whitebread

Upon talking with rj, who I deeply respect, I have realized the need for a few revisions to my harping post. Socioeconopolitical (that’s not a word) factors make the distribution of potential greatly imbalanced, for most global definitions of potential. This is not to suggest that the world will never be altered by, say, an Indian mathematician, but that the probability of this happening is greatly reduced due to the increased levels of poverty in India.

With respect to responsibility issuing from potential, “you really have to decide for yourself if you want to work towards improving the ‘condition’ (of humanity)”

So there you have it.

Off the bbc’s main page:
Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell joins in criticism of the Hurricane Katrina rescue effort.
Bush declares Katrina prayer day.

It’s like something right out of the onion.

“Can I help you with something?”
“No, just dropping something off.”
“Well, students aren’t allowed by the professors’ mailboxes.”
“That sounds like a silly rule to me.”
“Well it isn’t so next time please drop it off at the front desk.”
“Ok.”
“Is it a homework assignment or….?”
“No, it’s a dissertation.”
“Not my rule.”

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I was going to just let this speak for itself, but I cannot resist making one comment. The computer science department doesn’t trust me with operating a mailbox.

I used to think my voice would be heard and the repercussions of my thoughts would touch most everyone on the planet. Now that I have finally relaxed my grip on the desire to change the world, I can work on changing my (admittedly) small surroundings. It’s somehow comforting to realize that even if you score in the 99th percentile, there are (statistically speaking) at least 13,063,138 people in China better than you. So thanks to the Chinese you’re relieved of the responsibility of being the best thirteen million times over…to say nothing of India.

I hope this doesn’t sound depressed…realizing that I will never be the best guitar player out there has allowed me to take up lessons.

If I harp on something, does that make me a harpist?