| Pop goes the Lj cherry |
[May. 27th, 2006|03:13 pm] |
That's a mental image right there. You were all bugging me and here it is. Even though it's somewhat limited for acknowledged reasons, I was thinking about it today; more specifically, how much I missed taking part in various debates and conversations. And that's probably all that I can contribute at this point in time. Because there isn't really all that much to write about otherwise. So, for your pestering, you're going to have to read various thoughts of mine, mostly to do with uni. And talking about these sorts of things usually will help me clarify and understand the topics more. On a sidenote, I can't believe how many moods there are. How many do people need? Mine would fluctuate between about...five. Tired, down, happy, angry and worried. Or maybe I'll just stick to indescribable and pretend to be all aloof and superior. Yeah...don't even bother trying to associate with me, I'm WAY above your level of understanding.
Last night was pretty cool, as usual, apart from the slight awkwardness at the end. It really is the highlight of my week and gives me something to look forward to. And I know it's lame and all, but I just wanna thank you all for making it that way. I really wish I could do something about work beforehand, but that looks pretty set in stone until the end of the financial year, at least. Might be able to change my roster with second semester uni. Have to wait and see.
Anyway, I've got my first proper post relatively sorted...something I found to be rather interesting and worth sharing when I happened upon it. Have to head off to work now, which gives me four and a half hours to mull over things even further. So, until then, FP out.
Laaaaaame... |
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| First Proper One; Those discouraged by religion |
[May. 27th, 2006|08:23 pm] |
One of the most surprisingly worthwhile things I've done at uni so far is my Aboriginal Perspectives on the Environment unit. Before you groan and slump (As I did, when I discovered I had to do this unit), read this out; it's well worth it. With the current debacle over the sexual assault in the Northern Territory Aboriginal Communities, it's easy to become skeptical and cynical. Which is rather sad, because at the end of it all; this unit has shown me an incredible amount of things I would never have known; and most other people wouldn't know of either. Depressingly, I think the Aboriginal youth fall into that category.
I'm not gunna go off and preach over the wrongs that have been committed to them in the past...because they happened in the past. I don't approve of what we did, and I do feel regret and sorrow for some of the actions committed, but I think there's a time to move on for everyone. And that moving on doesn't come by haranguing politicians. I think the only way we can move on is by respecting and learning about the others' culture. But I digress.
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The widely held view of The Dreamtime (Called The Dreaming from here onwards) is almost...ridiculous. Usual connotations conjure up silly images of impossibly large animals making their mark at random upon the landscape at some point in the past. As this spreads around; it's easy to see why people comment upon it with derision and disbelief. This is wrong in two respects.
First of all, The Dreaming was not a time in the past. The Dreaming is the past, present and future. It is ongoing and a process that is balancing and self sustaining. The land is constantly changing; being created, destroyed and changed; whether by human forces or not. It helps to think of The Dreaming as a belief system rather than a religion or 'creation' story, as they are usually seen. Essentially, the process behind it is remarkably similar to James Lovelock's Gaia Theory (Not the Gaia Hypothesis, as it cannot be tested and briefly; the theory that the Earth is a self-regulating system that will always balance itself out, or try to; not the "Earth is a sentient being" crap).
The most interesting out of all of this is the actual 'logic' behind it. Basically, everything in the world is self-governing; autonomous. The goal of every organism to reproduce itself and maintain the balance and integrity of the system around it. As a whole; the system's (Ecosystem/community) main goal is to keep itself stable. But significantly, there is no overhead 'figure' guarding over this. There is no one deity in which to worship; such as in Western Religions. And this is why it's hard for 'us' to understand and define as an actual religion. And it was this that really sparked my interest.
There are smaller 'Gods', but they do not have rule and power over other organisms. And they are fallible. Instead; every organism is responsible for its own action and survival. It's within the organism's own interest to survive; and thus, its actions should try and enhance this. Up until widespread extinction by human activity; every organism that survived had governed itself rationally and responsibly; ensuring its presence in the world. Any organism that dies out has not acted within its best interests and thus; not ensured its survival. Without external interference, this is a remarkably complicated concept for a stone-age race to come up with.
But the part I really like is that there is no concept of sacred and profain. No heaven or hell; right or wrong. Not saying that there's no spirituality; far from it, but there is no reward or punishment for one's actions. It is believed that life itself...is the reward. And it is the responsibility of the individual bestowed upon with life to act responsibly and basically be a 'good' person.
I don't know about anyone else, but I really like this idea. I find myself yearning at times, to believe in something. But namely; I don't like the idea of abiding by a set of rules written thousands of years ago that have absolutely no leeway for the modern individual and society. And the lack of individual power and responsibility. It's too binding and selfless. For myself; it appears that the most modern and desirable belief system has been in our own backyard for tens of thousands of years. |
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| In this business, we call it retirony.... |
[May. 27th, 2006|09:48 pm] |
Just sitting down to a hastily prepared dinner. I'm tired and exhausted from work; so get off my back. A microwaved burger and burger flavoured shapes. Obviously, there's not enough burger in my life.
And only four days 'til Half Life Two: Episode One, if my memory serves correctly. Can't wait. Of course, it has to ship amongst assignment and exam time, doesn't it? Liberty City Stories is also supposed to be coming to PS2 (FINALLY) on June the sixth. Somehow gotta scrounge money for that too. My car is to my money what death is to living. |
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fennec_phaux's journal
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