Blessed Be the Slobs
For a number of years I have been going to the same resort in Jamaica. Quite a few years ago I met the man who picks up trash and plastic cups from the beach, arranges the beach lounges and chairs for the next day and then rakes the beach.
He’s a Rastafarian as is his father and was his grandfather. They eat vegetables and some fish but not meat. They don’t believe in violence or war. They don’t drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes but they do smoke marijuana. (A topic that I have planned to discuss in a future post).
He’s an interesting old guy who leaves the resort at the end of the day and walks to his home in the mountains.
He has been doing this for a long time. He told me that he had to cut off his ‘dreads’ that had reached to his knees in order to get this job.
I returned home yesterday bringing with me an interesting topic.
While sitting on the beach near the end of the day Pablito noticed that I started to pick up a plastic cup not too far from my lounge.
“No mon, leave it. I pick it up.”
I told him that it wasn’t mine and that I wouldn’t leave a cup on the beach.
“I know,” he said. ” Inside you Rasta too. But if everyone was like you who didn’t leave trash on the beach, I would have no job and my family would go hungry.”
Slobs do, after all, have a place in ‘the order of the universe”.
That paradox has often come to mind with me. It most frequently occurs with shopping carts. That same point was brought home to me when I was bringing one of them back into the store.
One of the “cart shaggers” said that if everyone brought back their carts he wouldn’t have a job. In a very odd way, by you being “tidy”, you are depriving another of his/her work.
If you expand that philosophy beyond the individual and extrapolate that to a nation I wonder what we’re doing as a nation at does exactly the same thing? Interesting speculation.
Puts things in perspective, doesn’t it?
This reminds us to dig a bit deeper into ourselves, our souls and motivations, even if we assume we already think before we act.
Human Cloning, I guess, would be posted here under “Ethics”. Our Congress has passed laws against the cloning of humans. The religiously committed and those without any church, even, of course, The Pope — they all see human cloning as EVIL (seen in all upper case) and they say, “Good Gawk, get that thought out of your mind!” “Change your college major from Science to English!” “Hell, stem cell research today, human cloning tomorrow!” “Protest! Make your display placards and update your marching orders; nip the idea of human cloning in the bud now, right now, immediately!.
So they say. And I say, let’s do human cloning/do research today to get the bugs out of the human-cloning process. We do need to clone human beings. I’m all in favor of cloning humans. Why?
For space travel to the distant stars, that’s why! Outer space calls, but how will Captain Joe America get anywhere, even one light-year away? He lives and will probably die when he’s maybe 70 or 90. But, wait, who steps off our space ship upon distant arrival but Captain Joe America (cloned/stored/released), grown up and ready when he’s 20 years old. Joe will be the same because meanwhile before that long future time, scientists — I should think — will be able to upload the original Captain Joe America’s mind’s contents, store it all, then download the original Joe’s mind into the cloned Joe’s (now 20 years old), and possibly then a million light-years away from Earth. Of course, this stuff needs work.
Now please think upon my argument re space travel for cloning humans; think beyond any splitting headaches. It may — can — work when needed at some distant launch time. Why not? Farfetched? Here’s a history lesson — How many centuries between the idea/detailed drawing of today’s helicopter and the date of the activation of its age-old concept? Likewise, should we do human cloning, for this possible space-travel reason? For any other reasons?
–30–
Hey Stan, what’s going on?
John, this article left me speechless. Sometimes I get carried away with preaching personal accountability and respect, but with this point of view, how would that alter the society if everyone held themselves with such high standards? I have to remind myself that everything balances itself out. For every negative thing, there has to be a positive. Thanks for keeping my mind open.
Justin [Cerebrl]
Justin, What is the opposite of a black hole out there in space?
A bit of philosophy: People who live in these United States have many freedoms. One freedom that we often neglect to recognize is the freedom to fail.
A Science Fiction View on Cloning (for writing a SF story) — Mankind on Earth is always trying to science-figure out the universe. How’s this for a scenario? There is a Mr. Higher Power and He’s into planetarium cloning. All the suns, comets, and planets we have today came from when He started doing his cloning experiments. How many planet Earths did this Guy clone up? Yes, there are many planets out there like our Earth planet that can support life. They were cloned, my dear. The Big Bang, huh? Maybe the Big Cloning experiment! Maybe nothing more new will be created next in the universe. Because Mr. Higher Power broke the mold which was the Big Bang. In other words, the Big Bang was His MOLD breaking. Give it a thought. And more thought: Is Mr. Higher Power merely a format of intelligence? — And where did pre-mold intelligence come from? Is it the same as unconscious thought?
–30–
Keep reading and keep commenting.
Thanks,
John
Thanks, John. Here’s more philosophy from me–
We should not comment from what we read; we should comment from what our unconscious mind tells us. Someone might ask about Practicing Religion. Oh! Oh, then what about my and your living/wasting life between covers, between two “Holy” book covers? A living of life from within a book, from any book, from a “Holy” book — what’s that life worth? And from books of danger like that? Tell me. Just what is its worth for mankind? To cut thru butter, my answer, maybe, is to save one copy, pulp the rest. Then peace, peace between us, peace among us.
–30–
Stan,
First, regarding space travel, if there is going to be a continuous multi-generational space trip why not simple human reproduction rather than going through the technical difficulties of cloning?
Or, a system that I like better, genetically engineer a creature like a reptile that can go into hibernation, a very long-term ’suspended animation’ during which time it uses a zero amount of air, food and water. Keep it’s environment as cold as possible then wake it up by turning up the heat as it approaches its destination.
As to what we read versus what we think, that’s interesting.
As an artist I am supposed to ‘paint what I see not what I know.’
We should read and sift. We need to be exposed to all the information we can get then sort out the bread from the baloney.
John
John,
Shame on you for trying to write the SF story I’m working on. And shame on me if I bite on your bait that rises to the surface.
Love ya,
Stan
p.s. You DO have this blog under copyright, don’t you? Too many people walk, not on the Earth, but on other people’s ideas.
–30–
Notes for a SF nonfiction novel:
Cloning humans is an A-okay good thing to do. Why? Because the BIBLE says so.
——————————————————————————
CHAPTER I.
Genesis i: 26, 27å
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him: male and female image, created he them.
———————————————————
Good Gawk! Why, isn’t that cloning? Isn’t that what was being done here? Hey, Hey! Man and woman are clones. I kid you not.
–30–
Stan,
WOW!
Is it cloning is OK by God….or cloning is OK, by God!
Regarding copyrighting, I guess anything that appears on a person’s BLOG or website is automatically copyrighted.
What matters more is that the world learns something no matter who originated the thought.
I believe that the greatest of all sins is the withholding of knowledge.
Keep thinking and keep writing.
John
John —
1) We rewrite history, and I guess just the winners of wars win the chance to rewrite history, so it’s been said by many others. They’re right.
Well, well, well … maybe it’s time to rewrite the Bible … and take out all that damn cloning biz in there. What do you think?
2) Re blog copyright. This is what I think I know. No one anywhere can copyright ideas. Ideas are free. You can, though, copyright treatments (like blogs, novels, nonfiction books, films, songs and witty sayings printed on toilet paper. Ekk!) So an idea — free to the world. Treatment of an idea — not free, legally protected. Don’t you steal from me! Or I’ll have to kill you.
Additionally, I think any treatment of an idea is legally protected upon its creation and belongs to the originator. No filing needed. But I’m not sure of this as regards to treatments “published” on the Internet where the majority rules. Representative democracy — Good Gawk, spare me!
–30–
Stan,
I think that I have said it before but if not, I’m happy that there are people out there who still think.
I wish you the success of Isaac Asimov with your thinking and writing.
John
Notes for nonfiction SF novel, on Captain America’s character
The cloning biz is too much of a has-been-done for SF. What else has been done but which can be modified in a surprising way? What’s an optional solution to the novel’s light-years traveling problem?
Eureka! We’ll explore ways that will allow Captain America to live forever. // woman scientist should be another lead character in novel. She will discover how to give human beings eternal life // under-prose can suggest original God was a female // figure way woman scientist can take away gift of eternal life from everybody // why? // Imply/suggest this thru metaphor // — this is how the novel will end.
This is a nonfiction novel (facts plus prose) that we’re working out. It’s SF. Don’t fake the science part one hundred percent. Fake 90 percent of the science.
—————————————————————————————
John –
Thank you for the praise. I’m out there, but I’m not thinking. I’m creative thinking. There is a difference. And I appreciate your allowing me to work out the outline of an actual novel on your blog. Not me, but maybe some young person reading your blog will be Asimov-challenged. By the way, I have shared published space with Mr. Isaac Asimov. His estate still owes me royalties. “Wild Inventions” (1981).
John — please let me know if these writings of mine are interfering with the concept of your blog and if so, notify me and I’ll withdraw.
——————————————————————-
John — Suppose a person could live forever. If people did have eternal life, what would be the social problems? Assume no overcrowding because the excess people could live in colonies on other far planets. What about legal problems? Extended family problems? Problems with different religions? And so forth?
–30–
John –
I decided your blog, or anyone else’s blog, is no place to do creative writing. Besides, this would be a big undertaking. What should be done is for me to put up own blog, called something like “Literary Works in Progress,” although I doubt I’ll ever do this.
As for general topics that fit for your blog, I do enjoy reading and contributing to John’s Blog and I intend to continue doing so. I’m not sure I understand your other blogs.
–Stan
John –
In reading over the above to gleam out what I could use in my writings, I came across something I said that could be misunderstood. Both of us want people out there to think, and, I would emphasize, to think for themselves. I fear, though, some literal guys out there are too tight in their minds, unable to recognize a joke, even phrases hinting to a related joke, for laughter.
I’m referring to where I wrote: “Don’t you steal from me. Or I will have to kill you.”
This is a joke derived from the joke pattern: “Don’t __ __ _ __ __ or I will have to kill you.” And that joke always gets laughs.
I never use things like NTW or any other cute abbr. now in use because I, as a writer, don’t think such language stuff will last beyond our time. Also consider: “I yak, yak, yik. (joke)” where the use of (joke) is also a no-do, a no-go for me.
–30–
John–
You did set some bait for me, so I’ll answer your above question which was:
[First, regarding space travel, if there is going to be a continuous multi-generational space trip why not simple human reproduction rather than going through the technical difficulties of cloning?]
It must, has to be, a clone of Captain America. Why? Because when the brain data was uploaded from him originally and stored, every iota of knowledge, feelings he has comes from some nook and cranny. Then stored.
If 10 light-years away, this memory stuff when it’s downloaded it will fit back into exactly the same nook and cranny perfectly. This would not be so with a multi-generational crew. 3 steps away down the line, a blond at first father, may now have grandson with black hair … etc, ….
The cloned Captain America comes from a mold. Everything outside, inside is exactly the same. Things removed from the body, put back into the body will fit back exactly. Round and round pegs, square and square pegs, hole for hole.
If the original Captain America who speaks Polish can hit the bull’s eye of a target set 7 feet away with a spit-ball // brain uploaded // 5 light-years later // brain downloaded // then cloned Captain America who can also speak Polish can immediately hit the same target the same distance away with a spit-ball.
Enough.
–30–
Stan,
You are absolutely correct!
I couldn’t agree more that in this case cloning and brain-data transfer is the only way.
Good thinking!
John
John–
I need a name for uploading (outing} one’s brain. There is shock treatments in mental hospitals. Data Shock Treatment? Brain Drain Treatments? … And to download one’s brain? Going-Home Treatment or something ….
–30–
–Stan
Message
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From: johnmalenda@comcast.net [Add to Address Book]
To: Stan Nodvik
Subject: Brain Data Transfer
Date: Jul 1, 2009 5:10 PM
A Holographic transfer of the neural network into the latest innovation of computers.
It works like a CAT scan. Thoughts and memories have left patterns in the brain and this device transfers slices of images through the neural network into a computer like pages of a book.
The recipient gets these pages downloaded into his/her brain in slices in the reverse order electromagnetically.
No wires are needed!
How’s that for a quick solution?
_________________________________________
That’s great, John. I can fake the rest. Brilliant. Hey — Don’t leave your mind to science, leave it to me. And thanks for emailing me your above answer. I posted it here because I wanted you to get credit for the right solution to my data out/in transfer problem for the SF nonfiction novel.
–Stan
–30–
Stan,
I don’t need credit. Ideas are for the world to use.
John
Wrong.
John, you’re giving me a headache. I have too many useless, unused ideas.
Vodka goes great with Alka-Seltzer® as a mixer. Better than vodka and orange juice. There, I just gave you and the world that idea! It’s been tested and approved. Bottoms up!
–Stan
N O T I C E
The above 22 entries and/or SF or and/or cloning related passages
copyright © 2009 by Stanley G. Nodvik
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Message
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From: johnmalenda@comcast.net [Add to Address Book]
To: Stan Nodvik
Subject: Plots etc
Date: Jul 3, 2009 7:15 PM
Stan,
You have put out quite a bit of the story line for others to read so your copyright notice may be a good move.
Novels are usually quite long so even similar plots find acceptance.
No two people can write the same novel.
You have documented your ideas though and that should make someone back off.
————————————————-
Hey John–
In reply to your above email sent to me yesterday:
I’m not sure you understand how copyright works. The Copyright Office nor does any other official in government enforce the copyright law. What my notice above means that my work appeared FIRST anywhere, including on the Internet.
I hire a lawyer(s) either for a fee or on a contingency basis (no cost to me) and bring a lawsuit in court against the culprit who needs to hire his own lawyer to defend himself. Because my copyright notice appeared before his, upheld as evidence by our Copyright Law and in agreement with reciprocal Copyright Laws in other countries, in this case he will lose. And the loser pays court costs, damages, and my legal costs and his own legal fees to defend himself. For me, in the above situation, it is an open and shut case. I will win. And that does not exclude anything mentioned in your email. The culprit will be more than scared off, he will be ordered by the judge to pay me or my estate big bucks. His only option may be to settle out of court.
And that, John, is how it works. So goes it.
–30–
John,
Another thought of philosophy from me:
Pornography has value, immense value. Viewing porno (het or gay or bi) especially on video reminds us, each and everyone of us, that we are not gods. It shows, in “live” video action, that all of us are really animals.
–30–
Stan,
Very interesting point…and true.
If it were not true then porn would not be so popular.
Only that is produced for which there is a market.
There are not many factories around making wagon wheels.
I remember hearing some time ago that more time is spent watching porn on the Internet than is spent watching professional sports on TV.
We are far from Gods.
But I wonder what the Gods watch???
John–
I believe that what the Gods watch in Sports or in Whatever, like elsewhere, depends upon which cable service services their area.
–Stan
John–
Re Captain America Cloned. ((??)) I need a good title for this proposed SF nonfiction novel whose plot is briefly sketched out in the above. And ideas? I need some help here. My possible title is:
Captain America Beyond 127 Light-Years.
OR
Captain America’s Mirror
–Stan
And what would we do without your very good idea
For Sure ed Be the Slobs will get a bunch of interest merely credited to the fact it can be intriguing interpretation.
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