Hello. I'm Descartes.

I found the following quote by Descartes in an article in The New Yorker today:

"When I consider the fact that I have doubts, or that I am a thing that is incomplete and dependent, then there arises in me a clear and distinct idea of a being who is independent and complete, that is, an idea of God. And from the mere fact that there is such an idea within me, or that I who possess this idea exist, I clearly infer that God also exists, and that every single moment of my entire existence depends on him... And now, from this contemplation of the true God, in whom all the treasures of wisdom and the sciences lie hidden, I think I can see a way forward to the knowledge of other things."

Descartes. Damn.

I have a vague recollection of studying Descartes in school, probably in my college philosophy class, but I can't remember a thing about him. Before today I'm not sure I could have accurately attributed the famous line, "I think, therefore I am," to him. And I certainly don't remember finding him all that interesting, as I did after reading the above passage, which prompted further research and reading.

It is truly unfortunate the amount of information that was wasted on me in school. I just wasn't at all interested in most things presented to me, especially anything related to math, science, or history. There were too many formulas, too many laws, too many names, too many dates, to remember. So I just didn't bother. I clung to just-this-side-of-passing grades in these subjects for most of my life. In fact, I had to take both high school intermediate algebra and college algebra twice. I stayed afloat only because my grades in other subjects—like art, literature, creative writing, drama, leadership, yearbook, humanities, pop culture, etc.—more than made up for it.

During parent-teacher conferences in grade school, my teachers would often blame my performance, or lack thereof, on "boredom." They thought that I was not sufficiently challenged on an intellectual level, that this stuff was somehow below me. Eh. As wonderfully brainy as that makes me sound, I don't think that was the case. It wasn't boredom. It was laziness and egocentrism. I was only interested in learning what I wanted to learn when I wanted to learn it. I had nearly encyclopedic knowledge of some subjects while my other courses were merely blocks of time set aside for me to read, write poetry, pass notes, or doodle.

But a funny thing happened shortly after college graduation. I suddenly became very interested in everything I once ignored, especially the sciences, history, politics, and theology. For five years, I've been on something of a rabid quest to fill these gaping holes in my brain. And the more I know, the more I realize how much I don't know (didn't Einstein say something like that?), which then prompts me to know more. It's crazy, this quest. Endless. I have 14 magazine subscriptions—three of which are weeklies—from Time to Vanity Fair to National Geographic to Wired. I'm addicted to online news websites. I'm equally addicted to Merriam-Webster Online and Wikipedia. I keep word lists and subject lists to look up later. I'm an animal.

And to what end? I'm not sure, really. Information thrills me. It provides context. Challenge. I'm continually growing and adapting as I learn more about myself, the world, God. I have courage in my convictions. It's just a shame I didn't start earlier...

Monday musings-Thanksgiving edition

This week, ABC News and USA Today begin a series on "Young and in Debt." From what I heard, it really will be something worth checking out.
Here's info:

young and in debt

In turkey news, this will be the first Thanksgiving in a long time that I can actually enjoy the family fights and scary snarls without having to rush off to work. I've been practicing my loving insults towards Grandpa in the mirror every night for the past two weeks! Yay!

All this talk about fat is making me hungry...

I'm sitting here in my Communication Policy class on Tuesday. This class is a simulation, in which class members take on official roles, either in government or in the private interest. I am Rupert Murdoch (the irony is so delicious...)
Right now, we are discussing regulation on advertising for junk food. The argument being offered is that the government has a responsibility to provide standards on how much advertising is directed at children and how much impetus should the industry have in providing healthy choices.
It's all great, but it leaves me with the issue of responsibility: at what point does personal responsibility end and social responsibility begin? Is there overlap? Or does it matter?
If working in tandem, than all aspects of accountability can be covered. Kids can eat healthier because parents are providing more nutrition, as well as the school, while the messages being sent through advertising is lessened.
But it doesn't work in tandem, and that is the problem.
What does that have to do with the M.A.Y.A. Years? Probably not a whole lot, except for the reality that somewhere along these lines, M.A.Y.A.s should have an active role in personal AND social responsibility.

Supposedly. (Of course, I say this with a slice of Domino's pizza next to me, as well as some Coke. And I really am craving a Krispy Kreme donut right now. Delicious.)

Post-election nonsense

Linterella and I make a point not to talk specifically about politics on this blog because that is not the purpose.
Regardless of how you (the reader) voted, I think we have seen a great victory for our political process. And that is especially true in terms of M.A.Y.A.S.
Young people had the highest turnout in the past 20 years. It's also worth noting that nearly half of those that voted who are under the age of 30 are for troop withdrawl in Iraq. Of course, that means that almost half either aren't or whatever.
Anyways, here's the link:

young person turnout

In other related political stuff, thanks to whoever found the article on the abstinence program for twentysomethings. Here is the link if anyone didn't see it in the comments and is interested:

abstinence

Again, I don't want to go into political arguments and such, but I do want to ask this: Is this program necessary? I can understand some sort of pregnancy prevention for teenagers and those who are not in a position to support a child (or themselves). However, in a general sense, I would think someone in their 20s should have the comprehension of sex, pregnancy and responsibility. I understand there are extreme examples, but on the whole, if one doesn't understand sex (or had some sort of a sexual experience) by this point is beyond the purview of the government.

Plus, I really don't think the government should take a stance of sexual development...but that's politics.

And I thought the Star Wars defense system was goofy enough...

I read the Bush administration has allocated funds for an abstinence program for twentysomethings.

SERIOUSLY?!?

Does anyone know anything about this?

Would you like foam on your career change?

For the past four years or so, I have worked in the career path of my choice, more or less. I am a news junkie and love newspapers. It breaks my heart to see them go down the vicious circle of corporate crap, but in the end, there is nothing better than picking up the paper in the morning...and doing the Suduko puzzle.
For several reasons, I quit my job at the last paper in July. The main decision was to go get my master's full-time, combined with I was tired of working nights and weekends and especially tired of the bullshit going on at the paper.
Fast forward a few months, and I got a job working at a coffee shop. It's about 20 hours a week, the boss seems quite nice and it'll be fun to do while I'm finishing up my degree. Plus, I'm thinking about opening up a coffee shop one of these days, so it's great experience.

So how come part of me feels like I'm now an official loser?

I'm trying really hard to fight this "career" mindset. It's the path of life...go to school, get an education, get a wife (or husband/partner/whatever works for you) and get a career. Not a job, but a CAREER. Do that for 40 years, then retire.

This is your life.

I want to do some many things in my life, including working at a coffee shop. Honestly, I have always wanted to do that. I think it would be tons of fun.

So how come part of me feels like I'm now an official loser?

Instead of going upwards and onwards, I just dropped on the social ladder, slightly to the left of "customer service representative" and "whinny blogger."
Wait...eh, never mind.

I don't consider this a career change as I do a "the opportunity came and I have the time and I want to do it, so I'm doing it while I can, dammit!" move.

So come visit, but don't ask for free coffee. Only the girlfriend gets that privilege...now, to find a girl and a friend...