People people,
I heard a fascinating anecdote recently in class, and it seems like a good way to start. This is supposedly a story that Socrates told Plato, who later wrote it down (really, what is with Socrates refusing to write anything down!?).
In ancient Greece there lived a man who was very wealthy. In addition to owning a horse, he also owned a servant. The wealthy man sent his servant into town to pick up a few things from the marketplace. While at the marketplace, the servant brushed up against someone else. Upon turning around to see whom he had brushed into he saw, to his surprise and horror, it was Death. Frightened, the man rushed back to the wealthy man (his master), told him what had happened, and insisted he borrow the wealthy man's horse. The servant took the horse and fled from Athens to the majoring town of Thebes. The wealthy man of course still needed the things he had initially sent the servant to retrieve, so he made his way into the market himself. There, he also ran into Death.
Surprised, he exclaimed "My servant said he brushed into you here earlier today."
Upon hearing this news Death replied, "That's odd because I have a meeting with him later tonight in Thebes."
So, the question becomes, did the servant, by fleeing, actually cause his own death? This becomes a very important question when examing issues such as causality and even the problem of freewill. Our teacher, however, said that understanding this rudimentary parable is paramount to understanding not only African philosophy, but religion as well. So enough with the cerebral dexterity workout.
STOP ALL THE WORLD NOW:
So this morning I heard something that shook me to my core. Indeed, the implications of this development have caused me to reshape not only my entire political view, but perhaps world-view as well.
Earlier this week, two of the 21st centuries intellectual giants, Ted Danson and Jon Bon Jovi publicly endorsed Democratic presidential nominee, John Kerry. The implications of such a profundity is certain to send ripples of ingenuity across the waters of political awareness. Needless to say, it would be the acme of foolishness to not internalize these words of wisdom and brush off their much needed endorsement. It is such a sad fact that our society does not have more men of these caliber who can not only light the torch of wisdom and clarity but also lead the way. So, John and Tereza have at least one thing to be happy about: a vote from Michael Warren Rice. Sign me up!
You know, if only Carrot Top could offer his endorsement along with Jon Bon and Danson I feel that no one in the nation would be able to merely question the fact that Kerry is the man for the job. For example, here is a brief hypothetical situation of a UN meeting in which these three men, being leaders of the free world, would conduct themselves while offering a clear and concise vision of a great future:
(UN Meeting has just begun at their requested time of 11am SHARP!)
Jon Bon Jovi: "We have to get these things right gentlemen. Terrorism is the cardinal threat facing this great nation in the 21st century. And as I said once before (he jumps on table revealing his new leather pants) It's my life... I aint gonna live forever." Awkwardly, he sits back down and fixes his feather bangs.
Carrot Top: One way to increase our communication efficency and abilities is with three way calling! (He pulls out a set of three plastic cups from his brief case and shows how they are connected with string) And dial down the middle-1800CALLATT!
Ted Danson was unable to show up due to an engagement at the El Paso Planet Hollywood, in which he was promoting the newest DVD collection of Cheers, Season 3.
SCENE!
Clearly, these men are able to handle the problems of today while working for a safer tomorrow. Ok, I'll leave it at that, since it would be hard to top.
Until next time, I remain, at times an aspiring farcical writer,
M.W. Rice
Quote of the day: We can never know what we want, because, living only one life, we can neither compare it with our previous lives nor perfect it in our lives to come.
Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being
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