My blogging has been slowing down in the past few months. It probably is due mostly to my 4/10 work schedule–I work 4 days per week, 10 hours each day. So, I get home later than I used to, and I usually don't feel like logging in more computer time after a long day of staring at the screen in front of me. I love my 3-day weekends, and I'd rather not spend them on the computer when there are things outside to see and do.
Last weekend I visited my buddy Dave, his wife Rocio, and their little bundle of joy, Meatball...
With the attention this Olde English Bulldogge gets, I can't imagine what it'll be like when Dave and Ro have an actual human baby.
After 3 months without one, I finally got a new bike 2 weeks ago. It's a Gary Fisher Tassajara, and so far I really like it. I was planning to get a new Trek, as my old one had served me so well. But, I did a lot of research and found that the Tass has what are considered to be better components than it's Trek counterpart. Most people in the mountain bike forums I viewed recommended the Tass over the Trek, plus the Trek was just a hideous "flare orange" color (trust me- it looks bad in person). I found a really good deal at Jax bikes (highly recommended shop), so I went with the Gary Fisher. In my 3 rides so far, it's been great. I plan on enjoying it for many years to come.
Last Saturday my friend Nancy finally got hitched to her longtime beau Jerry. The wedding (plus parties the night before and morning after) took place in Palm Springs. It was a really nice event, and Nancy and Jerry really know how to throw a party. There were cool people, some great food (Spencer's Restaurant), lots of booze, and music that pumped all night. The bride and groom make a great couple and I wish them the best in their new lives together.
My intention is to post with more regularity, even if it's just a little blurb. Until next time, a quote from Viktor E. Frankl:
There are only two races of men; the decent, and the indecent.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Lagging
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3 comments:
Obviously, I've never been through the kinds of experiences that Dr. Frankl has, but the problem seems to me that most people fit into both of his categories.
Hannah Arendt invented the phrase "the banality of evil" to describe the very same men that Frankl called 'indecent'. Her point was that the camp guards, the Gestapo, the SS, and others were often regular guys who just happened to commit horrible atrocities as one part of their lives.
This is actually much scarier than the idea that some men are decent and some aren't - it implies that evil can happen anywhere. It also implies that evil may be happening around us right now - we may even be participating in it - and not really be aware of it.
Paul Graham has a great essay on moral fashions. I don't agree with everything in the essay, but it's a good starting place - the idea being that if we can learn to distinguish real morality from fashions, we can avoid the banality of evil in our own lives.
Welcome back, Eric! It's good to see you back online. Now I know what the void in my life was. Let's try to keep it so that I don't have to ask myself, "Donde esta mi nido?" ;) Just kidding man. Very cool pics of the dogs and of course, the wedding shots, which has to include the one of you in the tux. You look good all dressed up. The ladies in Palm Springs must have gone crazy for you. And you certainly weren't kidding about the orange bike. No matter how much savings were involved, it wouldn't have been worth it in the long run for sure. That is a truly ugly bike! Speaking of bike rides, we have to go on one soon. I know that it's probably a couple of rides away but I'd really like to cruise down to the beach in the storm drains someday. But before that, I just have to pick up my bike! I know, I know... Anyway, see you this Thursday (maybe).
Tyson,
Your points are well taken. It may open a can of worms, but a few things come to mind here...
I think almost all decent people make moral mistakes throughout their lives. However, there are gradations of "evil" or immorality. The guy who finds an iPod in a park and thinks, "Finders keepers," is not the same as the camp guard who lead innocent men to their deaths. I suppose those that followed Nazi leaders' orders were just "regular guys" outside of their roles in horrific crimes (which is definitely a scary thought), but I think many of them were motivated by fear of the consequences of not following orders. My guess is that many lived in denial, knowing deep down that what they were doing was very wrong. Of course, this doesn't negate the argument that otherwise decent people are capable of doing great evil, but while troubling, I think the Nazi example is fairly extreme and unusual.
Maybe it's naive to think so, but I believe it's fairly difficult to participate in true evil nowadays and be completely unaware of it. As the Graham essay argues, people have thoughts they might never express to others for fear of some negative reaction, yet we do indeed have those thoughts. This lends itself to the idea that we are more aware than we sometimes allow ourselves to be.
And while I certainly don't think people today are any more intelligent than previous generations, we certainly have much more access to information, diverse ideas and history. I think it's easier to present differing ideas today, at least in "civilized" nations, than it was even decades ago. You may be considered a kook or dangerous by some people, but I don't think absolute condemnation is nearly as likely.
Unfortunately, there is still a degree of condemnation for those who speak unmentionable, yet possible truths in our litigious, hyper-sensitive society. The "heretic" of the past has been replaced by the "racist" or "sexist" of the present. And while the punishment may not be as drastic–being labled, fired, fined or sued, for example, vs. death, beatings or imprisonment–the rejection by those in power is still there. It's often silly, sad and detrimental to society, and it distracts us from what is truly important.
Cory- yeah, it's fun to get dressed up once in awhile. ;)
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