LISTEN
1. What mistake did Mark Twain say we make?
2. How was Enlightenment "realized" in 19th century America?
3. What "legend" about Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence did Ronald Reagan report as fact?
4. How did Americans' religious choice differ from Europeans'?
6. What was the 19th century "Woodstock for American Christianity"?
7. What Presbyterian minister was the Billy Graham of his time, and what did he not dwell on?
8. What French observer said no country in the world was as fanatically Christian as America?
9. Who was William Miller?
8. What French observer said no country in the world was as fanatically Christian as America?
9. Who was William Miller?
10. The most interesting thing about Joseph Smith is what?
DQ:
- Is it better to approach religious belief through thinking and reason, or feeling and passion?
- Why didn't America fully embrace European-style rationalism in the 19th century, and become generally more skeptical of religion?
- If there is a God, would he prefer and favor Americans over all others?
- Did Ronald Reagan really believe his story about the Declaration, do you think? Do you believe it? Why?
- What do you think of Ronald Reagan's re-telling of the Declaration legend? (58) Was it a harmless & charming anecdote vindicated by its patriotic intent, or a disturbing foreshadowing of the current"fake news" environment of our time?
- COMMENT: "What is most interesting about Joseph Smith is that people believed him." 71 Why does anyone ever believe someone else's first-person account of an extraordinary event, in the absence of extraordinary supportive evidence?
- COMMENT: What do you think of Tom Paine's "Age of Reason" (below)?
- [Add your DQs]
THE AGE OF REASON
by Thomas Paine
TO MY FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
I PUT the following work under your protection. It contains my
opinions upon Religion. You will do me the justice to remember, that I
have always strenuously supported the Right of every Man to his own
opinion, however different that opinion might be to mine. He who
denies to another this right, makes a slave of himself to his
present opinion, because he precludes himself the right of changing
it.
The most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is Reason.
I have never used any other, and I trust I never shall.
Your affectionate friend and fellow-citizen,
THOMAS PAINE
Luxembourg, 8th Pluvoise,
Second Year of the French Republic, one and indivisible.
January 27, O. S. 1794.
PART FIRST.
IT has been my intention, for several years past, to publish my
thoughts upon religion. I am well aware of the difficulties that
attend the subject, and from that consideration, had reserved it to
a more advanced period of life. I intended it to be the last
offering I should make to my fellow-citizens of all nations, and
that at a time when the purity of the motive that induced me to it,
could not admit of a question, even by those who might disapprove
the work.
The circumstance that has now taken place in France of the total
abolition of the whole national order of priesthood, and of everything
appertaining to compulsive systems of religion, and compulsive
articles of faith, has not only precipitated my intention, but
rendered a work of this kind exceedingly necessary, lest in the
general wreck of superstition, of false systems of government, and
false theology, we lose sight of morality, of humanity, and of the
theology that is true.
As several of my colleagues and others of my fellow-citizens of
France have given me the example of making their voluntary and
individual profession of faith, I also will make mine; and I do this
with all that sincerity and frankness with which the mind of man
communicates with itself.
I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness
beyond this life.
I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious
duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make
our fellow-creatures happy.
But, lest it should be supposed that I believe in many other
things in addition to these, I shall, in the progress of this work,
declare the things I do not believe, and my reasons for not
believing them.
I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish church, by
the Roman church, by the Greek church, by the Turkish church, by the
Protestant church, nor by any church that I know of. My own mind is
my own church.
All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian
or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to
terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit... (continues)
TO MY FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
I PUT the following work under your protection. It contains my
opinions upon Religion. You will do me the justice to remember, that I
have always strenuously supported the Right of every Man to his own
opinion, however different that opinion might be to mine. He who
denies to another this right, makes a slave of himself to his
present opinion, because he precludes himself the right of changing
it.
The most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is Reason.
I have never used any other, and I trust I never shall.
Your affectionate friend and fellow-citizen,
THOMAS PAINE
Luxembourg, 8th Pluvoise,
Second Year of the French Republic, one and indivisible.
January 27, O. S. 1794.
PART FIRST.
IT has been my intention, for several years past, to publish my
thoughts upon religion. I am well aware of the difficulties that
attend the subject, and from that consideration, had reserved it to
a more advanced period of life. I intended it to be the last
offering I should make to my fellow-citizens of all nations, and
that at a time when the purity of the motive that induced me to it,
could not admit of a question, even by those who might disapprove
the work.
The circumstance that has now taken place in France of the total
abolition of the whole national order of priesthood, and of everything
appertaining to compulsive systems of religion, and compulsive
articles of faith, has not only precipitated my intention, but
rendered a work of this kind exceedingly necessary, lest in the
general wreck of superstition, of false systems of government, and
false theology, we lose sight of morality, of humanity, and of the
theology that is true.
As several of my colleagues and others of my fellow-citizens of
France have given me the example of making their voluntary and
individual profession of faith, I also will make mine; and I do this
with all that sincerity and frankness with which the mind of man
communicates with itself.
I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness
beyond this life.
I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious
duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make
our fellow-creatures happy.
But, lest it should be supposed that I believe in many other
things in addition to these, I shall, in the progress of this work,
declare the things I do not believe, and my reasons for not
believing them.
I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish church, by
the Roman church, by the Greek church, by the Turkish church, by the
Protestant church, nor by any church that I know of. My own mind is
my own church.
All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian
or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to
terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit... (continues)
*Th 13 - FL 11-12 (Since it's practically V-day/b'day, collect a base if you bring something to sweeten our dispositions.)
LISTEN
1. What did Arthur C. Clarke say about technology?
2. What was the original "alternative medicine,"and what's its "upside"?
3. What pseudoscience based psychological traits on "topographical details of a person's skull [felt] through the scalp?"
4. Who invented a religion that said pain, suffering, and disease are not real? What is that religion?
5. Whose "typical small-time grifter" father claimed he could cure cancer and implied that he'd discovered a reliable herbal method of birth control?
6. Mark Twain said history does what?
4. Who invented a religion that said pain, suffering, and disease are not real? What is that religion?
5. Whose "typical small-time grifter" father claimed he could cure cancer and implied that he'd discovered a reliable herbal method of birth control?
6. Mark Twain said history does what?
7. How did the California Gold Rush alter Americans' view of reality?
8. What job category can be traced to the inception of America?
9. From Franklin to _____, stories of supremely successful entrepreneurs obscure what?
10. Kurt Andersen's Nebraska ancestors arrived from where?
8. What job category can be traced to the inception of America?
9. From Franklin to _____, stories of supremely successful entrepreneurs obscure what?
10. Kurt Andersen's Nebraska ancestors arrived from where?
11. How are Americans like ants and grasshoppers?
Discussion Questions
- Is technology really magic? Does any real technology violate or transcend laws of nature and physics?
- What's your attitude towards alternative medicine? Do you use or consult alternative health practices or practitioners? Do you recommend any? Do you believe they possess "magic," or are they scientific in some sense? Do they really work? Do placebos work?
- Is there anything scientific about Christian Science? Or Scientology? Or Science of Mind? (etc.) 79
- Are successful entrepreneurs lucky, smart, or just in the right place at the right time?
- Do you hope to succeed one day as an entrepreneur? How do you rate your probability of success? 85
- Why don't people do better at learning the lessons (or "rhymes") of history?
- Are you more an ant or a grasshopper? 86
- Add your DQs
Krysta Hawk Section 11:
ReplyDeleteDuring the 18th century, England and much of Europe developed church states. This meant that those to the east of the US had a set religion for which they practiced. There was not much religious diversity (legally that is) for which people could practice their faith. America on the other hand made it a point to separate the church and state, allowing for more than one religion to exist within the states.
Krysta Hawk Section 11:
ReplyDeleteAfter the revolution, Thomas Jefferson made note that the North and South had very different ways of practicing religion. He categorized them as such: "In the North they are superstitious and hypocritical in their religion. In the South they are without attachment or pretensions to any religion but that of the heart". These definitions mostly spoke to the fact that after the revolution the South was easily able to drop the state formed churches that arose in the colonies, while the North argued over releasing this state churches for another 50 years.
Most of the really strict religious colonies started in New England, so I wonder if the South became like that because people who got fed up with the religious practices in the North left and headed South. I'm not a huge history buff, but this makes logical sense to me. It's also interesting that now, the South is seen as hyper religious and the North is more secular.
DeleteKrysta Hawk Section 11:
ReplyDeleteI personally do not believe in a God, at least not in the sense that there is an all powerful being that exists to control our lives and answer our prayers. However, if such a God existed I would imagine that They would not favor American over any other nation. If such a God existed I believe They would base their judgement off of the individual's life and faith, rather than where said individual lived. Religion in theory is supposed to be based upon morals and ritual; therefore, any individual that followed their religious morality and partook in their ritual practices would be upheld in the eyes of their God. It would have nothing to do with where the person lived.
I completely agree with you and think you made some good insights. Assuming there is a God, the thought of him preferring a certain nationality over another is terrifying, because then my hope in humanity's ability to set aside their biases is gone. If nothing else in this world, God should be the thing people can take comfort in knowing that in his eyes they are worthy just as much as the next person.
DeleteSection #6
DeleteThis question seems to be somewhat weird. Seems almost entitled.
Delete6
If there is a God, would he prefer and favor Americans over all others?
ReplyDeleteI personally don't believe that god favors anyone over the other, but I can't imagine how anyone would argue that god would prefer Americans. If god did play favorites, I also don't see why they would pick Americans. It also wouldn't be right to judge a whole group as one. Going back to a previous discussion question, there isn't one particular type of American. The US is extremely diverse. So while some people would be deserving of god's favor, others wouldn't.
I agree with your statement about god favoring one group of people over another. I believe that god would not favor americans over any other group of people because I do not think that we are worthy of being favored. we, americans, live our lives like the rest of the people around the world. So there would be nothing to favor over any one elese.
DeleteIs technology really magic? Does any real technology violate or transcend laws of nature and physics?
ReplyDeleteThis is actually something I think about a lot. I've decided that the real difference between magic and science is understanding how it works. A lot of things that people used to think were magic, we see as science now because we know how/why it happens. At the same time, a lot of magic is tied very closely to nature, and natural science still seems pretty magical to me. We know now about all the types of invisible waves that affect our surroundings: light waves, sound wave, the signals used for the internet and our phone service, radio... To me this sounds similar to the classic fantasy idea of the "magic all around us" or "harnessing the energy of nature". So all that to say, I think you could argue that magic and science overlap.
I agree with what your saying. How we consider magic something that we can't really describe or explain.
Delete- Michael DeLay
I think to someone who was isolated and had never seen technology, some technology can seem like magic.
DeleteSection 6
DeleteThe more advancements in tech that we make the less and less reason we have for a belief in "magic." The real magic is in the physics that illuminates our understanding of everything.
I think something similar. I believe that all "magic" is explainable by the laws of reality. And I am not just talking about "slight of hand" magic, I'm talking about occult magic as well (yes, I believe in a spirit realm and along with that I believe in the reality of witchcraft, spiritual abilities, and spells). I believe that these things can all be explained in scientific ways, we just might not have the capability to understand the explanation. I believe their is much more to the universe than we perceive, but I believe all of it behaves in a logical manner.
DeletePersonally I think there is a huge difference between science and magic. Yes there is an overlap of things that happen, that we do not currently understand, that we call magic. But I think magic is more along the lines of wishing things into existence that could not otherwise have transpired.
Delete6
I agree with your saying, I believe that magic is when we have a solution to it.
DeleteI believe that alternative medicine should be practiced everywhere in the world, and the fact that most 3rd world countries use alternative medicines such as herbs and spices on a daily basis is astonishing. Most other countries besides America and some countries in Europe have been using alternative medicine practices for centuries now, and sport some on the healthiest individuals on this planet.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Many 3rd world countries focus on just alternative medicines, and for them it works. It seems as if we believe everything has to be perfectly logical to have something work for us, however when considering research done with the placebo effect, maybe we just "expect" these logical reasons for no reason.
DeleteSection 5
DQ approach religion with reason and thought or heart and passion. I think it depends on whether one is questioning their own religion and faith or having conversation with another individual. I think a mixture of both can be good with an individual. When it comes to your own religious beliefs, it should definitely be approached with logic and reason.
ReplyDelete6
I agree, I think a mixture is great to have when considering ones faith or religion. I think you should use logic to develop your own perspective on religion.
Delete-Michael DeLay
I see where you are coming from, our religious beliefs are shaped and formed by applying some thought and logic.
DeleteI think developing your own religious beliefs are a little of both reason and feeling. I think you have to find your own perspective on religion by using reason and feeling. Using your own reasoning to develop own perspectives.
ReplyDelete- Michael DeLay #5
I see where you are coming from with this, and I agree! You need a balance of both to help you out with your personal own religious beliefs.
DeleteSection 5
I agree, thats why before people decide to believe or not they should look at all many viewpoints before settling with one.
DeleteIs it better to approach religious belief through thinking and reason, or feeling and passion?
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good and thought provoking question because pretty much the entire concept of religion has to do with faith, which heavily relies on feeling. This is why a copious amount of obviously sketchy, haphazard, or down-right wicked elements within different religions are overlooked and tolerated, because people are blinded by their passion for their belief system. Therefore, I think when it comes to approaching religion or trying to figure out your own belief system one should always begin with logic and reason. Many people are raised in a religious household where standards and ways of thinking are enforced upon them, which hinders the needed process of being able to look at them objectively. We all must learn to set aside our personal feelings and attachments and actually reason through our thought processes before we claim them as truth.
Section #6
If there is a God, would he prefer and favor Americans over all others?
ReplyDeleteAssuming that this God is the essence of good and lawful, then absolutely not he would not favor Americans over all others. There is nothing inherent in Americans that make us any better than a human being of another nationality, we just had the fortune of being born here. Any reasoning that says otherwise, I believe, is rooted in bigotry, ethnocentrism, and egotism. America has only been in existence for a few centuries, there is no basis for someone as timeless and omniscient as God to give preferential treatment to any group, let alone a group of Americans.
Section #6
Assuming He is kind and merciful why would He abandon entire nations who never heard of Him?
DeleteI also disagree that God would favor a particular group of certain people over others. Also if that were theoretically the case, how do we know Americans would be the preferred group of people? Also what would be the constraints on being an "American?"
ReplyDeleteSection 6
I completely agree with you and your questions are good evidence that this is not the case.
DeleteI agree. Your questions show that there is too much ambiguity.
DeleteI agree. God doesn't have any preference
DeleteI agree, If he has no preference , made all of the people, and loves them. Why would he suddenly decide to pick only Americans. Saying only Americans is funny since you can just become citizen with papers and a test therefore it isn't some kind of path to wisdom trail. So I don't get what makes Americans special.
DeleteIf there is a God, would he prefer and favor Americans over all others?
ReplyDeleteNo God does not favor Americans above all others. Americans are a new group of people considering the history of humans. It is unreasonable to think God favors one group of people.
Section 5
DeleteAnyone who believes in God or is Christian realizes how ridiculous of a question that is.
Delete
ReplyDeleteIs it better to approach religious belief through thinking and reason, or feeling and passion?
I think it is better to believe in religion based on feeling and passion. There is no factual evidence supporting religion other than books and manuscripts, but I still believe there is a God because of how I feel.
Section 5
DeleteIs it better to approach religious belief through thinking and reason, or feeling and passion?
ReplyDeleteI believe that it's better to approach religious beliefs through thinking and reason when discussing around people, and feeling and passion when deciding your own beliefs. Approaching it through thinking and reason allows you to easier discuss it around people due to it preventing personal feelings being offended.
Section 5
I couldn't agree more! Approaching religion with thinking and reasoning can help ignite religious feelings and passion as well!
Deletesection 6
If there is a God, would he prefer and favor Americans over all others?
ReplyDeleteI believe that no, it wouldn't favor anyone overall. If that was the case many beliefs and ideas would be debunked.
Section 5
I agree with your statement, he would love all equally.
DeleteSection #11
If there is a God, would he prefer and favor Americans over all others?
ReplyDeleteTo say yes to this would be the same as advocating for racism. God's people is everyone. Although in the Old Testament it was thought that it was only the Israelites, this view is no longer the case.
section 6
DeleteWhy didn't America fully embrace European-style rationalism in the 19th century, and become generally more skeptical of religion?
ReplyDeleteI think was due to the idea of religious freedom. Europeans mostly fled Europe for America for this very reason. This attracted the people who were already more inclined to religious thinking. They also wanted to make the most of their rights in America. This led them to keep on creating new sects of Christianity, with no repercussions. Along with these new beliefs came new and zealous followers.
section 6
If there is a God, would he prefer and favor Americans over all others?
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that God would not prefer and favor anyone. I believe that God created every one equally and that being said I don't believe that God would prefer anyone.
Is it better to approach religious belief through thinking and reason, or feeling and passion?
ReplyDeleteI believe that reason and passion intertwine in approaching religion. One's attachment to religion is through passion and emotions, but in order to have that passion, one first uses reasoning to reach a perspective towards religion.
If there is a God, would he prefer and favor Americans over all others?
ReplyDeleteNo, I believe God cares for all people. He forgives those who ask for forgiveness and he is with those who ask him to be with them.
I think entrepreneurs can be smart or lucky. But the business world is a difficult one to figure out and it can be pretty cut throat so I think you have to have an understanding on how to network and navigate it. I don't think successful businesses like Facebook or Apple came from luck, but they were founded in the right time periods where they would really take off.
ReplyDeleteIs it better to approach religious belief through thinking and reason, or feeling and passion?
ReplyDeleteIt is better to approach religious belief with thinking and reason because your feeling and passion are usually in your favor and about what you think instead of whats there.
I agree with this I feel that yes it is good to have your feeling and passion behind what you believe but it is also good to have thinking and reason behind it as well because it will give you a option to think a little differently and hear everyone out. ]
DeleteSection #11
Is technology really magic? Does any real technology violate or transcend laws of nature and physics?
ReplyDeleteNo, I think that technology barely fits in with the natural law and order of physics and nature. I believe real magic would completely disturb life it's self and its something humans cannot understand.
If you were to take a flashlight to the world 200 years ago it would be seen as magic. Any magic in the world is simply anything we fail to understand as a society.
DeleteTechnology is an advancement. For example Dylan used the example of a flashlight which is an advancement in technology, not magic. I don't believe technology and "magic" are in the same category at all. Magic seems more like an idea to me, while technology is tangible.
Delete"Is it better to approach religious belief through thinking and reason, or feeling and passion? "
ReplyDeleteI think it is best to find a medium of both. We are both logical and emotional beings, and we perceive the world through both. This doesn't just apply to religion, other things in life as well. I think that both people who ONLY use logic/reason and people who ONLY use emotion are only living life half-way.
"If there is a God, would he prefer and favor Americans over all others?"
ReplyDeleteOf course not. God didn't only create Americans; he created all people out of love. I don't know if God shoes favoritism, but if he does, I imagine that he would show it toward the people who love him the most.
1. What mistake did Mark Twain say we make?
ReplyDelete2. How was Enlightenment "realized" in 19th century America?
3. What "legend" about Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence did Ronald Reagan report as fact?
4. How did Americans' religious choice differ from Europeans'?
5. How did Thomas Jefferson characterize the religiosity of North and South?
1. We mistake feeling for thinking.
2. It became authentically and democratically realized. Education became free and compulsory in the United States.
3. The legend of the “tall slender man…dressed in a dark robe” that made the arguments of the Founders of Philadelphia cease and then disappeared.
4. In England and Europe, the new denominations faded away or got absorbed by state churches. It was either Protestant or Catholic. In America, there was more religious freedom. Every set of beliefs and practices was officially equal to every other.
5. He said those in the North were superstitious and hypocritical in their religion, while those in the South were without attachment or pretensions to any religion but that of the heart.
Is it better to approach religious belief through thinking and reason, or feeling and passion?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the definition of religion is basically feeling and passion. It is interpretation of God's message across the globe, which is why there are different religions to begin with. If you approach religion with thinking and reason, you will be switching from religion to logic.
If there is a God, would he prefer and favor Americans over all others?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, if God had a preference, he would favor Americans the least because the country itself is a result of deceit and thievery. The "founders" stole this land from a people that had already cultivated, domesticated, and tamed this land for generations as their home. Therefore, God does not have a preference of human, but if he did, I wouldn't expect it to be those who built a life on the backs of others.
I completely agree with you Alexis and I think you gave a great understanding and background as into why .
DeleteSection #11
I fail to see why God would favor the land that has turned to the home of those who use thievery and deceit and has become a power house using war as a means to advance its economy
DeleteSection 11
I disagree with your idea. Because in the bible, it said that God has no favor in what so ever. Whether you are a sinners, believer, or non believer, God loves us the same as others.
DeleteThat is why I said "God does not have a preference, but 'if' he did..."
DeleteSection 11
ReplyDeleteIs it better to approach religious belief through thinking and reason, or feeling and passion?
I think it would be more through feeling and passion. There are thousands of people who have different opinions on religion- so thinking and reason is whatever you want to believe.
If there is a God, would he prefer and favor Americans over all others?
I think that he put us all on this Earth for a reason and accepts you no matter where you're from.
Section 6
ReplyDeleteIs it better to approach religious belief through thinking and reason, or feeling and passion?
I believe that if you approach religion through thinking and reason, the structure of blind belief the religious system is predicated upon immediately crumbles. Once man begins to make spiritual decisions for himself, he begins to realize the dark power structure religion has established in society as a means of placating the masses, liberating him to call the system into question. We can still have faith and belief without organized religious structures, but once freed from the "passions" and "feelings" that the church stresses that we allow guide us, we can have more clarity in our spiritual decisions.
https://youtu.be/YaDvRdLMkHs
ReplyDelete6
Is it better to approach religious belief through thinking and reason, or feeling and passion?
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is better to approach religion in a thinking and reasonable way because everyone's view point can differ. Also, I feel that through thinking and reasoning it helps not only be able to hear people views from different point of views but it gives access to a different understanding which can educate the people around listening more because you get to get a deeper and different insight.
Section #11
I disagree, when you approach religion with feeling and passion you are able to understand someones believes with more sincerity. Everyone's' point of view is different, and that point of view is what has brought them to believe what they believe. So when you approach them with passion and feelings you begin to truly understand their religion/believes
Deletesection 11
I do believe that miracles still happen to day, but due to our medical and technological advances our "need" for them have greatly diminished, I also believe the saying "everyday we stray further and further from God" also may have something to due. The human race is slowly taking the wrong path and so that may have a thing or two to contribute to "God's absence" But we as individuals don't need to seek great miracles to believe, I remember when I was a bit younger i had asked God for something small, something so minuscule that it was a joke. It was not until recently that I realized that that prayer had happened. It did take me over a year to acknowledge that it was answered but it was answered. We don't see great miracles now a days but we should definitely not over look the little miracles that happen to us daily.
ReplyDeleteSection 11
I agree with your ideas of miracles. Even though we are advances in technology there are many things we can't explain in the world.
DeleteI agree with you. I personally think that although we have advanced technology, we aren't meant to fully comprehend everything around us.
DeleteIs technology really magic? Does any real technology violate or transcend laws of nature and physics?
ReplyDeleteI believe that technology is not magic. It is more of defining who we really are as a human. The further we explore about technology the further we will be able to define we we really are.
I agree. Technology is just another stepping stone for humanity and it is there to help us improve our day to day lives.
Deletefile:///C:/Users/guill/Downloads/Untitled%20presentation.pdf
ReplyDeleteGuillermo, Muad, Mario Section 11
Technology is definitely not magic but some believe it is. For instance a lot of people still don't understand how an airplane float in the sky or how people communicate across the continent without actually meeting in person. this is all technological advancement.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I'm sure if you show a caveman an airplane the first thing they conclude to is that its magic. It all about exposing oneself to these technological advancements.
DeleteI'm also with you in that technology is not magic, but if I had lived a century before today or maybe even a few decades there's no telling what I'd believe. Having grown up in a time where we're always surrounded by technology we have the logic and context to understand the difference, but I can definitely understand why some people would classify it as magic.
DeleteWell, there's a thing call gravity. In face, we do know or understand how airplane float.
DeleteAre successful entrepreneurs lucky, smart, or just in the right place at the right time? In my opinion its both luck and being smart. i believe this because many are smart enough to be successful but luck is just not on their side .
ReplyDeleteWhy don't people do better at learning the lessons (or "rhymes") of history?
ReplyDeleteI think it's because of our seemingly intrinsic tendency to assume that all of the bad things in life don't apply or won't happen to us. We hear horror stories everyday, but the notion that it could just as easily happen to us never actually sinks in until it happens. Some of it also has to do with hindsight bias, in which the events of the past seem easily predictable in the now, but during the actual event it would have been incredibly hard to predict. It's effortless to assume that since something like it happened in the past then we should be able to detect or identify a similar event in the future, but when we're living it the various elements can be incredibly muddled and overlooked and we don't notice it until it's staring us right in the face, in which case it's too late.
Section #6
I couldn't agree more. I also believe that people don't realize that even if you aren't actively participating in something that causes harm, being a bystander is also apart of the issue at hand. I find that people have a hard time standing back and looking at the things going on around them due to the idea of things that specifically pertain to them seem to be more important. If something isn't directly affecting them, it seems quite easy to brush it off and dissociate themselves from bad things happening around them.
DeleteAre you more an ant or a grasshopper?
ReplyDeleteWell, I'd like to think I'm more of an ant, because I'm a realist in most matters and always try to look at things objectively and from a logical standpoint before I act or make any decisions. I also think I'm a good applier of common sense and I don't tend to truly believe in anything that seems too good to be true. I believe that one should always rely on hard work rather than any sort of chance or miracle. However, I'm a human being, so there are definitely times where I indulge in the instant reward of the present and avoid looking at the possible consequences of the future. While I never like to gamble with anything financially, I do sometimes gamble in the most important resource, which is time.
Section #6
I also believe that one should rely on hard work to achieve the things they desire, rather than hoping that it comes to their hands.
DeleteAre successful entrepreneurs lucky, smart, or just in the right place at the right time?
ReplyDeleteIt's a combination of everything. You have to be smart in that you need to know how to implement your idea effectively and persuade or manipulate others into thinking that your idea is worthwhile. You don't have to be creative because most ideas are rarely original and can easily be stolen from others, of course, creativity does help exponentially. Being lucky and being in the right place at the right time go hand in hand, because it's really by chance that you just happen to meet the right people or see an investor on one of their good days rather than bad ones. It's also lucky that you're at the right place at the right time where your idea isn't going to quickly become obsolete or isn't too futuristic for people to understand or see the value in it yet. It'd be great if being smart or creative could guarantee success, but unfortunately I don't believe that to be the case.
Section #6
Are successful entrepreneurs lucky, smart, or just in the right place at the right time?
ReplyDeleteI believe they are both smart and at the right place at the right time. They need to being able to use reasoning to determine the best possible decisions for their idea.I believe being at the right place at the right time puts them in the perfect situation to display their ideas hence why they are successful.
I agree, the best entrepreneurs are the ones that have the logic to make the best out of the situation. But they also know where to look for those situations and really get into the logic behind their decisions
DeleteIs technology really magic? Does any real technology violate or transcend laws of nature and physics?
ReplyDeleteTechnology is just the use of nature and different elements in nature in order to create new things.
Thomas Paine was dating a piece of history to me. This was one of the first times a man has openly stated that every man deserves the right to think freely with his own opinion. It is something to admire when a man uses his power for the greater good of others.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't people do better at learning the lessons (or "rhymes") of history?
ReplyDeletePeople are stupid. Anyone agree?
Maybe. I feel that people just like doing things at their leisure, whether or not it didn't go so well the first time.
DeleteOpen question to anyone that wants to answer.
ReplyDeleteIf God is fair and just then why would He condemn those who have never heard His name?
Is technology really magic? Does any real technology violate or transcend laws of nature and physics?
ReplyDeleteTechnology is due to advancements, not magic. Technology is a result of things we can explain, not randomness. This is the reason that there are no magical "inventions" that transcend the laws of nature and physics. They might transcend our imaginations, but yet they are able to explained by science.
Are successful entrepreneurs lucky, smart, or just in the right place at the right time?
ReplyDeleteI think it takes both to make a successful entrepreneurs. If you are there, but not smart enough to take advantage then you won't be successful, and vice versa.
I agree. You could possibly be lucky in the beginning, but eventually luck runs out. If you cant make strategic and smart decisions, your success will inevitably come to an end.
DeleteSection 6
1. What did Arthur C. Clarke say about technology?
ReplyDelete2. What was the original "alternative medicine,"and what's its "upside"?
3. What pseudoscience based psychological traits on "topographical details of a person's skull [felt] through the scalp?"
4. Who invented a religion that said pain, suffering, and disease are not real? What is that religion?
5. Whose "typical small-time grifter" father claimed he could cure cancer and implied that he'd discovered a reliable herbal method of birth control?
1.“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
2.Homeopathy. The upside was that homeopathy inherently fulfills the Hippocratic Oath: First, do no harm.
3.Phrenology
4.Mary Patterson. The name of the religion was New Thought.
5. Dr. William A. Rockefeller
Why don't people do better at learning the lessons (or "rhymes") of history?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, people don't do well with learning the lessons of history because of two main reasons: they either think it's boring or it's irrelevant. Both are untrue. I may sound biased because history is my favorite subject but I believe my theory is correct. First of all, history is very relevant. We need to know the success and fail stories of history in order to be able to plan and survive the future. Also, history is not boring. When most people think of history, they think of remembering dates and the names of old people; however, it is much more than that. Those old people are the reason we are able to live and breath with such ease and efficiency. Without the accomplishments, failures, wars, etc. of those people on those dates we would be doomed because it would be like starting over again. There is a lot of interesting information behind the concept of history because those old people are humans just like us. They had families and lives just like us. Some of them are our families. I don't know about everyone else, but to me, it is always amazing to see ordinary people change the world.