(My) Creativity and Suffering

Now that my mind is beginning to clear, my thoughts have also begun to shift. Racing thoughts that were solely introspective have now switched to a more objective view of others. This troubled me initially, but after a period of retraining myself to tap into the subtle nuances of the creative process without the use of substances, ideas seem organic and bitter; very, very bitter. And although most people wouldn't find this a welcome emotion, bitterness, second only to fear, is the feeling that I derive the most creativity from. I have found myself unable to work, or rather create, while happy. Pain alone gifts me the words, pictures, or concepts that pass my rigorous self-critique. I need to create to be happy. I need to be suffering to create. A paradox? Yes. Unfortunate? Hell yes! Will it change? I think not.

Re-Introduction

Hello, I'm Jacob. Even though that had already been established, I am now a different person. Ironically, the subject of my last post is what has changed. I am now one-hundred percent clean and sober. The lapse of time I was given during my treatment gave me the chance to retrain myself to write without the use of substances. And although my thoughts have become less introspective without the aid of psychedelics, this change will allow me to go in a new direction with topics. I am thankful for the support of my family and friends, as well as any of you who are willing to give me a second chance.

Reality and Its Synonymous Relationship with Death

I have always been troubled when observing the consistent condemnation of drug or alcohol users and their attempts to "escape" reality. When a person is not in a substance-induced state, they allow inhibitions caused by their environment to alter the way they act. A person will ponder his response differently depending on the forum or audience, eventually delivering it in a way that seems appropriately suited to his surroundings. If this same person were to indulge in a substance that lessened or altogether removed these inhibitions, he would react more primitively, without pause, and in a less "induced" reality than someone who augments his every action.

Although a person may consider, or even be convinced of, the aforementioned mindset, health issues are another group of commonly mentioned concerns. Health concerns are only concerning if life is concerning. Life cannot exist without death, the former inevitably leads to the latter. Death is permanent, life is fleeting. Life is short, death is all-encompassing. Death is our destination, occasionally our inspiration, and ultimately, our reality. If we die and all of our accomplishments rot away, are the few extra years we could save by not indulging in particular substances worth the discipline they take to achieve?

If death is unavoidable and final, life is, at best, a waiting period. People always have and always will fill their lives with frivolities to distract them from their ultimate reality. Although most don't want to admit that death is reality, the majority must know, or else they wouldn't try to cling to life so desperately. Comments are greatly appreciated.

NDAA 2012 is Treason

Even more frightening than the "indefinite detention" bill is the lack of widespread outrage, mainstream media coverage, and of course, the obviously idle threats of radical opposition regarding it. The lackluster amount of support "We the People" receive showcases our loneliness and outlines our isolation from the ruling class. This bill is not intended to protect our nation, our people, or our assets, it was proposed only to further establish the already sickening amount of power that the government's three branches already posses. Our leaders, those who have sworn to protect us from threats foreign and domestic, are currently the most malicious domestic threat.

Admittedly, there won't be a fascist dictatorship set up tomorrow. But the knowledge that it could be should be disconcerting. I do not wish to delve into the nuances of this bill's implications, and all I will say is that, under the proper conditions, the right to due process is stripped away. It is a shame that I must wonder whether or not I will be put on some terrorist watch list or shipped off to Guantanamo Bay for posting an article that some government official deems "a belligerent act." Living in fear of a government that is intended to protect us is not a life I wish to live, and therefore will not. I implore every reader to do the research for himself.

Although encouraging people to do research for themselves is a commonly stated courtesy, it is more important now than ever before. Even though this is a blatant disregard of our constitution, mainstream media organizations neglect to inform the masses. While cynically observing the development and growth of this bill, the extent of governmental influence on the media that should be dedicated to reporting the truth is shown to be at an all-time high. To know that we have so few accurate news reports should be unsettling, to say the very least.

Whether or not our media is run by a government agenda or this bill results in radical changes in our lives or the lives of people yet to come, keeping a watchful eye on progressions like this is very important. Bills like this one show the tone of the establishment that is currently governing us, and that tone is not a pleasant one. If you find this post interesting, please comment and express your opinion; I would love to broaden my horizons.

The Occupy Movement: Part One-The Socialistic Backbone

If you have taken a moment to consider the recent media headlines over the past few months, you need not be informed of the controversy the Occupy movement has brought about. Like a disease, the movement began entirely unnoticeable; hidden from the mainstream eye. While it had started off as a small irritation, the disease quickly grew and flourished, changing into an obtrusive issue. In essence, it was an ideological movement that, like so many others, would never have been given widespread credence. That would be the case, if cultural leanings were not so mutually interdependent. Although relations between people are important, most people have progressed into being complete socialists, although they refer to themselves as capitalists. That is not to say "capitalism", as it is observed in our nation, is any better than the ideals of socialism. A free market that has been truly purged of the state's destructive and selfish influences is the only way to ensure an economy that grows steadily and encourages healthy competition.

Socialism is an ideal system for those who would like to live a life condemned to being "average." The widespread attraction to this system is due to the laziness so prevalently exhibited in virtually all modern societies and cultures. When listening to the advocates of the Occupy movement, traditional socialist buzzwords frequent their speech; "distribution" and "reformation" being two of the most suggestive. When a simple list of demands is asked for, one of the first responses given is an emphatic, "Distribution of income!" If this does not convey socialism, nothing would. This has been a very short post simply citing very little of the growing evidence that lends itself to the socialistic patterns of the movement. Please leave a comment expressing your opinion.

First post and introduction.

Hello, everyone. This will be my first post and will mostly be an introduction of myself and what you can expect in future posts, so please cut me some slack. My name is Jacob. I am sixteen years old and live in a very rural area of central Pennsylvania. Equality is something that I see as extremely important and you will see the implications of that in every one of my posts.  The intention of this blog is simply to share my opinions and hear some from others. The vast majority of my future posts will revolve around government, society, and philosophy. I am not a statist and I have a deep loathing for the demands of the "Occupy" movement. The Occupy movement is a topic that I will touch on frequently. I love to open my mind to other possibilities and ideas, so if anyone would like to e-mail me or comment that would be encouraged.