At the “midpoint” of THE MATRIX (1999), a near-future sci-fi epic about a post-apocalyptic world where machines have subjugated humans and relegated them to a false computer-generated world where they can be controlled as a source of energy, the villain, a sinister anthropomorphic computer program known as Agent Smith captures and tortures “Morpheus”, the leader of the human resistance.
I'm a bricklayer and for years I carpooled with another bricklayer 20 years older. At the end of the day we would jump in the truck and I'd say, "you're killing me Junior." He would reply, "I'm just trying to lay one more brick than you." Funny, that's just what I was trying to do.
Strive for excellence, pursuing happiness; things worth doing even if you don't quite make it. Once again Your Excellency, right on the mark.
I've had my own personal experience similar to the Universal 25 experiment. My very first pets were a couple of gerbils. They of course bred, which eventually led to another cage. Two cages was enough to clean, so what was one to do. Well, they took care of that by way of cannibalizing the babies. Pretty gruesome to watch as a child, but lesson learned. I appreciate that you put an even more precise finger on it, even after all these years. Thanks so much for your insight, and all that you do!
Another spot-on essay, MFW. I love your point and your movie examples. I'm also impressed with your Denali exploit. I have trouble reaching the top shelf of the liquor cabinet...
One of the reasons we have such high rates of crime and various anti-social behaviors is because we have less and less "unequivocal" tasks to channel our so-inclined men (and game women) into. They want to challenge themselves to good purpose (from the civilization's perspective) but such challenges are not only rare but are officially discouraged. I think these lack of challenges are causing a percentage of the doing-oriented people to spiral into criminality and other damaging acts. The rest of us are feeling a vague but increasingly pressing feeling of despondency. Like that Kinks song says, "But there's no England now."
America is following suit.
PS: I used to have one of those label makers as a kid and I turned my Dad's den into the bridge of the Enterprise and I would beam down into the backyard to explore strange, new worlds like my hero, Captain Kirk.
Thank you, sir... I shoulda put Kirk in there too! Your comments are spot on... you might like my friend's substack, The Stoic Parent... he talks about the culture the same way I do but with respect to schools and parenting rather than Hollywood.
I'm a bricklayer and for years I carpooled with another bricklayer 20 years older. At the end of the day we would jump in the truck and I'd say, "you're killing me Junior." He would reply, "I'm just trying to lay one more brick than you." Funny, that's just what I was trying to do.
Strive for excellence, pursuing happiness; things worth doing even if you don't quite make it. Once again Your Excellency, right on the mark.
Totally agree! Thank you sir
I've had my own personal experience similar to the Universal 25 experiment. My very first pets were a couple of gerbils. They of course bred, which eventually led to another cage. Two cages was enough to clean, so what was one to do. Well, they took care of that by way of cannibalizing the babies. Pretty gruesome to watch as a child, but lesson learned. I appreciate that you put an even more precise finger on it, even after all these years. Thanks so much for your insight, and all that you do!
Oof! That's tough. Yeah, animals will teach you a lot of hard lessons. And thanks, as always, for the kind words.
Another spot-on essay, MFW. I love your point and your movie examples. I'm also impressed with your Denali exploit. I have trouble reaching the top shelf of the liquor cabinet...
One of the reasons we have such high rates of crime and various anti-social behaviors is because we have less and less "unequivocal" tasks to channel our so-inclined men (and game women) into. They want to challenge themselves to good purpose (from the civilization's perspective) but such challenges are not only rare but are officially discouraged. I think these lack of challenges are causing a percentage of the doing-oriented people to spiral into criminality and other damaging acts. The rest of us are feeling a vague but increasingly pressing feeling of despondency. Like that Kinks song says, "But there's no England now."
America is following suit.
PS: I used to have one of those label makers as a kid and I turned my Dad's den into the bridge of the Enterprise and I would beam down into the backyard to explore strange, new worlds like my hero, Captain Kirk.
Thank you, sir... I shoulda put Kirk in there too! Your comments are spot on... you might like my friend's substack, The Stoic Parent... he talks about the culture the same way I do but with respect to schools and parenting rather than Hollywood.
https://stoicparent.substack.com/