Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Dec 7, 2023 10:39:21 GMT -8
I couldn't agree more. I try in my own way to stay curious and to do creative things. Programming. Reading. Watching YouTube videos about the movement of electrons in a wire. It's a wide and amazing world out there. One thing I was taught years ago, and never learned, is not to measure yourself against others. As soon as you pick up that measuring stick, you are doomed. And I, frankly, can't put it down. I see people doing things that I'd like to do, and that I can't do, and that measuring stick clobbers me on the head. I can't put it down. Yes, we males, in particular, are competitive. But somehow if we can be contented, or more contented, we're better off. Learn to live with what we can do, not what we can't do. All this sounds like bland fortune-cookie pop-psy wisdom but I think it's universally true. Why are most people unhappy? It's because their inner expectations don't meet the outer world. If we can lay aside those expectations, within reason, we are better off. A little inspiration and competition is fine. It's not always wrong to be jolted out of a comfort zone. But when that becomes a habit, when it becomes chronic, it leads to unhappiness and worse. Why do people take their lives (apart from medical issues)? You look at any person who does and chances are that he or she lives in a good neighborhood, has a reasonable job, and lives in the midst of a culture that offers abundant material goods. And yet many feel that their lives fall so far short that they decide to end it all. You'd just like to intervene and say, "Hey, buddy. Nearly everthing you see out there is a lie. They're not happy. They're stuggling just like you and me. Don't buy into the image. It's all fake." Why else is there this "transgender" fad? Granted, there are many reasons for it than just people being unhappy with themselves. But certainly I would think that aspect is a at least a majority part of it. And that is exactly the problem with so-called "social" media. That has taken the instinct to compare yourself with others and magnified it. Movies, television shows, and advertising all show an impossible and unrealistic world of power, success, and happiness that one can't possibly be expected to achieve. But subconsciously, I don't think that most people see it as a fanciful unrealistic world. They see a world that is a hell of a lot better than their own and then they get depressed. |
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Post by kungfuzu on Dec 7, 2023 11:04:34 GMT -8
One of Kung's first maxims was formulated when Kung was 18 or 19 years old.
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Dec 8, 2023 10:44:45 GMT -8
So it was you who ushered in the era of the "Transgender." Oh, the scandal.
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Post by kungfuzu on Dec 8, 2023 10:52:14 GMT -8
Oh the humanity! The first belly laugh I have had in a while.  |
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Dec 8, 2023 15:24:39 GMT -8
I'm happy to be at your service, Mr. Flu. They always said, "In America you can grow up to be anything you want." I think the Kungian Rule would take note of the "growing up" part of that equation. Because the "growing up" part is crucial to "learning to live with it if you can't change it."
At Kung, Artler, and Nelson, we are available to further articulate and explain the nuances of every rule. Rules are good and necessary, but they are not meant to be exploited and used as rationalizations for aberrant behavior.
That is, when the rule was written, it was not meant as a green-light for cutting off your breasts and injecting yourself with testosterone. We were thinking more along the lines, "If you want to be an astronaugt, study hard, get good grades, stay motivated, and the sky is the limit."
But do grow the hell up first, please. Having rotten parents can't be an excuse forever. Nor can blaming whitey. Or blaming Republicans, straight men, the Constitution, America, slavery, colonialism, the letter "H," or any other cockamamie excuses they use to be a moocher.
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Post by kungfuzu on Dec 8, 2023 15:42:12 GMT -8
Too true. I think the second line of my maxim is as, or even more, important than the first.
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Dec 9, 2023 8:36:50 GMT -8
 I didn't have a collection of this type of toy. But these were certainly big in the sixties...probably particularly among the age group just a few years older than I was. But these kinds of toys were ubiquitous. They were inspired by the Space Age and obviously were cheap to produce. My Uncle has (had) a nice collection of old metal toys from the 20's and 30's. These toys were built like the proverbial tank. The metal was thick. They are really something. I wonder if my cousin has sold them all on eBay by now or if he kept a few. |
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Dec 9, 2023 9:32:08 GMT -8
There was Ford vs. Chevy. And then Republican vs. Democrat. The Hatfields and McCoys. But hovering over them all is that vast divide between Hot Wheels and Matchbox.   Matchbox tended to be more workman, everyday, realistic vehicles while Hot Wheels were more racy, decorated (decalled), and fanciful. But there was a place for both...perhaps even more so for Matchbox because they cost less. It says 55 cents on that Matchbox display piece and I've found $1.99 for a Hot Wheels cars in 1970. From taking a look at the web, there is still a vibrant collector's market. But we just played with them as kids. My younger brother was the Hot Wheels/Matchbox enthusiast and still has a pretty good collection. |
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Post by artraveler on Dec 9, 2023 16:39:44 GMT -8
Might want to check the manufacturer on that tank. It bears a suspicious resemblance to the WW II Russian T-34.
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Dec 10, 2023 9:58:15 GMT -8
I never had anything like this, but you gotta love it:  I did, however, have this. And I caused more than a bit of mischief with it. One time I set it off (or something like this...it might have had a pull-cord for more power) inside our family room. It had a sort of powdered texture on the ceiling. This thing shaved the ceiling and sent little white plaster balls everywhere. My brother and I spent a lot of time cleaning it up to make it look as if nothing happened and so all's well that ends well. But it was also funny as hell.  We had these as well although the bubbles never lasted for long. But it was pretty cool as a concept:  Never had this one either. But they are just amazing designs. That human face in there is more than a little creepy. A cornucopia of others of the type.  Is this another toy build by the Communists? Does it look a little like a MIG?  I don't know what country inspired this, but I like it:  |
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Dec 10, 2023 10:12:44 GMT -8
Toys such as this were a mainstay, Christmas or otherwise:  I vaguely remember this one. But I don't know if I had it or maybe one of my brothers did:  This one is just too funny. I don't know if those are salt and pepper shakers or what. But it looks like Batman and Robin if they existed not in the 60's but in today's fat culture.  |
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Post by kungfuzu on Dec 10, 2023 10:16:43 GMT -8
That toy jet was modeled after the F9F Panther. As I recall, William Holden flew it in The Bridges at Toko RiI had those helicopter-like things as well. I also had some type of robot, but it didn't look like the two you have posted. Where did the last 60 years go? |
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Dec 10, 2023 10:22:40 GMT -8
Yes, that's definitely the F9F Panther. Dead ringer. First flight 21 November 1947. That had to have been one of the first production jets in the U.S.
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Post by kungfuzu on Dec 10, 2023 10:49:53 GMT -8
Looks like a made-for-TV movie, "Batman and Robin, forty years on." Good thing they had those stretch (Spandex?) outfits. We had one of those car dashboard, steering wheel things as well. |
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Post by artraveler on Dec 10, 2023 11:35:21 GMT -8
Where did the last 60 years go? A very good question. I don't remember growing older when did the rest of the world? I had lunch today with an old friend and we discussed this very question. I encouraged him, as I have you to write it down for your heirs. At some time in the future when we are gone all that will remain are our thoughts and remembrances. We have, I believe, an obligation to the future to let it be known that we do not go quietly into the night. Dylan Thomas Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieve it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. |
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Dec 10, 2023 15:30:00 GMT -8
I agree. Both you and Mr. Flu are excellent writers. I can see Mr. Flu being a YouTube star if he just did a video-at-a-time on his Rules. And you are so right, Herr Artler. We would be (are) writing for the future. Those today simply won't listen. There's little sense wasting breath on them. But perhaps when society goes completely tits-up, future generations will want to know what happened so that they can avoid it. That's one of the few poems that I like and that I can name the author. The other (there are probably more) is Kipling's " If," the anti-Snowflake of all anti-Snowflake words. A couple highlights: Kipling had clearly met an intellectual or two. That's an interesting part. And I can't say that I understand it completely. But the overall gist of the poem is, "People are assholes and will try to tear down anything good. Be somewhat humble so as not to give them any extra motivation." But I like how he wrote that all out.  |
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Post by artraveler on Dec 10, 2023 16:46:14 GMT -8
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
There is a Marine version of IF. It is much shorter but I think it captures Marine Corps thinking.
If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs
Perhaps you don't understand the true nature of the problem.
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Post by kungfuzu on Dec 10, 2023 21:13:50 GMT -8
My favorite poem. I believe the lines you mention hold several messages,
Hold all men as God's creations, thus value them. But..
Do not let any man/men count so much that you hold him/them up as an idol, put him/them before God.
Do not let any man/men count so much that you put him/them before honor.
Do not let affection for any man/men blind you to the fact that he/they is/they, like everyone, have faults.
Think for yourself
These points cover a lot of ground, and could be expanded upon a great deal. But I think the gist of what he means is there.
Hmmm. I might put it somewhat differently. "Be a good, honorable man and stay true to yourself. Do not let the world defeat you."
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Brad Nelson
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עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Dec 11, 2023 7:55:25 GMT -8
I'll accept that interpretation...even without the expletives. |
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Post by kungfuzu on Dec 14, 2023 20:03:11 GMT -8
I could use the money. Let's start this. |
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