Selected quotes

"We are all capable of believing things which we know to be untrue, and then, when we are finally proved wrong, impudently twisting the facts so as to show that we were right. Intellectually, it is possible to carry on this process for an indefinite time: the only check on it is that sooner or later a false belief bumps up against solid reality, usually on a battlefield." – George Orwell

"As indicated by our very name, we humanists celebrate humanity, want humanity to survive, and recognize that if humanity does survive, it will be by its own efforts. Never can we sit back and wait for miracles to save us. Miracles don't happen. Sweat happens. Effort happens. Thought happens. And it is up to us humanists to help--to expend our sweat, our effort and our thought. Then there will be hope for the world." - Isaac Asimov

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect, had intended for us to forgo their use." - Galileo Galilei

"When the facts change, I change my mind--what do you do, sir?" - John Maynard Keynes

"In the long run nothing can withstand reason and experience, and the contradiction religion offers to both is only too palpable." - Sigmund Freud

"Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise." - James Madison

"Ignorance gives one a large range of probabilities" - George Eliot (1819 - 1880)"The ability of the theist to misunderstand a thing is directly proportional to the obviousness of the thing." - Oscar Wilde

"Anyone who has the power to make you believe absurdities, has the power to make you commit injustices" – Voltaire

“Don’t fight it. Just relax and let the hooks do their work.” – Ned Flanders , Simpsons Halloween Special V

"A Lie Told Often Enough Becomes the Truth" - Vladimir Lenin

“A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything”. - Nietzche

“‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the LORD.” - Isaiah 1:18-21

- posted by syed-m @ 8:57 AM

 
Why do we do what we do?
(an excerpt from Mustafa Goldstein's secret guide to the public service)

I've become convinced that quite apart from urgent or immediate tasks, which are only a portion of our tasks, the remainder of our activities have no real intrinsic importance, either to the government we serve, or other parts of the community. No, their real purpose is to give people a 'ladder of opportunity' so that they feel that their efforts are not wasteful or pointless. So they feel like they have some sort of significance. Otherwise, why would we labour so much over issues that never arise, and, in relation to which, our political masters care so little? The genius of this situation is that it need not be perpetuated by any individual or set of individuals, because it perpetuates itself. Those who are disempowered will readily grasp at the opportunity to feel important, whether consciously or otherwise. And the situation gives those in positions of power respite from the gaze of the rest of us who might, if not encumbered by constant petty demands, more readily question the feasibility of the decisions they make. I think this principle is equally applicable to society at large. So, for example, on Anzac Day marvel at the bravery of Australian manhood as it plunged into suicidal conflict. But do not for too long consider, let alone condemn, the criminal incompetence of those who decided to send so many to their unnecessary deaths.

- posted by syed-m @ 8:45 AM

 
Current Top Ten Favourite Tracks
(ranked in descending order)

1. When the funk hits the fan (Plump DJs)
2. The scientist (Coldplay)
3. 7 Cities [Armin van Burren vocal mix] (Solar Stone)
4. As the rush comes [Armin van Buuren remix] (Motorcycle)
5. Flashdance [radio edit] (Deep Dish)
6. Call on me [radio edit] (Eric Prydz)
7. I am tha 1 (MrTimothy featuring Inaya Day)
8. Born too slow (The Crystal Method)
9. Hide U vs Flight 643 [bootleg mix] (Kosheen vs DJ Tiesto)
10. Rush [original mix] (Aalto)

- posted by syed-m @ 3:23 AM

 
I'm back!

Hello everybody. Yes it's me again. I'm back after a very long hiatus. Part of the reason for my long absence has been the fact that I haven't had a computer since November. Another reason is that wonderful mixture of work commitments and general laziness. Be that as it may, it's good to be back.

No doubt there is good reason to update you on what's been happening since my last sporadic entries. There's a great deal to get through. But rather than labour through all that in detail, I thought I might end the year with a note on something I discussed with much consternation earlier in the year (by jingoes where has the time gone?!?). There are so many things that could be known, that there is merit in knowing, but which ultimately will never be known. A key lesson of life, something which I think you learn, and relearn endlessly, is that you can't ever hope to accomplish most of the things you set out to achieve. Sometimes you've got to know when to say 'what the fuck' and just move on. Pretty deep stuff, I know.

Plan A has left Canberra, presumably for good. Before she did, we pretty much patched everything up. I think the catalyst at my end was the fact that I developed a crush on a new girl. For consistency's sake let's call her Plan D. Further, since last I blogged, Plan A has been going out with someone, the type of guy I think is well suited to her. Tall, white, and an, um, IT-professional. I went to her farewell drinks last Friday, and I think it's fair to say we left no grudges or issues behind. Plan A said she found the fact that I had stayed true to my values 'very inspiring', and hoped that I'd continue to send her my leftie-pinko e-mail bulletins. I was touched, we hugged, and that was that. In hindsight, the feelings I had for Plan A were never really about us. It was always about me, my loneliness, my sense of unfamiliarity in an otherwise lonely city. And my continued inability to simply accept myself, for myself. You know, the usual corny bs.

Having said all that, I must say I've felt increasingly compelled to reject all notions of 'Plans' as the year has progressed. No, not for want of 'success'. I've picked up. But I still don't really know what or whom would satisfy the sense of uncertainty I feel. Frankly, who cares? Life's good. My career is developing steadily. I'm fitter than I've ever been. And I can take a dump without needing to close the door (I live on my own in a very spacious two bedroom apartment).

All in all, 2004 has been a real riot. It was far more challenging than 2003. But it was equally exciting, and a great learning experience. Most importantly, I had a lot of fun. All I can say is thank god for digital cameras, if not for my photogeniality (or lack thereof) whilst chemically influenced in the early hours of the morning! Thanks to my little digital camera, I have photos of most of the memorable times I had in 2004. Many of those moments would've otherwise long since been forgotten. The most challenging thing for me this year has been trying to balance genuine anger and outrage with the more destructive impulses of resentment and bitterness. I don't think I've ever felt as bitter about little things (read - office politics, females) in my life. Mind you, I've only been facing significant challenges to my value system for a relatively short period of time. I really believe that, with time, I will learn to find this experience less disorientating.

Definitely the highlight of the year was the moment in May when I sent Plan A a text message from my mobile phone, confessing my unmitigated love and affection for her. Only to be flatly rejected (complete with a sad face icon, what Microsoft marketeers would describe as an emoticon) within 30 minutes. Talk about efficiency. Not only can you purchase three square meals without lifting your arse off the couch these days, you can tell someone you love them, or don't share the feeling, without ever having to address the issue face-to-face. In hindsight, that act was the defining moment of 2004 for me. Because after that, I couldn't pretend to have any shame whatsoever. Believe me, it's an amazing feeling when you have no choice but to confront your innate stupidity because the person who 'witnessed' it works less than five metres away from you. Actually, it's not so much the 'confronting your stupidity' bit so much as the realisation that it's not a big deal to act like a total buffoon. In fact, it's very normal. Dare I say it, even healthy... sometimes.

So here we go again, back on the blog bandwagon, waving our standards as we ride head on into 2005.

- posted by syed-m @ 8:30 PM