My favourite music, I’d say is Classical
With a smattering of Baroque
And some Romatical
I like the broad orchestral sound
But I’ll listen to film scores too
If they’re around
Padre
Music Choices
#FPQ
AI
I asked Alexa her point of view
About the intelligence of AIs and humans too
She seemed confused at what I said
And finally replied: “Based on all that’s been written and read –
Human intelligence is myth in the human head.”
Padre
What would happen if Al surpassed human intelligence? https://fivedotoh.com/2023/01/11/fandangos-provocative-question-198/
Tangent
I pondered what was my best vacation
One filled with adventure and elation
Was is the Canaries, Japan, or some cruise?
It was on this I began to muse
In the end my mind took a tangent
It wasn’t the place because that’s just transient
It isn’t the journey that make’s it the best
It is who you are with – so ignore the rest
Padre
Late Ever Since
Time began at half past three
When Ug said to Og “Come meet me”
Og by her nature was of course late
Ug was quick to note the mistake
The pair then proceeded to disagree
So the whole concept of time
Seems a mistake to me
Padre
Last Day On Earth
What will your last day on Earth be like?
It will be quite busy and though the checklists have been developed to be rather routine, it will require a number of equipment and pre-flight checks.
Now, what will my last day on Mars be like? For that one only the fates know.
Padre
Certainty
The world is complex, complicated, and scary
People’s takes on it all – by nature vary
But when for a moment it all seems to make sense
We will hold to that view from that moment hence
In the face of evidence that our views are mistaken
It overloads our reason as our world foundations are shaken
It is easier to then just dig in our heels
And with a deaf ear welcome your appeals
Padre
Tech
I have said on several occasions that I think that whole fire thing has been a mixed blessing, and I am currently reserving my judgement on the wheel. Ug and I were discussing this in the cave the other day and while some technological advances seem positive, most in the end have downsides.
Padre
What Do I Do?
Fandango’s provocative question for you this week is this:
What do you do for a living? If you are retired, what did you do before you retired? If you’re currently unemployed, what did you do before becoming unemployed?
The short answer is that I am a certified member of the God Squad. I spent four years working with the Navy Chaplains Corps, ten years as a minister, and thirty years or so as a theologian, and teacher of theology and religious studies. While there is some overlap in these roles, I have essentially spent my entire adult life either in biblical/religious studies or working directly in religious roles.
I realise in the climate of today’s world such a career path is alien, if not distasteful to many people, but in the end it is the road I have travelled and I view it not as a job but a vocation.
Padre
Of Honey and Vinegar
The power of words is immense. Ideas have the ability to sway emotions, and to spawn their own natural offspring. How one presents these ideas, however, has the power to stifle or to nurture the core message. What is said must have merit if it is to truly have sway, or at least it should be so. But history has shown that golden ideas misrepresented or construed have failed, where ideas bearing no nobility have encouraged crowds to do the unthinkable whether they are from some podium in Munich or in Washington DC.
I value logic. I embrace semantics and philosophical truths. Yet, I have to acknowledge that rhetoric has the ability to obscure truth, to make emotion override reason, and to lead to a lessening of the collective good. That being the case I must respond to Fandango’s question: “In the context of blogging and writing, what do you think is more important: what you say or how you say it?,” that it is how you say it that matters most.
What we write and blog is diminished if our ideas are poorly framed. What we post is as susceptible to dismissal because of “bad writing” as any other form. If we annoy with our grammar, we lose the readers heart. Furthermore, no matter how true our premise, or sound our conclusion, if it offends because of a lack of tact, we have often lost the battle. “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar,” it has been said. It is here that I risk losing support for my well-considered response by equating my readers with flies. Trust me, however, that you are neither small minded insects, or nuisance-some bugs, but the mirrors of, we the bloggers’ inner voices.
Padre
Envy and Jealousy
Fandango’s provocative question is: “Is jealousy purely a negative and potentially destructive emotion, or does jealousy have any value as a motivator to drive people to improve themselves?” This really comes down to semantics and what we mean by jealousy. If by the term you mean a possessiveness of things, and especially of people – then it is a destructive thing. To be jealous of one’s partner presupposes “ownership.” Trust and partnership should ideally be the foundations of a relationship, not control.
This does not mean we aren’t hurt if said loved one goes elsewhere for affection, but that is their choice. The third party, however, did not “steal” your love interest. So in that way, Fandango’s “motivator” point may come into play. We should be the best us – if we want to be in a relationship with the best them. But again, this is not ownership, it is making oneself desirable, not the controlling a partner’s life.
If on the other hand by jealousy we mean covetousness or envy, then it still has negative connotations as it can distort our values. To begrudge others possessions (here we are speaking of material things, not people) or position then we are being unfair as they too have aspirations and needs. If we desire another’s attainments and do so without real effort to achieve our own, then it is wrong. While many things in life are finite: gold, etc. They are still abundant enough to be sought after. So in this way Fandango’s “motivator” still comes into play. But empty “envy” which “wants,” but does not seek to achieve; that wishes misfortune on others for our own satisfaction or ends – this is wrong.
By the way, honour and accomplishment are not finite. There is enough honour to go around for those who are honourable.
All in all, wanting to gain something is a motivating force, but it should never be done with malice or at the expense of another.
Padre
Padre's Ramblings 