6,000,000 ways to die... I choose none...

Tis True There Are No Truths and Absolutely No Absolutes: A Scholarly Report

2011-07-27T12:42:00.002-04:00

What does man know? For years beyond count the scholarly elite and plebeians alike have toiled over the issues berthed in human minds as a result of the theory of knowledge. What is knowledge? Is it relative or is it objective? Can a belief be justified as a truth? Can people truly know anything at all? The diversity among the philosophical viewpoints of history’s most prominent academians does nothing, but add to the obscurity of the subject matter, making a firm grasp around a solid answer to the questions presented seem unattainable. Figures, like Rene Descartes, will argue, under the position of the rationalist, that knowledge is possible with the use of reason (Felder 126). Other philosophers, such as George Berkeley and John Locke, who both hold empiricist views, will also argue that knowledge can be gained. Their positions will hold that an application of logical reasoning combined with observation from the normal senses is the way to acquire knowledge (Felder 119). When attempting to tackle such a daunting subject intellectual perception must be conditioned to see and understand that there is no black and white; that a vast mass of gray areas exist and must be accounted for to validate any argument. Since efforts to prove or disprove that human beings can have truths are oriented on the basis of assumptions about the valid practices of creating knowledge (Hall 330) it can be sagaciously postulated that an acquisition of knowledge is, indeed, possible. Moreover, there is knowledge that is objective as well as knowledge that is relative.

When building an argument it is important to first erect a foundation. So, in order to build a foundation fitting the proposed argument it is necessary to get some sort of clutch on what knowledge is. To David Hume, “the devastating skeptic… knowledge of any sort is an illusion” (Letwin 134). This viewpoint, however is flawed. For all intents, constructions, and purposes let the term knowledge be defined as an awareness and a familiarity with factual information and or principles. When such a simple definition can be manufactured why is the task of determining whether or not people can have knowledge met with so much difficulty? This is because a great number of philosophers, though brilliant, are quite stubborn and choose not to acknowledge the idea that there is more than one type of knowledge. Therefore, to visit the issue of the possibility to gain knowledge responsibly, one can not ignore the actuality of tacit knowledge and explicit knowledge. Tacit knowledge refers to the knowledge that is rooted in individual experience with respect to beliefs, perspectives, and values while explicit knowledge refers to recorded or formal knowledge (Polanyi 12). When considering the existence of both tacit and explicit knowledge, the flaws in the position of Hume become exposed. When pitted against explicit knowledge Hume’s “illusion” theory is defeated, for knowledge can not be an illusion when things that people know are manifest in reality. For instance, it is known that if a fuel injected motor vehicle runs out of gas the engine will not start until more fuel is deposited into the gas tank. If Hume’s analysis were true the result of running out of gas would merely be an illusion and the vehicle would still run. While his notion may work against many tacit knowledge situations it crumbles against cases that involve explicit knowledge. Consequently, this verifies that Hume’s illusion ideology is erroneous. Furthermore, it reinforces the argument that human beings can obtain and maintain knowledge.

Explorers of the world of epistemology can divide it into three broad areas of inquiry based upon the following three questions: What are the limits of human knowledge? What are the sources of human knowledge? What is the nature of human knowledge (Muis 317)? It does not take a very in depth analysis to realize that these questions will yield answers that have situational variance. A holistic approach to human epistemology is inadequate as all people have incalculable differences. It thus becomes necessary to relegate experimentation and study to the realm of personal epistemology, creating case studies that garner data about individuals rather than groups. Scholars who choose to ignore the aforementioned gray areas might make the case that knowledge depends on the individual or contend that knowledge is completely independent of the individual. In opposition, the sensible disputant who recognizes the legitimacy of the gray areas will present, with greater success, the argument that truth rests between these two extremes. First of all, there is no possible way that the procurement of knowledge can rest solely on an individual. Why not? Well, in order for an individual to gain knowledge the individual must first be created. Individuals do not, can not, and will not ever create themselves. Others are responsible for the birth of an individual whether the child is conceived as a result of the practice of sexual intercourse by a man and a woman or by artificial insemination with participation from a woman, a sperm donor, and a doctor. Therefore, by default, those persons responsible for an individual’s introduction into the world share in the responsibility for any knowledge that individual acquires in his or her lifetime. Secondly, to say that knowledge is completely independent of the individual is a mindless claim to make. A conceptualization that makes use of tangible objects can quickly and easily render this argument null and void. If a young woman has, in her grasp, an encyclopedia is it independent of her? No. So how then can knowledge be independent of its holder? It can not be.

The idea that human beings can not know anything is absurd. While many philosophers who argue that people are unable to know anything do present meritorious positions they are too easily refuted. Even if it is true that humans truly can not know anything, the truth of the argument alone would nullify it. If a philosopher knows that people can not know anything that philosopher knows something. How can such a philosopher rationalize this? The truth is that the statement is irrational, so there is no rational defense. So, in closing I hold these two truths to be self-evident: that human beings can and do have knowledge.

Felder, David W. Yes We Can: Philosophy for Change. Tallahassee: Wellington P, 2008. 118-133.

Hall, John R. "Epistemology and Sociohistorical Inquiry." Annual Review of Sociology 16 (1990): 329-351.

Letwin, Shirley R. "Hume: Inventor of a New Task for Philosophy." Political Theory 3.2 (1975): 134-158.

Muis, Krista R. "Personal Epistemology and Mathematics: a Critical Review and Synthesis of Research." Review of Educational Research 64.3 (2004): 317-377.

Polanyi, Michael. The Tacit Dimension. Garden City: Anchor Books, 1967. 10-13.

Brand Bands Together: Bridging the Gap Between Cliquey Music Scenes - by Julian Demers-Mader

2011-07-21T15:50:00.004-04:00

I read this today and felt compelled to post it here... Enjoy

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Artists sometimes have trouble making friends with regular people. Especially if they’re eccentric artists. This can hurt their potential success, given that a large fan base consists mostly of regular type people. The good news is, artists can usually do well at befriending other artists–of greater or lesser eccentricity. When artists become friends with each other and start forming communities, scenes, etc., their momentum often leads to artistic movements. What began as local movements ultimately end up influencing global trends and styles in music, fashion, film, and the list goes on.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The British Invasion was an early example of this in music. Every key British Invasion artist benefited greatly from their peers’ success in the music industry. Collectively, the British Invasion created a cultural explosion throughout Europe and the US. It was, however, an example of several different music scenes from the UK ultimately banding together to form a cultural shockwave. Up-and-comers these days need to think smaller scale.

The Punk scene exploded in the 80s and then the Grunge scene in the 90s. These ended up having just as much effect globally as did the British Invasion. The punk scene was borne of Washington DC area hardcore bands espousing an original do-it-yourself ethic. When one band got famous, so did others. Same thing happened in Grunge a decade later, but this time in Seattle. If we can learn anything from this, it’s that once a scene grows to encompass enough original talent, that scene turns into a movement which then affects trends nationally and so on.

It’s so important to recognize that all you need for a scene to evolve into a movement is artists willing to reach out to one another. This means regardless of scene; irrespective of genre; whether or not you live uptown or downtown, all you have to do is connect enough bubbling talent in your city or region and *boom*. Cultural explosion. This is where I get the term ‘brand bands together’. Don’t focus on just branding yourself like the major labels do for Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. Those kinds of scenes are manufactured and thus usually die out as quickly as they come up. A lasting movement and, indeed, moment, in art culture happens when dedicated, original talent connects with like-minded people in the formation of an unstoppable cultural front.

I’m sure that in every city, there are more and more people realizing that if only each music scene quit being so cliquey, they could collectively become a much more potent cultural force. That doesn’t mean metal needs to stop being so metally and hip-hop so hippy-hoppy. It just means a couple innovators from each scene need to come together and cross-genre boundaries and single-handedly forge the next era of music. It is happening. Slowly. But we need to encourage the connecting of key players in every scene to speed it along. We also need to discourage it from getting caught up in the old industry mentality. That will just breed a new era of Limp Bizkits and Linkin Parks, this time targeting even younger audiences.

Blog Roll - People Watching

2011-07-14T14:07:00.002-04:00

From what I have gathered, the growth of social media as a, seemingly, integral part of life is because people have a grown ever-fascinated with... well... people. We watch in stressful anticipation the course case that has captured a nation. We stand awestruck as foreign royalty touches down our land... this land that was made for you and me. We collect tears as an idle of talk takes her show off the air. People watching people. People talking about people. In that spirit and in the interest of improving your literacy, I would like to introduce you to some people that you may not know... people who share many of the same thoughts as you, but are probably much different than you [think] you are. You may never meet them, but thanks to social media, you can certainly read them.

Star Status Thoughts - the weird, quiet, exciting, curious, emotionally unstable, cool girl that you probably choose to ignore in public.

Mermaiding The Globe - journalist, activist, christian, lesbian, cook, animal lover, runner, yogi, foodie.

Sam’s Journal - the latest events, news, sports, arts, music & entertainment within the walls of the city beautiful Orlando, Florida. From Sam’s point of view.

Diversity in the world is a basic characteristic of human society, and also the key condition for a lively and dynamic world as we see today.

- Jinato Hu

Oh, Precious Child

2011-07-09T22:56:00.004-04:00

I was just sitting on my balcony watching you (in a completely non-pedophilistic manner) and I could only ask: what happened? What happened to the grown man, imprisoned on rape charges, that once played as innocently as you? Years from now, you or some child like you will become the unsuspecting victim of drug addiction. You or some child like you will mercilessly devalue your wife through your words and careless actions. You or some child like you will gaze stoically into the eyes of the Judge as he announces your sentence: “I hereby sentence you to life... with no chance for parole.” What was the defining moment, the catalyst to your change from child to monster? Kudos to the child who grows into adulthood and contributes to the Universe love, compassion, and goodwill. Your efforts are appreciated. A prayer for you, child, who day by day grows into the disgrace of a human being that you never thought you'd be.

While, I am unable to prescribe the ultimate fix, I will lend a suggestion. Let us get to the children before the streets do. I know, I know... responsible adults are sooooooo not cool. They can't connect with the kids. Were we not all children? Have we really lost all contact with that inner child? If you know a kid, take thirty minutes to let the child show you a video game. Take the next thirty minutes to explain to the child how much better the original NES is (show them if you're able). Duck Hunt, Super Mario Bros. 1 – 3, Excitebike, Double Dragon... c'mon somebody! I don't have to be the daddy to set a good example. Neither do you.

“Now that's game. I be try'na teach the young boys, but they don't wanna listen to the young boy.”

-Seazon All

News Media

2007-10-23T23:54:00.001-04:00

LET me say this before I even get started... BOOO TO THE NEWS MEDIA!!! To be honest with you I hate the news. I like knowing what's going on in the world, but I hate how the news makes my people, black people, look like crap. I used to always think it was hype when I'd hear black people talking about how the news media portrayed us. Eventually, I started to observe for myself and it's so true. As far as crime goes, the news media loves to show all the crimes committed by black people and in the black community, but black people aren't the only people committing crimes. Nearly, every news anchor is white and the black ones are all light skinned... I won't get into this, but there are certainly implications. I'm not going to rant any longer, but I will say this. The news is supposed to chronicle the good, the bad, and the ugly of all four corners of our world; North East West South. So, until the news starts airing the successes of every community I'm not watching. Until the news starts addressing the needs of every community I'm not watching. Cover it all or don't cover anything at all. Furthermore, this infatuation with the struggles and bubbles of celebrities is ridiculous. Katie Holmes' new haircut is not nearly as important as the need for loving families to adopt children. The breakdown of Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and others is nothing to smile, laugh, and joke about. Whether you like the chicks or not, they are still human and we should wish them the best and pray that they can find some type of healing. Okay... I'm done.

"Journalism is popular, but it is popular mainly as fiction. Life is one world, and life seen in the newspapers is another."
-G.K. Chesterton

Spending Habits

2007-10-17T12:32:00.000-04:00

SPENDING habits in the United States today are outrageous. Americans, myself included, spend money on some of the most outrageous things. I, however am not as guilty as most people, but this is simply because I don't really have any money to spend. It is amazing to see the things that people spend money on; hundreds and thousands of dollars on shoes, clothes, purses, and the like. I am like that little kid who's money burns a hole in his pocket. As soon as I come across some cash I'm ready to spend it. The majority of the money I spend though, I consider an investment. A majority of my money goes into my music for studio sessions, promotion, etc. I do this because I believe that my investment will pay off. I do get sick of being broke though... so I'm looking forward to my money-filled future. As far as the national spending habits are concerned, I believe that if you want it you should get it, but you should also get it responsibly. Don't buy something knowing that getting it will prevent you from paying your rent.

"Money talks...but all mine ever says is good-bye."
-Anonymous

Video Games

2007-10-10T23:49:00.000-04:00

VIDEO games are becoming more and more real everyday. They are also becoming more and more violent. With the push of a few buttons and the maneuvering of a couple joysticks anyone can become a hit man and slit the throat of a government official. Children are joyfully taking the controls as car thieves joyriding through cities and brutally murdering anyone who gets in their ways, but it's all just for fun! Different organizations, many of them parental groups, are started to fight video game makers citing the argument that their games are too violent and dangerous to the healthy development of children across the globe. Scientific studies have even gathered data linking video violence to "angry activity" in children and grown folks alike. As far as the grown folks are concerned, just control your anger people. YOU ARE GROWN! If you see that your actions are becoming for volatile and you're a chronic gamer... put the sticks down homie, and that's all I've got to say about that. Now, as it pertains to children, we all know that children will try to imitate what they see. Parents need to take responsibility and monitor what games the children are playing. Of course a child can always go to a friend's house and play a game that perhaps isn't allowed in his/her own home, but that's not really an excuse. Parents need to instill a firm understanding of what is wrong in what is right. If your child doesn't know through your teachings that stealing a car and shooting someone in the head for 1,000 points is wrong, then you need to reconsider before giving birth again.

"If you must play, decide upon three things at the start: the rules of the game, the stakes, and the quitting time."
-Chinese Proverb

American Language

2007-10-05T10:34:00.000-04:00

WHAT would you think if you asked someone what language they spoke and "American" was their response? Shockingly, (at least to me) there are people who think that "I speak American" is synonymous with "I speak English." But, let me just get to it. "American" is not a language. Now, let's talk about the English language. Because of the diversity of the United States today and historically there is an equally diverse make-up of the language. All across the country people speak English and all across the country people speak English differently. The English language is one that is full of colloquialisms that have their regional homes. English has so many variations that it would be hard to keep up: there is British English, Canadian English, Australian English, and God knows how many other variations abroad and in the U.S.A. The important thing is that we are all able to communicate. I don't get the big fuss about language. If we can communicate with each other, then why are so many people trippin? The answer is that there is an ego in a lot of people that tells them everyone should speak the way they do, especially when it comes to "Black English" and Ebonics. Everyone assumes that because you speak like Flavor Flav instead of Professor White at Harvard University's English Department that you are ignorant! Well, I'm not even going to touch on that because I can easily nullify that point. Honestly though, has anyone ever considered what it would be like if the powers that be were flip-flopped. What if somehow through history it worked out that the people who speak Black English were the people running the country for the past 500 years? The answer is Black English would be the "standard" today. This goes to show that the selection of what is considered correct and incorrect English is totally political. You can tell me that I'm wrong, but I won't believe you.

"It's a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot water."
- Franklin P. Jones

Do Words Matter?

2007-10-02T17:54:00.000-04:00

STICKS and stones may break the bones, but words can break the heart. We live in a world that has a lot of hatred in it and somewhere along the lines people have gotten the idea that the hatred that they dish out doesn't really have an effect on people. The opposite is true. In many cases verbal abuse does as much damage as physical abuse and sometimes even more. Today there is a lot of controversy about the word "nigger" and all of it's variants (nigga, nigguh, etc). Many black people hold fast to the belief that it is okay for black people to use the word and sometimes even Spanish people, but it is not okay for anyone else to use the word. Many black people have adopted the word as a term of endearment, but to some people, myself included there is NOTHING endearing about it. Now, I realize the chances of the word become archaic are improbable, especially during my lifetime, but when it comes up in discussion or elsewhere I still feel the need to speak my mind on it. I associate with many people who use the n-word and being in the music industry I often find myself making with music who incorporate the word into their lyrics. Sometimes, the word is even used in songs that I perform on. Now, it is not my job to chance anybody and the way that they create their art, so if they choose to use the word then so be it. However, there have been times when people shout me out and say things like, "that's my nigga SeAzOn ALL." Those things don't get released and I make the person aware of my conflict. One day I was actually compelled to write a song discussing my take on the word. It was well-received, so much so that I moved forward in creating a shirt that was also well-received. Basically, I am discouraged and a bit annoyed whenever I hear the word, but that's life. All I can do is me and spread my message to as many people as I can... stand up for what I believe.

BLACK MAN (mp3)

"We've bound ourselves in chains man and nigga's just one of the links/I can't break it on my own. I'm strong but need power of we/But too many of we have decided that nigga should be/Every black man's name. The black man's I.D./So I write this rhyme in red ink, dip my pen in the Dead Sea/Spill blood on my pad to kill the nigga that's been killing me/"

-SeAzOn ALL

Gender

2007-09-28T03:49:00.000-04:00

THE gender "conflict" is incredibly controversial today. There are men who want to be women and women who want to be men. There are men who want to be men that act like women and women that want to be women that act like men. It is like the whole world is going topsy-turvy. When discussing gender my religious beliefs have an incredibly strong influence on my stand. I am a Christian and with my beliefs I do not agree with homosexuality. You often hear people say that "God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve." When thinking about gender and homosexuality I often wonder and ask myself, "How can a man possibly want to be with another man when there are so many fine women out there?" A question that I'' never be able to answer. Yet, when discussing the topic I also find myself disgusted with the outlooks of other Christians. I understand that as Christians I should want to bring people into the Faith and witness, but to me beating people up with a Bible and telling people, "You know you're going to Hell 'cuz you're a faggot, right?" just doesn't seem to be the right way to go about it to me. Many people will say they don't care if a person is gay as long as the "gayness" doesn't show up in their presence. But let's be real followers of Christ. In the eyes of God all sins are the same. So, in God's eyes the person who calls in "sick" to work when they are not is just as guilty of sin as the gay couple who acts on their idea that an act of sodomy a day keeps the doctor away. The fact of the matter is that my agreeing or disagreeing with gender switching and homosexuality is irrelevant because there is only one with the true right to judge and it certainly is not me. Being gay or transgender does not make a person non-human. I've been raised and taught in my beliefs to love any and everyone; red, yellow, black, white, gay, or straight. I also hold the belief that people who are "in the closet" need to bring their happy behinds on out... it's for their own good (once again stemming from my own personal beliefs). The way I see it, homosexuals are already committing sin just by being gay. When I say that I don't mean it with cruelty either because I'm a sinner also. Now, for a homosexual to be in the closet, that is the equivalent to lying, thus you are stacking one sin on top of another. However, if homosexuals are out of the closet, then that is only one sin. I'm sure I have a host of people out there who disagree, but that's just how I see. No matter what you are you should be proud of it and love yourself regardless. Just do you!

"This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man."
-William Shakespeare

Genetics

2007-09-25T17:19:00.000-04:00

GENERALLY, I am a very open-minded person, but something about genetic discussion makes me cringe. I think back to when I was younger and replay events where I had performed well. Often times my dad would shout out, "I know ya'll saw that! It's in his genes!" So, it may sound weird, but my genetic make-up is something that I have been proud of, therefore I can not imagine any artificial alterations being taken to it. Frankly, the idea of genetic alteration alone concerns me. It never sits right with me when people take it amongst themselves to play God. My belief is that God made us the way we are for a reason. Now, clearly I do not mean that people cancers and other illnesses should not seek treatment. My problem lies with those who use science to reinvent what God has created just for the heck of it. Why can't they just develop a computer some sort of simulator that let's people clone and and make genetic alterations all they want... at least that way, the natural order of things would remain in tact. It requires so much intelligence to tweak and alter genetic make-ups and it is just my opinion that all of that intelligence could be put to better use.

"I have observed that the world has suffered far less from ignorance than from pretensions to knowledge. It is not skeptics or explorers but fanatics and ideologues who menace decency and progress."
- Daniel J. Boorstin

Cultural Identities

2007-09-21T17:58:00.000-04:00

CULTURE is alive in every human being on the planet whether they are in touch with it or not. However, taking the time to get in touch with ones own cultural identity can be a very enlightening process that promotes self worth, self pride, self knowledge, and self love. Sadly, I do not know as much about my own culture as I would like to, but as I have grown and matured so has my interest it. Cultural identity can live in many things, including, but not limited to, clothing, food, and habitat. It is unfortunate that the United States is a place that destroys much of its cultural beauties for a buck. Much of the history in the nation has been bulldozed and covered up for parking garages and office complexes. This is why it is important that we soak up as much of the culture and history as possible, but soon it will be replaced with the new culture and that of the past will be a culture lost. I have found that some of the best ways to gain a better knowledge of my own culture is through books and asking family members. I know it's a long shot, but perhaps if more people knew more about where they were from then more would be done to carry on in a positive direction because there is so much negative energy in the world that it is absolutely ridiculous!

"What would it be like to have not only color vision but culture vision, the ability to see the multiple worlds of others."
- Mary Catherine Bateson

Social Networking

2007-09-18T23:33:00.000-04:00

TODAY, social networking websites such as Myspace, Facebook, and many others are the craze of the internet. Such sites allow people to create an online profile and connect with people all across the globe. It truly is a wonderful concept, for what better way for people to connect and reconnect with friends, old and new? Unfortunately, as it seems with any good thing, people have found a way to manipulate the websites for their own twisted and dastardly deeds. Lately, social networking websites have come under fire because sex predators have flooded them in attempts to lure young boys and girls and feed their perverse addictions. While the companies that run social networking sites do what they can to provide an essentially safe online environment, there is no way they can fence all offenders. With that in mind it is up to people to be responsible users of the websites. Furthermore, it is up to parents to keep a close watch of their children's online activities. As far as I am concerned, social networking sites are of great benefits, especially as it relates to my endeavours in the music industry. Such websites allow me to connect with fans, artists, and other industry decision makers all across the world with a few clicks of a mouse. This makes it possible for me to reach and share my music with far more people than would generally be possible.

"Your network determines your net worth."
- Joseph 'Rev. Run' Simmons

Body Image

2007-09-13T19:41:00.000-04:00

EVERY morning newsstands are stocked with magazines that flaunt the world's "most beautiful" people on their covers; thin runway models, muscular athletes, and our favorite silver screen dudes and darlings. Often times the pages of these magazines contain tips to have the physique, hair style, and fashion sense of the aforementioned figures. However, everyone is not meant to have blond hair, blue eyes, and high cheek bones, thus more and more people are beginning to lose confidence in themselves as they do not fit the mold of the prescribed notion of beauty. I personally feel that people should have confidence in themselves and believe in their own beauty whether they look like a Cover Girl/GQ model or not because beauty is so much more than fair skin and a slim waist. People should not make changes to their physical selves because it is what the world deems beautiful. A person should make physical changes for two reasons: because it is something that he/she genuinely wants to do and/or because it is for the good of his/her health.

"Character contributes to beauty. It fortifies a woman as her youth fades. A mode of conduct, a standard of courage, discipline, fortitude and integrity can do a great deal to make a woman beautiful."
- Jacqueline Bisset