What I Believe

Gentle reader,

I borrowed the title of this post from an article written by EM Forster (you can google that if you *really* want a good read).

Here is what I believe, at the tender age of 41. I wonder how much this list will change as times goes on.

1) Nobody on earth (from the Dalai Lama and the Pope to Stephen Hawking) has the slightest idea why we are here, where we are from and what is the meaning of life. If anyone tells me they know, then I assume that they are either deluding themselves or they are lying.

2) Anyone who believes in and follows any of the existing world religions is either deluding themselves or they haven't thought about it enough.

3) The artificial division of the planet into countries, states, etc. is ridiculous and leads to huge problems (see 4).

4) Nuclear war is almost inevitable. The probability of nuclear war is not zero and the amount of time available to have a nuclear war is pretty much infinite.

5) To be happy in life you have to work at something you can be proud of. Artists have a head start.

6) Most people, when taken individually, are decent and sane.

7) Large groups of people with something in common, and particularly those who lead them, are usually to be feared.

8) It is best for a parent to educate their child, if possible and practical.

9) It is terribly wrong to treat people like parts of a machine.

10) The goal of people should be overall happiness. This is sometimes thought of as being the same as wealth. That is a huge mistake.

Today's quote?

Politicians and diapers must be changed regularly, and for the same reason.
-Unknown

Until the next time, gentle reader, I remain,

Your friend,

Buford Twain