Altruism as well is seen by the majority of human culture as a "holy", or "pure" virtue. This is not the case. We are indeed social animals, and cooperation is quite necessary for survival, and kindness and compassion are indeed values to be prized (and which seem to be often too lacking in our current times), yet focusing exclusively on "selfless" deeds is hypocritical, as well as counterproductive. Altruism is simply long term selfishness. By willingly "sacrificing" time, money, and whatnot, you are giving yourself emotional gratification, or a feeling of having done something "worthwhile". Even a willing sacrifice of the self, such as martyrdom, is selfish. Knowing that certain beliefs will be carried on, or that the death will give a reputation is hardly selfless. A sacrifice of your life to save a friend, however heroic, is still selfish, since you will have satisfaction knowing that the friend's life is spared. Too much "selflessness", and individuality will be forfeit at the cost of "being nice". If you lose your individuality, you have lost sight of what it truly means to be human.

The act of selfishness should not be cast in a negative light, not pictured as "evil" by society. It IS humanity, and like man, is capable of wonders, as well as atrocities.




Religion: Causes, ideas, and defense.

There is a constant, yet silent battle that man has been engulfed in since the beginnings of civilization. That battle is fought between the restricting, controlling edicts of dogmatic "principles", otherwise known as religion, and the minority... the individualist free-thinkers of humanity. The battlegrounds aren't just in the minds of those involved, and the consequence of the continuance of mental oppression is the slow decay of freedom, as well as the loss of the individuality that makes us human.

The dogmas of religion today are deeply rooted in society, culture, and the minds of the "believers". Throughout our history, this anthropomorphic system has been utilized, with great effectiveness, by those in search of power and control. The relative ease which the human mind can be shaped and "nudged" is almost appalling. Capitalizing on our natural fears and wishes, religion has managed to bring about levels of bigotry, hatred, and violence that we as a culture will be hard pressed to control.

Fear of the unknown is one of the main attributes of the weak minded that religion can easily jump upon. We are a fairly ignorant race, just hitting the tip of the iceberg when it comes to science and universal understanding. The fact that we don't know absolutely everything about everything can lead many people, used to an instant gratification society, to leap at any sort of absolute "Truth" that will ease their fears. The particular "absolute Truth" that is picked out of the myriad available, is usually dependent on upbringing and the culture born into. Being told that we will live forever in eternal happiness if we only do such-and-such not only adresses fears of the unknown, but makes that unknown enjoyable. Once you throw in the fire and brimstone, you have quite an effective system of cost-reward manipulation.

While fear of the unknown is a decidedly powerful attribute leading to religion, there is an even more powerful one that is surprisingly overlooked. That attribute is humanity's fear of what we DO know, and what we CAN observe, by simply looking outside. The world, universe, and life as we know it is a constant, harsh struggle between opposing species, forces, and cultures in a fight to survive. Death, famine, pain, disease, and struggle are always present, and contrary to the rose-tinted wishes of blind optimism and mythology, are what keep things running. Without these harsh essentials to existence, life itself would cease. Life grows off of change (which is in itself a struggle) and adaptation. In a harsh reality that does not give a flying flip about you or I, the idea that an old Father-Figure-in-the-Sky cares for us all, and gives us a purpose is a hard thing to pass up. But again, which kind of person are you? Will You be able to admit that we do not know everything, and strive to change that, or will you take the quick fix reassurances of religious mythology, turning a blind eye to observable reality?

-Fun is good. Funner is gooder.

-Shit happens. But if it must happen, make sure it happens to your neighbor. Then you can be the first on the scene with a pooper scooper, and will end up the hero.

-Smile. It makes the insecure uncomfortable, the inquisitive wonder, and the idiots feel less lonely.

-Laughter may be the best medicine, but even Flintstone’s Vitamins can be deadly if taken liberally.

-Every cloud has a silver lining. It’s just too bad that silver is really just an over-hyped shade of grey.

-There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Yes, that light may be attached to a high speed locomotive, but it is a light nonetheless.

-Making a bad decision is better than making none at all. At least a bad decision can somehow be blamed on others. You have nowhere to hide if you are sleeping at the scene of the crime.

-When God gives you lemons, forget about making lemonade. Pretend to choke on the seeds and have an allergic reaction to citrus juice. Then call the FDA, and sue him for every penny he’s got. I hear he’s loaded.

-Life after death is for those who don’t have a life before death.

-There are plenty of fish in the sea. Just be sure you stay away from any of the ones that have more teeth than you, or smell funny.

-If you can’t beat them, join them and corrupt their children. There is always time for mutiny.

-If at first you don’t succeed, destroy all evidence that suggests you tried.

-2nd place is just the first loser. But hey, without losers what would the winners be?

-Beauty is a matter of personal taste. Some people taste like shit.

-If people cringe when they see you, it’s not that you are ugly. You are just visually challenging.

-If pain is weakness leaving the body, then why in the hell do people work out? So that the pain takes longer to go away as you get stronger?

-Pain is nature’s way of telling you that you are still alive, though only on a lease.

-There is nothing to fear but fear itself. And the Catholics.

-Everyone has the right to make mistakes. Don’t abuse it.

-Some people’s sole purpose in life is to serve as an example of what not to do. Find these people, observe their ways, and stay the hell away.

-When you are not strong, you must be smart. If you are neither, you must become Catholic. Stupid people in large groups are very effective.

-If at first you don’t succeed, redefine success.

-If you cannot dazzle them with your brilliance, baffle them with your bullshit.

-A conservative is someone who worships the views of dead liberals.

-Be careful of your thoughts, they may become words without warning.

-Being in charge is like being sexy. If you have to tell people you are, then you aren’t.

-Blowing out another’s candle will not make yours shine brighter…but setting them on fire sure as hell gets the job done.

-Children in the back seats of cars cause accidents, but accidents in the back seats of cars cause children. Get a two seater and wear a rubber.

-If you point out to an idiot that he is in fact an idiot, and then proceed to educate him, you are not being an asshole. You are simply helping to chlorinate the gene pool.