I was recently curious as to the rate of followers I was getting on twitter so I registered on a site that would deliver some data to me for my own use. I would receive an update about three times a day, indicating how many people I follow, how many follow me, who recently followed or unfollowed me.
I will be honest, at first, I was curious as to why people would follow me or unfollow me and I watched with anticipation as the number increased. At times, I would find myself tweeting statements I knew to be lightening rods of attention so I could artificially affect my 'numbers'.
Things begin to change when individuals who I had interacted with unfollowed me. It would be incorrect for me to say that it had no effect on me. What did I do? Am I at fault? Did I say something stupid? I questioned this same thing in regardes to being defriended in Facebook.
Not that this affected my personal self esteem but I realized I am secure with you I am and it really didn't matter. However, are there people out there that who follows/friends them carries significant weight or importance? Is their daily value determined by some number?
I hope that if it is occuring, that it is the exception and not the rule. As individuals, we add more to the equation by being honest to ourselves and others about who we are and what we believe in. Only by sharing this basic truth can we move forward together as humanity.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
5-4 Say: Freedom of speech, but Money Talks
Aside from being caricatured as a gun waving Uncle Yosemite Sam, there are other reasons American politics are watched closely all across the world. Specifically, the world is interested in the decision makers. While pundits and the public debate if the health of American citizens is worth the cost, the Supreme Court of the United States is protecting the rights of corporations. In a landmark decision, corporate campaign contributions have become synonymous with the freedom of speech. While corporations celebrate finally getting a voice in American politics, the rest of the voices, including American citizens, has been drowned out.
Before the 5-4 SCOTUS decision, corporations already had a voice. They told the government "we need money" and got a bailout. Now the citizens are saying "we need money." In accordance to the American way, the appropriate response is "get a job", so citizens told the government "we need jobs." Washington's official response was: "Let us talk to the corporations and get right back to you."
Sorry American people, your money has already been allocated. And since there is no profit in free healthcare, curing diseases, or any of that other save the earth junk, there is no company doing it. Save the earth junk has no corporate sponsors, no corporate dollars, no well funded lobbyist.
Meanwhile, Bill and Melinda Gates, American Citizens, want to do some good, and donated the largest amount of money ever to fight a number of diseases, including AIDS. If only an American voice, like the voices politicians listen to, had called out on behalf of ending disease, or some other hippie shit wealthy people have time to care about. Ten billion dollars- that's $10,000,000,000 -could have went into the American economy. Now Switzerland is once again pocketing funds from what in America would be considered a non-profit organization. The new conventional wisdom says that Gates' money may have been better served starting a corporation here, whose business was curing disease. With no staff or overhead, all funds could have been split among left and right wing politicians, and the whole US government would have been on board. It's apparent that in this land, corporate decisions will reign supreme.
Before the 5-4 SCOTUS decision, corporations already had a voice. They told the government "we need money" and got a bailout. Now the citizens are saying "we need money." In accordance to the American way, the appropriate response is "get a job", so citizens told the government "we need jobs." Washington's official response was: "Let us talk to the corporations and get right back to you."
Sorry American people, your money has already been allocated. And since there is no profit in free healthcare, curing diseases, or any of that other save the earth junk, there is no company doing it. Save the earth junk has no corporate sponsors, no corporate dollars, no well funded lobbyist.
Meanwhile, Bill and Melinda Gates, American Citizens, want to do some good, and donated the largest amount of money ever to fight a number of diseases, including AIDS. If only an American voice, like the voices politicians listen to, had called out on behalf of ending disease, or some other hippie shit wealthy people have time to care about. Ten billion dollars- that's $10,000,000,000 -could have went into the American economy. Now Switzerland is once again pocketing funds from what in America would be considered a non-profit organization. The new conventional wisdom says that Gates' money may have been better served starting a corporation here, whose business was curing disease. With no staff or overhead, all funds could have been split among left and right wing politicians, and the whole US government would have been on board. It's apparent that in this land, corporate decisions will reign supreme.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Building bridges and partnerships
I often say that I want to build bridges and partnership to move humanity forward. With Scott Brown's recent senate victory in Massachusetts, I really have pondered what building bridges and forming partnerships really means.
I consider myself very active on the social spectrum, Facebook, Twitter, and others that are out there. I like to engage those who have an alternative viewpoint and hopefully come to an understanding which enables us to move forward.
Until recently, I thought that this was enough, that maybe if I can change one or two opinions then I have added some type of value to the human community as a whole.
This is not enough. I look at those individuals who have put everything on hold and have gone to Haiti to help. I look at the people of Haiti who survive 5, 10, 12 days of under rubble with nothing but their spirit to keep them going.
I look around at the mobile medical clinic here in Long Beach, CA that helps those less fortunate with medical care.
I see individuals helping stray animals, feral cats, and animals discarded because their owners simply did not want them anymore.
I have come to realize that no amount of social networking, websites, texts, or partnerships formed from my desktop can replace, for lack of a better phrase, good old human elbow grease.
As I you read this, take a look at yourself, are you truly making a difference? I know I am not and that is about to change.
I consider myself very active on the social spectrum, Facebook, Twitter, and others that are out there. I like to engage those who have an alternative viewpoint and hopefully come to an understanding which enables us to move forward.
Until recently, I thought that this was enough, that maybe if I can change one or two opinions then I have added some type of value to the human community as a whole.
This is not enough. I look at those individuals who have put everything on hold and have gone to Haiti to help. I look at the people of Haiti who survive 5, 10, 12 days of under rubble with nothing but their spirit to keep them going.
I look around at the mobile medical clinic here in Long Beach, CA that helps those less fortunate with medical care.
I see individuals helping stray animals, feral cats, and animals discarded because their owners simply did not want them anymore.
I have come to realize that no amount of social networking, websites, texts, or partnerships formed from my desktop can replace, for lack of a better phrase, good old human elbow grease.
As I you read this, take a look at yourself, are you truly making a difference? I know I am not and that is about to change.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Cap & Aid
The citizens of America need to hold their leaders responsible- their corporate leaders.
We decided to name our system of elected leaders- also know as a republic -"Democracy", and based the monetary system around what ends up a capitalistic model. In that sense, why do you return to a communist or socialist model when it comes to aid? If the Government is too corrupt or incapable of handling vital industries*, or such would be a dreadful state of oppression/Russia, why do we look at the Government when it is time to for aid? The government has planes, but not line American Airlines. Food and supplies, but not like Wal-Mart. Money, but not like Goldman Sachs. Every dollar the government spends comes from the people, and our common humanity awakens and opens individual pockets to provide assistance, but where do the providers of the goods and services fit in? Don't we rely on the 'free market' to satisfy our needs? Put the average citizen in charge of Haiti relief funds, and the will go to Wal Mart. You can get food, water, blankets, clothes, tents- every thing you need. One-stop disaster relief shopping. Except we're not shopping- we're asking for donations. I know these donations are not going to the hands of Haitians- those hands don't need a fistful of cash, they need food and water. Instead of waiting for a collection plate to fill and turning it into water, why not just ask the fuckers with the water for some water? (Hey Ozarka/Dasani/Avian, can Haiti have some water? I've seen you deliver.) McDonald's has made a handsome living feeding poor Americans, can Haiti have a bite? KFC, if ever anyone needed a free chicken coupon, it is them and now.
Somehow corporations have enjoyed the benefits of human freedom as defined by the 14th amendment, but none of the responsibilities. Every since Scrooge was forced into giving away money on Christmas day, even buying an expensive turkey, owners of corporations have been careful in keeping their faces from being associated with their brand. Had the Ghost of Christmas' Future showed Scrooge today, the image if being asked to contribute to Haitian relief funds would scare him straight- no third ghost needed. How do you apply large scale humanity when profit is the bottom line? If the government should not regulate in a capitalist society, should the people?
*The government provides education, retirement, insurance against bank promises, and health care for vulnerable persons, such as the elderly or pregnant.
We decided to name our system of elected leaders- also know as a republic -"Democracy", and based the monetary system around what ends up a capitalistic model. In that sense, why do you return to a communist or socialist model when it comes to aid? If the Government is too corrupt or incapable of handling vital industries*, or such would be a dreadful state of oppression/Russia, why do we look at the Government when it is time to for aid? The government has planes, but not line American Airlines. Food and supplies, but not like Wal-Mart. Money, but not like Goldman Sachs. Every dollar the government spends comes from the people, and our common humanity awakens and opens individual pockets to provide assistance, but where do the providers of the goods and services fit in? Don't we rely on the 'free market' to satisfy our needs? Put the average citizen in charge of Haiti relief funds, and the will go to Wal Mart. You can get food, water, blankets, clothes, tents- every thing you need. One-stop disaster relief shopping. Except we're not shopping- we're asking for donations. I know these donations are not going to the hands of Haitians- those hands don't need a fistful of cash, they need food and water. Instead of waiting for a collection plate to fill and turning it into water, why not just ask the fuckers with the water for some water? (Hey Ozarka/Dasani/Avian, can Haiti have some water? I've seen you deliver.) McDonald's has made a handsome living feeding poor Americans, can Haiti have a bite? KFC, if ever anyone needed a free chicken coupon, it is them and now.
Somehow corporations have enjoyed the benefits of human freedom as defined by the 14th amendment, but none of the responsibilities. Every since Scrooge was forced into giving away money on Christmas day, even buying an expensive turkey, owners of corporations have been careful in keeping their faces from being associated with their brand. Had the Ghost of Christmas' Future showed Scrooge today, the image if being asked to contribute to Haitian relief funds would scare him straight- no third ghost needed. How do you apply large scale humanity when profit is the bottom line? If the government should not regulate in a capitalist society, should the people?
*The government provides education, retirement, insurance against bank promises, and health care for vulnerable persons, such as the elderly or pregnant.
Six Minutes: Doomsday Fresh, You're On
In the year 1945, the Manhattan Project had been completed, along with the first nuclear bomb. Scientist, realizing the scope of what they had done, also created the Doomsday Clock- a symbol of our proximity to self destruction via nuclear annihilation. I suspect as Hydrogen bombs start trending, so will mini, digital doomsday clocks. In fact, there may already be an app for that.
Only adjusted eighteen times since inception, scientist have moved it back in time- counter clockwise. Six minutes to midnight, they say.
Yet the clock is symbolic- based more on subjective observation of political events than calculations and formulas. The closest it has been to midnight is two minutes- during the cold war when both the US and Russia stepped up testing of thermonuclear devices. The furthest was seventeen- in the early nineties after the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. At the risk of sounding like a Fox news evangelist, science has failed us.
Nuclear bombs are real science- real hypothesis, real calculations, real Hiroshimas. The Doomsday Clock, though produced from the same group of scientist, is not scientific. The gesture would have been more appropriate as a doomsday-o-meter. The purpose of the device is to monitor our proximity to doomsday, so there is hope in its failures. A clock implies our doom is only a matter of time- arguable, but not according to the device in question. Not when we were two minutes from doom in 1960 and six minutes til in 2010. There are certain aspects- such as hope -that science is not equipped to measure. Human concepts, like Justice, Goodness, and Hope, are beyond the reach of scientific tools. No tools in the lab can help gauge hope, so we make due with symbolism to help grasp the reality. As much as it is a scientific failure, the doomsday clock fully serves it's purpose as a symbol. Man invented the tools of their destruction. Man also guides the hands of the doomsday clock- moving it forward or backward according to his will. That's good enough for me- we don't have to sit back and watch the clock tick towards our destruction. We can change, even if only symbolic.
Only adjusted eighteen times since inception, scientist have moved it back in time- counter clockwise. Six minutes to midnight, they say.
Yet the clock is symbolic- based more on subjective observation of political events than calculations and formulas. The closest it has been to midnight is two minutes- during the cold war when both the US and Russia stepped up testing of thermonuclear devices. The furthest was seventeen- in the early nineties after the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. At the risk of sounding like a Fox news evangelist, science has failed us.
Nuclear bombs are real science- real hypothesis, real calculations, real Hiroshimas. The Doomsday Clock, though produced from the same group of scientist, is not scientific. The gesture would have been more appropriate as a doomsday-o-meter. The purpose of the device is to monitor our proximity to doomsday, so there is hope in its failures. A clock implies our doom is only a matter of time- arguable, but not according to the device in question. Not when we were two minutes from doom in 1960 and six minutes til in 2010. There are certain aspects- such as hope -that science is not equipped to measure. Human concepts, like Justice, Goodness, and Hope, are beyond the reach of scientific tools. No tools in the lab can help gauge hope, so we make due with symbolism to help grasp the reality. As much as it is a scientific failure, the doomsday clock fully serves it's purpose as a symbol. Man invented the tools of their destruction. Man also guides the hands of the doomsday clock- moving it forward or backward according to his will. That's good enough for me- we don't have to sit back and watch the clock tick towards our destruction. We can change, even if only symbolic.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
What color am I today?
The deepest, darkest blue,
like the border of light's end
down where the ocean really begins.
What color am I today?
I'm gray, as Haitian hands digging
through gravel
and rocks
once walls of a school.
Today I am black
like the souls and the holes
in the universe who absorb
every color of light the spectrum can offer.
-J. K. Robinson
Through corporate logic, red tape, shock jocks, monetary values, legal process, trade embargoes, color lines, and diplomatic relationships, humanity has prevailed as the dominant response to the ineffable disaster in Haiti. In the face if disaster, we find out what humanity is really all about. Profit is the bottom line in business- hence the nickname -but desire to help Haiti does not stem from profit. Politicians didn't simultaneously tell their constituents to flood instant donations, even via text message. Religious didn't lack desire to assist because their national faiths didn't match up. No law needed to be passed before aid was sent. In the face of tragedy, humanity is awakened through the sleepy haze of lesser divisions. Condolences, Haiti.
The deepest, darkest blue,
like the border of light's end
down where the ocean really begins.
What color am I today?
I'm gray, as Haitian hands digging
through gravel
and rocks
once walls of a school.
Today I am black
like the souls and the holes
in the universe who absorb
every color of light the spectrum can offer.
-J. K. Robinson
Through corporate logic, red tape, shock jocks, monetary values, legal process, trade embargoes, color lines, and diplomatic relationships, humanity has prevailed as the dominant response to the ineffable disaster in Haiti. In the face if disaster, we find out what humanity is really all about. Profit is the bottom line in business- hence the nickname -but desire to help Haiti does not stem from profit. Politicians didn't simultaneously tell their constituents to flood instant donations, even via text message. Religious didn't lack desire to assist because their national faiths didn't match up. No law needed to be passed before aid was sent. In the face of tragedy, humanity is awakened through the sleepy haze of lesser divisions. Condolences, Haiti.
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