Along Comes 2012

2011 has come and passed and for many, it could not have happened soon enough. For myself, 2011 was a good year, highlighted by the birth of my son and all the time spent with him since. For others though, the year brought challenges and hardships that will most likely continue into this new year.

This is the base point of my reasoning of what my resolution for 2012 should be. Yes, I know new year's resolutions are passe and played out, but I think my choice this year will be worth the effort. My resolution for this year is empathy. For most incidents, I do my best to look at things from the point of view of the other person, to help see the nature of a conflict. Too often, however, things escalate too quickly and emotions take control. This is especially common behind the wheel, where the perpetrator is a faceless hunk of metal that has somehow inconvenienced me and my driving experience. But perhaps that driver is in a hurry somewhere to respond to an emergency. Maybe the driver is a lone senior citizen that is just trying to do his or her best to accomplish the tasks they need to that day. Maybe there is a screaming baby in the back of the car that is distracting the driver from making proper choices. Whatever the case may be, I, as an outside observer just doesn't know the details of the situation.

That being said, my ire and usual irresponsible reaction doesn't help the situation. I used to think that maybe I could teach the other person a lesson and that they would think twice in the future before doing that action again. I have concluded that this is naivete on my part. Instead, I should realize that we live in a complex world and we must do more to share it with each other instead of claiming it for ourselves. This may seem like a weak attitude in a world where selfishness and greed are seen as virtues, but if we do not realize our part as a society and choose only to see through the lenses of our own eyes, conflict will ultimately arise. Conflict leads to stress and hurt and further to unhappiness.

Like previous years, my goal for 2012 is to eliminate stress and worry points from my life. A lot of that stress and worry comes from conflicts with others. I am not foolish enough to believe that all my worries and conflicts will go away through patience and understanding, but much more will be alleviated than compounded if I choose empathy over offense. I also realize that this decision will be even more challenging because in most cases, the attitude will not be reciprocal. I will have to assume that I will not be treated with patience, but that I must be the better person and keep a cool demeanor. For similar reasons someone may be driving poorly, a person may disagree or react for reasons you don't fully understand. These unknown reasons may be either erroneous or actually legit, but whatever the reason, further escalating the argument is almost always counter-productive and should be prevented. Sometimes the reasons for disagreements will fundamentally be in opposition in which case a solution is not possible, but this does not mean conflict is inevitable. To me, understanding and respect can go a long way, and a little extra patience can dissolve a potential fight into an arrangement to disagree and have each party be okay with it.

I feel this is quite the task to take on, but isn't that the point of resolutions? If it is any consolation, I get the added benefit of knowing I have chosen the higher road and conducted myself with decency and compassion that I in turn would hope to expect from others. By this time next year, I hope to look back at 2012 and be proud of the choices I made as well as the impact I had on others. I get no joy out of extending conflicts with people, but I do gain happiness by making new contacts and meeting new people (a common resolution). I feel that empathy breeds respect and if I treat everyone with the respect that I would like to see for myself, I will be well on my way to my goal for less to stress and worry about; a happier me.

Happy 2012 everyone!

Relevant Bonus: Lifehacker adds a little help
More Bonus: Zen habits: Life Lessons (see #32), (great blog)

Offensive Food?

First off, your editor apologizes for the recent lack of posts. I have been quite busy with, how you say, life, and I just haven't had time to formulate my formal rantings. Until now.

What inspired me for this post is an article I read about a right wing group that is protesting the new flavor of ice cream from Ben and Jerry's. The new flavor is called "Scweddy Balls", after the not-so-recent Saturday Night Live skit with Ana Gasteyer, Molly Shannon and Alec Baldwin. If you are not familiar with the skit, it is an NPR parody of an interview with Pete Sweddy who makes and sells all kinds of edible balls. Balls is the key word here as there are plenty of ball-mouth puns and relating hilarity.

In any case, apparently 'balls' has been deemed by these right wing lunatics as being 'offensive', 'vulgar', and 'repulsive'. Really people? You are so puritanical that the word 'balls' makes you feel weird inside? They give the argument that it is 'not exactly what you want a child asking for at the supermarket'. Yes, heavens forbid your child says the word 'balls' in front of you. But also please make sure they dont ask for any Cocoa Puffs, Oscar Meyer Weiners or any type of salted nuts, lest the be the total embarrassment of your day and immediately turn into a demoralized monster. Honestly, I bet that same kid makes jokes about balls and pee pee more than you realize and they will still grow up to be fine upstanding citizens.

I find it appallingly sad that people like this have nothing better to do than to tell others what they don't find to their liking. It is just another example of "if I don't like it, no one should be able to like it" type of thinking. It is also an example of people putting so much emphasis on being offended that they cannot think of anything beyond it. Is this ice cream that detrimental to your everyday life that you must organize a boycott to make it go away? Are these people haunted in their dreams by scheddy balls dancing in their heads (actually, with this level of sexual repression, it just might be the case)?

Just to be clear, the ice cream is a limited batch, so it will not be around forever. It is a funny little idea that supposedly cannot just be taken for what it is, but rather interpreted as an attack on morality. IT'S STUPID ICE CREAM WITH MALT BALLS IN IT. It is not 'Sweaty Testicle' ice cream. It's a pun. It's a joke. Your kid will survive to live another repressed day if he eats it and tells his friends about it. Lighten up. Have some ice cream.

Here's the link: http://wonkette.com/453431/american-family-association-freaks-out-over-ice-cream-named-after-testicles
I put the wonkette link because of all the great comments.

Technology Reactology

If there was an emergency, how would you contact the person or entity you need? Most likely, that answer is by cell phone, text message or email. Along with those common answers, there are fancier ones such as video chat, tweets, GPS coordinates or social media postings (maybe even blog posts). These are all very convenient and easy ways of modern day communication. Now, think back 10 or 20 years. How would you contact those same people? I would say it would require a big yellow and white tome known as a 'phone book' and that corded piece of machinery that was attached to your kitchen wall. Some may even use the postal system to correspond via hand-written medium. These old methods were not nearly as fast or convenient as our current offerings, but things still got done and emergencies and problems were still handled.

What we have now is an ever increasing importance on not just the end product and solution, but the time it takes to get that communication and response. If we want an answer, it is as simple as a click or two on a computer. We no longer have to involve people for references or devote much effort into research or trials. We can talk to a person on the other side of the globe and even watch the same movie with them at the same time if we wanted to. The time barrier of space and location has been evaporated into the limits of the speed of light; data traveling in a constant flow around the world (and through space) and we can just hook in and enjoy the ride.

Granted, these technological advances have no doubt helped all of us be more productive and (hopefully) better educated about ourselves and the world around us. My concern is less with the information available to us at all times and more with the new social norm of time expected to obtain that information. I often find myself at the fault of impatience when something I search for on the internet does not show up on the first result page or if I do not get an email response soon after I send mine. Can the availability of instantaneous response and communication actually be a hindrance? Sure, there is the satisfaction of knowing information is always at your fingertips, but along with that comes the anxiety and stress of keeping up with those results and those calls; making sure you yourself are tied into the network of people that are moving at the speed of light, in fear of being left out or left behind.

Ever heard of Phantom Vibration Syndrome? Does your job require you to have a phone or Blackberry always by your side? Do you get angry when you get an answering machine instead of reaching the person? Do you immediately worry if someone doesn't call you back or if someone doesn't contact you when they said they would? These are just some of the possible downsides to our constant connectivity. They are not horrible downsides, but as someone who sees stress as the enemy, instantaneous communication certainly compounds the effort to be stress free. The need to be 'tied in' and available for those potential emergencies can be as much a burden as they are an aid.

Fortunately, there are always alternatives. The postal system is lovingly referred to as 'snail mail' as it is far too slow and old fashioned to keep up with today's velocity. Yes, the postal system is hurting in terms of use and relevancy, but it is still around. People still have phones in their kitchens and begrudgingly still get phone books dropped on their doorsteps. The old ways of communication are still available and still used. I am not alone in my recognition of technology's ubiquity and its potential harm, as there are sweeping movements acknowledging the benefits of 'unplugging' and leaving the smart phones and tablets alone for a while. The point I am trying to make is that yes, new technology makes life simpler and easier, but we must be cognizant of what that simplicity is replacing and what new consequences may come of it. We may get that information faster or contact that person in the blink of an eye, but it comes as a result of being part of a technological world that never sleeps; and I know I for one can get pretty grumpy without my sleep.

Political Prognostications

Living in the DC area, I keep up with happenings in politics and government news; it just comes with the territory. The latest headline concerns what to do about America's debt ceiling. As can be expected, Democrats and Republicans in Congress can't agree about how to solve the problem. Democrats want more taxes, Republicans want spending cuts. Neither really want to compromise. Each side has their reasons for backing what they want, be it special interests, political positioning or really just thinking that's the best way. In all of this though, from each side you get what seems to be an acceptable reasoning for any given argument: what I like to call political prognostications.

What I mean by this is simple; a legislator or public figure will give a reason for doing something purely on the basis of what they believe would be the result or consequence in the future. Surely this is based on logic and past results, but evidence of such is often neglected to be included in the argument. Instead, the predictions of a present action becomes more aligned with the ideologies that person is trying to push instead of favoring statistical and evidential accuracy. For example, one of the Republican arguments is that raising taxes will cost jobs by making employers pay more money, leaving less for hiring. This could compute logically, but I feel like it could just as easily go in another direction, such as those paying extra taxes need to hire more people to make more money to pay those taxes; ergo creating jobs. But instead of exploring these alternatives and options, all I hear are blanket statements that become foundations of go-nowhere arguments.

A similar example is the social security argument; some claim it won't last 5 years, other saying it will work for another 20, plus many other predictions, but all these claims are based on projections. In any case, basing policy on projections instead of what is actually happening in the present can only cause more problems later on in that projected future. Shit, half the reason I pay $4 a gallon for gas is because of projected value of oil and its supply. It certainly doesn't cost $4 a gallon to produce, it's just the going rate. By allowing policy to be based on a future timetable, current problems can be pushed down the line, even ignored until they become too complex to fix. It is unfortunate that this has become an acceptable means of not only solving current problems but it also has become a basis for making arguments on how to decide on a current issue.

Of course it would be foolish not to consider the future ramifications of current action, but decisions made should still be put in the context of the present and not just in the context of what could be in the future. If things are not working now, try something new to start getting it to work now. There are so many variables in our complex world that the conditions for that predicted future may not even exist by the time that date in the future rolls around.

This whole act of predicting the future and safeguarding against it seems futile and irresponsible. To me, it becomes more of an excuse for inaction than a reason for action and change. All I request is that the next time you hear a member of government or a politician make some sort of claim to the future, just ask yourself how he got to that conclusion and what are his motivations for making that claim. As far as I know, no one can see into the future, so I am wary of anyone who claims to know what will happen next. There is enough shit to sift through in the present, we don't need any more, especially the kind that technically doesn't even exist yet.

No Shame, No Gain

I believe that character is an integral part of societal existence. The way we act and interact with others reflects our own self-worth and attitude toward life. What I have been noticing is that there are two things that can make that effort to keep one's character intact go right down the drain. These two things are the ever-tempting and ever-corrupting fame and money.

In a constantly growing world, it becomes harder and harder to stand out in the crowd. Many people have found a way to successfully get their name recognized and do good in the world. Then there are those who have found fame through infamy. People who have done things you would never consider doing in your life become just as recognizable as the people you wish you could be. This could be interpreted as a hero/villain dichotomy where one will know the good along with the bad, but it seems to be that more and more people are happy to play the part of the villain. What's worse is that this choice is often handsomely rewarded.

A direct culprit of this situation is our constant consumption of media. We are always looking for the next thing; bigger, better, more outlandish, the next step up (or down). Our insistent craving for new content produces gaps where there just isn't enough good things to fill. Instead, it gets filled with the exact opposite of what we all respect and appreciate; shocking stories of drama or tragedy, stories of taboo or immorality that are more fit for gossip and small-minded entertainment. And because of this constant stream of information, we can take in one outrageous story and move on to the next without much consequence. We don't have to think about what it is like to be that person in the story beyond that given day, our life moves on while that person has to deal with their circumstance for the rest of their life. What bothers me is that is seems like a lot of people actually strive to be that person in the story; the one who becomes known for that absurd thing they did or said, simply because it puts them in the limelight and potentially gets them paid. I seriously doubt they realize the totality of the consequences of their actions.

I could list plenty of examples from our current entertainment world that fit this description: Tiger Wood's mistresses (or any mistress/affair for that matter), anyone on MTV or E! (pregnant teens, drunk reality contestants, sex tape 'stars'), dating show contestants, anyone labeled 'housewife' on tv, anyone involved in a political scandal, etc, etc. There are just so many opportunities to exploit. Just check your news or web browser if you need to see more. And it's not as if these people were forced into the spotlight to be held accountable; they chose and continue to choose to be in the public eye, fully aware that their actions and words will be spread across the world for all to see and hear. Where there should be at least a speck of shame, there seems to be a sense of pride. The fame and money from these amoral deeds compensate for being despised and detested by the public.

I suppose an argument for these people is that they don't really see anything wrong with what they are doing or don't consider or value what other people think. Good for them, they live on a mental island and can wear blinders made of dollar bills to keep them happy. Fortunately enough, most of the stuff these people are famous for are just things a normal person would be embarrassed or ashamed about. They haven't killed anyone or destroyed anything, just did embarrassing things. Embarrassing things that all the world now knows about.

I mean, am I being too puritanical in thinking that I would never want shameful deeds of mine broadcast around for the world to see? Am I in the minority in thinking that no amount of money can make up for a negative stigma associated with who I am? Perhaps these fame whores really are just a minority and the rest of us do prefer to keep our character intact. Nonetheless, it seems incredibly easy to become notorious in our society and actually benefit from it. Maybe I just need to chalk it up to the fact that out of the millions of people in our country and the millions of millions in the rest of the world, there has to be a couple hundred buffoons that play the role of the despised, if not just to make the rest of us feel better about ourselves. That's the positive spin. The negative spin is that the rest of us like watching people do horrible things since we can't do them ourselves and we are willing to pay to see it done. In either case, I can't help but feel sad for these people. I just wonder if they feel bad about themselves. But maybe rolling in piles of money helps those feelings go away.

Words Worth

I must admit, I do a lot of surfing on the ol' interwebs. I consume information as fast as I can click, as I enjoy keeping up with everything going on in the world. From news conglomerators to lists of links (MCPdailylinks.blogspot.com for example) to mainstream sites full of articles, I peruse them all. I enjoy a quick read, sometimes a lengthier one, but it is all based on my eye scanning timing and ability.

Most sites keep my need for quick info sated, but there is a new trend in content that is disrupting my rhythm. This is the choice to put that information in video format.

Video definitely serves its purpose when trying to relate a certain happening or visual experience. You can only really experience a guy getting hit by an ice cream truck while doing the dougie through video form. But for most everything else, a written article will suffice. I do not need a talking head explaining a news situation when a 150 word paragraph would accomplish the same task. Putting items in video format only slows down the absorption rate. Loading times, ads and gratuitous graphics only get in the way of me obtaining whatever tidbit I am curious about and moving on. I get so frustrated waiting for a video to buffer and load when the information in plain text would load almost instantaneously. I could have potentially read and moved on to something new by the time a video is ready to play. The hassle is just unnecessary.

Well, unnecessary from my point of view. I understand that using video is an easy way for webpages to force an advertisement on the viewer. Many sites will put a short video ad before the actual content, but this is merely a speedbump in the process. Crafty surfers will know to load the video up, switch tabs to something else while it runs, then switch back and scroll to the point of interest on the video timeline. The ads just become an annoyance than a dealbreaker. The only thing that really bothers me concerning ads is when they ad is longer in duration that the actual content of the video itself. That is unnecessary.

What I feel is sad is that the dominance of video in relating content to the audience is a recognition of the preference of passive learning and, to put it bluntly, the stupidity of what is seen as the average consumer. By putting information in video through a talking head or designed graphic, the observer need not employ any reading, language or imagination, just look at the pictures and listen to what is being said. It is basically the same argument your teacher made to you in that you should read To Kill a Mockingbird, not watch the movie. My point is not to be preachy about reading v television, but it definitely relates to why video is impeding on my surfing experience.

Fortunately, I think many sites are catching on to this complaint and are starting to provide written summaries or passages that accompany the video content at the top of the page. Thanks to this, I can scan and read the info I want to know, then if my interest is piqued enough to warrant the video routine, I can choose to do so. This is how it should be. The text is the entree while the pictures and video are the side dishes that make the entree more enjoyable and complete the meal. Albeit, a very fast meal that I may take two bites of and then move on to the next dish.

In Defense of the Compact Disc

I am a child of the 90s. That decade shaped my adolescence and prepped me for an adult life in the new century. Like any adolescent, music was an important participant in the shaping of who I am today. I heard music through the radio and television, but the main format of my music consumption was the compact disc. I had a few cassette tapes in my earlier years, but the CD became the storage medium of choice for all my music needs. Trips to the music store were a weekly event, borrowing and copying CDs from friends were even more common, and yes, I even belonged to Columbia House to get 12 CDs for the price of one. Multiple CD cases were filled and were constantly being updated with new music. Furniture was bought for the sole purpose of CD storage. Obtaining a CD burner threw out limitations. It was a good time.

Towards the end of the decade, computer-based music and downloads were starting up and I fully took advantage of the high-speed internet in college to create a new library of music. But even with this, I never gave up on my CDs. There was something that these digital downloads could not replace. To me, it was something about the experience of the album as a whole. Each song meant something to the songs before and after it. I would be able to sing the first notes of the next song as soon as one song ended; you just knew the order. There is just something special about listening to the whole album, not just a single here and there.

Yes, I am well aware that digital players and media libraries have album-playing capabilities and you can experience the music just the same as if from a CD. But for me, there is a difference. I don't know if it is just having something tangible with you or if disc artwork makes a stronger impression, but I enjoy having a collection of CDs at hand. It becomes a more important decision when cycling through pages of CDs and their covers as opposed to scrolling through lines of text or hitting 'random'. It is a slower process, but it can also be more satisfying.

So even today, I still have soft cases of CDs in my car for my car's CD player. I could update to a digital based system, sure, but I like my discs. I like paging through the cases and picking out that CD that fits the mood I am in at the time. I don't mind that it sometimes takes some creative reaching and poor driving choices to get that certain CD out and in the player. Yes, the occasional CD skipping is an annoyance, but it makes me think of just how many times I may have listened to that album and maybe I need to do some backing-up, repurchasing or re-burning.

I think I am chalking this opinion up to pure stubbornness on my part; something in me that is holding on to those years in the 90s that molded my ears into the custom music receptors they are today. I experienced music in album format, off a plastic disc. I liked what resulted. I will continue to listen to those discs and experience those 80 minute journeys one at a time. Efficiency and durability may have improved with the adoption of newer formats, but CDs still provide me with a feeling that the new ways cannot. It may take a bit more care and maintenance, but I will stay loyal and stick with my spinning plastic discs that have always treated me well.