I read in the news the other day that astronomers in Switzerland have discovered a "second earth," twenty light years away. Apparently, the conditions are favorable for life (i.e. a temperature similar to ours, an atmosphere, a star comparable to our sun). I've never believed that there is intelligent life on other planets, but obviously it is an interesting and plausible enough thought to produce the Science Fiction genre.
If I were to attempt a piece of scifi, I think I would focus on the human reaction. Many times writers focus on humankind's immediate response to alien life in urgent situations (think War of the Worlds). What if we had time to process the discovery? What if these scientists in Switzerland found proof of intelligent life on this "second earth" tomorrow, without there being threat of imminent attack? How would you react/think/feel?
If you were writing scifi (focusing on alien life) what angle would you be most interested in exploring?
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Title Explained...
I was thinking about the title of this blog, and thought perhaps I should share why I chose Pseudo Profundities and Other Laments. We all use cliches in our conversation--they're safe, we don't have to be creative, and most everyone will automatically agree with you.
Example: I want world peace.
Yes, most people want world peace, but the statement itself is naive. There's no consideration for the larger political/cultural/religious entanglements that lead to violence and discord. How much of ourselves are we willing to sacrifice to attain this goal?
I consider cliches to be pseudo profundities. On the surface they sound fine, noble even. But we forego the actual thought process in order to be agreeable during conversation. One of my favorite personal experiences with this occurred in our local Target. Last Christmas, I was purchasing some toys for my nieces and nephews. The cashier rather blankly looked at me and said, "I always find that it is better to give than to receive, because when you give you also receive." How could I possibly disagree with that? And, I believe there are deeper insights buried in that statement, just read Acts 20:35. But the tired and robotic way in which the cashier said this struck me as the ultimate pseudo profundity. She didn't have the energy to come up with a new thought of her very own.
I'm not knocking this woman for using a cliche; as I said earlier, we all do it. It's just that we rely on these exhausted truisms to cover our own vapidness. To me, this is lamentable. I must confess, I am no conversationalist. My brain works at roughly half the speed as most people's, making it quite difficult to chime in with inspired thought. However, when I write, I try not to be lazy. My intention is to craft a considerate and deliberate piece, which will encourage deeper reflection and insights. At times I fail miserably to live up to this standard, but I try.
What are your favorite pseudo profundities? Or your most cringe-inducing?
Example: I want world peace.
Yes, most people want world peace, but the statement itself is naive. There's no consideration for the larger political/cultural/religious entanglements that lead to violence and discord. How much of ourselves are we willing to sacrifice to attain this goal?
I consider cliches to be pseudo profundities. On the surface they sound fine, noble even. But we forego the actual thought process in order to be agreeable during conversation. One of my favorite personal experiences with this occurred in our local Target. Last Christmas, I was purchasing some toys for my nieces and nephews. The cashier rather blankly looked at me and said, "I always find that it is better to give than to receive, because when you give you also receive." How could I possibly disagree with that? And, I believe there are deeper insights buried in that statement, just read Acts 20:35. But the tired and robotic way in which the cashier said this struck me as the ultimate pseudo profundity. She didn't have the energy to come up with a new thought of her very own.
I'm not knocking this woman for using a cliche; as I said earlier, we all do it. It's just that we rely on these exhausted truisms to cover our own vapidness. To me, this is lamentable. I must confess, I am no conversationalist. My brain works at roughly half the speed as most people's, making it quite difficult to chime in with inspired thought. However, when I write, I try not to be lazy. My intention is to craft a considerate and deliberate piece, which will encourage deeper reflection and insights. At times I fail miserably to live up to this standard, but I try.
What are your favorite pseudo profundities? Or your most cringe-inducing?
Monday, October 22, 2007
Random Pseudo Profound Thought for the Day...
(Note: Don't steal my work. It's not cool, and I will find out who you are. Intellectual property is just like physical property: you steal it, there are consequences.)
It is the solitude of a place that can be one’s most ardent supporter, or one’s most devious adversary. For in solitude a simple contemplation can become quite a grandiose idea, a wellspring of innovative thought. Yet under similar circumstances, with a darker temper or a sinister disposition, one senses an unpleasant melancholy dreadfully dangerous to the human soul. The extent to which solitude affects a person, whether for benefit or harm, is determined by reasons unknowable and utterly dependent upon one’s susceptibility to the temptations of those quiet whispers that speak to unguarded hearts…
It is the solitude of a place that can be one’s most ardent supporter, or one’s most devious adversary. For in solitude a simple contemplation can become quite a grandiose idea, a wellspring of innovative thought. Yet under similar circumstances, with a darker temper or a sinister disposition, one senses an unpleasant melancholy dreadfully dangerous to the human soul. The extent to which solitude affects a person, whether for benefit or harm, is determined by reasons unknowable and utterly dependent upon one’s susceptibility to the temptations of those quiet whispers that speak to unguarded hearts…
Sunday, October 21, 2007
It's Been So Long...
Sorry for the long absence. Blogging is fun, but requires a good deal of time and attention. I've been otherwise occupied with a job that, though I am grateful for the employment, I do not particularly enjoy. In fact, I've written a letter to my employer to express my distaste for some of their business practices. Because I am a coward (and in need of an income), the letter has been languishing in the purgatory that is my computer's hard-drive. I will share it with you here, although I am changing the name of the company to avoid further pecuniary difficulties (namely, I don't wanna be fired). Enjoy!
Diversion Vestibule’s Overall Performance Problem Report:
To Whom it May Concern,
In keeping with Diversion Vestibule’s practice of demeaning workers’ efforts to be good employees by issuing “Daily Performance Problem Reports,” here is a report on the company’s performance as an employer.
1) Lack of Proper Training: The training process provided by Diversion Vestibule leaves much to be desired. It was made clear to the store manager who hired me that I had no prior experience with a register. Despite this information, the “training” consisted of a one-hour observation. Information is given on a need-to-know basis as issues, problems, and questions arise. This creates a highly stressful work environment, especially for employees new to this type of work.
2) Arbitrary Pricing and Sales: Much to the chagrin of employees and customers alike, Diversion Vestibule does not clearly mark the prices of many items. This causes a great deal of confusion among all involved, and often leaves employees with no choice but to guess at prices based on comparable items. The situation is compounded when merchandise is on sale. The advertisements often say, “such and such an item is on sale, AND MORE.” What exactly does the “and more” include? It would be helpful if Diversion Vestibule were more concerned about specifics with pricing and less concerned about specifics with minor mistakes made by new employees.
3) Archaic Technology: Hi, Diversion Vestibule, welcome to the twenty-first century! Incredible new technologies exist to make businesses run more efficiently and effectively…namely, the scanner. Rather than forcing employees to key in the price of every item and sale, the scanner would allow prices to be entered electronically with sale price already tabulated! This would eliminate the hassle of “over-rings” and allow customers and employees to know the actual cost of merchandise. Not to mention, customers would have less wait time at the register. Seriously, my parents used the same type of registers currently used by Diversion Vestibule stores when they were working comparable jobs in the 1970s.
I do appreciate that Diversion Vestibule was founded upon Christian values. It seems, however, that those values have been lost in the translation from ideals to business practices. An extra measure of grace (particularly with new employees) would go a long way in creating a positive, high-morale, lower stress work environment. If a little more time were invested in the proper training of employees, fewer DPPRs would be issued (saving paper would be an added bonus!). If pricing and sales were clear, customers would be less likely to become angry and leave the store without purchasing any items. Finally, if the technology used by the company were more relevant to the time in which we live, I believe Diversion Vestibule’s profits would greatly increase, because there would be no more guessing at prices or sales mistakenly given.
I have every confidence that Diversion Vestibule is capable of improving its performance as an employer, if these measures are taken.
Sincerely,
A Frustrated Employee
Diversion Vestibule’s Overall Performance Problem Report:
To Whom it May Concern,
In keeping with Diversion Vestibule’s practice of demeaning workers’ efforts to be good employees by issuing “Daily Performance Problem Reports,” here is a report on the company’s performance as an employer.
1) Lack of Proper Training: The training process provided by Diversion Vestibule leaves much to be desired. It was made clear to the store manager who hired me that I had no prior experience with a register. Despite this information, the “training” consisted of a one-hour observation. Information is given on a need-to-know basis as issues, problems, and questions arise. This creates a highly stressful work environment, especially for employees new to this type of work.
2) Arbitrary Pricing and Sales: Much to the chagrin of employees and customers alike, Diversion Vestibule does not clearly mark the prices of many items. This causes a great deal of confusion among all involved, and often leaves employees with no choice but to guess at prices based on comparable items. The situation is compounded when merchandise is on sale. The advertisements often say, “such and such an item is on sale, AND MORE.” What exactly does the “and more” include? It would be helpful if Diversion Vestibule were more concerned about specifics with pricing and less concerned about specifics with minor mistakes made by new employees.
3) Archaic Technology: Hi, Diversion Vestibule, welcome to the twenty-first century! Incredible new technologies exist to make businesses run more efficiently and effectively…namely, the scanner. Rather than forcing employees to key in the price of every item and sale, the scanner would allow prices to be entered electronically with sale price already tabulated! This would eliminate the hassle of “over-rings” and allow customers and employees to know the actual cost of merchandise. Not to mention, customers would have less wait time at the register. Seriously, my parents used the same type of registers currently used by Diversion Vestibule stores when they were working comparable jobs in the 1970s.
I do appreciate that Diversion Vestibule was founded upon Christian values. It seems, however, that those values have been lost in the translation from ideals to business practices. An extra measure of grace (particularly with new employees) would go a long way in creating a positive, high-morale, lower stress work environment. If a little more time were invested in the proper training of employees, fewer DPPRs would be issued (saving paper would be an added bonus!). If pricing and sales were clear, customers would be less likely to become angry and leave the store without purchasing any items. Finally, if the technology used by the company were more relevant to the time in which we live, I believe Diversion Vestibule’s profits would greatly increase, because there would be no more guessing at prices or sales mistakenly given.
I have every confidence that Diversion Vestibule is capable of improving its performance as an employer, if these measures are taken.
Sincerely,
A Frustrated Employee
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