thelerner

You may be incorporating the story from the fictional movie The Matrix. Quote "You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes." It's a fictional movie in the Hero's Journey mode, full of Eastern archetypes and modern paranoias, created by the Wachowsky Brothers to entertain and sell tickets. On that level its a good movie, better then its sequels, imo. Key to point out it is fiction, not something to base your life on.

The Van Allen belt was a big concern, that's why we (& Russia) sent up animals for testing. It occurs to me that we'll never see a map from the Flat Earthers. Pictures, yes, but a real map that has a distance legend in it saying how many (100's of) miles per inch . I don't think it exists or ever will. The simple fact is there picture of flat earth distorts the south half. The distance between say Peru and say Australia is too far. Southern land masses and oceans are distorted. Too much ocean below and the Antarctic has coast thats circles the entire globe, waay too big. Please let me know if I'm wrong. Is there a flat earth map that is detailed and has a distance Legend? Mankind has learned so much about our universe. The sad thing is flat earthers are stuck at 'the sun is a giant spot light' whereas scientists have answered the age and make up and physics of the sun decades ago and moving on to understand the size, make up and complexity of our universe, using all the tools that various branches of science offers. There are wondrous projects going on that delve deeply into seeing and explaining our complex universe. New questions and cutting edge answers are being found. Can you even ask 'what is the sun made of?' in flat earth theory or what is the nearest star, what is it like? Do they even comprehend some of our 'stars' are actually galaxies? No they're trapped in a view that's 1,000 year past. That's bad because it can be a dangerous universe. There are asteroids that can destroy us. We've studied them, are tracking them, even landed a probe one. Such study can literally save all life on earth, eventually. That spotlight called the Sun, it goes through long cycles, some of which spit out million mile flaress that can knock out our electronics, putting our tech back to the late 1800's. That would mean death and starvation for millions. Such a flare missed us by two weeks a year ago. Thankfully we are studying the sun, have specific satellite probes measuring and hopefully will find ways to anticipate and protect our civilization from them. To dismiss NASA and modern science as a hoax is dangerous. The proper use of the scientific method creates an environment for growth, better understanding and the wonders we take for granted like air travel, the computer we're using now, and the internet.

What some people are suggesting is, it's possible there are coincidences that you are seeing as plot against you. I'm spit balling here, but If you're not on a list (real or mistaken) as 'Islamist', Chinese or Russian spy and have no criminal record, odds are no one would consider you worth tracking, much less take active revenge against you. That's because you fall into the group of the 'rest of us' which contains 10's of millions of people who are simply not worth, ie too boring to actively track.

Actually make that a week add on> and make that Monastic rules, not order, other then in a possibly entertaining mythic sense. I was thinking of how I'd create a monastic order of my own design. The rules and regulations.. When they (I'd) get up, what would be eaten, what meditations and prayers done. What the belief system would be. Create it and live in it for a week. Some members here are already pretty monkly. I admire the discipline inherent in the monastic life; I could read about it all day. Yet that is the discipline, the life hack that would do me some good. I just signed up for 6 course craft beer dinner (it benefits charity), very decadent, feeding a very animalistic side of myself. I could use a week to counter balance it. Strictness, simplicity, discipline, spirituality. I'll use this thread to write down some ideas of Monastery ala Michael (Humanist Divinity Order). I'm hoping others will write down some thoughts and ideas too. What kind of monkish order, schedules and disciplines they think would make it a worth while week.

Random Zafu thoughts.. I'd like to find a wooden zafu.. or have one made. Maybe with a little leather on the seat, or cotton. FWIW I prefer crescent shaped zafu's. I used to have a nice wooden seiza bench. A few days ago I found a nice spot to meditate. Sitting on a low tree stump by running water. Felt very nice. I just searched amazon. Nobody seems to sell wooden zafu's. I suppose I could keep my eye out for a nice flattish log.

it's usually the guy..

I would agree with this. Some might be beggars, others work. Living simply and cheaply, finding part time jobs that gets them enough to get by. Or not, they have real jobs in professions and do heavy duty study and meditation in the other 16 hours. On the third hand getting a job teaching or working in a career where meditation and/or esoteric arts are the basis. There is also working hard, saving, having a family and at 50 or so, retiring and living out ones vision after the familial and societal responsibilities are over.

Interestingly enough, the link in the OP says this: "Mirkin says it is okay to apply ice for pain relief immediately after the injury occurs, but for short periods only. He suggests icing for 10 minutes, removing the ice for 20 minutes, and repeating the process once or twice, but stresses that there is no reason to continue icing more than six hours after injury. " It is against total rest, saying some movement, even light exercise is good to keep blood flowing. I think there's been a switch away from bed rest paradigm to get moving and back to exercising (responsibly) in order to heal faster.

During my 13 years in Aikdo, my 'style' was called many things, some of which I can't print here. Seriously I developed some moves I considered Penquin style. Literally keeping my elbows close to my body and using short turning footwork. Probably more of a training tool then anything else. When looking for a humorous photo I found others who'd discovered the penquin aikido meme. Since we dressed like them, ate like them, why not go full Penquin? My Sensei John Eley would have at times brilliant classes based on limitations. In one memorable class a member said early on he couldn't use his left arm due to an injury. For the entire class nobody could use there left arm. Techniques were modified and in some ways made smoother. Similarly for upper level classes John would say, I don't want to see any technique. Leaving us to defend with pure body movement. Are we likely to see such technique in MMA's. No, but within the context of the larger bigger attacks generally done in Aikido (think tradition Karateish) they worked. And for smaller more realistic attacks shorter tighter techniques were used. When the going gets tough, and the environment itself is a killer, only the Penquin style can survive.

Just what I thought a decadent Westerner would say . Yet essentially correct. Its about setting up a highly controlled and scheduled environment for a week.

hmmm, the videos reminds me of a huge wide plumb of exhaust. In some shots being lit up by the sun, in others, being lit blush and defuse by the vehicle itself. Hopefully aliens would be beyond polluting trails. This is purely speculation but we've been hearing reports of a new type of paradigm shifting engine powerful enough to be used in space flight. I assume the air force is a few years ahead of the usual technology curve. This could be related to that or something similar. A weird wide exhaust experimental craft. maybe.. If it aliens, then fuck them. Just land and send a freaking message. Believe after decades of watching pop culture films most of the world would be more curious then anything else. Just admit that you come in peace, are just here to see if the latest Star Wars is any good, then you're taking off, mission accomplished.

For what its worth.. The quote was written in German, so English doesn't capture the full nuances. Nor does the shortened version, since the quote is actually balancing his more common view, ie it comes after the phrase 'On the other hand'. Imo, Einstein's thought is best reflected by reading the full section of the letter. (from http://quoteinvestigator.com/2011/12/16/spirit-manifest/)- The full quote is as follows: “Scientific research is based on the assumption that all events, including the actions of mankind, are determined by the laws of nature. Therefore, a research scientist will hardly be inclined to believe that events could be influenced by a prayer, that is, by a wish addressed to a supernatural Being. However, we have to admit that our actual knowledge of these laws is only an incomplete piece of work (unvollkommenes Stückwerk), so that ultimately the belief in the existence of fundamental all-embracing laws also rests on a sort of faith. All the same, this faith has been largely justified by the success of science. On the other hand, however, every one who is seriously engaged in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that the laws of nature manifest the existence of a spirit vastly superior to that of men, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble. The pursuit of science leads therefore to a religious feeling of a special kind, which differs essentially from the religiosity of more naive people. With friendly greetings, your Albert Einstein.” -translation from Jesse M.

Where are you getting your information? You realize you can access this forum now. There is a 10 post per day limit the first week to protect against spammers.

From the article you mention, it seems like 3 people actually shot at him, so from individual points of view, its not so clear cut.

Peppers, my favorite are giant size jalapenos. They're big, firm and not as hot as normal size so they're very flexible. I'll also buy a couple of various medium heat peppers. Brussel Sprouts also look cool, very round and with distinct levels, like a tall circular parking lot. I don't want to give up the space for them, but I like the look and taste of asparagus, but they take up alot of room and need a year or two before they mature.

Thank goodness, I was afraid it was going to be Putin .

Usually I create compost full of leaves and coffee grounds way earlier, but this year its been so warm most trees are just beginning to shed. So instead of my usual scooping up leaves a month earlier and mixing them with grass and coffee grounds, today I some what half assed, shoveled a layer of leaves on my 2 small gardens (wish there was more grass mixed in), put a layer of coffee grounds on top (thank you Starbucks) and had some left over bagged dirt that I put spread over that and watered it down. Probably not the best compost plan, but it'll have to do. In the Midwest its very important to cover up the garden if you can. Protects it from the harsh winter sun that dries and sterilizes the topmost layer, insulates the soil from the frost and slowly becomes compost over winter and early spring. I grow a gazpacho garden. Tomatoes (mostly cherry sized), cucumbers, various peppers. Last year had great success with brussel sprouts but couldn't find any this year.

Not my cup of tea guys. Maybe I'm provincial but let the dead and there parts rest in peace.

Main stream Catholicism can appear pretty ghoulish in there love of saint body parts. I'm surprised they don't pass out vampire teeth with the wafers and wine. back to OP: As far as crazy unsubstantiated gossipy rumors go- I rank this closer to highly doubtful then 'Don't Know'.

I've got better things to waste my jing on I tend to take these things in a case by case basis and I'm comfortable in Don't Know territory. You shouldn't close your mind, looks can be deceiving but the greater the claim the more definitive proof needed. And when things drop you straight into a advertisement then I tend to be even more skeptical. I also think some 'frauds' are infact high level people. Its just the things they can do, the healing the gi gung is not very impressive on video, so they romanticize the art with a little trickery and put it on film. Yet they are legitimate masters, its just the West is polluted by stereotypes and special effects.

From the article in the OP it seems like a proposed bill. Probably good to keep an eye on it, who votes on it, as well as the exact details. One could, if one cares, take action and write letters to those who are voting for the measure. I listened to a talk from a state senator. She didn't read all her mail, but her interns did, kept stats on how much and what it was for and against, as well as giving her the best written to read and respond to. I know there is cynicism but writing legislatures and newspapers letters against such legislation does have power. Your letter may not be published but if there are many of them, someones will. Frankly I'm less worried about the government then key loggers finding out information. Still, if you're concerned take action, get out of the virtual world and write an actual letter. I think the U.S the pendulum is swinging the other way. Both political parties are taking offense at earlier security measures after 9/11 and we're seeing some reversals.

For decades Russia cooked the books in Science (and art too); you went along with the official line or you got chopped. Staggeringly brilliant physicists literally died of starvation and deprivation there. During the Cultural Revolution Chinese scientists had it even worse, by definition they were elites to be sent to re-education camps. Today in the West peer reviewed science is the gold standard. Doesn't mean they get the money, but things are looked at by there peers. I don't think in the most of the world science is as 'Our way or you disappear' that you suggest. Though if you get too radical you may lose funding. Even there the internet is great equalizer. Yet there is the danger of watering down real science with pseudo science. That worries me more then radical scientists getting 'disappeared' by secret government forces, cause those guys may lose funding but that's about it, at least lately. I do feel lucky. I am privileged and happy to live in a place with great freedoms. I appreciate that historically this has not been so. Insulting the government and corporations is so common its ignored. Matter of fact its complimenting them that brings attention.

I like my Lucid dreaming info with a heavy dose of the esoteric. Still there are many 'straight' scientific resources. A good one is http://school.obe4u.com/ Free book downloads too. Go deep enough (I have not) and you may need advice of ye olde masters.

Glad this thread exists. While it hasn't changed my opinion its gotten me to learn much more about many things. I'm amazed at how many things we've landed and/or crashed on the moon >75! The history and geography of Antarctica, the history of nearest inhabited island to it and why its been successful in a very harsh climate with very few people. Totally fascinating. Its a microcosm and little things like how it gets its internet has answers to the OP's question and how it manages it tiny economy is like a lab for great economic issues. Varying researches have taken me in a dozen or more directions. Yet that is also the weakness of flat earthers. For most (imo) the passion, even obsession has religious roots. They start w/ it's (sphere) against the bible. From there they willfully ignore over 2,000 years of evidence from virtually every scientific field. Rationalizing away modern science and research. This is dangerous because in a world where they ruled, science might stop. Nearly every trained scientist in a dozen fields ends up being part of a conspiracy theory. It'd be like the China's Cultural Revolution. Science books would have to be destroyed. Science classes closely monitored. Geologist, astronomers, physicists, engineers, 99% of all science teachers would be stifled at best, imprisoned at worst. As GPS systems failed and weather and TV satellite went blank we'd be left with the confident answer 'That's the way god wants it.' The news this week is the Antarctic is gaining ice faster then models predicted. http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/03/world/antarctica-ice-gain/ That is the way of science. For a flat earther this is crazy propaganda with a dozen things wrong with it. By there reckoning no real map of it exists, there are no real scientists there, no one is measuring anything except the Elites. No data gotten can have any relevance because its got to be faked because Antarctica isn't an Island/continent but it surrounds the world like a pizza crust extending to the ends of our very small, very young universe. 31.5 miles from where I live is Zion Illinois, home to the last 'great' bastion of Flat Earth philosophy http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/when-zion-ruled-the-waves/Content?oid=908752. It was run like a theocracy and the became increasingly full of crazy and more then its share of hypocrisy. Regular society ain't so sane to begin with, but once pseudo science grows the dangerously crazy quotient gets increasingly higher and peoples lives and ability to reason suffer.

Hmmn, shades of Shelley's Ozymandias. For all our dreams of glory, all our supposed attainments, we pass and they are wiped away usually sooner then later. Living well, finding the sweet spots in life (however you define them) may be all we have. and perhaps one or two living legacies we pass on.