Inventing a NEW Social Media

Many people are dumping Facebook. And Twitter.

Whatever happened to “My Space” ?  Should there be a My Space 2.0 ?

Many people like WordPress. Some like Instagram, Tumblr or Wix.com

So I have a question for you:  If you imagine the “coolest” kind of Blogging platform or social media “thingy”, what would it be like? What would make it The Best? Name 3 must-have features you would want in it.

Some things on my wish-list would be

1. No Text limit  (or, a 12-page limit per post should be enough. Having it doesn’t mean that you always have to use it.). 2. Find other users by Topic/category, and by City. 3. I would actually LIMIT no more than 2 pictures included/attached with any post.

Here’s more: 4. MUCH better control/filtering of any “Timeline” and comments. Such as the ability to Block up to say, 50 users. And also something like: Only show/allow comments and only show me other posts from the country I created my account in. For example, I have no interest in reading posts or getting comments from Bolivia or Uzbekistan or from languages that I don’t speak. Give us the option.

It would also be nice to have some choices to alter colors and fonts. What do you think?

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Some thoughts on Spiritualism & Spirituality

I had fun researching and reading about what I’ll call “History of Alternative Spirituality/Occult.

Here’s some thoughts on Spiritualism.  The “Big-Daddy” of Modern Spiritualism would be, in my opinion, Andrew Jackson Davis. He wrote: The Principles of Nature (1847) and The Great Harmonia (1850). He died in January of 1910.

In 1875,  we got Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and the founding of Theosophy (the Theosophical Society). This was less Spiritualistic and more Occult than Spiritualism. By 1885, Andrew Jackson Davis would have been married 3 times and had all of them end. His popularity very likely diminished after that. In 1888, Blavatsky would write The Secret Doctrine.  A massive 2 vol. set that few would read completely. She had already written another 2 vol. set earlier called: Isis Unveiled (in 1877 ?).

Even though Davis’s popularity faded, many people were still interested in Spiritualism. Why rely on Davis? People wanted to communicate with the dead on their own. Then we got “the Ouija Board” (in 1891?)

But Science and Materialism were marching on, and we also had Robert G. Ingersoll “The Great Agnostic’ and his writings from about 1872 to 1899. In 1902, after Davis’s 3 marriages, Frank Podmore would write “Modern Spiritualism”. I believe this was a critque.  Then, 1914-1918, we had World War 1.

By the 1920’s, there were all sorts of beliefs one could get into: Spiritualism, Theosophy, “The Mind-Cure Movement” (as William James called it), Psychology, Christianity, Mysticism and more. Spiritualsim would still be popular in England. Arthur Conan Doyle would turn to Spiritualism, and Arthur Finlay would write the book “On the Edge of the Etheric”. Then, in America, we would have the Great Depression and also World War 2 and alot of people were likely too busy for alot of reading.

That’s my opinion, from reading and researching. I wasn’t there but I think that’s close to how things went.  If you want still more info, a good book on this kind of stuff is “Occult America” by Mitch Horowitz. Amazon.com should carry it.

Jerry Walls critiques Calvinism

Does your Church teach Calvinism? I’m betting that 80% of Christians have no idea, if they even know what Calvinism is at all. And chances are if your Church is Calvinistic, I seriously doubt that they will announce it. They might answer you if you ask them but i think most of them will keep quiet about it.

Are YOU pre-destined to go to Hell? Or Heaven? What if you go to Heaven but your husband or wife was predestined to go to Hell? What about having Free Will? If people are pre-destined to either be or not be “Saved”, then what is the point of “Soul-Winning”?

Meet Jerry Walls. See ALSO his Youtube video: What’s Wrong With Calvinism PART ONE (especially). But here is a more condensed video by Walls on this topic. Thanks to Youtube and ThePristineFaith.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzWN0Kw3Bl0

Tales of Tomorrow (1952) – The Miraculous Serum

Science Fiction TV.

Before The Twilight Zone, Before One Step Beyond, there was “Tales of Tomorrow”. Early-50’s scifi TV. Some of the endings are a bit abrupt but these are fun to check out. Like this one, “The Miraculous Serum”.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC7vr0pkauo

Travis Heinze, Cops and Youtube

Some people you just have to see, or Hear, to believe. Like Travis Heinze, on Youtube.

I guess this guy has no job, lives in his vehicle, drives around to different cities filming parts of the towns and makes Youtube videos. But he also creates a huge amount of trouble for himself with Law Enforcement, needlessly. Like I said, you need to hear him to believe him.

Click this Youtube link to see one of his interactions with law enforcement.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h9gGuVmnhI

Why is he so defiant and sassy? The Officers I felt were very professional, reasonable and willing to work with him if he simply cooperates! Why not just show them his license and move on? Things could have been so much simpler but he creates alot of his own trouble. The middle of this video “goes Black” but you can still hear the audio. Also, how does Travis get gas money to keep driving to all of these towns?

Comedy. Flip Wilson & The Church of What’s Happening Now

Around 1973-74, Comedian Flip Wilson had a TV show. He was widely loved by many in his time.

Ted Talks

Sigh. Where to begin? I have tried to like TedTalks but—-

Over and over again, to me anyway, they seem to be so politically correct or “lite”.

I cant recall listening to ANY that would be “really controversial” where someone argued with passion and good persuasiveness for their case!

Nope. It’s either things that are soooo super-easy to agree with or that everyone knows anyway (so why bother with a speech at all?) or something “safe” that wont ruffle feathers. It reminds me of the sorts of things you might hear in Toastmasters (which is boring as hell).

Has anyone who is a member of the NRA and also “socially conservative” ever been allowed to do a Ted Talk? I say this without bias. I don’t own a gun and am not a member of the NRA.

Maybe I just haven’t heard the right speeches. But so far, it hasn’t been exciting. Sounds like a bunch of liberals preaching touchy-feely stuff.

Boundaries in your Car

A co-worker is giving you a ride home from work. They have music on in their car. It’s not that it’s too loud, you just don’t like it. But hey! They are doing you a favor and they are in charge in their own car just as they are in their own house. So suck it up and shut up.  And Respect their turf!  Right? After all, you are not in charge here.They are.  But—some people try to be anyway. And this leads us right into “Boundaries”. Imagine this, it could easily happen. Will you stand up for your legitimate rights or let yourself get shamed into doing things their way? Who is in charge at *their* house? Likewise, you have the same rights. Here goes:

A family member is riding with you in *your* car and you have the radio or a music CD on while driving. Its music you really like, but they say the music sucks and to turn it off. How do you (or anyone reading this) feel about this conversation? Here is what I feel they would be likely to say, and my responses:

Them: Gawd, that music sucks. Shut it off.
Me: I like it and this is my car.
Them: But I’m a “captive audience”.
Me: #1–NO ONE forced you to ride with me! And its my car. Would you tell someone else what TV channel to have on if you were in their house?
Them: Well, iiiii wouldn’t do things like that. I’d shut it off it you were in my car.”
Me: Maybe. But you would be within your rights either way. But even aside from that: Your-choices-dont-obligate-me!
Them: well, you could have a little more consideration.
Me: IIII could? 2 replies: #1. who is on who’s “turf” here? When iiii’m the passenger, or a visitor at someone else’s place, I do things *their* way. They, or you, can show “consideration” and respect by doing the same for me. and #2. What would I do if you weren’t even here? I’d enjoy this music. Question: why should I diminish my enjoyment any less, or inhibit myself just because you are here?
Them: That sounds selfish. 15 minutes without your music wouldn’t kill you.
Me: And 15 minutes of hearing it won’t kill you, either. I am within my rights if its in my house, on my property or in my car. Just like you are.
Them: Gawd, I hate driving with you.
Me: I can stop the car. You are free to go. No one ever forced you at all.
Comment: There! That should cover the likely objections and arguments. One more thing—suppose I *did* give them their way on this bit with the radio. How soon would it be before they found 6 other ways and situations for me (or you) to be more “considerate” ? You get to be “courteous” but they will never admit to being “manipulative”, bossy, or trying to run things when they are at your place, will they? I didn’t think so. It’s an ongoing battle but we usually feel better when we stand up for our rights

 

Boundaries & Family. “Kindness” or Manipulation?

There is a good book on Boundaries, which you can get through Amazon.com called: Where To Draw The Line, by Anne Katherine.

But here’s a scenario/question I’d like to share, not in the book.
Who is in charge in your house or apartment? You are, or should be. Why? Because it’s *your* place! But if that’s true, then what if:

Your brother or sister comes over to stay for a few days, maybe a week. Let’s say your parents are also coming over, too and that you have a 2 or 3 bedroom place, so there is room for everyone to stay overnight. Even though they are family, you are still in charge of your own place and family or not, they should “respect your house” and that it’s “your house, your rules”. After all, who is in charge in their house? Simple enough. But what if your brother or sister decided to intrude on or ignore your boundaries “by doing a good thing”? Such as: Family is visiting you. Let’s say you go to the Mall in the daytime because you enjoy it and will be gone all afternoon til say, an hour before dinner. But, while you were out, let’s say your brother or your sister got the bright idea of going the grocery store, buying some meat, veggies and a bunch of food items and–without informing or asking you at all–just decided that they would cook dinner for everyone, using your kitchen, and they wont let you pay them back for the food they bought. You come back from the Mall, walk in the door and its 15 minutes before everything is ready.

It might be very tempting to just say: KEWWWL! Somebody cooked for me and it didnt cost me a dime, but—think further. is it really as simple and innocent as that? Or, would you feel like someone else “took over” and “ran right over you without asking first”? Maybe so they could one-up you and be “star of the show” in your own house? Or at the very least, ignoring you and overstepping their bounds? Let’s go further still. Suppose you do think so, but that your Mom or Dad defends that person, saying how it was all so “kind-hearted” of them, would you still think it was wrong? Are you going by what you feel or how others tell you how you should feel? How would you feel? Why? What if after dinner you all wanted to go see a movie and this same person picked the one you will all go to see, while visiting your house? Don’t you feel like this person is “taking over”? If no, why not? If yes, suppose they offered to pay the bill for everyone, does that mean they get their way or make the decision? Beware of manipulators offering gifts. How do you feel about all this? Boundaries are a very interesting topic.  –  TheOwl30