Monday, May 14, 2007

Three Thoughts of The Day

Laziness: Working a manual “unskilled” labour job for a certain period of time is extremely valuable for those who are privileged in society (like those in university). We have forgotten the pain and fatigue that such labor causes, and are weaker because of it. Those running society need to understand the experience of the working poor. I am sick and nearly every part of my body hurts, I get home with barely any leisure time before I have to go to bed. I couldn’t imagine doing this my whole life. Calvin reminded me again and again today about the importance of getting an education so that I wouldn’t be confined (like himself) to such a job for the rest of my life. Its remarkable that in the midst of his curse, he could wish someone like me who has never felt the struggles he has endured something better than he wants for himself. These is however value in the job outside of the experience of it. You realize what it means to work hard for extended period of time. Its really healthy. People pay thousands of dollars to avoid being stuck with such a job, and then pay thousands of dollars again for a gym membership, and then pay thousands of dollars of maids, grass cutters, landscapers, etc. I think its time we hop out of our cabin of convenience and rediscover the value and joy in manual labour.

Expressions: its amazing how much power simple expressions that a certain person always says has in defining who they are. Its really remarkable, to the point where when you hear the same expression elsewhere it reminds you have strongly of that person. For instance, whenever I hear “watch it, I’m in a bad mood”, I will always think of Richard, its who he is. Or “Nooo Broda,” or “Zip-zap” I will always think of Calvin. Think of your friends what expressions do they use that define them for you.

Sex Everywhere: I honestly think western society is the midst of an epidemic. The epidemic is the sexual objectification of women by men. Its really everywhere, soo many guys do it. It has infiltrated every area of life, including Christian circles. I’m not sure what exactly the cause is, perhaps a breakdown of traditional social structures. But what ever the cause, it is indeed amplified by the communications technology and the easy access men have to means of objectifying women. Pornography, solicitation of prostitution, casual sex, and sexual abuse are rampant. They now estimated that the current slave trade in sex slaves has eclipsed the Atlantic slave trade in size and scope. The problem is enormous. The remedy for this is even harder to think of. I don’t necessarily think it’s the empowerment of women as some suggest. (not that that is a bad thing, it just isn’t the solution) Men are cultured to deal with problems independently, they do not gather in groups to solve problems often, perhaps the solution needs to start there.

3 comments:

Kevin James Field said...

Good call.

What brought on the sex comments?

J.D. Clements said...

It was Calvin, he claims to be a clean living person, but has a picture of a topless person on his locker (along with almost everyone else. I've asked him a few times about it, but he dismisses it off has unimportant, its kinda sad considering how much I respect Calvin

Kevin James Field said...

Yeah, I wonder if after a certain age, constantly looking at a certain picture of a certain topless woman, you can somehow become quasi-immune to it. Especially in a workplace where even pain is good because it's a feeling.