Rationalist Manifesto

In my AP European History class, we recently read Marx's Communist Manifesto and the class had an informal discussion about why real-world applications of communism tend to do poorly even though the concept looks and sounds brilliant. We came to the conclusion that it's due to the human element. 

I've been longing for a rationalist society in which every major decision would be based in logic, not in tradition or anything like that (tradition could be integrated in a "Most people will agree that the tradition of having weekends off is worth keeping" kind of way). Of course, I realize that nobody can be entirely rational 100% of the time and that many people can barely be entirely rational 25% of the time. 

And so I wrote this- the Rationalist Manifesto- during English class instead of reading about Herman Melville (which reminds me, when I finish typing this up, I really must start reading Moby Dick). I post it here for you with no changes (not even where I questioned my word choice while re-reading it). Enjoy.

I do not know what kind of person I am. I thirst for knowledge and for change- for revolution- yet I know not how to even approach such a thing. Who must I call to make the rich treat the poor with common decency? To whom do I have to send a letter- and on what kind of letterhead- to get religion out of politics?

I want society to change for the better, even if (perhaps especially if) this change must be gradual. I want rationality, critical thinking, and the desire to learn to be cherished above all else. What will it take?

Many others have tried before me to create a fresh society comprised entirely of rational beings, and it seems the consistent problem of such groups has been the human element. You can witness this even in small, unorganized, friendly groups of intellectuals: someone becomes upset and the entire group becomes absurdly and violently reactionary. If it is too much to expect even a small, (presumably) carefully selected group of people to work, live, laugh, and love in a consistently rational environment, one cannot possibly expect the same of an entire city, state, country, continent, hemisphere, or planet. No world is perfect, after all. Unfortunate, but true.

So I admit that a solely rational world is not feasible. Anyone who thinks otherwise is overestimating humanity. (I've been there; I'm not judging. Really and truthfully, one's thoughts and actions must be fairly laudable in order to expect so much of others. Laudable in their rationality, of course, not necessarily in their morality.) So we cannot expect that, and it is important that we remember this.

But one can dream- oh, one can dream.

Drop a comment below with your thoughts on the possibility or impossibility of a rational society.

Scream: Mary Surratt Edition

Mary Surratt. You've probably heard her name before. She was the first woman to hang in the United States. She was convicted of conspiracy to murder Abraham Lincoln. Bad person, yes?

Except her *military* trial was rigged. Basic rights were grossly denied her. She shouldn't have even had a damn military trial, she should have had a civil trial with a jury of her peers, not a bunch of generals- good friends of Lincoln, angrily grieving their loss.

Still, she was just a bad person who just got the harsh treatment she deserved, right?

Her attorney, Mr. Aiken, asked a DC court for a writ of habeus corpus with the argument that the military tribunal had no jurisdiction over his client. The writ was issued at 3 AM. President Johnson cancelled the writ at 11:30 AM. She was walked out to hang at 1:15 PM. From the scaffold, one of the others set to hang (Powell) said, "Mrs. Surratt is innocent. She doesn't deserve to die with the rest of us." She complained that the bindings about her arms hurt, and the officer preparing her said, "Well, it won't hurt long."

Bitches be bitches.

Why do we not learn of occasions such as this in history class? Is it because that may spoil our allegiance to the flag? We are being indoctrinated into the national cult, the history of which we are not even fully aware.

Please, take your time to learn a little about the hell some have gone through at the expense of liberty before you go around declaring America to be the greatest country in existence.

Top 10 Lies Teachers Have Told Me

We've all been lied to at some point or other: "Coffee will stunt your growth." "Santa won't bring you anything if you keep acting like that, you little shit." "I love you." Being lied to is a part of life, something you just have to get used to unless you're a character in a Ricky Gervais movie. As it turns out, our beloved teachers and educators (not always the same people, y'know) are no different than the rest of us when it comes to twisting the truth.

10. "No, Harry Potter does not relate to the standard curriculum in any way, shape, or form."
9. "Not to worry! Our cafeteria has many vegetarian options!"
8. "Of course immortals aren't real. Nothing lives forever."
7. "Our nation's founders were all good, Christian men."
6. "High school is difficult to adjust to."
5. "Former President Bush is an intelligent man."
4. "This won't be on the exam, so don't worry."
3. "Why, yes, this theorem has many real-life applications!"
2. "Sarcastic people never get far in life, Artemis."
1. "Of course I didn't vote for President Obama!"

This is Offensive

Warning: I may very well piss you off. In fact, I probably will.

I don't really end up conforming to a certain set of political beliefs. I'm not liberal. I'm not conservative. Here's my take on some of the most prominent differences:

1. I think citizens should be allowed to carry guns. I don't think it should be nearly as difficult as it currently is to get a permit.
2. I think abortion should be up to the woman. She is the one who has to carry the fetus inside of her for nine months.
3. I don't think teenagers should have to have parental consent to get a condom or The Pill.
4. I think minors should have to have parental consent to get an abortion, unless they're emancipated (since it's a surgery).
5. Politicians' religious views (and/or their homophobia) should not be brought into the legislative process, dammit.
6. I think people should be able to marry whatever gender suits them (male/male, male/female, female/female- it doesn't matter).
7. Reverse-discrimation is not the solution to racism.
8. Immigrants (here's a shout-out to Costa and Louis!) shouldn't have such a hard time gaining legal citizenship. This should be as simple as signing up for the SAT. Get Mexico to cooperate. Make sure they pass the test. Make sure they aren't a felon. BOOM. Citizenship.

That's all I can think of now. If I think of any more, I may add to this and create a series.

Omegle Featurette: Healthcare Opinions (AKA: Scream)

Today I decided to do something I deemed interesting. In light of the recent health care bill I know you all know has been passed, I've gone beyond my usual complaining. Beyond typing a few bad words. What sparked this, you ask? I wanted to know the varying opinions of people from not just my neighborhood- not just my state- not even just my country. I've gone beyond national borders. I've gone into a completely randomized, worldwide survey.

Of course, there were some limitations. For example, I could only reach people who have access to a computer and were online at the same time I was. How did I know I could get completely honest opinions? That's simple. I went to the most anonymous place I could think of.

That's right, internetters.

Omegle.

Here are some of the responses I received.

You: What do you think of the fact that the healthcare bill passed in the US?

Stranger: hello

Stranger: i love it

You: Why?

Stranger: now there is healthcare for the unfortunate of our country

You: Thanks for your opinion :)

You: What do you think of the fact that the healthcare bill passed in the US?

Stranger: i dont really care. wtff?

 

Stranger: hey

You: What do you think of the fact that the healthcare bill passed in the US?

Stranger: i dnt like it

You: Why?

Stranger: all our taxes are gonna go up

Stranger: and the health care is only gonna benifit those that caused the issue in the first place

You: Thanks for your opinion :) 

 

You: What do you think of the fact that the healthcare bill passed in the US?

Stranger: Asl

You: 14 f usa

Stranger: It's good

Stranger: The more like rngland you are the better

Stranger: Now old people won't die just ecause they can't afford drugs

You: Thanks for your opinion :)

 

You: What do you think of the fact that the healthcare bill passed in the US?

Stranger: hi

Stranger: i like obama

You: But what do you think of the bill?

Stranger: its good. we need healthcare.

You: Thanks for your opinion :)

 

You: What do you think of the fact that the healthcare bill passed in the US?

Stranger: it fuckin blows

You: Why?

Stranger: cause i work for a living

Stranger: what do you think of it

You: Thanks for your opinion, love :) So far, you're my favorite.

You: And I completely agree.

 

There you go. I believe that's an accurate representation of how the US- along with other countries around the world- is reacting in general. Right now, millions of people- even beyond those 32 million uninsured, who I know are jumping for joy- are acting like Obama is God, and everything he does will directly benefit this country. I think it's fine that you like Obama. I don't expect you to have the same political beliefs as me.

However, I do expect you to maintain a certain level of suspicion. I don't mean, "Oh, he's black, he's a bad person, watch him." I don't even mean, "He's un-American because he's a Democrat." I just believe that, quite frankly, 99% of politicians give the other 1% a bad name, and you can never know who's in which category.

I, personally, think that people should base their judgments not on what political party the suggestion came from, and not whether you like the majority of the ideas of the person who suggested it. I try to judge all of Obama's ideas on a, basically, idea-to-idea basis. I don't want to get in the habit many people I know are stuck in: "Obama suggested it, so it must be bad for the country."

I do believe that he is capable of doing good things for this country. However, I do not believe this- or, to put it bluntly, anything else he has done or plans to do- is his best attempt at showing this potential.

And as I sit here, in my living room, munching on fruit snacks, I leave you with this: if you're my age, you're a teenager. I hate to tell you this, but at some point, you're going to be responsible for electing the president of the United States. You will have a say eventually, and when you do, I don't want you to speak your voice.

I want you to scream, dammit. Scream for what you believe in. Scream for the good ideas; scream against the bad ones. Make sure you're heard. If you're like me, you're probably a minority in your school. Most people in my school couldn't tell you who the vice president is at the moment, and even more couldn't tell you what Nancy Pelosi's job is.

Don't be like them. They're going to be the ones in ten years saying, "Why does this matter?" And if the majority of people are asking that, then the voices of those who know why it matters will not be heard. Unless, of course, we scream.

Do a protest, make this the subject of your next class speech, write it on a bathroom stall; I could care less. I just take pride in knowing that there are people out there, my age, who know what they want and need from their government, and know when they are or are not getting it.

I really hope you're one of those people.

Scream on.

The Truth

I believe the truth always lies halfway between the two most extreme claims. Sometimes, though, others have different opinions. Cartoon courtesy of XKCD. No, I can't promise this will be the last time I quote his hilarity.