The Partially [Un]Examined Life

Download this blogcast in MP3 Audio.

The Partially Examined Life podcast & blog, albeit entertaining, is a great example of why abstract philosophies are fucking useless.

By "abstract philosophies", I mean thinking about life out of context of my own personal life. Without the inclusion of my own experiences. In other words, talking without "getting dirty."

Visit their website & podcast.

I do give it to them that the discussions are humoristic & easy going, and so make for a nice entertaining background sound; so I have something to listen to, while working out, say.

Abstract philosophy, or "philosophizing", is the cause of all structured ignorance. The idea that any thought can be discussed in an impersonal manner, as if from the cloud-seat of some immortal deity, only causes misunderstandings and confusion. As proof, talk to any philosophy student; the pure embodiment of trying to study philosophy, without attaching its' meaning to our own lives.

So, while I do recommend listening to any of their episodes, and their well-narrated talks, I strongly warn against considering any of it as Philosophy.

The Designed Life Is Less Troublesome

Not for the first time, I have just enjoyed watching Toby Hemenway's talk about designing our surroundings and Permaculture. After, quite recently, deciding that my game project (see a few posts below) is a fail, due to the lack of tools for its' making, I returned to the drawing board.

My drawing board is, more often than not, the simple Paint program in Windows.

Naturally, I saw myself returning to those topics that have always drawn my attention. News and updates from the Permaculture world, may sometimes be slow to come, due to the nature of the profession. Yet, this means that when there are news, they are ever more exciting and interesting to learn!

In the above refreshing talk, Toby takes us from our common history - and how it brought us to our current situation - and all the way into the latest positive examples of good environmental design. I hope you enjoy it, as much as I have.