soullessly immortal: what would it be like?

Discuss the implications of being immortal and/or what would change about your behavior if you knew you were soulless.

How many of you have heard of Dorian Gray?  You know, the guy from the movie, "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen"?  The guy who feels no remorse after acting, even wrongly?  The guy who's shot several dozens of times and whose wounds heal almost instantaneously?  The guy who, if he looks at his portrait, turns to dust from age and such?  Well, if not, you are either too young to be on the internet, you have horrible taste in movies, or you just live under a freaking rock.  Well, for those of you who do know who I'm talking about, you know somewhat what he's like, this Dorian Gray guy, right?  Right. Well, have you ever wondered how, exactly, it would feel to be in that situation?  How it would feel to be soulless?  Immortal even?  Not giving a damn about what you do to people, and even if you did, you wouldn't care because, hey, YOU'RE SOULLESS!!  YOU DON'T WORRY ABOUT MORALITY; WHAT'S RIGHT OR WRONG; YOU DON'T EVEN WORRY ABOUT EATING!  YOU LIVE FOREVER!  Any takers...I'm not quite sure why I'm asking this because, well, nobody's gonna answer me.  That's beside the point though, because guess what?!  I've thought about it long and hard and this is what I have concluded it would be like.  I want you to imagine this for a minute, don't close your eyes because you won't be able to read (unless you can read with your eyes closed, because if so, you're awesome!)

You wake up after a good night's sleep, get out of your bed, and look in the mirror.  You see a 100 year old man/woman in a 19-21 year old's body looking back at you.  No, it's not someone creepin' in your home, that's you my friend.  You look at the wall to see the safe sitting on the dresser.  The safe that holds your 100 year old portrait that holds your age and soul within it.  You instantly look away because if you look too long, you will become entranced like last time. You're whole being isn't affected by your actions, either positive or negative, but your portrait is. With every bad thing you do, with each painful thing you do to someone else, anything you do, basically, affects the portrait, land not you.  you don't age, but your portrait does.  You don't feel pain, but your portrait does.  you don't feel bad about a damn thing you've done in life because your portrait holds your soul, and your soul holds remorse.  (sound awesome so far?  think again.)  You may be thinking, "that doesn't sound all too bad because it's better than what I'm going through now..."  Think again.  Along with the inability to feel pain comes the inability to love or, well, feel loved.  life without love, is that really life?  i think not.

Plato's conceptualization of "The Truth"

In Plato's conceptualization of 'The Truth,' a group of men have been shackled to a stone wall since infancy, unable to turn their heads due to the chains restricting them.  The only thing they can see is that which is in front of them.  Behind them is a stone walkway lighted by a fire, thereby projecting shadows of man and animal as they pass over the walkway.  'The Truth' is revealed when one of these men is released from his chains and lead into the light of day and the reality of everything which he has never seen before.  After his 'enlightenment,' if you will, he runs back to the entrance of the cave and yells to the men who he was shackled in the cave with since his birth, explaining all that he has seen and experienced.  He soon realizes that they cannot understand him.

Plato's conceptualization of 'The Truth' can be applied to aspects in my life in that, 'The Truth' is what is revealed after we have been released from the shackles of life that keep us from seeing all that which is reality.  These shackles could be taken in so many different ways, that, although I'm pretty sure it's impossible, I would run out of space on this post if I even attempted to tackle all of them.  One would be belief in God.  For example, say someone cannot come to grips with the concept of an all knowing, all seeing, all powerful, all EVERYTHING, being; he therefore chooses not to believe because he has no valid proof of there being a "God."  Now, lets say that this same man has a dream where he is sitting with God at a table, asking him how he knows he is real.  God shows him his family, friends, and the kingdom of heaven in this dream, and tells him that, as soon as he awakens, to open a bible and read the first verse on the page he opens the bible to, that the message will be clear.  The man awakens and opens a bible he never knew he had and the verse read: "'We are going to have a feast, a celebration, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life' he was lost and is found.'  and they began to celebrate"(Luke 15:23-24).  From that day on, the man believed and saw things he had never seen before, for the kingdom of heaven was opened to his view.

The bible verse above is real, and was the bible verse I found in my bag during my senior retreat.  The story, although slightly different, is basically what happened to me.  Although I did not dream that God talked to me face to face, the night before we were allowed to go through our bags, I dreamt I was on a boat, and found a note on the seat of the boat.  The note read, "Tomorrow, a quote will change you."  I found that bible verse in my bag the next day and had to sit down because of it.  That is how Plato's could be applied to my life.

Tschüß!

Mortal or Immortal? That, is the question.

For centuries, immortality has been seen as being something only achieved in death.  In some ways immortality is a blessing, but in others it is a curse.  In the stories told of those who are immortal, there is a common theme.  This theme is pain.  Someone who is immortal feels all the pains that mortals feel, both emotional and physical.  If a mortal person is stabbed through the heart, they die; if an immortal person is stabbed through the heart, they would endure great pain and agony.  If  two mortals fall in love, they only have to endure the pain of losing that one person once; if an immortal person falls in love with a mortal, they have to endure the pain much much longer after their mortal love dies.  In the story "The Mortal Immortal" by Mary Shelley, the theme is pain.  The main character recalls how they fell in love with a mortal.  They describe the intense pain that they felt for the three hundred plus years that they have been alive.  The reasoning for the title "The Mortal Immortal," which in itself is a contradiction in terms, is that at the beginning of the story, the character describes how they recently found a grey hair but thinks nothing of it; however, as we near the end of the story, we find that the character is experiencing more and more traits of an aging mortal.

Tschüß!

How does outward appearance affect how we judge people

Physical appearance.  When we look at how Richard is described in the context of Richard III, Richard is described as a deformed, ugly, excuse for a man.  Because of this, he is often shunned and rejected and seen as a monster, which his constant remarrying habits didn't help much for his rep, but that’s a different topic.  When we look at how we are looked at in reality, our physical appearance almost always affects how people view us.  Our noses, ears, teeth, hair, clothing, everything!  If you walk into an interview for a brokerage firm dressed like a redneck, they’re probably not gonna let you in the front door.  If you walk in any store with a mohawk or liberty spikes, unless you’re applying to hot topic, you’re likely not to get the job.

One thing that is very sensitive and uncomfortable subject that, although controversial and touchy, is real; is scars.  Someone with scars on their arms from past or recent actions is often seen as unpredictable or unstable, so they’re often shunned from society as well as unaccepted in most cliques.  Another thing that is particularly close to me is tattoos.  We've all heard someone say something about someone with a tattoo(s), “Oh, look at that guy, look at the tattoos on his arms!  Honey get the kids, we’re leaving!”  If anyone is so ignorant and closed minded that they have the belief that someone with tattoos is a bad person automatically because of it, they need to get their heads of their behinds and really look at the world around them.  According to a recent study, approximately 38% of adults ages 18-40 have at least one tattoo.  That’s quite a few people, and they’re all around us.  In all honesty, they’re normal people.  I will tell you this, I have friends who are successful doctors, police officers, firemen, teachers, and even politicians who have at least one tattoo.  The doctor friend of mine?  He has two full sleeves that stop just before his wrists.  Think about this for a minute, what kind of music do you listen to?  Why do you listen to that music?  More often than not, someone listens to a certain genre or genres of music because that type of music has a certain meaning to them, a way of self expression in a sense.  Tattoos are like music in that sense, 43% of people who get inked say that the most important factor in their tattoos is the fact of it having a special meaning to them.  I am one of those people.  I plan to get quite a few tattoos, and they all have a certain meaning, this one in particular has a very deep meaning to me: “Qui Audet Adipiscitur, Fortes Fortuna Iuvat.”  It’s a Latin proverb meaning, “He who dares obtains.  Fortune favors the brave.”

Well, I’m gonna stop preaching now, let you get on with your life.  I’m gonna answer a question real quick though, tschüß is German for “talk to you later.”  Just thought I’d clear that up, even though they could have just used Google translate, but, tis’ no problem.  So, until next time:

Tschüß

What is the role of gender in our current American society?

What is the role of gender in our current american society?

Gender.  Since the beginning of time, there has always been a dispute over the role of gender in the world.  In our current American society, gender is a big factor when it comes to everything.  I'm sure we've all seen the memes on Facebook, twitter, Tumblr, etc, the ones about women belonging in the kitchen, house, etc, you know the whole, "Woman, make me a sammich" and such, you know what I'm talking about, and if not, oh well.  But anyway, for centuries, it has been a firm belief that men belong in the field and women belong in the house, raisin' kids and makin' food, you know the deal, right?  Well, that's still true in some peoples' eyes today.  Today, women can legally vote and do anything a man can do, but not always without discrimination because, "she's not in the kitchen and she's taking my job!"  Okay, well, this following situation is almost unheard of, but sadly happens, even though it's pretty extreme.  Well, just for kicks, lets say a man who is well qualified for a construction job is trying to get that job.  A woman who has more work experience, has higher satisfaction ratings (I'm not quite sure how you can be satisfied with a construction job, but just for the hell of it), and has degrees in the field.  You can guess who got the job, right?  Well, if you picked the woman, your wrong.  The man got the job.  In our current American society, gender plays many roles, but sometimes, it's a good thing.  I'm currently having a hard time thinking up a way that that's so, so i'll let you use your imagination on that one.  Well, gender has played a role in many governments, but our focus is on marriage here.  A quarter of all families have a dual work ethic, both partners are employed.  Half involve the man working and the woman staying at home, and the other quarter involves opposite, the woman working and the man staying at home.

Tschüß

The Importance of Life's Wrapsheet

Reputations.  Everybody has one.  Some are good, some are bad.  But why are they important?  In the world we live in, a person's reputation could make the difference between getting a job or losing it, buying a house or being evicted, love and loss, and even being convicted of a crime you didn't commit.  A person's reputation is important.  If you have a long history of substance abuse and you have a surgery that would normally cause long term pain in the healing process a doctor may not prescribe you the medication to help relieve the pain.  If you have a history of credit card debt, you may not get a loan from the bank to purchase the house of your dreams.  If you have a history of reckless driving, your insurance company may not cover you.  A person's reputation affects all aspects of their life.  

On the other hand, if you have a history of being a safe driver, your insurance premiums will be lower than that of an individual with convictions.  If you have a good credit history and have little debt, when you go to get a loan for a house, you will get the best interest rate available.  If you have no history of drug use, your doctors will believe you when you are in pain, and try to help you in every way possible.  With a good reputation, you are more likely to be in a lasting relationship, staying out of trouble, and maintaining your residence.  With a good reputation usually comes responsibility.  

Factors that will affect a persons reputation are more common than most people might believe.  A man who has no criminal record, does not drink, do drugs or smoke but hangs out with people who are alcoholics, druggies and/or smokers, may have a reputation just because he associates with that crowd.  Your race can label you with a reputation.  Some people think that just because a person is black, automatically means that they're in a gang.  Some people believe that just because you are Mexican, they automatically are an illegal immigrant who is living off welfare.  If you are poor, some people consider you to be lazy.  If you are rich, you are automatically considered to be "stuck-up."  One of the most wide-spread beliefs is that because someone comes from the South, they are automatically racist.  The mere color of your skin, who you associate with, where you live, where you come from or how much money you earn, can provide you with a reputation that you did not even ask for.

Reputation plays a major role in the epic of Beowulf.  Beowulf's reputation was important in that, being qualified as an Anglo-Saxon hero, he is automatically the leader of all the soldiers during battle.  He is a role model or all young men.  His reputation was that of a leader and an honorable warrior.  He was the first warrior into battle, and the last to leave; he was the strongest of all the men in his tribe, said to have the strength of thirty men in each arm.  Beowulf's reputation was extremely important to not only how he was viewed by his fellow warriors, but also to those he was fighting to protect.

Tschüß!

A.S.H. in Pop Culture

An Anglo Saxon hero was defined a warrior who was bigger, stronger, faster, and tougher than anyone else on the battlefield.  He had supernatural strength, i.e. Beowulf, who had supposedly had the strength of 30 men.  Today, you could imagine an Anglo Saxon hero as being 6’7”+, +300lbs of pure muscle, a big hairy, scary biker dude with arms the size of boulders with fists of steel.  Mix a US Marine (OORAH!!!) with a grizzly bear and superman, multiply him by 1000, and you have an Anglo Saxon hero.  Basically the biggest BA you can think of X1000. 

So apparently, I’m supposed to analyze how remnants of the Anglo Saxon hero can be seen in today’s pop culture… ok Mr. W and anyone reading this, prepare yourselves to witness the total analyzation of modern human culture concerning the remnants of the Anglo Saxon hero in today’s pop culture.  According to www.dictionary.com, pop culture is defined as “Commercial culture based on popular taste.”  Given this definition, remnants of the Anglo Saxon hero can be seen in today’s pop culture can be seen in the ways that men of blue collar roots are portrayed, rough, tough, take no crap kind of guys who WORK for a living, putting in 12+ hours 5 days a week, raised on blood, sweat, and hard work, taught to work till they can’t anymore.  My mom and grandma watch “Days of Our Lives” religiously, and to anyone who has ever seen an episode, you’d notice all the guys are tall, muscular, and look tough, which insinuates that all men should be that way, be able to provide for their families, etc.  If you look at basically any popular TV show, the main character/supporting male roles are often portrayed as being overly strong and tall.  And that, my readers, is how I believe remnants of Anglo Saxon heroes are apparent in today’s pop culture.

Tschüß