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Cynique

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Posts posted by Cynique

  1. 1 hour ago, richardmurray said:

    your choice of words is very gentle... ireland has a strained relationship with england... england's dominion over the indian subcontinent which inclued pakistan and bangadesh was not particularly honorable :)  you do like to speak very gently. 

    @richardmurrayWell, you had your chance to speak harshly and chose to makes jokes and apologize for doing so. 😉

    • Like 2
  2. A while back I announced that I was divorcing myself from the "black race" because i was weary and disillusioned with its state of affairs.  To me, ongoing calls for unity had become a broken record, preoccupation with racism had become obsessive, participation in self-genocide a curse. I saw no reversal of fortune in the future; except for individuals who having equipped themselves with all the necessary skills, were able to thrive in a system that appreciated whatever generates profit.  i observed little to encourage the idea that the USA would ever totally rid itself of racism, or that African Americans would ever be anything other than a thorn in the side of their nation's white power structure, left to console themselves with their notions of unappreciated black supremacy.  Boo-Hoo.

     

    So, I dropped out, and took a seat in the peanut gallery, now and then tossing shells here and there. Presently, at the ridiculous age of 89, what dominates my impending  dementia is not only what awaits in the afterlife, but the alternate theories about how humanity came to be in this life, thoughts that give my existence a whole new perspective.

     

     Currently, I am intrigued by what is a different version of Mankind's evolution as imagined by a  certain community of archaeologists and historians. Just consider what the UFO crowd has speculated based on the similarity between modern day astronauts and the relics and hieroglyphics of ancient civilizations. Ponder the explanations for the expertise shared by peoples on different continents when it came to the erection of enormous structures and a familiarity with astronomy, evidence suggesting that a common source was the origin of the advanced knowledge possessed by these separate societies.   

     

    This is the gist of what is being theorized in regard to our planet having once been invaded by beings from outer space, aliens who infiltrated and reproduced with Earthlings, speeding up their evolution. 

     

    All of this and more is documented in "Ancient Aliens", a lengthy series which appears on cable TV's  History channel.  What this program claims takes liberty with science but I relate to it because I've always suspected that I am an alien, descended from life forms who were transported here by asteroids and comets. In any case, I find exploring these amazing ideas preferable to getting bogged down in what is currently happening on the "3rd Rock from the Sun".   

     

    So, "Ancient Aliens", along with the HBO fantasy series about Dragons and Thrones are what have now captivated my interest. "The truth is out there." At this waning point in my life, I'll leave politics and race and religion to those who have an appetite for re-hashing.  

     

    Have at it, Folks. It's all yours.

     

        

    • Like 2
  3. According to Twitter, the people of Ireland  are not widely mourning  the monarch who represented a country they have had strained  relations with for centuries.  The same with India, where Elizabeth held the honorary title of being the Empress of.  The history of England's colonization of India is not a particularly honorable one. With the passing of the Queen many of the commonwealth nations including the ones in Africa are considering severing their ties with England  Even  a substantial number of her subjects, are not fans of the monarchy, believing it should be abolished, but it is a tradition others cherish. The media is aggrandizing it, capitalizing on its fairy tale appeal to millions of romantics.  Queen Elizabeth had very little power and was just a figurehead who really did nothing but lead a life of luxury between making public appearances.

     

    A majority of people have never known a time when Elizabeth wasn't "The Queen".  It was like she was the queen of the world. Similarly, for the first 12 years of my life, I never knew any POTUS other than Franklin D. Roosevelt, back in the days before the presidency had term limits.  I was 20 years old when Elizabeth was crowned queen in 1953 after her father died.  I remember quite well watching this elaborate ceremony on TV.  

     

    English history has always been a hotbed of scandals and murder and intrigue.  And this continues to this day.

     

    One gratifying thing about being my age is how much history I have been around to witness. 

    • Like 1
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  4. Whatever people don't agree with is "propaganda" to them . Every subject discussed on this board in regard to the ubiquitous subject of racism says the very same thing I read on FaceBook.  Everything bad anybody says about Trump and right wing conservatives here, is in agreement with what's said on Facebook, as is every positive thing said here about Democrats and Liberals. That's why all of the marathon redundant threads  on these subjects are ho-hum to me. Because I've heard them all before - on social media. Propaganda is a catch-all term.  Whatever. I don't do politics on FaceBook anymore because it's a waste of time. I scroll through a lot of articles and trivia and memes but the only people i engage with are my friends who keep me posted on what's going  with events and mutual acquaintances from "the old neighborhood". E also interact with the members of the 2 groups I belong to, one on Quantum Physics and another on Practical Existentialism.  (There are, incidentally, a lot special interest groups and fan clubs you can join on  FaceBook.) When a subject i happen to  mention  or show interest in,  results in my being spammed with a lot of ads, I just delete them. Simple as that.

     

    I'm not trying to convert anyone to being a Facebook devotee, and I'm not claiming that social media isn't politicized or doesn't pose privacy issues.  What i am declaring is that I merely refuse to deny myself pass-times and amusements in favor of withdrawing from the public arena  to lead a sheltered life of chronic suspicion about everything and everyone. Screw it.  Different strokes for different folks.

  5. 13 hours ago, Delano said:

    I feel the years will be getting harder up until 2024. And 2024 is a turning point.

     

    Well, i don't make any long range plans. Whatever will be, will be, I guess. I forgot mention that i am also weary.

     

    13 hours ago, Delano said:

    Also realising that the custodians may 'it care is also useful information.

    ???   Is that "pat" speaking? 😁

  6.  

    @DelAre we on the cusp of some kind of new autumnal phase?  I see a half-moon up there glowing in the night sky.  i ask because I've been overtaken by a feeling of gloom, bordering on depression. The world is in such turmoil, climate-wise, as well as politically, and crime has become rampant in Chicagoland.  Particularly troubled by the local high school, not having enough teachers to conduct classes full time..   

    My magic has become chaotic in a subdued way. 

     

    If nothing comes to you, that's OK. i can't expect a pat explanation for everything.

  7. On 9/6/2022 at 10:54 AM, Troy said:

    I think you miss my main point. I use many of the platforms I have serious issues with from am*zon to Google to Facebook. You and I may be less effected by these platforms, but we are not typical,  We were adults when all of these platforms were introduced, so relate to them in different ways as we know how to move in a world were these powerful companies did not exist.  However, this is not the case for most people--they, I agure are more easily manipulated.

     

    I actively avoid consuming information that is pushed to me.  I ignore my social media feed because I refuse to subject myself to the algorithm, as I know I'm not above being manipulated by it myself. 

    @TroyYou don't immerse yourself in FaceBook, but you seem to consider yourself an authority on it, convinced that in a nation rife with suspicion and mistrust, Facebook posters are the naive exception, - unlike the chronically vigilant folks to whom, algorithms are the latest Boogie Man. A Boogie Man that only naive people think can be avoided, done so at the cost of giving up one freedom to protect another. Ultimately, boycotting social media is a way for folks to feel good about themselves, assured that they are too aware to be taken advantage of. But pop culture is an important dynamic when it comes to the zeitgeist of any era and it is not some sinister realm to be villainized. It's all about keeping things in perspective. Manipulation exists everywhere.

     

    Speaking of which, to me FaceBook and Twitter are microcosms of modern society, and are instrumental in delivering the world to your finger tips. Their political forums attract highly opinionate people who consider themselves "in the know" about how social media manipulates and about the clandestine forces at work to control people. You'd be right at home among them. As a source of news, however, they are no more influential than local network news stations ABC, NBC,CBS &FOX. (Everybody thinks where they get their news is the most accurate and reliable station.) 

     

    Social media can also be a conduit to an organic spectrum of life in general, an online experience that can assist in broadening one's exposure, making  for a well-rounded, interesting individual conversant on a variety of subjects; not just serious ones.

     

    So, our difference of opinion persists. 

  8. 8 hours ago, Delano said:

    Time is the apparent progression of events from past to future. While it's impossible to completely define the nature of time, we all share many common experiences bound by time.

    "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why we call it the Present."

     

  9. 21 hours ago, Troy said:

    We will always disagree on this point.  Today most people get their "news" from social media.  Their feed is curated by a sophisticated and powerful algorithm. whose power is not taken seriously enough.

    @TroyDo you consider YouTube social media? You don't seem to have a problem watching and posting videos that appear there. 😁

  10. All genres of jazz are available for listeners on Cable TV music channels, and FM radio stations. I check them out regularly.  

     

     I grew up listening to the beautiful love ballads of the 1950s, lush melodic songs with exquisite lyrics sung by artists like Nat Cole and Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee and this music is now regularly scoffed at as being too bland and slow  by the same people who complain about others not liking what they listen to. Everybody thinks what they prefer is the best. Fortunately, we all the the option to skip what doesn't appeal to us.

    • Like 1
  11. Why does "trash" sell? Could it be that "one man's trash is another one's treasure", and that there is no accounting for taste?  If this socio-democracy utopia that  everybody approves of ever comes into being, will people be able to choose whatever entertains and resonates without being criticized for not conforming to the taste of those who presumably know what's  best. When it comes to music every generation embraces what's new, and dismisses what's old and in 25 years, yesterday's junk will be considered classics. 

     

    I also wonder how the citizens of a brave new world would ever live in peace  when blacks and whites will be forever competing for the superiority they each think they possess. 

  12. @DelUpon ruminating about your assertion that "you  can only define what you  experience". and  that "you cannot  comprehend something without a frame of reference", my polemicist tendencies kicked in.

     

    What if your frame of reference is "observation"? You can describe and subsequently define what you observe another entity experiencing. That's where imagination comes in.  Also, you can vicariously empathize with what someone else is experiencing and describe what you  feel. You can watch a scary movie seated within the confines of a safe theater and experience fear. That's what  escapism is; experiencing something new or different through the lens of observation, while  Imagination serves as your frame of reference.  Experience is fluid, and that's what makes it possible to tap into, especially if you're a 3-dimensional person.

     

    So, in my opinion, you can describe and define without experiencing, - you can comprehend without a frame of reference. You just have to expand your consciousness.  The human mind is a wonderous, versatile thing. I would never place any limits on what it has the capacity to do, including adapting its emotions.

     

    Finally, transforming what you experience into words, is what makes language magical.

     

    And here we are. 🙃

  13.  

     

    3 minutes ago, Delano said:

    If you have no frame of reference you can't comprehend it. Like explaining a concept to a concrete thinker. It's is very difficult. I am sure you've had that experienceon the forum.

    @DelLOL You and I have never really been able to get on the same page when it comes to the concept of time. I tried to share your enthusiasm with time markers but it went over my head.  Math was never my strong suit. I've  always been riveted by the Zen of pauses between the words, and spaces between the lines, the subtleties and nuances of what's unsaid, the impact of silence, always intrigued by the role of  language and. the mystery of Life. Whether time exists or doesn't is not something that I'm fixated on.  i'm  just a element in the universe, at the mercy of gravity. 

     

    I know that i know nothing...  

  14. 1 hour ago, Delano said:

    Virgins can't describe sexual intercourse. Nor can you explain it to them in a way that is meaningful to them. You can only compare and contrast it with their past experiences.

    Virgins can describe sexual intercourse by their partner engaging in oral sex or using a vibrator, even achieving an orgasm in the process. Never underestimate the effectiveness of alternate methodology, or the ingenuity of lesbians.

  15. @DelSo how would you convey your point if you didn't have the word "time" to refer to? If you can talk time out of existence, others who believe time does exist, can talk it into existence using a different set of words from yours.

     

    i know I am no longer the girl i used to be and I know this because my body and my mind have have become old.  What I call the passage of  "time", you call the sequence of events as we become  caught up  in a semantic entanglement

     

    For me, when it comes to the  idea of "time", my favorite verbal cliche applies: "it is, what it is."  

     

    BTW, isn't there some kind of a mathematical theorem that says you can't prove a negative.

  16. 4 hours ago, Delano said:

    don't think time exists. What we have is the measurement of movement of the earth and our experience of passing events.  The measurement and the experience are not the same as the thing. 

    @DelHow  can you define time if it doesn't exist? Language, as I contend, is made up of words which are sounds or symbols  and are what humans resort to when trying to encapsulate reality into something that be  can comprehended. 

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