How To Identify Reliable Opinions

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I check with others, who have different varying experiences, to form opinions about unknown topics. This can either be achieved through gossip, or actual presentation of evidence and arguments. The two tend to get mixed together to some degree.

The only way to quickly figure out if information may be true is by using Logic. However, the language of Logic is not as popular as it is useful. This means most people do not verify the gossip they hear, in any methodical way.

I LOL'd :D

Knowing this, many people take it on themselves to "inform" the public, regularly. Politicians, news-spokesmen, media representatives, and so on. All of them make a salary from passing on gossip to people, which more often than not is unverified and false.

Also, due to the ease of access and vagueness of information, their followers become dependent. Those public speakers become their daily source of information and social entertainment. Their window to the world, so to speak.

There is only one way to avoid false reports and useless gossip, so that you make opinions that reflect reality and are helpful to you: Having standards. Well, we all have different standards, so the requirement is high standards.

What do you know about the person speaking?

Would they have incentive to lie?

Do they verify their own sources of information?

Are you being told about research that is financed by a group with a particular interest?

Research financed by tobacco companies, showing no-correlation between smoking cigarettes and lung cancer, is not a surprise. News channels censoring any incriminating items about their sponsors, or anyone related to their funding, is again not a surprise. Even medical companies sponsoring dangerous pills that cause more harm than help, when it comes to the wide public, is only economically expected.

So, doubt both the person and the information they speak. Ask questions, and see if there is any resistance to providing evidence. Look for falsifiable arguments and statements, and see if they are actually being supported by the evidence.

Watching Violent Movies For Education

We watch action flicks for the heroes; not for the violence or the destruction. How dare I claim such an all encompassing conclusion? Let us break it down:

People watch movies that have conflict without having violence in them. For example, dramas, comedies, adventure films, non-violent children shows and more. Conflict itself is the interesting thing! We all have a strong inner need for education, so we seek the conflict between others, to learn from their experiences.

The Martial Arts
Probably the best example of learning from conflict,
on daily basis.

While we may not actually take interest in which side wins any conflict, or in the result of it, at all, we do want to review the successes achieved in the conflict. By mimicking and understanding the victories, we learn how to defend ourselves and win conflicts ourselves. It is as simple as that! Monkey see monkey do, so monkey want to see.

So, the next time anybody dares claim that we learn 'how to be violent' from movies and games, make sure you remember that it is a false notion! Remember that we learn from all conflicts, and what we learn is how to handle and come out well from conflicts.

Sleep As Much As You Can

Yes. I have said it. Those who say otherwise are biased, and thus are strictly wrong.

The myth of oversleeping is nonsense, that the popular media keeps encouraging due to those old notions, that people should wake up early - regardless of when they go to sleep.

Thanks to Cat Kalen for braving this topic!

In schools and work places, those nifty enslavement institutions, people are expected to wake up at the same hour, regardless of their own personal situation. This is stupid. It might have worked for previous generations, but with the advent of technology and the internet, we see a decrease in the uniformity of sleeping & waking hours in modern society.

Simply put, when you have had enough sleep, then you wake up. Naturally. We do not fall asleep by choice, and we should not wake up by choice. Surely, if there is anything alarming happening, then we would break our sleep. But, that is the exception, and must not be the rule. "Alarm" clocks are evil. They stress you first thing in the morning, and by disturbing your natural sleep patterns, they induce the effects of sleep deprivation.

Stuart drinks a cup of coffee and falls asleep.

I was horrored to see how many articles on Google say the opposite of what I, and others, are saying about this.

While there is indeed a plethora of researchers and doctors claiming the former, there are as many, if not so popularized, who say the latter. So, do your own study and self-evaluation. Do not let people convince you that you are in the wrong, just because you are different.

Sleep well. ;-)

3D Models For Cash

I recently did a 20$ 3D model job for a guy from the UK, or Europe, I suppose. He wanted a quick real-life size model of some StarWars looking arm gadget.

 

I find it amusing and curious that he wanted to print it in a 3D printer and wear as part of a costume. That's pretty awesome, actually. :-D

A Real Gunslinger

As I'm passing time, you know, quiet days, I noticed an interesting show.

Click on me for a link to stream the show online for free.

It reminds me of watching Bonanza as a young boy. I was never a fan of violence and shooting, but I've had my small share of both, and when words come to action - it's better to do the right thing, than it is to get wronged.

The quiet small town south western atmosphere. The cool guitar playing in the background. And someone who takes care of trouble. There's always some trouble, at least.

Now, I know that in reality things are different. Like I said, I'm not a fighting fan myself so much. But, it can't be ignored that more often than not we all need a hero in our lives. Someone who can stand tall when the rubble is rolling. I enjoy this series quite a bunch. I hope you do too.

End of Winter, Come Spring

Call Me Call Me by Yoko Kanno & Steve Conte

A lovely day of cool breeze and dark clouds. The birds! Oh the birds! Enjoy the photographs. Taken with my low-quality laptop webcam. :-D

Rock On Demotivational Posters

Yuji Kaido from Blue Gender (anime)

Somehow, it's just so much fun making these. :P

I'm Just Trying To Be Funny

I don't know what's going on. My funny bone isn't working. I find myself without my regular intuitive and spontaneous humor. I write stories, but I can't really find the funny humor in them. I write posts, but I can't really think up anything funny to add.

I only get some rhetorical humor going on when commenting on Facebook.

I guess I'm nothing but a troll, after all.

A Five Step Politician

A representative of the public, also known as a politician, is a person who requires a certain degree of experience and knowledge in the practice of sympathy.

“Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them.” - John Maxwell

Interests.
A contending or chosen social representative must never have any conflicting interests. There must be no profit or benefit to him or anyone in his personal circle. This requires all financial information and historical records to be publicly accessible.

Education.
A certain curriculum is expected of the politician. It is not enough to have general knowledge. The most critical contemporary topics must be well researched. In addition, topics of social conduct and historical failures and successes must be versed. A politician not only represents his public, but they also lead their public.

Experience.
Only through experiencing the hard facts of life, and learning how to cope with them realistically, can a representative be expected to be wise about their choices for the public. Each representative must pass a test of courage, wherein they will live for a month in the most poverty stricken conditions their public suffers voluntarily.

Profession.
Each representative has their own specialty. The social issues are always diverse, and for that there must be enough professional politicians to adequately solve those technical problems that arise. It is only expected that a political office that represents the natural environment, which puts emphasis on the welfare of the local animals and plants, should be led and populated by those with specific experience and knowledge.

Liability.
The life and well-being of the public is not a matter of play. If a selected representative is shown to be a failure, even though all requirements have been accounted for, then they must be replaced; for even a great expert can make great mistakes. The public must not let a politician have the interest of protecting their own status. Instead, those who already have an interest to replace the elected person - the contenders, must take responsibility over mistakes, and be elected whenever they identify a problem and offer a solution that the former politician could not handle.

The Myth of Commonality & Public Interest

Today, I would like to discuss with you a myth that is the cause of war on our public freedom. This is the idea that the public has a common interest, at all.

Barack Hussein Obama II

I will repeat. The public never had, and never will have, a common interest. There for, no person or group of people will ever be able to represent the public under any commonality.

Just as a group of wealthy executives, who spend their days in offices, are unable to represent poverty stricken communities; so are the poverty stricken community of any town or neighborhood, unable to represent those of wealth and status.

The analogy that best exemplifies this case, is the one where an engineer is replaced by ten popular citizens. Without the hard gained skills and knowledge necessary to bring about results, those ten cannot achieve what the individual engineer achieves every day.

George W. Bush

Social representatives are professionals. They are not, on the other hand, magicians. Those who claim to answer the needs of all are liars. Those who claim to improve on the issues at hand, without first proving that no personal interest will conflict with these issues, are frauds and cheats.

Modern-day politicians have no choice, but to be frauds. Finance remains their sole interest, and as long there is any interest in finance and power for a politician, then there is no hope for freedom.

Ralph Nader

Reversely, if the only interest of the social representatives is freedom, then there is no doubt that the result will be public freedom.

A politician that is both aware of, and learned in, the lives of all people, will without a doubt be obliged to keep freedom above all. It is only an unlearned and unaware politician that brings forth the demise and destruction we see raging at the beginning of the third millennium A.D.

Queen of England
Elizabeth II

On both accounts must a politician be tested and proven, and must they be created and shaped. How could we expect a politician to do our bidding, when they are unaware of the misery of people during their work? It is as if a blind architect was chosen to build our cities. How could we expect a politician to succeed in doing the right thing, when they are unlearned in the things most important to us? They are learned only in conquest and power. It is as if we were to expect an infantry soldier to take upon himself the role of a strategist. Indeed, it leads to bloodshed and misery.

Tomorrow, I will post on my first attempt at describing the requirements we must all bid necessary, for a social representative to fulfill, before gaining the creed of office. I am certain that all true leaders and social activist will take much interest in having such a practice activated, for the benefit of all.

Democracy Is Bad For All

Today, I will shortly write my opinion about democracy.

G. Edward Griffin
on Collectivism
(YouTube Video)

Democracy is a method by which a ruling elite, who rule by force, manipulate human society into accepting atrocities. Their manipulation is aimed at the majority group of adult males, for they are the most dangerous and influential group of people in any society. Women, although dangerous just the same, are more occupied by nature.

I feel that there are unrealistic hopes about the results democracy is supposed to bring forth. I encourage all and one to let go of any such hopes, and instead search and investigate into well-founded ideas for making life healthy and enjoyable. A life of responsibility and care. A life of freedom and open love.

I say well-founded ideas, because democracy is a badly-founded idea. Democracy is founded on practices of extreme violence, extreme racism, extreme sexism, and extreme ignorance and social manipulation. Welcome to the Greek Empire of antiquity. The facts of democracy, in the past, and today, and its' evolution are a cause for distraught. It is a factual and historical evil. Is it worth protecting and promoting? No. There is nothing to protect, because democracy has already pretty much gone as far as it will go in the modern world. It is worth learning from, and advancing forward from and into a better paradigm. A better social paradigm.

Mutual Trust

Humans are not dissimilar to animals in the sense that just as you or I would not lend reasons for a snake to bite us, so should people not be allowed to behave in an aggressive manner. Just as the animal would be manipulated into a sense of security, so should people be manipulated into a sense of trust.

This could be achieved by identifying and applying the properties that relay trust. An abundance of food and water. Public declarations of security. Public declarations of common interests. A seeming abundance of living space. Flattery. Investments in the other's growth. A sense of all important responsibilities being taken care of by the manipulator.

Governments apply this in their rule. Regardless of the moral question about such actions, there is a practical question to be raised about using this practice. Is there a suspicion that those being manipulated are in fact being degraded? Their skills and minds slowly losing aptitude?

It is well known in Anthropological research circles that many indigenous tribal peoples manipulate relationships between tribe members and whole tribes, in order to maintain peace and flourish. For example, some tribes come together in celebration of some socially acceptable reason, and maintain a healthy and peaceful bond through the sharing of gifts and joy.

I suspect that there is a healthy balance of thoughtfulness that requires a technical manipulation of people, in order to achieve and maintain mutually beneficial relationships. It seems to me that people must only present what they want others to take from them, so that they in return receive what they want without conflict. This sort of half-truth or deceit is crucial when another person is unable to understand the meaning of another's actions or opinions; the misunderstanding leading to fear and aggression.

A balance to this manipulation would be an effort to educate those ignorant to such ideas, without directly revealing the ideas in whole. In this way, while conflict is kept in check, the manipulating party can continue within its' interest, and even encourage others to join. The only trick I find illusive, is the manner in which the deceit is explained as a misunderstanding, and not as a blunt lie.

Oh, the trouble of awareness.

Jazz

KCSM Jazz 91.1

I love it.

Amazonian Adventures #2

Today, I found out that my eBooks were hoarding serious technical bugs. >< Obviously, something that my audience would feel to be amateurish. Immediately, I turned and fixed those bugs!

Complaint #1
Amazon's file conversion system blows. I use the most simple and technically-correct Word 2010 documents, and still Amazon insist on bugging up my eBooks. Bad spaces - Wrong bookmarks - Inability to handle Unicode. *sigh*

Love trolls.

Complaint #2
Every time an author updates their book's files, it can take plenty of time for Amazon to update. In the meanwhile, if a mistake was made, there is no option to cancel submission - and upload a new file. No, I must wait these twenty-four (24) hours or more, until I can upload my books again, and then only a day later will those updates be available. Better be careful with that submission button.

Mahō Senshi Riui

Young Merrill Attacking Louie The Hero

In English it is titled Rune Soldier. I haven't finished the anime, so I won't call this a proper review, but I'll do it anyway. I need a short break before the next episode loads. :=D

This short series of twenty-four (24) episodes, which ran in 2001, is a light adventure and comedy story about a Mage and Fighter called Louie. I was looking for something to watch - you know, for lunch - and so browsing through the Comedy category of animes I found this little title. I highly recommend it. Oh yeah, it also has plenty of ecchi jokes. I love this bit ->

Apparently, this title comes from the same mangaka of Record of Lodoss War and Sword World - Ryo Mizuno. I recall watching Lodoss and enjoying it as well.

Hunter × Hunter × 2011 × Anime

I have been expecting this move for a few years now. Ever since I finished watching every possible bit of material online that I could find. Hunter × Hunter 2011 is the title of the remake of the anime, which started afresh two years ago.

We are all very... excited.

This remake, which is still airing weekly, follows the Manga strictly. Now the series is interesting, logical, and it is continuously exciting! Unlike the old series that aired before. They are even using a new cast for the voices. As I write this post, the Greed Island saga is being aired - which I must say is splendidly made as well.

Do enjoy. Please comment with your opinion about the remake series. :-)

P.S. For those without access to the anime, you can enjoy it online: http://www.watchanimeon.com/hunter-x-hunter-2011-episode-1/

How To Make A Story Sound More Interesting

Often, authors will think of events and characters that really capture the mind. These would beg and insist to have a story-world to be told about in. While a good idea and a character is something to start with, it is obviously not enough. Interest is lacking.

A good event or story need several things:
A. A reason for it's occurrence; whether it is told before the event of afterwards.
B. Relevant emotions that create sympathy between the characters and the reader. Without describing such strong emotions, the reader will feel disinterest.
And finally, C. Every event must be in relation to its' affect on others in the story. I once saw on TV a joke about this issue. The newscaster read from the prompter: "An atomic-bomb has fallen on Los Angeles last night! No one was killed or injured in the event." :-D Hehehe Classical.

I hope this helps. ;-)

Reviewing THE SWORD OF SHANNARA

First, let me say that I adore the Shannara series by Terry Brooks. The reason I adore it, is that his writing is excellent, and his ideas are authentic and exciting. By authentic I mean that his ideas come from personal life experience, and this is palpable when reading the stories.

Support the author!

I will also add that I have some disagreements with the series, and I will explain inside the review. So let's begin a short review on the first book of the series.

In the first book, Brooks slowly reveals a future fantasy & science-fiction world, where great destruction lead to a renewed Earth. This idea of mixing the two genres into one epic world is brilliant. Sadly, Brooks is a professional teaser, and as such reveals the interesting depths of his world ever so slow.

The Druid Allanon is surely the most charismatic (see D&D Abilities) character in the book. Possessing knowledge and power beyond mere mortals, he takes charge of events and shapes the future of all life on the planet by his actions. Trained to fight against those who wish to destroy and control others - he guides the time-lapsing heroes of this chapter through their duty.

I feel that the Ohmsford brothers and the sword fighting Menion Leah, with other characters in mind, are somehow shallower than the Druid in profile. The storyline is exciting and luring, while the characters themselves are not so much of either. This, of course, only diminishes from the quality of the story a little, and allows the patient reader to enjoy more developed characters in Brooks' future books.

Overall, I rate it to be an interesting read, and an exciting one as well. I recommend it, especially for anyone who would take interest in reading the entire series. I certainly feel that the first book is reduced into a simpler story without the rest of the series included.

The Series of Shannara

I actually enjoyed the
audiobook myself.

An exciting prospect has run into me yesterday. I am an avid fan of "The Sword of Shannara" series of books. I am currently enjoying an audiobook of The Talismans of Shannara. Highly recommended.

It seems that the rights have been purchased by Sonar Entertainment to make a series from the epic trilogy. I have enjoyed "A Game of Thrones", the televised pornographic version of the books by George R. R. Martin, and am bound to enjoy a televised version of this series as well.

Just wanted to let you know ;-)
Source

Bleach Used To Be Cool

This is the case of how the stylistic anime Bleach turned from being amusing and cool, into a gay infested bothersome series.

As evidence, I give you Opening Theme song #1 (first aired), and Opening Theme song #15 (last aired). I have quit the series long ago, somewhere around its' middle. It was indeed promising, but like many children, it became lost and crappy; not to mention depressing and boring.