My favorite photographer has been in Scotland, check out his blog. Beautiful!!
http://tao-of-digital-photography.blogspot.com/2009/08/preturnaturally-sublime-beauty-of.html
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Another Philosophy Paper Down! :)
Is it rational to believe in God?
Blind belief in God in not rational; however with all of the knowledge we have at our disposal we can surely make a rational choice to believe or not.
To imagine God as a grandfatherly "Gandolf" figure with a long white beard, we cross into an area of presumption without validation. We must try to remove any physical preconceptions the human mind can conceive of in order to make any concept of God reasonable. If we choose to simply use sound judgment and define God as a creator or rather an artist who assembled the pieces from the already existing materials in the universe to create a world and its inhabitants, then we fall closer to a realm of possibility. Any being capable of that task is beyond our finite understanding but not beyond belief.
When we define rationale or reason, we learn it is to be in accordance with common sense or normal practice. So, what we do have to work with is the unified strength of many intelligent minds over time that can help us with this age old quandary. Through the current knowledge provided by the physical sciences (physics, biology etc), we can see the intelligent design of our own human bodies and of our wonderful planet.
There are components of our biological structure (such as the eye) that rule out the possibility of evolution. Evolution defined as a means of adaptation is a proven reality, but evolution as a means of human creation is not a biological possibility. Something from nothing is an impossibility.
We are not self-existing beings. We are the biological product of our parents. Yes, once matured we can exist on our own, but our individual creation follows a course, a process that can be mapped. Every original creation must have a map or set of instructions, and every map requires a master designer who understands the path. If our creation was within our comprehension then we would be self-existent.
Beyond the physical human body there is an undefinable life energy. Uncharted by any science, call it the soul, the spirit, or the undeniable life force that burns as long as we live. Like a fingerprint it is unique to everyone and defines our personality. A personality cannot merely be predicted or measured by genetics and environment. The beauty of the soul, like a flower or a rain forest confirms for me further evidence of a creator because of its' unique quality.
If reason is a justification for beliefs, then yes, we can find a rational avenue for a belief in God. When we try to use or corrupt that belief in God for power or control then it creates irrational behavior. Sadly, two missing towers in New York City are evidence of this. For most, a belief in God improves quality of life and provides a moral compass. However abstract or incomprehensible the concept of God may be, when God is defined as a creator, it is absolutely rational to believe in God.
Blind belief in God in not rational; however with all of the knowledge we have at our disposal we can surely make a rational choice to believe or not.
To imagine God as a grandfatherly "Gandolf" figure with a long white beard, we cross into an area of presumption without validation. We must try to remove any physical preconceptions the human mind can conceive of in order to make any concept of God reasonable. If we choose to simply use sound judgment and define God as a creator or rather an artist who assembled the pieces from the already existing materials in the universe to create a world and its inhabitants, then we fall closer to a realm of possibility. Any being capable of that task is beyond our finite understanding but not beyond belief.
When we define rationale or reason, we learn it is to be in accordance with common sense or normal practice. So, what we do have to work with is the unified strength of many intelligent minds over time that can help us with this age old quandary. Through the current knowledge provided by the physical sciences (physics, biology etc), we can see the intelligent design of our own human bodies and of our wonderful planet.
There are components of our biological structure (such as the eye) that rule out the possibility of evolution. Evolution defined as a means of adaptation is a proven reality, but evolution as a means of human creation is not a biological possibility. Something from nothing is an impossibility.
We are not self-existing beings. We are the biological product of our parents. Yes, once matured we can exist on our own, but our individual creation follows a course, a process that can be mapped. Every original creation must have a map or set of instructions, and every map requires a master designer who understands the path. If our creation was within our comprehension then we would be self-existent.
Beyond the physical human body there is an undefinable life energy. Uncharted by any science, call it the soul, the spirit, or the undeniable life force that burns as long as we live. Like a fingerprint it is unique to everyone and defines our personality. A personality cannot merely be predicted or measured by genetics and environment. The beauty of the soul, like a flower or a rain forest confirms for me further evidence of a creator because of its' unique quality.
If reason is a justification for beliefs, then yes, we can find a rational avenue for a belief in God. When we try to use or corrupt that belief in God for power or control then it creates irrational behavior. Sadly, two missing towers in New York City are evidence of this. For most, a belief in God improves quality of life and provides a moral compass. However abstract or incomprehensible the concept of God may be, when God is defined as a creator, it is absolutely rational to believe in God.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Phil paper
Sorry it has been so long since I posted, school and work keep me pretty busy. Wanted to share my latest Philosophy paper. Would love any thoughts you guys have on the topic! The question was...
Why should I be moral when it is not in my best interest to do so?
Morality affects us on every level of human existence. How is it not always in my best interest to be moral? If in the moment of choice we understand that remaining moral is in our best interest, then regardless of the situation it is an easy decision. We are guided toward morality through our conscience. Maybe not as colorful as Jiminy Cricket, or as condemning as the threat of Hell created by organized religion, conscience is very real. A guide we can choose follow or ignore, but an immoral life is not without natural consequences. Some see our conscience as a spiritual reaction to immoral behavior; personally I believe it is completely biological.
On a physiological level, it has been proven that we benefit from the release of endorphins and other chemical reactions that increase function, healing, and growth through every system of the body. I believe negative actions also release chemicals as a warning system to alter our unsafe or immoral behavior. We interpret those as our conscience or instinct. If we trust the higher function of our brain to keep us safe and happy, it will do so. Lack of conscience (or a chemical imbalance) could explain a mass murderer who displays no guilt but has been raised without abuse or any other environmental reason for his behavior.
Our mental state of well being has a direct impact on our physical health. I believe that negative emotions like shame or guilt can fester over time and manifest themselves as cancer or other serious health problems. If we act immorally, the body actually works against us. The mainstream medical community has tied stomach ulcers to stress; however, they have yet to prove or acknowledge that other diseases are related to mental health. I predict in the years to come that many more health issues will be tied to our coping mechanisms, actions and even our decisions. Depression and lethargy definitely act against our best interest. With all of the environmental and genetic stresses our bodies endure, why would we consciously add to that?
Moral behavior reinforces our personal integrity and self-worth, which also contribute to our mental stability. Without our integrity, does anything else matter? Personally I choose morality, I see it as a key to happiness and wellness. Both of which are in my best interest!
Why should I be moral when it is not in my best interest to do so?
Morality affects us on every level of human existence. How is it not always in my best interest to be moral? If in the moment of choice we understand that remaining moral is in our best interest, then regardless of the situation it is an easy decision. We are guided toward morality through our conscience. Maybe not as colorful as Jiminy Cricket, or as condemning as the threat of Hell created by organized religion, conscience is very real. A guide we can choose follow or ignore, but an immoral life is not without natural consequences. Some see our conscience as a spiritual reaction to immoral behavior; personally I believe it is completely biological.
On a physiological level, it has been proven that we benefit from the release of endorphins and other chemical reactions that increase function, healing, and growth through every system of the body. I believe negative actions also release chemicals as a warning system to alter our unsafe or immoral behavior. We interpret those as our conscience or instinct. If we trust the higher function of our brain to keep us safe and happy, it will do so. Lack of conscience (or a chemical imbalance) could explain a mass murderer who displays no guilt but has been raised without abuse or any other environmental reason for his behavior.
Our mental state of well being has a direct impact on our physical health. I believe that negative emotions like shame or guilt can fester over time and manifest themselves as cancer or other serious health problems. If we act immorally, the body actually works against us. The mainstream medical community has tied stomach ulcers to stress; however, they have yet to prove or acknowledge that other diseases are related to mental health. I predict in the years to come that many more health issues will be tied to our coping mechanisms, actions and even our decisions. Depression and lethargy definitely act against our best interest. With all of the environmental and genetic stresses our bodies endure, why would we consciously add to that?
Moral behavior reinforces our personal integrity and self-worth, which also contribute to our mental stability. Without our integrity, does anything else matter? Personally I choose morality, I see it as a key to happiness and wellness. Both of which are in my best interest!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Black and White
Black and White Photography has always been one of my deepest passions. Something about the lack of color adds another dimension, leaving an honest, almost raw image. Anyway I found a new photographer, rivalling...yes I dare say.. Ansel Adams! Please take a minute to check this site out...I was amazed!!
Tao of Digital Photography
Thursday, April 16, 2009
A new book
Flesh and blood quickly becoming a thing of the past, live interaction going out like the cut of my jeans. A diary for the world to read, what a strange concept. No longer stuffed between matress and springs, not hidden from small prying siblings.
This book of faces, a declaration to the world, a digital facebook, a brilliant creation. A history of an entire civilization stored in bytes, where children are displayed like prize winning fair animals. Generation X converts their memories to mega bytes. Generation 'why' finds a new place to be angry.
Old lovers and friends faces haunting my dreams again. Some reunions sweet, dripping sugar, others painful, twenty year old scabs removed. So many years past teen spirit, past superficial judgment and yet strangely a cast system comes rushing back with no cause. A cheerleader's body ruined by alcohol and too many babies, but still she believes she is somehow better than me. The sweet boy no one noticed now in the hollywood spotlight, suddenly everyone wants to be his friend.
Joyful memories of fun times with good friends catch me off guard and bring me to tears. A love from sixth grade, handsome even grey, a wonderful find but rude, crushed even after all these years. Emotions running hot and high as if still charged by the hormones of youth.
A dark cloud with a silver lining? A brilliant new interface? Pushing so hard to connect to everyone, quickly typing conversations to fill curiosity. Wondering how many years away we are from complete physical disconnect. Will our children go to school online to avoid the bullies and the drugs? How is honest communication achieved in our cyber world without a voice, without body language? How long until we all live in a small box without windows, only a bed and a computer? Sperm banks shipping product via FedEx already.
So how long? Maybe a book of faces can tell us.
This book of faces, a declaration to the world, a digital facebook, a brilliant creation. A history of an entire civilization stored in bytes, where children are displayed like prize winning fair animals. Generation X converts their memories to mega bytes. Generation 'why' finds a new place to be angry.
Old lovers and friends faces haunting my dreams again. Some reunions sweet, dripping sugar, others painful, twenty year old scabs removed. So many years past teen spirit, past superficial judgment and yet strangely a cast system comes rushing back with no cause. A cheerleader's body ruined by alcohol and too many babies, but still she believes she is somehow better than me. The sweet boy no one noticed now in the hollywood spotlight, suddenly everyone wants to be his friend.
Joyful memories of fun times with good friends catch me off guard and bring me to tears. A love from sixth grade, handsome even grey, a wonderful find but rude, crushed even after all these years. Emotions running hot and high as if still charged by the hormones of youth.
A dark cloud with a silver lining? A brilliant new interface? Pushing so hard to connect to everyone, quickly typing conversations to fill curiosity. Wondering how many years away we are from complete physical disconnect. Will our children go to school online to avoid the bullies and the drugs? How is honest communication achieved in our cyber world without a voice, without body language? How long until we all live in a small box without windows, only a bed and a computer? Sperm banks shipping product via FedEx already.
So how long? Maybe a book of faces can tell us.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Visit
The Carson City kids (my brother's family) spent this last week in Utah and we had a really great visit! Every time they are here there are always a million things going on and the time seems to go by in such a blur they are gone before we know it. This visit was special because it was Summer's Birthday and the Easter weekend, but honestly just them being in town makes it a special occasion. I will keep the cheese to a minimum, but I have to say, I really love my family and I am so amazed at the wonderful little people my siblings are raising! I am blessed with 8 nieces and nephews, each one a phenomenal miniature human!
Papa Dave & the Carson Kids Easter morning, super cute! :)
Papa Dave & the Carson Kids Easter morning, super cute! :)
Friday, March 27, 2009
Funny random observation for the day
You know when you buy and new car and then notice the same make/model everywhere you look? Well this week I have noticed more posters, commercials and ads for smokers than ever before. I just have to tell you about one that I read that almost threw me on the floor with laughter!
In my pediatricians office they had a poster listing ten reasons why life would be better if you quit smoking, things like "your house & clothes will smell better" (I'm thinking, that's true). So I get to number five and it says, "you will have fewer burns on your clothes and furniture"......FEWER? LMAO!! Like a normal person, a non-smoker should expect SOME burns in their clothing, but if you quit smoking, you will have a fewer number of burns than usual. Sigh...LOL....Who writes this crap?
In my pediatricians office they had a poster listing ten reasons why life would be better if you quit smoking, things like "your house & clothes will smell better" (I'm thinking, that's true). So I get to number five and it says, "you will have fewer burns on your clothes and furniture"......FEWER? LMAO!! Like a normal person, a non-smoker should expect SOME burns in their clothing, but if you quit smoking, you will have a fewer number of burns than usual. Sigh...LOL....Who writes this crap?
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