Lost Scholar is too much effort to maintain, I have noticed, with my scholastics at stake. Basically, my midterms and projects are killing me. :) I will still do poetry over at my sister site Godlesspoetry.blogspot.com, but probably only one a week.
I may begin this again when I'm in the workforce and, ironically, have more free time. I'll post at that time.
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October 22, 2010
September 16, 2010
The Time Value of Money
This is just a little thing I was discussing with a few other students, and thought it may be interesting enough to put up here. There is a saying, "Time is Money", I'm pretty sure its a widespread saying, of course, meaning that time is a valuable resource. Well, not everyone's time. I have had people insult me saying I take too long, time is money, and when I ask what profit-making job were they slacking off from to talk to me, they say they're off work, or unemployed, or whatnot. So not everyone's Time is as valuable as others, and even then, Time has peak hours of value.
So Time is a function of money, though not a straight-line equation. Of course, if reduced mathematically, anything that is related is also inversely, and reversely, related as well. Thus, "Money is Time". I looked a bit up, and for the most part, this is pretty true. Richer countries tend to have longer life expectancies, even if they retire at the same age. People can spend money at hospitals to get better, or at therapists to avoid psychoses, and eat healthier if they've the money to afford good food. Therefore, a funny catch-22 is created: To be able to live longer so you can do more things with your life, you need to work and lose out on your time in order to get money.
Yeah, this is kind of random, but I guess all life is here to make dollars, not cents. (Sorry for the pun)
So Time is a function of money, though not a straight-line equation. Of course, if reduced mathematically, anything that is related is also inversely, and reversely, related as well. Thus, "Money is Time". I looked a bit up, and for the most part, this is pretty true. Richer countries tend to have longer life expectancies, even if they retire at the same age. People can spend money at hospitals to get better, or at therapists to avoid psychoses, and eat healthier if they've the money to afford good food. Therefore, a funny catch-22 is created: To be able to live longer so you can do more things with your life, you need to work and lose out on your time in order to get money.
Yeah, this is kind of random, but I guess all life is here to make dollars, not cents. (Sorry for the pun)
September 14, 2010
International Affairs
Just this weekend, I was... Well, what is a nicer word than accosted? Oh, let's say fell into a discussion with an anti-choice ("Pro-life") petitioning group. This will get on topic quickly, I promise.
Backstory, you know, abortion has been completely and unrestrictedly legal in Canada for two decades, and we're still above certain more restricted countries on quality of life. While there was some scuffles over this, it went largely uncontested across the late 1990s and early 2000's. However, a surge of concern over it has arisen in recent years, with the USA's continuing debates giving a stepping stone for Canadian concern trolling. Coincidentally, a raising of globalization and internet occurs at the same time.
I do not wish to sound isolationist, after all, I too am a citizen of the internet, but I must wonder upon the reliance of American influence to spur Canadian action. We are inherently a reactionary country, economics-wise, since so much of our economy relies on American imports and exports. If people had a problem with it, why would they wait until America made a guffaw to do anything? Our reliance has also spurred us, with jolly old Harper, into a very Pro-American seeming stance on the international stage. I've recently been out of country, we don't get as warm a reception as we used to, and this is one of the primary causes.
I really think that this trend should be reversed, and Canadian culture saved a bit, the most ideal way to do so would be to establish stronger bonds with the European Union, economically, as well as increase our news sources. Increase our globalization into these areas, get their news, their viewpoints, their products. Asia as well, can't be ignored. We are a huge country with overseas access to pretty much the entire world. We should use it, and perhaps be able to maintain a semblance of our culture of peace, mediation, and open invitation to the world as the place where everyone is welcome and anyone can be successful, and not merely another Melting Pot America Clone.
As always, please, tell me your thoughts, I'll gladly chat in the comments on your views on this.
Backstory, you know, abortion has been completely and unrestrictedly legal in Canada for two decades, and we're still above certain more restricted countries on quality of life. While there was some scuffles over this, it went largely uncontested across the late 1990s and early 2000's. However, a surge of concern over it has arisen in recent years, with the USA's continuing debates giving a stepping stone for Canadian concern trolling. Coincidentally, a raising of globalization and internet occurs at the same time.
I do not wish to sound isolationist, after all, I too am a citizen of the internet, but I must wonder upon the reliance of American influence to spur Canadian action. We are inherently a reactionary country, economics-wise, since so much of our economy relies on American imports and exports. If people had a problem with it, why would they wait until America made a guffaw to do anything? Our reliance has also spurred us, with jolly old Harper, into a very Pro-American seeming stance on the international stage. I've recently been out of country, we don't get as warm a reception as we used to, and this is one of the primary causes.
I really think that this trend should be reversed, and Canadian culture saved a bit, the most ideal way to do so would be to establish stronger bonds with the European Union, economically, as well as increase our news sources. Increase our globalization into these areas, get their news, their viewpoints, their products. Asia as well, can't be ignored. We are a huge country with overseas access to pretty much the entire world. We should use it, and perhaps be able to maintain a semblance of our culture of peace, mediation, and open invitation to the world as the place where everyone is welcome and anyone can be successful, and not merely another Melting Pot America Clone.
As always, please, tell me your thoughts, I'll gladly chat in the comments on your views on this.
September 13, 2010
Money and Education
You've got to spend money to make money. It is a simple fact of life. Even beggers pay in opportunity costs of performing other possible work in order to get their money. Nothing comes without cost.
You do need to ask yourself, however, how much cost is the right cost?
I look over my tuition bills, and notice something comforting: I can afford to pay them. Half of my tuition, approximately, is covered by the government. Again, tax dollars. The LCBO doesn't make nearly enough to cover all this. :) But there are a number of people who would like the American system: Everyone pays their own way. Libertarians, mostly, but even some of the more FAR-right (if you catch my drift) leaning conservatives wish this as well. I disagree: People who go through tertiary education tend to get better employment than the average, the longer they take advantage of that benefit, the higher their wages later in life, again, on average.Of course, our highest tax brackets have an almost 50% tax rate, so those higher wages are really going straight back to the government, with interest as time goes on.
The Canadian Government, then, is much like a loan shark, paying off the hardest part of your student debt, so that when its investment, (you), matures, it gets a decent rate of return.
It is in the best interests, then, of governments to pay for their citizen's educations, as it both helps someone go towards their most suited career (choice of education with difficulty of courses weeds out the wimps for the harder stuff but allows all dedicated people through), without them worrying about money, but they will eventually pay it back with interest in their tax dollars.
It's a very left idea, nigh socialism left really, which is why I thought it was odd that such an approach, if used thoroughly for Long Term, would significantly aid in reducing the overall debt of a country. Just a thought experiment, but these little things can be fun too.
And your fun fact of the day: Coca Cola is the number one soft drink producer in Germany, because it built plants for soldiers during WW2 that still run today. It was also exempt from the sugar rationing unlike its competitors. Without WW2, Coca Cola would not exist as it does today. Very random, but small and weird factoids like this just accumulate.
You do need to ask yourself, however, how much cost is the right cost?
I look over my tuition bills, and notice something comforting: I can afford to pay them. Half of my tuition, approximately, is covered by the government. Again, tax dollars. The LCBO doesn't make nearly enough to cover all this. :) But there are a number of people who would like the American system: Everyone pays their own way. Libertarians, mostly, but even some of the more FAR-right (if you catch my drift) leaning conservatives wish this as well. I disagree: People who go through tertiary education tend to get better employment than the average, the longer they take advantage of that benefit, the higher their wages later in life, again, on average.Of course, our highest tax brackets have an almost 50% tax rate, so those higher wages are really going straight back to the government, with interest as time goes on.
The Canadian Government, then, is much like a loan shark, paying off the hardest part of your student debt, so that when its investment, (you), matures, it gets a decent rate of return.
It is in the best interests, then, of governments to pay for their citizen's educations, as it both helps someone go towards their most suited career (choice of education with difficulty of courses weeds out the wimps for the harder stuff but allows all dedicated people through), without them worrying about money, but they will eventually pay it back with interest in their tax dollars.
It's a very left idea, nigh socialism left really, which is why I thought it was odd that such an approach, if used thoroughly for Long Term, would significantly aid in reducing the overall debt of a country. Just a thought experiment, but these little things can be fun too.
And your fun fact of the day: Coca Cola is the number one soft drink producer in Germany, because it built plants for soldiers during WW2 that still run today. It was also exempt from the sugar rationing unlike its competitors. Without WW2, Coca Cola would not exist as it does today. Very random, but small and weird factoids like this just accumulate.
September 10, 2010
My Away Time
Two apology posts in a row. Yikes.
Well, I mentioned I was a university student. That first week back always takes me by surprise, no matter how many times it happens. I'm set...ish now. I should have a regular update for you tomorrow.
Well, I mentioned I was a university student. That first week back always takes me by surprise, no matter how many times it happens. I'm set...ish now. I should have a regular update for you tomorrow.
September 2, 2010
My apologies about the long post
See the topic, I realize upon re-reading that I am incredibly, stupidly verbose. In the interest of saving space and bandwidth, does anyone here know how to set up that "click to read more" function? It should help in the long run. :)
Thanks.
Thanks.
Life and Taxes, Part 2
A follow up from yesterday, Taxes, Part 2. Now, fair warning, I do vote NDP, it may colour my views a bit. Yeah, yeah, an accountant NDP. Laugh it up.
The benefits of taxation:
I have an issue with libertarians. I mean, sure, there are a few things that I think the government would be better off buggering off about, like that horrible ACTA bill, but for the most part, libertarians don't really get the whole picture. You never see a poor libertarian, after all. They're all mysteriously wealthy. IE, the ones with the least to lose from implementing their system, and screw the rest.
Taxes go from (ideally) the rich to the masses. That is why a stepped system exists: Those who can afford to help others are basically forced into donating to charity. Look outside. If you're anything like in Canada, you will likely note a street outside your house, paid for by taxes. If you're in the suburbs, or even some urban places now, you will note trees alng the sidewalks. That's taxes too, albeit at the municipal level. You will note that you can see outside, that it isn't covered in smog. Taxes on emissions keep it that way. If its winter, that snowplow that just re-filled your driveway was also paid for with taxes, and no matter how much that annoys you, you will still be thankful when you have access to the highway on your way to work. Notice how there isn't too much garbage piling up on the driveway? That's taxes too. Hundreds of everyday conveniences we take for granted are paid for by our taxes. Notice the lack of people robbing your house. Yup. Cops are paid for by taxes too. So is the fire department.
And I'm sure even some (weaker) libertarians would agree, emergency services, yeah, that's okay spending (some disagree, but I maintain they are insane). But what of secondary emergency services? This is a big difference between the States and Canada. In the States, prisons are private, profit aiming machines. Really, 20 years for some relatively harmless drugs? It's a slap on the wrist here. We focus instead on more dangerous crimes, and rehabilitation, and by keeping it to more sinister folks, are able to keep prisons from being (too) overcrowded and forcing dangerous murderers to go free because another person was found smoking a joint... This is inherent in the way taxes are spent, it shows the priorities of the country. The USA focuses on money, Canada, on people. This is further exemplified in hospitals and health care. It should not be considered a surprise to most that the USA ranks #37 on health care in the world (according to the World Health Org), a ton of room for improvement. When you're closer to Croatia than Canada in quality of healthcare, you need to get that looked at. Of course, it's a pre-existing condition. :p I'll lay off the massive paragraphs on how much better our healthcare system is, though, it isn't very Canadian to pour salt on wounds (even if salt is an antiseptic).
So there's a few things that taxes go to that support us. But of course, most people would say "Yeah, I love my inherent health insurance, and my roads, and my firefighters. It's one of two things I hate: Either the military spending, or the gov't employment spending."
Now, I can't speak for military, because it is such a hotly contested section. Fairness issues, plans, secret societies, it's just a whole can of worms. Instead, I move to tax money sent to white-collar workers. Tax dollars wind up making Gov'ts (all three levels combined) into the number one employer in Canada. And all those people still pay taxes, to employ yet more people. Most of them have decent living wages, you know, 40k a year, rising up to just over 110k when you hit the highest levels (again, thank you CRA for posting your wage rates online for that factoid). Not quite the hundreds of millions CEOs in private industries make, but you know, not too bad either. And it gets half taken back in taxes anyways. :) The leaders, they get probably get a bit more than that highest bracket, but much like the States, the real money isn't the tax dollar wage, but the bribes they get. Oh, sorry, "campaign contributions". Gotta be politically correct here. The money is spread thin across a huge number of facets. And it is vast sums of money. In 2006, the CRA took in 222.2 billion dollars (Citation Here). Taking into account economic growth and inflation, it is likely close now to 365, or a billion dollars a day collected. A billion dollars. A day. For Canada, not the States. Now, I can begrudge them paying 0.04% of a single day's income to the prime minister as his yearly wage (assuming it is the same as the President's: 400k), but with that much coming in, how much really is going to the (as Sakurita put it last post) "fat cats", and how much is coming back to us, just in forms we ignore? Next time you go to a public park, stand there for a second, and ask yourself as you watch the children playing in it, one taking a puff from a healthcare-funded inhaler, but all laughing with safe streets and clean fields, just out of government-funded school, looking forward to government subsidized university and dreaming of getting into government funded spacesuits or doctor coats, or even just the child tax benefit to offset loss of income from pregnancy, and ask youself: have your tax dollars been well spent?
We all may have issues with them, but I would still say having taxes is still better than the alternative.
The benefits of taxation:
I have an issue with libertarians. I mean, sure, there are a few things that I think the government would be better off buggering off about, like that horrible ACTA bill, but for the most part, libertarians don't really get the whole picture. You never see a poor libertarian, after all. They're all mysteriously wealthy. IE, the ones with the least to lose from implementing their system, and screw the rest.
Taxes go from (ideally) the rich to the masses. That is why a stepped system exists: Those who can afford to help others are basically forced into donating to charity. Look outside. If you're anything like in Canada, you will likely note a street outside your house, paid for by taxes. If you're in the suburbs, or even some urban places now, you will note trees alng the sidewalks. That's taxes too, albeit at the municipal level. You will note that you can see outside, that it isn't covered in smog. Taxes on emissions keep it that way. If its winter, that snowplow that just re-filled your driveway was also paid for with taxes, and no matter how much that annoys you, you will still be thankful when you have access to the highway on your way to work. Notice how there isn't too much garbage piling up on the driveway? That's taxes too. Hundreds of everyday conveniences we take for granted are paid for by our taxes. Notice the lack of people robbing your house. Yup. Cops are paid for by taxes too. So is the fire department.
And I'm sure even some (weaker) libertarians would agree, emergency services, yeah, that's okay spending (some disagree, but I maintain they are insane). But what of secondary emergency services? This is a big difference between the States and Canada. In the States, prisons are private, profit aiming machines. Really, 20 years for some relatively harmless drugs? It's a slap on the wrist here. We focus instead on more dangerous crimes, and rehabilitation, and by keeping it to more sinister folks, are able to keep prisons from being (too) overcrowded and forcing dangerous murderers to go free because another person was found smoking a joint... This is inherent in the way taxes are spent, it shows the priorities of the country. The USA focuses on money, Canada, on people. This is further exemplified in hospitals and health care. It should not be considered a surprise to most that the USA ranks #37 on health care in the world (according to the World Health Org), a ton of room for improvement. When you're closer to Croatia than Canada in quality of healthcare, you need to get that looked at. Of course, it's a pre-existing condition. :p I'll lay off the massive paragraphs on how much better our healthcare system is, though, it isn't very Canadian to pour salt on wounds (even if salt is an antiseptic).
So there's a few things that taxes go to that support us. But of course, most people would say "Yeah, I love my inherent health insurance, and my roads, and my firefighters. It's one of two things I hate: Either the military spending, or the gov't employment spending."
Now, I can't speak for military, because it is such a hotly contested section. Fairness issues, plans, secret societies, it's just a whole can of worms. Instead, I move to tax money sent to white-collar workers. Tax dollars wind up making Gov'ts (all three levels combined) into the number one employer in Canada. And all those people still pay taxes, to employ yet more people. Most of them have decent living wages, you know, 40k a year, rising up to just over 110k when you hit the highest levels (again, thank you CRA for posting your wage rates online for that factoid). Not quite the hundreds of millions CEOs in private industries make, but you know, not too bad either. And it gets half taken back in taxes anyways. :) The leaders, they get probably get a bit more than that highest bracket, but much like the States, the real money isn't the tax dollar wage, but the bribes they get. Oh, sorry, "campaign contributions". Gotta be politically correct here. The money is spread thin across a huge number of facets. And it is vast sums of money. In 2006, the CRA took in 222.2 billion dollars (Citation Here). Taking into account economic growth and inflation, it is likely close now to 365, or a billion dollars a day collected. A billion dollars. A day. For Canada, not the States. Now, I can begrudge them paying 0.04% of a single day's income to the prime minister as his yearly wage (assuming it is the same as the President's: 400k), but with that much coming in, how much really is going to the (as Sakurita put it last post) "fat cats", and how much is coming back to us, just in forms we ignore? Next time you go to a public park, stand there for a second, and ask yourself as you watch the children playing in it, one taking a puff from a healthcare-funded inhaler, but all laughing with safe streets and clean fields, just out of government-funded school, looking forward to government subsidized university and dreaming of getting into government funded spacesuits or doctor coats, or even just the child tax benefit to offset loss of income from pregnancy, and ask youself: have your tax dollars been well spent?
We all may have issues with them, but I would still say having taxes is still better than the alternative.
September 1, 2010
Life and Taxes
Taxes. Yeah, I hear that cringe from everyone right now. It is such a wonderful word, in that it inspires so much emotion for two simple syllables. For some reason, it isn't as powerful in its base forms, Tax and Taxation, but say "taxes" and people begin to recoil.
I'm going to be putting up a post tomorrow on the benefits of taxes, yes, some do exist, which should apply to most countries. But here, I'm talking about Canadian taxes, and why you shouldn't be afraid of them. Sorry Americanos, this one is for the little guys.
Canada does its best to create a fair taxation system. It is marginal, stepped, and prorated, ensuring you don't pay more based on unfortunate circumstances. This is one thing that while I was working as a tax helper, I had to explain a fair bit. The stepped system means the more you earn, the more you pay. I think the USA is similar in this regard. However, that higher rate (and here I'm not sure if it is the same down south), applies only on that higher amount of money. Whether you make 10K or 10,000K a year, that first 40K is always taxed at 15% federally. Only the amount over 126K (and change, whatever) gets taxed at that highest bracket level. You have the same advantage as all Canadians at any given income level, in that those will less are taxed the same up to their amount as you did in that bracket. Getting a dollar more per year to put you in a higher bracket shouldn't punish you, after all, that would be stupid.
Most people get others to do their taxes for them, but it is really easy to do them yourself if you've got a simple return: one or two slips, even three different ones, and its still pretty straightforward. The T4 has a box 14, which says "put this amount on line 101" right above it. And at box 16 that says "put on line 308". It's basically just moving numbers from one piece of paper to another. If you are a single-job person who goes to only a single bank, or in school and just want to save up your education credits, you might as well save your money, and it is your money, and file it yourself. At least give it a look-over, it's a lot of money people spend on tax preparers, and if you're doing a simple return, it's probably in your best interest to do it yourself.
If you don't know if you qualify for a credit, heck, call them. The number's on their (the CRA's) website. They should be happy more people are interested in filing tax returns, data is what matters after all... Or comment here. I might know what you're talking about. (NO GUARANTEES!) Not quite a google-quality ad for tax preparation, but I can at least click you in the right direction and cite the guide pages for you.
To those who are unemployed, because they study or are finding themselves or are NEETs or whatever, you guys have no excuse. It's a free hundred bucks a year for filing out some paperwork in Ontario from your Sales Tax Credit.
And to the USAires and the rest of the world (there's a few out there), sorry about this not applying to you, the next probably will, but tax preparers are likely the same in every country; if you're getting them to do it, look it over once, and see if you can do it yourself. Be independant, it will help in the long run.
I'm going to be putting up a post tomorrow on the benefits of taxes, yes, some do exist, which should apply to most countries. But here, I'm talking about Canadian taxes, and why you shouldn't be afraid of them. Sorry Americanos, this one is for the little guys.
Canada does its best to create a fair taxation system. It is marginal, stepped, and prorated, ensuring you don't pay more based on unfortunate circumstances. This is one thing that while I was working as a tax helper, I had to explain a fair bit. The stepped system means the more you earn, the more you pay. I think the USA is similar in this regard. However, that higher rate (and here I'm not sure if it is the same down south), applies only on that higher amount of money. Whether you make 10K or 10,000K a year, that first 40K is always taxed at 15% federally. Only the amount over 126K (and change, whatever) gets taxed at that highest bracket level. You have the same advantage as all Canadians at any given income level, in that those will less are taxed the same up to their amount as you did in that bracket. Getting a dollar more per year to put you in a higher bracket shouldn't punish you, after all, that would be stupid.
Most people get others to do their taxes for them, but it is really easy to do them yourself if you've got a simple return: one or two slips, even three different ones, and its still pretty straightforward. The T4 has a box 14, which says "put this amount on line 101" right above it. And at box 16 that says "put on line 308". It's basically just moving numbers from one piece of paper to another. If you are a single-job person who goes to only a single bank, or in school and just want to save up your education credits, you might as well save your money, and it is your money, and file it yourself. At least give it a look-over, it's a lot of money people spend on tax preparers, and if you're doing a simple return, it's probably in your best interest to do it yourself.
If you don't know if you qualify for a credit, heck, call them. The number's on their (the CRA's) website. They should be happy more people are interested in filing tax returns, data is what matters after all... Or comment here. I might know what you're talking about. (NO GUARANTEES!) Not quite a google-quality ad for tax preparation, but I can at least click you in the right direction and cite the guide pages for you.
To those who are unemployed, because they study or are finding themselves or are NEETs or whatever, you guys have no excuse. It's a free hundred bucks a year for filing out some paperwork in Ontario from your Sales Tax Credit.
And to the USAires and the rest of the world (there's a few out there), sorry about this not applying to you, the next probably will, but tax preparers are likely the same in every country; if you're getting them to do it, look it over once, and see if you can do it yourself. Be independant, it will help in the long run.
August 31, 2010
A Unified Vision
I mentioned earlier about finding a focus for this blog, as all the most successful ones have a singular focus. In this regard, I have chosen to focus in on Canadian matters, both financial and political. I'll still be checking out the money-making myths, of course (only $1.50 so far from the surveys, by the by), but the majority of my posting will be thoughts on our government as well as taxes and the economy. My blog will, for the time being, retain its current name of Lost Scholar, as I'm rather attached to it, but will have this newfound focus.
Unfortunately, this probably means no more comparing Pokemon to KFC... Okay, maybe once in a while. :)
As another note, though I will be writing this from a Canadian perspective (I can't really do it any other way), I encourage other nationalities to look on through. Some things, if I go into taxes or whatnot, probably won't apply to you, however we are becoming more and more a global economy: ACTA (if it unfortunately passes), NAFTA, the British Commonwealth, the UN, the WTO, most multinationals, Canada is more widely involved in global economies than likely any other country. Economics here reflect upon or are reflected upon by the world markets.
And since this post was rather bland, here's a fun economics tidbit: More oil comes to the United States from Canada than from the Middle East. I've got a google search bar right above this post if you don't believe me.
~Zietlos
Unfortunately, this probably means no more comparing Pokemon to KFC... Okay, maybe once in a while. :)
As another note, though I will be writing this from a Canadian perspective (I can't really do it any other way), I encourage other nationalities to look on through. Some things, if I go into taxes or whatnot, probably won't apply to you, however we are becoming more and more a global economy: ACTA (if it unfortunately passes), NAFTA, the British Commonwealth, the UN, the WTO, most multinationals, Canada is more widely involved in global economies than likely any other country. Economics here reflect upon or are reflected upon by the world markets.
And since this post was rather bland, here's a fun economics tidbit: More oil comes to the United States from Canada than from the Middle East. I've got a google search bar right above this post if you don't believe me.
~Zietlos
August 29, 2010
Fixing some issues
Oh yes, also, I removed the need to do a reCaptcha each time a comment is posted. I really find those irritating, but please don't take advantage of that kindness.
Have a great evening!
~Zietlos
Have a great evening!
~Zietlos
Why "Lost Scholar"?
The name "Lost Scholar" should invoke certain images and ideas when read: Accomplishment without accomplishment, success without success. I'm only beginning my career, still finishing school, no love life, and job searching in the market of broken dreams. A bachelor with a bachelor's is just a guy with a piece of paper. It is purpose that drives people to success. It is direction that forces humans into a better way of living. I have some direction, I am not hopeless, but with regards to life, goals, love, these are things that I simply do not spend enough time on. I may have direction in business, in taxes, in money, but to love, I am an amateur. To knowledge, in all its vast and infinite scope, I am but a dilettante, dabbling here and there, a jack of many trades, a king of none (though a joker of a few :p ).
Though it may sound a bleak picture, it really is not so: Knowing that I do not know, much like some Buddhist philosophy, is a rather exciting thought: I still have my youth, and seeing all the possibilities to experiment and learn, it can be awful or awesome, really, all depending on the lighting. :) I ask any of my readers, do you have direction? Going west young man, or just down south? :) Either way, take a moment now, I think, and reflect. Being lost can be an interesting thing: the landscape is always new, and there are still places to explore.
Though a mind that is completely open tends to fall out, I try to at least keep mine air-permeable. I'd love to hear your thoughts on your directions.
Another thing I suppose I should clear up now and get it out of the way: A few of my posts will be about my religious preference: none. I am an atheist, until burden of proof is satisfied. In this sense, "Lost Scholar" is a bit of an ironically chosen name, since of course, anyone who can't describe their beliefs in a single word is clearly a single word: Lost. Excusing the multi-faceted post, as this will devolve into a rant a bit, I never really understood such a sentiment. Perhaps it is my lack of knowledge of all the mythos out there, I really only read the stories for their occasional poetry segments, but I cannot really understand why "Lost" is such a negative word. As I mentioned above, it means I am ready to learn new things. Unless, of course, they mean "lost" as the personal possession sense, but I would hope people are past laying claim to other people as property in this day and age.
Admittedly, this admittance is likely to solicit some hostile responses. I've noticed on a few humanist websites I visit that such things can have people riled up. But keeping it civil, I love to discuss anything, even politics and religion, and, since I am always learning, I will hope any commenters extend the same courtesy: I hope you all can become a bit lost with me, unless I've lost some of you, and we can explore this strange world together. Wow that sounds really cheesy. How about "We can work as a team to better our knowledge of life, the universe, and everything"? Nah, too long.
It seems my first quest has arisen! Commeters: I need a less cheesy way to say that last line! Any advice helps! Hopefully I haven't scared too many people off.
tl;dr: Should I add a tl;dr to longer posts such as these ones?
Though it may sound a bleak picture, it really is not so: Knowing that I do not know, much like some Buddhist philosophy, is a rather exciting thought: I still have my youth, and seeing all the possibilities to experiment and learn, it can be awful or awesome, really, all depending on the lighting. :) I ask any of my readers, do you have direction? Going west young man, or just down south? :) Either way, take a moment now, I think, and reflect. Being lost can be an interesting thing: the landscape is always new, and there are still places to explore.
Though a mind that is completely open tends to fall out, I try to at least keep mine air-permeable. I'd love to hear your thoughts on your directions.
Another thing I suppose I should clear up now and get it out of the way: A few of my posts will be about my religious preference: none. I am an atheist, until burden of proof is satisfied. In this sense, "Lost Scholar" is a bit of an ironically chosen name, since of course, anyone who can't describe their beliefs in a single word is clearly a single word: Lost. Excusing the multi-faceted post, as this will devolve into a rant a bit, I never really understood such a sentiment. Perhaps it is my lack of knowledge of all the mythos out there, I really only read the stories for their occasional poetry segments, but I cannot really understand why "Lost" is such a negative word. As I mentioned above, it means I am ready to learn new things. Unless, of course, they mean "lost" as the personal possession sense, but I would hope people are past laying claim to other people as property in this day and age.
Admittedly, this admittance is likely to solicit some hostile responses. I've noticed on a few humanist websites I visit that such things can have people riled up. But keeping it civil, I love to discuss anything, even politics and religion, and, since I am always learning, I will hope any commenters extend the same courtesy: I hope you all can become a bit lost with me, unless I've lost some of you, and we can explore this strange world together. Wow that sounds really cheesy. How about "We can work as a team to better our knowledge of life, the universe, and everything"? Nah, too long.
It seems my first quest has arisen! Commeters: I need a less cheesy way to say that last line! Any advice helps! Hopefully I haven't scared too many people off.
tl;dr: Should I add a tl;dr to longer posts such as these ones?
August 28, 2010
On my Profile Picture
Now you may have noticed I use a Team Rocket member, customized and edited, as my profile picture. For those unfamiliar with video games, they're a mafia-eske org that aims to abuse animals (pokemon) to gain wealth.
So why such a bad organization as a mascot?
Thinking deeper is the key. Reflection. While they work with animal cruelty, hurt others and are headed by petty and mean people, you need to think, they're really just like everyone else in the "Real" world. They do what they can to make ends meet. Their CEO disappears, and they put forth vast assets to find him, assuming the worst. They care about their employees. Humans first. Money next. Morals and animals later. They struck a chord in that they were just like a real corporation in a veritable fantasy world. It caused me to think about how the world stands that a video game can take basically KFC, and use it as the shadowy and evil organization you must take down.
But even more so, it started out as an animal shelter, well, an animal orphanage. In the desire to aid more, they needed more money. They lost their way. It is a harsh reminder that all of us really are Team Rocket. The worst of outcomes come from the best of intentions. Make sure you never fall into that trap.
I promise I'll have some cohesive thoughts soon. Status update on the survey thing, by the by, I have filled out for three survey sites, and completed their requirements. I will see if anything surfaces over the next week or two, and keep you posted on the ones that are honest or good, if any.
So why such a bad organization as a mascot?
Thinking deeper is the key. Reflection. While they work with animal cruelty, hurt others and are headed by petty and mean people, you need to think, they're really just like everyone else in the "Real" world. They do what they can to make ends meet. Their CEO disappears, and they put forth vast assets to find him, assuming the worst. They care about their employees. Humans first. Money next. Morals and animals later. They struck a chord in that they were just like a real corporation in a veritable fantasy world. It caused me to think about how the world stands that a video game can take basically KFC, and use it as the shadowy and evil organization you must take down.
But even more so, it started out as an animal shelter, well, an animal orphanage. In the desire to aid more, they needed more money. They lost their way. It is a harsh reminder that all of us really are Team Rocket. The worst of outcomes come from the best of intentions. Make sure you never fall into that trap.
I promise I'll have some cohesive thoughts soon. Status update on the survey thing, by the by, I have filled out for three survey sites, and completed their requirements. I will see if anything surfaces over the next week or two, and keep you posted on the ones that are honest or good, if any.
August 27, 2010
Introduction
Well, here's a bit about me. Figure I might as well get it out of the way.
I'm a Brock University (Canada) accounting student, Beta-Gamma-Sigma qualified, dean's honour roll the whole way through. Not bad, eh? The purpose of this blog will be one part random musings on the ways of the world, and one part, since honesty is a core part of accountancy, a test to see if a few money-making "scams" on the internet are actually viable. Then one day I might actually be able to take a Vacation. Maybe Mexico, though Europe is looking better and better these days. Get to see some castles in Germany or something.
This week, I'm signing up for a few survey sites, and I am going to see how those work out. In these hard economic times, one's gotta check all the bases, so I'll see if there's any truth to these things, and get it back to you! Consultation, maybe, and kinda half investigative reporting as well. We shall see.
Eventually this blog will dual out into some of my thoughts on science, religion, and technology, as well as a bit on politics, and maybe some Japanese culture (since I used to head up the Anime Club at Brock) but for now I'll be focusing on what I'm good at: Money. And taxes. If any of my, what, one or two readers, are Canadian and would like some help, ask, I might just know the answer. Still learning, though! I might be able to tutor people a tiny bit, but professional help I ain't. Still, you never know just how much education you've gotten until you're tested on it, so ask away!
Thanks, hope you guys enjoy reading!
I'm a Brock University (Canada) accounting student, Beta-Gamma-Sigma qualified, dean's honour roll the whole way through. Not bad, eh? The purpose of this blog will be one part random musings on the ways of the world, and one part, since honesty is a core part of accountancy, a test to see if a few money-making "scams" on the internet are actually viable. Then one day I might actually be able to take a Vacation. Maybe Mexico, though Europe is looking better and better these days. Get to see some castles in Germany or something.
This week, I'm signing up for a few survey sites, and I am going to see how those work out. In these hard economic times, one's gotta check all the bases, so I'll see if there's any truth to these things, and get it back to you! Consultation, maybe, and kinda half investigative reporting as well. We shall see.
Eventually this blog will dual out into some of my thoughts on science, religion, and technology, as well as a bit on politics, and maybe some Japanese culture (since I used to head up the Anime Club at Brock) but for now I'll be focusing on what I'm good at: Money. And taxes. If any of my, what, one or two readers, are Canadian and would like some help, ask, I might just know the answer. Still learning, though! I might be able to tutor people a tiny bit, but professional help I ain't. Still, you never know just how much education you've gotten until you're tested on it, so ask away!
Thanks, hope you guys enjoy reading!
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