Emily was always busy, whether it was tending to the garden, helping her parents with the farm work, or doing chores around the house.

One day, Emily was walking through the village when she came across a little pony that had been abandoned by its owner. The pony was skinny and dirty, and it looked like it had been neglected for quite some time. Emily's heart went out to the pony, and she decided to take it home and care for it herself.

Over the next few weeks, Emily worked tirelessly to nurse the pony back to health. She fed it the best food she could find, and she groomed it every day until its fur was shiny and clean. The pony began to thrive under Emily's care, and it quickly became a beloved member of the family.

As word of Emily's hard work and dedication spread through the village, more and more people began to rely on her to take care of their animals. Soon, Emily had a whole stable full of horses, cows, sheep, and goats that she was responsible for.

At first, Emily was thrilled to be able to help so many people and animals, but as the weeks turned into months, she found herself working longer and longer hours. She was exhausted all the time, and she barely had any time to rest or spend with her family.

One day, Emily's parents sat her down and told her that she needed to slow down. They pointed out that while she was being incredibly efficient, she was also pushing herself too hard and running the risk of burning out.

Emily realized that they were right, and she made a conscious effort to pace herself and take breaks when she needed them. She also learned that efficiency, while important, should not come at the cost of one's own well-being.

And so, the moral of the story is that efficiency breeds exploitation, and it is important to find a balance between hard work and self-care.

A Little Football Fun

A Little Football Fun.

When I think of the team name Texans, I think of a team that is tough, smart, and gritty - which is great for a football team. It doesn't surprise me that most teams aren't named after the cities or states that they represent. It would send absolutely the wrong image.

The Seattles: A bunch of skinny, femme, espresso sipping hipsters who have 18 whiny representatives on the rules committee trying to eliminate the inherent 'violence' in football.

The Arizonas: A very eclectic team made up of really old players, transcendental seekers of wisdom, and those of questionable American citizenship.

The San Franciscos: A team much like the Seattles except half the team is made up of very masculine women (particularly on the D-line) and really feminine men in the skill positions. The San Franciscos probably have the best looking uniforms though. Fully accessorized.

The Wisconsins: The flannel clad, bearded Wisconsins are a force to be reckoned with. Typically, not fastest or most nimble team in the league, they win with size and brute strength. Unfortunately, the Wisconsins consistently lose several of their key November games as the entire team heads to the woods for the opening of deer season.

The DCs: This team rarely takes the field as the offense never speaks to the defense, the line doesn't communicate with the QB and the receivers feel discriminated against because they are underrepresented in team meetings. When they do manage to field a team, they are beset by delay of game penalties as their play calling scheme is insanely complicated and no one takes accountability for ensuring the quality or timeliness of the plays being called.

The Utahs: These guys are probably the nicest team in the league. They spend many hours of off-field time and personal resources doing charitable work, follow the rules scrupulously (even if its to their own detriment) and even get pre-game haircuts to project the proper team image. However, as talented and nice as they are, they only win 2 or 3 games per year because they don't play on Sundays.

The Chicagos: This team is one of the most feared in the league. They are known for their rule breaking and unethical on and off field tactics. Star players on opposing teams hire private security in the days and weeks prior to playing the Chicagos as they have been known to hire union strongmen to threaten or injure opponents and their families. They have little talent but win by intimidation and complete disregard for the rules of the game.

24

24.

When I was 24, I was in the Army. It was the year that I earned my E-5, EIB, and Master Wings. Dawn and I became engaged that year. Deployments took me to Ft. Bragg, Panama, HAAF/Sabre Hall, JRTC, and much time in the primordial soup called South Rainier Training Area. I think that was also the year that Larsen, Spooner, and McMahon were shot in training accidents. All survived. I was in my early years of investing and became a fan of Peter Lynch and Warren Buffett. I bought my first shares of Berkshire Hathaway and Fidelity Magellan and those home runs led me to a lifelong interest in and fascination with investing. I didn't take block leave that year and my mom took it personally - though I explained over and over that it had nothing to do with her. 24 was a good year, full of learning and adventure.

Future Career Plans

 

Depending upon how it's apportioned, being a regional commander of Hell might not be a bad job in the afterlife. I like warm weather and tormenting people for eternity seems like a pretty good gig. I think better than polishing halos and singing Lutheran music. That said, I wouldn't want to be in charge of the democrats. They'd be all whiny about how unfair it is, not understanding that that's the point. And then there are the people who got screwed over in this world by changes in religious policy. I wouldn't want them either. They really did get the shaft and piling on isn't my style. And I don't seek the notoriety of the high profile cases - someone else can have Hitler, Idi Amin and all of those clowns.

I think I'd want to be an Imagineer in the "Hurt dogs and kids" section. It would be very rewarding to come up with ideas about how to inflict suffering on people who hurt innocents here on Earth - particularly since the 8th Amendment wouldn't be around to limit my choices.

I Lived In the Pre-Nerf Generation

I lived in the Pre-Nerf generation.... and survived.

 

Remember those orange rubber playground balls? When it would get cold they would really sting when you got hit playing dodgeball or whatever game was going on? It made you more agile and a better dodgeball player because there was a genuine incentive not to get hit by the ball. Nowadays, dodgeball has been banned by most schools because it is 'violent' and 'predatory', but if it weren't it wouldn't matter because the playground balls have been replaced by these squishy foam rubber balls (like Nerf balls covered by a nylon skin). What's the incentive to get out of the way? It's not going to hurt if you get hit by these things, even at close range. The kids are willing to wipe each other out on video games, but have little physical resilience in the real world. We should bring back old school playground games and stop making wimps of the next generation.

16 Annoyances

Here is a list of 16 things that I find annoying. 
(In no particular order)

1. Self-righteous, condescending people
2. Adults who write in 'text speak' 
3. Stale chips
4. Meetings that take a long time and do not achieve anything
5. Dog poop on my lawn
6. Wine snobs (this one kind of goes with number 1 but it's specific enough to get its own number)
7. Overrated anything
8. Those subscription inserts inside of magazines (I have probably thrown away several trees worth of these things in my lifetime and have NEVER used one to subscribe to a magazine)
9. Less than a cupful of juice, lemonade, tea left in the container.
10. People who carry on a cell phone conversation while they are having coffee or are out to dinner with someone else.
11. Most things about France
12. The lack of subject/verb agreement in popular culture; especially the use of "is" when "are" is appropriate.
13. Pencils with uncentered leads.
14. Erasers that smear rather than erase.
15. Dry erase pens with smashed in tips
16. Questions at the end of the chapter

Innumeracy

I know that most of America is mathematically illiterate beyond about 6th grade math. It's a sad truth that I've witnessed thousands of times in a variety of different ways - from people being literally unable to perform basic computation, to people not understanding how statistics work, to people saying, "I'm not really a numbers person."

 

Why does this matter?

 

Because if you don't understand a language - like math - you can't comprehend when you are being manipulated by it. Here's a non-math example: I used to tell my non-Spanish speaking friends that the word, "Puto" was a colloquial term meaning 'friend or buddy' and that it would be endearing for them to greet Spanish speakers with a hearty, "Hey Puto!!"

 

Back to the math... This morning I learned that Clark County, Nevada (Las Vegas) and maybe the entire state is counting suspected Covid cases as positive - even in the absence of a positive test result. Case in point - A teacher I know who works in Clark County had the boyfriend of a family member test positive. He had been over at their house numerous times while symptomatic, Some members of her household got tested, others didn't (those who tested came up negative) - but everyone who wasn't tested was assumed positive and added to the positive case count until they got a negative test result. That is completely invalid statistically. You don't default to an sssumed outcome - absent actual, verified test date, no statistical data should be generated.

 

This kind of manipulation sets my teeth on edge.