This refers to the Essay God and horoscopes Defy logic

Surfer Comments
> It's refreshing to see that someone who likes to party as much
> as you has deeper thoughts, also that the values put forth are not very
> popular in today's culture.

My Reply
thanks!

Surfer Comments
> You said, "When discussing opinions and making arguments, all we have is logic."
> What about faith? The problem with people structuring their lives around
> feeling is that there is no standard - a billion different protocols. But,
> the primary and established pilla
> rs of faith are relatively few - I do not believe there is much harm done
> by following a faith which has proven results over history.

We can not know anything 100% so in a sense all beliefs are based on faith;
faith that our logic and points are correct. Most people however use the
word "faith" as an excuse to believe in something even though there are
virutually no facts to support it. To me that is absurb.

From what I know right now, I have faith that I live in Los Angeles, but I
don't know that 100% . . . if all I relied on was faith without facts, I
could decide to believe I live on the moon. But by doing that I would
believe in something that is very likely not true.

Surfer Comments
> Feeling is all about "me" and leads to operational quagmire. Faith is
> about the greater majority and even where misplaced, achieves results.
> Logic is somewhere in between because logic is affected by the static of
> values and feelings.

Logic is a set a rules and isn't effected by anything. People may be
effected by things which pull them away from the rules of logic, but that
does not mean the rules themselves have changed.

Reality TV essay response

Regarding Reality TV essay

Surfer Email
>I
> submit that it isn't those of us that don't find "reality" tv entertaining
> that are stupid, but those that do.

My Response
I understand that. Just as people thought those who read books were stupid
when books were first invented.

Surfer Email
>If you like to live your life vicariously by following some one else around
>24/7, then I submit that there is something seriously missing in your own
>life.

My Response
Almost all entertainment is grounded in telling stories that have a
connection to our own life. Just as there is nothing inherently wrong with
identifying with the travails of Fred Flintstone, we can also enjoy the
story of Ozzy Osbourne.

Surfer Email
>However if you find that
> entertaining then by all means you have the right to do so.

My Response
thank you!

Surfer Email
>Many of us have
> better things to do than be closet peeping Tom's. I notice that you
> chastise me for not giving any examples of why it is bad, but then don't
> give any examples of why it is good other than your own opinion to which
> you are entitled.

My Response
All we have our opinions so that is all I can give. That is all you have
also. Many intellectuals love to cite books, but that is just citing someone elses
opinion. Anyways, if you read my essay which you it seems you didn't. I give several examples of why it is good. My main point is that humans have always
desired stories based on human experiences they can relate to, but only
recently has technology allowed us to do that job so well by filming
unscripted situations.

Surfer Email
>But then I guess that is what it boils down to isn't it, personal opinions
>and preference?

My Response
of course. there isn't anything else. I don't believe in god. And even if
I did, I doubt he would waste his time telling us what is the superior form
of entertainment/communication.

Surfer Email
> I will concede that sometime in the future I may find a reality show that
> will prove interesting to me, but so far that hasn't happened. Your point
> is well taken that perhaps I don't find it interesting because it is not
> real enough.

My Response
ok

Surfer Email
>The problem is that the very
> presence of the tv camera probably affects the reactions of the
> participants and outcome of the show.

My Response
of course, but it is still more real than the show "friends" or "bugs bunny"

Surfer Email
>To be truly real the subjects would have to be
> unaware that they are being taped and that would be very hard to do, at
> least legally. By the very nature of television there has to be some
> degree of scripting or control of the participants.

My Response
of course. Seems you are a real reality tv junky and are just upset that
the medium has not advanced far enough yet. don't worry . . . it will!

meeting girls at a nightclub

surfer comments

>I was the second to last caller on your Cable Radio Network show (and regular >listener). I asked you what the success ratio is asking out strangers.
> When going to a nightclub, is it better to cultivate a lengthy conversation with one woman, or several short conversations with a number of women?
> Regards,
> John

My response
At a night club it is best to get a phone number and make a plan to go out. Then after you get one girls number, move to another girl because most numbers or dates will go nowhere.

Start a conversation with a girl, be funny, positive, and show interest if you have it. Don't fake interest, and don't ask questions just to make noise.

Anyways, if conversation is comfortable ask her what she does for socializing - how often does she go out, where usually, or what else does she do?
As she gives you examples, Look for things you have in common.
For example, she says "I play tennis on Tuesdays". Then if you play tennis too, tell the truth about it. For example (if this is the case), say, "I only play once a month or so, we should play sometime!" if she says yes, you have a connection.
Or maybe she says she likes Bar X, if you do too, you say "Me too! We should meet up there sometime." Again, see if you get a yes.
If so, then chat a bit more and then when the conversation is winding down, say "want me to call you sometime for tennis?" or "want me to call you to meet at Bar X?", then she says yes and you get the number.
Then move on to another girl. However, if it is a small bar or if your conversation is still great, don't rush to leave. Learn to go with the flow. And always read the body language!

Also, keep in mind that a definite plan made at Midnight drunk may not sound so good to the girl the next day . . . if you made a plan for the next couple days, then call to do that. If the plan was for in the future, call the next day just to say "nice meeting you, my number is xxx, will call for XYZ next week (or whatever)". If you call to make a plan and she doesn't call back, maybe try one more time and if still no call back, forget it!

Also, before calling, plan a good message because usually girls do not pick up the phone for a number they don't recognize. So you might as well be prepared to leave a message.

Good Luck!
Keep me posted!

comments about my cigarette essays

surfer comment
>I agree with the statement that people should stop blaming the
> cigarette companies for there bad habits.

my reply
agreed

surfer comment
>With that said all corporations have an obligation to be truthful about
>what they sell. Most cigarette companies are now doing this.

my reply
They had big warnings on every package. Also, inhaling smoke being bad for you is common sense that everyone knew. It is not the cigarette companies responsibility to advertise negatives about its product. And even if they did (as they do now) I strongly recommned independent research from a less biased perspective. Would you ask the NY Mets manager who the best baseball team is?

surfer comment
>What I
> do not agree with about is that kids know what they are doing. While kids
> do know and are taught that cigarettes are bad. Kids do not process
> information the same as adults. The brains just do not work the same as an
> adult. As a young teen I did smoke t
> o fit in. I didn't like it much and quit before it bit me. I was still in
> high school.

my reply
You knew it was bad for you, but you choose to fit in. That was your bad decision that you made. You also knew they were addictive. Fortunately you stopped, but your starting and stop was more a result of your school, friends, and parents than it was the fault of any corporate advertising conspiracy.

surfer comment
>Another thing you are failing to notice that a person who is an addict.
>Regardless if it is a cigarette, alcohol, gambling ext...... have a
>different body chemistry th
> en those of us who don't become addict to things.

my reply
Addiction changes your body chemistry to crave those chemicals. So what?

surfer comment
> They are physicalogically different.

my reply
A person who is addicted to cigs has a different chemical balance than someone who isn't. but that is not inborn, it is a result of behaviour.

surfer comment
>Now it is not the cigarette companies fault that they are addicted but they
>should take some of the responsiblity because they sell a very addictive
>substance.

my reply
Cigarettes are an addictive legal substance. If society wants to stop it, we have to make it illegal. Otherwise it is individuals or health companies who have to deal with the problems. It is not McDonalds responsibility to make sure people dont' get fat. It is not Las Vegas responsibility to make sure people manage money properly, and it is not starbucks responsibility to stop people from buying its addictive unhealthy product - coffee.

surfer comment
>I don't
> believe those who smoke should get large sums of money to hand to their
> families when they die of cancer but they should sponsor stop smoking
> clinics to help those who really want to quit and can't.

my reply
I have nothing against clinics or supporting clinics.
Thanks for the feedback. Well written!!

The most important word is "Preparation" not "Love"

Surfer Comment
>
> The most important thing that we are over looking here regarding Katrina is a four
>letter word that would have prevented all of the unnecessary deaths. That word is
> LOVE.
> The basic love of humans over personal or financial gain.

My reply
I disagree. The levees in New Orleans were built for a category 3 hurricane
and a category 5 hurricane was forecast way in advance. Why not leave the
city? Also the politicians did not prepare for the inevitable either.
The number one word is "PREPARATION".
One can be in love and still sit on their ass and die. But if one is
prepared for the worst and even if they don't love anyone, they would
survive.