Futuristic Thinking

This post continues my previous post about the future.  My sister brought up a good question: "I wonder, if we knew exactly what it would bring us, would life be easier or harder?"  I'm sure there are many different angles that this can be looked at, and neither one is necessarily wrong or right. 

 

In my opinion, it depends.  See what I did there, took the easy way out. 

 

No, but seriously, I tried to look at it in 2 ways.  The first would be if the future had something good in store for me, and the obvious other way of looking at it is if there was something bad waiting for me.  Now, just to be clear this "good or bad" thing can be anything at all: a life event, a material object, an emotional conquest, etc. 

 

Knowing the future would take away the satisfaction of reaching that good "thing" and looking back like, "wow, look how hard I had to work to get here.  I'm proud of myself!"  However, knowing what's to come gives you something to look forward to...something to keep fighting for.  For example, have you ever booked a trip somewhere and from the moment you paid for the hotel, plane, etc. you began to look forward to it.  I know it was like that, in a way, for me when I went to college.  There were times when I felt like I couldn't go on, but I knew in the end it was going to benefit me, and I could look at my degree and say, "Look at this...I did it!"

 

What about knowing something "bad?"  Well, some will look at it and think, "OK, what can I do to prepare myself for it?"  Or, even better, the person might think, "OK, what can I do to prevent it, fight it, avoid it, etc."  But you also have people that will get the unfortunate news of their future and just give up, give in because they might think that no matter what they do they won't be able to change it.

 

The human mind is so amazing that it alone makes us different and makes us look at anything differently.  Each person will see their future in their own way, whether they know it or not.

Late Night Thoughts and Ideas #1

I've never met you but I've heard you may have a lot in store me...not just for me but everyone.  Whether they search for you or not.  Of course, it all depends on me and the choices I make that will determine how our encounter will be.  You are an uncertainty, a shrouded mystery that we're all drawn to believe in. 

Some dream about you and the promise that you bring.  Others have nightmares, scared of the inevitable, hoping their life has, had, or will have some influence on you.  Some don't even like thinking of you; too consumed with what's happening now.  Other doubt your existence, insisting your a dream that will never come to fulfillment...a pipe dream if you will.

I feel like I've gotten close to you so many times, but just when your within arms reach, you're instantly a mile away.  How is that possible?  Frustratingly I begin to plan a new course of action, hoping to reach you (this time) quick enough to appreciate such an achievement.  BUT I'm afraid this will never come to be, though, because you're a nomad, a variable.  You are The Future, you never stay in place.

Follow us on a journey

I want all of you to follow me on a journey.  We won't be leaving the comforts of our home, though, but it'll be a journey nonetheless.  We aren't going to visit any places either, "so what kind of journey are we going on" you say?  Well, its a journey in real-time through someone's life...more specifically, mine.

I'm not the type of person that is outspoken with spoken words.  Many would probably describe me as quiet and very reserved in that aspect.  They would be right in their description, but the assumption that I am without personality is far from the truth.  While some have a natural ability to voice their opinions and can do so very well, I have a knack for writing my opinions.

As a friend, author, and fellow blogger once pointed out, writing is a blessing to those that can harness the power of the written word.  Think about it, how many times have you said something in the heat of the moment and once the words left your mouth you thought, "damn...shouldn't have said that."  You can't take those words back, but I swear to you, I must have deleted at least 20 words up to this point.  Writing gives me the ability to write exactly what I want.  Some may say that writing doesn't allow you to express emotion.  Pffft, read a couple of my posts here or on Facebook and you'll see that isn't true.  That's because in everything I write there will always be some attribute of mine that will let you know, "he's pissed, he's sad, he's happy, he's relieved, he's whatever."

Anyway, before this post gets too long, I just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of a way to use this blog as sort of a ledger, so that family members who are far away or who may not know much of what's going on to be able to come into our house for a moment and follow us on a journey.  Glad to have you with us, keep your arms and feet inside the vehicle at all times, and enjoy the ride.

Do Contra

Guess Who's B'zack

It's your friendly neighborhood blogger.  I felt that some of you all may have gotten used to me not being around and quite frankly, I don't want to let that happen.  Where have I been these past few weeks...well, let me tell you.

As you may or may not know I tried being an "examiner" for a few weeks and let me tell you.  What a waste of time that was for me.  Not that it wouldn't be great for someone else, it just isn't for me.  For one, and this is the major reason why I can't be a journalist, is that you can't use words like I, me, or anything that puts you into the story.  You write about the story and that's it.  Not that I can't do it, it's just not my style of writing.

Also, you can't talk about whatever you want.  Well, you can and you can't.  You choose a "genre," if you will, and you can only write about that.  For me, obviously, I chose technology so I could only write about technology.  You can apply to write for other genres, but still I like to have the freedom of writing whatever I want and how I want.

If anyone is interested in giving it a shot their website is www.examiner.com.  They are always looking for writers, so if you want something to do as a hobby or whatever, it might be good for you.  Don't expect for it to substitute your 9-5, part-time, seasonal, or even weekend job, but it gives a little bit of change (and I do mean change).

So I guess that means all you fans of mine will have the pleasure of reading my ramblings more often. 

Rejoice, open your hearts, and let Jonny in your homes, and may world peace soon be upon us.

My Response to SeaWorld's BS Open Letter

SeaWorld has been receiving some bad media attention due to documentaries like BlackFish which bring to light the horrible manner in which Tilikum has been, and continues to be, treated by SeaWorld.  Entertainers are cancelling their shows at the parks, and some are even asking for their songs to be excluded from playlist during the animal performances (Joan Jett orders Sea World to stop playing “I Love Rock and Roll”).  I am one of millions that was shocked after watching the documentary but luckily I was already boycotting SeaWorld since I watched “The Cove”. 

Today, a good friend of mine tagged me on Facebook to a link of an open letter from “SeaWorld’s Animal Advocates.”  The title of this piece of crap letter is already a joke, but let me have the pleasure of diving a little deeper into this pool of lies they put out to the public.

First of all, the accusations against SeaWorld are extremely serious and a good portion of the public is outraged with what they are learning.  The best they could do is writing a letter???  No interview, media coverage, video, or anything?  NO, a letter that a 5 year old can write!  But OK,  lets look at their “letter.”

“SeaWorld does not capture killer whales in the wild…we haven’t collected a killer whale from the wild in 35 years.”  Wow, so you don’t capture killer whales ANYMORE, but you USED TO 35 years ago, am I right?  Why don’t they do it anymore?  One of the big points that BlackFish was trying to make is that SeaWorld is using Tilikum to breed more whales.  OBVIOUSLY YOU DON’T NEED TO CAPTURE WHALES IF YOU’RE BREEDING THEM!!!

 “We do not separate killer whale moms and calves…on the rare occasion that a mother killer whale cannot care for the calf herself…” Again, another clever little statement that throws a vague explanation in there to throw everyone off, BUT NOT ME.  What is this rare occasion?  Can they be more specific?  Probably not, because it’ll probably show that this rare occasion is probably a very common one.

“SeaWorld invests millions of dollars in the care of our killer whales…Our habitats are among the largest in the world today…state-of-the-art, multimillion-gallon environments of cooled and filtered water???  Restaurant-quality fish, exercise, veterinary care, mental stimulation, and the company of other members of their species???”  SeaWorld deserves some kind of humanitarian award for this.  They invest millions of dollars, but make billions!!!  A multimillion-gallon environment is a 8x8 cell in a prison compared to having a whole ocean to roam around.  Filtered water??? Are you kidding me???  I didn’t know that Aquafina made water for whales, or that whales who live in the sea with no filtration, need filtered water.  That’s amazing.  How have they gone thousands of years without filtered water for Christ’s sake?  Please someone explain to me what difference restaurant-quality fish makes to an Orca?  Or did they request it themselves?  They must have gotten tired of hunting for it in the wild, and said, “why work for it when SeaWorld can get us restaurant quality fish.”  Whales don’t need exercise and brain stimulation in the wild but they need it in captivity because they are so bored out of their minds.  It’s like taking a sane person and putting them in a mental hospital in a padded room for days.   If you don’t give them something to do they will likely end up just as crazy as the people who are actually crazy.  Whales in the wild have families with whom they stay with for their whole lives, sticking random whales together is not "COMPANY".  It’s an animal version of Bad Girls Club, Real World, Big Brother, and all those other TV shows where personalities clash and fights break out.  God I could just end it here but the letter keeps going, and so will I.

“SeaWorld’s killer whales’ life spans are equivalent with those in the wild…five of our animals are older than 30, and one of our whales is close to 50.”  A bold claim Mr. “Sea World Advocates.”  Where is the proof of this?  Those are the ones that are alive.  What about the ones that have died?  What were there ages?  We would love to hear more about that.

“The killer whales in our care benefit those in the wild.”  Wait, did I just read this correctly: “The killer whales in our care benefit those in the wild?”  That’s like saying hey we are going to use a human as a test subject for this deadly virus, but don’t worry his forced sacrifice will benefit the rest of humanity.   The recreational use of marijuana and LSD must have made its way to Florida and I’m not aware of it.

“Sea World is a world leader in animal rescue….We have rescued more than 23,000 animals with the goal of treating and returning them to the wild.”   Aw, that’s heartwarming and I do believe them in this claim.  After all a company that’s been in business for 50 years generating billions of dollars should be able to at least rescue approximately 160 animals in each of its 3 locations per year.  160 animals!!!  An estimated 11 million people visit the park each year!!!  Let’s focus more on saving them and less on making money off of them.

 I am, as everyone else should be, offended at this failed attempt at some kind of reconciliation with the public.  I feel like SeaWorld is treating the public as uninformed citizens that can be manipulated with half-hearted words on a website.  Well you know what I say, “F YOU SEAWORLD!!!”  IT’LL BE A COLD DAY IN HELL THE DAY I EVER PUT MY FOOT INSIDE ONE OF YOUR PARKS YOU MURDERERS.  Take that and stick it in your multimillion gallon pool and feed yourselves restaurant quality fish while drinking filtered water in the company of your own feces…I mean species. 

Sincerely,

Do Contra

P.S.  In case you haven’t figured it out yet…DO NOT SUPPORT SEAWORLD!!!!

An Answer to A Question

One of the great things about college is that you not only learn skills that will help you in your career, but you also have the opportunity to learn some life lessons.  For those that have gone to college you will probably remember thinking "Why in the world do I have to take these classes that have nothing to do with my major?"  It's OK, you can admit...I thought the same thing.  However, I'll be the first to tell you that thanks to the professors in these classes, I learned more from them than I ever thought I would.  Therefore my word of advice to all those that are thinking of not going to college, trust me GO it's worth it.

One day, in my environmental science (or something similar), the Professor posed a question because he asked something, and the whole class must have been asleep or something because he got nothing.  So, annoyed, he said something about us not answering the question and said: 

-"Why do you think you're in college?"  

-Obviously, me thinking I knew everything, was the first person to raise my hand: "Well, professor, to gain the skills we need for our career."  

-His answer: "It amazes me that what you said is the first thing I hear in every class that I ask this question, but you're wrong!"

I was puzzled because that's honestly what I thought I was in there for.  A couple of students went on to try to answer his question to no avail.  In the end, he did not give us the answer which drove me crazy, and every once in a while I remember it...and at the most random moments.

The other day I was shopping in Walmart and I started thinking about this question again.  I think I came up with an answer that might make sense.  

If not the skills needed to be successful in your career, what could it be?  My very last course before graduating, was the dreaded Senior Project.  It involved students from various areas of study, collaborating to take a concept, market, support it and present it to a mock board of directors in 12 weeks.  I have to tell you, that was an experience that I would never forget.  

I was forced out of my comfort zone and had to think out of the box to resolve problems that had nothing to do with my major, and if you think about it the college experience is like that.  In many of my courses, professors would ask questions that didn't have a direct answer.  You would have to actually think and form your own opinion on issues.  By doing this students gain an ability known as critical thinking.

In all my courses, but especially in the Senior Project, we had to be disciplined. We had no set schedule like other courses, so we had to decide when to meet in the classroom, work on our objectives, etc.  The first few weeks, as you can imagine, we took advantage of this and our first board meeting was a disaster because almost no work was done.  After that, we made our own schedule and stuck to it, if anything we modified it so that we met more times.

At the end of the day, in college you are learning skills to become a good citizen.  

HAHA eat that Professor!!!

Do Contra