Brain Late Night Idle Chatter... or a BLINC if you like
So I was thinking, I have a lot of questions! Not simple questions like 'what am I going to do tomorrow' or something menial like that. I have questions like "what if". And that got me thinking about phrases I use to communicate these thoughts and questions. That also led me to realise that, I have a strong feeling that I'm going to use the phrase 'So that got me wondering, what if....' a lot in the life of this Blog.
Now THAT got me thinking about a lot of other things, like how has our progress slowed down so bloody much? I'm not talking about computer progress, or improvements in cars, or building techniques. I'm thinking more about the kind of progress that inspires the entire planet. Something that truly catches the imagination of an entire generation.
Take for instance, the airplane (a topic of which I'm thoroughly versed). I highly doubt that thoughts of lucrative airlines, powerful warplanes, or money money money were in the minds of those first few aviation pioneers. They likely asked themselves, what if? What if I actually made an effort to try something new? To create a brand new THING. Not to make money, not to wage a better war, but just to do it...
In my own weird view of history, if we (as a species?) could be so inspired by something like flight without perverting it into a vehicle of violence or an extension of political will, what could we have acheived by now? Would we have already reached Mars? Jupiter's Moons? Other solar systems? Or is petty infighting, desire for power, and plain jealousy so powerful and deeply ingrained into our being that it would be impossible to have cooperation on such a massive scale? I guess I've been watching too much Star Trek. That planetary group-think "What If" is inspiring to me at least. Gene Roddenberry, you're a genious. I think we should take people with that kind of imagination and let them run the planet for a while. Smack those who need it, help those who don't, leave those alone who want to be left alone. Ah Utopia, it's a wonderful place in my mind.
More thoughts pop into my head. Thoughts about current disputes; religion, money, politics. I could ramble for hours, but I don't have hours now.
Don't BLINC or you'll miss what's going on in my head!
Now THAT got me thinking about a lot of other things, like how has our progress slowed down so bloody much? I'm not talking about computer progress, or improvements in cars, or building techniques. I'm thinking more about the kind of progress that inspires the entire planet. Something that truly catches the imagination of an entire generation.
Take for instance, the airplane (a topic of which I'm thoroughly versed). I highly doubt that thoughts of lucrative airlines, powerful warplanes, or money money money were in the minds of those first few aviation pioneers. They likely asked themselves, what if? What if I actually made an effort to try something new? To create a brand new THING. Not to make money, not to wage a better war, but just to do it...
In my own weird view of history, if we (as a species?) could be so inspired by something like flight without perverting it into a vehicle of violence or an extension of political will, what could we have acheived by now? Would we have already reached Mars? Jupiter's Moons? Other solar systems? Or is petty infighting, desire for power, and plain jealousy so powerful and deeply ingrained into our being that it would be impossible to have cooperation on such a massive scale? I guess I've been watching too much Star Trek. That planetary group-think "What If" is inspiring to me at least. Gene Roddenberry, you're a genious. I think we should take people with that kind of imagination and let them run the planet for a while. Smack those who need it, help those who don't, leave those alone who want to be left alone. Ah Utopia, it's a wonderful place in my mind.
More thoughts pop into my head. Thoughts about current disputes; religion, money, politics. I could ramble for hours, but I don't have hours now.
Don't BLINC or you'll miss what's going on in my head!
posted by Jack at 10:46 PM
4 Comments:
Jack, buddy, that's deep. I think you need to go to bed. But since I'm such a nice guy, I'll play your silly game. Cheers
yeah you're a real sweetheart Brad :p
if there was more money available for graduate programs and research programs, people could do more stuff....so don't vote for any party who wants to cut funding to graduate programs.....in other words, give me more money so i can do more research!!!
thanks for that shameless plug Craigle, I'll see you back in TO for christmas and maybe if you're nice I might buy ya a drink :p
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