The anti-Whack thread

[E V I L]

So there's so many people in the world we'd love to hate, who deserve a good beat down.

Is there anyone (besides Opeth) in the world that inspires you? Who compells you to actually feel good about the world, yourself and the future? In short, who was/is "right'?

I'm not a very educated and well-traveled guy, so I can't think of too many apart from known historical figures.

Anyway.....

M. L King Jr. was right. Einstein was right. Nietzsche was right. Malcolm X was right. Ghandi was right. Alfred Nobel was right. Beethoven was right. Picasso was right. -- shit can't think of anyone else. I could mention a few of my friends whose strength and assorted wisdom have been a source of inspiration to me, but that's a bit out of place here.

Damn me. What a pathetic list.

Can YOU do better? or is the world actually so bankrupt?

 

[Windom Pearl]

Mike Patton!!! (You could guess I'd say this...)

His attitude towards...about anything is a reminder for me that everything's not lost yet and there are actually some sane people around. And of course it always makes me smile to listen to him and think "Wow, someone can actually be that talented."

 

[_Transparent_]

Jhon Cleese

 

[MetalManCPA]

Being a little older - hindsight helps here :
My parents are first, because I now know they guided me properly, instilling in me the right set of morals and values to work with, which enable me to approach life with a positive attitude.

Beyond that, the second tier list is many, since different people have raised my intellect on various issues. Music itself inspires me, but it's a temporary thing. When the music is done, the feeling begins to fade. Currently, I think Bill Gates inspires me most, because he's defined what you can do with the freedom in this country. Yes, his business ability has smothered many in his path, thus people could argue his greed has forced many lives to be struggling ones. But, he personfies two things - the ability for economic prosperity, and no one can deny that his products lead the way for technology as a whole - pretty amazing thing.

Back to 09/11 - you hear all about this new sense of pride in the US, which itself is an inspiration, and I've been bit by it also.

 

[Russell]

I agree on Einstein, Nietzsche, Martin Luther king, Ghandi and Nobel. So other than that:
Many musicians inspire me, too many to list I think, but all in very different ways.
Many of my friends inspire me, but also in different ways, my girlfriend a lot.
Travis Smith, and Chuck Palahnuick often make me wich I could draw/write (does that count as inspiration)
Yeah I thought there would be more than that! But I can't think of ne1 else. Neway... I think its mainly musicians that inspire me...

 

[Demonspell]

I'd have to include the greatest politician of our time, Rudy Guiliani!

 

[TyrantOfFlames]

I would have liked to have met Jesus. He was a great guy.
Homer (the poet)
Dave Gilmour
Thomas Aquainas
Einstein
George Orwell

That's all I can think of for now.

 

[Obyeybyeogone]

I think homer (not the poet) is good too

 

[S4R]

Originally posted by Oyo
I think homer (not the poet) is good too

Yes. Homer Jay Simpson

 

[Satori]

My heros:

Siddartha Gautama (infinite insightfulness into psychology, philosophy, metaphysics)
Alan Watts (death of self, birth of freedom, told it straight)
Sartre (interpersonal logic)
Einstein (philosophy meets physics)
Siggi (Sugarcubes drummer)
Snake (Voivod vocalist/lyricist)
Mikael (God)

Satori


PS: Just in case anyone is still thinking of existentialism as being this sharply defined thing, here's a definition I stumbled across: "Because of the diversity of positions associated with existentialism, the term is impossible to define precisely. Certain themes common to virtually all existentialist writers can, however, be identified. The term itself suggests one major theme: the stress on concrete individual existence and, consequently, on subjectivity, individual freedom, and choice. "

 

[E V I L]

Originally posted by Satori
Just in case *anyone* is *still* thinking of existentialism as being this sharply defined thing, here's a definition I stumbled across: "Because of the diversity of positions associated with existentialism, the term is impossible to define precisely. Certain themes common to virtually all existentialist writers can, however, be identified. The term itself suggests one major theme: the stress on concrete individual existence and, consequently, on subjectivity, individual freedom, and choice. "

If this "anyone" is reference to me, you should refer to the appropriate thread and realize the "still" is actually a "never was."

Indeed existentialism like so many other isms isn't a clear-cut definition. It means a variety of things but is underlined by some common denominator. I could have told you that.

Anyway, in case you think your definition states something I haven't already, let's review: "the stress on concrete individual existence and, consequently, on subjectivity, individual freedom, and choice."

individual existence + subjectivity = "idealism"

idealism + life (or concrete existence) = uncertainty, absurdity, the profundity of knowing anything.

life = freedom and the neccesity of choice

freedom and the neccesity of choice + uncertainty (a result of finite consciousness-in-the-world) = the other *major themes* associated with all the writers whom might be described as *existentialist.* These themes, as i mentioned them previously, are guilt and anxiety- or in Satrean terminology, "angst."

"Existentialism" refers to those things. The important note here is that "existentialist" is not exactly compatible with "existential," which I what I sought to correct.

cheers

 

[Satori]

Originally posted by E V I L
If this "anyone" is reference to me, you should refer to the appropriate thread and realize the "still" is actually a "never was."

Who are you trying to convince? Me, or yourself?

Also, why not quote the dictionary again, just for the sake of clarity? I'm sure we all need to be reminded of the "proper definition".

muhahah

Satori

 

[E V I L]

Originally posted by Satori


Who are you trying to convince? Me, or yourself?

Also, why not quote the dictionary again, just for the sake of clarity? I'm sure we all need to be reminded of the "proper definition".

muhahah

Satori

Don't mess with my dictionary bitch!!!

 

[Satori]

Originally posted by E V I L
Don't mess with my dictionary bitch!!!

Yes daddy. heheheh

Satori

 

[Satori]

I feel that this thread will undoubtedly be shorter than its counterpart pro-whack thread for the simple fact that people are more likely to bitch about what bugs them than share what inspires them.

Optimism requires enthusiasm and effort, while pessimism does not. I feel that humans are somehow engineered to be cynical bastards.

Satori

 

[HoserHellspawn]

My anti-whack praise will generally go to individuals or groups of individuals who were free thinkers and/or innovators, those who, in whatever field, did something new for others to follow, or broke existing molds regardless of the disapproval of others.

My most quoted influences would be two entertainers, George Carlin (who revolutionized comedy, taking the torch from Lenny Bruce and redefining standup) and Frank Zappa (who took influences from styles as diverse as 50's doo-wop to Stravisnsky and blew "pop" music wide open - perhaps the first truly progressive recording artist... nevermind all the socio-political stuff).

Galileo, Nietzsche, Einstein, George Orwell, Gen. Arthur Currie come to mind right now...

 

[E V I L]

Originally posted by Satori
I feel that this thread will undoubtedly be shorter than its counterpart pro-whack thread for the simple fact that people are more likely to bitch about what bugs them than share what inspires them.

Optimism requires enthusiasm and effort, while pessimism does not. I feel that humans are somehow engineered to be cynical bastards.

Satori

Yeah,

We live in a world of impoussiant and mediocre fools. I'm much much more inclined to list my friends and the few bunch of people I've had the priveledge of knowing throughout my life. These guys- some of who are like legends in my mind- occupy the main spaces of "admirationdom" that I have in store.


On another note here's a few people in the media I do admire:

Jim Carrey- funny as heck though he seems to have lost his funny vein lately.

Ichiro Suzuki (?)- that japanese baseball player in the Seatlle Mariners. There seems to be a commitment to excellence and professionalism about his sportsmanship that deeply inspires me, the kind which I haven't seen since the days the "big kids" on the block played baseball in my neighborhood and played sheerly because they knew they were good.

historical figures:

I like emily dickinson a lot, that reclusive poet who wrote variously about life, society, matters of politics and matters of the heart. A ver maverick soul behind her words.

Abe Lincoln- held together America during its most trying time and wrote kick-ass speeches.


But I'd have to reiterate. Most of the great men and women seem to be behind media and the spot light of history. My perceptions may be wrong- i might be forgetting to factor in something- but it seems like modern civilization is bent on manufacturing weakness and inauthenticity. Look at the current president of the USA.

enough rambling for tonight.

 

[Blackspirit]

Hugs and kisses and all that to my father... )

He taught me to be open-minded without
knowing he did. He has always let me stay
free, because he is so "free" himself.
He also made me very independent
by his way of being, both good and bad.
Most of all I love him for exposing me to
music from day one. Now I know his
record-collection better than he does! >)

 

[Satori]

BlackSpirit: very inspirational, thanks for sharing. The world needs more people with an attitude like yours. Your father must be very proud to have such high praise from you.

I think honourable mention should also go to David Suzuki (the scientist and environmentalist, not the philosopher, though he was pretty cool too) for his efforts in raising public and gov't awareness about environmental issues, rainforest, endangered species, pollution, recycling, conservation, etc.

Anyone who dedicates his/her life's work to the protection of our mother earth deserves our upmost respect, admiration, and reverence. There cannot be a more noble cause that this.

If you are an energy hog, wasteful, or if you don't recycling everything you touch, then you need a good hard kick in the cunt you selfish lazy fuck.

Satori

 

[MetalManCPA]

One more praise (and how could I have not listed this before?):

My wife and kids - forgetting all the external bullshit such as money problems, school, "normal" parent/kid disagreements - I couldn't of possible dreamed of a better family relationship. I love my wife and kids deeper than I could possibly explain. With all the senseless crap everyday life spews my way, I stand above it because the strength the family unit provides.

If this sounds corny to you, then you have no idea what I'm talking about.

And to you Blackspirit - makes me as a parent feel good to know kids can look upstream and feel the same way we parents do of our kids (my last post of praise was to my parents also)