51
Add some photos! / Man is beautiful
« on: March 16, 2008, 06:58:40 AM »A Huli Warrior in Papua New Guinea
I'm struck by the beauty of this human being.
I'm struck by the beauty of this human being.
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52
General Discussion / School is partly responsible for the dehumanisation of children [opinion]
« on: March 09, 2008, 08:21:17 PM »
I believe that schools dehumanise children by forcing them to sit down and micro-focus for lengthy times, which I believe is incongruent with human nature.
I think it is unnatural and criminal to force a boy in his puberty to sit down and micro-focus for 30 hours a week. I believe this approach to education causes mental illness in later life, and I think it is oppressive.
I assert that children are conditioned for industrial productivity, at the cost of their holistic growth. And I speculate that will see a higher prevalence of mental health issues in the coming years.
When asked the question "who benefits from sending a kid to school for 30 hours a week"? The most obvious answers appear to be; the child benefits because he/she becomes groomed for adult industrial life, and another answer is; that parents get a break from day care so they can maintain employment.
But if you take a deeper look at the question, there is a beneficiary to the education system that at first glance goes unnoticed... they are the industrial capitalists. Whilst the children are being groomed for industrial (adult) life their inalienable rights are revoked for the sake of "productivity", which benefits a small portion of civilisation disproportionately.
The 'invisible hand' that guides economies only works when there is adequate resources of human capital i.e. skilled workers. Changing the education system would revolutionise and possibly disintegrate the harmony of the free market, and it could usher through an age of chaos. So, whilst I would like to propose that education systems should encourage a more holistic approach to education, I also understand the conundrum; if we don't groom children for industrial life, they may become unemployable or destitute... it's a sad and frustrating irony. In order to change the education system we have to change the industrial world. It's a classic case of "the chicken and the egg". Where do we start?
I have more ideas, and many more thoughts on the matter but i'll pause now, in order to engage in rational discussion and debate. Please join in!
I think it is unnatural and criminal to force a boy in his puberty to sit down and micro-focus for 30 hours a week. I believe this approach to education causes mental illness in later life, and I think it is oppressive.
I assert that children are conditioned for industrial productivity, at the cost of their holistic growth. And I speculate that will see a higher prevalence of mental health issues in the coming years.
When asked the question "who benefits from sending a kid to school for 30 hours a week"? The most obvious answers appear to be; the child benefits because he/she becomes groomed for adult industrial life, and another answer is; that parents get a break from day care so they can maintain employment.
But if you take a deeper look at the question, there is a beneficiary to the education system that at first glance goes unnoticed... they are the industrial capitalists. Whilst the children are being groomed for industrial (adult) life their inalienable rights are revoked for the sake of "productivity", which benefits a small portion of civilisation disproportionately.
The 'invisible hand' that guides economies only works when there is adequate resources of human capital i.e. skilled workers. Changing the education system would revolutionise and possibly disintegrate the harmony of the free market, and it could usher through an age of chaos. So, whilst I would like to propose that education systems should encourage a more holistic approach to education, I also understand the conundrum; if we don't groom children for industrial life, they may become unemployable or destitute... it's a sad and frustrating irony. In order to change the education system we have to change the industrial world. It's a classic case of "the chicken and the egg". Where do we start?
I have more ideas, and many more thoughts on the matter but i'll pause now, in order to engage in rational discussion and debate. Please join in!
53
General Discussion / Economics: the division of labour
« on: March 06, 2008, 10:01:36 PM »
This is quite a lofty topic, but I shall do my best to articulate my thoughts...
The term division of labour refers to the fact that in a modern economy, almost no one produces all or most of what they personally consume. People don’t grow their own food, treat their own illnesses, build their own homes, and make their own tools. Instead, with the division of labour, most individual workers perform highly focused tasks, earn income, and use what they have earned to purchase goods and services produced by others who also perform highly focused tasks.
The division of labour increases production dramatically. Specialising in a certain job allows workers with different characteristics to focus on the types of production in which they have an advantage. Workers who specialise typically become more productive.
In my opinion, specialisation increases the incongruence between our human genes and our human lifestyles, especially in affluent Western nations. If left to our own devices amidst a wild environment, most of us would be likely to suffer starvation, hypothermia, or illness. Whilst this not a cathartic problem because of the modern environment we exist in, it does have some deeper existential implications.
My question therefore is this; do you feel repressed, due to the division of labour?
The term division of labour refers to the fact that in a modern economy, almost no one produces all or most of what they personally consume. People don’t grow their own food, treat their own illnesses, build their own homes, and make their own tools. Instead, with the division of labour, most individual workers perform highly focused tasks, earn income, and use what they have earned to purchase goods and services produced by others who also perform highly focused tasks.
The division of labour increases production dramatically. Specialising in a certain job allows workers with different characteristics to focus on the types of production in which they have an advantage. Workers who specialise typically become more productive.
In my opinion, specialisation increases the incongruence between our human genes and our human lifestyles, especially in affluent Western nations. If left to our own devices amidst a wild environment, most of us would be likely to suffer starvation, hypothermia, or illness. Whilst this not a cathartic problem because of the modern environment we exist in, it does have some deeper existential implications.
My question therefore is this; do you feel repressed, due to the division of labour?
54
General Discussion / How to be a human being, without money.
« on: March 02, 2008, 08:44:18 PM »
Here's a few ideas.
I've deliberately excluded activities involving our breeding instincts, the list would be too long
Please add to the list, let's keep it going.
- Running/Walking/Swimming/Callisthenics, for record time.
- Read a book from a public library, learn something new about the world.
- Meditate on the fact that you are going to die.
- Start a social revolution, be the change you seek in the world.
- Look into the eyes of an animal, try to see it's purity. Connect personally with it, bridge the gap.
- Pick some fruit, and eat it like a caveman.
- Go into the bush, and make your peace with mother nature.
- Invite others to share these activities.
I've deliberately excluded activities involving our breeding instincts, the list would be too long
Please add to the list, let's keep it going.
55
The Voting Booth / Calling all caffeine addicts.
« on: February 24, 2008, 06:54:32 PM »
Coffee is a not technically a Paleo beverage, since it is believed to have first been consumed around the 9th century. So if you're doing a very strict Paleo diet, give it a miss.
I drink anywhere between 4 - 7 cups a day of instant coffee. Espresso gets my heart rate up too high, and it makes me feel anxious.
About 2 years ago I gave up coffee, and I drank Green Tea for 8 months. I lost a lot of weight and felt incredibly balanced - no highs and lows, in comparison to coffee which can pick me and slam me down quite easily.
I'm back on the coffee again, but try I drink two glasses of water for every coffee I consume.
Anyone like to share their story?
I drink anywhere between 4 - 7 cups a day of instant coffee. Espresso gets my heart rate up too high, and it makes me feel anxious.
About 2 years ago I gave up coffee, and I drank Green Tea for 8 months. I lost a lot of weight and felt incredibly balanced - no highs and lows, in comparison to coffee which can pick me and slam me down quite easily.
I'm back on the coffee again, but try I drink two glasses of water for every coffee I consume.
Anyone like to share their story?
56
General Discussion / Food Challenge #1: the African Maasai
« on: February 17, 2008, 05:14:34 PM »
I plan to live on animal blood and milk for 3 days (72 hours), just like an African Maasai might do. They mix blood and milk to make a nutritious paste. However, I will drink the blood and the milk separately if the "paste" become too nauseating. And if it gets too hard, i'll just live off the milk.
I plan to to do some bush walks and climbing during this period, so I can get more of a natural feel for living in a primal way.
Does anyone have any thoughts? Would anyone like to join me?
NOTE: if you do this... it's at your own risk. See a doctor if you're unsure, or better still, don't do it at all.
I plan to to do some bush walks and climbing during this period, so I can get more of a natural feel for living in a primal way.
Does anyone have any thoughts? Would anyone like to join me?
NOTE: if you do this... it's at your own risk. See a doctor if you're unsure, or better still, don't do it at all.
57
General Discussion / My new friend :)
« on: February 17, 2008, 03:47:19 AM »Mungy the Dingo
You haven't truly lived until you've been
licked by a friendly dingo.
You haven't truly lived until you've been
licked by a friendly dingo.
Here are some interesting facts about dingoes;
- Dingoes cannot bark - but they can howl.
- Dingoes live in Australia and Southeast Asia, mainly Thailand.
- Dingoes are intelligent animals. They are more independent and harder to train than other dogs.
More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dingo
58
General Discussion / Change the World at wearewhatwedo.org.au
« on: February 15, 2008, 03:15:47 AM »
From the website:
"welcome to We Are What We do, a new movement inspiring people to use their everyday actions to change the world. We're not talking moving big mountains. More of a gentle nudge from the corner desk. A little prod from the sofa. A gentle push from the PE room."
Link: http://www.wearewhatwedo.org.au/
And interesting thing about this website, is that you can select small actions and mark them as "done". This makes it seem easy to change the world, using baby steps. I guess it beats using heavy calibre weapons
They've also got some cool pics and downloads, like the one below.
"welcome to We Are What We do, a new movement inspiring people to use their everyday actions to change the world. We're not talking moving big mountains. More of a gentle nudge from the corner desk. A little prod from the sofa. A gentle push from the PE room."
Link: http://www.wearewhatwedo.org.au/
And interesting thing about this website, is that you can select small actions and mark them as "done". This makes it seem easy to change the world, using baby steps. I guess it beats using heavy calibre weapons
They've also got some cool pics and downloads, like the one below.
59
General Discussion / Australia says Sorry to the Aboriginal Stolen Generation
« on: February 13, 2008, 04:26:51 AM »
On February 13, 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologised for the hurt caused by decades of state-sponsored treatment of indigenous Australians. The words "we say sorry" were uttered three times by Mr Rudd during the motion, which lasted only a few minutes.
The Aboriginal way of life has existed for thousands of years, yet from the Neolithic revolution to the Industrial revolution we have seen European society change it's ways ad-nauseum. What is accepted culture now was ludicrous to us (European descendants) only 50 years ago. It's no wonder the Aboriginals generally have a hassle fitting into our society, as it's constantly changing.
I personally believe that saying sorry was the honest thing to do. You can't fix a problem unless you acknowledge it first right? I imagine there will be a flood of compensation claims as a result of the apology, and if so I reckon we should pay in full. After all, we became rich by using their land, so why not give them a cut of the bounty.
I respect Aboriginals because they are skilled at bush-craft and they are incredibly tough bastards... I for one could not live in the desert for much longer than a few days without the type of skill and toughness that they possess.
Hear the speech here; http://www.smh.com.au/multimedia/2008/national/australia-says-sorry/main.html
Download a PDF file of the entire speech here; http://www.cavemanpower.com/images-uploads/kevin-rudd-sorry-to-aboriginals-speech.pdf
Reaction to the Prime Minister's apology in Canberra and Sydney.
Photos: Peter Rae, Jon Reid and Mark Graham.
The Aboriginal way of life has existed for thousands of years, yet from the Neolithic revolution to the Industrial revolution we have seen European society change it's ways ad-nauseum. What is accepted culture now was ludicrous to us (European descendants) only 50 years ago. It's no wonder the Aboriginals generally have a hassle fitting into our society, as it's constantly changing.
I personally believe that saying sorry was the honest thing to do. You can't fix a problem unless you acknowledge it first right? I imagine there will be a flood of compensation claims as a result of the apology, and if so I reckon we should pay in full. After all, we became rich by using their land, so why not give them a cut of the bounty.
I respect Aboriginals because they are skilled at bush-craft and they are incredibly tough bastards... I for one could not live in the desert for much longer than a few days without the type of skill and toughness that they possess.
Hear the speech here; http://www.smh.com.au/multimedia/2008/national/australia-says-sorry/main.html
Download a PDF file of the entire speech here; http://www.cavemanpower.com/images-uploads/kevin-rudd-sorry-to-aboriginals-speech.pdf
Reaction to the Prime Minister's apology in Canberra and Sydney.
Photos: Peter Rae, Jon Reid and Mark Graham.
60
General Discussion / Our "lost in the bush" adventure hits the front page of the local newspaper.
« on: February 13, 2008, 02:54:52 AM »
61
General Discussion / Photos of your where you live
« on: February 12, 2008, 12:28:08 AM »
I'd love to see a few photos of where everybody lives.
Here's a few photos of where I live... the beach is at the end of the street, about 200 metres from home. I was lucky enough to find a very cheap apartment to rent close to the beach and the national park.
Here's a few photos of where I live... the beach is at the end of the street, about 200 metres from home. I was lucky enough to find a very cheap apartment to rent close to the beach and the national park.
62
General Discussion / Swimming with the eagle
« on: February 09, 2008, 02:45:17 AM »
I have to share this...
Today, I went a for swim in the ocean. I swam out quite far into the deep water and rough surf. It had been raining all day, dark and grey, then the clouds opened and the sun shone through, flooding everything with a soft light. As I floated in the waves, I noticed a school of big silver fish gracefully weaving through the waves with the virtuosity of dolphins, and as I marvelled I looked up into the sky and noticed an eagle gently drifting overhead, it's wings were stretched out wide as it scanned the ocean studiously, effortlessly. I followed its trajectory with my eyes, and noticed it was flying directly past a beautiful big rainbow that lay out to sea immeasurably far away, as rainbows do. There were seagulls dancing in flight to and fro in front of the rainbow... and I watched it all from my front row seat in the swell.
And just for a brief moment, I considered swimming out to sea towards the rainbow.... forever.
Today, I went a for swim in the ocean. I swam out quite far into the deep water and rough surf. It had been raining all day, dark and grey, then the clouds opened and the sun shone through, flooding everything with a soft light. As I floated in the waves, I noticed a school of big silver fish gracefully weaving through the waves with the virtuosity of dolphins, and as I marvelled I looked up into the sky and noticed an eagle gently drifting overhead, it's wings were stretched out wide as it scanned the ocean studiously, effortlessly. I followed its trajectory with my eyes, and noticed it was flying directly past a beautiful big rainbow that lay out to sea immeasurably far away, as rainbows do. There were seagulls dancing in flight to and fro in front of the rainbow... and I watched it all from my front row seat in the swell.
And just for a brief moment, I considered swimming out to sea towards the rainbow.... forever.
63
General Discussion / Highway to Hell - Patonga to Rocky Ponds and Woy Woy
« on: February 08, 2008, 05:42:37 AM »
This was an unexpected survival situation, we climbed out of the bush exhausted and beaten at 3am after 13 hours of climbing and walking. Read on...
We took on the Highway Ridge Trail, which (supposedly) goes from Broken Bay Recreation Centre to Rocky Ponds. Well... it ends up that this track is very dangerous, as it has not been maintained, and for most parts it just ends in unexpected places. This is particularity concerning because the track is advertised on NPWS brochures and other places. My advice to you is this; don't go there!
Things seem to be going fine until approximately one hour before dusk, we came to a dead end just opposite Dangar Island, which effectively left us trapped in the middle of the bush. Not long after that it started raining, and became dark, windy and cold. We all knew that turning back the way we came was far too dangerous, because of the rough terrain we had crossed to get here during daylight. So we decided to push on through to Rocky Ponds and then to Woy Woy tip, and try (in vain) to get onto the Highway Ridge Trail.
We had to fight our way through sharp thick scrub, and avoid plummeting over the treacherous sandstone ridges. We had head lamps, compasses, a GPS device and had studied maps of the area before taking this track on, but the tracks had simply disappeared due to lack of maintenance and so all we had to guide us was a basic knowledge of the direction we had to go (North). Battling through the scrub slowed our progress down to a crawl, but there was nothing we could do about that except grin and bare it.
We struggled through the pain of getting cut and grazed on sharp scrub, and endured the bitter cold for many hours. I took leadership of the party, navigating by way of compass, map, and GPS. Being the guy at the front, it was my duty to make a trail for us to get through, so I gave Daniel a crash course in navigation so he could relieve me during the more extreme parts of the trail making. Making a trail through the scrub was quite painful, it felt like I was pushing through barb wire.
The journey was also frustrating because according to the maps and GPS; we were supposed to be right on top of the track, but it was nowhere to be found. So we continued on, relying solely on our compasses and the limited vision of the head lamps. Then at around midnight, I heard the sound of a flowing creek, and I recommended that we use this is as a means to cover ground a little quicker than we we had been, which had been at the rate of 3 metres per minute, thanks to the painfully harsh scrub and dangerous ridges.
We climbed down into the creek and scaled our way down the mountain through the rocky waterfalls and cold water. All of us were completely saturated from head to toe, the rain had been bucketing down on us for hours, and even when it stopped the trees would shower us with huge amounts of water as we brushed up against them. We eventually climbed down to a place in the creek where there was just enough room for the five of us to sit down and rest. We were utterly exhausted, cold, and in pain. But thankfully our moral was high, due to the fact that we kept a sense of humour and worked well as a team. We were quite cool headed given the situation we were in, which (I believe) was one of the most important factors for our survival. Not once did we panic or make rash decisions - a potentially deadly thing to do.
Being in a survival situation is a mental game. It doesn't matter how fit or physically tough you are, if you can't keep a level head you're likely to wind up in deeper trouble. Me and a couple of others guys in the team had been in similar situations before, so we knew the mental and emotional aspects to look out for. The biggest thing is; don't be impulsive... stop, think, plan and then move on. Racing off towards something that looks like a track is dangerous, because quite often it's just a water or animal trail, or worse; the mind playing tricks on you, convincing you that the little clearing ahead is a trail, when in fact it's not.
After our brief rest we mentally prepared for the dreadful journey ahead, and made our move. But after only 20 metres, I spotted a side track on the side of the creek, and quickly explored it before yelling out to the others "we've got a track!!". I can't tell you how relieved and joyous this moment was, we were all literally yelling for joy.
We carefully followed this track, and ran into numerous dead ends (not surprisingly). At these dead ends we would pan out and explore a radius of 20-30 metres in all directions looking for the rest of the track, whilst being careful not to be decoyed by water trails and animal trails. Upon finding the rest of the track we would mark the coordinates of our current position (incase we had to double back) and then move on. These tactics proved successful, and we eventually reached some large waterfalls which we suspected to be Tank Creek. At this point the track was incredibly hard to find because everything was rock and there was water was rushing everywhere. Then somebody spotted an arrow that had been painted on a rock, which indicated that were were on a proper track! We followed these faint arrows as they were consistent with our map readings and compass directions, and eventually the track widened to become a 4WD track... we were going to be okay!
It was now 2am and our spirits were high because we had made it out of the thick scrub, but one our team started to show signs of serious exhaustion (we had been walking and climbing for 13 hours straight). And not long later, he came close to collapse, at which point we laid him down, covered him with a thermal blanket, and huddled around to keep him warm. Thankfully his condition improved rapidly, and although I was only moments way from using my EPERB to call a rescue helicopter, his improved condition convinced him (and us) to walk the remaining 2 kilometres to Woy Woy tip, and to safety. We stayed very close to him for the rest of the trip, keeping him warm and providing moral support.
I called for a taxi just before we reached Woy Woy tip, and it arrived quickly to take us home so we could all get hot showers and warm clothes. We had survived.
UPDATE: I spoke to the National Parks and Wildlife Service the following day and and I recommended to them the immediate closure of the track and it's removal from their brochure. They informed me that they no longer maintain the track (no surprise there), but as far as removing it from the brochure... we'll have to wait and see... so for now, I recommend that everybody stays right away from it.
View the photos http://www.cavemanpower.com/photos/Highway-to-Hell-Patonga-to-Rocky-Ponds-and-Woy-Woy/
View a Google Map of our trip http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=114867783198049763195.0004458d3dab031f43e13&t=h&z=13&om=0
We took on the Highway Ridge Trail, which (supposedly) goes from Broken Bay Recreation Centre to Rocky Ponds. Well... it ends up that this track is very dangerous, as it has not been maintained, and for most parts it just ends in unexpected places. This is particularity concerning because the track is advertised on NPWS brochures and other places. My advice to you is this; don't go there!
Things seem to be going fine until approximately one hour before dusk, we came to a dead end just opposite Dangar Island, which effectively left us trapped in the middle of the bush. Not long after that it started raining, and became dark, windy and cold. We all knew that turning back the way we came was far too dangerous, because of the rough terrain we had crossed to get here during daylight. So we decided to push on through to Rocky Ponds and then to Woy Woy tip, and try (in vain) to get onto the Highway Ridge Trail.
We had to fight our way through sharp thick scrub, and avoid plummeting over the treacherous sandstone ridges. We had head lamps, compasses, a GPS device and had studied maps of the area before taking this track on, but the tracks had simply disappeared due to lack of maintenance and so all we had to guide us was a basic knowledge of the direction we had to go (North). Battling through the scrub slowed our progress down to a crawl, but there was nothing we could do about that except grin and bare it.
We struggled through the pain of getting cut and grazed on sharp scrub, and endured the bitter cold for many hours. I took leadership of the party, navigating by way of compass, map, and GPS. Being the guy at the front, it was my duty to make a trail for us to get through, so I gave Daniel a crash course in navigation so he could relieve me during the more extreme parts of the trail making. Making a trail through the scrub was quite painful, it felt like I was pushing through barb wire.
The journey was also frustrating because according to the maps and GPS; we were supposed to be right on top of the track, but it was nowhere to be found. So we continued on, relying solely on our compasses and the limited vision of the head lamps. Then at around midnight, I heard the sound of a flowing creek, and I recommended that we use this is as a means to cover ground a little quicker than we we had been, which had been at the rate of 3 metres per minute, thanks to the painfully harsh scrub and dangerous ridges.
We climbed down into the creek and scaled our way down the mountain through the rocky waterfalls and cold water. All of us were completely saturated from head to toe, the rain had been bucketing down on us for hours, and even when it stopped the trees would shower us with huge amounts of water as we brushed up against them. We eventually climbed down to a place in the creek where there was just enough room for the five of us to sit down and rest. We were utterly exhausted, cold, and in pain. But thankfully our moral was high, due to the fact that we kept a sense of humour and worked well as a team. We were quite cool headed given the situation we were in, which (I believe) was one of the most important factors for our survival. Not once did we panic or make rash decisions - a potentially deadly thing to do.
Being in a survival situation is a mental game. It doesn't matter how fit or physically tough you are, if you can't keep a level head you're likely to wind up in deeper trouble. Me and a couple of others guys in the team had been in similar situations before, so we knew the mental and emotional aspects to look out for. The biggest thing is; don't be impulsive... stop, think, plan and then move on. Racing off towards something that looks like a track is dangerous, because quite often it's just a water or animal trail, or worse; the mind playing tricks on you, convincing you that the little clearing ahead is a trail, when in fact it's not.
After our brief rest we mentally prepared for the dreadful journey ahead, and made our move. But after only 20 metres, I spotted a side track on the side of the creek, and quickly explored it before yelling out to the others "we've got a track!!". I can't tell you how relieved and joyous this moment was, we were all literally yelling for joy.
We carefully followed this track, and ran into numerous dead ends (not surprisingly). At these dead ends we would pan out and explore a radius of 20-30 metres in all directions looking for the rest of the track, whilst being careful not to be decoyed by water trails and animal trails. Upon finding the rest of the track we would mark the coordinates of our current position (incase we had to double back) and then move on. These tactics proved successful, and we eventually reached some large waterfalls which we suspected to be Tank Creek. At this point the track was incredibly hard to find because everything was rock and there was water was rushing everywhere. Then somebody spotted an arrow that had been painted on a rock, which indicated that were were on a proper track! We followed these faint arrows as they were consistent with our map readings and compass directions, and eventually the track widened to become a 4WD track... we were going to be okay!
It was now 2am and our spirits were high because we had made it out of the thick scrub, but one our team started to show signs of serious exhaustion (we had been walking and climbing for 13 hours straight). And not long later, he came close to collapse, at which point we laid him down, covered him with a thermal blanket, and huddled around to keep him warm. Thankfully his condition improved rapidly, and although I was only moments way from using my EPERB to call a rescue helicopter, his improved condition convinced him (and us) to walk the remaining 2 kilometres to Woy Woy tip, and to safety. We stayed very close to him for the rest of the trip, keeping him warm and providing moral support.
I called for a taxi just before we reached Woy Woy tip, and it arrived quickly to take us home so we could all get hot showers and warm clothes. We had survived.
UPDATE: I spoke to the National Parks and Wildlife Service the following day and and I recommended to them the immediate closure of the track and it's removal from their brochure. They informed me that they no longer maintain the track (no surprise there), but as far as removing it from the brochure... we'll have to wait and see... so for now, I recommend that everybody stays right away from it.
View the photos http://www.cavemanpower.com/photos/Highway-to-Hell-Patonga-to-Rocky-Ponds-and-Woy-Woy/
View a Google Map of our trip http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=114867783198049763195.0004458d3dab031f43e13&t=h&z=13&om=0
64
General Discussion / "Into the Wild" - a movie by Sean Penn.
« on: February 08, 2008, 05:28:07 AM »
Plot Summary:
Based on a true story. After graduating from Emory University in 1992, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandoned his possessions, gave his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhiked to Alaska to live in the wilderness.
I just watched this movie last night... wow! It was timely for me to watch it because I had recently been lost in the bush in a near survival situation. I'd recommend this movie to others on this board, because it illustrates a man as he abandons society, and follows his heart and his ideals.
Here's a link to the IMDB review; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758758/
Based on a true story. After graduating from Emory University in 1992, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandoned his possessions, gave his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhiked to Alaska to live in the wilderness.
I just watched this movie last night... wow! It was timely for me to watch it because I had recently been lost in the bush in a near survival situation. I'd recommend this movie to others on this board, because it illustrates a man as he abandons society, and follows his heart and his ideals.
Here's a link to the IMDB review; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758758/
65
General Discussion / New Age religious beliefs focus too much on self
« on: January 27, 2008, 06:46:47 PM »
From the article:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moving away from traditional religious beliefs to trendy, self-focused religions and spirituality is not making young adults happier, according to new research. Young men and women who held non-traditional beliefs were up to twice as likely to feel anxious and depressed than those who rejected this belief.
“Their focus on self-fulfillment and self-improvement and the lack of emphasis on others' wellbeing appears to have the potential to undermine a person's mental health and social relationships,” Dr Aird said. “The New Spirituality promotes the idea that self-transformation will lead to a positive and constructive change in self and society. "
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The study was based on surveys of 3705 21-year-olds born in Brisbane from the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy. Read the full article here; http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=13813
My opinion:
My higher power is mother nature, when i'm immersed in nature I feel complete. I have no need or desire for anything else. Mother nature has humbled me in so many ways, such as;
I am a genetic and biological expression of the power and mystery of mother nature, and by knowing that, I am at peace.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moving away from traditional religious beliefs to trendy, self-focused religions and spirituality is not making young adults happier, according to new research. Young men and women who held non-traditional beliefs were up to twice as likely to feel anxious and depressed than those who rejected this belief.
“Their focus on self-fulfillment and self-improvement and the lack of emphasis on others' wellbeing appears to have the potential to undermine a person's mental health and social relationships,” Dr Aird said. “The New Spirituality promotes the idea that self-transformation will lead to a positive and constructive change in self and society. "
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The study was based on surveys of 3705 21-year-olds born in Brisbane from the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy. Read the full article here; http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=13813
My opinion:
My higher power is mother nature, when i'm immersed in nature I feel complete. I have no need or desire for anything else. Mother nature has humbled me in so many ways, such as;
- looking into the eyes of an elephant
- being carried by the ocean's waves whilst swimming
- coming face to face with snakes, reptiles, wallabies, birds and other animals in the bush
- watching the sun set over mysterious sandstone cliff faces
- seeing a child marvel at starfish and crabs whilst playing amongst the ocean rocks
I am a genetic and biological expression of the power and mystery of mother nature, and by knowing that, I am at peace.
66
General Discussion / Website Statistics
« on: January 24, 2008, 06:09:10 PM »
Caveman Power has been alive on the web for 8 months, and I thought it would be interesting to share a few stats. Check out the reports below.
67
General Discussion / Eating too much throughout the festive season? That's a good thing!
« on: December 26, 2007, 02:43:45 AM »
Most of us are probably gorging on chocolate and big meals throughout the festive season, Dec 21st to Jan 1st. As well as that, some of us have probably neglected to do a workout, train hard, or engage in vigorous activity. Is this a bad thing? ....hell no! We can use this to our advantage.
In the body building and athletic world, there is a practice called "carb loading". Which basically means; loading up on extra carbohydrates in preparation for an athletic event, or to facilitate extra muscle growth.
So, instead of feeling like you've taken a backward step in your health, embrace it for what it is; an opportunity to gain extra lean muscle mass or smash through a training plateau. Let me explain further...
When you've loaded up on carbohydrates, your muscles store glycogen (sugar reserves). And when you've abstained from vigorous activity, your body gets a chance to thoroughly repair any damaged tissue. This is a good thing, because it means your body is full of energy reserves, and is your muscles are primed and ready. When you have your next workout, you'll be ready to rock the world! It may take on or two before you notice the difference, but I am willing to bet that you will certainly see an improvement in strength.
Here's my plan for the festive season;
In Palaeolithic terms, I imagine it would be predictable for a hunter/gatherer tribe to stumble on a huge bounty of food on the rare occasion (perhaps a mammoth carcus), and it would make sense that they would indeed gorge themselves, as there were no refrigerators or fancy preservation methods back then. I believe this would have been a normal practice before the Neolithic Revolution (pre 10,000 years ago) - which means that this practise would have gone on for over 2 million years. If this is true, then our bodies have evolved to handle and even thrive off the the occasional binge, so in other words - enjoy your food.
Got any thoughts? Please share
In the body building and athletic world, there is a practice called "carb loading". Which basically means; loading up on extra carbohydrates in preparation for an athletic event, or to facilitate extra muscle growth.
So, instead of feeling like you've taken a backward step in your health, embrace it for what it is; an opportunity to gain extra lean muscle mass or smash through a training plateau. Let me explain further...
When you've loaded up on carbohydrates, your muscles store glycogen (sugar reserves). And when you've abstained from vigorous activity, your body gets a chance to thoroughly repair any damaged tissue. This is a good thing, because it means your body is full of energy reserves, and is your muscles are primed and ready. When you have your next workout, you'll be ready to rock the world! It may take on or two before you notice the difference, but I am willing to bet that you will certainly see an improvement in strength.
Here's my plan for the festive season;
- Week 1 - Eat lots of chocolate, sugar, cake, etc, and enjoy the feasting. Enjoy eating to the fullest.
- Week 2 - Lift weights, no running, no speed work... just heavy weights. Eg. Deadlifts, Clean and Jerks, Pull Ups, Squats.
- Week 3 - Return to a normal workout schedule - stronger than ever!
In Palaeolithic terms, I imagine it would be predictable for a hunter/gatherer tribe to stumble on a huge bounty of food on the rare occasion (perhaps a mammoth carcus), and it would make sense that they would indeed gorge themselves, as there were no refrigerators or fancy preservation methods back then. I believe this would have been a normal practice before the Neolithic Revolution (pre 10,000 years ago) - which means that this practise would have gone on for over 2 million years. If this is true, then our bodies have evolved to handle and even thrive off the the occasional binge, so in other words - enjoy your food.
Got any thoughts? Please share
68
Food & Diet / Junk food dressed as breakfast cereals
« on: September 11, 2007, 05:29:01 AM »
Finally! Action is being undertaken to combat the ridiculous claims made by breakfast cereal companies.
From the article;
A senior policy adviser for the Obesity Policy Coalition, Jane Martin, said sophisticated, big-budget marketing campaigns were targeting children through TV, magazines, the internet and text messages.
"The vast majority of these are for unhealthy foods and research shows these marketing techniques influence children … [in] what they prefer to eat … what they actually do eat, and what they pester their parents to buy for them."
The group has proposed a ban on all junk food advertising aimed at children, in particular the use of celebrities, cartoons and sport stars to sell products. Ms Martin said many food labels - especially claims such as "99 per cent fat free" - were disingenuous and designed to confuse parents.
"Consumers face a difficult task, because we know that they don't really understand very well the nutrition panel on the side of the pack and that's why we're proposing for something simpler to be implemented, which will help direct them to healthier choices."
The group's proposed front- of-pack traffic-light labelling scheme uses colours to outline whether a product has high (red) medium (orange) or low (green) levels of fat, salt and sugar.
The head of Diabetes Australia in Victoria, Greg Johnson, said thousands of children were growing fat on "junk food dressed as breakfast cereals".
Source: http://tinyurl.com/2zw45y
My opinion:
I'm incredibly pleased to see this issue getting some mainstream attention. Breakfast cereal corporations certainly are targeting our nation's children, and remember; corporations exist for one reason, to make money, period!
An obvious ploy in marketing is "association", for example; placing images of Shrek on cereal boxes. And what is Shrek doing there? ...he's manipulating parents into buying the product on which he's displayed. It's the equivalent of the Marlboro man, but for kids.
So what can we do about it?
Firstly; create awareness, realise that food companies exist to make money, period.
Secondly; educate ourselves about nutrition, learn about what we put in our mouth and how it effects us.
And thirdly; vote with our wallets and DON'T buy the junk that food companies are passing off as healthy food.
From the article;
A senior policy adviser for the Obesity Policy Coalition, Jane Martin, said sophisticated, big-budget marketing campaigns were targeting children through TV, magazines, the internet and text messages.
"The vast majority of these are for unhealthy foods and research shows these marketing techniques influence children … [in] what they prefer to eat … what they actually do eat, and what they pester their parents to buy for them."
The group has proposed a ban on all junk food advertising aimed at children, in particular the use of celebrities, cartoons and sport stars to sell products. Ms Martin said many food labels - especially claims such as "99 per cent fat free" - were disingenuous and designed to confuse parents.
"Consumers face a difficult task, because we know that they don't really understand very well the nutrition panel on the side of the pack and that's why we're proposing for something simpler to be implemented, which will help direct them to healthier choices."
The group's proposed front- of-pack traffic-light labelling scheme uses colours to outline whether a product has high (red) medium (orange) or low (green) levels of fat, salt and sugar.
The head of Diabetes Australia in Victoria, Greg Johnson, said thousands of children were growing fat on "junk food dressed as breakfast cereals".
Source: http://tinyurl.com/2zw45y
My opinion:
I'm incredibly pleased to see this issue getting some mainstream attention. Breakfast cereal corporations certainly are targeting our nation's children, and remember; corporations exist for one reason, to make money, period!
An obvious ploy in marketing is "association", for example; placing images of Shrek on cereal boxes. And what is Shrek doing there? ...he's manipulating parents into buying the product on which he's displayed. It's the equivalent of the Marlboro man, but for kids.
So what can we do about it?
Firstly; create awareness, realise that food companies exist to make money, period.
Secondly; educate ourselves about nutrition, learn about what we put in our mouth and how it effects us.
And thirdly; vote with our wallets and DON'T buy the junk that food companies are passing off as healthy food.
69
General Discussion / The National Fear Survey - Take the Test!
« on: August 28, 2007, 04:12:57 AM »
To celebrate National Science Week (August 18-26) Australians are being asked to take part in the National Fear Survey.
The survey looks at what we are afraid of and how extensively fear and anxiety affects us. It is a self-evaluative survey that looks at the science behind fear and finds out what Australians fear the most.
Check it out here http://nationalfearsurvey.net.au/survey1.aspx
---------------------------------
Here are my results:
Part 2: Specific fears
Spiders
Snakes
Heights
Dogs
Enclosed Space
Sharks
Crocodiles
Natural Distaster
Surgery
Part 3: Common fears
Things that sometimes caused you concern were:
Getting to sleep
What you look like
Going to the dentist
Flying
Looking foolish
Things that often caused you concern were:
None
Part 4: World Concerns
You listed the following world concerns in part 4:
Cancer
Part 5: Facing Fears
Your best strengths in facing your fears in part 5 were:
Ability to think clearly and slowly through a situation
Part 6: Social Anxiety
In terms of social anxiety in part 6, you were Social butterfly.
Give it a go, and post your results!
The survey looks at what we are afraid of and how extensively fear and anxiety affects us. It is a self-evaluative survey that looks at the science behind fear and finds out what Australians fear the most.
Check it out here http://nationalfearsurvey.net.au/survey1.aspx
---------------------------------
Here are my results:
Part 2: Specific fears
Spiders
Snakes
Heights
Dogs
Enclosed Space
Sharks
Crocodiles
Natural Distaster
Surgery
Part 3: Common fears
Things that sometimes caused you concern were:
Getting to sleep
What you look like
Going to the dentist
Flying
Looking foolish
Things that often caused you concern were:
None
Part 4: World Concerns
You listed the following world concerns in part 4:
Cancer
Part 5: Facing Fears
Your best strengths in facing your fears in part 5 were:
Ability to think clearly and slowly through a situation
Part 6: Social Anxiety
In terms of social anxiety in part 6, you were Social butterfly.
Give it a go, and post your results!
70
General Discussion / A question
« on: August 27, 2007, 07:29:53 AM »
What is one thing you have the power to do, to make the world a better place?
71
General Discussion / Obesity & Mass Marketing - The Fat Get Fatter and The Rich Get Richer.
« on: August 23, 2007, 07:41:41 AM »
I stumbled upon an interesting article today, and it prompted me to write this post...
Diabetes demands proactive approach
Lesley Russell - The Canberra Times, 13 August 2007.
From the article:
Australia is facing an epidemic of Type 2 (adult onset) diabetes. There are now nearly one million Australians with Type 2 diabetes. The problem will grow as the incidence of obesity increases, with 30 per cent of Australian children and 60 per cent of adults now overweight or obese. The rate of diabetes among overweight adolescents has jumped 16-fold in the last decade.
Read the full article here http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?story_id=1036228
-------------------------------------------------
My opinion:
People are being conned into buying the wrong foods. Indeed, what the food corporations get away with is criminal. I've recently targeted Kellogg's as a main offender, but there are many more who claim their products are healthy when clearly; they're NOT.
Foods that have a high GI rating (such as breakfast cereals and bars) are aggressively marketed as being essential to our staple staple diet. This is wrong... terribly wrong.
It seems to me that the only people who are healthy these days are those that are; vigilante about their health, genetically just lucky, or those that are shaped by environmental forces (physical work etc).
Mass marketing is becoming more omnipotent, subtle, and unethically pervasive. And in fact, they've mastered the art of telling lies, they're the best. They are responsible for the epidemic of diabetes to a degree similar to that of tobacco companies being responsible for cancer.
So how can we blame the average person in entirety for their obesity when they're being hounded every day to eat, eat eat! And to add insult to injury; modern lifestyle encourages sedateness at work and at home.
It's tempting as a fit person to sit back and say "oh they eat too much" or "they don't exercise enough", or even "they bring it upon themselves". But, if we think for one second that society makes it easy for these people, we better think again....
I think that it's heartless and cowardly to take the moral high ground (the last resort of a scoundrel) by blaming fat people for their obesity without giving any thought to the pressure society puts on them to eat and drink. Yeah, people are responsible for their health, no doubt about it - but some people have a harder time than others when it comes to displaying the increasing vigilance required in order to avoid obesity.
If we are to truthfully (and pragmatically) allocate responsibility for the epidemic of obesity; it would be ludicrous and small-minded to ignore the effect that mass marketing has. The days of blaming "joe citizen" for his/her own obesity, or indulging in a sense of superiority because others are fatter, is nothing short of a cop-out.
I aim to help obese people - because I believe they represent an accurate depiction of what modern society does to a human being. If you study the migrations of indigenous people into Western Culture, you will find facts that outline their rapid descent into obesity (and depression).
Modern society is an unnatural environment, and it requires an unnatural amount of vigilance in order to to survive in it, let alone subsist. Many times when I see an obese person I just want to liberate them! I know I can help them, but sometimes I think "how can can I compete with the likes of McDonalds, Kellogg's, Coke-a-Cola" ....and so on, and so on.
For every one of one of me that is saying "I can help!"
there are a thousand advertisements saying "have a Mars Bar".
In conclusion;
Food Corporations need to take responsibility for their role in the community, get honest, and say; "hey, our food can make you obese, and induce diabetes".
Tobacco companies are currently forced to provide warnings on their products, so why shouldn't Kellogg's or McDonalds or Coke-a-Cola be forced to? I don't like the idea of forcing things on anyone, but we're dealing with a well organised, well funded and incredibly self-servant beast here.
Obesity is a not just a battle of the will, it's a battle aimed squarely at the heart of consumerism itself... and it's not going to be easy... but hey, nothing worthwhile ever is, right?
Diabetes demands proactive approach
Lesley Russell - The Canberra Times, 13 August 2007.
From the article:
Australia is facing an epidemic of Type 2 (adult onset) diabetes. There are now nearly one million Australians with Type 2 diabetes. The problem will grow as the incidence of obesity increases, with 30 per cent of Australian children and 60 per cent of adults now overweight or obese. The rate of diabetes among overweight adolescents has jumped 16-fold in the last decade.
Read the full article here http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?story_id=1036228
-------------------------------------------------
My opinion:
People are being conned into buying the wrong foods. Indeed, what the food corporations get away with is criminal. I've recently targeted Kellogg's as a main offender, but there are many more who claim their products are healthy when clearly; they're NOT.
Foods that have a high GI rating (such as breakfast cereals and bars) are aggressively marketed as being essential to our staple staple diet. This is wrong... terribly wrong.
It seems to me that the only people who are healthy these days are those that are; vigilante about their health, genetically just lucky, or those that are shaped by environmental forces (physical work etc).
Mass marketing is becoming more omnipotent, subtle, and unethically pervasive. And in fact, they've mastered the art of telling lies, they're the best. They are responsible for the epidemic of diabetes to a degree similar to that of tobacco companies being responsible for cancer.
I'd like to be clear about this...
MARKETING AND FOOD CORPORATIONS ARE KILLING US...
THEY CARE ONLY FOR MONEY, NOT HEALTH!
MARKETING AND FOOD CORPORATIONS ARE KILLING US...
THEY CARE ONLY FOR MONEY, NOT HEALTH!
So how can we blame the average person in entirety for their obesity when they're being hounded every day to eat, eat eat! And to add insult to injury; modern lifestyle encourages sedateness at work and at home.
In my opinion it's a miracle that we all aren't obese and diabetic.
It's tempting as a fit person to sit back and say "oh they eat too much" or "they don't exercise enough", or even "they bring it upon themselves". But, if we think for one second that society makes it easy for these people, we better think again....
I think that it's heartless and cowardly to take the moral high ground (the last resort of a scoundrel) by blaming fat people for their obesity without giving any thought to the pressure society puts on them to eat and drink. Yeah, people are responsible for their health, no doubt about it - but some people have a harder time than others when it comes to displaying the increasing vigilance required in order to avoid obesity.
If we are to truthfully (and pragmatically) allocate responsibility for the epidemic of obesity; it would be ludicrous and small-minded to ignore the effect that mass marketing has. The days of blaming "joe citizen" for his/her own obesity, or indulging in a sense of superiority because others are fatter, is nothing short of a cop-out.
I aim to help obese people - because I believe they represent an accurate depiction of what modern society does to a human being. If you study the migrations of indigenous people into Western Culture, you will find facts that outline their rapid descent into obesity (and depression).
Modern society is an unnatural environment, and it requires an unnatural amount of vigilance in order to to survive in it, let alone subsist. Many times when I see an obese person I just want to liberate them! I know I can help them, but sometimes I think "how can can I compete with the likes of McDonalds, Kellogg's, Coke-a-Cola" ....and so on, and so on.
For every one of one of me that is saying "I can help!"
there are a thousand advertisements saying "have a Mars Bar".
In conclusion;
Food Corporations need to take responsibility for their role in the community, get honest, and say; "hey, our food can make you obese, and induce diabetes".
Tobacco companies are currently forced to provide warnings on their products, so why shouldn't Kellogg's or McDonalds or Coke-a-Cola be forced to? I don't like the idea of forcing things on anyone, but we're dealing with a well organised, well funded and incredibly self-servant beast here.
Obesity is a not just a battle of the will, it's a battle aimed squarely at the heart of consumerism itself... and it's not going to be easy... but hey, nothing worthwhile ever is, right?
72
Food & Diet / The Glycemic Index (GI) search engine
« on: August 22, 2007, 10:34:16 PM »
Check out this great resource from the University of Sydney.
Click on the GI Database link when you get there http://www.glycemicindex.com/
Click on the GI Database link when you get there http://www.glycemicindex.com/
73
General Discussion / Time Gets Better with Age
« on: August 22, 2007, 07:13:13 AM »
Time Gets Better with Age
Read it through to the end, it gets better as you go! I'm not sure who originally wrote this, but it's all over the web... so I copied it.
Age 5
I've learned that I like my teacher because she cries when we sing "Silent Night".
Age 6
I've learned that our dog doesn't want to eat my broccoli either.
Age 7
I've learned that when I wave to people in the country,
they stop what they are doing and wave back.
Age 9
I've learned that just when I get my room the way I like it,
Mom makes me clean it up again.
Age 10
I've learned that if you are leaving a restroom and you meet someone
trying to enter, step aside and let them in because they have a more urgent need.
Age 12
I've learned that if you want to cheer yourself up,
you should try cheering someone else up.
Age 14
I've learned that although it's hard to admit it,
I'm secretly glad my parents are strict with me.
Age 15
I've learned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice.
Age 20
I've learned that having a cool car has nothing to do with meeting
someone "pretty or nice." The nice people are not standing in the
middle of the street waiting to be found.
AgeAge 21
I've learned that although it's fun to have a car that will reach 60
miles per hour in under ten seconds, it better have comfortable
seats and a good radio so that the next 59 minutes and 50 seconds
of the trip are relaxing.
AgeAge 22
I've learned that love isn't all about who you want to go to bed with,
it's more about who you want to wake up and start the day with.
AgeAge 23
I've learned that if I don't like the way life is going, when I look in
a mirror I can find the only person who can change it.
Age 24
I've learned that the beginning of love is to let those we love just be
themselves, and not twist them with our own image, otherwise,
we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.
Age 25
I've learned not to confuse friends with acquaintances. Genuine friends
are very rare and very special.
Age 27
I've learned that brushing my child's hair is one of life's great pleasures.
Age 28
I've learned that wherever I go, the world's worst drivers have followed me there.
Age 29
I've learned that if someone says something unkind about me,
I must live my life so that no one will believe it.
Age 30
I've learned that there are people who love you dearly but just don't know how to show it.
Age 31
I've learned that if your dog or cat doesn't like someone
you think is a friend, be wary.
Age 32
I've learned that if someone you think you trust cheats at Golf, be wary.
Age 33
I've learned that if you want to do something positive for your children,
work to improve your marriage.
Age 34
I've learned I'm lucky that the person I married is my best friend.
Age 35
I've learned that wearing tight clothes does not make me look thinner.
Age 42
I've learned that you can make some one's day by simply sending them a little note.
Age 43
I've learned that going bald is not a bad thing.
Age 44
I've learned that the greater a person's sense of guilt,
the greater his or her need to cast blame on others.
Age 46
I've learned that children and grandparents are natural allies.
Age 47
I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today,
life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
Age 48
I've learned that singing "Amazing Grace" can lift my spirits for hours.
Age 49
I've learned that motel mattresses are better on the side away from the phone.
Age 50
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle these three things:
a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
Age 51
I've learned that keeping a vegetable garden is worth a medicine cabinet full of pills.
Age 52
I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents,
you miss them terribly after they die.
Age 53
I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.
Age 61
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
Age 62
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands.
You need to be able to throw something back.
Age 64
I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you.
But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, meeting new people,
and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.
Age 65
I've learned that whenever I decide something with kindness,
I usually make the right decision.
Age 66
I've learned that everyone can use a prayer.
Age 72
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
Age 82
I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.
People love that human touch-holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
Age 90
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
Age 92
I've learned that you should pass this on to someone you care about.
Sometimes they just need a little something to make them smile.
-----------------------------------
Read it through to the end, it gets better as you go! I'm not sure who originally wrote this, but it's all over the web... so I copied it.
Age 5
I've learned that I like my teacher because she cries when we sing "Silent Night".
Age 6
I've learned that our dog doesn't want to eat my broccoli either.
Age 7
I've learned that when I wave to people in the country,
they stop what they are doing and wave back.
Age 9
I've learned that just when I get my room the way I like it,
Mom makes me clean it up again.
Age 10
I've learned that if you are leaving a restroom and you meet someone
trying to enter, step aside and let them in because they have a more urgent need.
Age 12
I've learned that if you want to cheer yourself up,
you should try cheering someone else up.
Age 14
I've learned that although it's hard to admit it,
I'm secretly glad my parents are strict with me.
Age 15
I've learned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice.
Age 20
I've learned that having a cool car has nothing to do with meeting
someone "pretty or nice." The nice people are not standing in the
middle of the street waiting to be found.
AgeAge 21
I've learned that although it's fun to have a car that will reach 60
miles per hour in under ten seconds, it better have comfortable
seats and a good radio so that the next 59 minutes and 50 seconds
of the trip are relaxing.
AgeAge 22
I've learned that love isn't all about who you want to go to bed with,
it's more about who you want to wake up and start the day with.
AgeAge 23
I've learned that if I don't like the way life is going, when I look in
a mirror I can find the only person who can change it.
Age 24
I've learned that the beginning of love is to let those we love just be
themselves, and not twist them with our own image, otherwise,
we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.
Age 25
I've learned not to confuse friends with acquaintances. Genuine friends
are very rare and very special.
Age 27
I've learned that brushing my child's hair is one of life's great pleasures.
Age 28
I've learned that wherever I go, the world's worst drivers have followed me there.
Age 29
I've learned that if someone says something unkind about me,
I must live my life so that no one will believe it.
Age 30
I've learned that there are people who love you dearly but just don't know how to show it.
Age 31
I've learned that if your dog or cat doesn't like someone
you think is a friend, be wary.
Age 32
I've learned that if someone you think you trust cheats at Golf, be wary.
Age 33
I've learned that if you want to do something positive for your children,
work to improve your marriage.
Age 34
I've learned I'm lucky that the person I married is my best friend.
Age 35
I've learned that wearing tight clothes does not make me look thinner.
Age 42
I've learned that you can make some one's day by simply sending them a little note.
Age 43
I've learned that going bald is not a bad thing.
Age 44
I've learned that the greater a person's sense of guilt,
the greater his or her need to cast blame on others.
Age 46
I've learned that children and grandparents are natural allies.
Age 47
I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today,
life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
Age 48
I've learned that singing "Amazing Grace" can lift my spirits for hours.
Age 49
I've learned that motel mattresses are better on the side away from the phone.
Age 50
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle these three things:
a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
Age 51
I've learned that keeping a vegetable garden is worth a medicine cabinet full of pills.
Age 52
I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents,
you miss them terribly after they die.
Age 53
I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.
Age 61
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
Age 62
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands.
You need to be able to throw something back.
Age 64
I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you.
But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, meeting new people,
and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.
Age 65
I've learned that whenever I decide something with kindness,
I usually make the right decision.
Age 66
I've learned that everyone can use a prayer.
Age 72
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
Age 82
I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.
People love that human touch-holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
Age 90
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
Age 92
I've learned that you should pass this on to someone you care about.
Sometimes they just need a little something to make them smile.
-----------------------------------
74
General Discussion / The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race
« on: August 22, 2007, 06:27:34 AM »
Jared Diamond, an American evolutionary biologist, physiologist, bio-geographer and non-fiction author, wrote a remarkable piece for Discover Magazine, in May 1987.
It is about; how agriculture set the stage for class division, and is responsible for many of the modern health problems. Jared Diamond was an influence for me when I was seeking answers about modern lifestyle problems, and indeed, he's a man who has inspired me to make this website.
From the article:
"...recent discoveries suggest that the adoption of agriculture, supposedly our most decisive step toward a better life, was in many ways a catastrophe from which we have never recovered. With agriculture came the gross social and sexual inequality, the disease and despotism, that curse our existence."
This is a must-read - so do yourself a favour and read it here:
http://www.environnement.ens.fr/perso/claessen/agriculture/mistake_jared_diamond.pdfl
It is about; how agriculture set the stage for class division, and is responsible for many of the modern health problems. Jared Diamond was an influence for me when I was seeking answers about modern lifestyle problems, and indeed, he's a man who has inspired me to make this website.
From the article:
"...recent discoveries suggest that the adoption of agriculture, supposedly our most decisive step toward a better life, was in many ways a catastrophe from which we have never recovered. With agriculture came the gross social and sexual inequality, the disease and despotism, that curse our existence."
This is a must-read - so do yourself a favour and read it here:
http://www.environnement.ens.fr/perso/claessen/agriculture/mistake_jared_diamond.pdfl
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General Discussion / If earth's population was shrunk into a village of just 100 people...
« on: August 22, 2007, 06:08:36 AM »
Phillip M. Harter, a medical doctor at the Stanford University School of Medicine, sought to figure out what would the statistics would look like if earth's population was shrunk into a village of just 100 people. This is what he found.
Thanks to http://www.randomania.net/ for the info.
- 57 would be Asian.
- 21 would be European.
- 14 would be from the Western Hemisphere.
- 8 would be African.
- 52 would be female.
- 48 would be male.
- 70 would be nonwhite.
- 30 would be white.
- 70 would be non-Christian.
- 30 would be Christian.
- 89 would be heterosexual.
- 11 would be homosexual.
- 6 people would possess 59 percent of the entire world's wealth.
- All 6 would be from the United States.
- 80 would live in substandard housing.
- 70 would be unable to read
- 50 would suffer from malnutrition.
- 1 would be near death.
- 1 would be pregnant.
- 1 would have a college education.
- 1 would own a computer.
Thanks to http://www.randomania.net/ for the info.