Cynique

What definition did i pick from others available?

A redundant statement.

@Troy OK. i find Sean's statement unremarkable, since i see no conflict between physics and philosophy. So you and Del can discuss amongst yourselves since i'm not up for another marathon exchange that involves parsing words. Quakers are a sect, - a way of life whose members may or may not believe in god. The term nontheistic religion strikes me as being an oxymoron. But, of course, i'm just speaking for myself.

I don't think that religion addresses reality. It's about faith. And that could very well be why Sean used the word philosophy rather than religion, - perhaps because he doesn't think that one per cent of science is about religion but rather about philosophy which addresses life. You are putting your spin on his words, making religion interchangeable with philosophy. Your sacred Merriam-Webster defines religion thusly: the belief in a god or in a group of gods. : an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods. What religion do you know that doesn't worship a deity.

Well, if Sean had wanted to say "religion", he would've said it. Religion, which brings to mind the worship of a deity, is more akin to mythology and spirituality. Philosophy pertains to schools of thought in regard to life and reality.

To me, this advocacy harks back to Booker T. Washington who made white people extremely happy by supporting the idea that blacks should restrict their aspirations to excelling at manual labor, and the tilling of the soil. The narrative was full of generalities, and sins of omission; there's a great black middle-class out there whose members are staying afloat. Not all recent black college grads are working at MacDonalds. And it begs the question as to whether a black college graduate is better equipped to survive in a diverse, high-tech, competitive economy than a high school graduate or drop-out, the latter of whom are doomed to working the welfare system, or toiling at minimum wage jobs or engaging in lucrative criminal activity. Plus, just because you are not of college caliber, doesn't guarantee that you and your "uneducated" self will excel in some other venture that will pay well. Of course there have always been successful, self-made entrepreneurs; exceptions to the rule because small businesses have a high rate of failure. Everybody agrees that college is not for everyone. But to imply that college is for no one, is counter-productive. Furthermore, a person can be a literate, self-educated person. I am not impressed by the idea of a well-trained black work force of ignorant people. The mind is a terrible thing to waste. This is a lecture that's all about "thinking outside the box", the rhetoric of a visionary who inspires nothing but pessimism when he acknowledges the obstacles involved in being unorthodox. The speaker is the antithesis of his ideas about information being preferable to education because the information he doled out was tainted and tentative, and what made the most sense was the historical references which were the result of him being an educated person. Everybody has a point of view and a theory, and they're entitled to it. The speaker does a competent job of outlining solutions to the problems that he has conjured up.

@TroyYou are altering the message by injecting your belief that religion is philosophical. Let the speaker's words stand on their own.

Now it's your turn to be told you are man of good character. And you are.

Why do i not give a damn about the ulterior motives of Wikipedia and Google? Nothing is free in this world. If they make a profit by supplying me with answers for my trivia questions, then so what. if FaceBook monitors me for advertiser to target, i don't care, as long as my "delete" button works. I get my instant gratification and life goes on, just like it will for the "Black Panther" fans. These things do not have a personal impact on me because i have become a spectator, having lost my passion for being a participant in the sound and fury of this crazy world. I'm more into other dimensions. i can only concede that my being old has something to do with my attitude. i won't be around to have to deal with the consequences of what this manipulation might lead to. Sorry, kiddies. I've pretty much resigned myself to the possibilities of not even seeing the final season of "Game of Thrones" which will take place in 2019! Just trying to make it to my 85th birthday in August.

I have no idea what you're talking about. Elucidate.

@Deli always have a problem understanding you. Because it's like you skip a step when expressing yourself and i have to try and read your mind. And of course your not putting things in context has always been a problem for me. What did you mean when you said i was explaining your motivations? You have refused to elaborate on this. And why don't you ever respond to my asking why you didn't directly challenge pioneer since you thought "wisdom" was a better word than "knowledge". And i have no idea what your last post is referring to? i have no big problem with pioneer expressing his opinions, as long as he doesn't try to pass his opinions off as fact. i try to write with clarity and conciseness But you and now Kalexander very often lose me with the ways you express yourselves and where you're coming from . So i guess it breaks down to a lack of communication and rapport. I'm still puzzling over the pungent-poignant thing. i also find you humorless and super sensitive.

Why would you think my fists were balled? Especially since i ended my post with a smiley emoticon? May i ask how old you are?

Maybe you should do as better job of explaining your motivations, instead of leaving them up for grabs.

Why? What's wrong with having a realistic assessment of one's self? People who don't take themselves too seriously, are usually the ones who merit being taken seriously. Suddenly, everybody has discovered the word "narcissistic"and, boy, are they throwing it around. At this point, i don't care whether i'm a narcissistic or not. I am able to admit my flaws. That why i referred to myself as a nit-picking bitch.

Time for a respite from the heavy stuff - for an image that visually captivates - and for a meme that tickles our funny bones. Keep staring at the black hole and something will happen. .

Where ya been, Mel? missed you. As far as Wiki goes, it works for me. Familiarizes me with subjects i am curious about. i am not involved in projects that require extensive research. The same goes for Google; another quick fix.

@Kalexander2Well, once again, i find your capacity for not being offended by criticism a plus. You do bring a different vibe to this board, and nobody really has to justify why they say what they feel. We are all entitled to hold the opinions we do just as long as we recognize them as opinions. So stick around, babe. I am admittedly a nit-picker, and an unabashed bitch. That said, the word you wanted to use, should've been "conceited" instead of "conceded" in one of your previous posts; something a "journalist" with a college degree should know.

@DelanoI don't find your response to pioneer's swill "poetic" or "pungent". To me, it was just vague. And why didn't you express your opinion about "wisdom" rather than "knowledge" when it came to pioneer's claim? You waited until you exchanged comments with me to bring this up apparently because you didn't want to directly oppose him. Someone who merely 'likes" a comment, has not intruded herself into the conversation with a comment of her own. Guess it's time for us to disengage.

@Kalexander2Did you see my post where i said i am from Maywood, But I presently live in another suburb of Chicago. I have never lived in Chicago. You are very long-winded. Your philosophical ramblings about life, are too commonly-known to be considered revelations. Everybody on this site is mature enough to reach the conclusions you have. Some embrace them more than others.

@DelYou have responded to none of my questions, but just continued to tell me the type of person that you are. Something you do, indeed, need to relate because who you say you are, is not how you come across. i read both definitions of poignant and its root word pungent. i can only conclude that these are adjectives you choose to apply in your reacting to pioneer's statements. Unless of course, you elect to put your intent in CONTEXT. Troy is capable of defending himself, i was merely stating how obvious it seemed to me that you suddenly embraced pioneer after you couldn't prevail in the climate change argument with Troy. After being told numerous times by both you and Troy, i get it. You two are actually good friends - who both think the other is a know-it-all who likes to win arguments.

@Kalexander2 Chill out. This subject doesn't deserve all of the attention you're giving it. It ain't that serious.

@DelSo what does all of this have to do with your choice of the word "poignant" in connection with pioneer? if you were really neutral, you'd refrain from moderating the exchanges between pioneer and others and do what zaji does. She simply "likes" the comments she agrees with. And why didn't you express your dissenting opinion about eastern "wisdom" as opposed to eastern "knowledge" instead of remaining quiet. instead, you injected yourself into the discussion by telling Troy pioneer was making good points.

@DelTax write-offs in the form of Charity from white people, money that will probably line the pockets of opportunistic black people. i'm more impressed with "Get Out" inspiring college courses on racism.

@DelSounds like you think of pioneer as a sad desperate figure, who deserves your stroking, Either that, or that his strong body odor seeps through your computer screen.

Just an example of the presumptuousness that i find insufferable. i wouldn't have pioneer if he was a 35 year-old hunk because his personality is a turn-off for me. He tries to pass himself off as a macho playa but he's probably an unattractive loser whose faithful companion is actually a blow-up doll he keeps stashed away in the closet of his lonely abode.