Comments on: The Deep Meaning of Onions http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/09/07/the-deep-meaning-of-onions/ public domain playground. friendly entities welcome. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:57:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Justin Hart http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/09/07/the-deep-meaning-of-onions/comment-page-1/#comment-20193 Justin Hart Mon, 11 Sep 2006 20:57:01 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/09/07/the-deep-meaning-of-onions/#comment-20193 Doesn't cynicism mean you think everyone only acts for his or her own interest? What does this have to do with not taking pleasure in simple things? How does cynicism differ from skepticism? I don't have the chance to check a dictionary at the moment, and somehow I don't think a dictionary would be too helpful anyway. I've tried to pride myself in being skeptical and, yes, often in being cynical as well (as defined above). The truth is I'm actually extremely naive. One thing's for sure -- now I'll definitely feel guilty whenever I get bored with anything. Sometimes I can actually be fairly good at taking joy in simple things like the flowers on the side of the road when I'm biking and all that, but I've got the attention span of a child. Doesn’t cynicism mean you think everyone only acts for his or her own interest? What does this have to do with not taking pleasure in simple things? How does cynicism differ from skepticism? I don’t have the chance to check a dictionary at the moment, and somehow I don’t think a dictionary would be too helpful anyway.

I’ve tried to pride myself in being skeptical and, yes, often in being cynical as well (as defined above). The truth is I’m actually extremely naive. One thing’s for sure
– now I’ll definitely feel guilty whenever I get bored with anything. Sometimes I can actually be fairly good at taking joy in simple things like the flowers on the side of the road when I’m biking and all that, but I’ve got the attention span of a child.

]]> By: James http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/09/07/the-deep-meaning-of-onions/comment-page-1/#comment-19769 James Thu, 07 Sep 2006 19:09:48 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/09/07/the-deep-meaning-of-onions/#comment-19769 One way to counter people's cynical expectations: Don't subscribe to cynicism. Cynicism is the ultimate bandwagon that people want to join. I know people who are PROUD to be cynical. They don't really know what it means to be cynical, methinks. Some people mistake skepticism with cynicism. Once a distinction is made, they almost always say, "Oh, well I guess I'm a skeptic then." "Cynical chic" is killing the imaginations of people who should know better but don't. Fight cynicism and you fight apathy. One way to counter people’s cynical expectations: Don’t subscribe to cynicism.

Cynicism is the ultimate bandwagon that people want to join. I know people who are PROUD to be cynical. They don’t really know what it means to be cynical, methinks.

Some people mistake skepticism with cynicism. Once a distinction is made, they almost always say, “Oh, well I guess I’m a skeptic then.”

“Cynical chic” is killing the imaginations of people who should know better but don’t. Fight cynicism and you fight apathy.

]]> By: David http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/09/07/the-deep-meaning-of-onions/comment-page-1/#comment-19768 David Thu, 07 Sep 2006 19:08:57 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/09/07/the-deep-meaning-of-onions/#comment-19768 http://virtualschool.edu/mon/Quality/PirsigZen/ To know a lot about a little (if practical and helpful for your life) is better than knowing a little about a lot. For myself, I undoubtedly fall mostly into category 2, and my head is full of junk. "Drowning In Media." DVD, VHS, CD, MP3, Internet, Cell Phone, Chat, Theater, TV, on and on and on...the mobile phone I have now plays decent quality videos and songs, allows emailing and chatting, it's getting even more recockulous by the day. http://virtualschool.edu/mon/Quality/PirsigZen/

To know a lot about a little (if practical and helpful for your life) is better than knowing a little about a lot.

For myself, I undoubtedly fall mostly into category 2, and my head is full of junk.

“Drowning In Media.” DVD, VHS, CD, MP3, Internet, Cell Phone, Chat, Theater, TV, on and on and on…the mobile phone I have now plays decent quality videos and songs, allows emailing and chatting, it’s getting even more recockulous by the day.

]]> By: SubstanceM http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/09/07/the-deep-meaning-of-onions/comment-page-1/#comment-19767 SubstanceM Thu, 07 Sep 2006 18:43:20 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/09/07/the-deep-meaning-of-onions/#comment-19767 There's a lot to be said for gaining or having expertise and experience in a field and knowing how to approach and solve a problem related to your field of expertise. Given the plumbing example, while the topic as a whole doesn't give off the impression of "beauty", of course you can see the excellence in a plumber who knows his job and able to determine what needs to be done and how it should be done when presented with a problem of any level of complexity. It can be art/science in some cases if the problem is complex and the solution unique. Car mechanics for another example the same, or any number of topics. It can be very interesting, no doubt - if you have no interest in cars, then you see that work as a shitty endevour and usually you just want to know how much you will be gouged to have someone do it for you. But if, you were to look at the problem, investigate, research, and figure out how to fix it successfully, then it becomes an all consuming and interesting topic. And you sure get a sense of accomplishment that is very rewarding if you see any project like that through from start to finish. Like, building your own house out of the materials you find on the land. Wouldn't that be a huge task to undertake and learn about, but if you did it, it would be something that you would gain a lot of experience and expertise, and a huge feeling of accomplishment. I also find that the more you know about some topics, the more you can apply that knowledge or the theory of one field to other areas or fields and that makes them more understandable and interesting to you as well. Anyway, not sure if I am anywhere near the point of the topic but thought I'd pipe in with my 2 cents for the hell of it. There’s a lot to be said for gaining or having expertise and experience in a field and knowing how to approach and solve a problem related to your field of expertise. Given the plumbing example, while the topic as a whole doesn’t give off the impression of “beauty”, of course you can see the excellence in a plumber who knows his job and able to determine what needs to be done and how it should be done when presented with a problem of any level of complexity. It can be art/science in some cases if the problem is complex and the solution unique. Car mechanics for another example the same, or any number of topics. It can be very interesting, no doubt - if you have no interest in cars, then you see that work as a shitty endevour and usually you just want to know how much you will be gouged to have someone do it for you. But if, you were to look at the problem, investigate, research, and figure out how to fix it successfully, then it becomes an all consuming and interesting topic. And you sure get a sense of accomplishment that is very rewarding if you see any project like that through from start to finish. Like, building your own house out of the materials you find on the land. Wouldn’t that be a huge task to undertake and learn about, but if you did it, it would be something that you would gain a lot of experience and expertise, and a huge feeling of accomplishment.
I also find that the more you know about some topics, the more you can apply that knowledge or the theory of one field to other areas or fields and that makes them more understandable and interesting to you as well. Anyway, not sure if I am anywhere near the point of the topic but thought I’d pipe in with my 2 cents for the hell of it.

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