Jobs and Parents

It is quite remarkable how similar jobs and parents are. They both seem to set unreasonable expectations on those whose power is limited. They both seem to encourage phoniness. They both seem to perpetuate bad behaviors. Most of all they both seem to promote an uncooperative sentiment.

If one has a lifetime vested in society as it is, then these assertions would seem harsh and negative, or at least that is what they would be called. Or, worse still anyone with the courage to state them would be called angry and hateful as if these very real human emotions are somehow inhuman. It goes without saying that anger and hatred in excess, like anything else, are bad. On the other hand, they most certainly have their purposes most particularly when it comes to self-defense and combat. Rage and hatred at an attacker for example gives one the much needed power to launch a pre-emptive attack if possible, or to respond effectively and brutally when necessary to repel an unprovoked act of violence. These are uncomfortable things, but many things in this life with Man are uncomfortable. In fact, life among Man is extraordinarily difficult especially it seems in America where few desire to cooperate even a little and even when it makes everything better for all concerned. It is a common practice to smear uncomfortable things in order to dismiss them out of hand; but uncomfortable or not, life must be dealt with. Just because some are hardheaded about evading unpleasantness with superficiality, does not make reality disappear. Wishes do not get things done, action does. In order to properly act given the way that the world is, one must have a clear mind and a clear conscience. Sometimes, this is not always easy to do when one is also generally penalized for strong convictions.

What happens to those for whom understanding and truth are the dominant values of life? These people become outsiders, and no matter how reasonable their viewpoints are, they will remain outsiders. This can be a frustrating experience especially if one genuinely likes and appreciates the enlightenment that comes with sharing important ideas with others. The rift between such people and the rest of society seems to grow more and more prominent with each passing day and no other areas paint the rift with deeper crevices than jobs and parents.

Jobs and parents build insurmountable walls for anyone both young and old that is sensitive, value-oriented, or intellectual. It is even worse for men because men are still supposed to be tough. And, one should be tough, not for all of the exploitative reasons that people often suggest. One should be tough for one's own sake to protect the sensitivity, intelligence, value, and strength that one attempts to build throughout life despite the penalties for trying to do so. For if you have any of these magnificent traits, you will be a stranger in your own land even if you do not want to be. You will be unable to bridge the lacuna formed through so many years that people spend escaping into superficiality.

Jobs build these walls in their unreasonable expectations. I have been told for example that I should "smile" more, as if smiling is some indication that everything is alright. Interestingly enough, the kinds of people who say such things rarely take the positive action to give you something to smile about. For you see, their chastisement toward you is supposed to be enough thereby putting the burden of action on someone else's shoulders. What is even more perplexing is the fact that jobs rarely give you something to smile about. Jobs never pay enough. Managers always expect everything short of outright slavery. Recognition and encouragement for a job well done is sparse. And, few people in management ever provide any kind of encouragement except fear and intimidation. That is still how jobs get people to perform. Managers will tell their people to "ask questions if you do not understand something." And, when someone does ask questions he is reprimanded for asking to many questions or for "wanting things in black and white." Therefore, if one does not ask questions to better understand a job's basic functions, performance will suffer. And, you will get in trouble for that too. Thus, you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. From this steaming heap success is supposed to miraculously rise. And, when it does not--as it cannot--YOU are to blame. You are the stupid, and incompetent one. Now if one follows this logic, one is lead straight to the bar or the psychiatrist's couch. Is this supposed to be the "Great Society" about which so many people would give their lives to pursue? I think not.

Always bear in mind that your resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing--Abraham Lincoln.

Let us say for example that you believe in this quote and support the sentiment that it implies. What position will that give you in this society? More often than not, you will feel more like public enemy number one than Osama Bin Laden does. All of the claims to the contrary notwithstanding, such positive attitudes are quite foreign in most jobs. Most jobs are a collection of highly neurotic and insincere people that look at such positive thinking as strange and bizarre. What will happen for example if you come to work every day with a feeling of loyalty toward your company because you believe that the company generally treats its employees well? You will quickly find yourself isolated in this sentiment. While you work diligently others will play with toy guns and get all of the promotions and accolades.

Let us say for example as a child or adolescent you also believe in the sentiment that President Lincoln expressed. More often than not your parents will tell you to get your head out of the clouds or show indifference towards your belief. Friends will often laugh at you as strange and out of place. Essentially, anytime that you advocate a sensible outlook in life, one that will lift you higher and take you further in life, you will be isolated. What do you do to protect yourself against this onslaught? What do you do to maintain a healthy outlook and continue the struggle against the the stone-headed monster of mindless conformity?

If you couple the extreme alienation that one feels in being serious and substantive in an ocean of banality with talent, and a commitment to fitness, the alienation is compounded exponentially. The gap widens between the callous and the careful, between the value-phobic and the value-driven. What do you do? Whine? Cry? Draw little yellow "smiley" faces? These are not viable options for rational adults least of all for men of strength. So what is the solution? Run away? It is very tempting when one thinks of concepts like liberty, justice, and loyalty while others laugh them away in the grunt-like laughs of brutes. The alienation one feels as a result of the cultural juggernaut of superficiality makes the point of Atlas Shrugged all the more poignant. But, is it feasible to run away? Certainly to become emotionally and psychologically invested in such environments makes no sense at all. However, to run away means to give up on one's own life. It is understandable, but not logical.





Diligence will get your fired these days. Diligence tends not to garner reward, but contempt of one form or another. This is particularly shocking in the workplace where one would expect a certain modicum of rationality based on the desire to make a profit.



It is really quite amazing how similar jobs are to parents. Both tend to be insincere and inconsistent. Companies tout the importance of customer service, while failing to properly train their employees to provide that customer service, or by hiring people whose overall competence is quite low to provide customer service implying that the view of customer service is also quite low. Parents slam their children with guilt and pressure to "perform," impress, and lie while touting the importance of honesty, integrity, and all of that other mother jazz. Company representatives tell a customer "that is not my department" and bounce customers around ad infinitum while playing "cool" music or recordings that say "your call may be monitored for quality assurance." Consequently a customer never gets a definite answer to his question, but I suppose the low level of quality there is somehow overlooked. On the other hand, Parents also communicate mixed messages. They spend an inordinate amount of time teaching one to be "polite" even to obnoxious people, to pretend to like someone even if one feels justifiable hatred for the person. Even the concept of hate itself is made to be taboo even though it is very human and can never be expunged. Hate is strongly tied to a sense of justice and dignity. This creates an unexpected result, instead of people feeling less hatred, hatred becomes the undercurrent of human emotion. Now in this mix of absurdity one is supposed to lead a "healthy," "productive" life, both of these notions of course defined in terms of precepts that do not always make sense in themselves. For example, to fit in one is supposed to drink beer, eat pizza, and be funny, yet none of these always lead to a "healthy" life or increased productivity.






People are mentally disturbed. They expect the impossible and when one does not deliver one is made to feel small in more ways than one: a failure, a moron, a loser, and in this era of humiliation, these are the most common messages one gets. Now this is extremely difficult for any reasonably well-adjusted adult to deal with, how the can a child be expected to cope with such instability? Compound that with dysfunctional families, and it is a wonder that anyone can make it through this life or would want to.





Strength and reason seem to be the only saving graces. One must live for himself and cast aside all of the foolish trivialities that present-day society seems determined to foist upon individuals even those who do not want them. One must learn to live somewhat detached from irrationality--which in practical terms represents a huge part of life among humans--and in order to do that one needs to be rational, to follow rational principles, principles that make common sense regardless of what others think. One must get one's sense of self and in some ways worth from those principles and not from test scores, bank accounts, job promotions, or parental approval. To do that, to maintain that level of independence requires the value of strength. But, strength is not enough, because this cultural juggernaut of absurdity is so vast and so pervasive, that it will attempt to smother individuality and suffocate one's recognition of truth in order to create just another unthinking conformist. Therefore, one must be prepared and willing to combat the attacks on one's intellectual navigational system that reason, intelligence, and common sense represent. For these values allow one to realize one's potential, as Plato once put it, to cultivate one's talent to the highest level possible. In other words, one needs that navigational system to figure out existence, to integrate reality as Ayn Rand often wrote. One needs the bearings of common sense and reason to arrive at the truth, not the truth that society peddles to facilitate its own conventions, but objective truth and there is such a thing. Objective truth is the thing that dictates for example how organisms can succeed on this earth. Objective truth is the truth that determines under what conditions one can learn, develop strength, and bolster one's character. Objective truth determines that bullets when fired from a gun at the head will kill. All of the laughter and smart-ass remarks to the contrary will not change this fact.









Objective truth determines that if one does not know how to spell or perform basic arithmetical functions, one will not be able to perform well in job settings. Objective truth determines that if one's family life is tumultuous, one will perform poorly in almost all areas even those areas that parents make such a big deal about like school. Therefore, when a parent propagandizes their children in the importance of formal schooling while making the home environment a living hell or by taking no interest in a child's development, they behave no differently than executive managers who talk about "best practices" or making things "open" "transparent" and "frictionless," while taking no concrete steps to implement any of these things. These are the kinds of things that make modern life more like the theatre of the absurd than what life is supposed to be: exciting, adventurous, and enjoyable. And, since life does tend to be absurd, rather than mindlessly "celebrating" the chaos, it seem far more logical to adopt a philosophy of self-defense that can allow one to embrace one's rational values, enjoy life to some extent, while maintaining at least a certain modicum of dignity and principled integrity. LSV

Ruthlessness is required

One of the unfortunate things about modern times is the need for one to be totally ruthless in one's dealings with others and in maintaining one's values. This poses a particular problem for those who may be inclined toward compassion and other traits considered to be more "humane." The nicer or more compassionate one is, the less likely he is to get ahead. That is the hard, cold truth of it. For the world tends to reward obnoxiousness. To be ruthless in defending one's values and in maintaining strength of character seems to be the only rational alternative given these circumstances.

One is supposed to believe that humans are one big happy family, and if one accepts all of the superficial banter that goes on, one would think that murders, rapes, robberies, embezzlement, and other forms of treachery never take place. Take "good morning." In America, everyone wants to start the day off with cheerful 'good morning,' and a little yellow smiley face. Very, few people actually take the positive action that a good morning requires. They are as indifferent, hostile, belligerent, and inconsiderate as ever underneath that "yellow smiley face." Even so, one is supposed to believe it is a "good morning." Well, reason demands that if a day actually has a "good morning," there should be some tangible proof of it. A morning is not 'good' simply because one claims it to be. Here is the way it works in America. One gets fired, arrested, sued, and evicted but as long as it is done with a yellow smiley face, it is all supposed to be good. Cultural moors are completely out of touch with reality. One reason is because events and behavior rarely bare the weight of substance. Even the most gravest of circumstances are belittled to giggling and jokes. And, what is even more perplexing, is all of the comedy and smiles are not making people any nicer or kinder. It is all an illusion.

It seems that the nicer and more decent one is, the more likely one is to fall victim to some act of malice. That is not to say that there are no more decent people, but that decency no longer seems to be the dominant trait in public dealings. Some people attribute this to the fall of religion and the rise of secularism. Since religion typically carries a rather heavy dose of morality, there may be some truth to this. However, the reasons for the change in behavior are less important that the effects that it has on everyday life most particularly those who notice it. A great majority of people accept malice as a normal part of life. It is not. However, one must prepare to combat the forces of malice most particularly when one does not embrace a malicious world view. In other words, the more brutal and cruel becomes the world, the more necessary is the combative mindset.

Females have a much easier time of it than men in general. All of the popular talk about this being a man's world and boo-hoo-hoo for women is a trivial distraction. The fact is, men are doers and in general women are not. Women do not want to read, educate themselves, solve problems, or generally face reality. Many women simply want a man to take care of them. That may have sounded attractive to some men a long time ago like in feudal times, but there is just too much responsibility and pressure on rational men today to be burdened with such invertebrate dependency. When a female projects an outward decency or kindness, it does well for her. Everyone, men and women alike want to help her and make life easier. On the other hand, when a man exhibits those same traits of human decency, it is viewed unfavorably. Certainly on the surface everyone says how "wonderful" he is, but the substance and the reality of it are quite different matters. Others seem to view him as a target. Women want him to lift heavy objects because he looks like a "strong man." 'Strong' in this case being an inverted compliment designed to distract one from the person's true intentions: to get a mule to do the heavy lifting. Men tend to view decent men as a different kind of target, one to be pounced upon and bullied verbally or otherwise. This is another area where a man must be ruthless, ruthless in how he protects his dignity, ruthless in identifying all attempts to exploit his strength.

Ruthlessness is not always a case of fending off an eminent attack. Often it is more subtle, more critically psychological. For example, to keep what one earns in a socially inclined society requires ruthlessness. Lists abound of wealthy people who often relinquish one-half of their fortunes to women who rarely help them to build it simply by virtue of a marriage from which men typically receive little: Michael Jordan, Steven Spielberg, Paul McCartney, Harrison Ford, Michael Douglas, etc. These men brought great joy to the world, what was their "wives" claim to fame? A marriage certificate. Live requires ruthlessness in marriage.

Ruthlessness is necessary in "learning" environments where one will very often feel completely alienated in a classroom of clowns. It is no wonder that Americans read on a seventh grade reading level since a great many Americans feel that knowledge has less value than sports and liquor, and who laugh their way through everything. But, for those who want to learn, learning will be hard in most formal settings.

Ruthlessness is necessary in business not so much due to competition. Very often the competition will behave quite rationally, but one needs ruthlessness to wade through all of the inane red tape, to cope with the ubiquitous lack of competence and the absence of real quality. What makes ruthlessness even more necessary is the fact that so few people show any concern such things and blithely carry on their lives in a subnambulistic state perfectly content with shallowness. Yet, one must live in this world too. Is one supposed to just shrug and relinquish all values? That is not feasible.

Ruthlessness is required in love where pretense not sincerity is the dominant practice. Very few people think matters through. Even fewer, most particularly women, think about the meaning of love. Certainly meaning and sincerity are tossed about like bread crumbs in the wind, and the seriousness of relationships remains a mystery to most. But, what of the ones who think about such things? What about the ones for whom love is more than an erection, an orgasm, or a divorce settlement? In other words, what of the ones who do not fit into the popular scheme of things?

Ruthlessness is particularly necessary for those who are compassionate. This sounds like a contradiction, but it is not. In this world, compassion is not a valuable commodity, and in most situations it becomes a liability for those who believe in it. 'Compassion' in this instance is not the obvious demonstrations of charitable giving or selective acts of kindness to show others how humane one is. Compassion in this instance has nothing in fact to do with others. I am talking about the compassion that is derived from reason and a very logical process. When one looks at the world, one immediately realizes that there are other people in it. One does not live alone and the world most certainly does not revolve around any one person. Yet, in America this is precisely how a great many people behave. An exaggerated sense of self-importance is obvious in just about everything people do these days. For example, the attitude that the world owes one a living is so ingrained that people describe their lives in ways that blatantly demean other people "they will pay for me to do what I love" not "I will earn what they pay." It is a logical consequence of the idea that the self is all that matters. Giving importance to the self is rational, but it cannot exist independent of reality or context. However, reality for a great many people is fragmented into pieces, and the only piece that seems to matter to many is 'mine.'

In a recent radio interview on KUSC in California a student of Julliard described her experience in a business class for musicians. The class teaches things like how to build a resume, find a manager, manage personal finances etc. It is an extremely useful class and it shows that Julliard deserves its brilliant reputation. It is no wonder that many fine musicians of the caliber of Miles Davis attended there. Such classes--if more people understood the concept of context--should be standard fare in most educational curriculums along with things like buying a home, investing, remodeling, etc. In other words, all of the subjects that are helpful for leading a successful life should also be offered in school. School is after all is advertised as a place to learn. In the interview the student remarked that she needed to learn about resumes in order to "get someone to pay me for what I like to do." This is shocking in what it implies. The implication is that other people owe her a living. The idea that one freely exchange services and talent for payment does not figure into this kind of mentality.

The idea that others owe one a living and that one simply has to "get" one to cater to one's whims or to beguile someone into doing one's bidding is weak. But, it is an idea that has come to dominate the cultural landscape. This creates a significant problem for those who value character. For, it creates a vicious environment in which to try to thrive. If one attempts to enter into relationships openly without the proper psychological and emotional fortifications, the results can be disastrous. In other words, if one enters into relationships with the idea of free and fair trade while "competing" with those who could care less about either and think nothing of lying to get what they want, that person will be at a severe disadvantage. This is yet another reason that ruthlessness is necessary to protect the character one spends a lifetime building. In other words, ruthlessness is required in all of the areas where one would least expect to need it.

Very often one will feel alone in a sea of confusion, triteness, banality, and outright stupidity. This forces one to make a choice between lowering one's intellect to the least common denominator--a choice that many people unflinchingly make--and extreme isolation. For, if one desires to maintain a certain sense of dignity, pride, intelligence, strength, and value, it will cause severe alienation. This is often not a choice that one makes voluntarily. Most of the time others will make it for you. They will not specify a reason that they do not "like" you. They will simply stop talking to you or associating with you. Why? Not because you are a rapist, a murderer, an arsonist, or a pedophile, but simply because you show no interest in their inane and vulgar cartoons, or their exaggerated interest in drugs and alcohol, or their pointless jokes, etc. They do not want to rise to a higher level. They want you to come down to theirs or face the consequences of alienation. And, after all, we have been taught that alienation is a very bad thing. One "needs" friends don't you know. How does one cope with this but through a ruthless application of one's own principles, goals, and dreams?

Bong Hits for Jesus

A recent BBC poll recently put America as the number three country that is viewed poorly around the world behind Iran and Israel. This poll suggests a great deal about the world, the BBC, the media, the general intelligence level, and America not so much because America's foreign policy is flawed, but because few Americans exhibit the strength to stand against such attacks--or any attacks for that matter the battle in Iraq notwithstanding. No country, like no individual is perfect. While Hatred for America is not new, the extent to which American born natives seem malcontent with their "Fatherland" does seem to be unique to these times.

It is even more shocking how few people know much about America or the amazing but extremely well-conceived political experiment America was back in 1776. This is not some pitiful lament for bygone times, but strong praise for principles that empower the individual, and for an individual that is a beautiful thing. It does no good to recycle the past, but it is instructive to understand it most particularly when one considers that until America, most of the world understood human and political relations in terms of monarchy, feudalism, or some other type of collectivism. America was the nation to put into practice principles that advanced the idea that a Man is an individual and that he has certain rights that are not granted, allowed, tolerated, or restricted by anyone else including--and in the case of the founders particularly including--government. So, what we have now instead of a tyranny of the law is a tyranny of the mind, and it is a most insidious tyranny. It is not a tyranny that necessarily advocates a cause like the "Fatherland" or the "Proletariat." It is a tyranny that advocates nothing more than blind stupidity and holds ignorance and superficiality as things to which to aspire.

One cannot help but to look around at the kinds of people that have begun to populate America and not feel terribly alone. Aside from the usual homeless and mentally disturbed, the unkempt individuals, or the immigrants who have no pride or loyalty toward American principles, there seems to be a particularly low level of intellect on the part of a great many people. They speak in grunts and groans. They never look up. Their laughter is subdued and disingenuous. Just about the only thing that people express with any sort of passion is anger and malice. It is no wonder that a case like "bong hits for Jesus" then would now be before the Supreme Court of the United States, the highest court in the land. Let us pause for a moment to repeat that: The Supreme Court of the United States of America. This is the supreme court of the land--hence the word 'supreme.' It decides the irrefutable--unless it overturns itself. There is no further appeal. Quite apart from the fact that the separation of powers was a positively brilliant creation and works towards its end extremely well, the Supreme Court of the United States like the President and the Congress have a certain awe attached with them: the history, the nation that stands behind them, the power, all make for quite spectacular concepts. It is unfortunate that they do not carry the luster that perhaps they should given the concepts behind their creation, but does that mean they should be belittled or defiled? Well, when a nation is populated with people, many of whom are immigrants with questionable loyalties, who have trouble reading, writing, spelling, and adding, it is not too difficult to see why even hallowed institutions lose their meaning. These words are not borne of hatred, but of sadness really because when one feels pride for American principles or rational principles in general, one often stands alone, and this fact speaks to the importance of the combat mentality, a mentality that is capable of defending itself and its ideals.
One of the cases currently before the Supreme Court of the United States of America concerns an individual who attempted to put up a sign that read "Bong hits for Jesus." And, now the country is abuzz with the case. However, what does it say about an individual, and even more so about a school system and a nation that students, who should be learning how to read and write, have time to put up meaningless signs? Furthermore, what does it say about a family, a "community," and a nation that such an act would be permitted to bleed valuable resources including time, money, and energy to debate childishness? People find it perfectly acceptable to argue, not about issues that affect the nature of existence, but over irrationality. Why?

Irrational arguments have been elevated to the level of legitimate debate and since the intellect of many people seems to be quite low, very few people seem to have the capacity to say "no, that is stupid," and simply leave it at that. The case of "bong hits for Jesus" had to be pushed through the court systems and argued every the step of the way. One wonders who is paying for all of this folly? It would not be terribly surprising to learn that it is YOU Mr. dumb taxpayer that is paying, or at least that is the implication: Americans are so stupid that they do not even realize when they are embroiled in an irrational and meaningless debate. That is the demeaning malcontentment that seems to be the undercurrent of so many conversations. The tone that many people use seems to suggest: I think that you are stupid. But, what if that is not true? How does one deal with the insult while maintaining some semblance of dignity? What is the truly intelligent person supposed to do in this case? How is he or she supposed to react? Why are so few people apt to stand against stupidity and loudly pronounce: "the emperor has no clothes!" Interestingly enough the answers to these questions are revealed in cases like "Bong Hits for Jesus." The student that brought this case to court, what do we know about him? Apparently instead of staying in his classroom and earnestly learning something that could benefit Mankind in some way the "student" was unrolling a banner and no doubt rolling a joint. One of the causalities of this incessant attack on intelligence and logic is that people rarely ask pertinent questions. People rarely seek substantial knowledge about things in order to enhance one's understanding. However, the fact that truth and reality are not popular does not change them. For, people like the "Bong Hits for Jesus" sign-waver become the FBI agents charged with finding spies, terrorists, and other criminals. They become the doctors, the lawyers, the scientists, the journalists, the writers, the actors, the politicians. In other words, the people like that boy who cried wolf with the sign become the nation. And, if they are nothing more than unkempt, hulking brutes that only know how to pursue urges not happiness and could never possibly tell the difference between the two, it not only bodes poorly for America, it makes the lives of the dedicated, hard-working, intelligent, goal-oriented people that much more difficult. Very little is said about this fact. But, that does not make profundity and those that seek it any less relevant. It just means that they must get aggressive about seeking it and protecting it for themselves. For, very few people are inclined to think in terms of fundamentals or to think at all. Instead, the nation is blinded with arguments about nonsensical things. It is the logical consequence of the obliteration of standards. The ability to differentiate diamonds from dung is an important human faculty. It is what allows humans to survive successfully. When all but a few people are willing to make distinctions and even more importantly to understand those distinctions then it is easy to see how so many people can equate "Bong Hits for Jesus" with freedom of speech, illness with health, crime with merit, irrationality with reason, the Iranian nation with the American nation and so on. This affliction of folly is not unique to America. The BBC poll mentioned above shows it. That so many people in the world could be so shallow as to categorize America with countries like Iran is not so much a reflection of American foreign policy as it is a reflection of just how superficial people are content to be.

How does one combat this? Or better still, is it even worth it to ask such questions? Often I ask myself these questions because if one has any honesty at all and is not content to simply smile and nod at things, these questions are inescapable. At the same time, no one seems to ask such questions or even care not only in the mainstream media, but in every day life. I have only met one person in my life, my martial arts teacher, who was ever concerned at all about big issues let alone wanted to discuss them to any degree. I have always known that people do ask important questions about reality and life, Nietzsche, Ayn Rand, Socrates, Isaac Newton, there are many others. But, in every day life one rarely meets such intellectual giants for that much needed spiritual and intellectual inspiration, the inspiration that allows one to keep on despite mountains of discouragement. There is only so much negativity that one can take before one just wants to give up on the world. What is the point of it all? What is the point in asking for reasons when people look at you as if the word reason is foreign and incomprehensible? What is the point in trying to find a better way to do things only to be confronted with people who just want to go shopping, watch sports, or drink beer? What is the point in giving a damn when no one else seems to? To appeal to ridiculously lofty ideals about "humanity" and "being a better man" or "rising above the fray" is just a lot of bullshit. One would have to be as stupid as a rock to blindly push forward and ask questions, attempt to understand, to show compassion while others are blowing bubbles up one's nose--or worse. The level of general discussion never strays far from the latest gossip or fad and if anyone is ever caught dead talking about something meaningful, it is generally oriented toward hostility of some kind. Why does kindness have to be phony and anger have to be real? Does it say something about the so-called human animal that people are better at expressing anger than any other emotion except perhaps orgasms? There is nothing inherently wrong with either one, but what does an intelligent bloke do who wants intellectual stimulation when all others seem to want is genital stimulation? How many times can one bang his head against a disparate cultural wall? It seems that the philosophy of combat oriented toward self-preservation and enhancement is the only logical choice for rational people. In other words as Winston Churchill said, "Fight On, if necessary for years; if necessary, alone."

This is not borne of negativity, but from a love rational principles and truth. It is the bastard offspring from the unlikely union of a desire to understand the world and the intense and frustration felt from encountering so many others who could care less.

Individuality

The French culture, French writers in particular, seem to understand the challenge that individuality poses for human existence in modern society. Writers like Baudelaire, Nerval, Rimbaud, Eluard, Batailles, and Proust seem to understand the contradictions that exist for the individual most particularly when that individual has a heart that dreams. There comes in life a rude awakening when you believe in true love, sincerity, and the like because one quickly learns that both of these are extremely rare despite the fact that so many institutions promote the values of truth and love. The indoctrination in the art of deception--recall from a previous post that all warfare is based on deception--begins from a very young age when one is told to "smile like you mean it" even when you don't; to tell bosses how funny or smart they are when they are as dumb and humorless as rocks; to tell parents what they want here even though they are biggest hypocrites on earth; and to be kind to people who abuse you even when you hate them. Life among other humans seems to be rife with pressures to deceive, and some people are quite good at it. It is not the we want to be this way or have what would be no doubt called a "cynical" view of life. These views come from real-life experiences in college classrooms where we have been told not to study so hard. These views come from experiences with parents who gave gifts and cards that spoke of "love" and "family," but rarely seeing the actions from them to support it. Very often people are hypercritical of such "cynicism" not because they want to positive and inspirational in their outlooks on life, because they simply do not want to try too hard to be consistent. So, they repeat what they see so many others doing. They repeat the deceptions, the "white lies," the indifference, the disinterest, or worse the abuse. For somehow they see that as easier than the road to self-enrichment and improvement. Somehow meanness is easier than kindness; rudeness is more expedient than politeness; dirtiness is faster than cleanliness; slovenliness is quicker than restraint. In essence atrocious acts repeat themselves because for some reason people seem to prefer indulgence over all other choices. Indulgence is the human condition. Is it a necessary condition? I think not, but it is no doubt one of the most prevalent. And, the ones who suffer most are the innocent. The kind hearted people who may not have the constitution or desire to fight back, who may not see the necessity of the warrior spirit in survival, who simply may just want to live and enjoy life. Why must they be stepped on, pushed aside, or bullied? And, they will be just as sure as there are other people in the world. Why does individuality require blood and iron? More importantly, what does that say about the humans that live on this earth?

Have you ever pretended to be an alien? I have not had to work to hard to pretend since I have been called it so often. Why you may ask? No reason really except that I do not smoke, drink, or gamble, a rarity I am told among humans. In more reasonable settings such would be praised, and I when I encounter I do praise it. Although I rarely encounter it. But, even the praise garners strange looks. So, what does it say about a culture that alienates healthy lifestyles or rational thoughts?

Individuality is a struggle. It is the great struggle. Sometimes it feels like the weight of centuries hangs on one's shoulders in listening to the level of conversations and the topic of many discussions: hollow, mindless chatter about drugs, liquor, body parts, bodily functions, gossip and other miscellaneous trivialities. By themselves these topics are not necessarily repugnant. Sex for example, is a beautiful thing. However, these things do become boring when they are the center and focus of almost all conversations even supposedly "enlightened" discussions. When was the last time that you heard someone speaking about existence, human knowledge, history, geography, or the nature of God? One's interests need not even be that grand. How about other life-effecting issues like inflation, diet, nutrition, exercise, jobs, law, science, inventions, anything positive and enriching will do but even these are rare. It seems that the only escape one has is to books, art, or films if one has an interest in pondering life's many splendors or doing anything on this earth besides consuming, excreting, and imbibing, one can expect an infinity of solitude.

Dr. Robert Lindner author of the book Rebel Without a Cause: The Story of a Criminal Psychopath, once wrote that the one sign of a society's decline is the rise in the number of its psychopaths. It is not too difficult to see why. When the cultural fabric disintegrates, all kinds of anarchic behavior is encouraged. Now, this is not a column advocating traditions and conventions. Most conventions are asinine anyway. It is a column that presents the challenges rational individuals face in a crumbling environment. And, this environment is most certainly crumbling.


This is a sick society. Let us be frank. For, frankness is a most rare thing in a world grown fat with illusion. It is a society where public libraries are no longer great repositories of learning and erudition where the accumulation of the society's knowledge can be housed and enjoyed for posterity. No. Public libraries are now public latrines where aggressive vagabonds can wash themselves in toilets and other productive, tax-paying members of the same society are supposed to feel sorry for them. And, should courageous individuals stand up to such irrationality or simply complain without fear, these individuals not the homeless bums will endure public scorn and castigation. For it seems in an environment where indulgence is king, the strong among us are the only true subjects of the kingdom. These are not times where one can do battle with evil and live chivalrously with pride in one's actions. Chivalry? Ha! What the f--k is that?

These are dangerous times where the strong are supposed to suffer willingly in silence while compensating others for the void their indulgence creates. So, if you go to the library to read and to learn, you will likely encounter strange beings. That is they will seem strange to you but normal to everyone else. For, who is to say what is normal right? But, these beings will be objectively strange. They twist and jerk and writhe to themselves in sputtering noises with not even a pretense of learning. They are strange in the sense that there is an objective standard of normalcy as measured by life. Life requires that one remain focused to learn. Life--and reason--require that one have control over himself so as not to disturb others from learning. But, in this society it is perfectly "normal" to attempt to do multiple things like driving while searching for candy on the floor of one's car, or "studying" while the radio and t.v. are on blast. So, when a crackpot comes to a library yelling, arguing, or laughing out loud, most seem to think that it is no big deal. Dude, lighten up. He is just having fun. To which my response is not a word, but a hearty gesture: two middle fingers. Drop dead!

It is a a big deal to anyone who would like to learn. A moron would not understand that, and moron is the level to which a great many people aspire, a moron and no more.

You do not have a right to quiet and peace while you learn because that is "unreasonable." But, a dirty, rotten, unemployed maggot enjoys full luxuries and protection. After all, he is just frustrated because he had a bad day. Porn is his outlet, that and emotional outbursts. You, you have no rights sucker. You have to work all day long and creatively pursue your goals. Why do you need a full night's sleep. Homeboy just wants to party. You must learn to compensate for his inadequacy. Marx said so and that form of sacrifice is still very much avante garde: from each according to his ability to each according to his need. You are not supposed to admonish someone for poor behavior. He has needs. You don't. Just accept it into your life like incurable cancer. Otherwise, it is you who will be deemed the alien and out of place. You who will be slapped in handcuffs for standing up for your rights. Oh, it is perfectly acceptable to take to the streets for global warming or the death penalty when some obscure killer is about to be fried, even if it is a farce and you are full of crap or just there to get laid. For, the best looking chicks always give it up for a cause. You don't have to be sincere anyway. Just appear to be.

How dare you go to the library fully expecting to learn and and improve yourself. Shame on you! the library is no place to learn. It is a corral for mental patients. They have to have somewhere to go after all. You should know better. Be like the rest of us. Have a beer and watch the game. Lighten up 'bro.'

A great teacher of martial arts called this kind of horse dung "bullshitsu."

It is no wonder that Americans know so little about history, philosophy, mathematics, geography, or any other field of learning besides sports statistics and which star is pregnant. It is no wonder that many others in the world see America as a nation of cry babies, who get angry at having to wait for things that take time like city planning, global trade, and caution; yet will wait on a line at the post office for forty-five minutes and never see the irony in their illogical tiraids.

Robert Ringer, a very wise thinker, wrote a book called Restoring the American Dream. It is a noble book for those who still dream, a Herculean feat in itself because the weight of the world bears down on optimism and curiosity like a fat giant until it is no more than a smithereen, that is unless one has the strength of Hercules to combat it. So, to be a dreamer in these times requires not only strength, but the fighting spirit. It also requires the ability to recognize the that there is a fight and a fundamental conflict of values at stake. I mention the book because it is good, but also because it highlights a sentiment that is easy to have. It is understandable that one would think the dream originally established in 1776 could be restored. It was a magnificent dream. The first of its kind in a world that had known only barbarism and other variations of slavery. It was a dream that gave legal protection to the pursuit of happiness and life, a dream that said a man's life is his own and does not belong to the land or his lord. One must understand something of history to understand just how special this dream was. Unfortunately, that dream will never be restored. And, quite frankly to speak of its restoration can only be an exercise. This is in no way a reflection on Mr. Ringer who was absolutely correct in his sentiment. This is rather an observation of the times. For, the level of the general mentality is far too low for there to be the possibility that the dream could ever be restored. These are times when middle aged men sit in libraries hitting on high school kids and watching pornography. There is no way that a society that offers that as its best could ever restore the dream and the promise it made. Again, this is not a column for moralistic condemnations. It is a simply a observation of the prevalence of such things. When sex, drugs, and alcohol are all that people can talk about it is because they have very little else of value to say, which means that they think of very little else. That is not the indication of a society that can restore an American dream. It is the sign of a society where most people would not even know what it means.

The modern American mentality is far too malicious and the ideas that people tend to entertain are far to corrosive for a restoration. To most the American dream represents getting a lot of money without doing much work. Wealth does not matter, only money. In fact, few people understand the difference between concepts like wealth, merit, or trade all fundamental to a basic understanding of the American dream. This is one of the things that makes contemporary times so antagonistic to the rational mind, which has to be a tiger mind. For, while the rational individual is living his life based on concepts like trade--exchanging the basic courtesy of politeness for example--others could care less. So, predictably the rational individual locks horns with the world, and if he follows conventional thought, he will be mauled. For, others will constantly strive to tell him to cut off his horns and abandon the values that give him the strength of clarity such as reason, reason, or emotional health, while they indulge in whatever whims they choose.


These are times that writers like Ayn Rand are enormously helpful for living a reasonably sane life. For, without the intellectual ammunition that writers like Ms. Rand provides, life would truly be the Wasteland that T. S. Eliot describes.

It is very easy to wonder "what's the point of it all" when so few people seem concerned with substance or value and so many deride you for desiring them. However, when you have a solid philosophy upon which to build your understanding of the world and yourself, you become strong.

Ayn Rand was one of the greatest helpers of Man. It seems that the best rational individuals can do in the present environment is to read people like Ayn Rand and Robert Ringer not so much to change the world or win others over to the side of reason. Who wants them anyway when all that they offer is petty and small. Life is far too short for that. Besides, it is a lost cause. Instead, it is far better to read these good authors for some much needed intellectual ammunition so that as one pursues his own goals he can do so without the self-incrimination that so many others will incite him to practice.

The Way of the Warrior

The way of the warrior sounds harsh, but only in an environment that has made many people, especially men, soft with years of promoting illusions and triteness. The warrior philosophy is simply the philosophy of war modified and adapted to apply to real life situations for those who find themselves alienated in a culture that places a great emphasis on banality. Sex, money, power, fame, all of these come relatively easy to those who are perfectly content with surface living: reality shows, amateur Internet streaming, even blogs are not immune. A quick survey of the wealth of information available online will leave one awestruck at the possibilities and dumbfounded to see so few venues offering anything but light hearted banter. And those for whom substance is king, where can they turn? Where can they gain much needed moral support? Their sanctuaries are limited.

For example, after 9/11 no one can go to an airport without hearing the warnings to notify authorities if one notices any unattended baggage. By now the reasons should be clear. It is a well known practice. However, if one takes security seriously and reports such suspicious activity, there is a great risk of seeming 'suspicious' one's self. This kind of absurdly upside down surreality is mind boggling to rational individuals. At best one encounters indifference toward attempts to be cautious, and whoever pushes the matter becomes the target for scrutiny. People whose minds still differentiate, integrate, evaluate, and act appear to others as threatening anomalies. Not only does this cause undue frustration, alienation, and discouragement, it sends a very clear message that strength, prudence, concern, and caution are irrelevant in today's setting.

Objectively, these are of course all very relevant. But the absurdity of it all creates a powerful internal conflict for a great many people for whom reason and common sense are still guiding lights. The poor reaction that a rational individual typically endures whenever he exercises any kind of reasonableness, is one of the primary reasons for the warrior philosophy. One must be prepared to stand alone for one's convictions as a soldier must stand alone on the battlefield even among comrades. Therefore, the strength and preparedness that the warrior philosophy advocates, are helpful for living in today's world most particularly when many cultural outlets seek to short circuit one's natural tendency toward self-preservation. Everywhere that one turns there is one authority or another proselytizing helplessness. One is meant to blank out and let others control his destiny and provide for his security. Life has become the great battlefield for rational individuals because so many people are hostile to reason and common sense.

The value of strength is an important aspect of the way of the warrior. A warrior must not only be physically strong, but mentally and psychologically strong. To see a demonstration read the survival manuals published by the U.S. Air force and the U.S. Army. A significant amount of time is spent in both publications discussing the mental aspects of survival. Coping with alienation and deprivation is one of the keys to combat survival. It also happens to be one of the keys to life success in today's climate. If one maintains a rational value system, one will have to learn to cope with the isolation that will inevitably follow from the conflict between a rational value system and the very popular emotionalism. To do that one must understand the way of things and cultivate values like strength, pride, tenacity, and conviction something made very difficult in today's climate without an independent point of view.

The Warrior Way to Rational Living

One of the unfortunate results of the proliferation of irrationality is that rational people remain alienated and without a voice. There are few places that rational people can turn for sustenance and support. Most of the time the very values that they hold dear become the bane of their existence in the current climate. For, it seems that everything is permissible except reason, strength, or value. The superficial and the banal no doubt have their place, and if people wish to use these as guideposts for living they are free to do so. However, those who desire substance, integrity, and unabashed truth--not the kind that is milked down and made equivocal through a process of political correcting--need a sanctuary, a place to turn for solace not with dripping pity, but for a well deserved respite from the fight. This is their refuge.

Truth in this case is independent of perception. Truth simply is. Yet, when one looks around at traditional media one rarely finds truth. Everyone seems to be frantically trying to perpetuate the same superficial platitudes. It seems that truth is generally out of favor, and all that really matters is how "comfortable" one feels. People have become soft, and truth makes a great many people "uncomfortable." This puts an undue burden on rational individuals who must find some way to make a living among those who could care less about reason or truth. One of the ways that rational individuals can navigate the oceans of irrationality is to adopt a warrior philosophy in practice and in principle. For the warrior philosophy advocates survival and truth. It is an interesting yet ironical development that the more soft and "humane" things become the more relevant combat becomes as a viable alternative for rational living. In other words, one must protect one's self from the contempt, hatred, and violence that seems to mark these times most particularly if one maintains a rational lifestyle. These days one need not be a criminal to be treated as such. It is said that during the phases of cultural decline, one will notice an increase in the number of psychopaths and the psychopathic mentality. Is this the end of America?

One need only follow rational principles to be an outcast, a foot soldier, a stranger in one's own land. The only thing left to rational individuals is the philosophy of war. For, the philosophy of war is the philosophy of survival and survival places a premium on life, something that seems to come cheaply these days. One of the deepest, darkest frustrations facing the rational individual is that his values seem to be the only ones not included in the great "brotherhood" of man. Rational individuals need not apply for entry into this kingdom of Man. For, truth is the only unforgivable sin. So, what is the rational individual to do when he wants to eat in peace in a fine restaurant while unwed mothers insist on breast feeding screaming children or changing diapers during the main course? What is he to do if he is beset by some lunatic and must, as his value system demands, defend himself, only to find that he is under suspicion? What is he to do if no matter how persuasively he tries to convinces his so-called peers of the superiority of logic, his words fall on deaf and hateful ears?

The gap between the rational and the irrational can never be traversed. All he can do, in fact his value system obliges him to adopt a warrior philosophy, to embrace the values of life, strength and value, and to remain vigilant in the pursuit of his ideals. This strategy will no doubt create enemies on all flanks. For, the welfare mentality has gripped the cultural consciousness--if one can be said to exist--with some fit of lunacy. Society jerks and spits and foams at those who do not talk in hollow platitudes or nod in passive agreement at "whatever." Society has become violent toward the truth. The truth kills. The truth imprisons. Even so, the truth empowers. One must be prepared for the firestorm that kicks up after one boldly proclaims that "the emperor has no clothes." Self-defense and the warrior philosophy are the only things that allow one to say 'no' and mean it. Well, the emperor is naked. For, all of the splendor that is America, she is sick. A cancer grows from the inside so malignant that the prognosis is at best uncertain. It is a nation of many hollow, whim-seeking, husks, and it makes life hellish for rational individuals who are the diametric opposites of this. Rational individuals do not trivialize life by putting 'dude' at the end of every phrase. They do not belittle human suffering by giggling at everyone else's misfortune. They do not walk the earth with the blank stares of zombies looking for the next urge to strike them like thoughts used to. Rational individuals do not threaten or intimidate to get their way, or binge to make a point. Rational individuals do not make nuisances of themselves because they have nothing better to do or harass those who seem disciplined and well-organized. Rational individuals have heroes and goals, and they try to live up to them. This should not make them outcasts, but it does. That is the truth of the matter. Therefore, for their own safety and well being, they must adopt the warrior philosophy and make the decision to get tough!