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Assigned Curiosity – The Power of Dogmatic Paradigms

As mentioned in my post on Kuhn’s Structure of Scientific Revolutions, science doesn’t work the way you think it works. The unwashed laity think science is about the noble pursuit of truth and reality as it pertains to nature; yielding an ever more accurate picture of the way nature works. Isn’t that what we’re taught to believe growing up, in our schooling, and in mass media stories?  We picture scientists working on identifying and honing […]

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Enshrine Stupidity – The Path To Civilization Destruction

I read Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead twenty-four years ago in 2000.  It was recommended to me by someone at a business conference. We were asked to bring something to the conference that appealed and spoke to us, and which had a positive impact on our lives.  I brought James Allen’s As a Man Thinketh as a representation of a piece of literature that influenced me quite a bit at the time.  Someone at my table

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Scientism – Science as a Religion

Science began with the Sumerians (c4100-1750 BCE), Babylonians (c2000 – 200 BCE) and Greeks (c500 BC – 170 AD). They accounted for wondrous observations and theories that to us seem utterly incredible for “ancient” civilizations. These treasures of knowledge and discovery were snuffed out by the dark ages in Europe (c500 – 1000 AD) due to the rise and dominance of Roman Catholicism. Science lay dormant for centuries until its revival by the scholars of

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Specialization vs. Generalization

What is generalization? From ancient Greece and Rome up through Medieval times the most respected intellectuals of the time (by our standards) were the writers, poets, artists, philosophers and architects. Their education, as best we can tell, consisted of a very generalized approach with broad primary topics of the Trivium (grammar, logic, rhetoric) and Quadrivium (arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy). The brightest and best minds (arguably of all time) came from this generalized education. Their

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The Knowledge Filter

One of the first things you need to understand as you wade your way into the rabbit hole of Alternative Ancient History (Alt. History) is to understand that there exists a barricade to discovery and academic progress within orthodox academia. It’s a direct result of dogmatic (normal science/history) paradigms. It’s called the Knowledge Filter. To my knowledge, the term was coined by Michael A. Cremo, co-author of “Forbidden Archaeology: The Hidden History of the Human

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Ancient History

It’s time for me to begin writing about a subject for which I have a great passion, but have not heretofore mentioned – – – Ancient History. No, I’m not going to bore you with archaeological information regarding an inventory of Tutankhamun’s underwear or tens-of-thousands of meaningless (so-called “contextual”) pottery shards. Rather than over-specializing and sharing the inconsequential and relatively meaningless evidence, I’ll be focusing on some outright in-your-face anomalistic evidence that blows the orthodox

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Independent Thinking

There’s a form of thinking that I feel we would all benefit from throughout our lives. I refer to it as Independent Thinking (or Free-Thinking).   Some of the major features of this approach are: An unquenchable thirst for knowledge and Truth – regardless of where it leads. Deciding to think outside the norm, beyond what the herd “thinks.” Understanding that the Mainstream (Corporate) Media are pushing propagandist narratives/spin and have zero concern with Truth

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Start Now!

I spent an unnecessary portion of my life mired in a lack of confidence, indecision and procrastination. Once I got into my mid- to late-30s and into my 40s I started my road to self-discovery, questioning everything, and realizing I was letting others (and myself) manipulate me into a spongy state of limbo-life —- a chaotic pinball bouncing from one bumper to another, aimlessly ricocheting through life with no clear direction. The books I began

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Knowledge of our ignorance

The more you learn, the more you realize you don’t know – or at least, cannot be certain. Those that spout certainty cannot possibly hold enough knowledge to even pretend to be aware of their profound ignorance. “The more we learn about the world, and the deeper our learning, the more conscious, specific, and articulate will be our knowledge of what we do not know, our knowledge of our ignorance. For this, indeed, is the

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Intelligence isn’t knowing everything . . .

“You must always be willing to truly consider evidence that contradicts your beliefs, and admit the possibility that you may be wrong. Intelligence isn’t knowing everything, it’s the ability to challenge everything you know.” — Unknown I’m unsure who this quote can be attributed to, but it’s a powerful statement. For those of us truth-seeking individuals, we need to actively look for evidence that blows our foundational beliefs out of the water. Present me with

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The Law of Attraction

In 2006 a DVD was released called The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. I’m not even sure how I became aware of this video, but at some point that year I bought and watched it  – –  several times. This was my mid-forties (age-wise) and fairly close to my initial uber-launch of seeking, discovering and growing.  I still have the DVD in my library and re-watch it periodically for inspiration and re-affirmation. The world inundates you

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Porter Garden Telescope

Porter Garden Telescope – The Perfect Blend of Art and Science

In July 2015 while perusing the gorgeous entries of exquisite cars in the Keeneland Concours d’Elegance in Lexington, Kentucky, I came across a vendor’s booth that housed a phenomenal piece of scientific and artistic apparatus called the “Porter Garden Telescope.” I was smitten! I spoke with Russ Schleipman who was tied to the formal business venture called Telescopes of Vermont.  He explained to me that several decades ago his father Fred discovered the Porter Garden

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Truth & Reality

I previously wrote a brief article regarding Reality but for this entry I want to delve a bit deeper into what I’m really after when I speak of “Truth” and/or “Reality.”  Starting in my late-30s I began a road to discovery (both internal and external). I began to question, to wonder, to investigate. Much of it had to do with the wonders of nature, the universe, science, history, philosophy, and cultural norms, but it also

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Skepticism or Pseudoskepticism?

Science and our understanding of how nature works has always been an evolving process over the centuries. Even with the frustrations of paradigm science and the attempts to drag orthodoxy begrudgingly along to adopt new solid discoveries & theories, progress is eventually made. As we humans continue to seek and discover newfound knowledge, there is always a blockade to progress presented by those who call themselves Skeptics but actuality are Pseudoskeptics These enforcers of the

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Cause & Effect (Causality/Causation)

I was going to make a simple post about the basic concept of Cause & Effect (also referred to as “Causation” and/or “Causality“).  My intent was more-or-less a common-sense discussion of how decisions (individual and/or social/political) affect results. Yet, when you attempt to search online for topics related to any of these terms, there’s a myriad of hyper-academic papers and incoherent intelli-talk about a myriad of nonsensical details. All of it so complex and disconnected

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Critical Thinking

We all think. But do we think well? Accurately? Proficiently? Correctly? Astutely? Properly? Objectively? In all actuality most of us barely operate at anything above basic knee-jerk emotional responses. Psychologists and philosophers would consider it something akin to unconscious thought. I wouldn’t even agree that it should be called “thinking.” A more accurate name for it would be “GarbageThink.” It’s fraught with errors, biases, prejudices, unfounded beliefs, stupid assumptions, educational/cultural indoctrination & peer pressure, as

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Burdon of Proof

Onus of the Burden of Proof

When it comes to intellectual argument and debate, there’s a philosophical concept known as the “Burden of Proof” that should (when observed properly) direct the debate at hand.  Argument is truth-seeking and is concerned with leading us to hold true and accurate beliefs/assumptions – and therefore rejecting false beliefs. Lazy thinking and sloppy argumentative technique usually rule the day however. If you have any concern for Proper Thinking you’ll want to understand this often-misapplied concept.

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Scientific “Correctness” vs. Scientific Progress

I came across the following brief 8-minute video and accompanying article shortly after my last post on Kuhn’s The Structure of Scientific Revolutions.  The writer does a very good job of eloquently explaining how scientific “correctness” impedes scientific progress, thereby dovetailing and supporting the very behaviors (and dangers/risks) that are outlined in Kuhn’s book. In this context “scientific correctness” refers to the scientific establishment’s adherence to the dominant paradigms at the exclusion of all other

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The Structure of Scientific Revolutions – Thomas Kuhn (Science Doesn’t Work The Way You Think It Does)

How does the general public think Science operates? How is it performed? How does it progress? How do working scientists assist and enable progression into revised and new theories over time? The Misconception Most laity and fans of science typically think of science this way: It’s an objective search for truth and reality of all things in nature and the universe. It adheres strictly to the Scientific Method and yields results leading to welcomed changes,

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Total Solar Eclipse – August 2017

Since I just posted about this week’s Lunar Eclipse, I may as well also post about our 2017 Total Solar Eclipse experience. The United States was treated to a rare opportunity to see a total solar eclipse as it traveled across the continent on August 21, 2017. I promised myself when I was a kid while watching the 1970 eclipse on TV, that I would make a point of directly experiencing the totality of the

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Total Lunar Eclipse – January 2019

Sunday night January 20, 2019 we were treated to relatively clear skies in Louisville, KY for a total lunar eclipse.  I stepped outside into the frigid cold before midnight to have a look just prior to, and into the time of totality.  What a beautiful red hue this magical orb took on! It was called a “super blood wolf moon eclipse.” I don’t yet have my recently-purchased (used) Meade LX200 Classic 10-inch telescope up and

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Einstein - Intellectual Int

Intellectual Integrity

What Is Intellectual Integrity? Do you have an internal desire to uncover truth – real truth? Do you care about the accuracy of your knowledge, beliefs and claims? Does it bother you if you might be professing knowledge that’s wrong? Does reality matter to you? Do you feel the pursuit of truth deserves a thorough, honest approach and analysis? If so, then you definitely resonate with the concept of Intellectual Integrity. Intellectual Integrity has everything

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The Benefits Of Being An Autodidact

What is autodidacticism and what can it mean for you being an autodidact? “Stack of Old Books” by Austin Kirk is licensed under CC BY 2.0 What’s an autodidact? Autodidactism is the process of self-learning, also called self-education.  An autodidact is a person who chooses (on their own) to identify a subject of interest and then learn everything possible about it; preferably researching and studying it in an objective manner.  It can be pursued as

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Conformity

I could write a long article about Conformity, but really … what could be more convincing than this representative example? (video: Brain Games – Conformity (Waiting Room) ) Peer Pressure We are pressured and convinced through a lifetime of social conditioning to conform, get along, go along, agree with, regardless of the rationality. This isn’t complicated. You will have a natural tendency to conform to the group – the majority.  You simply need to have

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Social Conditioning

Related very closely to the concept of Groupthink is a process called Social Conditioning .  However, where Groupthink relates to cognitive issues in a small group, Social Conditioning is concerned more with broad social implications – typically nationwide. Definition: Social conditioning is the sociological process of training individuals in a society to respond in a manner generally approved by the society in general and peer groups within society. Manifestations of social conditioning are vast, but

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Groupthink

In a continuing series of articles regarding barriers to Proper Thinking let’s address Groupthink. “Where all think alike, no one thinks very much.”  – Walter Lippmann What is Groupthink? Wikipedia:  “Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome. Group members try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without critical evaluation

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Dogma

What is Dogma? Dogma is any ideology that demands of its followers unquestioned loyalty and faith.  Faith in its doctrines . . . in its leaders . . . in its proclamations.  Behind its ‘scripture’ may stand elements of truths – some of which can (and are) useful at times.  However, it demands no questioning of its current tenets – particularly by laypersons and “outsiders.”  Violators of this edict are either ignored and/or ridiculed and

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Don’t Believe Everything You Think

I saw this on a car’s bumper sticker today: “Don’t Believe Everything You Think” It definitely struck me and resonated with what I continually try to focus upon.  Always question your basic beliefs and assumptions.  Objectively (truly objectively) look at all points of an argument or belief.  Use the Clinical Attitude whenever possible. Embrace intellectual integrity and be willing to admit that beliefs you’ve held for many years may be wrong when you’re presented with

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What is Science?

I originally wanted to start the “Science” category with a short series of posts discussing some very basic introductory concepts to serve as a baseline/reference for future discussion.  However, I happened to be in the middle of some great research involving the helical motion of the solar system, so I chose to grab the fire while it was burning and go ahead with that article first. So, stepping back a bit to address the basics

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Helical Solar System Motion Through the Galaxy: Heretical Revelation or Well-known Fact? – Part 2

Part 1 can be found here Summary of Part 1 So . . . . in a similar manner to my experience, we have someone (DjSadhu) discover a fact that: was never before shared with him in any form (school, documentaries, books, web sites, etc.), and was a revolutionary idea totally different from what he did learn, so he had to share his “aha” moment with others. Unlike me (no video animation expertise) DjSadhu produces

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Galactic plane at about 60-degrees to the ecliptic - Photo by Frank Cone from Pexels

Helical Solar System Motion Through the Galaxy: Heretical Revelation or Well-known Fact? – Part 1

An instinctive visualization? Based on science classes in school, books we’ve seen, images online, and even TV  documentaries, most of us (laypersons) visualize the Solar System something like this or this. We are taught the planets circle the sun in elliptical orbits at various distances and speeds, and for the most part the orbits are very nearly in the same flat, geometric plane (Pluto being the obvious exception) .  Through life we end up carrying

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Heretic, Part 1 – The path of Casual Catholic, to Born Again Christian, to Atheist, to (maybe) Agnostic

her·e·tic ˈherəˌtik/ noun  – a person believing in or practicing religious heresy 1.1  – a person holding an opinion at odds with what is generally accepted. (source: Oxford dictionary) I’ve spent years as a seeker – looking for answers to questions; keys to life; secrets of success; hidden/esoteric knowledge; ultimately the truth.  I think it started sometime in the mid- to late-90s when I was in my late 30s. However, when I really think back

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“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. . .

I love this quote: “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”  – Buckminster Fuller (Featured image by Steve Yelvington on Wikimedia Commons, licensed by Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International)

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