Empires: It All Works . . .

  AI Free

. . . Until it Doesn't - Pt I

"Gradually and then Suddenly"

Throughout history there have been many powerful civilizations and empires.

Hanging Gardens Anyone?

Different times, different parts of the world

Okay so the world didn't end in 2012 - sue me!

           

                Different laws and customs

                                         Pax Romana

They all shared one thing however . . . 

Rule Britannia

. . . They All Died 

I have been fascinated with history for a long time. In fact, my minor in college was world history. I was going to major in it but I found something even more worthless - political science. (My GPA was too low for Basket Weaving.) I actually started this post years ago but just never quite got around to finishing it. Given current conditions here and elsewhere in the world I thought, "Hey, I owe this to you!"

Just a cursory look at history tells us that virtually every important empire or society throughout history rose and then fell. Turns out that finding out "why" is pretty interesting - especially if you're a nerd. It also turns out that it needs two parts so here's Part One.

I hope you find at least a few interesting tidbits in here.

"Will it Go Round in Circles?" (Compliments to Billy Preston)

According to experts, the average age of the great civilizations, especially in the last 1000 years or so, is something like 200-250 years - give or take. As you might guess, there are several theories for why this occurs but they are all very similar. Generally, they look like this version by an old Scottish Professor, Alexander Tytler: 

There are various names for, and numbers of, the steps but in a sense they all follow a similar birth-to-death cycle - not unlike like us humans? Hmmm

Toward the end of that cycle, however, the same things tend push them over the edge. Historian and author Jared Diamond in his excellent book, Collapse, generally sums up most of them quite well. He suggests the end is brought on by a combination of some or all these issues:

"Environmental Degradation, Economic Collapse, Political Instability & Corruption, Social Unrest & Class Conflict, Military Defeat & Invasions, Disease & Pandemics, Technological Stagnation, Cultural & Ideological Decay, Climate Change/Natural Disasters, Overexpansion."

Pretty easy see why they might do it. 

"Okay, guys, now that we've used up all the rocks and trees, who's up for moving to a new island?

Another theory that may apply specifically to countries like ours . . . . 

Modern Democracy (ruh roh)

Good old professor Tytler again, in the 1700's, had this to say about democracies: 

"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship." 

Again, hmmm . . . 

And there is this from a Founding Father. . .

I bet John was really a party pooper at the Constitution Convention

 A Final Theory . . . 

It is slightly different but it essentially explains or incorporates most of the others and (because of my Myers-Briggs type) it's my favorite.

 

Ironically, I think my dad was on to it many years ago.

A guy who worked with his hands all his life, he once said to me, “Babe, I don’t know what you do but it seems like you work with your brain all the time and then all that running around; it seems so hard and stressful.” To paraphrase - I think - and spoken with a Norwegian brogue, "How can you work all the time (and not really seeing what you accomplished) and then run around with the kids and all that other stuff with no time to relax?" 

Three things: 1) yes, Marvelous Marv's nickname for me was Babe, 2) no one has ever accused me of working too hard and, 3) I used to ask that question myself a few times. But that’s all beside the point, what he was actually saying was something pretty deep: modern life with all its hustle, bustle, stress, and just endless "crap" - hardly time for horseshoes or bowling?! - seemed unfathomable to my dad. (A smart guy with an 8th grade education.)

You know what? Maybe he was right.

Modern life

It is true that in almost every way our lives are demonstrably easier. The comfortable homes, fast transportation, instant communication – all the modern conveniences of our lives. Yet most of us are still stressed out a lot of the time. Well, until you retire and even then you worry about running out of money before you keel over. (Assuming, I guess, you have retirement money to run out of now since most people don't have pensions.)

Modern life is more difficult than most people appreciate. You know, commuting - or working from home - driving kids around to various “important” events; many of us on call for work any time of day and most of us work at the whim of a company that with one "right sizing" email can send anyone from middle class to stone age in a matter of minutes. (Okay, maybe stone age is an exaggeration but don't ask some civil servants about that today.) Also, even with all the time-saving tools of modern life we seem to have a lot less time to get all the "important" things (like golf?) done; somehow the 168 hours per week of our parents and grandparents has shrunk. (Although, admittedly, some - most? - of that is self-inflicted.) 

Finally, most of our comfortable lives comes courtesy of very complex systems that most of us have no clue even exist – nor would we understand if we did know. (Not to mention most are also very fragile  - remember toilet paper and hand sanitizer issues 5 yrs ago?)

Whoa, all I wanted was to turn on the lights and charge my phone!

In a very condensed explanation, Prof. Tainter theorizes that successful cities and societies must continuously grow; there is no such thing as stasis, it's grow or die. As they grow, however, they continuously become more complex and in turn generating more complex problems which they then solve with more complex and expensive solutions. For example, think of our cities with their streets, sewers, water, heat, cooling, banks - government? We have come a long way from hunter-gatherer!

Finally, the problems generated by their evermore complex society literally become too difficult and/or expensive for people solve. According to him these problems are often caused or made worse: ". . . because of war, disease, climate change, cost or political/poor leadership" (this sound familiar?) and he offers many examples throughout history. 

Big Finish!

Certainly everyone has heard a version of philosopher George Santayana's famous quote, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Meaning, I guess, that we humans apparently aren't capable of recognizing that we are, in fact, repeating the same stupid mistakes over and over. Thus, not unlike Sisyphus' rock, societies inevitably seem to roll back to chaos in that never-ending cycle.

(As a book recommendation, for another way to understand why we keep doing the same dumb ass stuff over and over check out The Fourth Turning by Strauss and Howe.) 

In our case, I think everyone knows we've got a lot of complex issues that we need to fix in this country. You can see them everyday in the paper and on the news. (Much more on this in Pt II.)

(Of course, people leaving our state, and our current and growing federal debt and deficit, implies that however much we may want or need to fix things, many of us don’t wish to pay for them.) 

You are a smart person so I'm sure you recognize that all these theories - and many of the same issues - can apply not only to the US but to most modern, western nations. In fact, possibly all western civilization. Inconceivable? Not in the long reach of history. (Fate is a bitch.) 

For what it's worth, and to close Part I, here's something my late great friend DK said many years ago: 

"We are not a serious people." 

I think it is safe to say that we Americans with our undeniable retreat from common sense and critical thinking are proving he was very prescient. 

And that cannot possibly be a helpful sign for poor old Sisyphus.

                                                        Perhaps DK was right?                                                               (BTW a hilarious - and frightening - movie)

"How did you go bankrupt?” Bill asked.

“Two ways,” Mike said, “Gradually and then suddenly.”

       "The Sun Also Rises" Ernest Hemingway

. . .  The same with empires?

Part 2, "American Tectonics" will be out soon - try to contain your excitement until then. 

Some empire-building music (please check it out, I spend a lot of time getting the perfect music for each post)

Everybody Wants to Rule the World    Tears for Fears   

 Possibly one of the 10 best songs ever - even 40 years later.     (Ha ha, see I had a plan, Martha!)

Key to My Kingdom    BB King

Conquistador   Procul Harum (Not far behind Everybody Wants to Rule the World.)

March 2020 Revisited

 

 It Doesn't Get Better with the Passing of Time

Five years ago, almost to the day, Mrs Dear Leader and I were on our way back from FL when we were made aware of a tiny little change in our (by which I mean our country's) lives. We had spent the night in Champaign IL and in the morning when I went down to take Prudie out and get MDL's morning coffee (our usual routine) the manager was there to greet everyone. Ominously, he said that there would only be coffee and a bagel, no breakfast; the governor had declared an emergency - now everyone go home! 

Just like that our odyssey into the unknown had begun.

Anyway, I thought it would be "fun" to re-post a subtle reminder from that "unique" time. Here you go.

Notes from a Prisoner in Solitary Confinement

(Originally posted Apr 6, 2020)

Home viewed pre-covid

So here we are, trapped in our own homes – the horror of it all!

You’d think that a guy who has been retired for a few years would be comfortable with sitting around the house all day and pondering his navel.

Same home viewed after lockdown

 

But no, one of the verities of life is that there’s a big difference between doing things we want to do and things you have to do – even if they’re the same things. Watch something on Netflix? Ha, you can’t make me! Take a nap? Who says?! How about cleaning the closet after 10 years of stalling? Who made you the boss?! (Besides there’s plenty of time for that later.) Have a cocktail? My god, are you nuts, it’s only two o’clock! Oh, well, if you insist.

Luckily, Mrs Dear Leader is very patient with me. In fact, she’s too patient with me – she just ignores me. She ignores my whining about no jelly beans in the house or that I’m tired of washing my freaking hands or that it’s stupid that the golf courses are closed. (Which the governor wisely soon reversed when he realized it was a very bad policy that angered the all-important golf community.)  Her pet name for me became Baby Dougie. Also, I look stupid in a stupid mask. A mask, I might add, that she made and is busy making masks for neighbors and care givers. I know, right? She's just doing it to make me look stupid and whiny! Well, in fact, everything IS stupid! (Well, not the mask – but I do look stupid in it.)

You think I'M bored with this crap . . .

Thank god, the dog hasn’t given up on me; Prudie is the one constant between the pre-pandemic life and the current sad state of affairs. We had a saying when I was in Thailand, lo those many years ago defending freedom from the godless commies (who now make a lot of our clothes) “every day is Tuesday and every meal is breakfast.” The genesis of which is that's what it felt like when you flew missions from 11PM until 5am every day, seven days a week, week in, week out - hey, pass the beer and waffles, will ya! 

Where was I going with that? Oh, yeah, that’s kind of the way a dog thinks (I think.) For them, every day is the same, every day is sheltering at home. Get up, go for a walk, go poop, have breakfast, take a nap, have lunch, take a nap - what’s not to like?!

As an aside, I saw that a cat in Belgium caught the covid virus. (And now a freaking Tiger? What's with those felines?!) Yup, all the symptoms – fever, coughing, breathing issues (not sure how you would know with a cat.) Caught it from humans but the cat recovered. Anyway, the larger point is that if a cat can catch the virus, in theory a cat can give you the virus. Now luckily, cats are naturally so good at social distancing that it probably doesn’t matter. In other news, no word that dogs can catch it - thank the god of dogs - score another one for mutts!

Anyway, it’s hard for we humans to embrace a dog’s life no matter how comfortable it might be IF someone is trying make us do it. This seems to be especially true of Americans; we have this independent streak that rears its head at the most inconvenient times. I mean, we put up with a two-party political system that is clearly a total failure without a peep but get mad when we aren’t allowed to infect our neighbors? Sheesh.

Finally, this whole social distancing thing and staying home is a pain but at least we’re all in it together. Well, most of us anyway. So don’t be a whiner like me. If you’re retired, you’re lucky. If you have a good spouse or partner, you're lucky. If you still have a job, you’re lucky. If you have good neighbors, you’re lucky. If you have a dog, you’re lucky. (No comment on cats.) For those that aren’t so lucky let’s try to be as generous as possible in whatever way possible to them.

   Neighborhood Mensa club discussing quantum physics while social distancing

If you don’t have the effing virus you’re lucky so don’t be stupid!

Fast forward 5 years:

In hindsight we know that a lot of us were stupid and that includes the government with its many unfortunate, unnecessary or incorrect calls. Which gave ammunition to the shitbirds who resisted every effort to protect them and their neighbors and loved ones in the name of - Freedom! (The same people, of course, who would have been the first to pillory the government for not doing enough had millions more died without some of those rules.)

Well, here we are more or less back to normal with only one of the two main pestilences bedeviling us back then still darkening our country now. Keep the faith, hopefully that one too will be totally eliminated as well in four years - if not sooner from natural causes. (Or if we can find a vaccine for stupidity sooner.)

Songs for the lucky among us . . .

Luckiest People in the World    Patrick Davis  (If you think YOU'RE lucky, watch this!)

  

Lucky Man     Emerson, Lake and Palmer

Good Luck, Bad Luck Lynyrd Skynyrd

AI Explaned

 AI for View Askewites

Editorial notice:

First an apology. A few folks did not care for my rather polemic post about our current political/government "situation." I'd like to think it's not because they disagree with what I said but simply don't want to hear about it. Whatever. It occurred to me, though, that even I can't face reading anything about this mess in the paper so a light bulb comes on! 

I promise I will not knowingly share any of my own apparently frightening political views with you; I will do my very best to keep them to myself. That doesn't mean that any of us can ignore what's going on or normalize it but you're a smart person and can figure out what, if anything, you need to do given your own situation. (But if you want some suggestions just ask.)

Enough said.

Albert AI at your service

Okay, I have to admit I was going to explain how cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin work but I changed my mind. Even if I could understand it - a task for which I have neither the brainpower nor patience - it turns out it would be easier to explain Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity or American politics. So I chose something simple - AI. 

Pretty much every day there are articles and conversations about Artificial Intelligence (AI) everywhere. Since this is apparently the greatest thing since the Air Fryer, I thought I would try to figure out what the big deal is. Disclosure: I have used it sparingly in a few posts - it's easy to use - but never really thought much about it. 

So I say to myself, “Say DL, I'll bet people would be really interested in such a popular thing. Even better, why don’t you use AI to explain AI?” Excellent idea, thanks!  So, allow me to let it speak for itself. (Info provided by ChatGPT)

At its core, AI operates by processing large amounts of data through algorithms—sets of rules that guide decision-making processes. By analyzing this data, AI systems can identify patterns and make predictions or decisions based on the information they’ve processed.

Did you get that? It’s sort of like a souped way our very own brain works. When our ancestors were chased by a saber tooth tiger they quickly identified not to be chased by one shortly after they watched their buddy Uug get caught and eaten. The lesson stuck.

Early AI Trainer

A fundamental aspect of AI is its ability to learn from data, a process known as machine learning. Instead of being explicitly programmed to perform a task, AI systems use algorithms to find patterns in data and improve their performance over time. For example, an AI system can be trained to recognize images of cats by analyzing thousands of labeled cat images, learning the common features that define a cat.

This is kind of like what I did when I worked in healthcare for largest healthcare company in America as a quality improvement geek. I had to look at a lot data to see how a particular process (let's call it claims denials) was supposed to work and then what was causing a particular problem or issue (not enough of them.) Note: Oddly, I found it was often associated with increasing shareholder value.

Another important component is natural language processing (NLP), which allows AI to understand and generate human language. This enables applications like virtual assistants and chatbots to interpret user requests and provide relevant responses.

This is no small deal! Smart people think that humans developed language about a hundred thousand years ago yet we are still apparently having trouble with it - just listen to our new (old?) president talk!

"I really like these conversations about women's rights around the fire, don't you guys ?"

The big question is, what will this mean for jobs?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the job market, presenting both opportunities and challenges across various sectors.

Optimists say that it will create more jobs than it destroys – like every technology advance has in the past.

Applications of AI

AI is integrated into various aspects of daily life, often enhancing efficiency and providing new capabilities. Some common applications include:

·        Virtual Assistants: Tools like Siri or Alexa use AI to understand voice commands and perform tasks such as setting reminders or playing music.

·        Recommendation Systems: Platforms like Netflix or Amazon analyze user preferences using AI to suggest movies or products that align with individual tastes.

·        Autonomous Vehicles: Self-driving cars employ AI to process data from sensors and cameras, enabling them to navigate and respond to dynamic environments.

·        Healthcare Diagnostics: AI assists in analyzing medical images and data to help detect diseases and recommend treatment options.

Pessimists are not so sure. Last time a lot of those new jobs ended up being crappier.

Job Creation and Augmentation

While some jobs may be displaced, AI is also expected to create new roles and enhance existing ones. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2023 indicates that AI could lead to the emergence of positions like AI and machine learning specialists, data analysts, and digital transformation experts. Additionally, AI can augment human capabilities, allowing employees to focus on higher-value tasks. (Great, higher value tasks like more time on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok while at work!)

Economic and Productivity Implications

AI has the potential to significantly boost productivity and contribute to economic growth. Lower-cost AI solutions are making advanced technologies more accessible to businesses of all sizes, potentially enhancing efficiency across various sectors. However, this increased productivity may also lead to concerns about wage suppression and job displacement in certain industries. (You think?!)

Just workin' on my PhD and livin' the dream!

Workforce Adaptation and Skill Development

As AI continues to evolve, there is a growing need for workforce adaptation through reskilling and upskilling. Emphasis on education and training in areas such as data analysis, machine learning, and other tech-related fields can help workers remain competitive. Moreover, developing soft skills like creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence will be crucial, as these are less susceptible to automation. (As are plumbers, electricians, and hair stylists.)

Not to be a negative nelly but they said the same thing when they out sourced all those factory jobs. The government talked big but didn’t put up the dough for all that “developing soft skills” stuff. And we know how that ended last time up - we got a lot of yard care guys, nail salons, Uber drivers, professional burger flippers. (Not that there's anything wrong with those jobs - except the pay, the hours and the benefits.)

Job Displacement and Transformation

AI's ability to automate tasks poses a risk to certain job categories. A study by Carl Benedikt Frey and Michael Osborne estimated that 47% of U.S. jobs are susceptible to computerization. Roles involving routine tasks, such as clerical and secretarial positions, are particularly vulnerable.

Yeah, but it is a LOT harder than you think to make a job transition e.g. a coal miner becoming a web designer or auto worker becoming a personal care attendant - it did create a LOT of pissed off people though!

Conclusion

The impact of AI on jobs is multifaceted, involving both the displacement of certain roles and the creation of new opportunities. Proactive measures, including investment in education and training, will be essential to navigate this transition and harness AI's potential for economic and societal benefit.

In conclusion, with just a “little” help from AI itself I have explained it so that you can either embrace AI or run from it – neither of which will matter because it’s coming rather you like it or not!

"I'm here to fix the gov't for you."

Very sorry, whoever on my staff snuck this in here will be sacked! 

Maybe some appropriate music will make up for this faux pas.

Mr Roboto    Styx

Blinded by Science    Thomas Dolby

Time to get off our . . .

 

Shortly after the election my son told me all of this was going to happen, especially the new assault on the civil service (he works for the VA) but I more or less pooh poohed him; I thought that he was just being an alarmist or paranoid. Sadly, it is now obvious that I was wrong and he was right.

Hopefully you have been paying attention to the news about the recent changes being implemented – or attempts at implementation – by the Trump administration. If not, don’t be intimidated by the flood of orders coming out of the White house, their intent is to overwhelm us, but check out what they are attempting to do for yourself. This may just sound like run of the mill politics but it is not and we must not normalize it. 

Of course many (most?) of us will not be directly harmed by most of these things but that is exactly what thugs and dictators do – attack those with the weakest voice first. Whatever you may think about the desirability or efficacy of these proposed “improvements“ make no mistake, they are dangerous and are directly out of the right-wing Project 2025 that Trump denied any knowledge of. (BTW Trump's new director of the OMB was an author of that document.) And this is just the beginning of trying to remake the government into a Third Reich-type cult of personality. You need look no further than most of the people who Trump has selected to run the most important government departments (plus noted fascist and employment expert, Elon Musk.) Unqualified election-deniers and cultists all - or just plain mentally ill.

I apologize for sounding shrill or panicky. (And I REALLY apologize to my son!) I flew in Southeast Asia where people wanted to kill me but I am actually more afraid now of what could happen to our country in a very short time than I was then. If you think turning over the civil service to incompetent sycophants is bad just imagine doing the same to the finest military in the world.

I think the best way to think about this is in terms of Pascal’s Wager regarding believing in God. In this case if we are right about Trump and his accomplices then we can (hopefully) stop a dangerous threat to the country. If we are wrong then the worst that could happen is . . . nothing.

Sadly, I’m not even sure how best to fight this but we have to start somewhere. It’s pretty wimpy but a call or a letter to our congressional representatives seems like a good place (although certainly won’t be enough.) We need to light a fire under them; no more polite hand wringing and pearl clutching. We need them to take up the same tactics that the Republicans that have brought us this mess have used so brilliantly over the last many years and do some serious crotch kicking (sorry for the metaphor but it seems appropriate under the conditions.).

You are all smart people so I urge you to research and think about this deeply and if you agree even a little please share this with friends and neighbors, even people who you think might disagree. They might just love our country enough to understand that what is going on is really bad for everyone.

It's time to get off our . . .

As an example here’s my letter and contact info:   (Congressional Contact)  Senate Contact

Congresswoman Omar/Sen. Klobuchar/Sen. Smith:

The time for polite discussion and disagreement with this administration is over. This latest assault on the federal civil service in addition to the indiscriminate funding cutoff and attack on  “Trump Enemies” are just the beginning and clearly shows that all our worst fears about this president are coming true - it is time to fight back. I urge you to raise your voice every day and in every way with people on both sides of the aisle. Surely some of your Republican peers can see where this is heading – there are hundreds of thousands of Republican jobs at risk as well as depending on other important programs.

We have all been far too docile and silent for fear of seeming silly or paranoid. Well, it is time for us all to grow a backbone and follow the same rules of engagement that the radical rightwing has in forcing Project 2025 on the country. Time is running out for our democracy and our nation.

Thank you for your consideration,

D Roger Pederson

LtCol USAFR (Retired)

Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.

The Real Dear Leader

Meditations for the New Year

 AI Free

January 2025

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” John Steinbeck

Cold enough for you, John?

Ah, the nadir in our winter of discontent and Dear Leader is . . . bored. Make that cold and bored. We were supposed to be back in FL now but thanks to Hurricane Helene we are receiving winter's gift of sweetness. That said, I apologize in advance for dragging you into my ennui but I will do my best to give you some reason to keep reading (but no guarantees.) 

So how are you doing with your resolutions - assuming you were foolish enough to make them. Perhaps I can offer something that you can stick with, at least for a while, and hopefully you might even find it interesting if not entertaining. (And also helpful for the next four years.) 

I mean, how often do you get to read about Greek philosophy, Ceasars, golf and self- improvement in a single short post? 

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Ceasar and by most accounts he was both a good Ceasar and a (fairly) good man, neither of which was very common. (As a unhistoric note, he was the Ceasar who was murdered by his son, Commodus, in the original “Gladiator” movie.) The reason I mention him is simply a cheap trick to get your attention with something vaguely interesting.

Okay, so he was also one of the more famous practitioners of the old Greek philosophy of Stoicism. And the reason I bring that up is because it has been around for about 2300 years and is becoming kind of fashionable again. (I took Philosophy 101* in college making me an expert in it - just kidding!)

"Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy that flourished in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. The Stoics believed that the practice of virtue is enough to achieve eudaimonia (a well-lived life.) The Stoics identified the path to achieving it with a life spent practicing the four cardinal virtues in everyday life - prudence, fortitude, temperance and justice - as well as living in accordance with nature." 

(I wonder if mass consumerism could fit in here somewhere.)

Famous Norwegian Stoic

Stoic person: one who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining. (Sound like anyone you know? Yeah, me neither.)

In my frequent moments of free time in the intervening 50-plus years I have often bumped into stoicism and I find it fascinating how some old things just keep coming round. That and it is a very pervasive philosophy that has influenced many great thinkers and religions over the years.

Please allow me to inflict my enthusiasm for it on you.

Recently, via one of the many "smart people" I subscribe to, I watched a short video (see below) that was both interesting and informative – not bad for one that is about philosophy, huh? It didn’t advertise itself as Stoicism but, as our old AF survival school teacher said, "If it looks like a banana, smells like a banana and tastes like a banana - it's a freaking banana so eat it!" The title is “How to Grow Deeply Happy” by Jonny Thomson. (I know, who needs to be happy especially now, right?)

Aurelius said, "You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realise this and you will find strength"

In Dear Leader-speak, “Hey, stop worrying about stuff you can’t control, don't whine and just try to do the right thing at all times; that will be hard enough without a bunch of worrying.” (Well, something like that.) Anyway lots of philosophers and theologians have tried to come up with finding the secret to happiness - and a lot of it ends up be like stoicism.

Man in desperate need of stoic thoughts

The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily

Plato in The Republic

Of all the means which wisdom acquires to ensure happiness throughout the whole of life, by far the most important is friendship.

Epicurus

It is a characteristic of the American culture that, again and again, one is commanded and ordered to 'be happy.' But happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue. One must have a reason to 'be happy'.                  

Viktor Frankl

You have the power to strip away many superfluous troubles located wholly in your judgment, and to possess a large room for yourself embracing in thought the whole cosmos, to consider everlasting time, to think of the rapid change in the parts of each thing, of how short it is from birth until dissolution, and how the void before birth and that after dissolution are equally infinite.

Marcus Aurelius in "Meditations"

Okay, so in the video Jonny boils down all flowery words to three things that he calls “the three pillars of happiness”:

                                                                       (Egregious use of dogs) 

                                                                       

                                 

                Various creatures who clearly have achieved eudaimonia

(Egregious use of buffoons) 

                              

                                

        

First, it's important to understand happiness does NOT equal pleasure (who knew, right?) If happiness was strictly about pleasure, which comes from satisfying desires, then we are going to be unhappy a lot - which we are - because we can’t possibly satisfy all our desires. (I know, it might be fun to try e.g. a golfer, say me, with a desire to hit a 300 yard drive and instead hitting it my usual 180 yards. Very disappointing.) 

Second, Moderation (talk about stoicism!) He mentions the "Golden Mean" an ancient term that equates to the phrase “moderation (or balance) in all things.” It has been around a long time and across many cultures. Jonny mentions Chinese Yin/Yang and the Swedish concept of  “Lagom” which loosely translates into  “just the right amount.” It is a key aspect of Buddhism, "The Middle Way" and is also present in some way in virtually every other religion.

Third, and last, Virtue (the Greeks were very big on this but I’m not sure even they knew exactly how to define or describe it.) Lots of people and lots of cultures have their definition of virtues but our guy says it really boils down to five things to do and their opposite (Vices) to avoid; seek the golden mean:

- Altruism/Egoism
   
- Kindness/Cruelty

- Justice/Injustice

- Wisdom/Ignorance

- Humility/Arrogance

Well that seems pretty difficult, maybe that's why I haven't been a very good stoic. So I guess instead of just whiling away the hours here (complaining about the weather) what I SHOULD be doing is actually examining where I am on the Three Pillars.

Like good old Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living."

I got your examination right here!

I probably won’t like the results of my examination but it will give me something worthwhile to work on besides my putting and bugging my friends. To paraphrase Bill from "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, when quoting So-Crates, "The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing." Ted (and Dear Leader) responds: "That's me, dude!" 

Anyway, if you already knew all this I hope it wasn't too painful. Meanwhile I'm off to seek eudaimonia. 

I hope you enjoy the rest of this magical (tongue firmly in cheek) season.

PS With #47 now taking over the presidential reins in his tiny little hands this stoic stuff could come in very handy.

YouTube:

How to Grow Deeply Happy  (10 mins)

Article:

Stoicism and Modern Life

* Just another plug for a liberal arts education. I know it is out of favor but somebody has to stand up for those old philosophers.

Happy music . . 

Good Vibrations   Beach Boys

Good to Be Alive   Jason Gray

Happy Together   The Turtles