Random Cogitations Archives - Page 4 of 5

The Internet is an Experiment in Anarchy

On February 4, 2019

In General Cogitation, Random Cogitations

I’m on a Criminal Minds binge. There is an interesting episode called “The Internet is Forever” near the end of Season 5. If you are unfamiliar with the show, each episode begins and ends with a quote from some philosopher or influential mind. The closing quote in this episode suggests that the Internet is an experiment in anarchy. Here is the full text of the quote:

“The Internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn’t understand, the largest experiment in anarchy that we have ever had.” – Eric Schmidt

Yes, ironically that quote is from Eric Schmidt, the CEO of Google (aka. Alphabet Inc). It is so profoundly accurate it sparks many thoughts of just how much anarchy the Internet is creating. I decided on this topic on the 25th of January and since that day I witness nearly daily examples. It’s equal parts frightening and uncanny.

The Internet has Made Us All Sociopaths

I wish I could say I am exaggerating. Surely there are not daily examples of Internet induced anarchy. How often is there a story on the news where someone’s behavior was the result of a post on social media? How many suicides or suicide attempts are the result of cyber bullying? If you don’t want to think about it then how about a couple of examples. Tide Pods. The cinnamon challenge. The Bird Box challenge. People are lemmings! Yes, people did stupid things in the 80’s and 90’s, before Facebook, but it wasn’t as widespread. The consequences were more prolific because it made the news.

Unfortunately anarchy has become the social norm; and I blame Social Media. Everyone feels so indemnified by the facelessness of Twitter and even Facebook (ironic, I know). We’ve all become sociopaths because we post things on the various forms of social media with a complete lack of conscious. People don’t care who they harm, all they care about is what’s trending. A perfect example is this “Fyre Festival” thing that Hulu has been advertising. It shows just how dangerous social media can be. I don’t think Billy McFarland is a criminal, I think it’s hilarious that those people got what they deserved.

The Internet is now the digital mountain top from which people scream their opinions thinking the rest of us care. I admit that some people do care and many agree. However, what makes it absolutely absurd are the people who are trying to promote tolerance and inclusion are first to demonize anyone that disagrees with them. You can’t preach inclusion but ostracize anyone that disagrees. This is as much of an example of cognitive dissonance as this entire blog post (yes, I’m fully aware of what I’ve done). I’ll openly admit that joining Facebook and Twitter has turned me into a sociopath. In retrospect, I should have avoided them completely.

/cheers

I could accomplish so much more if I only had minions!

RTotD: Once A LEGO Fan, Always A LEGO Fan

By Biggs

On January 15, 2019

In General Cogitation, Random Cogitations

Lego has a very humble origin story. They began with a carpenter in Denmark in 1932; The Lego Group formed in 1934 and they have been producing the iconic interlocking bricks since 1949. Of course that was long before I was born. Regardless, Lego is a timeless toy that is spanning generations. I grew up on Lego and now my kids are growing up on Lego. The funny thing is, even as an adult I still collect Lego sets. I have many friends that still collect Lego sets. So once you’re a Lego fan, you’re always a Lego fan.

Obviously as an adult in his late 30’s, I’m not constructing Lego sets for the purpose of post-construction entertainment. The sets I collect are mostly Star Wars themed and they sit on a shelf for display. The task of assembling is a perfect way to relieve stress and collect my thoughts. It has also become something I do with my daughter on the weekends.

Lego is clearly something you never outgrow; even as you age you just learn to appreciate them differently. There has to be a study out there that proves building Lego sets has some kind of positive cognitive impact. If there isn’t one, then someone should start one. When “adulting” has you in a death spiral, I’m glad Lego is there to straighten you out.

The things that go through my mind when I’m alone with nothing but my thoughts for entertainment is dangerous. Some might even say eccentric. Consider this your warning about today’s Random Thought of the Day

RTotD: TWD Should Pass the Torch

By Biggs

On November 1, 2018

In Random Cogitations

I haven’t watched Season 8 of The Walking Dead yet. I forgot it was even available on Netflix. After seven seasons of it I’ve realized that the novelty has worn off. The tragic rumor of Season 9 is that it is Andrew Lincoln’s final season. Rick Grimes will be killed off (because that’s how a character leaves the show). Also I have not seen any statement by AMC that this is the final season. So The Walking Dead will continue on without Andrew Lincoln? That’s like killing Matt Murdock but not ending the series (don’t get any ideas Netflix!).

Just End It and Pass the Torch

If Andrew Lincoln is leaving in true Walking Dead fashion, then end it with season 9. It’s time to pass the proverbial torch. There are many new shows now that are providing that fresh mystery and thrill (e.g. Stranger Things and The Haunting of Hill House). Every season of TWD is starting to be a rehash of the prior season (find a town, encounter someone truly twisted and evil, defend the town, destroy the town).

At this point I’m starting to root for the zombies. In fact let’s just end the series with all of mankind turning to zombies. Just wipe everybody out!

By the way, if you enjoy watching thrillers then check out The Haunting of Hill House. It’s very well done!

/cheers

The things that go through my mind when I’m alone with nothing but my thoughts for entertainment is dangerous. Some might even say eccentric. Consider this your warning about today’s Random Thought of the Day

RTotD: Gaming In Your Late 30s

By Biggs

On September 27, 2018

In General Cogitation, Random Cogitations

Hi. My name is Matt. I’m in my late 30s; and I still play video games.

Video games are something I grew up playing. I was born after the Atari was introduce but just before the Nintendo era began. I was about 10 when I got the NES, Super Mario Brothers and Blades of Steel then became my world. I’ve had every iteration of the Nintendo since then, until the Wii U. I’ve also had a Sega Genesis and an XBox 360, however PC is where I spend the majority of my hobby.

Kids today will never appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship of video games. They did not endure 8-bit Pitfall and side-scrolling Super Mario Brothers. Legends of Zelda was the closest we came to an immersive world. Be that as it may, it doesn’t matter if you’re 16, 25, or 38, video games have no age barriers. In a world plagued by stress, bullying and butt-hurt social media trolls, video games provide a cathartic escape for all ages. As far as I’m concerned, I’ll keep going until my hands are so arthritic I can no longer hold a controller or click a mouse.

The things that go through my mind when I’m alone with nothing but my thoughts for entertainment is dangerous. Some might even say eccentric. Consider this your warning about today’s Random Thought of the Day

RTotD: What is it About a Circuit??

By Biggs

On August 6, 2018

In Fitness, Random Cogitations

During my run this past Friday, I wanted to increase my distance but I have to change the route. School will be starting in a few weeks so I can no longer use the elementary playground (because I don’t want to look like some perv creeper). I thought the route I picked would be longer than the 4.4 miles I have been running through all of July. Unfortunately it is actually shorter so I ended up forcing myself to alter my route at the last minute to try to at least hit the same distance. As a result, I had to double back on parts of my route. I hate that!

Symmetrical OCD?

When I go out running, for some reason I have it in my head that I cannot finish coming from the same direction in which I left. For example, if I turn East at the end of my driveway, I should be coming from the West when I get back. I also hate going the reverse direction on the same side of the street. If I am going East on the North side of the street, the next time I go down that street I need to be going West on the South side of the street.

Yes, I know I am strange. It’s some weird symmetrical OCD. I would hypothesis that most runners are more concerned about the distance and the pace instead of the route. This Friday will be different. I have already plotted out my route and yes, it is a complete circuit and it will be longer.

The things that go through my mind when I’m alone with nothing but my thoughts for entertainment is dangerous. Some might even say eccentric. Consider this your warning when reading my Random Thought of the Day

For Introverts, Gregariousness is Optional

By Biggs

On July 10, 2018

In Fulmination, Random Cogitations

I’m a homebody. I think many of my friends, family and co-workers don’t understand what that means. The definition is as simple it sounds “a person who prefers staying at home.” When I was in college I did attend quite a few parties and football games; I even helped start a tailgating tradition that is still going to this day. College were my gregarious years, all that is different now. I am, undoubtedly, an introvert and for introverts, gregariousness is optional.

I don’t mind small social gatherings, as long as they are short. In large social gatherings I eventually feel uncomfortable, even among my peers. I hate cliché small talk. Why does small talk always involve the weather? A piece of my soul dies every time I say something about the weather because I’m uncomfortable or bored. My home is my sanctuary, a place where my thoughts can dwell without explanation or judgement. It is the biggest reason I am more productive working at home than sitting in a cubicle.

Bewilderment is Two Sided

A while back I wrote a post about how I do not like the beach. My desk chair or recliner is an environment I greatly prefer over sitting on a sandy beach. I know that is probably as bewildering to you as I am bewildered by your bewilderment. (Wait, what did I just say there?) In other words, you are confused that I don’t like the beach because everyone likes the beach. However, I’m confused because you find that confusing. Why is it so hard to believe that I would rather sit at home, in air conditioning, reading a book or playing video games than sitting on the beach? This kind of goes back to that feeling of discomfort or boredom.

Just sitting there is boring, not to mention that I burn very easily and I hate sweating (unless I’ve earned it, i.e. jogging). I cannot sit comfortably reading a book while baking in the sun and if I have to make “cliché small talk”, I’d prefer not to have to squint to do it. The more effort it takes to be comfortable the more uncomfortable I feel. I’m using the beach as an example because it best illustrates the dichotomy. While going to the bar or singing karaoke is a fun activity for most, sitting at home reading, working on projects around the house or tinkering on the computer is equally as entertaining. If I find those things comparable, why do I prefer the latter? By now that answer should be obvious … Home Sweet Home.

/cheers

“When I was a kid, it was a huge insult to be a geek. Now it’s a point of pride in a weird way.” – J.J. Abrams

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Category: Random Cogitations Page 4 of 5

RTotD: Once A LEGO Fan, Always A LEGO Fan