Maxi's Serious Side

Book Recommendation: Do They Think You're Stupid? - Julian Baggini

2010-08-21T06:45:00.000-07:00

Just a little entry to let you know I'm still around. I havn't really had anything interesting to write about recently, let alone the time to do so.

However, I do have a book that I am currently reading that I would like to recommend which goes by the title;

Do They Think You're Stupid?

Writen by Julian Baggini which describes 100 ways to spot spin and nonsense from the media, pundits and politicians.

It has done me well so far, as I am only a few segments in.

It examines and breaks down the reasoning and argumentative strategies that are used today by the media and governement alike.

So if you enjoy seeing the other side of things, or possibly how "they" do things to fool us, I'd certainly recommend reading this book.

I'll even prove a link to its purchase below;

http://www.guardianbookshop.co.uk/BerteShopWeb/viewProduct.do?ISBN=9781847080837

The "who gives a crap" news: Lohan really 'wants to be healthy'

2010-06-15T09:15:00.000-07:00

Earlier today I was presented with the following news story from msnbc, and had to ask myself, who REALLY cares about this crap??

“The actress stopped by the Muscle Milk Light Fitness retreat in Beverly Hills on June 11 and was overheard telling people that she really “wants to be healthy from the inside out.”

And? So what? She is like a number of other people who say the same thing daily... why does this deserve a highlight in a news article? Is she incapable of being fit due to a rare disease? No... Is she in a wheelchair and can’t actually get fit? No.... So the point of the story is.....?

An Illusion Of Importance

2010-06-07T09:19:00.001-07:00

Sometimes, I sit back and admire the grand scale of the universe in all its glory. To the extent to notice that even our “huge” sun, is barely even the size of a teenagers zit on the side of a giant supernova’s surface.

And this brings me to think how self centred, self indulgent, stuck up, self important our specie is. Even to think that it’s all been put perfectly in place FOR us by “god”. What makes people so sure that we are THAT important? Because by the looks of things, in the grand scale of the universe, we are not even to the scale of an ant on planet earth.

Why do we have to believe that because everything is “perfect” for our specie to live, that it was MADE for US? Can’t it be that it was made/formed, and where we currently are is simply just the best conditions for our specie to exist and evolve? For example we have evolved BECAUSE we are this far from the sun, and that close to the moon? Rather than think it was MADE that way as to be sure that we WOULD evolve/survive?

I won’t take a wander too far down that somewhat complex road, so I’ll stick to the main point of this blog post...

Why do we as humans, believe we are THAT important in the grand scale of things? Why do we think that everything was made/done for the benefit of humans/us?

Let me know your thoughts either by email, blog reply, face-book or twitter, or if you’re lucky enough to have me on skype/msn.

Fox Hunt: A babies tale

2010-06-07T09:18:00.001-07:00

One of the latest news stories on the scene is that of a devilish pair of foxes entered a humans house and mauled their children while they slept. What I don’t understand is the ability for people to say “Omg, why would a fox do such a thing?”. You all know they’re not human right? And they don’t have a conscious? They don’t know right from wrong and only know preference.

What they see is a piece of meat. They don’t see “human”. We are only known as “humans” TO humans...

This is NATURE. It’s the way the world works, and we should realise, we are not the most important creature on this planet and we don’t hold the right pass judgement on animals which are unable to deter what’s seen as “good” and “bad”.

BBC report that one of the foxes were caught, and destroyed.. Destroyed why? Destroyed because we as humans see what it done as wrong? Even though the fox was probably simply looking for a source of food, something of which we humans do daily to other animals?

I hope one day, as evil as this may sound, that a bigger predator than humans come along, and their choice of prey is humans. Maybe then we will know how it feels to be ON the shopping list, rather than the ones making it.

Does Love Exist:. Is it worth the risk?

2010-05-23T15:13:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd add an entry on the subject of love, and everything surrounding love, what it involves, what it needs, what it aquires, what it can give and what it can take. Though's of you who will know me personally may put this entry down to a very recent event in my life. Though's who don't, well, lets just say my relationship status is now; Single.

Love:

For me, love is one of them emotions that can both destroy and make a life. It can pick one up so much after years, months or weeks of depression, want and need, but ALSO destroy a man or woman in an instant which leaves the individual "heartbroken".

Those that are yet to feel love, will know when they have come across it. Those that have been "in love", and had their heart broken, may never truly open there heart fully again to let love in.

But why take the risk?... Right?

Wrong.

True love, in my eyes, is part of the long winding road to true happiness. If it means meeting a few heartbreakers along the way, then so be it. Because, I want to live in happiness and in joy, not alone and in regret. I'd rather risk it all, and know I tried, than try nothing and never know what might of been.

Some may see that as a short and sweet answer, and some will say, well its not as black and white as that.. I say it's as black and white as you make it. You could be on the verge of happiness, or the verge of regret when you make that decision to take the risk.. I know what verge I'd rather be on.

Remember, no-one is asking you to open your heart in a week... and no-one is saying don't be careful who you open your heart to.. but when you get that feeling, when you feel safe and secure, when everything falls into place... take that risk.

Because with love, comes risks. The sooner you accept this, the sooner you will find true love.

Love involves risks.
Love needs risks.
Love takes risks.

Hung Parliament: My View

2010-05-08T05:49:00.000-07:00

By far, for me, the recent election has been one of the most eagerly anticipated occurrences of the year. Not only has it proved us with those voting who didn't originally or usually have the inclination to vote, but it's left us with the first hung parliament since 1974.

I do however, question the "democracy" of it all. Yes, we were given the chance to vote for who we want and we done so, but with everything so close, and it resulting in a hung parliament, the choice is no longer ours and thus equaling no room for "democracy". What lays ahead is no longer in our, the publics, hands, which for me, doesn't = 100% democracy.

In terms of what it all means, I believe the outcome, if it consists of a coalition, that is has no real benefit to britains public, and will leave that coalition with some very difficult conflicting policies to argue over, and in times like these, where we have national debt, immigration in high numbers and a number of other long existing problems hanging over our head, we need a strong firm fisted leader to find the best possible solution, not two parties squabbling over who has more power or which one has the right to pass a bill.

I do hope that we come to a well thought out, well put together arrangement as soon as possible. One that will take our country forward, and not deeper than it's already got. But, I don't know how much trust I have left in me to give to what is already a tarnished and damaged "business/institution".

Lets hope for the best...

Global Warming: What's the harm in trying?

2010-03-05T01:59:00.000-08:00

Busy day today, so I'll do it in three parts through-out the day. Section 1, will be the question. Section 2, the explanation and break-down of them quesions and Section 3 being the conclusion.

Section 1:

- Why do/Why humans care more for the short term benefits, than they do longer term benefits?
- Is there REALLY any harm in BELIEVING the people claiming global warming exists and ACTING on it?
- What are the pro's and con's of either believing it IS happening, or believing it ISN'T?

Ok so, the first question is;

Why do/Why humans care more for the short term benefits, than they do longer term benefits?

Human's who are less thoughtful and more self-gaining tend to be short term thinkers. If they can get a benefit out of something that will reward you sooner rather than later, then they are pretty sure to do it, even though if they take a longer, more rounded and thought out approach, the reward may be a lot larger.

A prime example of this is peoples wages. Often people spend their wages before the last week of the month, those that don't get a LOT that is. How much more would they be able to spend if they saved that free money for 3 months?

The same can apply to global warming. A contributor to global warming is the fumes from cars. A lot of people however, will use the car to go to a shop that is no further than 300 yards away. The overall view I think, for some people anyways, is that "Global warming won't happen in my life time, it may not even exist, so why do I care?"

Any long term thinker, won't see things that way. However, I do think the majority of humans, are in the short term thinkers group. Including myself.

Next;

Is there REALLY any harm in BELIEVING the people claiming global warming exists and ACTING on it?

A short answer? No.

It's a win-win situation if people act on it. Regardless of whether people like to agree or not, we play a huge influence on how this world works/plays out. If we don't look after it, in the long run, we may turn out to be digging our own grave. Your body is a temple and all that goes hand in hand with looking after your surroundings. And we all know what happens when we don't look after our body...

There is no cost, or loss if we act on it, no long term loss anyways. It may be a financial struggle for a few terms, but it's a manageable struggle. Where-as the struggle it COULD be if we don't act, well, thats what we would call doomsday.

Last but not least;

What are the pro's and con's of either believing it IS happening, or believing it ISN'T?

I've kind of given a brief pro and con to believeing its true or false, but I'm about to give you more references that can explain in better ways than I can.

The answer can be found in the following startling video:

However, I would like to advise people, Be sure to formulate your OWN opinion, research for yourself, don't believe the hype, always believe yourself.

Fate Vs Will : Human's Nature To Find "Reason"

2010-03-04T00:38:00.000-08:00

On the way to work this morning, I was listening to a song that had the lyrics "fate, up against your will", which made me ponder over the two.

How often do we here sports personalities and celebrities claim;

"You can do anything you put your mind to"

And in the same breath;

"I guess it was fate, it was never meant to be"

Do they realise this is two different opinion sets? or are they doing what appears to be natural to humans, and creating "reason". The "there is a reason for everything" opinion set.

Fate:
The idea that everything is pre-determined. It's your "fate" to be where you are. It's "fate" that takes you where you are going..

This idea I strongly disagree with. Why? Well, what point is there to life if it is already decided for you? Whats the point in trying to be "random", if that "randomness" you THOUGHT was so "random" WASN'T "random" and was down to fate?

Will:
To be in control. To be free to do as you please, and have the ability to do so, freely.

This, I agree with. However, it can only stretch so far. You can't be a Jack-of-all-trades. You can try, you have the will to try, but you can't please everyone ALL the time(the struggle to do so, destroys so many people, Michael Jackson for example).

What I think it's truly down to, is humans nature to reason everything in a positive way(unless your natural inclination is to be negative and think the world is against you, which its not BTW).

Surprisingly, not EVERYTHING has a reason. Or at least, I don't think it has. If so, answer me this, whats the reason for us being here? Or for earth being exactly where it is today. A definitive reason. Not a probable one please. Not for the existentialists out there.

Today's music recommendation: Ave Maria by Giulio Caccini

Ps. Amor fati

Impossible to comprehend..

2010-03-03T03:35:00.001-08:00

Space, and this is why.. Click to enlarge

More on this, later..

One for the fashion weary..

2010-03-03T03:02:00.000-08:00

Fashion, What's in, What's out, What's cool and What's not....

All seem to be defined by the latest magazines.

All often putting pressure on or influencing the younger generation to the point they push themselves for "perfection" and to the brink of complete physical exhaustion.

I personally don't find stick thin girls at all attractive, and I have many male friends who think the same. Things have changed people!! The "fuller" woman IS infact the more attractive specimin, and surprisingly, the media is slowly starting to realise this. Why do you think they are now advertising and displaying catwalks for the "fuller" woman, or model agencies are now looking for that "fuller" woman to put on their front page?

However, this is just the "turn around" fashion of the media, and people will again follow what the media portray as "adequate", the point isn't that the media changed their mind. The point is the public follow the media on whatever they change their mind on.

Why does it take magazines and the media to publish that being "fuller" is a good look for people to KNOW this? Have we no minds of our OWN? Have we mearly become robots of society? Do we ACTUALLY have CONTROL?

My question to all;
Why have we become a society that lets itself get dictated too by the media?

Note: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This isn't a rally to promote the "fuller" woman. This is a rally against the controlling nature of the media on the masses.

The London Enquiry..

2010-03-03T02:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, while watching BBC news, I witnessed just another form of self indulgence and more evidence that money is the root of all evil.

People wanting to enquire about the london bombings, complaining that the forms that needed to be filled in were too extensive, too intrusive and too inquisitive.

Now, lets not get this mixed up, but although I'm sure there are people who indeed are suffering because of a loss of a family member and the likes, but 70% of these people rallying for an enquiry are doing so simply because they want money in their pocket, "Free money" so to speak.

My arrival upon this conclusion is that, once said people DO receive money for their "loss", where do they go and what do they do? Do they still rally against the wrong doings on humanity? Or do they gleefully and happily go out and spend their "winnings" and never return to claim some spotlight again until they AGAIN want to claim some MONEY?

I'd say it's the latter..

This, for me, not only makes you money hungry, but just as bad as any government sponges that sit at home on welfare with 5 kids currently service ASBOS, terrorizing their local neighbourhood. You are in it for YOURSELF and NOT for the community as you so falsely claim, and don't deserve the pedestal you have been given.

Where have the real people gone? The working, genuine, self serving, caring, community helpful people?