Perhaps inspired by the anime conventions starting up again, or just nerdiness in general, I have decided to dig out an old nerd survey I created awhile back. It is certainly a less intimidating read than the prior post, and you can all see what a total nerd I really am :) Read on and I leave posterity to you, my fellow nerds and geeks.
btw, for fairness' sake, I shall complete the survey as well... and while it seems like a lot of questions, most of the answers are pretty easy, and of course, subjective, but that is the fun of this :)
1.First Name?
2.Age you would prefer to be?
3.Immortality?
4.What is your quest?
5.Nerd or Geek?
6.Single, Pre-Owned, or Attached?
7.History or Geography?
8.Favorite Sport?
9.Favorite Pro Sports Team?
10.Do you understand the infield fly rule?
11.Do you understand Cricket?(the default answer should be 'no', even if you are from the UK or former British colonial holding)
12.Fusion or Fission?
13.Do you own a lightsaber (real or otherwise)?
14.What is your favorite color?
15.What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?
16.Star Trek, Babylon 5, or Battlestar Galactica?
17.Phaser or Blaster?
18.Superman or Batman?
19.Spiderman or Wolverine?
20. Harry Potter or JRR Tolkien (or alternatively, CS Lewis)?
21.Robert Frost or Edgar Allen Poe?
22.Weather aside, do you feel more day baseball games should be played?
23.Who fought each other in the Hundred Years War?
24.How many digital media devices do you own? (ie, ipods, computers, cellphones, video game systems)
25.360, PS3, or the worst name for a video game system ever(Wii)?
26.What is the longest amount of time you waited in line for a movie?
27. And finally, if you had a teleportation device that would send you into any of the alternate universe described above, where would you go?
C.
Showing posts with label Babylon 5. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Babylon 5. Show all posts
06 February 2007
16 January 2007
Oblivion
For all the mean game I talk about writing, I have not posted anything (fictional at least) other than my poems. Admittedly, scripts would be difficult to post as would my longer stories, unless I broke them up (which is certainly a possibility in the future). But for today, I leave you with a short-short piece of fan fiction from my favorite sci-fi show (and my only piece of fan fiction), Babylon 5. For those that know the story, it is pretty obvious where and when it takes place, and is sort of a combined perspective from the episode and one of the novels (The Technomage Trilogy). It is a little more internalised, which is harder to get in TV and certainly a departure from what I have normally written. For those that do not know the story, I admit it really does not stand on its own as it takes a fragment of the end of the third season episode 'Z'Ha'Dum' and expands upon it, if one calls something this short expansion :)
'Oblivion'
He finally understood…
If you go to Z’Ha’Dum, you will die.
John knew the price, standing above the chasm, the Enemy behind him, calling his name. The Enemy, his wife, but not his wife. A monster, pulled from one of those Ships… a shell of the woman she was. They told her what to say, and the lie was almost convincing… almost. The Enemy closed around him, behind her, their glowing eyes, yearning for him to join them. Join… the Shadows. They asked him to turn his back on everything. His family, friends, his duty, her… the woman that Anna was, and the one, now… racing in his mind. He only wanted to be with her, but that would not be. They would kill him, and Kosh, as usual, would be right.
Damn them… If I’m going to die, then you bastards are going to hell with me.
He sent the signal…
It would be over in a moment, not that the Shadows would know. Not that he would feel. An instant of destruction, and the war… would it end? What would his sacrifice be worth? Enough to save Babylon 5? Surely the Shadows and their terrible vessels would be poised to strike, for John refused to join the Enemy. They would destroy the station and all he held dear. At least the Enemy would feel this sting.
They continued to close on him, though one of the creatures had stopped, occupied for some reason. Then it fell, and John could not understand why. He thought he saw a.... no, it did not matter. He saw her face, smiling, but her countenance betraying the control of her masters. She would kill him herself if she could. He knew he could stop her, but no matter what she had become, John could never kill Anna. He glanced skyward. At least... not face to face.
Any second now.
Another Shadow fell from behind Anna. Again, he thought he should have been confused, his tactician’s brain telling him something… someone else was at work. Unfortunately, his human instinct told him the end would soon render the thought moot.
He turned away from her and stared into the abyss…
Jump…
What… that voice. Piercing into his soul, but from where? How? Impossible. He had held the remnants of the encounter suit in his hands, even spoken to him before he passed. Kosh perished so that the fledgling Alliance would survive, ordering a strike against the Shadows at the cost of his own life.
He glanced into the darkness. It tore at him, but called to him somehow. Still, he was afraid. She advanced toward him, begging him to reconsider. He tried to blot her voice out, but he had loved her so. No, not her. A monster, created by them… the Enemy. His link beeped. The White Star was coming.
Jump… Now!
He jumped…
John felt the voice leap at him, literally drawing him over the ledge and into the darkness. Anna’s voice faded, and he said his final goodbyes. The chasm looked like it would not end, and continued to speak to him, in His voice somehow. Above, the world sounded as if it shattered. Screams… no. The White Star… its engines howling, preparing to unleash the thermonuclear fury contained within. Though fear encircled him, John forced a smile. He almost wanted to see it happen, but imagining was enough, and the reality would consume him all too soon.
Or would it?
He welcomed the abyss…
The voice fell silent. Only the darkness remained. He could not even hear what he thought he might. He must have been too close, destroyed in an instant. Or was he? Images raced through his mind… images of yesterday, the present, tomorrow… even if tomorrow would not be. He saw her… all that he knew, could hold on to, in the descent into the beyond.
Delenn…
Oblivion claimed John in the abyss beneath Z’Ha’Dum.
C.
'Oblivion'
He finally understood…
If you go to Z’Ha’Dum, you will die.
John knew the price, standing above the chasm, the Enemy behind him, calling his name. The Enemy, his wife, but not his wife. A monster, pulled from one of those Ships… a shell of the woman she was. They told her what to say, and the lie was almost convincing… almost. The Enemy closed around him, behind her, their glowing eyes, yearning for him to join them. Join… the Shadows. They asked him to turn his back on everything. His family, friends, his duty, her… the woman that Anna was, and the one, now… racing in his mind. He only wanted to be with her, but that would not be. They would kill him, and Kosh, as usual, would be right.
Damn them… If I’m going to die, then you bastards are going to hell with me.
He sent the signal…
It would be over in a moment, not that the Shadows would know. Not that he would feel. An instant of destruction, and the war… would it end? What would his sacrifice be worth? Enough to save Babylon 5? Surely the Shadows and their terrible vessels would be poised to strike, for John refused to join the Enemy. They would destroy the station and all he held dear. At least the Enemy would feel this sting.
They continued to close on him, though one of the creatures had stopped, occupied for some reason. Then it fell, and John could not understand why. He thought he saw a.... no, it did not matter. He saw her face, smiling, but her countenance betraying the control of her masters. She would kill him herself if she could. He knew he could stop her, but no matter what she had become, John could never kill Anna. He glanced skyward. At least... not face to face.
Any second now.
Another Shadow fell from behind Anna. Again, he thought he should have been confused, his tactician’s brain telling him something… someone else was at work. Unfortunately, his human instinct told him the end would soon render the thought moot.
He turned away from her and stared into the abyss…
Jump…
What… that voice. Piercing into his soul, but from where? How? Impossible. He had held the remnants of the encounter suit in his hands, even spoken to him before he passed. Kosh perished so that the fledgling Alliance would survive, ordering a strike against the Shadows at the cost of his own life.
He glanced into the darkness. It tore at him, but called to him somehow. Still, he was afraid. She advanced toward him, begging him to reconsider. He tried to blot her voice out, but he had loved her so. No, not her. A monster, created by them… the Enemy. His link beeped. The White Star was coming.
Jump… Now!
He jumped…
John felt the voice leap at him, literally drawing him over the ledge and into the darkness. Anna’s voice faded, and he said his final goodbyes. The chasm looked like it would not end, and continued to speak to him, in His voice somehow. Above, the world sounded as if it shattered. Screams… no. The White Star… its engines howling, preparing to unleash the thermonuclear fury contained within. Though fear encircled him, John forced a smile. He almost wanted to see it happen, but imagining was enough, and the reality would consume him all too soon.
Or would it?
He welcomed the abyss…
The voice fell silent. Only the darkness remained. He could not even hear what he thought he might. He must have been too close, destroyed in an instant. Or was he? Images raced through his mind… images of yesterday, the present, tomorrow… even if tomorrow would not be. He saw her… all that he knew, could hold on to, in the descent into the beyond.
Delenn…
Oblivion claimed John in the abyss beneath Z’Ha’Dum.
C.
11 January 2007
Thursday Thirteen 3 or 4
This is either my third or fourth Thursday Thirteen. I am not sure, so I will simply be vague. As most of my habitual readers know (and we know who you are... hello?), I am quite the fan of an increasingly obscure science fiction tv show called Babylon 5. It came out in the mid '90's and still has a strong fan base, but it is now being overwhelmed by newer shows that a) have been on so long that you have to mention them (Stargate and its derivatives... used to be Trek and its derivatives, but no more 'Enterprise') or b) just really good (Battlestar Galactica and the departed Farscape). Still, much of the plot cohesion you might see in these shows (BSG in particular) is a tribute to B5 and its writing, which to me, is still the best written sci fi show out there. And the show has had some great writers from J. Michael Straczynski, the series creator and main writer, to such fine guest writers as Neil Gaiman, Harlan Ellison, DC Fontana, and Peter David. Because of such great writing, naturally, a lot of good quotations are the result... some philosophical, some funny, and other poignant. In any event, here are 13 of my favorite Babylon 5 quotations.
1) 'The avalanche has already begun. It is too late for the pebbles to vote.' -- Kosh. My all time favorite and one of those enigmatically cryptic ones that lets you know how powerless you can be sometimes to the gears of history.
2) 'We know... The true secrets, the important things. Fourteen words to make someone fall in love with you forever. Seven words to make them go without pain, or to say goodbye to a friend who is dying. How to be poor, how to be rich, how to rediscover dreams the world has stolen from you.' -- Elric. I mentioned this one a few posts ago regarding the also enigmatic Technomages. I think the quote says it all about what they are.
3) 'We're all born as molecules in the hearts of a billion stars, molecules that do not understand politics, policies and differences. In a billion years we, foolish molecules forget who we are and where we came from. Through desperate acts of ego, we give ourselves names, fight over lines on maps, and pretend our light is better than everyone else's. The flame reminds us of the piece of those stars that live inside us. A spark that tells us: you should know better. The flame also reminds us that life is precious, as each flame is unique. When it goes out, it's gone forever. And there will never be another quite like it.' --Delenn. Ok, this is more a monologue. It ties in well with my own philosophy of the universe and reads very well, though the acting was good too.
4) 'May gods stand between you and harm in all the empty places you must walk.' -- Ivanova. This was in reference to an old Egyptian blessing, and actually used in season 2 as well (this reference is from season 3). Though more of a deist these days, I like the way these words feel.
5) 'Only those, whose lives are brief can imagine that love .. is eternal. You should embrace that remarkable illusion. It may be the greatest gift your race has ever received.' -- Lorien. One of my favorite quotes about love, and who knew the wisdom of a sci fi tv show? :)
6) 'How is it all going to end?'
'In fire.' -- Kosh to Centauri Emperor Turhan. Even Kosh could see the writing on the wall, but Vorlons are supposed to know those things.
7) 'All my life, I've had doubts about who I am, where I belonged. Now, I'm like the arrow that springs from the bow. No hesitations, no doubts. The path is clear.' - Sinclair/Entil'Zha. I like to look at this one now and then to remind me to stay on the right path... I can understand completely on this one.
8) 'You do not understand... but you will.' -- Kosh to Sheridan. Again, Kosh at his cryptic best, though rather pointed, like a parent trying to get a kid see the forest for the trees and knows that it will all come in time... he hopes.
9) 'Now get the hell out of our galaxy!' -- Sheridan. Nothing like telling some First Ones that we don't need them anymore.
10) 'G'Quan wrote: 'There is a greater darkness than the one we fight. It is the darkness of the soul that has lost its way. The war we fight is not against powers and principalities, it is against chaos and despair. Greater than the death of flesh is the death of hope, the death of dreams. Against this peril we can never surrender. The future is all around us, waiting in moments of transition, to be born in moments of revelation. No one knows the shape of that future, or where it will take us. We know only that it is always born in pain.'" -- G'Kar (end of season 3 monologue). Ah, G'kar... from thug to diplomat to philosopher, his evolution is one of the great treats of watching the series from beginning to completion, and not the least to watch the acting of the late Andreas Katsulas as the Narn ambassador.
11) 'Why is that we always break up our history by the wars, not the years of peace?' -- Garibaldi. I always found this observation to be astute, and somewhat sad, but as as a student of history, and military history as well, I understand all too well.
12) 'Who are you? What do you want? Why are you here? Where are you going?' -- Lorien. The final piece of First One wisdom, this time, by The First One (um, First Ones are technologically superior beings with abilities that lesser beings, like us, would presume to be god-like in less enlightened days.). I've also written a series of essays on these questions... I will have to post them some time.
13) 'If you go to Z'Ha'Dum, you will die.' -- Kosh. No one ever listens to the Vorlon.
Well, that should do it and I hope I haven't confused most of my readers...
C.
1) 'The avalanche has already begun. It is too late for the pebbles to vote.' -- Kosh. My all time favorite and one of those enigmatically cryptic ones that lets you know how powerless you can be sometimes to the gears of history.
2) 'We know... The true secrets, the important things. Fourteen words to make someone fall in love with you forever. Seven words to make them go without pain, or to say goodbye to a friend who is dying. How to be poor, how to be rich, how to rediscover dreams the world has stolen from you.' -- Elric. I mentioned this one a few posts ago regarding the also enigmatic Technomages. I think the quote says it all about what they are.
3) 'We're all born as molecules in the hearts of a billion stars, molecules that do not understand politics, policies and differences. In a billion years we, foolish molecules forget who we are and where we came from. Through desperate acts of ego, we give ourselves names, fight over lines on maps, and pretend our light is better than everyone else's. The flame reminds us of the piece of those stars that live inside us. A spark that tells us: you should know better. The flame also reminds us that life is precious, as each flame is unique. When it goes out, it's gone forever. And there will never be another quite like it.' --Delenn. Ok, this is more a monologue. It ties in well with my own philosophy of the universe and reads very well, though the acting was good too.
4) 'May gods stand between you and harm in all the empty places you must walk.' -- Ivanova. This was in reference to an old Egyptian blessing, and actually used in season 2 as well (this reference is from season 3). Though more of a deist these days, I like the way these words feel.
5) 'Only those, whose lives are brief can imagine that love .. is eternal. You should embrace that remarkable illusion. It may be the greatest gift your race has ever received.' -- Lorien. One of my favorite quotes about love, and who knew the wisdom of a sci fi tv show? :)
6) 'How is it all going to end?'
'In fire.' -- Kosh to Centauri Emperor Turhan. Even Kosh could see the writing on the wall, but Vorlons are supposed to know those things.
7) 'All my life, I've had doubts about who I am, where I belonged. Now, I'm like the arrow that springs from the bow. No hesitations, no doubts. The path is clear.' - Sinclair/Entil'Zha. I like to look at this one now and then to remind me to stay on the right path... I can understand completely on this one.
8) 'You do not understand... but you will.' -- Kosh to Sheridan. Again, Kosh at his cryptic best, though rather pointed, like a parent trying to get a kid see the forest for the trees and knows that it will all come in time... he hopes.
9) 'Now get the hell out of our galaxy!' -- Sheridan. Nothing like telling some First Ones that we don't need them anymore.
10) 'G'Quan wrote: 'There is a greater darkness than the one we fight. It is the darkness of the soul that has lost its way. The war we fight is not against powers and principalities, it is against chaos and despair. Greater than the death of flesh is the death of hope, the death of dreams. Against this peril we can never surrender. The future is all around us, waiting in moments of transition, to be born in moments of revelation. No one knows the shape of that future, or where it will take us. We know only that it is always born in pain.'" -- G'Kar (end of season 3 monologue). Ah, G'kar... from thug to diplomat to philosopher, his evolution is one of the great treats of watching the series from beginning to completion, and not the least to watch the acting of the late Andreas Katsulas as the Narn ambassador.
11) 'Why is that we always break up our history by the wars, not the years of peace?' -- Garibaldi. I always found this observation to be astute, and somewhat sad, but as as a student of history, and military history as well, I understand all too well.
12) 'Who are you? What do you want? Why are you here? Where are you going?' -- Lorien. The final piece of First One wisdom, this time, by The First One (um, First Ones are technologically superior beings with abilities that lesser beings, like us, would presume to be god-like in less enlightened days.). I've also written a series of essays on these questions... I will have to post them some time.
13) 'If you go to Z'Ha'Dum, you will die.' -- Kosh. No one ever listens to the Vorlon.
Well, that should do it and I hope I haven't confused most of my readers...
C.
06 January 2007
More Wisdom From Babylon 5
Sorry don't have much today, but I am distracted by the likely Cowboys loss tonight (hope I am wrong, but...).
'We know... The true secrets, the important things. Fourteen words to make someone fall in love with you forever. Seven words to make them go without pain, or to say goodbye to a friend who is dying. How to be poor, how to be rich, how to rediscover dreams the world has stolen from you.'
Anyway, this is one of my favorite lines from B5 (hmmm, maybe for a future Thursday 13 I can throw out my 13 favorite line from Babylon 5... that would be different), and comes from the esoteric Technomages. What they do is really unimportant, though cool (using technology to appear as magic), but what is said in this bit is. It sort of explains the Technomage philosophy and definitely a unique perpsective... and I always liked the way it sounds.
Have a great weekend,
C.
'We know... The true secrets, the important things. Fourteen words to make someone fall in love with you forever. Seven words to make them go without pain, or to say goodbye to a friend who is dying. How to be poor, how to be rich, how to rediscover dreams the world has stolen from you.'
Anyway, this is one of my favorite lines from B5 (hmmm, maybe for a future Thursday 13 I can throw out my 13 favorite line from Babylon 5... that would be different), and comes from the esoteric Technomages. What they do is really unimportant, though cool (using technology to appear as magic), but what is said in this bit is. It sort of explains the Technomage philosophy and definitely a unique perpsective... and I always liked the way it sounds.
Have a great weekend,
C.
02 January 2007
Hour Of The Wolf
Lat night, as I lay awake, I was thinking of the following piece and the Hour of the Wolf, so named for those restless hours before dawn when one wakes up and cannot get back to sleep (And also the title of a 4th season Babylon 5 episode for the citation minded :) . In my case, I had not been to sleep, which is about the norm these days. That time of night, though, is strange and wondrous, and as one becomes more sleep deprived, little things change. Sounds, thoughts, even what you see shifts a little. Strange, but I've seen it enough to know that perception shifts late at night, or early in the 'morn, however you wish to view it.
Not surprisingly, I've written a lot in the middle of the night, those times when memory wants to consume you and all you can do is regret, wonder, and worry. The following is an older stream of consciousness piece that to me, sums up those memories and the danger of what might have been and what was.
'Hour of the Wolf'
Lying awake....
Gentle sighs between nervous tensions of
Passionate tenderness eschewing
A disquiet memory of longing for that sweet
Ecstasy belying its own beauty hoping for
That enduring but fleeting instant
Which cannot be worn away.
Whispers of words lost in moments of heightened
Revelation which are forgotten and
Remembered between the seconds of
Overwhelming intensity lasting as
Needed or wanting for more.
Simple passion yet complex rhythms on
Nights time slipped into wonder culminating in a
Singular movement filled with driven
Amazement as surreal and real collide enveloping
Sensuality bringing it to that place
Within the wellspring of souls.
The image fades...
Haunting the hours before dawn.
C.
Not surprisingly, I've written a lot in the middle of the night, those times when memory wants to consume you and all you can do is regret, wonder, and worry. The following is an older stream of consciousness piece that to me, sums up those memories and the danger of what might have been and what was.
'Hour of the Wolf'
Lying awake....
Gentle sighs between nervous tensions of
Passionate tenderness eschewing
A disquiet memory of longing for that sweet
Ecstasy belying its own beauty hoping for
That enduring but fleeting instant
Which cannot be worn away.
Whispers of words lost in moments of heightened
Revelation which are forgotten and
Remembered between the seconds of
Overwhelming intensity lasting as
Needed or wanting for more.
Simple passion yet complex rhythms on
Nights time slipped into wonder culminating in a
Singular movement filled with driven
Amazement as surreal and real collide enveloping
Sensuality bringing it to that place
Within the wellspring of souls.
The image fades...
Haunting the hours before dawn.
C.
15 November 2006
Thursday Thirteen
I realise it is not Thursday yet, but it is in Australia and the Pacific Rim, so I must be channeling blogs from over there (and it is one of my favorite places on earth, sooo..). Anyway, I decided to participate in this exercise and put off posting some depressing war-related poem... I can do that any old time :) So now, I give you 13 reasons Babylon 5 is better than Star Trek. Just a quick note to the Trekkers: I am also a Trek fan, so don't get all twisted by this... just in the name of good fun and logical conclusions.
1. Plot, Babylon 5 had an actual story arc instead of self-contained episodes. (and we won't get into the convenient story arc Deep Space 9 manifested not long after B5 aired)
2. Shadows are far cooler than the Dominion.
3. Vorlons are far cooler and more enigmatic than say, Tholians and less annoying than Q's.
4. Some of the technological leaps are actually possible in 200 years, unlike, say teleportation.
5. Alfred Bester... wait, he was Chekov too.. hmm. But he's much cooler as Bester.
6. Purple vs. Green (if you've seen the episode you understand :)
7. Technomages.
8. Z'ha'Dum... one of the coolest, evil planets ever.
9. Star Trek: Voyager
10. Sleeping In Light... a much better send off than Enterprise.
11. A whole fleet of White Stars (how many Defiants showed up... not near as many :)
12. Vorlon Planet Killers and Shadow Death Clouds.
13. G'kar (may he rest in peace).
I hope I haven't confused too many people for not as many know about the goodness of Babylon 5. And in the interest of fairness, I will reciprocate for the Trekkers next week (assuming Thanksgiving festivities allow it.)
1. Plot, Babylon 5 had an actual story arc instead of self-contained episodes. (and we won't get into the convenient story arc Deep Space 9 manifested not long after B5 aired)
2. Shadows are far cooler than the Dominion.
3. Vorlons are far cooler and more enigmatic than say, Tholians and less annoying than Q's.
4. Some of the technological leaps are actually possible in 200 years, unlike, say teleportation.
5. Alfred Bester... wait, he was Chekov too.. hmm. But he's much cooler as Bester.
6. Purple vs. Green (if you've seen the episode you understand :)
7. Technomages.
8. Z'ha'Dum... one of the coolest, evil planets ever.
9. Star Trek: Voyager
10. Sleeping In Light... a much better send off than Enterprise.
11. A whole fleet of White Stars (how many Defiants showed up... not near as many :)
12. Vorlon Planet Killers and Shadow Death Clouds.
13. G'kar (may he rest in peace).
I hope I haven't confused too many people for not as many know about the goodness of Babylon 5. And in the interest of fairness, I will reciprocate for the Trekkers next week (assuming Thanksgiving festivities allow it.)
C.
24 October 2006
One Life At A Time
In the TV show Babylon 5, a phrase is tossed about by numerous characters but mostly espoused by the Minbari, 'Some must be sacrificed for all to be saved.', while the Talmud says that 'He who saves one life saves the world entire.' (and I realize I might be paraphrasing that one, but the essence of it is correct). Both, to me, are a paradox of wisdom, though I am sure I might raise an eyebrow or two comparing Babylon 5 to Judaism, but I have seen stranger comparisons. Anyway, that is not the issue at hand, it is the question of when is it ok to sacrifice one for many or vice versa? The essence of true compassion is to save others, but is it any less compassionate to let others be sacrificed in order to save more? Of course, I am in no position or career that involves the saving of lives or ordering the deaths of others in some cause, but I do ponder such things as one in a free society should. And I ponder such questions to you, gentle readers.
Therefore, what does one do when faces with such things? Or what does one do that cannot affect any outcome? But, what would you do? Would you trade one life for thousands, or a thousand for one? Millions for billions? Is death for life, or the promise of life (say, in the case of genetic experimentation) ever a fair trade? Where does ethics end and pragmatism begin? And I do assure you, I understand necessity and pragmatism for I do live in this world. In the past, most would never ask such questions, for the answers are apparent in history and in the history of politics. Indeed, some philosophy would agree with the trade of death for life. But, will it ever be enough? Can we ever evolve to a consciousness where in order to preserve life we do not have to extinguish it?
Overall, I am not being too practical, but one has to think such things, or at least reiterate them from time to time.
C.
Therefore, what does one do when faces with such things? Or what does one do that cannot affect any outcome? But, what would you do? Would you trade one life for thousands, or a thousand for one? Millions for billions? Is death for life, or the promise of life (say, in the case of genetic experimentation) ever a fair trade? Where does ethics end and pragmatism begin? And I do assure you, I understand necessity and pragmatism for I do live in this world. In the past, most would never ask such questions, for the answers are apparent in history and in the history of politics. Indeed, some philosophy would agree with the trade of death for life. But, will it ever be enough? Can we ever evolve to a consciousness where in order to preserve life we do not have to extinguish it?
Overall, I am not being too practical, but one has to think such things, or at least reiterate them from time to time.
C.
14 October 2006
Our Unique Lineage
An incidental note: This is an older entry from my old journal, but it is consistent with the theme of the previous post, and is a base for most of my discussions of philosophy, of which there are many.
'We're all born as molecules in the hearts of a billion stars, molecules that do not understand politics, policies and differences. In a billion years we, foolish molecules forget who we are and where we came from. Through desperate acts of ego, we give ourselves names, fight over lines on maps, and pretend our light is better than everyone else's. The flame reminds us of the piece of those stars that live inside us. A spark that tells us: you should know better. The flame also reminds us that life is precious, as each flame is unique. When it goes out, it's gone forever. And there will never be another quite like it.' --Delenn, Babylon 5
Perhaps one might find it strange I often use quotes from sci fi shows/movies. (I suppose sci fi fans would not). Well, a lot of the more interesting philosophy I find stems from science fiction, and it is a part of who I am. I remember seeing the episode that references the above quote and it is consistent with the philosophy of the creator/writer of the show, a philosophy I understood to some extent at the time, but not completely until my myriad adventures that led to a sort of 'enlightenment' if you will. The road to enlightenment is a tale for another day, though many of these entries are pieces of that tale and The Long Road is my journey in hindsight and toward the future. But what I wish to comment on at this hour is the lineage we are ascribed to from the birth of the universe to our creation to our ending.
Every part of us is unique, a special creation from the dawn of time itself. The molecules within us descended from the beginning of the universe and that lineage is a part of us... is us. Our fire, our spark is a wondrous thing, but our cynicism and ego push that spark aside, trying to squash our unique heritage... that we are the universe made manifest. Even I forget it at times when I get angry, frustrated, pissed off, whatever, but I try and center my focus, reduce my anxiety by reaching out to my past, present and future... reaching into that unique spark that once fueled the heart of the universe. In my younger and sometimes rather recent days, I could not do it, and it ate me up inside. Now, I can let it go because we are one and we are unique at the same time.
I also would like to comment on the latter part of the quote, for it actually ends the episode and is quite moving in its context, but somewhat appropriate to the subject. I do not feel that our unique spark, when it ceases is gone forever, just changes states, moves on, and remains a part of the universe. Still, what we were in this life, in this moment, is unique and when that is gone, there will never be another just quite like you or me. The soul might remain, but the details will be different and keeps the universe fresh. So, hold on to that spark in whatever you endeavour, for the universe listens... and if it isn't true, it sure would be nice to think so.
C.
'We're all born as molecules in the hearts of a billion stars, molecules that do not understand politics, policies and differences. In a billion years we, foolish molecules forget who we are and where we came from. Through desperate acts of ego, we give ourselves names, fight over lines on maps, and pretend our light is better than everyone else's. The flame reminds us of the piece of those stars that live inside us. A spark that tells us: you should know better. The flame also reminds us that life is precious, as each flame is unique. When it goes out, it's gone forever. And there will never be another quite like it.' --Delenn, Babylon 5
Perhaps one might find it strange I often use quotes from sci fi shows/movies. (I suppose sci fi fans would not). Well, a lot of the more interesting philosophy I find stems from science fiction, and it is a part of who I am. I remember seeing the episode that references the above quote and it is consistent with the philosophy of the creator/writer of the show, a philosophy I understood to some extent at the time, but not completely until my myriad adventures that led to a sort of 'enlightenment' if you will. The road to enlightenment is a tale for another day, though many of these entries are pieces of that tale and The Long Road is my journey in hindsight and toward the future. But what I wish to comment on at this hour is the lineage we are ascribed to from the birth of the universe to our creation to our ending.
Every part of us is unique, a special creation from the dawn of time itself. The molecules within us descended from the beginning of the universe and that lineage is a part of us... is us. Our fire, our spark is a wondrous thing, but our cynicism and ego push that spark aside, trying to squash our unique heritage... that we are the universe made manifest. Even I forget it at times when I get angry, frustrated, pissed off, whatever, but I try and center my focus, reduce my anxiety by reaching out to my past, present and future... reaching into that unique spark that once fueled the heart of the universe. In my younger and sometimes rather recent days, I could not do it, and it ate me up inside. Now, I can let it go because we are one and we are unique at the same time.
I also would like to comment on the latter part of the quote, for it actually ends the episode and is quite moving in its context, but somewhat appropriate to the subject. I do not feel that our unique spark, when it ceases is gone forever, just changes states, moves on, and remains a part of the universe. Still, what we were in this life, in this moment, is unique and when that is gone, there will never be another just quite like you or me. The soul might remain, but the details will be different and keeps the universe fresh. So, hold on to that spark in whatever you endeavour, for the universe listens... and if it isn't true, it sure would be nice to think so.
C.
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