The Native Iowan

The air is cool, the breeze crisp. Then it changes and the humidity comes back, and I start sweating again. Great climate! I certainly do not want it COLD.

I write about what I call the echo chamber(s) of life… our associations and affiliations are part of who we are, a big part of what defines us. Each of us have multiple chambers of interaction. And most definitely, in this modern connected world of ours, we gather a huge amount of our news/ newz/ information/ conditioning (what ever you want to call it) from our circles of association; our church, our close family, our friends, our work place, etc, etc.

It is terribly difficult, within such echo chambers, to raise too many questions, correct possible errors in reasoning, without causing offence.

I tend to piss most folks off…

I have a bad habit of being empirical of mind and nature.

I am an Empiricist, I think…

empiricist
/ɛmˈpɪrɪsɪst/
PHILOSOPHY
noun
a person who supports the theory that all knowledge is based on experience derived from the senses.
“most scientists are empiricists by nature”

relating to or characteristic of the theory that all knowledge is based on experience derived from the senses.
“his radically empiricist view of science as a direct engagement with the world”

But really, for me, what it means is that I question everything.

And with the World’s libraries on-line, well hell, question away…

So, what is the 180 of being an Empiricist … Rationalism is the opposite and is known as deductive reasoning. It is based on a very specific format which, if followed, and if the information is accurate, will have a 100% accurate conclusion. Rationalism is theory based and can begin with the conclusion from empiricism.

Makes me wonder if I am either, or a combination of both? Deduction is part of the logical process. But if I know or understand something empirically, I dont have to apply deductive reasoning.

And, in my opinion, most of the echo in most of the chambers is nothing more than Rhetoric…

rhetoric
/ˈrɛtərɪk/
noun
the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the exploitation of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.
“he is using a common figure of rhetoric, hyperbole”

Rhetoric that has been consumed and reverberated about the echo chamber(s).

Being a centrist is hard. No one agrees with me.

Most everyone has decided to join a team. To buy one bagel over another. FordvHolden, YankeesvDodgers, MarronvBlue… And I know I shall have folks come back and disagree. And I welcome that… I’m not being rude…

I dont have a team… I do not think any one political affiliation is better than the other. LabourvLiberal, DemvRepub, WhigvTorry… each side of “the isle” is there for their own, similar reason… to stay there.

The first, most important task of any elected official is to ensure tenure and duration. The first, most important task of any appointed official is to ensure tenure and duration.

Say no more.

My personal experience is such, and it’ll take a bit to make me think one side has something better than the other. But I am listening. I am always and all ways listening…

In relation to the real life drama, struggles, strife in what we call “The Middle East”…

My main question is “whom do we blame”… We appear to be spending our time looking to Blame Some One, rather than figure shit out. Whom do we blame for it all…

The Soldier (from either or any side) carrying out orders, is nothing more than a pawn.

As is the “military” on either side. These guys just do what they are told. Of course it is oft times with too much fervour. Atrocities do happen.

Do we blame the National Leaders? All of whom are worth millions.

Or the World Wide Aid mongers that squander megabucks? The leaders of these Aide Mobs also are worth millions.

Aid is big business.

War is big business.

Whom do you believe?

Whom do you trust?

Lets blame the Colonial Fore-Fathers that lied and cheated and deceived and left such mess that today, 100years later, we’re stuck fighting over who is right and who is wrong.

Or the Colonial powers that changed the Middle East’s demographics… Let’s start with the Ancient Egyptians. They started it all. And Moses and his brother Aaron… they were kinda power hungry. They enjoyed war. The Assyrians or the Hittites? Both of whom conquered, dispossessed and enslaved entire civilisations. Lets blame, BLAME, all of the thousands of faceless perpetrators over these past 4-5 thousand years… sure makes sense to me!

Whom do we blame?

If you say No One, (and everyone) you may just be an Empiricist too.

Maybe we should just start talking to each other, rather than argue whom is the worse, the evilest, the ONE to Blame.

More later

Smiles all around