copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Monday, December 26, 2016
Happy New Year
Have an elegant, happy, and sophisticated New Year; with a dash of earthy humor and potentially scandalous fun.
Straight Pool
Forty years ago, I was at a biker bar in Michigan drinking with some friends over the holiday. We were staying at one of the fellow's cabins. The room was only heated with a wood stove and it was cold, so we went to a bar. After a few drinks, I saw a pool table and some guys playing. Thinking I knew the rules, I put $0.50 on the edge of the table to "challenge" the winner.
After a while, a gentleman at the table loudly inquired who was next. It appeared that it was my turn. He was dressed in nondescript jeans with his wallet attached to his belt with a chain. I asked what we were playing and he said, "Straight pool."
Everything went fine for several turns. I played well and sank at least one ball on every turn. He played equally well and with confidence. And then, I drilled the "8 ball" in the corner pocket.
He was aghast. "Why did you do THAT?" he demanded.
I had just ruined the game and he was irritated. I thought we were playing "straight pool" where the first one to 25 wins. He thought we were playing "8 ball" or "stripes and solids". It was just by coincidence that I had sunk all the balls of the same classification up until the point where I sunk the "8 ball" Sinking the "8 ball" out of turn automatically loses the game and is a stupid thing to do.
I paid for the game and bought the gentleman a beer and explained the mistake. He still didn't really believe me and I decided that I had better not play pool for the rest of the night.
After a while, a gentleman at the table loudly inquired who was next. It appeared that it was my turn. He was dressed in nondescript jeans with his wallet attached to his belt with a chain. I asked what we were playing and he said, "Straight pool."
Everything went fine for several turns. I played well and sank at least one ball on every turn. He played equally well and with confidence. And then, I drilled the "8 ball" in the corner pocket.
He was aghast. "Why did you do THAT?" he demanded.
I had just ruined the game and he was irritated. I thought we were playing "straight pool" where the first one to 25 wins. He thought we were playing "8 ball" or "stripes and solids". It was just by coincidence that I had sunk all the balls of the same classification up until the point where I sunk the "8 ball" Sinking the "8 ball" out of turn automatically loses the game and is a stupid thing to do.
I paid for the game and bought the gentleman a beer and explained the mistake. He still didn't really believe me and I decided that I had better not play pool for the rest of the night.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Christmas Poem
Thank you Holy Jesus for the blessings.
Thank you Mother Mary for the blessings.
Merry Christmas
Peace on Earth
Amen
William Schaeffer
Saturday, December 24, 2016
Peace on Earth
If everyone on EARTH could learn to play music and really understand music, THEN (and only THEN) the entire world would be at peace and we would all play in harmony.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Friday, December 23, 2016
Born Again Magical Thought
Between 22 % and 47 % of the population of USA America are self described born again Christians. This is the biggest proponent of magic thinking in our society and perhaps on Earth. The entire worldview has no logical correlation with history, physics, physiology, or any single provable event or scientific theory. The belief is entirely a fabrication with no correlation to anything that actually exists. THIS IS MAGICAL THINKING. This is fantasy mind, not real mind.
It cannot be underestimated the role that born again Christian thought has played in the anti-science movement in USA America. Christianity, Christian thought, Born again Christianity and the "Christian worldview" are the eternal mortal and philosophical enemies of scientific thought and observation.
It cannot be underestimated the role that born again Christian thought has played in the anti-science movement in USA America. Christianity, Christian thought, Born again Christianity and the "Christian worldview" are the eternal mortal and philosophical enemies of scientific thought and observation.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Northridge Quake, Los Angeles, 1994
The day of the Northridge Quake in 1994 I was working as colorization art director on an ESPN commercial and had a meeting with the client that morning. He was an ex football player and we were going to finalize design for the new spot. After the quake, I made a strategy on how to get to work and which streets did not have bridges and were most likely passable. I got to work about a half an hour late and the building was deserted. The client flew out of LA on the first plane he could find. There wasn't even electricity in the facility for a few hours. Most the staff called in sick the entire week and had a little vacation. Silly me.
William Schaeffer
copyright (c) 2016
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Humor
"Humor is a funny thing." - Zobo the Clown
"Comedy is a deadly serious business." - Dr. Tony Bravado
"Comedy is a deadly serious business." - Dr. Tony Bravado
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Robert Johnson 1911 - 1938
It is interesting to note that the music of Robert Johnson on guitar was mostly unheard and unknown during his life in the 1930's Many other musicians were much better known and made much more money. And yet today, the music of Robert Johnson is more influential and holds more contemporary interest than almost any other musician of the era. For example, does anyone remember a single song by the Dorsey Brothers or has anyone ever even heard the sound of the Jack Teagarden Orchestra?
What largely unknown musical ideas exist today that will likewise become all important models of thought for music students of the future?
What largely unknown musical ideas exist today that will likewise become all important models of thought for music students of the future?
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Suicide risk
Every single day in USA America, more people die from suicide than die by murder and traffic accidents combined. Why do we never hear about it?
***
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
***
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Money and the corporate balance sheet
"When money is the sole determinant of value,
then human life is worth nothing." - Zobo the Clown
Where in any economic assessment balance sheet of the "costs and benefits" of doing business are there any considerations for the value of: 1. truth, 2. love, 3. happiness, 4. ecology, 5. mental health, 6. community benefit, or 7. world peace?
These are not on any balance sheet because they do not really exist. The ONLY value that has any real merit in a profit driven society is money. Human life is worth nothing. YOU, yourself, are only "worth" your hourly wage and your economic assets. YOU, yourself, have no other value because there is no other way available (that even exists as a concept) to measure or quantify value EXCEPT as money.
You yourself are worth nothing. Only the money you possess has value. Just ask the homeless in our society today -- they'll tell you. They are worth nothing to nobody -- and so are you.
Welcome to the future.
then human life is worth nothing." - Zobo the Clown
Where in any economic assessment balance sheet of the "costs and benefits" of doing business are there any considerations for the value of: 1. truth, 2. love, 3. happiness, 4. ecology, 5. mental health, 6. community benefit, or 7. world peace?
These are not on any balance sheet because they do not really exist. The ONLY value that has any real merit in a profit driven society is money. Human life is worth nothing. YOU, yourself, are only "worth" your hourly wage and your economic assets. YOU, yourself, have no other value because there is no other way available (that even exists as a concept) to measure or quantify value EXCEPT as money.
You yourself are worth nothing. Only the money you possess has value. Just ask the homeless in our society today -- they'll tell you. They are worth nothing to nobody -- and so are you.
Welcome to the future.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Sunday, December 11, 2016
CIA memos
Response to a comment that a secret CIA memo said Russia tried to influence USA elections:
We live in a country that has regularly "paid off" other government officials of other countries as a routine matter of business. We assassinate world leaders. We install criminal organizations as governing bodies of many different countries during my lifetime including Iraq, Iran, South Vietnam, Columbia,Nicaragua, Panama, and many others. We routinely deploy military and kill thousands every week. How can we possibly be surprised or even concerned that another foreign government is trying to do the same thing? Why are we not alarmed at what our own government is doing in our name, with our approval and our blessings?
Is the CIA that incompetent that we have access to their secret documents on current events, or are we so stupid that we actually believe this "news" ? Who knows the truth? The CIA is the largest and most effective covert action agency in the world. They single-handed have overturned entire governments through propaganda and strategic violence with very few operating agents. Are we to believe they are really incompetent bumbling idiots that let their secret memos be viewed?
We live in a country that has regularly "paid off" other government officials of other countries as a routine matter of business. We assassinate world leaders. We install criminal organizations as governing bodies of many different countries during my lifetime including Iraq, Iran, South Vietnam, Columbia,Nicaragua, Panama, and many others. We routinely deploy military and kill thousands every week. How can we possibly be surprised or even concerned that another foreign government is trying to do the same thing? Why are we not alarmed at what our own government is doing in our name, with our approval and our blessings?
Is the CIA that incompetent that we have access to their secret documents on current events, or are we so stupid that we actually believe this "news" ? Who knows the truth? The CIA is the largest and most effective covert action agency in the world. They single-handed have overturned entire governments through propaganda and strategic violence with very few operating agents. Are we to believe they are really incompetent bumbling idiots that let their secret memos be viewed?
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Saturday, December 10, 2016
The Indian Wars
It is now long forgotten, but the Native Americans did not build fences, because they had no stock animals that "needed" to be fenced in (like the pig, goat, or chicken). When the European Settlers arrived, their livestock would wantonly dig up the Native American farm fields and destroy the crops for the year. When the Settlers were asked to pay reparations for the damage their livestock caused, they told the plaintiffs to "build a fence." If the offending pig was killed, the killer was expected by the settlers to be punished and reparation paid. This difference of understanding is one major irritation that led to the Jamestown massacre and the beginning of 250 years of relentless"Indian Wars"...
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Possessions
Possessions n. 1.Items of manufacture used by the mediocre and average to prove to the world that they really are "special" after all.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Born Again Science
If you use Evangelical Born Again Theological arguments to debate scientific facts, you are an idiot. You have no data that is worth serious consideration as valid. Your opinion is just noise in the system.
Sorry, the truth hurts. History will be the judge.
Sorry, the truth hurts. History will be the judge.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
The Ten Thousand Year Dark Ages
We are at the beginning of what I call "the ten thousand year dark ages for humanity". Most of what we understand to be human history and human culture will be swept away and lost. In ten thousand years a "life centered" distributed information economy will work in harmony with Earth's natural biosphere and the rest of the solar, or planetary, economy. People that are alive at that time will enjoy their lives and live in a realistic spirit of love and peace. Suicide and homelessness will be abhorrent and unheard of. We ourselves will not live to see these final results. We will not even witness all the initial breakdown of current social organizations which itself will take well over 500 years. All we really have to look forward to is chaos and darkness. All we have for nourishment is our own hope and ideals. Good Luck.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Thursday, December 8, 2016
The Corporate Ideal
The goal of American society is nice little group of well ordered machines that work fifty hours a week for forty years and then at age 65 just roll over and die. This IS the corporate ideal. There is no ecstasy, there is no wonderment, there is no drama, there is no heart, there is no "life," just profit.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
St. Lucy's Day December 13
Santa Lucia, or St. Lucy, is the patron Saint of December 13. She is typically portrayed as holding a plate with a pair of eyeballs on it, because she is reported to have plucked out her own eyes instead of renounce her faith. Prior to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in the 16th century, December 13 fell on the Winter Solstice and St. Lucy's Day was more closely associated with Christmas.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Where there's smoke, there's fire
I am reminded of the time 25 years ago when I saw so much black smoke coming from the neighbors chimney that I called the fire department 911. I thought the apartment was on fire. It turns out that she was "just" burning WAY too much stuff in her fireplace and got sternly reprimanded by the fireman in the raincoat that went to her door. I actually saw the fireplace and it was an unbelievable sheet of fire inside that STILL stands out in my memory. I think I must have knocked on her door before I called 911, but I cannot remember. Later she was very angry at me and insisted she knew exactly what she was doing the entire time.
(later)
OK, I remember now --- I called 911, Then I called 911 BACK and told them it was a false alarm because it was smoke out of the chimney, but they said the Fire Engine had already been dispatched. I waited on the street for the Fire Engine to tell them and THAT is why I was standing by the fireman when he went to the door -- and I saw inside my neighbors apartment.
(later)
OK, I remember now --- I called 911, Then I called 911 BACK and told them it was a false alarm because it was smoke out of the chimney, but they said the Fire Engine had already been dispatched. I waited on the street for the Fire Engine to tell them and THAT is why I was standing by the fireman when he went to the door -- and I saw inside my neighbors apartment.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Reasons or Results
Nobody cares about Reasons
All they care about is Results
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Planning ahead
Smoke it now.
Smoke it later.
Smoke it in
the elevator.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Friday, December 2, 2016
How to change your habits slowly.
From a comment on a Hugh Prather video on youtube in 2014
At the museum, I saw an exhibit of large sculptures of logs cut from tree trunks that were bent and tied in knots. When we work wood to bend it to a form (for rocking chairs and other wood working crafts) we steam the wood. After soaking with hot steam, we bend it a small amount and fix the wood to a peg board and let it dry. After a while, we steam the wood again and bend it a little more and fix the new shape to a peg board and let it dry. Over time, we can bend the wood into a right angle. If we had tried to force the wood into a right angle all at once, the board would snap in two.
"Slow and steady wins the race." - The Turtle
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
William Schaeffer
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
The "Bitch and Moan" carnival ride
Maybe this is a good idea for a carnival ride? You sit on a couch, in a fake living room, with a robot human that listens with rapt attention while you bitterly complain about the smallest disappointments in your life. And then when you finally stop talking, the robot always reassures you that the world is unfair, and you ARE correct, and that you ARE so STRONG to put up with the injustice...
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
The Fashion Industry promotes Global Warming
The Fashion Industry itself promotes Global Warming by encouraging us to buy more clothes than we need for safety and protection.
The encouragement of obsolescence in fashion styles before the garment has worn out or been damaged beyond repair, encourages conspicuous consumption as a virtue. Conspicuous consumption encourages the use of natural resources and energy for uses other than "food, shelter, and (ironically) clothing." This conspicuous consumption ideal actually shames people into buying goods they do not need to preserve social status. In the case of fashion, the fashion industry encourages the purchase of clothing when the owner probably has tens, or hundreds, of suitable outfits to wear.
The excessive use of energy and natural resources contributes to global air, water, and land fill pollution. This pollution directly affects global warming by increasing greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere and killing off the oceans.
Therefore, the fashion industry promotes global warming by promoting the "wasteful" use of natural resources.
Now go buy some good used clothes and shut up.
The encouragement of obsolescence in fashion styles before the garment has worn out or been damaged beyond repair, encourages conspicuous consumption as a virtue. Conspicuous consumption encourages the use of natural resources and energy for uses other than "food, shelter, and (ironically) clothing." This conspicuous consumption ideal actually shames people into buying goods they do not need to preserve social status. In the case of fashion, the fashion industry encourages the purchase of clothing when the owner probably has tens, or hundreds, of suitable outfits to wear.
The excessive use of energy and natural resources contributes to global air, water, and land fill pollution. This pollution directly affects global warming by increasing greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere and killing off the oceans.
Therefore, the fashion industry promotes global warming by promoting the "wasteful" use of natural resources.
Now go buy some good used clothes and shut up.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Sunday, November 27, 2016
All You Need is Love from The Beatles Anthology
I worked on colorizing that tracking shot in the studio at -3:37 with the balloons. Rob Gridlinger originally set the colors and I "fixed" it as lead designer. Jane Hicks was Art Director and Samantha McGovern also worked on the project. Tim Lauber and Anita Marto worked on design also. I was there at CST on Green Valley circle. This is the shot I worked on that I discuss in "How a Hummingbird saved my Life" on my youtube channel -- Props.
Jane and Samantha took all the close ups and left me and Rob to do the studio and orchestra shots. Imagine THAT?!?
This video was an "odd" video format recording of the first trans Atlantic Ocean television broadcast EVER. The Beatles were chosen to perform to commemorate the event. Originally on a 2 inch PAL video format, it had much "ghosting" and "softness" when we worked on it. We colorized it at CST Entertainment on Green Valley Circle in 1991 for the Anthology release. Nobody TODAY realizes what a big deal that broadcast was back in 1967. We take it for granted.
Jane and Samantha took all the close ups and left me and Rob to do the studio and orchestra shots. Imagine THAT?!?
This video was an "odd" video format recording of the first trans Atlantic Ocean television broadcast EVER. The Beatles were chosen to perform to commemorate the event. Originally on a 2 inch PAL video format, it had much "ghosting" and "softness" when we worked on it. We colorized it at CST Entertainment on Green Valley Circle in 1991 for the Anthology release. Nobody TODAY realizes what a big deal that broadcast was back in 1967. We take it for granted.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Why to NOT have a back-up plan
That is why Scipio Africanus burnt his navy fleet in front of his army in Northern Africa saying, "Now there is no choice but success or death. As long as there was an escape route you would not fight as hard."
This was at the end of the second Punic War with Carthage when he defeated Hannibal.
Cortez consciously copied that exact same strategy at the beginning of his conquest of Mexico. He lined all the men up on the beach to watch as all their ships were burned, except the one ship that was sent as an envoy back to Spain.
Apparently, Salvatore Dali and Luis Bunuel were roommates in college in Spain. Bunuel came from an aristocratic background and Dali was a commoner. When Bunuel received an inheritance from a wealthy uncle he used the entire amount to produce the movie Un Chien Andalou - a legendary "art" film and the first non-narrative film ever. Aside: During WWII the fascists confiscated all existing copies of the film and destroyed them as "anti fascist" Bunuel himself was wanted for treason because of the film and he would have been shot if he had been caught. He sneaked out of the country in disguise and escaped detection. At the time, he was carrying the one master copy of the film left in existence. We are all indebted to him for his bravery.
Van Gogh would sleep outside in the fields to save money on room and board, so he could buy paints and canvas. At the end of the month, he lived on coffee and water until a check came and he could afford food.
Apparently, one of the qualities that made the Samurai such intimidating warriors was their training to "respond without any thought at all" Once they saw an action that required an armed response they would respond immediately no matter how many adversaries they faced or how well they were equipped. Frequently, individual Samurai were unsuccessful in their reaction, but the immediate ferocity of the response was always remembered. Occasionally they were successful in their effort and emerged victorious against unbelievable odds.
Cortez consciously copied that exact same strategy at the beginning of his conquest of Mexico. He lined all the men up on the beach to watch as all their ships were burned, except the one ship that was sent as an envoy back to Spain.
Apparently, Salvatore Dali and Luis Bunuel were roommates in college in Spain. Bunuel came from an aristocratic background and Dali was a commoner. When Bunuel received an inheritance from a wealthy uncle he used the entire amount to produce the movie Un Chien Andalou - a legendary "art" film and the first non-narrative film ever. Aside: During WWII the fascists confiscated all existing copies of the film and destroyed them as "anti fascist" Bunuel himself was wanted for treason because of the film and he would have been shot if he had been caught. He sneaked out of the country in disguise and escaped detection. At the time, he was carrying the one master copy of the film left in existence. We are all indebted to him for his bravery.
Van Gogh would sleep outside in the fields to save money on room and board, so he could buy paints and canvas. At the end of the month, he lived on coffee and water until a check came and he could afford food.
Apparently, one of the qualities that made the Samurai such intimidating warriors was their training to "respond without any thought at all" Once they saw an action that required an armed response they would respond immediately no matter how many adversaries they faced or how well they were equipped. Frequently, individual Samurai were unsuccessful in their reaction, but the immediate ferocity of the response was always remembered. Occasionally they were successful in their effort and emerged victorious against unbelievable odds.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Bands of color in a Rainbow
We have two cones, a red-green cone and a blue-yellow cone. The way these interact produce 6 bands, or stripes, of color in a rainbow. The color response of the retina is not linear and it is corrected for by the brain in ordinary scenery. Only in extreme cases do we see the flaws (like in a rainbow which is actually a smooth linear gradient of electro-magnetic radiation). The bands of color in a rainbow exposes the flaws, or imperfections, in our vision. But it still looks nice.
A rainbow is a good demonstration of the imperfections in human visual processing -- where we see a series of bands of color is actually a smooth gradient (or ramp) of lengthening wavelengths of light.
A rainbow is a good demonstration of the imperfections in human visual processing -- where we see a series of bands of color is actually a smooth gradient (or ramp) of lengthening wavelengths of light.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Four Thoughts on Violence is a Meme
Violence is a Meme
1. We are trained by the School System to feel inadequate and have a need to prove our competence on tests. This is one of the primary behaviors the school system is designed to produce -- a feeling of inadequacy. If you feel inadequate you will make a much more subservient employee and you will not work form a labor union. You will sit and work and not cause problems. Nobody in authority wants a healthy society. You cannot exploit healthy and well adjusted people as easily as the broken and inadequate.
2. When you look at the history of human societies, and human social organization, our society was always organized by fear and violence and never by love and care.
3. The USA has a murder rate that is over ten times higher per capita than any other industrialized country.
4. Violence is a meme that "lives" to replicate itself. The concept of a meme was invented only recently and is similar in concept to a virus. In this case a meme is an abstract thought and action that uses your brain to replicate itself in other people's minds. This is one reason why abused children become abusive adults. Their experience has created a meme that seeks to replicate itself in other people through their own violent behavior.
1. We are trained by the School System to feel inadequate and have a need to prove our competence on tests. This is one of the primary behaviors the school system is designed to produce -- a feeling of inadequacy. If you feel inadequate you will make a much more subservient employee and you will not work form a labor union. You will sit and work and not cause problems. Nobody in authority wants a healthy society. You cannot exploit healthy and well adjusted people as easily as the broken and inadequate.
2. When you look at the history of human societies, and human social organization, our society was always organized by fear and violence and never by love and care.
3. The USA has a murder rate that is over ten times higher per capita than any other industrialized country.
4. Violence is a meme that "lives" to replicate itself. The concept of a meme was invented only recently and is similar in concept to a virus. In this case a meme is an abstract thought and action that uses your brain to replicate itself in other people's minds. This is one reason why abused children become abusive adults. Their experience has created a meme that seeks to replicate itself in other people through their own violent behavior.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Walk through the fire
A year ago today I woke up in the hospital with a bird cage bolted to my skull (it is actually called a HALO). I was in an auto accident that I did not remember. I broke my neck. I was nine days in the hospital and three months recuperating. I believe that I have now recovered nearly 100%.
I like this quote:"All that really matters is how you walk through the fire" by Charles Bukowski. It doesn't matter whether you succeed, or fail, if you were "right" or "wrong", if anyone knew, or if you were all alone. All that really matters is if you tried your best.
I was very lucky.
I like this quote:"All that really matters is how you walk through the fire" by Charles Bukowski. It doesn't matter whether you succeed, or fail, if you were "right" or "wrong", if anyone knew, or if you were all alone. All that really matters is if you tried your best.
I was very lucky.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Blues in C
"If you be sharp and see natural, then you won't be flat"
- Mr. Moon (why he plays the blues in the key of C natural.)
- Mr. Moon (why he plays the blues in the key of C natural.)
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Saturday, November 19, 2016
The Secular Blessing
The Secular Blessing
Inspired by the ideas of the Church of the Sub Genius (with Timothy Leary and Robert Anton Wilson), Tristan Tzara, Aldous Huxley, Rob Brezsney, Lao Tzu, Demosthenes, Epicurus, Epictitus, Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, Bozo the Clown, Biff the Wonder Dog, The Society of Contraries, the meta physical possibilities of DADA performance, AND the entire history of Western Civilization --- the secular blessing is an entirely conscious act of public performance.
Here is the idea:
1. You see a person, event, thing, or time that "needs" a blessing.
THEN
2. You bless him, her, or "it."
This is not a big deal, but it could be. It is just a simple artistic act meant to acknowledge something that appears to not have been acknowledged. However, if there is possibly a psychic or supernatural component to every action and if you bless something, it just might make a difference -- if even only in yourself and then, "whatever that might mean..."
The expanded form:
1. When you are sufficiently moved and in the proper "ecumenical spirit" you make the sign on the cross over the object in the same manner that a traditional Catholic Priest or Episcopal Priest might do. i.e. Make the proper hand gesture and move it: Up, Down, Right, Left -- THEN you can make a "Zinger" -- a hand gesture that completes the blessing and sanctifies it.
Possible Zingers include:
1. Pointing stabbing motion
2. Snap fingers
3. corkscrew point
4. sprinkling fairy dust
5. flipping a coin
6. flicking a football
7. any creative short hand gesture that is preferably not obscene or unsanitary.
Theological framework:
There is no theological framework except an insultingly ignorant imitation of a simple hand gesture.
Psychology:
It is possible that some Quantum connection exists between different minds and even life forces or living systems. By acting out these fantasy gestures, we may inadvertently trigger a connection of this Quantum relationship -- with positive results.
It is possible that the silly dramatic gesture may stimulate our own deeper awareness of the world around us, the way the world operates, and our connection to it.
It might be a funny thing and make people laugh in both a healthy way, and unhealthy way.
It might be dangerous if our gestures are misunderstood as insulting and denigrating.
It might be dangerous if our gestures actually are perfectly understood and really were intended to be insulting and denigrating.
It might be a liberating experience.
References:
For more information on "The Church of the Sub Genius" just ask Bob for guidance and search the internet. It would help if you also looked for Timothy Leary, or Robert Anton Wilson. "Praise Bob"
Addendum:
I believe that I am a Discordian Pope within the Church of the Sub Genius. But so are you now that you have read this sentence. I could live either way or even without knowing anything about any of it at all. I am a heretical believer (if such a thing could even exist) and think that we can all declare ourselves Pope without any discord or even the consent of the Sub Genius, or even Bob Himself.
"Praise Bob"
Even if we cannot speak and are just a small lap dog, or a foot stool, or a shining gold lamp post standing in the middle of a dark forest patiently waiting to be turned on (and not realizing that we never could really be truly turned on) we still have the potential to be absolutely insignificant and that is probably just what we need.
"Praise Bob"
In point-of-fact, just by reading this text, you yourselves are also Discordian Popes, if you want to be, or probably even if you don't particularly want to be. It doesn't really matter... THAT is the beauty of the system.
"Praise Bob"
Conclusion:
It doesn't really matter.
Suggestion:
If you see someone who is homeless, or suffering, or lost, or in pain and there is nothing you can do to help and you are near broke yourself, then you can bless them. Ideally, you can stop and make the complete sign of the cross and include a thoughtful and artistic Zinger at the end of the gesture to finalize the blessing. It helps if you can say, "Bless you brother, I am sorry that life is so difficult." or "Bless you sister, I am sorry that you are in pain." or whatever might be appropriate "Bless this moment of eternal transitory loss" or just "Praise Bob"
Other possible blessing include:
"Hmmm"
"Sorry Sister"
"Peace Brother"
"Good Luck"
"Hang in there"
"Duty now for the future"
"Peace"
"Owwww"
"Ouch"
You can even just imagine yourself doing the whole thing and that is good enough. Just as long as your remember something, or even if you don't.
"Praise Bob"
Inspired by the ideas of the Church of the Sub Genius (with Timothy Leary and Robert Anton Wilson), Tristan Tzara, Aldous Huxley, Rob Brezsney, Lao Tzu, Demosthenes, Epicurus, Epictitus, Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, Bozo the Clown, Biff the Wonder Dog, The Society of Contraries, the meta physical possibilities of DADA performance, AND the entire history of Western Civilization --- the secular blessing is an entirely conscious act of public performance.
Here is the idea:
1. You see a person, event, thing, or time that "needs" a blessing.
THEN
2. You bless him, her, or "it."
This is not a big deal, but it could be. It is just a simple artistic act meant to acknowledge something that appears to not have been acknowledged. However, if there is possibly a psychic or supernatural component to every action and if you bless something, it just might make a difference -- if even only in yourself and then, "whatever that might mean..."
The expanded form:
1. When you are sufficiently moved and in the proper "ecumenical spirit" you make the sign on the cross over the object in the same manner that a traditional Catholic Priest or Episcopal Priest might do. i.e. Make the proper hand gesture and move it: Up, Down, Right, Left -- THEN you can make a "Zinger" -- a hand gesture that completes the blessing and sanctifies it.
Possible Zingers include:
1. Pointing stabbing motion
2. Snap fingers
3. corkscrew point
4. sprinkling fairy dust
5. flipping a coin
6. flicking a football
7. any creative short hand gesture that is preferably not obscene or unsanitary.
Theological framework:
There is no theological framework except an insultingly ignorant imitation of a simple hand gesture.
Psychology:
It is possible that some Quantum connection exists between different minds and even life forces or living systems. By acting out these fantasy gestures, we may inadvertently trigger a connection of this Quantum relationship -- with positive results.
It is possible that the silly dramatic gesture may stimulate our own deeper awareness of the world around us, the way the world operates, and our connection to it.
It might be a funny thing and make people laugh in both a healthy way, and unhealthy way.
It might be dangerous if our gestures are misunderstood as insulting and denigrating.
It might be dangerous if our gestures actually are perfectly understood and really were intended to be insulting and denigrating.
It might be a liberating experience.
References:
For more information on "The Church of the Sub Genius" just ask Bob for guidance and search the internet. It would help if you also looked for Timothy Leary, or Robert Anton Wilson. "Praise Bob"
Addendum:
I believe that I am a Discordian Pope within the Church of the Sub Genius. But so are you now that you have read this sentence. I could live either way or even without knowing anything about any of it at all. I am a heretical believer (if such a thing could even exist) and think that we can all declare ourselves Pope without any discord or even the consent of the Sub Genius, or even Bob Himself.
"Praise Bob"
Even if we cannot speak and are just a small lap dog, or a foot stool, or a shining gold lamp post standing in the middle of a dark forest patiently waiting to be turned on (and not realizing that we never could really be truly turned on) we still have the potential to be absolutely insignificant and that is probably just what we need.
"Praise Bob"
"Praise Bob"
Conclusion:
It doesn't really matter.
Suggestion:
If you see someone who is homeless, or suffering, or lost, or in pain and there is nothing you can do to help and you are near broke yourself, then you can bless them. Ideally, you can stop and make the complete sign of the cross and include a thoughtful and artistic Zinger at the end of the gesture to finalize the blessing. It helps if you can say, "Bless you brother, I am sorry that life is so difficult." or "Bless you sister, I am sorry that you are in pain." or whatever might be appropriate "Bless this moment of eternal transitory loss" or just "Praise Bob"
Other possible blessing include:
"Hmmm"
"Sorry Sister"
"Peace Brother"
"Good Luck"
"Hang in there"
"Duty now for the future"
"Peace"
"Owwww"
"Ouch"
You can even just imagine yourself doing the whole thing and that is good enough. Just as long as your remember something, or even if you don't.
"Praise Bob"
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Supernatural devine
If it is described as "supernatural" there is absolutely no way to verify the existence in any way that would satisfy "scientific" or "legal" rules of evidence. By definition you cannot independently, or objectively prove the existence of any supernatural objects or events, or they cease to be super-natural. It cannot be done. THEREFORE, you must rely on hearsay evidence to show their existence, which is no real evidence at all. THIS is why FAITH is held to be so important, because all the supernatural assertions must be believed without any real evidence. Personally, I do not think that someone else's fantasy has more truth than my eyes and my mind. I think that other people should be empowered to consider the same alternative as feasible.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Monday, November 14, 2016
Mental Telepathy and Electron Spin Pairs
The physics of electron spin pairs is the mechanism by which mental telepathy, intuition, and psychic mind reading could be understood.
Electron spin pairs is a concept from Quantum Mechanics. It is advised to read other literature to acquaint yourself with the idea more fully. Apparently electrons occur in matched pairs with complimentary "spin" One spins up when the other spins down, and vice versa. If you change the spin orientation of one electron, the other will instantly change to the opposite -- even if the electrons are separated across the galaxy, they will still have an instantaneous spin pair linkage.
Either by using this "information pathway", or by utilizing electrons themselves, the human mind could be linked instantaneously to another mind by taking advantage of the properties of electron spin pairs.
Electron spin pairs is a concept from Quantum Mechanics. It is advised to read other literature to acquaint yourself with the idea more fully. Apparently electrons occur in matched pairs with complimentary "spin" One spins up when the other spins down, and vice versa. If you change the spin orientation of one electron, the other will instantly change to the opposite -- even if the electrons are separated across the galaxy, they will still have an instantaneous spin pair linkage.
Either by using this "information pathway", or by utilizing electrons themselves, the human mind could be linked instantaneously to another mind by taking advantage of the properties of electron spin pairs.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Politics and Brain Damage
It seems that the real problem with politics is the human mind and the inadequacy of the brain to think rationally. Coupled with intentional disinformation, religious superstition, and the large numbers of people who are emotionally scarred with traumatic experiences or physical brain damage -- it is inconceivable that people could vote rationally as a group. One of the main functions of the Vietnam War and the Covert wars in south America and the Wars in Iraq, was to damage enough young men's brains so they were too busy to effectively challenge the existing power structure. This is WHY there WILL BE ANOTHER war: to kill off enough millennials so they cannot change the power structure. Wait and see.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Politics and Empathy
I am alive and I am acting with philosophical truth. I don't think that political activity accomplishes very much even though the intent is frequently passionate and just and good. I think it might have been Buddha that said, "All we can do to change the world is learn to breathe correctly." Similarly, I think that all we can do to to change the world is help people to be more empathetic. If people have more empathy then the social problems go away. The only reason we have SUPER rich people in our society is that these SUPER rich people have little real feeling or empathy for others. This is what the arts and music can do: they can help people to be more empathetic. Hopefully, that will make some little positive difference in the world. Who really knows?
(In response to a comment why I am not politically active)
(In response to a comment why I am not politically active)
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Sunday, November 13, 2016
60% Winners
Presently 63% of the population of the USA America own single family homes.
In the book "Fortune's Formula" by William Poundstone he discusses the mathematics of roulette. A well written exposition. It seems that after 100 plays of roulette about 60% have won a little bit and 40% have lost everything. This ratio ensures that the game is perceived as enjoyable by the majority of the people playing even though 40% come away from the tables losing almost everything. This is exactly like property ownership in USA America. If 60% can be maintained in their homes, it does not matter how the lives of the other 40% are destroyed. The government will always be perceived by the majority as beneficent when in fact it is not.
In the book "Fortune's Formula" by William Poundstone he discusses the mathematics of roulette. A well written exposition. It seems that after 100 plays of roulette about 60% have won a little bit and 40% have lost everything. This ratio ensures that the game is perceived as enjoyable by the majority of the people playing even though 40% come away from the tables losing almost everything. This is exactly like property ownership in USA America. If 60% can be maintained in their homes, it does not matter how the lives of the other 40% are destroyed. The government will always be perceived by the majority as beneficent when in fact it is not.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Friday, November 11, 2016
The Wages of Death
It is sobering to realize that I pay almost 50% taxes if I am self employed. At least 50% of that tax money goes to fund the military industrial complex. I have worked for forty years. This means that --- The entire productive capacity of ten entire years of my working life has been used without my permission (it was taken with threat of violence), just to build weapons of mass destruction and new means to effectively kill the enemy. I have spent ten entire years of my life funding death and the destruction of life on Earth and I had nothing to say about it.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
No friends in USA America
In this USA American society, I cannot project any good economic future for myself as a SWM 59. I spent 40 years working elbow to elbow with probably 2000 people. Of those 2000 people, not ONE is any sort of friend that I could call on in an emergency and they could be depended on to help me without question. THIS IS MY AMERICA. I AM NOT ALONE.
On November 25, 2016 I had a serious car accident and broke my neck. I severed a vertebrae. It was very serious and I had a four month recovery. During those four months not one former coworker called to see how I was doing and most had no idea I was in a automobile accident. Only five people were of any help at all and those were friends and neighbors that I had never worked with.
On November 25, 2016 I had a serious car accident and broke my neck. I severed a vertebrae. It was very serious and I had a four month recovery. During those four months not one former coworker called to see how I was doing and most had no idea I was in a automobile accident. Only five people were of any help at all and those were friends and neighbors that I had never worked with.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Dirty Little Monkeys
"We thought we were made in the image of God and then we were reminded that we are really just selfish, dirty little monkeys, and we don't like it very much." - Dr. Tony Bravado
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Marlon Brando
I have been watching a number of videos talking about actors and acting. To say that everyone respects the talent of Marlon Brando a great deal would be an understatement. He is held is very high esteem. So, the next time people start talking about actors and acting I am tempted to say (at the appropriate time),
"You know, I just don't think Marlon Brando was a very good actor." and see what happens.
When I worked at colorizing movies, I was constantly drawn into philosophical arguments on the artistic merits of colorization. Finally I arrived at the perfect response. I would tell people that my life goal was to "colorize every single photo that Ansel Adams ever took." This was such an "outrageous" statement that immediately the conversation was changed to something else and all the angry pressure was removed from the exchange.
"You know, I just don't think Marlon Brando was a very good actor." and see what happens.
When I worked at colorizing movies, I was constantly drawn into philosophical arguments on the artistic merits of colorization. Finally I arrived at the perfect response. I would tell people that my life goal was to "colorize every single photo that Ansel Adams ever took." This was such an "outrageous" statement that immediately the conversation was changed to something else and all the angry pressure was removed from the exchange.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Monday, November 7, 2016
Actors, what Type are you?
For the record, and it might help you get more Background Acting work with less frustration so take it for what it is worth. In my opinion, there are only three background roles for men or women. These roughly correspond to the body type personality theory of: 1. Endomorph, 2. Ectomorph, and 3. Mesomorph.
For men I call them 1. Blue collar guy, 2. Super Hero, 3. The Professor.
For women the roles would be: 1. Girl Next door, 2. Sex pot, 3. The Matron
Identify your type and practice cultivating your personality type to appear more "real." This is a different exercise than trying to expand your acting ability, or increase your empathetic understanding.
For men I call them 1. Blue collar guy, 2. Super Hero, 3. The Professor.
For women the roles would be: 1. Girl Next door, 2. Sex pot, 3. The Matron
Identify your type and practice cultivating your personality type to appear more "real." This is a different exercise than trying to expand your acting ability, or increase your empathetic understanding.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Saturday, November 5, 2016
Violence is a meme
Presently I think that violence is a "meme." You need to read the science and philosophy of memes to fully understand what I am talking about.
A meme is a thought or action that acts like a virus. A meme lodges in your brain (conceptually not literally) and exists as a thought only to reproduce itself. If you were violently whipped as a child, then you have a meme in your brain that wants to violently whip children in order to reproduce itself in their young and vulnerable brains. You yourself may be consciously horrified at the thought, but you still find yourself whipping your children because you have a meme in your brain.
Most of human behavior is the unconscious activity of memes that we have programmed in our brains.
A meme is a thought or action that acts like a virus. A meme lodges in your brain (conceptually not literally) and exists as a thought only to reproduce itself. If you were violently whipped as a child, then you have a meme in your brain that wants to violently whip children in order to reproduce itself in their young and vulnerable brains. You yourself may be consciously horrified at the thought, but you still find yourself whipping your children because you have a meme in your brain.
Most of human behavior is the unconscious activity of memes that we have programmed in our brains.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Why we feel bad.
1. It serves capitalism for us to feel bad. Women are particularly targeted; just go to a mall and you'll see that 90% of it is aimed at women (even the men's departments). We shop, eat, watch TV, drink, all to try to feel better, and none of it works. The shopping is about us thinking that if we buy this outfit or that makeup, then men (people) will like us better and maybe that'll finally make us happy. Capitalism does not want us to live in the moment or be happy. The system would fail otherwise.
2. This is a weakness of our human mind that is exploited by the practice of Capitalism because most people are not honorable or empathetic. Changing the Capitalist system will do no good unless you manage to get people to change their hearts. This is what Jesus tried to do, (and Buddha and many others) but his message was once again co-opted and perverted by the slave owners and business owners and kings and queens. It is the slave owners and business owners that want you to feel bad. It is those individual people that are discounting your pain in order to enrich themselves. Don't blame a philosophical system for the meanness and selfishness of opportunists.
But you are correct in that America wants you to feel bad. That is how we train horses -- We "break their spirit." That is the same thing the education system, the government and the business owners want to do to you -- "Break your spirit." They want a society of "broken little automatons" that roll over and die at age 65 once their economic usefulness has been exploited. But again, this is the actions of individual hateful, mean spirited, and ignorant people. It is the people that are the problem. It is the weakness of the human mind to function effectively in a deceitful and complex society that is the problem.
Friedrich Nietzsche discusses this concept in his book "Twilight of the Idols" in Chapter 6 and 7. In particular his examination of the Law of Manu (from Hinduism) is used to highlight the fact that the ruling classes consciously make unhealthful life environment for their slaves and subordinates so that THEY (the rulers) can maintain wealth and control. THIS is why unhealthful behaviors are promoted in the USA American media as being "cool" -- to keep the lower classes in their place. Alcohol, Crack cocaine, Heroin, marijuana, Oxy Cotin, Cigarettes, Eating Hamburgers, Eating Ice cream, Eating cheese, Eating steaks, Having unprotected sex, Prostitution, Driving Fast, Getting into fights. These behaviors are ALL promoted by the ruling class to keep the worker class in debt and "in line."
It is up to you to take back your life from the slave owners and overlords. No one else will do it for you. I am rooting for you and I give you my heart.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Lee Crowe
2. This is a weakness of our human mind that is exploited by the practice of Capitalism because most people are not honorable or empathetic. Changing the Capitalist system will do no good unless you manage to get people to change their hearts. This is what Jesus tried to do, (and Buddha and many others) but his message was once again co-opted and perverted by the slave owners and business owners and kings and queens. It is the slave owners and business owners that want you to feel bad. It is those individual people that are discounting your pain in order to enrich themselves. Don't blame a philosophical system for the meanness and selfishness of opportunists.
But you are correct in that America wants you to feel bad. That is how we train horses -- We "break their spirit." That is the same thing the education system, the government and the business owners want to do to you -- "Break your spirit." They want a society of "broken little automatons" that roll over and die at age 65 once their economic usefulness has been exploited. But again, this is the actions of individual hateful, mean spirited, and ignorant people. It is the people that are the problem. It is the weakness of the human mind to function effectively in a deceitful and complex society that is the problem.
Friedrich Nietzsche discusses this concept in his book "Twilight of the Idols" in Chapter 6 and 7. In particular his examination of the Law of Manu (from Hinduism) is used to highlight the fact that the ruling classes consciously make unhealthful life environment for their slaves and subordinates so that THEY (the rulers) can maintain wealth and control. THIS is why unhealthful behaviors are promoted in the USA American media as being "cool" -- to keep the lower classes in their place. Alcohol, Crack cocaine, Heroin, marijuana, Oxy Cotin, Cigarettes, Eating Hamburgers, Eating Ice cream, Eating cheese, Eating steaks, Having unprotected sex, Prostitution, Driving Fast, Getting into fights. These behaviors are ALL promoted by the ruling class to keep the worker class in debt and "in line."
It is up to you to take back your life from the slave owners and overlords. No one else will do it for you. I am rooting for you and I give you my heart.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
Lee Crowe
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