Science, Religion, Politics and in the pursuit of truth – HappyPsychotic

Do One Thing Every Day that Makes You Happy

// December 22nd, 2009 // 1 Comment » // GlenncloseAuthor: Glenn Name: Glenn C
Email: happypsychotic@gmail.com
Site: http://www.happypsychotic.com
About: Glenn is 36 years old and now lives in a small town in Northern Ontario with his wife of 13 years and 2 kids. He has been a foster parent for 10 years in 3 different cities. He graduated from Radio College of Canada (Toronto) in 1993 as an Electronic Engineering Technologist and has been working in the electronics industry ever since with companies like Nortel. Glenn does a good amount of reading, studying and thinking about such topics as philosophy, psychology, physics (Quantum Mechanics), religion and science. Glenn does have an I.Q. of > 140 (as does Chris) which is categorized as genius but hasn't bothered joining any I.Q. type clubs. He is very logical and analytical and always looking for a way to make a better world - primarily through self-improvement and in helping others to improve themselves. Most importantly, he constantly re-evaluates his priorities and ensures his time is spent wisely - like working on this site.See Authors Posts (92)

Do One Thing Every Day that Makes You Happy
This is a great saying that I came across at a friend’s house recently that is great on many levels.  It has caused me to do a little more thinking, which is always good.  Here are some of the ways you can think on this.

1. I believe that the simple and straightforward interpretation here is to take some time on a regular basis to do something enjoyable and this will help you have a happy life.  Thinking about it like this, I would agree wholeheartedly, but there are some caveats…
2. One problem with this saying is that if you take it to its extreme, then you could say that selfishly doing what you want all the time (which are things that make you happy) would be a good thing.  Unless you emphasize the “one thing” part and say you should limit yourself to only one happy thing a day – but I doubt that was the original intent here.
3. I have a real problem defining something that makes me happy.  Are we talking about something that gives me a momentary pleasure like eating chocolate?  Or long term pleasure like exercising daily to promote a long life?  I think most people would think it meant something in the middle, like a medium-term happiness like playing with your kids and them showing they love you.
4. And what about something that makes me happy the first few times I do it, but it becomes less and less pleasurable over time?  Isn’t almost everything like that?  So how could that be a good recommendation?  Should you keep mixing it up and do a different happy thing every day?  Maybe you should start by asking yourself what happy thing could I do 100 or 1000 times and still enjoy?  The list becomes a lot shorter now doesn’t it?
5. Isn’t it also true that “the sweet doesn’t taste as sweet without the bitter”?  So couldn’t we say that it’s healthy to be depressed and down in the dumps occasionally because you feel so much happier when you get out?

Well, I hope I haven’t totally killed the saying for you, because it is a good one.  Be a Happy Psychotic today!

A Slumdog’s Life

// November 22nd, 2009 // 1 Comment » // BarrycloseAuthor: Barry Name: Barry Nobody
Email: happy99999@hotdogs.com
Site: http://www.happypsychotic.com
About: I'm happy to be the first bonus blogger on happypsychotic. I know Chris and Glenn pretty well and they trust me enough to let me blog on their site, which I think is pretty cool. I am also in my 30's, have a couple kids and have been doing internet applications for what seems like forever. The big difference between me and the boys is that I am not a Christian. In this way, I will have some very different viewpoints on most things than Chris and Glenn. Hopefully you'll find it interesting and I won't get kicked out. Hey, I'm smart too! I just don't know what my I.Q. is.See Authors Posts (8)

I just finished watching “Slumdog Millionaire” (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1010048/) for the 2nd time.  It’s reminded me to think about the meaning of life and death.  Here’s what I’m thinking…the older brother Salim, throughout his whole life has this idea that life is about being somebody important with lots of money.  This seems very shallow on the surface, but I am certain that 9 out of every 10 people on earth are striving for this very thing.  The younger brother Jamaal has fallen in love with a girl (Latika).  Nothing else in the world matters except finding her and loving her.  At the end, I think Salim realizes that he has a perfect answer – he can find forgiveness from his brother (by returning his girlfriend) and he can escape from his life which he realizes is pointless (in a murder – suicide).  Sometimes I think that suicide is always the wrong answer, and sometimes I don’t.  Is there really much difference if you live 30 years or 60 years?  Is it better to go out with a bang (suicide) while doing something heroic vs. avoiding danger and living until you die of old age?  And is it a waste of life to focus your entire existance on 1 thing (like finding the girl of your dreams)?  Maybe Jamaal and  Latika don’t live happily ever after?  Maybe after a couple of years they find out they don’t really like each other and split up?  Would you say Jamaal had wasted his life finding her?  I don’t think so.  When there is no ultimate purpose of life, one idea is as good as the next.  while he was searching for Latika he had a purpose.  Whan Latika found out that she was not forgotten, she felt special.  Sounds like a purpose for life to me.

How about another movie called “28 Weeks Later”? (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0463854/)  Yes, it’s another zombie movie.  But there’s one part where they show the father of the family escape and run away from a house that is overrun by zombies because he is convinced that there is no way his family could possibly survive.  Of course, he’s wrong and his wife does survive, but I try to imagine what he was feeling as he continued to live his life.  Yes, he was still alive, but he had to live with the fact that he didn’t stand up for his family.  Which is better – to be alive and full of regret?  Or to stick by your principles and end up dieing?  I know I would go back in that house.

Do You Trust Me?

// November 17th, 2009 // No Comments » // GlenncloseAuthor: Glenn Name: Glenn C
Email: happypsychotic@gmail.com
Site: http://www.happypsychotic.com
About: Glenn is 36 years old and now lives in a small town in Northern Ontario with his wife of 13 years and 2 kids. He has been a foster parent for 10 years in 3 different cities. He graduated from Radio College of Canada (Toronto) in 1993 as an Electronic Engineering Technologist and has been working in the electronics industry ever since with companies like Nortel. Glenn does a good amount of reading, studying and thinking about such topics as philosophy, psychology, physics (Quantum Mechanics), religion and science. Glenn does have an I.Q. of > 140 (as does Chris) which is categorized as genius but hasn't bothered joining any I.Q. type clubs. He is very logical and analytical and always looking for a way to make a better world - primarily through self-improvement and in helping others to improve themselves. Most importantly, he constantly re-evaluates his priorities and ensures his time is spent wisely - like working on this site.See Authors Posts (92)

If someone automatically assumes you are lying, is it because they are so used to lying themselves that they see lies everywhere?  Can there be any other explanation?

If I look at this in the opposite way, I do think that someone raised in a completely honest environment would automatically believe whatever they are told (and get easily taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals).  Us honest folk (yes, I take pride in my honesty) have to learn to spot dishonest people and learn the scams (often we learn the hard way, typically losing money).  For instance, I have learned that if someone tells me I have to make a decision immediately, (usually to claim a prize or to take advantage of a seemingly great price on something) I know that this is a scam and I always refuse.  (what possible reason could someone have in having you make a quick decision if not to hide something?)  I have also learned that nothing good is really free with regards to business, as the only purpose of a business is to make money.

So, back to lying.  I would assume that a person raised in an environment full of dishonest people would also learn quickly not to trust what they hear, and to always be on their guard for scams.  I suppose it is possible for an honest person to live among dishonest people or vice versa, but it must be exceedingly rare.  So I think the safe thing to do is add this thought to my list of rules…”If someone automatically assumes I’m lying about something, there’s a high probability that they themselves are comfortable telling lies.”.  So be careful around such people!

What Are You Selling?

// October 28th, 2009 // 3 Comments » // GlenncloseAuthor: Glenn Name: Glenn C
Email: happypsychotic@gmail.com
Site: http://www.happypsychotic.com
About: Glenn is 36 years old and now lives in a small town in Northern Ontario with his wife of 13 years and 2 kids. He has been a foster parent for 10 years in 3 different cities. He graduated from Radio College of Canada (Toronto) in 1993 as an Electronic Engineering Technologist and has been working in the electronics industry ever since with companies like Nortel. Glenn does a good amount of reading, studying and thinking about such topics as philosophy, psychology, physics (Quantum Mechanics), religion and science. Glenn does have an I.Q. of > 140 (as does Chris) which is categorized as genius but hasn't bothered joining any I.Q. type clubs. He is very logical and analytical and always looking for a way to make a better world - primarily through self-improvement and in helping others to improve themselves. Most importantly, he constantly re-evaluates his priorities and ensures his time is spent wisely - like working on this site.See Authors Posts (92)

A recent ad on the radio tells of a “Canadian Cancer Society Lottery” where funds go to cancer research.  There are millions of dollars in prizes and a “1 in 5″ chance of winning.  Sounds like I would be stupid NOT to enter.  But then I wonder how much funds could possibly be available for cancer research after they give out so many prizes?  (their website offers no details)  And although “1 in 5″ odds sounds very good, lotteries don’t lose money, so nobody should ever confuse a lottery with an investment.  Needless to say, I find this ad to be very annoying due to its misleading nature.  But of course, it is not alone in the world of advertisement.

I’ve created 3 categories to differentiate the ways I see people try to sell things 1) Obvious 2) Diversionary and 3) Secretive/Accidental.  I’ll list a few examples of each and we’ll decide what we like best.

1.  Obvious

• When you see or hear a car commercial, you know somebody wants you to buy their car.  Depending on the vehicle, its strengths are stressed loudest hoping to say what you want to hear like this is the safest car, the best price, has won the most awards, has the most power, is the biggest, is the most fuel efficient, is the most fun, the most beautiful, most noticeable, most practical etc.

• Restaurants also declare what makes them better than the rest, whether it be that they have the tastiest food, the best prices, the best atmosphere, the healthiest, the fastest or whatever but there is no question what is being sold here.

• Electronics sales are also very straightforward.  The ads simply try to differentiate by convincing you they have the best quality, best price, most prestigious, most useful or some other defining factor.

2.  Diversionary

• Health Clubs and diet plans only ever say how they want to help you be healthier and happier.  They say they are working for YOUR benefit only, they only want to help you, they often offer no-obligation free trials, tell you that you will be beautiful, you’ll live longer, be healthier and have more energy.  But we do know that they are making money from our eventual membership fees and we would be rude to ask how many members at their club are paying but not using.

• Banks say they want to help YOU save YOUR money, help you retire early and help you buy whatever your heart desires.  Just don’t ask about their billions of dollars of annual profits.

• How about supporting your local sports team?  Show your city spirit, support “your” team.  They often make it seem as though their only motivation is for your enjoyment.  But think about how many salaries and other income is being made.

3.  Secretive/Accidental

• Charities, foreign aid and churches almost never start out as a way for somebody to get rich.  They are usually started by some great people that see a need and want to help.  But over time, those that are successful invariably end up spending more and more of their funds on infrastructure and administration until it gets to the point that obscene amounts of money never get to the “the cause”.  Remember that a “non-profit” organization can simply raise salaries to deal with the “problem” of having too much money and remain “non-profit”.  The most recent and troubling headline in this category is the former president of the SickKids Foundation who received a $2.7 million payout after quitting his job before his contract was due.  Feel free to browse the financial reports of Canadian charities at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/charities/ and you can see where the money that you donate to your favourite charity is really going.

• Political campaigns always appear completely selfless also.  These people running for office say they just want to help and improve your situation.  How many would still be so giving if the salaries, pensions, business expenses and other perks weren’t quite so generous?

• Consider the commercials which advertise the news.  They say that they are “committed” to getting you the accurate news quickly and how you can depend on them and trust them.  You’re not supposed to think about the fact that the person saying these things is just reading a script and they aren’t even their own ideas, or think about the fact that it’s simply a business trying to make money like everything else.

So what do we like best?  I’m not sure that I like any, but I realize advertisements are necessary for the economy, but I suppose I would choose the straightforward obvious ads as my favourite.  I don’t appreciate being tricked or “guilted” into spending money.  It seems to me that every good product should be able to survive without hiding facts.

Is it the human condition to not be content?

// October 14th, 2009 // 3 Comments » // GlenncloseAuthor: Glenn Name: Glenn C
Email: happypsychotic@gmail.com
Site: http://www.happypsychotic.com
About: Glenn is 36 years old and now lives in a small town in Northern Ontario with his wife of 13 years and 2 kids. He has been a foster parent for 10 years in 3 different cities. He graduated from Radio College of Canada (Toronto) in 1993 as an Electronic Engineering Technologist and has been working in the electronics industry ever since with companies like Nortel. Glenn does a good amount of reading, studying and thinking about such topics as philosophy, psychology, physics (Quantum Mechanics), religion and science. Glenn does have an I.Q. of > 140 (as does Chris) which is categorized as genius but hasn't bothered joining any I.Q. type clubs. He is very logical and analytical and always looking for a way to make a better world - primarily through self-improvement and in helping others to improve themselves. Most importantly, he constantly re-evaluates his priorities and ensures his time is spent wisely - like working on this site.See Authors Posts (92)

Is it the human condition to not be content?

If you are born rich, you aren’t content because you want to get out to “the real world” and be a regular person.  If you are born poor, you constantly strive to be rich thinking that will bring contentment.  If you are a genius you think that you over-analyze everything and are unable to simply be content like people with average intelligence.  If you aren’t very bright, you believe that the cause of your discontent is because you just aren’t smart enough to do the right things.  If you are destined to inherit your parents’ business (whatever it is), you don’t want it because it’s too boring (and probably too easy), while if your parents have nothing for you to inherit, that is also bothersome.

Of course there are many exceptions to these statements, but I’m certain they are more true than not.

But why is it we can’t be content with what we have?  It could be argued that this is an evolutionary trait – thinking that those creatures (humans) that are discontent, continually strive for something better in life, which causes improvements and inventions that continue to advance their environment and cause them to become more “powerful”, which ensures their survival.

Most religions address this discontentment as well.  Christians say that this life is only a small part of “eternal life” in which you will be fully content in heaven.  Buddhists say that you should give up the whole idea of being content and just accept the reality that “life is suffering”.  And many other smaller religions and cults get their followers to focus on a single cause or event as being vastly important and they alone have the answer which gives them a certain level of pride and contentment.

So, if this really is an accurate portrayal of the choices in dealing with discontentment, then which is right or best?  They all seem weak (unless one of the religious answers is actually true!)

I’m sorry to say that I don’t have an answer.  Feel free to tell me the answer if you know it.