Hoplit {blog}

I wish to speak to the creator of the universe.
I have nothing to say but to ask his pardon, in the grains of creation he cast like dice upon the void, some intervention taken perchance in my favor once, for tomorrow and the next, and that he may stake his apologies on the burden he begot of awareness.

That’s it.

Things They Don't Tell You (But Should)

A Guide to Life

Of Trolls and the Nature of Evil

But while technology reduces the social barriers that keep us from bedeviling strangers, it does not explain the initial trolling impulse. This seems to spring from something ugly — a destructive human urge that many feel but few act upon, the ambient misanthropy that’s a frequent ingredient of art, politics and, most of all, jokes. There’s a lot of hate out there, and a lot to hate as well.

Very interesting NYT article on internet trolls.

Inspired in me a little mini-essay:

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This article gives us a wonderfully fresh perspective on evil! If defining evil here as purposely anti-social behavior, then this article gives us a good view conveniently wrapped in an electronic microcosm, with the behaviors only occasionally venturing out into real world. Well contained, relatively harmless, and so, easy for philosophical study!

The root of this kind of evil (a purposeful, negative, anti-social and mean-spirited sort, not meant for monetary gain, but simply for emotional satisfaction) has always been based on emotional manipulation and a presumptive demonstration to its victims of a twisted: "what's best for them," ideal, usually demonstrated through eliciting pain, with the excuse that their own behavior (the victim’s) is what brings this upon them (dismissing much of the blame for the tormentor). Though this basis might be emotionally simple, the social repercussions are broad. Perhaps this is why it's hard to ignore, and so curiously interesting to the rest of us; the fascinating power of Hitler, Vlad the Impaler, the Devil, even Darth Vader is simply undeniable: the personifications of serious (and thoughtful) anti-social behavior, working from within society itself. You can not look away. Throughout history this anti-social tendency has been most often expressed through violence, that most basic of anti-human acts, but its core is still simply emotional damage (violence is always worse for homo sapiens when it is also degrading). These attempted mini-revolutions perpetrated by angry individuals to bring about some general new ideal of what society should be, are often founded on that classic evil notion that: “society is too sick to function”. Those who perpetrate wanton anti-social behavior often seem to see themselves as saviors or instruments of a natural order of chaos. This is markedly different than ordinary crime, which is more often born out of disenfranchisement and emotional instability; regular crime may be just as anti-social in its manifestation, but it is the symptom of unhealthy people and circumstance, not those who wish to bring down society altogether. It is a deeper evil which intends to wreck or remake the world while tormenting people in the process.

And although revolution may be justified on occasion, if the revolutionary’s intent is to make a better and more functional society, then violence, emotional or physical is a last resort and chaos is never desirable.

(As a counter point, the evil of George W. Bush: secret prisons, sanctioned torture, denial of habeas corpus, pre-emptive war, is sadly only the product of poor ethical judgment, ineptitude and weak moral fiber. Its aim is still to preserve society (in fact to shelter a certain aspect of society), even when its internal logic is twisted and its overall effects unproductive.)

Secrets of greatness: Practice and hard work bring success

...you do not possess a natural gift for a certain job, because targeted natural gifts don't exist. You will achieve greatness only through an enormous amount of hard work over many years. And not just any hard work, but work of a particular type that's demanding and painful.

In virtually every field of endeavor, most people learn quickly at first, then more slowly and then stop developing completely. Yet a few do improve for years and even decades, and go on to greatness.

People hate abandoning the notion that they would coast to fame and riches if they found their talent.

Very good article. Not simply anecdotal, but actually quotes research.
Furtune

(via FF)

Baghdad, 5 Years On

YouTube - 1, 2, 3

American Malaise

Economist essay.