Appreciation to the Unappreciated

A few days ago, I was studying(cum sleeping, reading magazine) in a public library. During one of the short break, when I was about to walk into the gents, out of the corner of my eyes, I saw an old lady sitting at the corner near the toilet, waiting for her next cleaning schedule to kick in. She was hedged by 3 big trash bags and 1 mop. She was, quite obviously(at least in my society context), a cleaner. A sense of sympathy filled me, which was followed by a sense of gratitude.

Let me express my thanks to the following people.

1) The toilet cleaners - without them, I may not even want to take a leak in a public area

2) The people who cleared, cleaned the table in many food outlets - without them, I can eat in no peace.

3) The construction workers - Rain, or shine, day and night, you work just to create buildings for us to live, shop or work.

And many of those people cited in pointer 1 and 2 are old folk that are in my "grandmother/grandfather" category.

I truly appreciated you. Whenever I say "thank you", it is from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,
Shengjie

P/S: I know that many of the above mentioned will never get a chance to see this...

The First Cause

Come across an article written and spoken by a famous/infamous philosopher. He was "expressing" himself in front of a crowd on why he believed there is no God/Creator. It was an interesting and stimulating(both are subjective) read - well as least for me.

Before I continue, I would like to make this clear again(even though I have said it many times) - My views do not mean they have to be yours, and by no mean, I represent any organization. Acknowledge does not mean agreeing to it. This is essential as I'm going into a extremely sensitive realm.

[I found this sentence: 'My father taught me that the question "Who made me?" cannot be answered since it immediately suggests the further question, "Who made God?" ' That very simple sentence showed me, as I think, the fallacy in the argument of the First Cause.]

It is true that 'Who made God' is by no mean is a facile question to tackle. In fact, I would rate this question as "mission impossible"(at least during the time on Earth). But that does not mean that this make it one of the final verdict that there is no Creator.

God may be created by another subject and may be govern by another set of rules and regulations(or it may not be such). And the subject may in turn be created by another subject and so on. But this not prove the non-existence of a Creator(of the Earth).

The terms "Creator" and "God" in my opinion represent our belief and they may(can) be a source of conflict(or unity) when used albeit too loosely(or narrowly).

Let take an example, "Our God is the Creator of the Universe". "Our God" is very debatable(and may even ignite/incur/bring-about extreme hostility), otherwise there will be a convergence view. Note: this convergence level is 2nd level from the top(First-> God vs No God. Second-> Which God?).

"Creator of the Universe", at least for me, represent the fundamental crack at the top level. Quite a number of people(very vague and non-statistical term) do not believe in natural design/creator. One interesting thing I would like to point out is that believing in a Creator of the Universe does not necessary mean that the Creator/God is not created by another superlative subject -- because the "universe" is very much define by our definition/imagination/yard-stick and "things" that are outside this realm of thought(or universe) may very well exist and are beyond our comprehension.

Yes, "they" may exist, but well, you may not agree. :)

Paucity Consideration..

Is the natural resources available on Earth limited? Our Earth is (so called) a closed system. Certain resources when used up, will never be replace. There is solely one(unless you considered meteoroids and random "Brownian-tic rocks" that intrude our space) exogenous supplier to our closed system --- SUN, heat/light energy supplier. If the natural resources are used up, what is left for our future generations?

Have you ever consider the consequences of your conveniences?

The car that you drive?? The electricity that you used(or wasted)?

Is there a meaning to "night"? Is the darkness a sign for you to turn in early? Or are you suppose to use/waste the resources to "burn up" a night life? Does the vast piece of land give you the excuse to "feed" that piece of machine so as to move from point to point?

Our society(singular) seem to be constructed in a way to waste resources. Does this please your Creator?(This question may not be applicable to some..)

Then again, how are the natural resources created?

"What" create "what"? And "what" create the former "what"?

Remember your memories? RAM??

Have you ever wonder why you could not recall what happen to you when you were just born into the world, or even the few months before you were born?

You can only know all these when your parents or someone else(who witnessed/or pretend to witness - why?) told you what they remembered. Your "just-existence and maybe a few months pre-existence" were in the memories of others. You knew(not remembered) these from others. Isn't that intriguing? Why do you trust(or do not trust) them? Is that baby photo really you?

Are our memories limited by the physical development(or degeneration) of our brain cells? Can we use that as an excuse(to who?)?

Who knows?? :)

The Purpose Of Money. The Complication.

I'm graduating in a few months time and, for the first time(as far as I can recollect) in my life, I pondered about the meaning of money.

Why?

Most people(maybe a lesser percentage in Less Developed Countries) are working hard to attain a "higher level" educational certificate. It is a paper(possible digital/paperless/biometrical in the future) certificate, and most likely, laminated. I've yet to see/come across a person who studied and did not want any certificate to be awarded to him/her.

A certificate is how the employment world functions. It is a signal to show the companies that you have the required(debatable) knowledge or skills for that particular jobs. Nowadays, outside curriculum testimony is also an important asset to show that not only you have the skills, but perhaps(note: perhaps), possessed the right inner aptitude for that job.

But a certificate may also mean a higher income/pay/remuneration expectation. Yes, Big Money!

Why money? Wrong, it should be - why is there a pursue of "big" money?

Just let me say this... it may be consumerism. The delusion/hallucination that pursuing "transaction-able " assets make a person happier. Happiness may means that you have a "better brand item" than your neighbours (there are various complicated definitions of neighbours). It may means able access or gain something deem inaccessible/unattainable to many normal(very subjective) people. It may means having the power/wealth to bring people under your control.

There is just one complication.... who is the one who determine what(that can be found/made on Earth)belong to who? Why do we have to pay for land space, pay for the resources?? Don't we all have the same rights to access these stuff........

To be continued

New Changes....

Right now, I've a busy and tight schedule to stick with, and most probably will be blogging in small bits.

What are we doing on Earth? Part 2

As we get older, it may seems (to us) that we are beginning to gain control of our own life.

Is this really the case?

We have(or seem to have) the freedom to make (limited) decisions, but most of them are at the microscopic level. Why?

We may have the power/ability (may not be equal to freedom) to decide certain products, wear certain clothes, execute certain actions such as choosing school courses and the line of work. But macroscopically, all these may have actually been "planned" out by a greater force - the society.

I was helping a student to prepare for his O'level Examination, and could not help but noticed a statement on the entry proof (a document needed to enter for the exam): "By registering for the exam, you have hereby agreed to the rules and regulations of XXX)

What if the student do not agree with the terms and conditions?

Can he simply choose not to take the exam? Why is he taking the exam? Why is he taking these subjects? Can he choose what he like to do?

The "answers" to the above are again, subjective. But let us not forget that societies sometimes(often?) has (is still) spell out or constraint the choices we had.

You may not agree.

Think about it.... :)