AlexJ.'s blog

Ignorance is bliss, is it not? For some people it truly is. In fact, they actively avoid fact in order to live their life more innocently without worries of the harsh world. Now don't think I'm shooting down religion as being ignorant or anything like that. Contrary to half the posts of this site, that is not what this is about.

I want to know if you think that we have a responsibility to know, and seek knowledge in order to cooperate and most ably help our fellow inhabitants of this earth? My answer: Yes. It is our duty to live this life for others and commit our deeds in consideration. The person that embraces ignorance can only negatively affect others, if not directly, indirectly. Because we all know that no two events are mutually exlcusive in the scheme of things in this complex world in which we live.  Read More »

Ok so try to put this one into perspective. Jean-Paul Sartre was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1964. But, he declined saying that he always refused official honors and he didn't like being part of institutions.

I'm curious to what people think of this. Personally, I think it is a very bold and somewhat admirable move. Although it may seem a bit pompous, it is a very powerful statement nonetheless.  Read More »

I don't really understand why we hang on to phrases like "God bless you!" I have talked to very few people that actually know what it means. So, it has become some tradition that we enforce by way of social mechanisms. Because we all know that the person that doesn't say, "Bless you" is impolite.
If anyone is interested, there are a few speculations to the origin of this phrase. Here is the one that I recall: Way back in the day when they still beleived in evil spirits, people thought that when someone sneezed they were sneezing out evil spirits and therefore an accompanying person would say, "God bless you" to ensure that the spirits would leave and not re-enter the body.  Read More »