Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Religious Convictions and Modern Life

Lot's of upset in society due to daily mass shootings. The latest being 100 people in a club in Orlando Florida. Turns out the guy (1 man) was a Muslim, hated many groups, but especially gays. Pretty horrible, anyway you slice it.

The attitude displayed by the fringe "religious" folk underscores a big source of the problem. Texas' own Lt. Governor (he who does not deserve to be named) was quick to tweet a bible verse, suggesting the shooting victims had it coming.

The do-nothing congress continues in their hot streak of Doing Nothing (well, they always have rhetoric to spare) .

But, back to religious groups who are fighting (politically) to preserve their right to smite people not of their own persuasion. Every religion that refers to "The God of Abraham" has a long list of nasty things to say about "others". "Others" being anybody who isn't 'one of us'. Oh, the other 10,000 belief systems probably have plenty of faults, but I am going to keep it to the "Big Three" for this discussion.

I'm thinking people who are attracted to the idea of behaving badly under sanction of the Holy Book (whichever one you choose) represent the sad, sick part of society - ours or any.

Western society, North America, Western Europe, etc. have plenty of these people although in the minority and just tolerated  by the majority. Your third world countries in the Middle East - Northern Africa, etc. seem to have sanctioned these nasty scripture passages into civil law, and created whole sick, dysfunctional societies.

So we have examples of life under religious dictates. Kinda makes you want to ban religion (ha, just kidding folks!). Perhaps the real answer is to make critical thinking cool, and reactionary behavior totally not cool.


Monday, January 4, 2016

HIgh End Madness?

I had a bit of time on my hands this afternoon, so I thought to walk through an Outlet Mall on the far NW side of town. I had last been there about 5 years ago, and since it was a smashing success, wanted to see how it had grown.
Oh, it had grown . . . about 4 times the size as when I last saw it.
Still packed, even on a Monday afternoon, not easy to find a parking space.

So I browsed through looking at the "bargains" ($280. rubber shoes for $180.) and I started to fantasize what it would be to look like the fashionista male who wore clothing just from these stores. Why obviously I would be the coolest guy I know... or maybe just look the coolest??
Feel like the coolest, but inside know it's not me, it's just the threads.

I have never been a customer of the High-End Outlet Mall or The Galleria, I buy most of my clothing from resale shops. For the first time I began to wonder why people were lining up to buy the 'designer' shops bargains-that-were-still-way-out-of-my-price-range.

Taking a closer look at my fellow shoppers (BTW, we do this more at Walmart than anywhere else - right?). I took a look at my finely-tailored fellow shoppers; most wearing the same shoes, pants, shirts, etc. that they were there to buy. Some of these folks were comfortable enough dropping 500-600. for a casual outfit, but there were plenty others for whom (I suspect) this represented a chunk of change.

I am good with people doing what people do, here's the thing: This mall is full of people who bought the Mad Men created lie. They one that says if you wear the right names, it will

bring up your status in the world,
make you whole,
change your life. 

Sorry about that. I don't believe it.
UPDATE

Since this was written, I was invited to pick out a custom suit with my son. This was at a place called Sid Mashburn - a high end store I would likely never go in (not even to browse). Yes, I did choose a very nice new suit, and it was an amazing experience. Son and I did some talking about clothes and suits in particular and were in agreement that a quality suit and shoes does change the way you are perceived by many people. 
Now, I want to draw a distinction between what I said above and what I am saying now: I still believe the hat with the swoosh, loud expensive sneakers, and that type of clothing don't cause your stock to rise with most of society. It could be that that whole scene is just out of my demographic...