Jeremiah Babe, 4/26/26
"Trump's Security Is Awful;
40,000 Store Closings Could Be Coming"
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So, we rise from the rubble...
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Sunday, April 26, 2026
"After Pakistan, Iran Flies to Moscow - America's Worst Nightmare Just Began"
Full screen recommended.
Prof. Marandi, 4/26/26
"After Pakistan, Iran Flies to Moscow -
America's Worst Nightmare Just Began"
Something happened in the last 48 hours that almost nobody is connecting correctly. Not because it is complicated. Because the coverage keeps treating three separate diplomatic moves as unrelated events. They are not unrelated. They are the same move. Executed in sequence. By design. Iran flew to Moscow. After 21 hours in Islamabad that produced no deal. After a ceasefire fraying at its edges. After Iran's military commander warned no port in the region would be safe. And America woke up to something far more consequential than any missile or Houthi attack. Iran is building a diplomatic architecture that cannot be bombed, blockaded, or sanctioned into collapse. Pakistan. Russia. China. Three countries that each hold something America needs. Iran just visited two of them in 48 hours while Beijing moved quietly in the background of both. That is not coincidence. That is strategy."
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Full screen recommended.
Jiang Global Analysis, 4/26/26
"The Global Order Is Breaking -
And a New System Is Taking Over"
"This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, political, or strategic advice. The analysis is based on publicly available information and interpretative insights. Viewers are encouraged to verify facts independently and consult qualified professionals before making decisions based on global economic or geopolitical developments. The world is not facing separate crises - it is undergoing a massive global shift. From the rise of BRICS to the weakening of the dollar system and shifting power dynamics, the post-World War II global order is breaking down. This video explains what’s replacing it, which countries will benefit, and how this transition could impact your job, savings, and cost of living in the years ahead."
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"Fast Food Chains Are In Big Trouble And It’s Not What You Think"
Full screen recommended.
Epic Economist, 4/26/26
"Fast Food Chains Are In Big Trouble
And It’s Not What You Think"
"Fast food used to be the easiest choice. It was quick, affordable, and reliable. Something you didn’t have to think too much about after a long day. But lately, a lot of people are starting to notice that something feels different. Prices are higher, portions feel smaller, and the overall experience just doesn’t hit the same way it used to. In this video, we take a closer look at what’s really going on behind the scenes and why so many people are questioning whether fast food is even worth it anymore.
Across the country, people are sharing their experiences with rising prices at places that were once known for being budget friendly. Meals that used to cost just a few dollars are now creeping into the range of full sit down restaurant prices. And it’s not just one chain or one location. This is happening almost everywhere. At the same time, many major fast food brands are quietly closing locations, filing for bankruptcy, or scaling back operations. It raises an important question about whether the industry is starting to feel the pressure from both sides.
There’s also a growing conversation around value. People aren’t just reacting to higher prices. They’re questioning what they’re getting in return. When quality feels inconsistent or portions seem smaller, it becomes harder to justify spending that kind of money. For many, fast food no longer feels like the convenient and affordable option it once was. Instead, it feels like something you have to think twice about. At the same time, grocery prices are rising as well, which adds another layer to the situation. Even cooking at home has become more expensive, and that leaves people in a difficult position. When both fast food and groceries feel costly, it changes how people approach everyday decisions about food. You can feel that shift in the way people talk about their experiences. There’s more frustration, more hesitation, and more awareness of where their money is going.
This video is about the bigger picture of how everyday life is changing and how people are adapting to it. It’s about value, priorities, and the small decisions that start to add up over time. If you’ve noticed these changes too, you’re definitely not alone."
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Full screen recommended.
Snyder Reports, 4/26/26
"America’s Next Inflation Wave Has Started,
Millions Will Feel It"
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"Philadelphia Homeless Crisis 2026: Inside America’s Drug Zombieland on Kensington Ave"
Full screen recommended, if you can stomach it.
US Homeless Stories, 4/26/26
"Philadelphia Homeless Crisis 2026:
Inside America’s Drug Zombieland on Kensington Ave"
Philadelphia - a city rich in history - is now facing a crisis that has become impossible to ignore. The Philadelphia homeless crisis 2026 is unfolding in real time, and Kensington Ave has become one of the most visible epicenters of addiction and street survival in America. In this episode we go inside the Philadelphia homeless crisis 2026, focusing on Kensington Avenue - often described as America’s “drug zombieland.” The Kensington drug crisis reveals how addiction, poverty, and homelessness are colliding on a scale that is reshaping entire neighborhoods.
This documentary reveals the harsh truth of homeless in Philadelphia, where many are living in public spaces, facing addiction, untreated illness, and constant instability. The Philadelphia homeless crisis 2026 continues to intensify as fentanyl spreads and more lives are pulled into long-term street survival. Through raw street footage and real human stories, we uncover how the Philadelphia drug crisis is transforming daily life on Kensington Ave. This is a closer look at the Philadelphia homeless crisis 2026 - where addiction, street collapse, and survival define a crisis growing harder to control.
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"Alert! He Predicted Everything, Here's What Happens Next"
Full screen recommended.
Canadian Prepper, 4/26/26
"Alert! He Predicted Everything, Here's What Happens Next"
"For years, I have been warning about what we are now
watching unfold, long before it was on most analysts’ radar.
If you want to know what happens next, stick with me."
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"Shall We Play A Game?"
"Shall We Play A Game?"
“A strange game.
The only winning move is not to play.”
- "War Games"
"This is the "lesson" scene from the movie "War Games" where we learn that the only way to win in Nuclear War is not to play.
The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the 1983 science fiction thriller, "WarGames." In the film, all of the United States nuclear launch capabilities is given to a computer called “Joshua” or WOPR, which stands for War Operation Plan Response. It is programmed to consistently run military simulations to concoct the best plan of an attack if nuclear retaliation is needed. David Lightman (played by Matthew Broderick) unwittingly hacks into Joshua and causes the computer to think that the Soviet Union has launched missiles at the United States.
The quote comes from the very end of the film. David forces Joshua to play tic-tac-toe against itself in the attempt to make it understand the concept of mutually assured destruction. As Joshua obtains the final launch code, it runs through all the possible scenarios in an attempt to find a winning plan. After cycling through all of them and not finding one where anyone survives, the machine delivers the quote."
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"It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump."
- David Ormsby-Gore
Musical Interlude: Melanie, "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)"
Full screen recommended.
Melanie, "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)"
Once upon a time...
"A Look to the Heavens"
"Where did this big ball of stars come from? Palomar 6 is one of about 200 globular clusters of stars that survive in our Milky Way Galaxy. These spherical star-balls are older than our Sun as well as older than most stars that orbit in our galaxy's disk. Palomar 6 itself is estimated to be about 12.5 billion years old, so old that it is close to - and so constrains - the age of the entire universe.
Containing about 500,000 stars, Palomar 6 lies about 25,000 light years away, but not very far from our galaxy's center. At that distance, this sharp image from the Hubble Space Telescope spans about 15 light-years. After much study including images from Hubble, a leading origin hypothesis is that Palomar 6 was created - and survives today - in the central bulge of stars that surround the Milky Way's center, not in the distant galactic halo where most other globular clusters are now found."
Chet Raymo, “The Sadist Next Door”
“The Sadist Next Door”
by Chet Raymo
“The TLS (“Times Literary Supplement”) had an absorbing review of American Historian Joel Harrington's book on the manuscript diary of a 16th-century German executioner, Franz Schmidt of Nuremberg. Remarkably, Schmidt kept a full record of the criminals he executed, the crimes they perpetrated, and the gruesome ways they met their fate. It is a tale that would chill most 21st-century readers.
“The Meaning Of Good And Evil In Perilous Times”
by Brandon Smith
"Perhaps the most destructive idea ever planted in the minds of the general public is the notion that nothing in this world is permanent – that all things can and must be constantly changed to suit our whims. The concept of impermanence fuels what I call “blank slate propaganda.” The usefulness of the blank slate as a weapon for social control should be explained before we examine the nature of good and evil, because these days it infects everything.
The push for never ending social “evolution” has been called many things over the decades. In the early 1900s in Europe it was called “futurism;” an art and philosophical movement that helped spawn the rise of communism and fascism in politics.The argument that all old ideas and longstanding traditions should be abandoned to make way for new ideas, new technologies, news systems etc., assumes that the supposedly new ways of doing things are superior to the old ways of doing things. Things are rarely this simple, and in most cases the new methods so proudly championed by movements for social change are usually recycled and repackaged old ideas that are notorious for failure.
The blank slate theory is designed to confuse people with self-doubt and to misrepresent the constructs of nature as constructs of society. It most effectively disrupts people’s relationship to their own moral compass by suggesting that moral compass should be completely ignored as artificial. The argument by blank slate proponents is that all boundaries are created by society instead of by inborn conscience, and that these boundaries often hold us back from achieving our goals, bettering ourselves as a species and generally getting what we want out of life.
But the things we want are not always the things we need, and this is something that movement’s for social change often refuse to grasp. If we are all blank slates and if morality and the human soul are myths, why not do whatever the hell we want, whenever we want and live life as if it is one big Roman orgy of feasting, self-medicating and overall addiction to sensation?
The problem with the blank slate concept is that while it purports that all restrictions in the human psyche are taught to us rather than being inborn and that they can be abandoned any time we want, we still can’t seem to avoid the consequences of breaking those restrictions. People lose their sanity, societies crumble and nations fall to ruin over time the more we cast aside our principles in the name of social evolution or short term gain. It is unavoidable.
The only people who seem to benefit from the spread of the blank slate are the people already in political and economic power. For if they can convince the masses to ignore their conscience, they can then convince us to accept almost any other conditions.
To act in a manner consistent with inherent conscience, or to ignore conscience and act destructively, is a choice. It is the core pillar of free will. The choice to act destructively does not erase the reality of inherent conscience; in fact, people often have to be fooled into believing that a destructive and immoral action is a “good thing” before they are convinced to carry it out. Inherent conscience must be bypassed through trickery.
The problem with choosing to stick by one’s principles is that it is easy during times of relative stability, but increasingly difficult during times of struggle. In perilous days, the temptation to use destructive tactics to maintain an expectation of comfort or to merely survive can be high. It is no coincidence that power elites, the same people that tend to promote blank slate propaganda, also tend to deliberately engineer social crisis and chaos. But perhaps this needs a deeper explanation. We must define something most of us already understand intuitively. We must define “evil.”
Like inherent conscience and moral boundaries, blank slate theorists and social change advocates attempt to muddy the waters of what constitutes evil. Some will say there is no such thing — that evil is whatever we deem it to be in any given era depending on our biases. Others will claim that tradition, permanence and anything in society that remains static is evil. The only “good” for them is constant change.
But evil is not as illusory and changing as these people suggest. In fact, most men and women recoil automatically from certain specific behaviors regardless of how they were raised, what environment they come from, what culture they were born into or what era they lived. The people who don’t recoil at these behaviors are the people we have to watch out for because they are missing something integral to the heart and mind that makes the rest of us human.
In psychological terms, the characteristics of high level narcissists and sociopaths match most closely with our historic concept of evil. And, in my view, most great evils done in history are in fact done by people with multiple narcissistic traits. As far as global elitists are concerned, they represent a rather insidious threat, because they are narcissistic sociopaths that have organized into a predatory gang, so all the traits consistent with the behavior of your average serial killer are now magnified a thousandfold by their access to unlimited resources.
How do we identify these people? Well, this is a difficult prospect at times because narcissistic sociopaths commonly hide in plain sight. Some people live with them for years before realizing exactly what they are. They also like to insert themselves into nonprofit organizations that claim to do good for the community as a cover for their more insidious motives.
Some traits and behaviors that are common are a lack of normal emotional response to traumatic events or joyous events, or they will mimic the responses of others to blend in but they come off as “forced” or “fake.” They have no concept of empathy; it does not exist for them.
They seek out centers of power and are drawn to positions of authority. They always seem to be demanding the efforts of others while rarely offering their own help. They make terrible leaders, always attempting to lead from a place of safety while letting their conscripts take the risks. Leading by example is a foreign concept to them.
They will lie repetitively about their accomplishments and their accolades. They will misrepresent their professional achievements in order to gain people’s trust. Ask them to prove through actions that they can do all the things they claim they can do, and they will try to avoid the test or respond indignantly and angrily.
They will gaslight their ideological enemies or people they are trying to control. They will accuse others of being “narcissists” or “sociopaths” or fascists or any moniker that will push the buttons of their target. Whatever evils they are guilty of, they will try to flip and lay at the feet of their enemies.
They always seem to have “minions” to do their dirty work for them and attack those that oppose them. People that have dealt with narcissistic sociopaths in their personal lives sometimes refer to these minions as “flying monkeys,” referencing the flying monkeys enslaved by the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz. Flying monkeys are essentially useful idiots that the narcissist employs through fraud and sometimes through pay. Whenever the narcissist is under threat of being exposed, they unleash their flying monkeys onto the streets or onto the internet to undermine truth tellers.
They do not believe in moral or personal boundaries which is why they are always trying convince people that such boundaries are a myth. They will cross moral lines, always testing the fences for weaknesses; trying to wear others down until they give up and stop fighting back.
They desperately want to come out of the shadows and into the light of day. They want to be adored as the monsters they are, rather than the fake philanthropists they portray themselves as. In order to do this, every narcissistic sociopath makes it their duty to erase the idea of conscience, whether they are part of the globalist cabal or just another ghoul down the street. Their natural inclination is to corrupt whatever they touch, and if they cannot corrupt a thing, they will attempt to destroy that thing.
Most of all, narcissistic sociopaths want everyone around them to believe that we are just like them. That “deep down” all of us are unprincipled and morally bankrupt and all it takes is a crisis or calamity, just a little chaos to bring out the devil in everyone.
But if this were really the case, then humanity would have died out long ago through endless self-destruction; something keeps bringing us back from the brink in our personal lives and in society as a whole. Conscience keeps defeating evil by refusing to grant evil people the utopia of blank slate chaos they want so badly. And this is what give me confidence that no matter how terrible our days might become there is something on our side that goes beyond the physical world.
Every crisis is a test, a test of each person and a test of our culture. Can we act with reason and courage and principle even in the worst of times, or will we be lured to make our struggle easier through malicious means? Will we do right by those around us, or will we happily trample over them in the name of “survival?”
In the end, the worst men bring the best men to the surface. This is the only “good” they will ever do.”
Free Download: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, "The Little Prince"
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Free Download:
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, "The Little Prince"
by Kirstie Pursey
“‘The Little Prince’, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, is a children’s story with some very profound meanings and some quotes that will really make you think. I have to admit that I never read the ‘Little Prince’ as a child. I think I wouldn’t have known what to make of it if I did. Even reading it as an adult I didn’t know what to make of it!
However, it is clear that “The Little Prince” touches on some very deep themes about the nature of life, love, friendship and more. The following Little Prince quotes show just how many philosophical themes are discussed in this small, but profound work.
The story tells of a pilot who crashes into the Sahara desert. He is attempting to fix his damaged plane when a little boy appears as if from nowhere and demands that he draws him a sheep. Thus begins a strange, enigmatic friendship that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The Little Prince, it turns out, comes from a small asteroid where he is the only living being apart from a rather demanding rose bush. The Little Prince decides to leave his home and visit other planets to find knowledge. The story tells of these encounters with rulers of strange worlds and de Saint-Exupéry has opportunities to demonstrate some philosophical themes that will make readers think.
On earth, as well as meeting the pilot, The Little Price meets a Fox and Snake. The fox helps him to truly understand the rose and the snake offers him a way to return to his home planet. But his return journey comes at a high price. The book’s bittersweet ending is both thought-provoking and emotional. I would definitely recommend that you read “The Little Prince” if you haven’t already.
It is one of the most beautiful and profound children’s books there are. If you have older children, then you might like to read it with them as it can be a little overwhelming for them to read alone. In the meantime, here are some of the best and most thought-provoking Little Prince quotes:
• “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
• “A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.”
• “All grown-ups were once children… but only a few of them remember it.”
• “Well, I must endure the presence of a few caterpillars if I wish to become acquainted with the butterflies.”
• “Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them.”
• “The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.”
• “It is much more difficult to judge oneself than to judge others. If you succeed in judging yourself rightly, then you are indeed a man of true wisdom.”
• “It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.”
• “I am who I am and I have the need to be.”
• “No one is ever satisfied where he is.”
• “One day, I watched the sun setting forty-four times……You know…when one is so terribly sad, one loves sunsets.”
• “People where you live, the little prince said, grow five thousand roses in one garden… Yet they don’t find what they’re looking for… And yet what they’re looking for could be found in a single rose.”
• “But the conceited man did not hear him. Conceited people never hear anything but praise.”
• “What matters most are the simple pleasures so abundant that we can all enjoy them…Happiness doesn’t lie in the objects we gather around us. To find it, all we need to do is open our eyes.”
• “Where are the people?” resumed the Little Prince at last. “It’s a little lonely in the desert…” “It is lonely when you’re among people, too,” said the snake.”
• “What makes the desert beautiful,’ said the Little Prince, ‘is that somewhere it hides a well…”
• “For me, you are only a little boy just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you have no need of me, either. For you, I’m only a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, we’ll need each other. You’ll be the only boy in the world for me and I’ll be the only fox in the world for you.”
• “To forget a friend is sad. Not everyone has had a friend.”
• “Only the children know what they are looking for.”
• “Sometimes, there is no harm in putting off a piece of work until another day.”
• “I should have judged her according to her actions, not her words.”
• “Nevertheless he is the only one of them all who does not seem to me ridiculous. Perhaps that is because he is thinking of something else besides himself.”
• “The one thing I love in life is to sleep.”
• “The machine does not isolate man from the great problems of nature but plunges him more deeply into them.”
• “And when your sorrow is comforted (time soothes all sorrows) you will be content that you have known me.”
Closing thoughts: I hope you have enjoyed these ‘Little Prince’ quotes. Admittedly, they are sometimes difficult to fathom at first. However, like many things in life, the more you think about them, the more they begin to make sense. This is not an easy book to read and the bittersweet ending may leave you feeling a little heartbroken. However, the book offers so many insights into the human condition that it is well worth the time spent thinking about the philosophical ideas contained between the covers.”
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Freely download “The Little Prince”, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, here:
"Cherish Your Doubts"
“Cherish your doubts, for doubt is the handmaiden of truth. Doubt is the key to the door of knowledge; it is the servant of discovery. A belief which may not be questioned binds us to error, for there is incompleteness and imperfection in every belief. Doubt is the touchstone of truth; it is an acid which eats away the false. Let no one fear for the truth, that doubt may consume it; for doubt is a testing of belief. The truth stands boldly and unafraid; it is not shaken by the testing, for truth, if it be truth, arises from each testing stronger, more secure. He that would silence doubt is filled with fear; the house of his spirit is built on shifting sands. But he that fears no doubt, and knows its use, is founded on a rock. He shall walk in the light of growing knowledge; the work of his hands shall endure. Therefore let us not fear doubt, but let us rejoice in its help. It is to the wise as a staff to the blind; doubt is the handmaiden of truth.”
- Robert T. Weston
Dan, I Allegedly, "Nothing Is Fair Anymore"
Full screen recommended.
Dan, I Allegedly, 4/26/26
"Nothing Is Fair Anymore"
"Global inflation is accelerating again, and this time it’s being driven by supply chain chaos, rising energy costs, and geopolitical tensions tied to the Iran conflict. In this video, we break down how China is now passing higher production costs directly to consumers, sending prices soaring on everyday goods like clothing, plastics, and household essentials. With key materials like ethane and oil facing shortages, the ripple effect is hitting every industry - and it’s only getting worse as we head into a summer of rising prices. But that’s not all. We also expose how everyday Americans are being squeezed from every angle - unemployment overpayment clawbacks, aggressive speed camera fines, rising theft, layoffs, and more. From unfair government policies to economic pressure points hitting your wallet, this is a full breakdown of why people feel like nothing is fair anymore. Stay informed, stay prepared, and understand what’s really happening in today’s economy."
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"Next Collapse Soon"
Full screen recommended.
LifeWorthLiving, 4/26/26
"Next Collapse Soon"
"George Gammon discussed a “perfect storm” that looks eerily similar to 2008 - but with even bigger risks beneath the surface. Private credit, hidden leverage, and a fragile system could all collide at once."
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Full screen recommended.
Across The States, 4/26/26
"America Is Quietly Breaking -
Layoffs, Debt, and Homeless Cities Are Out of Control in 2026"
Homelessness is rising - and it’s hitting working people faster than anyone expected. This breakdown of the housing crisis shows how close many are to losing stability. Here’s the thing: this isn’t about not having a job anymore. Plenty of people earning steady paychecks still can’t cover rent. When most of your income goes to housing, even a small setback - a repair, a bill, a missed shift - can push everything off track. That’s how “temporary” situations quietly become long-term reality. What most people miss is how multiple trends are colliding at once. Wages aren’t keeping up, living costs keep climbing, and stable full-time roles are being replaced with unpredictable work. Even if the headlines say things are improving, day-to-day expenses tell a different story. The reality is, safety nets are shrinking. Affordable housing is harder to find, cities are tightening rules, and backup options are disappearing. When every layer of support gets thinner, the margin for error almost disappears."
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"Epicurus: Do Not Spoil What You Have"
"Epicurus: Do Not Spoil What You Have"
by Thomas Oppong
"One word: insatiable. Economist Lionel Robbins observed our needs, wants, and desires can never be satisfied. Greek Philosopher Epicurus thought it was the reason for human misery. The pursuit of unnecessary desires, he thought, leads to unnecessary suffering. He observed an appreciation of life’s basic pleasures changes everything. Epicurus believed the art of living well is knowing when to be content. “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for,” he wrote.
He warned his followers about the danger of insatiable desires and urged a mindful approach to our desires. “He who does not regard what he has as most ample wealth, is unhappy, though he be master of the world,” he stated. Epicurus believed the obsession with everything we don’t have makes it incredibly hard to enjoy life. “We must, therefore, pursue the things that make for happiness, seeing that when happiness is present, we have everything; but when it is absent, we do everything to possess it,” says Epicurus. Born in 341 BCE on the island of Samos, off the coast of modern Turkey, Epicurus was famous for his incredible focus on what makes people happy.
The Garden: Epicurus reached the pinnacle of his life as a philosopher and teacher in Athens. At 32, he established his school, the Garden, a haven for philosophical discourse and the pursuit of a fulfilling life. During this peak period, he attracted diverse followers to the Garden.
The Garden, Epicurus’ communal living space, served as a practical manifestation of his teachings. It was not merely a physical garden but a symbolic space where Epicureans could cultivate the seeds of wisdom, friendship, and contentment. The point of the Garden idea was to create a space where individuals could escape the tumult of everyday life, free from unnecessary desires and anxieties. It was a place where the pursuit of happiness, in the form of ataraxia (tranquillity), was central.
Epicurus surrounded himself with friends, engaging in philosophical discussions and embracing a simple lifestyle. He said it was vital to achieving a state of contentment and peace of mind. His emphasis on simple pleasures, moderation, the value of friendship and the pursuit of a peaceful mind is still relevant today. In the pursuit of pleasure, Epicurus distinguished between physical and mental pleasures. “It is not the drink that is at fault, but the excess,” he contended. Epicurus himself lived modestly, advocating for a life of simplicity and moderation. His lifestyle was based on finding contentment in basic pleasures rather than constantly pursuing more.
The anxieties of things we don’t need: “Plain fare gives as much pleasure as a costly diet, when once the pain of want has been removed,” he reflected. His quote exemplifies his belief in finding joy in life’s basic pleasures rather than extravagant indulgence. At the heart of Epicurus’ teachings was the pursuit of ataraxia, a state of tranquillity and freedom from unnecessary desires. His philosophical principles aimed to liberate people from the anxieties of pursuing things we don’t necessarily need for a good life. In Epicurean philosophy, happiness is found in simplicity: finding joy in daily life - a warm home, nourishing meals, and the company of loved ones. “He who is not satisfied with a little is satisfied with nothing,” Epicurus wisely noted. “Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little,” he added. Applying his teachings can lead to a more balanced and content existence - a life unspoiled by the relentless pursuit of things you don’t need.
Friendship: a fundamental human need: Epicurus also highlighted the significance of friendship in a fulfilling life. “Of all the things which wisdom provides to make us entirely happy, much the greatest is the possession of friendship,” he asserted. Epicurus viewed friendship as an essential component of a fulfilling life. He believed solid and supportive relationships were crucial for achieving eudaimonia, the Greek concept of happiness or well-being.
In his view, true friendship provides a sense of belonging, shared values, emotional comfort and intellectual stimulation, all of which contributed to a meaningful and satisfying life. Invest in genuine and quality friendships. Appreciate the spirit of friendly company. According to Epicureans, genuine happiness lies in freeing oneself from the burdens of desire and finding contentment in the present. The uncertainty of the future can overshadow our happiness.
Epicurus’ admonition to “not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not” holds profound relevance for a simple life. We don’t appreciate what we have enough. Epicurus cautions against the trap of comparing your reality to idealised online portrayals. Or comparing yourself unnecessarily with people who may have what you don’t have. By all means, pursue your life goals. But learn to appreciate your unique circumstances.
Don’t obsess about wants. Focus on needs. Distinguish between genuine needs and unnecessary desires. When the pressure to accumulate consumes us, Epicurus’ wisdom suggests a mindset that values experiences more. In all your pursuits, learn to pause, reflect, and find joy in your present accomplishments. While ambition is commendable, find a balance - to not spoil the satisfaction of how far you’ve come by perpetually chasing the next best “want.” “If you can’t be happy with a coffee, you won’t be happy with a yacht.” – Naval
The idea is to avoid spoiling the satisfaction derived from current achievements by fixating solely on future ambitions. It’s a healthy way to safeguard ourselves from the corrosive effects of insatiable desires and, in turn, live a more content and fulfilling life."
"Yes, There Is A Meaning..."
"Yes, there is a meaning; at least for me, there is one thing that matters -
to set a chime of words tinkling in the minds of a few fastidious people."
- Logan Pearsall Smith
"Who Wants to Live Forever?"
"Who Wants to Live Forever?"
by Mark Manson
"Each week, I send you three potentially life-changing ideas to help you be a slightly less awful human being. This week, we’re talking about topics that are a matter of life and death. No seriously, we’re talking about life and death this week: 1) the scientific progress in "treating" aging, 2) what a vastly longer lifespan would mean for culture and society, and 3) why do things die in the first place? Let’s get into it.
1. Can aging be reversed? - One of the more quietly controversial and interesting areas of scientific progress today is around the idea that biological aging can be treated as a disease and potentially be reversed. For years, researchers have been pioneering methods to limit cellular deterioration, stave off chronic diseases, and help older individuals stay healthy and independent as life expectancies rise.
A new study found that a cocktail of drugs not only slowed biological aging (measured by markers on the individual’s genome), it reversed it by approximately 2.5 years. To my knowledge, this is the first time an aging reversal has been shown in human subjects. This is a stunning result that even the researchers did not expect. (Note: it was a small study and had no control group, so don’t wet your panties just yet. As always, more studies need to be done.)
As with most bleeding-edge technologies, the idea that we can defeat aging, like most controversial ideas, has inspired reactions from experts that range from utopian to apocalyptic.
I was first exposed to the idea that aging could potentially be conquered by science in Ray Kurzweil’s book "The Singularity is Near." In it, Kurzweil's’ views are beyond utopian. They're like the religious rapture. In the book, Kurzweil makes the argument that not only will we cure death, but it will likely happen in most of our lifetimes.
Kurzweil points out that over human history, not only has life expectancy been increasing, but the rate at which it increases has been increasing as well. So, maybe centuries ago, life expectancy increased at a rate of 0.01 years per year. Then, it increased to 0.1 per year. Then 0.2 per year. Then 0.3 per year. He argues that eventually, life expectancy will hit a tipping point where it increases by at least one year per year, meaning that for every year that goes by, humans are expected to live at least one year longer. Ergo, we all become immortal. The end.
Maybe Kurzweil hasn’t spent much time investing in financial markets, otherwise, he’d be aware of the ubiquitous warning that accompanies every exciting chart: "Warning: Past performance is no guarantee of future results."
Indeed, there seems to be a "low-hanging fruit" effect on human longevity. It turns out that giving most of the world running water, sewage treatment, and, you know, food, vastly increases lifespan. So that "exponential curve" of increasing life expectancy that forever increases into the future is more likely an "S-curve" where life expectancy jumps massively as countries industrialize and modernize and then begin to level off at around 75-80 years old.
But regardless of the murky science and controversial implications, the lure of immortality is too strong for many to ignore. Companies have emerged that offer to cryogenically freeze your body when you die, promising to keep you frozen until the technology to "cure death" emerges in the future.
No, I’m not making this stuff up. Apparently, some notable people such as Larry King and Peter Thiel have signed up for it. But don’t get too excited. Freezing your body indefinitely after death starts at around $200,000 USD. Better start saving today!
2. Who wants to live forever? - In my book, "Everything is F***ed: A Book About Hope", I argued that one of the dangers of consumer culture is that we often equate "giving people what they want" with progress. Given that we so often want things that are terrible for ourselves (not to mention others), I point out that this is a pretty flimsy standard for measuring the social good.
To me, curing aging (and maybe even death) is the ultimate question of, "Okay, we definitely want it… but should we?"
It’s hard to imagine the social and psychological repercussions of a population where the average life expectancy is, say, 250 years old. Would we overpopulate the planet? When would the retirement age be? Would our healthcare systems collapse? Would bridge and bingo become Olympic sports?
I joke, but I do think there are some serious philosophical questions here. Our ability to value things is driven by scarcity. We often care about things in our lives because we have an abiding sense that we will never experience them again. If we live forever, all experience becomes abundant, therefore much of it loses its meaning. Everything becomes more superficial—there’s no sense of legacy, no sense of, "I lived for that."
Or what about family? Will it become standard for everyone to have half a dozen marriages and a dozen kids? Will people have brothers and sisters 70 years younger or older than themselves? Will we appreciate our parents more or less knowing that we’re stuck with them for another two centuries and will end up sharing them with dozens of other people?
The perceived costs of things like traffic accidents, disease, and war would become much larger. Far fewer people would want to risk getting shot or dying in a car accident if they know they’re giving up hundreds of years of life. People would oddly become much more risk-averse. Pandemics would be waaaay scarier. The power of compound interest would become far more valuable, creating much more of a culture around saving and learning rather than spending and doing. Expertise would reach a point where people spend 30 or 40 years getting educated before starting their careers. Forty really would be the new twenty!
3. The evolutionary value of death - You might read all this and throw your hands up in the air and shout, "What are they doing? This isn’t natural!" But you’d be wrong.
Although they are rare, there are "immortal" species on the planet (in this case, "immortal" means that they do not biologically age.) The jellyfish Turritopsis dohrnii doesn’t die. Neither does the bristlecone pine tree. Many species of lobster technically don’t age and could theoretically live forever, the problem is that they outgrow their shells which then decay and fall apart, leaving them vulnerable to predators (talk about tragic).
Lifespans vary widely across the natural world. Some sharks and tortoises live for half a millennia. There are species of apes that only live to be about 15 years old. There are several species of flies that live for 24 hours or less.
It turns out that death is not inevitable. In fact, death exists for a specific evolutionary purpose. Ideally, by mixing and matching genetics, a species becomes more robustly adapted to its environment. The quicker individual creatures die, the faster they must procreate new generations, and the faster the rate of genetic mutation and adaptation within the species.
Therefore, each species has a "sweet spot" for lifespan based on the necessary evolutionary adaptation to its environment. If a species needs to adapt quickly and often, it dies quickly and often. If it needs to adapt slowly (or never), then it dies slowly (or never).
That "sweet spot" for humans seems to be every 2-3 generations, or every 80-100 years. The telomeres on our chromosomes appear to "run out" soon after that, effectively putting a limit on how long we can live naturally. This sweet spot probably exists because it’s short enough to stay ahead of the quickly mutating infectious diseases that threaten us, but long enough to have some grandparents around to help raise kids (for more on this idea, see Matt Ridley’s excellent book, "The Red Queen").
A lot has been said about the scientific potential to alter our own species - genetic engineering, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, etc. But perhaps nothing would be so fundamental as altering our ability to age and die. Our psychology, our biology, and our societies seem to be largely based on it. Changing it could change everything. The question is, will we be around to see it?"
"Meredith's Letter To God"
"Meredith's Letter To God"
Posted on Quora
"Our 14-year-old dog, Abbey, passed away last month. The day after she died, my 4-year-old daughter, Meredith, was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so He would know Abbey when she got to Heaven. I told her we could, and she told me what to write:
"Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in Heaven. I miss her a lot. I’m glad you let her be my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to swim and chase balls. I’m sending you a picture of her so you’ll know she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith"
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith. We wrote, “To God in Heaven” on the envelope and added our return address. Meredith stuck several stamps on it, saying it would take many stamps to reach heaven. That afternoon, she dropped it in the mailbox at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had received the letter. I told her I believed He had.
Yesterday, we found a package wrapped in shiny gold paper on our front porch. It was addressed to "Meredith" in handwriting we didn’t recognize. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called "When a Pet Dies." Taped to the inside cover was the letter we had sent to God, still in its envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey and Meredith and this note:
"Dear Meredith,
"Abbey got to Heaven safely. The picture helped, and I knew right away who she was. Abbey is not sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me, just like she stays in your heart. She loved being your dog. Since we don’t have pockets in Heaven, I can’t keep your picture with me, so I’m sending it back in this book for you to keep and remember Abbey. Thank you for your lovely letter, and thank your mom for helping you write and send it. You have a very special mother. I chose her just for you. I send you my blessings every day, and I want you to remember that I love you very much. And by the way, I’m easy to find - I’m wherever there is love.
Love, God"
"This beautiful story is true."
“The Wit and Wisdom of Will Rogers”
“The Wit and Wisdom of Will Rogers”
by Tom Purcell
"Things are mighty heated these days. Tempers are flaring and minds are closed. Here’s the solution: the wit and wisdom of Will Rogers:
“The short memory of voters is what keeps our politicians in office.”
“We’ve got the best politicians that money can buy.”
“A fool and his money are soon elected.”
Rogers spoke these words during the Great Depression, but they’re just as true today. With 24-hour news channels, our memories are shorter than ever. And in the mass-media age, the politician who can afford the most airtime frequently wins.
“Things in our country run in spite of government, not by aid of it.”
“Alexander Hamilton started the U.S. Treasury with nothing.
That was the closest our country has ever been to being even.”
“Be thankful we’re not getting all the government we’re paying for.”
Today, unfortunately, we’re getting more government than we’re paying for. We cover the difference by borrowing billions every year. As the king of the velvet-tipped barb, Rogers never intended to be mean, but to bring us to our senses. One of his favorite subjects was to remind the political class that it worked for us, not the other way around.
“When Congress makes a joke it’s a law, and when they make a law, it’s a joke.”
“You can’t hardly find a law school in the country that don’t,through some
inherent weakness, turn out a senator or congressman from time to time…
if their rating is real low, even a president.”
if their rating is real low, even a president.”
“The more you observe politics,
the more you’ve got to admit that each party is worse than the other.”
That’s for certain. Rogers’ thinking on American foreign policy really hits home today:
“Diplomacy is the art of saying ‘Nice doggie’ until you can find a rock.”
“Diplomats are just as essential to starting a war as soldiers are for finishing it.
You take diplomacy out of war, and the thing would fall flat in a week.”
“Liberty doesn’t work as well in practice as it does in speeches.”
Rogers was born and raised on a farm in Oklahoma. His wit reflected the heart of America — the horse sense, square dealing and honesty that were the bedrock of our success:
“When a fellow ain’t got much of a mind, it don’t take him long to make it up.”
“This country is not where it is today on account of any one man.
It’s here on account of the real common sense of the Big Normal Majority.”
Franklin Roosevelt, a frequent target of Rogers’ barbs, understood how valuable Rogers’ sensibility was during the years of the Depression: “I doubt there is among us a more useful citizen than the one who holds the secret of banishing gloom… of supplanting desolation and despair with hope and courage. Above all things, Will Rogers brought his countrymen back to a sense of proportion.”
A sense of proportion is clearly what we’re lacking right now. We need to get it back quickly. What we need now more than ever is the calm, clear perspective of Will Rogers. He offered some sound advice on how we can get started: “If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can’t it get us out?”
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