I Think, Therefore I Am Totally Confused

"I Think, Therefore I Am... I Think"

That's the title of a fascinating article by Stephen Cage who, before gifting me this piece, had never contributed to my life in any way. So I can't follow up his name with "writer of..."'s and "from such movies as..."'s. I could just Google him and fix that little problem while sounding as if I actually knew something about the dude. But I'm not that pretentious. Plus there were too many Stephen Cage's on Google and I didn't get anywhere after 43 minutes of sifting.
I have provided a link to this article at the conclusion of my writings here today, so I advise you to check it out either now, or after being worked up into a frenzy by my insights into this matter. I have also provided a link to one of my favorite clips from the movie 'Waking Life', which tackles a lot of fascinating philosophical topics.

Free Will.
Is God just lounging on a La-Z-Boy punching in XBox controller buttons to make us involuntarily run into walls, slay innocent creatures, and dance around our apartment aimlessly so our Sims boredom level doesn't drop down to critical levels? Or are we in control of Tiger Wood's golf swing when we Wii? This question has been around as long as philosophers and thinkers began asking questions(and began playing Halo online). And there's simply not a yes or no answer to it. If you think that you do have free will, that at any moment during the reading of this blog you can decide to direct your browser to Youtube and suck away the minutes by watching Japanese game shows instead, you're oversimplifying the process. And if you think you don't have it, that God knows in advance what the path that you'll be treading looks, feels, and smells like, a host of other problems arise: responsibility, accountability, self motivation, what the hell is the point of the creation of mankind if we have no choice, on and on. You can't even dodge the question if you're an atheist. There are all sorts of scientific complications here too, as you'll read about in Stephens article.

I found myself, and even right now find myself, struggling with a resolution to this whole topic. This article took it to a whole nother level. Particularly the discussion about the neurobiological angles. The fact that our neurons have already set the realization of an action in place before we've even made a conscience decision to make that action is really messing me up. And then it had to go and reference a study that showed that when our neurons are manipulated to prepare for one action in particular, not only would it incite the subjects to act accordingly, but it would also make the test subjects believe that they acted out of their own free will. So for instance, let's say I'm a doctor, and I zap you with some electrical current that makes you want to read this here blog, and you oblige. When you finish reading you'll still believe that it was you're decision to read on, that you were exercising free will. Now you might be saying that this example isn't a very good one, because once you pop one of my entries into your mouth, you just can't stop. But you get the idea. Some argue that since we are nothing more than an elaborate collection of atoms, molecules and the like, that our actions are only dependent on the interactions between these properties, and that's that. Like a piece of machinery that operates according to how the nuts and bolts are arraigned, and not how it feels like operating. A car has to run like a car, and not like an aircraft carrier. Individuality in that context would be nothing more than a paint-job.

There's talk in the article about combining philosophical thought with scientific discovery. And perhaps using the two together to try and come up with new kinds of explanations for some hard to explain behaviors . That sounds like an extremely powerful idea. It also seems like an idea that could potentially lead to all sorts of updates to old theories. The evolution of such an alliance might make the world we live in look totally alien in the future. It could force us to revamp some fundamental social institutions.

Personally, I think that since we know so little, in the bigger scheme, about what happens when microscopic molecules come together to form complex physical structures(why they come together for that matter) we can't be sure whether the output behaves on it's own accord or according solely to what it's design is dictating it to behave like. It's one thing to say that a Honda behaves like a Honda, and not like an F-16, but a totally different thing to say that a hyper computer(some future machine of technological genius) ought to behave like a Dell. Who knows what would happen when you input that much technology into a machine. Until it can be proven that the complexity of an entity doesn't make it more than just the sum of it's parts, I think you can't rule out the possibility that the entity would be governed by more than just it's constituents. Then again maybe because of the complexity no central mainframe exists, like a corporation. I haven't been able to be at piece with any one answer, I guess all I can do for now is go about my business with the thought that just believing that I have freedom in my decision making, forces me to be at my most productive.

I Think Therefore I Am, I Think Article Link:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/81bc32e4-d5e3-11db-99b7-000b5df10621.html

Clip From 'Waking Life':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VxQuPBX1_U

Japanese Game Show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEKqU1fkYCI

Keeping Track of Tracks

There is a lot of good music out there. Unfortunately neither the radio nor Mtv give a flying flip about this fact. So anyone seeking out music that is artistically genuine, original, and worthy of repeat button pushing on stereo systems and music players, are forced to minor in mining to figure out how to unearth such gems on their own. I've done my share of mining the last few years, and along with blackened lungs and tarred fingernails, I have managed to find some very shiny stones. Since the artists behind these jewels are forced to sell their manifistations to no name vendors, they are often keen on offering samplers and testers to us so as to grab our attention.

So once I figure out how to fool around on this here Rantlog, I will attach such testers to my 'Keeping Track of Tracks' posts. I'll shower you with MP3's galore. I'll take you out shopping to these quaint underground caves for prescious metals you never thought existed. Best part is, they're almost always free! Beat that Zales. For now though, I'm just going to give a few heads ups a week, with some little extras thrown in for good measure (like lines that yodle), for anyone open to the possibility that they are not conjoined at the eardrums to traditional music providers.

This week I want to start with the New York City band: "The National", Who I was lucky enough to stumble across in mid 2005 via their magestic album Alligator, considered by many to be one of that years finest releases. The tracks from this album ripped through my itunes like an redecorater intent on hanging up curtains that doubled as Thinsulated blankets sheltering from cold brutal storms. Matt Berninger has a voice smoother than frozen yogurt and lyrics more real, tangible and relatable than most personal diaries:
"You turn me good and god-fearing. Well, tell me what am I supposed to do with that. I'm missing something... My mind's gone loose inside its shell(Abel)"
"Baby, come over, I need entertaining. I had a stilted, pretending day. Lay me down and say something pretty...Just say something perfect, something I can steal(Baby We'll Be Fine)"

He has the ability to be painfully honest about having flaws that affect those he cares about, but able to change gears seamlessly to let those same people know that when it matters most, he wouldn't hesitate to protect what he holds sacred.
"You were right about the end, It didn't make a difference. Everything I can remember I remember wrong(Daughters of The Soho Riots)"
"I carry the dollhouse, safe on my shoulders. Through the black city, night lights are on in the corners, And everyone's sleeping upstairs. All safe and sound. I won't the let psychos around(All The Wine)"

He is both self depricating and egotistical at the same time, but not in a way that makes you feel sorry for him or put off by his arrogance, but in a way that makes you see how you are the same way a lot of times.
The National are coming out with their new album "Boxer" on May 22nd, and already from the songs that have leaked it's clear that another treat is en route. I highly recommend getting your paws on their 2005 masterpiece "Alligator", so when the new album hits, you'll be armed.


These Are Some Of The Highlights From Alligator:
Baby We'll Be Fine, The Geese of Beverly Road, Abel, All the Wine, City Middle, Karen
These Are Some New Gems From Upcoming Album Boxer:
Slow Show, Apartment Story, Fake Empire, Mistaken For Strangers

Heres Some Songs:
Baby We'll Be Fine- From Alligator
All The Wine- From Alligator
Secret Meeting- Black Sessions Recording
Apartment Story- From Boxer
Slow Show- From Boxer

Their Official Myspace Page:
http://www.myspace.com/thenational

Here a live performance of 'Baby We'll Be Fine" And Their Video For "Abel":
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xm7LEEjww3E
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LvM4T6BVX-gatch?v=LvM4T6BVX-g

Honorary Persians

Matt Parker and Trey Stone. They do it all the time, and they have done it again. This time though, not only did they do it, they did it in a manner and fashion worthy of Honorary commemoration.
Last Wednesdays episode of South Park bitch slapped(with lesbian hands no less) that garbage of a movie 300. As a Persian man child living in America, I have become accustomed to swallowing my pride when my culture is mis-represented, or not represented at all. So imagine my surprise when one of my favorite shows, a show that typically crucifies everyone and everything (sanz Cesar Millan, The Dog Whiiiiiiiiiiiisperer), decided to level the playing field at Thermopylae.

"We want all of you to know, that when we make this place another Club Persh, you are all 100% welcome. My boss wants you to know that you will not be discriminated against in any way. He just wants the place to look really nice". That line might seem simple enough, but in reality it embodies something much more grand. During the expansion of the Persian Empire, Cyrus the Great and Darius(his successor) did one thing in particular that helped curtail resentment and resistance: they allowed the peoples from those conquered lands the rights to retain their cultures and beliefs. They believed that that kind of freedom ought to be a given, and that the Empire should only work to enhance those presets. There was no notion of slavery with that expansion, contrary to King Leonidas's(actor Gerard Butler's) accusations. In fact, the Persian civilization was the first to free the Jews from their enslavement and allow them the ability to return to Jerusalem. The ancient empire itself was not built by the hands of slaves, but with paid labor, a force that employed woman as well.

The contrast between Xerses and Leonidas extended all the way into their sexuality, their masculinity. Effeminate dictator vs. the embodiment of macho ism. Oh the sweet sweet taste of redemption: In D-Yikes(the South Park episode) the Persians adversaries were a group of lesbians, a clear reference to the ancient Greeks openly homosexual, bi-sexual and even young boy-sexual nature. I personally have no objection to someones homosexual and/or bi-sexual preferences, it's their business(can't say the same about the child loving however), but when someone attempts to use that kind of tone to try to gain a moral and more masculine upper hand, then it's only fair to have a lesbian woman, who used to be a straight woman, who used to be a gay man with a twig hand puppet alter-ego, who used to be a straight man with a regular hand puppet alter-ego represent that very symbol of machismic supremacy.

All in all I found 300 to be a huge disappointment for reasons other than the ethnocentric ones listed above and read between the lines. Special effects were not all that, the dialogue and script was 'English as a second language' at best, and the acting was just embarrassing. The fact that my culture and people were unapologetically portrayed as Satan worshiping, merciless, disfigured, totally brainwashed, in-compassionate, not to mention testicle-less and fascists I felt was totally unnecessary. The Greeks are credited for manufacturing western democracy, and in this movie in particular also credited for somehow saving the whole concept itself from muddy pits destined to be where the Persians would have thrown it had they beaten the Greeks in the Persian-Greco wars. No doubt the world would have been a totally different place had those wars gone a different route, but perhaps that route would have been adorned with Persian democratic principles(not to mention rugs of remarkable beauty) already being shaped within the borders of that ancient empire, at least equaling if not surpassing, the Greek ones we see today. One look at where Persia was in comparison to Europe during the dark ages seem to suggest so.

So thank you Matt and Trey, you are my Honorary Persians for the week. Shit even for the year. I'd give you a medal or a ribbon but, I have a feeling you wouldn't like any Gucci accessories that only a Persian would think was cool.

D-Yikes Clip:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QPZfr2JqJAk&mode=related&search
The History Channels "Engineering An Empire: Persia":
http://youtube.com/watch?v=eKN-gZuSH2o

The Monumental First

Hello! To myself at the moment I think. Yes all you've heard is true and glorious! I, Nader A.K.A. Nadirt, have joined that festival they call "blogging". Welcome me with open arms, a cup of hot chocolate, some vanilla wafers, a napkin so I don't crum up the Persian rug and unknowingly invite mice and the like to a nibble frenzy on the www, and fire off opinions galore. This may very well just be a rant blog of sorts, with very little substance and significance, but I'm ok with that... cause I'm ok with me... and I'm ok with you... unless you got a problem, then we can blog it out!