Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Do the Demagogues Rule the World?

dem·a·gogue Noun   /ˈdeməˌgäg/ 
  • demagogues plural
  • A political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument
  • (in ancient Greece and Rome) A leader or orator who espoused the cause of the common people

PROJECT REASON -This is a website for everybody...


Project Reason is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation devoted to spreading scientific knowledge and secular values in society. The foundation draws on the talents of prominent and creative thinkers in a wide range of disciplines to encourage critical thinking and erode the influence of dogmatism, superstition, and bigotry in our world.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

An Atheist's 10 Commandments

Based on the EbonMusings/Richard Dawkins revised 10 commandments...

(1) Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you.

(2) In all things, strive to cause no harm.

(3) Treat your fellow human beings, your fellow living things, and the world in general with love, honesty, faithfulness and respect.

(4) Do not overlook evil or shrink from administering justice, but always be ready to forgive wrongdoing freely admitted and honestly regretted.

(5) Live life with a sense of joy and wonder.

(6) Always seek to be learning something new.

(7) Test all things; always check your ideas against the facts, and be ready to discard even a cherished belief if it does not conform to them.

(8) Never seek to censor or cut yourself off from dissent; always respect the right of others to disagree with you.

(9) Form independent opinions on the basis of your own reason and experience; do not allow yourself to be led blindly by others.

(10) Do not indoctrinate your children.  Teach them how to think for themselves, how to evaluate evidence, and how to disagree with you.

Its been 1 year since leaving Olde Blighty

I remember being concerned that I was never going to see Eastenders again, despite it being a mundane TV series that had no real bearing on my life, I had dedicated years of watching this show three times a week.  I am embarrassed to admit that I wanted to see how the lives of the characters panned out, or at least some of the story lines.  Ok, It was never going to factor in my decision to leave the UK but I admit I had a pang of sadness at the thought of leaving this behind.  One year later I have to say I really couldn't give a shit!

That TV series, like so many other things at that time was just a distraction.  Part of my families new and unofficial manifesto is to get rid of all the most material things and concentrate on the truly important things, with a hope that this will lead to a more fulfilling life.  There are certain things that appear in our lives on a daily basis that seem so important and its hard to imagine being without, when in actual fact they really are not and its actually freeing to cast them away.

* Note: A voice in my head just reminded me that I checked the BBC website for a Walford update the other day.  I didn't even care that Kat and Alfie had returned.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

My name is Winston. Nice to meet you!

Miss spelled ramblings on scraps of paper no more.  Here my spell checked blogging journey begins.  The door is now open, please come in.... Tea or Coffee?