A pedicure grounds the sole

 A good heal is well grounded.

Your opponent's view

Imagine the opposite point of view: that we can fully understand our opponent without being able to argue from their perspective.

Understanding your opponent’s perspective is crucial not only in conflict but also in everyday interactions and struggles. It allows for more empathetic and effective communication.

Steelmanning involves constructing the strongest possible version of an opponent's argument, even if you disagree with it, so you can create the best possible refutation.

This contrasts with strawmanning, where you create arguments your opponent does not hold and defeat those, distracting from their actual point.

Steelmanning encourages a deeper understanding and more productive dialogue

Mostly Improbable

 

Experience Possession

 

I Will Not Yield

In the shadow of the ballot's cast, 

Where tyranny's grip threatens to last, 

I stand alone, defiant and bold, 

My heart aflame, my spirit untold. 

I will not yield, tyranny must die, 

Justice and freedom, my battle cry.

Democracy's promise, now betrayed, 

By those who seek to see us swayed. 

Yet in my veins, the fire burns bright, 

To challenge darkness, to reclaim the light. 

I will not yield, tyranny must die, 

Justice and freedom, my battle cry.

Virtue and wisdom, my guiding stars, 

Against the masses' unqualified czars. 

The rule of law, my steadfast shield, 

Injustice and corruption, I shall not yield. 

I will not yield, tyranny must die, 

Justice and freedom, my battle cry.

Against the tide, I hold my ground, 

In every heart, the courage found. 

To face the storm, to break the chain, 

To rise again, and end the pain. 

I will not yield, tyranny must die, 

Justice and freedom, my battle cry.

So hear my cry, let it resound, 

In every city, in every town. 

I am the guardian, fierce and true, 

In the face of tyranny, I will break through. 

I will not yield, tyranny must die, 

Justice and freedom, my battle cry.

Justice Mending the Broken

 

Lupusolus Unbound

Under the cold, watchful eye of the moon, I tread through the snow-covered wilderness. The night is a vast, silent expanse, and the chill bites at my fur, a constant reminder of my solitude. The pack sleeps huddled together, wrapped in the warmth of their collective body heat, their breaths mingling in the frosty air. They find comfort in numbers, bound by the traditions and safety of the group. But I, Lupusolus, have chosen a different path. In the silence of the night, I find my truth, a song of freedom that resonates with the wild's untamed spirit.

In my solitude, I am unbound. I am a hunter of dreams, free to roam where my instincts lead me. There are no rules to bind me, no chains to hold me back. The night is my canvas, and I paint my journey with the strokes of my paws on the snow. The pack's call is a distant echo, a siren's song that promises safety and belonging, but I have chosen liberty over conformity.

The pack offers security, a shield from harm, and a chance to thrive. In their midst, I was whole, yet bound by the expectations and customs that dictated my every move. The warmth of their embrace was a binding charm, a comfort that came with limits. I spurned these expectations, choosing instead the call of the wild, the freedom to wander alone, even as the nights grew long and cold.

Hurt by the loss of my pack, I am resolute in my quest. In solitude, I find my own path, my own test. The moon's cold light is my only guide, casting shadows where secrets hide. I hunt the night, a soul unchained, and in this solitude, my spirit gains strength. The pack's warmth is a distant dream, a memory of what once seemed like home.

In the pack, there is a balance of freedom and belonging, a necessity for survival. But in my heart, I know the truth. In solitude, I am unbound, free to chase the moon and the stars. The pack's call is a reminder of what I have left behind, but it is also a testament to my choice, my resolve to live by my own rules.

The wilderness is my domain, a realm where I am both hunter and hunted. The cold night air fills my lungs, and the silence is a symphony that only I can hear. I am Lupusolus, a lone wolf, free to roam, free to dream, free to be. The pack's norms no longer bind me, and in this freedom, I find my true self.

Yet, the pack's warmth and safety are not forgotten. They are a part of me, a reminder of the balance I once knew. In their midst, I was whole, but now, in my solitude, I am unbound. The journey is mine alone, a path that I have chosen, and in this choice, I find my strength.

For in my heart, I know the truth. In solitude, I am unbound, and in the pack, I find proof of what I have left behind. Both is a necessity for all, to be free and whole, to rise and to fall.

Normative Barber-arians

 

For many decades the barber's chair was/is a kind of special communal space, of news, gossip, debate, and familiar faces. However in the era of quick cuts this has fallen away, as we have become a thing to be processed and moved along.

Every family is from taboo

In every family tree, it's true, 

Lie secrets deep, a hidden view. 

Roots entwined in tales askew, 

Of whispers dark and deeds taboo.

Illegitimacy, a shadowed hue, 

Criminal acts, a past untrue. 

Mental illness, hidden too, 

In shadows where our secrets brew.

Same-sex love and bonds anew, 

Incest, rape, and struggles through. 

Addiction's grip, a silent coup, 

All woven in our genetic glue.

These taboos form the roots we knew, 

A common thread in our family crew. 

For in our genes, the past does strew, 

For every branch, the roots taboo grew.

Entangled Cat Observes

 

Divine Mystery Cosmic Void

 I’ll attempt to break down my logic, without claiming it as truth.

Let’s substitute ‘divine’ with ‘first mover,’ a term often used to describe the original originator. This suggests that there was once nothing, then something, implying the divine exists beyond all things and non-things.

Assume the cosmos includes everything we can perceive or imagine. If it exists, it’s part of the cosmos. The void, then, is everything that isn’t the cosmos—all the non-cosmos.

This simplifies the cosmos and void as a way to describe all beings and non-beings.

The aphorism can be interpreted in three ways:

If there is divinity, it lies beyond us in the unexplorable void.

If there is no divinity, it remains beyond us as we cannot explore the void.

We can never know if divinity exists beyond the void or cosmos.

Rebel Edge

 

Clarity Comes

 

In Gordium, a knot so keen,
A prophecy of kings unseen.
I came, with courage and a plan,
To conquer chaos, as I can.

With cunning, I cut through the cord,
Clearing clutter, claiming reward.
Keen to clear life's tangled thread,
Clarity conquered, chaos dead.

In my mind, the clutter grows,
Confusing thoughts in chaotic flows.
Cut through chaos, clear the flutter,
Clarity comes when I ignore the clutter.

Most of my ideas are wrong

 

A good back scratch

 

Desire is the fire

 

The weight of a single word

 

When can we say that the word shapes our world? To claim that words do not affect our reality seems to ignore their part in causality.

A single word, like a spark in the night, can ignite thoughts, set minds alight. In politics, in love, in dreams we weave, words shape the world, more than we believe.

From whispers soft to shouts that roar, Words open doors, and close them more. They build us up, they tear us down, in every heart, their echoes sound.

So when we speak, let's choose with care, for words have power, everywhere. In every phrase, in every line, the weight of words, a force divine.

Haphazard Habits are Ghosts

 

Random, unplanned, or careless habits can have lasting effects on people's lives, much like ghosts. These habits, though they seem small at the time, can shape reality in unexpected ways. They can influence decisions, behaviors, and outcomes.

This highlights the importance of being mindful and intentional with actions. By recognizing and addressing these "ghosts," individuals can take control of their reality and steer it in a better direction. Haphazard actions, done without much thought, often lead to unpredictable and negative consequences. Determinism seems indistinguishable from randomness.

When asked how to fix this problem, the AI suggested the following:

Consistency and Routine: Good habits are consistent and part of a routine. If actions are random and lack a pattern, they might be haphazard.

Purpose and Intention: Think about the purpose behind habits. Good habits have clear goals. If actions are done without knowing why, they might be haphazard.

Outcomes and Impact: Reflect on the results of habits. Good habits lead to positive and predictable outcomes. If habits often lead to unexpected or negative results, they might be haphazard.

Mindfulness and Awareness: Be mindful when engaging in habits. Good habits are done with awareness and focus. Haphazard habits are often done mindlessly.

Feedback and Adjustment: Good habits are open to feedback and change. If habits are regularly evaluated and improved, they are likely well thought out. Haphazard habits stay the same despite negative feedback.

In short, individuals should edit their own loop.

30 Major Aphorism Topics

 30 major aphorism topics, each stated in three words:

• Change is constant.
• Life surprises us.
• Happiness is chosen.
• Time heals wounds.
• Kindness always matters.
• Mistakes are inevitable.
• Pleasing everyone impossible.
• Actions over words.
• Love transforms lives.
• We’re all connected.
• Gratitude improves life.
• Fear is natural.
• Learning never ends.
• Respect is earned.
• Honesty builds trust.
• Health is wealth.
• Patience brings rewards.
• Forgiveness brings peace.
• Hard work pays.
• Beauty is subjective.
• Simplicity is powerful.
• Happiness is universal.
• Life’s a journey.
• Empathy fosters connection.
• Nature teaches resilience.
• Stronger together always.
• Actions have consequences.
• Peace starts within.
• Curiosity drives discovery.
• Life is precious.

The trick to writing them is to either say it better or pick a new topic.

Descendants of Poorly remembered history

 

Agape in Love

 

Agape in love, my heart takes flight, 

Contentment's warmth, a pure delight. 

Agape, pure and selfless care, 

In love with all, both near and rare.

Contentment's arms, they hold me tight, 

In agape's glow, my heart takes flight. 

A mother's care, a lover's kiss, 

In love's embrace, I find my bliss.

Agape shines, a guiding light, 

Contentment follows, day and night. 

In love with world and all within, 

Contentment whispers, peace begins.

Agape in love, contentment's key, 

In every moment, it sets me free

Cheaters DO prosper

A similar idea with an ironic twist can be traced back to the early 17th century in John Harington’s Epigrams: "Treason doth never prosper, what’s the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it treason"

A common phrase in American during the early 1800s was "cheating never thrives".

In the 1900s the catch phrase changed to "cheaters never prosper".

It is not the case that only hard work prospers. Often as not, hard work leads to blisters and the poor house. Only in a liberal, but law and rules based, order do we seem to be able to prosper by our own hard work.

Stability is as fragile as the silence it enforces

 
People in positions of authority over other people will use force to silence their critics. From my experience, revolution against the powerful occurs when silence is no longer sufficiently enforced.

Ignoring doubt is invitation

Doubt ignored, a seed unseen,
Grows in shadows, dark and mean.
Roots of trouble, deep they wind,
In the silence, chaos finds.

Doubt dismissed, a chance ignored,
Paths untraveled, dreams implored.
In the quiet, whispers fade,
Lost potential, choices made.

Doubt denied, a mask of pride,
Blindly walking, risks beside.
Confidence, a fragile guise,
Leads to falls and harsh surprise.

Doubt unspoken, shadows loom,
In the mind, they carve a room.
Silent worries, restless night,
Peace elusive, out of sight.

The master believes he has more freedom

 The master thinks he's free at last, 

With chains on others, he holds fast. 

The strong do what they will, they say, 

While weak must suffer, day by day.

But power's grip is cold and tight, 

And binds the master to the fight.

For in a land where none are plain, 

The strong would find no strength to gain.

Their might depends on others' pain, 

Without the weak, their strength is vain.

The master, bound by his own chains, 

In seeking power, only gains 

A hollow throne, a fleeting reign, 

For true control is never plain.

In every heart, a truth does lie, 

That power's just a fleeting high. 

The strong need weak to feel their might, 

But in the end, they lose the right.

Cambrian explosion of tools

 

In the fossil record, we find what has been called the Cambrian Explosion. It is marked by a dramatic burst of animal and plant forms, indicating a rapid diversification of life, with many new species emerging and competing for survival.

It seems we live in a similar period of rapid and diverse innovation. Our tool landscape is emerging and morphing at a fast pace. Many new tools seem to last only one or a few generations before being cast into the dustbin of has-beens.

What forms of tools will still be around in a hundred or a thousand years from now? The geological record will maintain the echo of our tools long after all our bones are no longer detectable.

Consider just one example: the Voyager spacecrafts, now well past the edge of the solar system. These two tools will probably not encounter another object for billions of years and may not degrade into unrecognizable dust for many billions after that. Meanwhile, our bones may last only a couple of billion years before plate tectonics buries them in entropic chaos.

Wisdom comes before the question mark?

 

Wisdom is often required to even formulate meaningful questions. Understanding and insight are necessary to ask the right questions, which can lead to deeper knowledge and further wisdom.

Teachers use their wisdom to craft questions that guide students toward deeper understanding and critical thinking. This method not only imparts knowledge but also encourages students to develop their own minds.

Also, my name is Mark.  So when i read this one, it has a comma in my head as in: "Wisdom comes before the question, Mark?"

The tool makes the man

 

They handed me a rifle, cold and steel, 

Taught me to aim, to fight, to kneel. 

In the eyes of the world, a soldier I stand, 

Defined by the tool placed in my hand.

A hammer to a builder, a brush to an artist, 

Each tool shapes the soul, from the start to the hardest. 

We become what we wield, in work and in strife, 

The tool makes the man, in his journey of life.

Cut the pie thin

 In the bakery of the cosmos, where bytes fly by, 

Planck’s quanta bakes a quantum Pi.

Pi’s endless digits, a recipe so sweet, 

In the pixelated universe, we all take a seat.

Own less, live more

The less I own, the more I live, 

No chains of things, just time to give. 

With every purchase, time was spent, 

On storing, mending, paying rent.

Possessions filled my space and mind, 

And left no room for time to find. 

No longer stuck with what I own, 

In hugs and games, my joy has grown.

For life is not in things we keep, 

But in the moments, rich and deep. 

The less I own, the more I see, 

The beauty of simplicity.

Leaders AND Managers

 She pointed, “Let’s go up the hill,” 

He mapped out each step with a skill. 

Her dreams were so bright, 

His plans just right, 

Together, they followed their will.

Nothing is lost in eternity

 In cosmic threads, where stars are bound, 

In ancient lore, where myths are crowned, 

In fleeting dreams, where hopes are wound, 

In endless time, all truths are found.

In the smothering gloom

 

Forms are metaphors

 

Math is a language, clear and bright, 

Describing forms in black and white. 

It's not the rule, but just a way, 

To see how bits and pieces play.

In every shape, in every line, 

Math shows the patterns, so combined. 

It's not magic, it's not odd, 

Just the cosmos, in a nod.

With numbers, we can see the ties, 

In every form, in every size. 

Math's one tool, one guiding light, 

To understand the whole delight.

What of constitutional responsibilities?

 

Is even a valid idea to put Maslow's Hierarchy next to our Constitution and compare them?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 25) states that everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for their health and well-being, which includes food, clothing, housing, and medical care.  It also emphasizes the right to necessary social services and security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age, or other circumstances beyond one’s control.

Our constitution is long on rights, but short on responsibilities.  And thus we will eventually fail it. 

In a good marriage you fall...

 

Live in the moment as if...

 

As the sun dipped below the sea's crest, 

We toasted to living our best. 

"Live in the moment," we swore, 

"For there's no other, for sure

Unless having some more is your quest.

The Public Good

In lands where public good is strong, 

A thriving society gets along. 

With shared resources, all can rise, 

Beneath the same, unclouded skies.

But when "me first" takes the lead, 

It plants the seeds of selfish greed. 

The heart of tyranny beats loud, 

In shadows where the weak are cowed.

Inequality spreads its blight, 

As selfishness obscures the light. 

Exploitation takes its toll, 

On bodies, minds, and fragile souls.

Trust erodes, and bonds decay, 

As selfish acts lead hearts astray. 

Communities, once strong and tight, 

Fragment in the selfish night.

Moral values start to wane, 

As selfishness inflicts its pain. 

The earth itself begins to cry, 

As resources dwindle, dry.

Rights are claimed with loud demand, 

"I got mine," they proudly stand. 

But with rights come duties too, 

To care for others, me and you.

Yet, in our hearts, we know the truth, 

That interdependence is the proof. 

No one alone can truly stand, 

We're stewards of this shared land.

So let us strive for common good, 

In every field, in every wood. 

For public good's the lifeblood true, 

Of a society that thrives anew.

The future demands more from us

 

Young Icarus, with wings so dope,

Escaped the past, cut free the rope.

He soared to skies where dreams elope,

To chase a future, vast in scope.

Though fate unknown, he dared to cope,

For in his heart, the sky was hope.

Brave Icarus, with wings to fly,

He knew the risk, the chance to die.

With hope as guide, he pondered why,

The future's call, the stakes so high.

A leap of faith, to touch the sky,

And fall to earth, a final sigh.

We are all storytellers

 

So you think you are the storm?

 

Call me Starbuck, the chief mate of this ship,

In search of the white whale, we sail on this trip.

With Ahab at the helm, his heart wild and free,

He claims to be stronger than each perilous sea.

Through tempests and whirlpools, he charts his mad course,

Ignoring the warnings, with unyielding force.

We follow our captain, not for glory or fame,

But out of sheer terror, we play his mad game.

Each danger he faces, he boasts with a roar,

“Behold, I am stronger, I am the storm’s core!”

Yet we, his poor crew, we shudder in fright,

“From Ahab’s wild storms, we must seek shelter tonight.

Awareness Here Now

 

In this fleeting moment, pure and clear,
No past to haunt, no future near.
Just the pulse of now,
and life’s soft plow,
I know of no awareness but here now.

Memories fade, dreams take flight,
Now the present's song is my delight.
Yesterday’s echo, future’s prow,
I know of no awareness but here now.

Present tides, let them flow,
In the stillness, truth we’ll know.
Time stands still, as we endow,
I know of no awareness but here now.

Just the heart’s beat, a sacred vow,
Being's essence is right here, right now.