Marty's blog

Bert and Osama?

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Submitted by Marty on Wed, 2006-02-08 07:15.

http://www.snopes.com/rumors/bert.htm

I hope it's true.

Recent Comments:
yep — by Adam Buker on Fri, February 10, 2006 at 00:09

Generation Gap

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Submitted by Marty on Wed, 2006-02-01 06:16.

Though I have older and younger friends, each a generation apart from me, I do not experience a significant generation gap with either group. I have been asked, in particular, why I befriend some of my college students half my age. The answer is simple -- I love math, science, chess, classical music, karate, philosophy, etc. -- timeless threads that weave a common blanket of friendship. That my young friends may not have seen a Bugs Bunny cartoon involving the Martian who wished to blow up the Earth doesn't raise a wall between us. Neither does the fact that my older friends don't enjoy some of the rock tunes or video games that I do. 


Friend of my Friend

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Submitted by Marty on Sat, 2005-12-17 10:28.

 

It mattered that he lived and died -

A wild, kicking stallion,

Who lusted, laughed, defied and cried

He roared like a battalion.

Friend he was to a friend of mine -

A rock! a tower! giant of a man!

In a flash, he lost life number nine

But he left a trophy in the race he ran  

Of wisdom and warmth, of dance and song

Of memories, legends, wise words to impart.

His scroll unfurls in a banner so long

Writ with his soul and sealed with his heart.

Soar to the stars, friend of my friend

And we'll know with each shooting star,


The Whale

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Submitted by Marty on Sun, 2005-12-11 22:24.

 

I met a fellow traveler,

 

We briefly shared the road.

 

He told of things spectacular,

 

So now to him this ode.

 


Make My Poetry Flow Again

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Submitted by Marty on Sun, 2005-12-11 22:09.

 

Make my poetry flow again –

It's blocked by a dam of despair.

I lack what nature gave to man –

A soft smiling creature to repair

The torn, tired garments and bloodied shirts,

The pain of the climb, the wounds of the battle –

The blow of that fight that throbs and hurts,

Recent Comments:
Very good!!! — by Robert Malcom on Tue, December 13, 2005 at 11:49
I think this is good. I — by Ashley on Mon, December 12, 2005 at 05:44

Altruism

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Submitted by Marty on Sun, 2005-12-11 21:47.
Ayn Rand says, about altruism, that it substitutes the question: 'Who shall be the beneficiary of values?' for the question: 'What are values and why does man need them?'

That is a good point. It made me think more deeply about ethics. Reading "The virtue of selfishness" made me goal directed - I played more guitar, earned a math degree, became a math prof, etc. I realized the value of rational egoism -- a beautiful way to live. I have never set out to harm another. In fact, though it was not my prime intent, many benefited from my teaching.

Adam Smith understood that in a free market, we derive enormous benefit from those who pursue their own interests through productive activity.