Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Late Introduction
I used to date a guy who worked on Wall Street shortly before the whole financial crisis and stock market collapse and way back then I felt something was wrong so I split. No doubt he was brilliant, witty and had a hilariously sarcastic sense of humor. He was also chauvinist, aggressive, unsympathetic and ruthless. But the whole insider trading fears, dog eat dog mentality and society he had prescribed to was what really got to me.
Obviously, these are traits one needs to get to the top of their game. To some people, this kind of power is also very attractive. But when becoming a ruthless tyrant is one of the few ways one can get to "the top", what exactly does that say about the society and culture we lived in? I say "lived" because the whole monetary system is thankfully on the verge of an overhaul.
People accuse me of being idealistic and living with my head in the clouds or turning my back on the world but what I am doing is exactly the opposite. I am being responsible and practical. There are enough lawyers out there, there are enough bankers and financiers out there. What changes are they really making? Apart from adding extra emphasis on making money or adding to the hype of the stock market that is. Let me give an example. How many lawyers pay their way through law school and then go and work in civil rights law? Few. And for a non-profit? Hardly any, because no-one can afford to do that.
"What does society really need?" is the question. Its definitely not more lawyers and bankers. Society needs a change and already is in the process of changing. Things are slowly becoming more fair. Cities are slowly restructuring. Emphasis is being placed on quality of life, quality of food, alternative energy and minimal environmental impact. A shift has already taken place, focusing on quality over quantity in general. And that makes me happy.
By deciding to go into local farming, I am getting connected with the earth, I am providing something tangible of substance and value. I am not just shuffling papers around on a desk, diverting calls and making people part with their hard earned money for a bit of advice.
Lawyers get paid to provide knowledge and legal expertise. This is partly true and good. But I believe that sometimes they also deliberately complicate language, almost making it cryptic so that it can only be understood by a select group.
I would rather spread knowledge than keep it for myself or for lawyers only so that they can make a profit on deciphering code language. In a truly fair society, knowledge should be free and accessible. True, some knowledge is best kept secret but laws and rules that pertain to the general population should never be hidden.
I don't believe you have to be a lawyer to make changes anyway. The amount of energy a person has is limited and he can put it into whatever endeavor he feels worthy. I could probably make more of a change being an activist than spending a few more years holed up in my dorm room, literally reading from morning to night.
I guess the real reason I quit law school is because I am deciding to live life instead. I was reading case after case of unfair, almost arbitrary rulings. I had no life. My time and energy was going into supporting a system where most of the clients are stupid greedy low-lives who can't get their shit together enough empathize with the perspective of another human being. People who think strictly in terms of "winners and losers." People who need someone to help them sort out their personal problems because they are too lazy or morally un-evolved to do it themselves. I'm generalizing but oh well.
For the longest time I have been beating myself up thinking "should I go back?" "Is this the biggest mistake of my life?" "WTF am I going to do now???" But after over 2 years of trying different jobs, I am finally going to let it rest. I am happy I quit!!! Here is to my new life! :) Good luck to anyone who is about to quit or is in the same boat. I'd like to hear your experiences.
Obviously, these are traits one needs to get to the top of their game. To some people, this kind of power is also very attractive. But when becoming a ruthless tyrant is one of the few ways one can get to "the top", what exactly does that say about the society and culture we lived in? I say "lived" because the whole monetary system is thankfully on the verge of an overhaul.
People accuse me of being idealistic and living with my head in the clouds or turning my back on the world but what I am doing is exactly the opposite. I am being responsible and practical. There are enough lawyers out there, there are enough bankers and financiers out there. What changes are they really making? Apart from adding extra emphasis on making money or adding to the hype of the stock market that is. Let me give an example. How many lawyers pay their way through law school and then go and work in civil rights law? Few. And for a non-profit? Hardly any, because no-one can afford to do that.
"What does society really need?" is the question. Its definitely not more lawyers and bankers. Society needs a change and already is in the process of changing. Things are slowly becoming more fair. Cities are slowly restructuring. Emphasis is being placed on quality of life, quality of food, alternative energy and minimal environmental impact. A shift has already taken place, focusing on quality over quantity in general. And that makes me happy.
By deciding to go into local farming, I am getting connected with the earth, I am providing something tangible of substance and value. I am not just shuffling papers around on a desk, diverting calls and making people part with their hard earned money for a bit of advice.
Lawyers get paid to provide knowledge and legal expertise. This is partly true and good. But I believe that sometimes they also deliberately complicate language, almost making it cryptic so that it can only be understood by a select group.
I would rather spread knowledge than keep it for myself or for lawyers only so that they can make a profit on deciphering code language. In a truly fair society, knowledge should be free and accessible. True, some knowledge is best kept secret but laws and rules that pertain to the general population should never be hidden.
I don't believe you have to be a lawyer to make changes anyway. The amount of energy a person has is limited and he can put it into whatever endeavor he feels worthy. I could probably make more of a change being an activist than spending a few more years holed up in my dorm room, literally reading from morning to night.
I guess the real reason I quit law school is because I am deciding to live life instead. I was reading case after case of unfair, almost arbitrary rulings. I had no life. My time and energy was going into supporting a system where most of the clients are stupid greedy low-lives who can't get their shit together enough empathize with the perspective of another human being. People who think strictly in terms of "winners and losers." People who need someone to help them sort out their personal problems because they are too lazy or morally un-evolved to do it themselves. I'm generalizing but oh well.
For the longest time I have been beating myself up thinking "should I go back?" "Is this the biggest mistake of my life?" "WTF am I going to do now???" But after over 2 years of trying different jobs, I am finally going to let it rest. I am happy I quit!!! Here is to my new life! :) Good luck to anyone who is about to quit or is in the same boat. I'd like to hear your experiences.
I CANT WAIT FOR THE 2010 OLYMPICS! YESH!!! PART II
While fuming like a crazed maniac over the unfairness of the Olympics I came across this article: http://www.vancouverobserver.com/2009/11/01/baiting-olympic-protesters
I immediately signed up to post a comment but for some reason I can't get on to post WAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!!!!!!! :(
So I decided to dedicate part II of my first Olympic basher to all my loyal fans and seriously question the validity of this article against street protest. I mean first of all...here is a direct quote from la article:
"(Olympic protests have) been completely ineffective in driving change in all past Olympic regions, and it’s dangerous. Street protest has had its day and it’s time to evolve. It’s possible to achieve the same results using brains over brawn."
Its basically goes on to say...use social media...blogs, facebook, twitter, etc to get the word out and protest online. Boycott the Olympic sponsors - McD's and the like, to get the message across. While I respect this point of view and it has some merit, my neanderthal brain is too simple to grasp the concept of an "online protest" I mean, how does u do dat? (no seriously, someone break it down for me.)
I also think that street protests are far from useless. They can make an awesome, destructive yet revolutionary change. They can quickly devolve into a bloody mess, but still make an impact. But hey, if everyone just hid behind their computers - too chicken shit to take some real action like..erm... myself...then what good would that do? (I HAVE A TASER PHOBIA)
Also the author seems to be living in la la land because he goes on to say "Protestors drink Coke, eat at McDonalds, and bank at RBC right?"
WRONG! Most protesters in Vancouver are incarnations of peace loving hippies, Marie Curie, Robert Dziekanski, Gandhi and the Spirits of Felled Trees. You have that sweet mix of righteousness, bitter revenge and a touch of zen. These peeps prefer to live off the grid, avoiding McD's, banks, credit cards etc at ALL COSTS. I mean, shit, if you are crazy...I mean...passionate...enough to go into an Olympic protest with a high likelihood of getting pepper-sprayed blind, you have already gone to the "extreme" of buying fair trade coffee and clothes hand made in India, or shopping exclusively at thrift stores and living as simply as possible. Which is sweet.
GO PROTESTERS!!! I HEART YOU!
I immediately signed up to post a comment but for some reason I can't get on to post WAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!!!!!!! :(
So I decided to dedicate part II of my first Olympic basher to all my loyal fans and seriously question the validity of this article against street protest. I mean first of all...here is a direct quote from la article:
"(Olympic protests have) been completely ineffective in driving change in all past Olympic regions, and it’s dangerous. Street protest has had its day and it’s time to evolve. It’s possible to achieve the same results using brains over brawn."
Its basically goes on to say...use social media...blogs, facebook, twitter, etc to get the word out and protest online. Boycott the Olympic sponsors - McD's and the like, to get the message across. While I respect this point of view and it has some merit, my neanderthal brain is too simple to grasp the concept of an "online protest" I mean, how does u do dat? (no seriously, someone break it down for me.)
I also think that street protests are far from useless. They can make an awesome, destructive yet revolutionary change. They can quickly devolve into a bloody mess, but still make an impact. But hey, if everyone just hid behind their computers - too chicken shit to take some real action like..erm... myself...then what good would that do? (I HAVE A TASER PHOBIA)
Also the author seems to be living in la la land because he goes on to say "Protestors drink Coke, eat at McDonalds, and bank at RBC right?"
WRONG! Most protesters in Vancouver are incarnations of peace loving hippies, Marie Curie, Robert Dziekanski, Gandhi and the Spirits of Felled Trees. You have that sweet mix of righteousness, bitter revenge and a touch of zen. These peeps prefer to live off the grid, avoiding McD's, banks, credit cards etc at ALL COSTS. I mean, shit, if you are crazy...I mean...passionate...enough to go into an Olympic protest with a high likelihood of getting pepper-sprayed blind, you have already gone to the "extreme" of buying fair trade coffee and clothes hand made in India, or shopping exclusively at thrift stores and living as simply as possible. Which is sweet.
GO PROTESTERS!!! I HEART YOU!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
I CANT WAIT FOR THE 2010 OLYMPICS! YESH!!!
There was an anti-olympics protest in Victoria, BC a few days ago and although I didn't attend, (only because I know how taser-happy the cops are over here), it sure got me thinking.
For the same reason I am apathetic towards hockey games, the Rugby 7's and American/English football, I've always been "bleh" towards the Olympics. I could never see why certain people got uber-excited about it, but I am sure they are the same people who froth at the mouth, veins popping on their foreheads, over a good ol' fuzzball game on the telly and a round of BIER. Not to say there aren't good things about the Olympics. Yes, they are patriotic (which can be good or bad, possible topic of another blog) Yes, they might strengthen the economy (although the more I read the more I doubt this). Yesh they have cute little furry stuffed animal mascots that I can purchase and add to my collection. Okay...so basically I think theres nothing good about them.
Next.
The Government has possibly spent 6 BILLION dollars on the Olympics. YESH. 6 billion dollars. For 3 weeks of sporting events. OMG YESH!
To top that off the list of official sponsors for the 2010 Olympics is officially scary. Take a look: http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/about-vanoc/sponsors-and-partners/vancouver-2010-sponsors/
McDonalds
Nike
General Motors
ICBC
Petro Canada
Air Canada
BC Hydro
Multi-national corporations that don't give a shit about YOU, only about $$$ at the expense of YOUR HEALTH and the environment.
Please PLEASE PLEASE do a bit of reading about the Olympics and their history and decide for yourself.
Interesting videos and info:
http://www.thefiveringcircus.com/
http://www.bmartin.cc/pubs/96freedom.html
google the rest yourself you lazy bums!
For the same reason I am apathetic towards hockey games, the Rugby 7's and American/English football, I've always been "bleh" towards the Olympics. I could never see why certain people got uber-excited about it, but I am sure they are the same people who froth at the mouth, veins popping on their foreheads, over a good ol' fuzzball game on the telly and a round of BIER. Not to say there aren't good things about the Olympics. Yes, they are patriotic (which can be good or bad, possible topic of another blog) Yes, they might strengthen the economy (although the more I read the more I doubt this). Yesh they have cute little furry stuffed animal mascots that I can purchase and add to my collection. Okay...so basically I think theres nothing good about them.
Next.
The Government has possibly spent 6 BILLION dollars on the Olympics. YESH. 6 billion dollars. For 3 weeks of sporting events. OMG YESH!
To top that off the list of official sponsors for the 2010 Olympics is officially scary. Take a look: http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/about-vanoc/sponsors-and-partners/vancouver-2010-sponsors/
McDonalds
Nike
General Motors
ICBC
Petro Canada
Air Canada
BC Hydro
Multi-national corporations that don't give a shit about YOU, only about $$$ at the expense of YOUR HEALTH and the environment.
Please PLEASE PLEASE do a bit of reading about the Olympics and their history and decide for yourself.
Interesting videos and info:
http://www.thefiveringcircus.com/
http://www.bmartin.cc/pubs/96freedom.html
google the rest yourself you lazy bums!
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