It certainly has been a long while since I have posted on my blog. I want to be able to write / type more about my thoughts on subjects that interest me at a given moment. However, aside from my changing environment entering a university, I find I am falling into a too familiar rut of starting a topic but not quite finishing with the passion I started with. I would eventually complete a thought with a modest effort and be done with it. I have been drafting many topics on a pad of paper in my free time, but I feel no more coherent than Winston Smith of 1984 scribbling jumbled thoughts into his diary with a paranoia of being watched. With this recurring habit, this blog of mine slipped into a quiet spot in my bookmarks. What am I to do?
What should be done is a new system of thought collection that might delay the publishing of thoughts, but keep them coherent and dormant until the day I publish them on this blog. This system should be simple and reflect my thought patterns as I have come to know them through the rigors of essay and research paper writing for my education. The thought patterns I exhibit that I can work best with is the stream of conscious. The stream of conscious is a type of writing that involves simply writing down whatever comes to the mind. It is a brainstorming method of a different flavor to that of the common storm chart or an outline. I have become so structured in my writing that I could never get past the score of little details. The main points become lost or even forgotten. Maybe a step back to the basics of writing are what are needed in order to get these thoughts out of space and onto paper and the bits and bytes.
I have even had the desire to erase certain posts off of this blog (which are too few as is) or more drastically remove the blog all together to start anew. I am not exceptionally proud of my earlier writing, but maybe that is the mark of a good writer in the making. Like the artist is never satisfied completing the masterpiece or the explorer feels the greatest sense of accomplishment taking the journey than reaching the destination, I need the desire to always draft and publish the better blog post not against someone else, but myself. I need to see past my earlier works as failures and see them as incremental improvements. My successfully published posts are each milestones of my growth as a writer. It cannot be the right course of action to erase my shortcomings of before. I need to archive my past works and continue to do the only thing I can do: write.
This blog is my oasis. In a desert of voices and text that seeps under the skin, I am constantly being filled with the knowledge and opinions of others. I needed a place where I can compose my thoughts without the constant haze of outside voices. I do like reading and listening to the thoughts of others, especially those who have years of experience and knowledge above me. However, sometimes I want to feel that my thoughts are truly my own and even share those ideas with those who will listen. This blog is where I will train the mind and order my knowledge and beliefs. Here there will be no dislike button to distract me. I have the right to my own thoughts and I will not take that right for granted. Like an artist; like an explorer; like a writer. My joy and passion will come from the act of writing rather than the act of pushing the publish button.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Liberalism Is a Mental Disorder
I decided to pick up an earlier Michael Savage book, "Liberalism Is a Mental Disorder," last week. I have already finished reading it, which is remarkable considering all of the homework that is piling up. I have to say I got what I expected out of this book. In the usual Savage Truth-style, Dr. Savage uses well researched information to explain the issues that are corrupting and endangering our country. The end result comes together to show the unbelievably ill-conceived behavior of the American left. Their hatred of America and her values that makes this country great is put under Savage's magnifying glass and shown to be the disease it really is.
Also in his usual style, Michael Savage includes a few of his personal stories to draw parallels to his points. The one that stands out is the story about "Sam the Butcher." Savage tells his readers about walking to the local butcher with his aunt. Sam is described as a nice man who knows most of his usual customers (a stark difference compared to today according to Mike). However, he and his aunt begin to suspect they were not getting the prime meat that his aunt payed for. His aunt returns to the butcher and enters the back room to be sure that she was getting the real deal. Indeed, Aunt Savage's meals tasted better after confronting Sam. This story is used perfectly to show to Savage's readers that just because someone can put on a good smile and remember your name doesn't mean that same person will not try to screw you over. This is just one of many of Michael Savage's great stories that only a man who has been around that block a few times could tell.
Overall, this book was a fun read and well worth the fifteen bucks I spent on it. I might have to pick up his other books, "the Savage Nation" and "the Enemy Within." Even though "Liberalism Is a Mental Disorder" is outdated in terms of current events (this book was written shortly after George W. Bush won a second term in office), the book is still quite relevant. The lessons and information contained within its pages are valuable regardless. I'll give this book four-and-a-half stars out of five.
- Forsaken Eagle
Also in his usual style, Michael Savage includes a few of his personal stories to draw parallels to his points. The one that stands out is the story about "Sam the Butcher." Savage tells his readers about walking to the local butcher with his aunt. Sam is described as a nice man who knows most of his usual customers (a stark difference compared to today according to Mike). However, he and his aunt begin to suspect they were not getting the prime meat that his aunt payed for. His aunt returns to the butcher and enters the back room to be sure that she was getting the real deal. Indeed, Aunt Savage's meals tasted better after confronting Sam. This story is used perfectly to show to Savage's readers that just because someone can put on a good smile and remember your name doesn't mean that same person will not try to screw you over. This is just one of many of Michael Savage's great stories that only a man who has been around that block a few times could tell.
Overall, this book was a fun read and well worth the fifteen bucks I spent on it. I might have to pick up his other books, "the Savage Nation" and "the Enemy Within." Even though "Liberalism Is a Mental Disorder" is outdated in terms of current events (this book was written shortly after George W. Bush won a second term in office), the book is still quite relevant. The lessons and information contained within its pages are valuable regardless. I'll give this book four-and-a-half stars out of five.
- Forsaken Eagle
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Feminism Has No Place in Nerd Culture
My latest provocative post title is more of a personal issue with regards to feminism and what I could only name the "Nerd Culture." Feminism has definitely started creeping its way into different nerdy pastimes, such as: sci-fi books, shows, and movies; video games; and, most disgustingly, the internet. Whether it is the female character who must always beat up a male character to prove she is "empowered," or the complaints from females about even these "empowered" female characters are too "objectified" or are "damsels in distress," there is always something too "pro-male" about Nerd Culture. Now to the male nerds who have had larger success rates with the "fairer" half of the species, this may be but a small issue. However, I see this sudden surge of the female nerds to be an inquisition. Aside from the (I would roughly say) half of the female nerds who have a genuine interest in Nerd Culture, the other half is only interested in social reformation of everything held dear by nerds the world over. That reformation is to assert that females are not taken seriously in Nerd Culture. Then after being acknowledged for their (sometimes justified) complaints, that same old feeling of "we are all equal, but women are more equal to men" shows up.
It is important that I explain why this is a personal topic I have interest in. I have had minimal success with women. It is always the same, cliche issues male nerds have with women. They want nothing to do with me. Ones who I would consider acquaintances always put me into the "friend zone." I am just somebody to yell at and complain to every time a jackass hurts her feelings and to tell her why "all men are just pigs." "Where have all the nice guys gone?" they will ask. Never mind the problem where they try to find their "nice guys" in the "bad boy" types. It is like they never think to actually bond with a man who treats them well, who does well in school, who is a hard worker, and (until his good-nature spirit is broken) who wants to help women be his equals. This is only the beginning of my resentment to feminism.
Nerd Culture has, in a way, always been with me. I grew up with console systems like the Sega Genesis and the Nintendo 64. I had the privilege to visit the U.S. Space and Rocket Center when I was about eight-years-old. This was a HUGE influence on my love of astronomy, space exploration, and science in general. I am not an outgoing person, so I spent most of my free time playing video games, reading on scientific subjects, or sometimes hanging out with my (male) friends who were into the same things. I wanted to get along with girls, but they didn't seem to want to get along with me. Girls became little more to me than just a bunch of the kids who wanted to pick on me for not "fitting in" (although it is pointless trying to fit in due to my inability to change my physical attributes at will). Not until high school and college did the girls start complaining.
High school was a time to find some extracurricular activities while not studying. When it came to clubs for video games, board and card games, or anime, there were one or two girls who also were into those things. I wanted to be friends and share my personal outlets from life with them. However, they only saw these clubs as "sexist" apparently. Although they seemed to have enjoy these activities legitimately, they only saw me as some "testosterone poisoned" male. They claimed it was high time Nerd Culture changed its "patriarchal" ways and welcome females as equals. This was because of the overwhelmingly male population in Nerd Culture. Although it is the girls who are too close minded to be into activities that might warp their social stature, it is still the boys' fault that girls are too few in Nerd Culture. I had a confrontation with one of these activists at a club meeting. I was not given the light of day. The girl did not find it necessary to see the issues from another angle. Plus most of the guys were quick to become white knights to defend her. At this point, I was done with the club scene.
Nowadays, my only time spent sharing pastimes are with close friends. It is difficult to even go onto an internet forum and not find issues of feminism slithering through the text. One of the biggest disappointments to me is not only the females barking discrimination, but the males who just do not want to put up a dialog for real equality. It would seem every male nerd approves of reverse-discrimination* to achieve "equality". This is unacceptable to me because it is simply revenge tactics to make men and boys feel that they are the problem for everything that might possibly offeeeeeeend a female. This is not the right way to go about reaching any form of equality. It will, hidden behind a veil of guilt, actually sow the seeds of resentment. Feminists, in their pursuit to fight sexism (real or not), are using hatred to fight hatred. Nerd men are arguably some of the greatest appeasers of female demands and most tolerant of their behavior. Despite singing the hymns of feminist rhetoric, nerd men are objects of female scorn. Men are going to need to stand up for their right to be respected, just like women. Women are going to need to stop with the rhetoric and start acting like they are equal to men. Until the time equality becomes a reality and not a buzz word, this slow waltz will only continue perpetually.
* I should also note that when I say "reverse-discrimination," I am referring to the pretense that men already discriminated against women. This is used as justification to use hateful measures against men and deemed perfectly fair and progressive.
- Forsaken Eagle
It is important that I explain why this is a personal topic I have interest in. I have had minimal success with women. It is always the same, cliche issues male nerds have with women. They want nothing to do with me. Ones who I would consider acquaintances always put me into the "friend zone." I am just somebody to yell at and complain to every time a jackass hurts her feelings and to tell her why "all men are just pigs." "Where have all the nice guys gone?" they will ask. Never mind the problem where they try to find their "nice guys" in the "bad boy" types. It is like they never think to actually bond with a man who treats them well, who does well in school, who is a hard worker, and (until his good-nature spirit is broken) who wants to help women be his equals. This is only the beginning of my resentment to feminism.
Nerd Culture has, in a way, always been with me. I grew up with console systems like the Sega Genesis and the Nintendo 64. I had the privilege to visit the U.S. Space and Rocket Center when I was about eight-years-old. This was a HUGE influence on my love of astronomy, space exploration, and science in general. I am not an outgoing person, so I spent most of my free time playing video games, reading on scientific subjects, or sometimes hanging out with my (male) friends who were into the same things. I wanted to get along with girls, but they didn't seem to want to get along with me. Girls became little more to me than just a bunch of the kids who wanted to pick on me for not "fitting in" (although it is pointless trying to fit in due to my inability to change my physical attributes at will). Not until high school and college did the girls start complaining.
High school was a time to find some extracurricular activities while not studying. When it came to clubs for video games, board and card games, or anime, there were one or two girls who also were into those things. I wanted to be friends and share my personal outlets from life with them. However, they only saw these clubs as "sexist" apparently. Although they seemed to have enjoy these activities legitimately, they only saw me as some "testosterone poisoned" male. They claimed it was high time Nerd Culture changed its "patriarchal" ways and welcome females as equals. This was because of the overwhelmingly male population in Nerd Culture. Although it is the girls who are too close minded to be into activities that might warp their social stature, it is still the boys' fault that girls are too few in Nerd Culture. I had a confrontation with one of these activists at a club meeting. I was not given the light of day. The girl did not find it necessary to see the issues from another angle. Plus most of the guys were quick to become white knights to defend her. At this point, I was done with the club scene.
Nowadays, my only time spent sharing pastimes are with close friends. It is difficult to even go onto an internet forum and not find issues of feminism slithering through the text. One of the biggest disappointments to me is not only the females barking discrimination, but the males who just do not want to put up a dialog for real equality. It would seem every male nerd approves of reverse-discrimination* to achieve "equality". This is unacceptable to me because it is simply revenge tactics to make men and boys feel that they are the problem for everything that might possibly offeeeeeeend a female. This is not the right way to go about reaching any form of equality. It will, hidden behind a veil of guilt, actually sow the seeds of resentment. Feminists, in their pursuit to fight sexism (real or not), are using hatred to fight hatred. Nerd men are arguably some of the greatest appeasers of female demands and most tolerant of their behavior. Despite singing the hymns of feminist rhetoric, nerd men are objects of female scorn. Men are going to need to stand up for their right to be respected, just like women. Women are going to need to stop with the rhetoric and start acting like they are equal to men. Until the time equality becomes a reality and not a buzz word, this slow waltz will only continue perpetually.
* I should also note that when I say "reverse-discrimination," I am referring to the pretense that men already discriminated against women. This is used as justification to use hateful measures against men and deemed perfectly fair and progressive.
- Forsaken Eagle
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Dehumanizing Hitler
One of the most interesting proclamations by young freedom fighters is that if they were around before World War II, they "would do everything in there power to stop Hitler." It is a great thing, no doubt, to want to go back in time and warn the past of the impending danger. Although it is much easier to see the atrocities of Hitler and the Nazis long after-the-fact, the reality is is that most of these same jungen would be the ones to rally behind the madman if they were ever in the same situation.
"Now why would you say that, Forsaken Eagle!? I would NEVER support that mass murder!!!"
Here is the thing that I addressed before: we know of the Nazi atrocities long after-the-fact. The Holocaust, as the clearest example, was unknown until the waning days of WWII. Soviet soldiers were the first to uncover death camps. Soviets, always willing to smear the German public, were honest about their findings at the camps to their western allies. However, their word, despite the long war with the Axis powers, were not fully believed until western Allies laid eyes on the remains of the exterminated. Western civilization was unaware and unprepared to face the full reality of the disaster that was the war. On top of that, Hitler, before WWII dawned, was seen as a great leader who brought Germany back onto her feet and took Germans out of poverty.
"But what about the Germans!? They must have known what was happening to the Jews!!!"
The German public only knew about Jews, among others, being relocated. However, the death camps were almost completely outside of Germany. That, and the Goebbels propaganda machine kept the knowledge of such systematic exterminations outside the public ear. I guess it would also be easier to just assume that the Germans were born racist and anti-Semitic (so much for Nurture over Nature, huh). My personal belief, aside from the natural mistrust of all things different, was that the propaganda industry of Germany convinced the public that the Jewish people were really deceiving the system and controlling the future of the country. World War I, as the Nazis claimed, was the result of Jewish bankers making a profit at the cost of millions of others. I would argue that a similar situation exists here in the United States where scapegoating is running rampant on all sides.
"What does this have to do with me again?"
The youth that support Hitler and the Nazi Party were naive. Despite the usual cultural belief that the young are rebels, they are more likely to rally behind some form of authority that they believe will change the "status quo" and give them hope. In this regard, the youth ARE rebelling, but that does not mean they are trying to create democracy and freedom for all. This does not mean that the German kids were TRYING to commit evil, but were trying to find a sense of purpose, hope, and change. The suffering of the German public was an especially nurturing environment for the rise of a totalitarian government. The youth turned Hitler into a messiah figure for themselves, as a figure of hope. They were not malicious, only naive of the consequences their actions would have on themselves, their country, and the world. In their mission to have their own voices heard, they allowed the muzzling of others and eventually themselves (no need to give credence to those who gave you ultimate power). The Germans traded a wounded government and a crippled economy for something far worse in the long run.
"So why are you SO concerned about 'dehumanizing Hitler'?"
The most important aspect about Hitler was not the bad things he brought onto the world, but the fact that he was just human. It is never good to idolize a person to a messiah level of existence, as the majority of Germans did with Hitler. However, it is not more acceptable to treat Hitler as the devil incarnate. Hitler and the Nazis are often portrayed as "people" whose greatest pleasures in life are waging war and creating genocide. This is a form of intellectual laziness and dishonesty that will eventually, if not already, shoot us in the foot. By simply saying the Nazis were evil people instead of looking at the underlying structures of the forces that drives the dark side of humanity, history will probably be inclined to repeat itself.
I cannot help but feel that those people who claim to be open-minded about the reality of totalitarianism and corruption are only going to elect their own Hitler one day. Hitler was an unknown figure who happened to have the charisma for arousing the frustrations within people. He was quick to put a target on the people he perceived to be causing the suffering of Germany and played on the people's desire for a foreseeable solution. The people made Hitler a popular figure and nearly got him into office. German President Paul von Hindenberg appointed him as Chancellor of Germany before long. Hitler, before he bullied his way to having an empire, was viewed as a hero not only in mid-Europe, but also all throughout western civilization. After all, he was proclaimed man-of-the-year by Time magazine for encouraging the turnaround of Germany. On top of that, there were even Jewish advocates who agreed with Hitler's sentiment that Jews and Germans must live separately (however, I doubt those supporters had genocide on their minds; only hubris until the gravity of the situation took center stage). Hitler was by all means a good guy. It took the near takeover of Europe before people were forced to wake up to the reality facing them.
I conclude that the simple notion of good and evil is a grave threat to the freedoms of human beings everywhere. Hitler is arguably the most hated man of the twentieth century because of the great tragedies that happened under his rule. However, before he was the devil, Hitler was the messiah to both Germans and the international community. One has to wonder now about what future the present will bestow upon us. I have a fear (hopefully just a paranoia of youth) that the west is ready to see a new evil dictator. This person will capitalize on the discontent and petty prejudices of the populace. No, he won't have a sinister grin and a goofy mustache and tie up helpless young damsels to railroad tracks. The new dictator will be friendly, charismatic, and raise the spirits of those who will listen. My peers may claim to know that their personal responsibility to question authority, but they seem quick to replace the current authority with another that promises greener pastures and cotton candy for all. This is my view of ignorance of history and why it will only be repeated in time.
Until next time.
- Forsaken Eagle
"Now why would you say that, Forsaken Eagle!? I would NEVER support that mass murder!!!"
Here is the thing that I addressed before: we know of the Nazi atrocities long after-the-fact. The Holocaust, as the clearest example, was unknown until the waning days of WWII. Soviet soldiers were the first to uncover death camps. Soviets, always willing to smear the German public, were honest about their findings at the camps to their western allies. However, their word, despite the long war with the Axis powers, were not fully believed until western Allies laid eyes on the remains of the exterminated. Western civilization was unaware and unprepared to face the full reality of the disaster that was the war. On top of that, Hitler, before WWII dawned, was seen as a great leader who brought Germany back onto her feet and took Germans out of poverty.
"But what about the Germans!? They must have known what was happening to the Jews!!!"
The German public only knew about Jews, among others, being relocated. However, the death camps were almost completely outside of Germany. That, and the Goebbels propaganda machine kept the knowledge of such systematic exterminations outside the public ear. I guess it would also be easier to just assume that the Germans were born racist and anti-Semitic (so much for Nurture over Nature, huh). My personal belief, aside from the natural mistrust of all things different, was that the propaganda industry of Germany convinced the public that the Jewish people were really deceiving the system and controlling the future of the country. World War I, as the Nazis claimed, was the result of Jewish bankers making a profit at the cost of millions of others. I would argue that a similar situation exists here in the United States where scapegoating is running rampant on all sides.
"What does this have to do with me again?"
The youth that support Hitler and the Nazi Party were naive. Despite the usual cultural belief that the young are rebels, they are more likely to rally behind some form of authority that they believe will change the "status quo" and give them hope. In this regard, the youth ARE rebelling, but that does not mean they are trying to create democracy and freedom for all. This does not mean that the German kids were TRYING to commit evil, but were trying to find a sense of purpose, hope, and change. The suffering of the German public was an especially nurturing environment for the rise of a totalitarian government. The youth turned Hitler into a messiah figure for themselves, as a figure of hope. They were not malicious, only naive of the consequences their actions would have on themselves, their country, and the world. In their mission to have their own voices heard, they allowed the muzzling of others and eventually themselves (no need to give credence to those who gave you ultimate power). The Germans traded a wounded government and a crippled economy for something far worse in the long run.
"So why are you SO concerned about 'dehumanizing Hitler'?"
The most important aspect about Hitler was not the bad things he brought onto the world, but the fact that he was just human. It is never good to idolize a person to a messiah level of existence, as the majority of Germans did with Hitler. However, it is not more acceptable to treat Hitler as the devil incarnate. Hitler and the Nazis are often portrayed as "people" whose greatest pleasures in life are waging war and creating genocide. This is a form of intellectual laziness and dishonesty that will eventually, if not already, shoot us in the foot. By simply saying the Nazis were evil people instead of looking at the underlying structures of the forces that drives the dark side of humanity, history will probably be inclined to repeat itself.
I cannot help but feel that those people who claim to be open-minded about the reality of totalitarianism and corruption are only going to elect their own Hitler one day. Hitler was an unknown figure who happened to have the charisma for arousing the frustrations within people. He was quick to put a target on the people he perceived to be causing the suffering of Germany and played on the people's desire for a foreseeable solution. The people made Hitler a popular figure and nearly got him into office. German President Paul von Hindenberg appointed him as Chancellor of Germany before long. Hitler, before he bullied his way to having an empire, was viewed as a hero not only in mid-Europe, but also all throughout western civilization. After all, he was proclaimed man-of-the-year by Time magazine for encouraging the turnaround of Germany. On top of that, there were even Jewish advocates who agreed with Hitler's sentiment that Jews and Germans must live separately (however, I doubt those supporters had genocide on their minds; only hubris until the gravity of the situation took center stage). Hitler was by all means a good guy. It took the near takeover of Europe before people were forced to wake up to the reality facing them.
I conclude that the simple notion of good and evil is a grave threat to the freedoms of human beings everywhere. Hitler is arguably the most hated man of the twentieth century because of the great tragedies that happened under his rule. However, before he was the devil, Hitler was the messiah to both Germans and the international community. One has to wonder now about what future the present will bestow upon us. I have a fear (hopefully just a paranoia of youth) that the west is ready to see a new evil dictator. This person will capitalize on the discontent and petty prejudices of the populace. No, he won't have a sinister grin and a goofy mustache and tie up helpless young damsels to railroad tracks. The new dictator will be friendly, charismatic, and raise the spirits of those who will listen. My peers may claim to know that their personal responsibility to question authority, but they seem quick to replace the current authority with another that promises greener pastures and cotton candy for all. This is my view of ignorance of history and why it will only be repeated in time.
Until next time.
- Forsaken Eagle
Monday, May 16, 2011
The Demon-Haunted World
Finished reading "The Demon-Haunted World" last night. That is, of course, a phenomenal book by the late, great Carl Sagan. I must say that I really enjoyed reading this fine work. I had a lot of time off due to the tornadoes here in North Alabama, so I was able to read through it without most of the typical distractions of the day. It really made my displacement for one whole week a lot easier with the words of Dr. Sagan. He uses his usual love of science, history, and literature to express the importance of science education, especially in these modern days.
Now I am left with the next big question: What should I read next? I have decided to take up a couple books to read. It has been a long while since I read a novel, so I picked up "2001: A Space Odyssey" by Arthur C. Clarke. I have not seen the movies, so I am looking forward to jumping into the story mostly blind. I guess this should mean I should watch the movie after reading this book.
I will also pick up another science book for my reading arsenal. This time it is Michio Kaku's classic, "Hyperspace." Whereas "Beyond Einstein" (an earlier Kaku book on a similar topic), was about the properties of superstring theory on matter, "Hyperspace" is to be about the nature of space-time under superstring theory. This is supposed to be Dr. Kaku's breakthrough work into popular science reading and I greatly enjoyed a few of his other books, so I am sure I will enjoy this one quite well.
Other than that, I am back into the normal routine. The semester had a rocky ending, but I earned my A's. I am taking a little break from political and social topics for now to focus on the summer semester and nerdy things.
This has been yet another mind dump after a short absence from my blog.
- Forsaken Eagle
Now I am left with the next big question: What should I read next? I have decided to take up a couple books to read. It has been a long while since I read a novel, so I picked up "2001: A Space Odyssey" by Arthur C. Clarke. I have not seen the movies, so I am looking forward to jumping into the story mostly blind. I guess this should mean I should watch the movie after reading this book.
I will also pick up another science book for my reading arsenal. This time it is Michio Kaku's classic, "Hyperspace." Whereas "Beyond Einstein" (an earlier Kaku book on a similar topic), was about the properties of superstring theory on matter, "Hyperspace" is to be about the nature of space-time under superstring theory. This is supposed to be Dr. Kaku's breakthrough work into popular science reading and I greatly enjoyed a few of his other books, so I am sure I will enjoy this one quite well.
Other than that, I am back into the normal routine. The semester had a rocky ending, but I earned my A's. I am taking a little break from political and social topics for now to focus on the summer semester and nerdy things.
This has been yet another mind dump after a short absence from my blog.
- Forsaken Eagle
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
White Males Need Not Apply
This is a phrase I first heard while listening to the Savage Nation radio show. It was from an explanation about a stimulus package from the Obama administration by Robert Reich. The stimulus would go to fund new construction jobs. However, Reich says that he doesn't want to use the money to fund "high-skilled people who are already professionals or to white male construction workers." This is part of the myth that today, white men still have an unfair advantage over minorities and women.
I admit that I do not know all of the statistics regarding race and gender for this country, aside from whites being the majority race in the country and the wage-gap myth. All I have is my experiences from coming to age in a major melting pot area of the country: Arizona. I was always exposed to other races, ethnics, and females in my everyday life. Early childhood was truly less complicated than what I and every one of my peers were exposed to later in life. Everyone was equal. There wasn't talk about racism, sexism, bigotry, bias, and privilege. As I moved up to middle and high school, the education about history and social issues started flooding in. We were all taught that whites owned slaves and women were slaves to men. Getting to the end of high school, the budding radicals vowing to fight racism, patriarchy, and the rich started cropping up around me. Peers, teachers, television shows, and even some of my own family members all believed that evil, greedy, privileged, racist, patriarchal, homophobic, extremist, Islamophobic, bigoted white men were responsible for all of the country's ills and then-presidential candidate Obama was going to put a stop to it. I heard about how white men are terrible people and need to prove constantly that they are not like that. The funny thing is is that the reality just did not match this vision.
My high school life and early college years was spent trying to prove I wasn't like those other evil white men. I now realize that not only is this fight futile, but is a complete fabrication. No matter what I do or what I say. I will always be seen as racist and sexist, simply because I am a white male. The fact that this is a racist and sexist assumption to make of me. However, I am deemed privileged, so any defense of my character or accusation of another person's bigotry is halted right away. Any injustice I may have ever experienced or am going to experience is just me being selfish and apathetic of "disadvantaged" minorities and women. I am instructed to feel guilty for being what I am, even though I did not have a choice in the matter.
I was taught to be proud of who I am and that everybody is equal. Unlike those early years, I have come to the realization of the double standard of "political correctness" (PC). Political correctness is just code for "non-white males." I have decided a while back that I will hold everyone to equal standards and have pride in who I am. I have this one body for this one life, and I will be damned if I am going to be told that I am a shameful person for being who I am.
- Forsaken Eagle
I admit that I do not know all of the statistics regarding race and gender for this country, aside from whites being the majority race in the country and the wage-gap myth. All I have is my experiences from coming to age in a major melting pot area of the country: Arizona. I was always exposed to other races, ethnics, and females in my everyday life. Early childhood was truly less complicated than what I and every one of my peers were exposed to later in life. Everyone was equal. There wasn't talk about racism, sexism, bigotry, bias, and privilege. As I moved up to middle and high school, the education about history and social issues started flooding in. We were all taught that whites owned slaves and women were slaves to men. Getting to the end of high school, the budding radicals vowing to fight racism, patriarchy, and the rich started cropping up around me. Peers, teachers, television shows, and even some of my own family members all believed that evil, greedy, privileged, racist, patriarchal, homophobic, extremist, Islamophobic, bigoted white men were responsible for all of the country's ills and then-presidential candidate Obama was going to put a stop to it. I heard about how white men are terrible people and need to prove constantly that they are not like that. The funny thing is is that the reality just did not match this vision.
My high school life and early college years was spent trying to prove I wasn't like those other evil white men. I now realize that not only is this fight futile, but is a complete fabrication. No matter what I do or what I say. I will always be seen as racist and sexist, simply because I am a white male. The fact that this is a racist and sexist assumption to make of me. However, I am deemed privileged, so any defense of my character or accusation of another person's bigotry is halted right away. Any injustice I may have ever experienced or am going to experience is just me being selfish and apathetic of "disadvantaged" minorities and women. I am instructed to feel guilty for being what I am, even though I did not have a choice in the matter.
I was taught to be proud of who I am and that everybody is equal. Unlike those early years, I have come to the realization of the double standard of "political correctness" (PC). Political correctness is just code for "non-white males." I have decided a while back that I will hold everyone to equal standards and have pride in who I am. I have this one body for this one life, and I will be damned if I am going to be told that I am a shameful person for being who I am.
- Forsaken Eagle
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Finished Two Books, Starting Two Books
I finished reading Michio Kaku's "Beyond Einstein" today and I completed David Flynn's "Why the Left Hates America." Both were great books, in my opinion.
"Beyond Einstein" delved into the history of the ultimate unified field theory of physics: superstring theory. After the history is established, Kaku explains some of the amazing symmetries string theory creates that explains the strangest phenomenon in the universe (ex: the Big Bang, dark matter, and higher dimensions). A criticism I have for this book, however, is the sob story regarding the female astronomer Vera Rubin. The writer goes to great lengths to explain her apparent "weep[ing]" about science still being predominantly male. Any woman who wants to go into science can (sometimes with a generous scholarship or grant) if she wants to. However, women generally do not go into the scientific and engineering fields. When one looks at the literary and social studies, one sees a very large portion of female scholars. Feminists would say women are just better than men in these fields for inherent female traits. On the other hand, these same harpies scream and cry "sexism" and "patriarchy" because more men are better in math and science. If this little emotion-over-logic-type diatribe was left out of science books, the better the writers would become. Other than that, this book does a great job at what Kaku set out to do: publish a book that can explain the significance of the scientific movement to establish a unified field theory of the universe.
Overall, Kaku's book gets four-and-a-half stars out of five.
"Why the Left Hates America" is a political book regarding leftists (not to be confused with liberals and Democrats) and their irrational hatred of the United States. Flynn spends the first half drawing out the history of the left's campaign against America. The second half deals with why America is not as terrible as leftists claim it is. The chapter "The Five Big Lies" lists what Flynn claims are the biggest untruths hurting America's image. These are: America oppresses women; America destroys the environment; America is a racist nation; America is a warmongering empire; and America robs from the poor. Flynn successfully displays the obvious that America is still, by far, the light unto the world. Leftists downplay America's great qualities with her negatives while ignoring the negatives and promoting/creating positives of other cultures. It is important to note that America's negatives (slavery, oppression of women, environmental damage, etc.) are not near as bad as most other third world and even some first world countries! On top of that, Flynn provides his own and other conservative speakers' experiences on the censorship and sometimes aggressively radical opposition to conservative views on college and university campuses. Flynn successfully demonstrates (with numerous sources cited) the hypocritical and irrational behaviors of the radical left, and he defends America's great accomplishments as the ultimate experiment in freedom. Why does the left hate America? Because America is the antithesis of "every pet theory the left holds dear."
I give Flynn's book five stars out of five.
As I hinted, I have decided to start two new books today: "The Demon-Haunted World" by Carl Sagan and "The New Reagan Revolution" by Michael Reagan. It is fair to notice that I alternate between different books at the same time. I also like to have different subject material, usually a science book and a political book.
I did not think I would delve into two reviews in one post, but I felt I was brief enough. I have taken a fine liking to having reading time on a more frequent basis. I greatly enjoy taken in new information and learning to draw new methods of critical thinking. In the meantime, I am spending time while not working, reading, and going to college watching the progress in Washington and Civil War history. Hopefully more blog entries will follow.
- Forsaken Eagle
"Beyond Einstein" delved into the history of the ultimate unified field theory of physics: superstring theory. After the history is established, Kaku explains some of the amazing symmetries string theory creates that explains the strangest phenomenon in the universe (ex: the Big Bang, dark matter, and higher dimensions). A criticism I have for this book, however, is the sob story regarding the female astronomer Vera Rubin. The writer goes to great lengths to explain her apparent "weep[ing]" about science still being predominantly male. Any woman who wants to go into science can (sometimes with a generous scholarship or grant) if she wants to. However, women generally do not go into the scientific and engineering fields. When one looks at the literary and social studies, one sees a very large portion of female scholars. Feminists would say women are just better than men in these fields for inherent female traits. On the other hand, these same harpies scream and cry "sexism" and "patriarchy" because more men are better in math and science. If this little emotion-over-logic-type diatribe was left out of science books, the better the writers would become. Other than that, this book does a great job at what Kaku set out to do: publish a book that can explain the significance of the scientific movement to establish a unified field theory of the universe.
Overall, Kaku's book gets four-and-a-half stars out of five.
"Why the Left Hates America" is a political book regarding leftists (not to be confused with liberals and Democrats) and their irrational hatred of the United States. Flynn spends the first half drawing out the history of the left's campaign against America. The second half deals with why America is not as terrible as leftists claim it is. The chapter "The Five Big Lies" lists what Flynn claims are the biggest untruths hurting America's image. These are: America oppresses women; America destroys the environment; America is a racist nation; America is a warmongering empire; and America robs from the poor. Flynn successfully displays the obvious that America is still, by far, the light unto the world. Leftists downplay America's great qualities with her negatives while ignoring the negatives and promoting/creating positives of other cultures. It is important to note that America's negatives (slavery, oppression of women, environmental damage, etc.) are not near as bad as most other third world and even some first world countries! On top of that, Flynn provides his own and other conservative speakers' experiences on the censorship and sometimes aggressively radical opposition to conservative views on college and university campuses. Flynn successfully demonstrates (with numerous sources cited) the hypocritical and irrational behaviors of the radical left, and he defends America's great accomplishments as the ultimate experiment in freedom. Why does the left hate America? Because America is the antithesis of "every pet theory the left holds dear."
I give Flynn's book five stars out of five.
As I hinted, I have decided to start two new books today: "The Demon-Haunted World" by Carl Sagan and "The New Reagan Revolution" by Michael Reagan. It is fair to notice that I alternate between different books at the same time. I also like to have different subject material, usually a science book and a political book.
I did not think I would delve into two reviews in one post, but I felt I was brief enough. I have taken a fine liking to having reading time on a more frequent basis. I greatly enjoy taken in new information and learning to draw new methods of critical thinking. In the meantime, I am spending time while not working, reading, and going to college watching the progress in Washington and Civil War history. Hopefully more blog entries will follow.
- Forsaken Eagle
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