Two Posts in One Day...

I'm pretty sure Nostradamus prophecies listed this very event as a sign of armageddon...

Really, you should take a moment for a celebratory drink at the very thought that'd i'd grace you with my words twice in a day. Hell, previously, twice in a week was a matter for jubilation.

First, a warning, then we'll get to the meat of this whole post. I must warn you, i'm atleast at the moment, rather distracted. No, there isn't a duel to the death occuring in the backround. Simply, my mind is rather focused on tomorrow evening. I'm predicting now that it'll be a joyous event, and not in that "we'll be greeted as liberators" context either. I'm sure i'll allude back to it at a later date. (Inserted later) Furthering this idea: I just realize I was so elated by my phone conversation establishing tomorrows plans, I actually forgot to start the dryer.

Anyways, back to the idea behind this post: Perspective.

As much as I hate when others do the same, i'll begin with the Webster's rendition of the term:

per·spec·tive P Pronunciation Key (pr-spktv)
n.)

1. 1. A view or vista.
   2. A mental view or outlook: “It is useful occasionally to look at the past to gain a perspective on the present” (Fabian Linden).
2. The appearance of objects in depth as perceived by normal binocular vision.
3. 1. The relationship of aspects of a subject to each other and to a whole: a perspective of history; a need to view the problem in the proper perspective.
   2. Subjective evaluation of relative significance; a point of view: the perspective of the displaced homemaker.
   3. The ability to perceive things in their actual interrelations or comparative importance: tried to keep my perspective throughout the crisis.
4. The technique of representing three-dimensional objects and depth relationships on a two-dimensional surface.

Alright, those who know me best know i'm well too cheap to actually own any version of Merriam-Webster References, that's directly from www.dictionary.com, bookmark it, use it, it'll make you a better person.

I didn't really read the dictionary's offical opinion of the word. I came here to express my own thoughts on the manner.

Brief Side Note: This ties back to my theory that there is no such thing as "culture", where as we're all well too individually different to ever represent a functional likemindedness.

As i've already ruined the suspense of my theory with a side note, i'll say this: If we were to sit 100 people (selected at random in some sort of double blind, scientific theory, publically funded research sort of manner) in a room, and show, or say, or present anything to them, no two of them would perceive it in the exact same way. Not to mention, it'd be literally impossible to record their personal perception / reception of the material in some absolutely objective and unbiased fashion. This is sounding like a failed study, and a valid point all at the same time.

The reasoning behind this thought. As i've come into adulthood, i've come to realize that people disagree with me on all sorts of matters. Opinions obviously vary, keep in mind i'm usually in the right and all; but, i've got a great deal of trouble at times understanding where someone is coming from. I'm going to talk about "Jerry" here.

Brief Side Note [Exposition (Drama term, 4th definition]: Jerry. Jerry has a last name, sadly I never bothered to learn it. Jerry and I shared a class room this past semester [PSC231-International Politics(see the post below)] . When I say that, I mean to say that literally daily, Jerry and I went toe to toe on some topic of discussion. My personal favorite Jerry quote from the year, in reference to discussing the North / South economic divide of the world and the concept of sustainable development: "Atleast AIDS is keeping the African population in control". Important to mention that's a paraphrase, and I was so amazingly taken a back by it, i'm not sure I was even able to respond. This was probably the most obscene and inhumane statement he'd made all semester, and most likely he was just trying to get a rise out of me. I can only chastise him so much though, i'd done much the same the week before, comically suggesting we nuke the rest of the world, so we could finally live in peace. It's also worth mentioning here, to give some actual backround towards his perspective, he's a P-60 student, which means he's over 60 years of age attending class for free, and not taking exams. He's also rather conservative in his views, and a veteran.

I obviously can't possibly think exactly like a 60 year old conservative veteran. My childhood didn't consist of depression era conservation. I was never around when racism was overtly accepted. I've never lived through a world war, nor have I ever served my country in one. I didn't make my personal fortune during the wealth and excess of the 80's. I've never had a child and worried about their well being before my own.

All these facts make it difficult for me to perceive where he's coming from. I do believe that we all in a way are a reflection of our personal experiences. When I suggested the US Military Code of Justice was weak and inept, protecting the most high profile offenders to save political face, Jerry only knew of the latrines he scrubbed with a toothbrush because he was late to the mess hall one day.

(http://www.intel-dump.com/archives/archive_2005_07_31-2005_08_06.shtml#1123180566) Not directly the article i'm remembering, but covering the same topic. The article I was referencing contrasted the US soldier who received 6 months restrictive barracks duty, and a $1,200 fine for binding an iraqi general with an electrical cord, stuffing him head first into a sleeping bag, and sitting on his chest; which in turn caused his death, the same day a US citizen was sentenced to 2 years in jail and a $25,000 fine for pouring pig's blood on a military recruiting station in protest.

This is what I refer to when I speak of perspective.

This entire post was spawned by something completely third party to this, but we'll spoil "V for Vendetta" for the rest of you at a later date.

Cheers,

-Ry$4K

p.s. - I wonder if the laundry is finally dry, considering I actually started the dryer this time round. =O)

p.s.s- Random Rap Quote: "Why is Bush acting like he's trying to get Osama, Why don't we impeach him and elect Obama?" Jadakiss - Why (Remix)