Loads of tourists in Seoul, Korea and all over the globe!

I see lots of tourists in Seoul.

Tourists seem to outnumber Koreans in certain areas near the Dongdaemun (West Gate) shopping area.

I visited Phenom Penh, Bangkok, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, London and many more cities and saw other Koreans, Chinese, British, and tourists of other nationalities everywhere.

If China forgives South Korea for allowing US's THAAD anti-missile system to be installed in Korea and removes its unofficial boycott of Chinese tourists to South Korea, I should see even more Chinese while walking through my neighborhood, which is next to Dongdaemun.

Tourism is becoming really big in Korea and all over the world, it seems. A few decades ago, there were very few tourists.

Lots of expatriates living in Korea. Also, the number of families of mixed races has risen sharply over the past decade. Korean-Vietnamese, Korean-Cambodian, Korean-American and so on.

Typical False News and Lies Spread By Most Media in Korea

Most of the media in Korea are conservative and owned by the rich.

They are dead set against liberals and progressives.

I happened to read some blatant lies in an English article in Business Korea by the publisher.

Business Korea article : South Korea under ‘Insane' President

Pro-government rallies draw larger crowds. Usually anti-government rallies are small in scale.

He says that President Moon is "insane". Most Koreans respect President Moon very much and half the country thinks he is doing a very good job. This is in spite of all the incessantly bad press and outright lies from the conservatives and the rich.

The rich and powerful are losing control and they hate it.

Trump wants Korea to pay more for American troops there?

Korea is the only country to pay to have American troops and bases. Subic Bay and Okinawa were American bases that the US paid a lease to the host country. American bases in Europe are funded by the US.

The US paid for the war in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries. They are paying to protect Saudi Arabian oil fields. An article  in the Wall Street Journal mentions the scope of US involvement since the oil field attacks.

The US pays for strategic military power in various regions of the world. In Korea, they have the THAAD anti-defense system. It is an early warning system for the US, in my opinion, and not of much use to Korea. There are enough missiles in North Korea to overwhelm the system and obliterate Korea many times over.

The only good thing he has done is stand up to China. It is a socialist country with undemocratic laws, extremely protectionist and unfair in trading. For example, to publish a video game in China, you need to get government approval, but they have not approved one single game from a foreign company. Only Chinese companies have gotten approval. So you have to be a minority partner in a joint venture with a Chinese company or go through a Chinese company. Either way, the business in China will be controlled by Chinese. There are seemingly endless examples of unfairness in all the other industries.

Korea can't afford to fight with China too hard. China accounts for around 42% of its trade surplus. Maybe Trump wants Korea to pay because of Korea's trade surplus, but if you follow that argument, he should be asking Japan to, at least, start to pay for US troops there.

Korea does not pay for the other countries that have military forces in Korea through the UN. Also the present situation with North Korea is not wholly due to South Korea's decisions and will, the US has the final world as the head of the military command in Korea during a war. Korea will take back command over its military forces even during wars in a few years, as agreed with the US.

The US military is all over the world and in dozens of countries, why is Korea the only country that helps pay for US forces in their country? And why does Korea have to pay more?

I don't think South Koreans are really scared by North Korea, militarily. We are more scared of China or Russia helping North Korea, and so is the US. That is one of the reasons that the US forces are still in Korea.

So, I think most people would see a sharing of the costs for US troops in Korea as logical. Asking for Korea to pay for the whole cost of US troops in Korea and related support operations in Guam and in the US ($ 4.7 billion), does not seem fair. It seems Trump is daring Korea to reject his demands and ask US troops to leave Korea.

(Updated 17 November - From an Reuters article, I found out that Japan also pays a share of the costs for US troops there and that the US wants them to pay 4 times more, around $ 8 billion for the costs. There are about 24,000 US troops in Korea and 54,000 in Japan.

Korea's Far Right Liberty Korea Party Is Full Of Former Prosecutors

The Liberty Korea Party is vehemently opposed to Cho Kuk's appointment to Minister of Justice.

Minister Cho's mission is to reform the justice system, especially the prosecutor's office. 

The Liberty Korea Party has a large number of former prosecutors as members. Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn, Speaker Na Kyung-won, Choi Kyo-il, Kwak Sang-do, former party leader Hong Jun-pyo, Chung Mi-kyung, Jeong Jeom-sik, Kim Do-eup, Kim Jae-kyung, Joo Kwang-deok and too many others to mention. 

Prosecutors are close to rich families (like owning families of business conglomerates) and are targets for grooming by the rich and powerful. They also wield a lot of power. 

I knew a few prosecutors and used to go out drinking with them and their rich friends. Once, they leave civil service, they all earn millions as lawyers. Many also seem to be selected by the conservative party to run in elections and become members of the party. 

I think they have a lot of influence over their former colleagues at the prosecutor's office and do not want reforms to stop abuses of power and corruption.

Space, Time and Energy

Space and Time are related to Gravity. Energy is related to Mass and Life.

Theorists say that in even the smallest unit of space/time, there always is a fluctuation of energy, which reacts to create strings which make up subatomic particles, which make up the world. The fluctuations add up to zero, according to leading theory.

Zero-point energy

If that is so, there doesn't need to be a "big bang" for the universe to exist. The big bang is used to explain the cosmic background radiation.

Photons do not experience time or distance.

Does light experience time?

So, radiation should not experience time or distance.

Science has seen that heavier atoms decay into lighter atoms over time. Protons are theorized to decay into radiation over time, but this have not been proven yet.

But if protons did decay, then all matter will decay into radiation (photons) in the distant future.

All those photons do not experience time or distance.

All the energy from all the matter in the universe that has decayed will be in a state without time or distance. Something like the conditions for the "big bang", but since the photons do not experience distance, there is no space to explode into. So, there is no need for the "cosmic inflation" that says everything expanded at much faster than the speed of light.

So, after a very very long time, everything will become photons, and the conditions for a big bang without cosmic inflation will be fulfilled. I heard a famous British physicist speak about this on Youtube many years ago. It sounds good to me.

Theoretically, black holes emit radiation and eventually disappear.

Stephen Hawking Was Right: Black Holes Can Evaporate, Weird New Study Shows

Korean Justice System To Be Reformed

Korean President Moon Jae-in appointed Cho Kuk as Minister of Justice despite intense opposition from conservative parties and most media. Even prosecutors are suspected of overreaching their authority in issuing unprecedented and unusually very prompt search warrants for his family and associates, in which I suspect was an attempt to find something to prevent his appointment. I am sure if they manage to uncover any crimes that Cho Kuk will not be personally involved. It is just a smear campaign, in my opinion. I can't recall having seen such intense political and media opposition to a ministerial appointment. Historic.

Moon appoints Cho Kuk as justice minister despite huge political opposition

It seems the ones in power are extremely opposed to his appointment. I wonder why. Maybe it is because he is going to reform the system to prevent habitual abuses of power by prosecutors, judges, and police, in many cases to the advantage of the conservative rich and powerful.

Almost all the polls cited in the news state that those opposed to the appointment outnumber those in favor, but the presidential site where people can register their support or opposition, those in favor of the appointment outnumbered those who are opposed by two to one.

Most Koreans agree that the justice system needs to be reformed in order to prevent past abuses, except for those who used this to their advantage.

I am sure plenty of Koreans are really glad that he was appointed, in spite of the widespread and intense campaign opposing his appointment.

How To Get Drunk, Crash Into A Motorcycle, Attempt To Switch Drivers And Still Not Get Arrested?

Live in Korea.

Netizens react to reports of rapper Noel's drunk driving and official apology by his politician father

Contrast that with smoke a joint and get arrested immediately. Something is very wrong here.

The guy's father is a politician. He shouts and yells during parliamentary hearings at ministerial candidates just because they belong to another party. Like father, like son. If it was an opposing politician's son who did this, he would be yelling that they are corrupt and scum of the earth, or something like that. And that they used their influence to help make their son a success.

Victim alleges that rapper NO:EL (Jang Yong Joon) initially attempted to conceal DUI accident

Is Japan's Abe Jealous Of Korea?

Abe has been complaining that western news media write his name in the wrong order. He wants it to be written as Abe Shinzo. And he is having the Japanese government write Japanese names in surname first order when written in English.

Japan wants to change the way we use Japanese names

Western media has been writing Korean names in the surname first order, as it is written in Korean, for years. We never had the Korean government take action to do this. It happened naturally.

I think Abe is also jealous of Korea's prosperity and overtaking of Japan in certain industries

For example, western press always writes President Moon's name in the proper order:

Moon Jae-in: TIME Person of the Year 2018 Runner Up

South Korean President Moon Jae-in's nominee for justice minister

Why has the support for South Korea's President Moon Jae-in 

Believe it or not, even the Japanese are protesting discrimination and racism against Koreans in Japan media and by Japanese right wing politicians.

Japan's Shukan Post apologizes after being blasted for discrimination toward South Koreans

Very few articles on this in English, but there are many in Korean.

Japanese protest racism against Koreans and call for goodwill (in Korean)

Japanese in Tokyo protest discrimination against Koreans (in Korean)

Where would a western professor feel comfortable slandering Koreans? Japan.

Racist Professor Calls Student 'That F***ing Korean Gook' 

Koreans have always liked Japanese products and Japan. That's one of the reasons Korea has ALWAYS had a trade deficit with Japan, ever since the end of World War II. They are our neighbors.

We just don't like radical conservative Japanese politicians who incite racism against Koreans and deny that Japan committed war crimes against Koreans (Chinese, Taiwanese, Filipinos, and others).

There was a statement in 1993 from cabinet secretary Yohei Kono, who wrote the Kono Statement, acknowledging Japan's involvement in the enslavement of "comfort women" and apologizing.

Background reading (extra credit) - Ethnic issues in Japan

The Good Things About Getting High On Pot

Let's assume that it is consumed in a healthy manner and not by smoking.

It usually helps me to relax, enjoy music, enjoy exercising, enjoy working, be less stressed, be more content, be less aggressive, have more empathy, be more inclined to exercise, be more creative, helps me to think and have much better orgasms. It makes life much interesting. Ask people who get high, if they agree with this. I am sure most will tell you that it is so.

I think if you are lazy at heart, if you get high, you will become lazy. But if you are an active person, you will still be active even if you get really stoned.

But they made pot illegal in Korea. Did you know that we use to have native Korean weed? It was strong and tasty. I am pretty certain that it is extinct now.

Imagine all the people getting high legally in the USA, Canada and other parts of the world. Remember the 60s? People getting high, spreading good vibes and stuff. A lot more people are getting high now. The effects from this should start to really show in the coming years.

Getting high is the cheapest form of entertainment and meditation that I know of. I don't need expensive cars, luxury items, or admiration of others to enjoy my life. I am sure that others who get high agree.

They keep on arresting famous people and scions of Korean business conglomerates for pot. Most media treat it as a serious crime with "reefer madness" type of reporting. Most young Koreans after hearing their idols and the rich are getting high are certainly going to wonder what they are missing. I wonder if the media knows that they are corrupting young Koreans. If they get caught getting high, it is partially the media's fault.

Arrest warrant sought for CJ Group scion on drug charges

523 drug offenders busted in March crackdown

Singer-actor Park confesses to taking drug

What a downer! Korea is still criminalizing something much less dangerous and addictive than alcohol, while allowing advertising of alcohol everywhere. Other countries are exporting the stuff, doing R&D, patenting medicines, building businesses, and much more constructive things.

Korean Imports Of Japanese Beer Down 95%

Japanese beer used to be the leading imported beer in Korea. Its imports dropped to $223,000 in August compared to $7.57 million in the same month last year, according to the following Maeil Business News report.

Korea’s beer import from Japan plunges 95% in August 

This is entirely due to Abe and the ultra right wing Nippon Kaigi (Japan Council). They keep telling outright lies and making racist comments about Korea.

For example:

1. Japanese occupation helped modernize Korea. (They built roads and railways to "steal" Korean minerals, food and other goods to Japan. Also factories to utilize "slave" labor).

2. Dokdo Island belongs to Japan and that Korea is illegally occupying it. (Illegal to whom? Certainly not Korean and international law).

3. The agreement signed by Japan and Korea to get financial aid as war repatriation exempts Japanese from all responsibility for crimes committed by Japan on Koreans. Abe even goes as far as to deny them. Legal scholars agree that the agreement only applies to the governments and not individual personal claims to the companies that enslaved the Koreans.

Also, it was a Supreme Court ruling that awarded damages and ordered the assets of a Japanese company be sold, after Abe ordered the company not to pay. The Korean government cannot do anything to override a court decision, yet Abe demands that the government somehow override the Supreme Court.

Internationally, courts have ruled that individual rights overrides government agreements.

The Japan Council is made up of radical right wing members who continually deny war crimes and tell outright racist lies about Korea.

Also a pet peeve. Does paying damages to comfort women or enslaved Korean mean that Japan doesn't need to apologize to the comfort women (it has never officially done so yet)? Does it mean that Koreans cannot mention this or build statues commemorating them? Does it mean that Japan can rewrite the history that it teaches to children to instill hate against Korea and nationalism in Japan?

Feel much better now. Koreans have nothing against Japan. Only Abe and the Japan Council.

It feels that most Koreans are sick of hearing all the racist comments from these people. The ultra right wing try to stereotype Koreans as stupid and not having the willpower for long term fights. It seems that this boycott of Japanese goods is going to last a long long time. Even if Abe changes his ultra right wing foreign minister and policies.

The Korean media is emphasizing the lies made by the Japanese right wing. They should also report on how racist those comments are and how they stereotype Koreans as inferior, criminals and such.

Why Does It Seem To Me That A Lot Of People Are Mindless?

A lot of people are so scared to death of death that they are unreasonable, especially the rich who indulge in excessive consumption, thrill seeking and conceit. Those who try to live a "full" life before they die and have tunnel vision. Running away from truth. Hoping against hope that some thing like a God does not exist.

A lot live their lives without a purpose other than to survive and try to be rich. They seem to have a mind with only basic primitive instincts. No conception of goodwill, sharing and whatnot. A basic mind, not a mindful mind. Mindful mind? One that reflects a lot on life and the world. One that reflects a long time before expressing opinions or taking action.

I can tell the difference between a mindful person and one that is not. I am sure you can too. We all are mindless at times.

What makes a mindful mind mindful? Being free of cognitive dissonance?

Thank goodness, there are also a lot of people who notice things about the world and want to make things better. However, I run into very few such people in Korea. We have them, but they are a definitely a minority.

Korean President Moon's Reply To Samurai Wannabe Abe

In a televised speech at the beginning of a meeting with ministers this morning, President Moon gave a speech asking that Japan be truthful about its past and its actions.

He said that even Korea has done bad things in the past, and so has Germany. But both countries were truthful about the past and overcame them.

He added that Japan should not cover up and falsify the negative parts of its history, but be honest about it.

With regards to the removal of Korea from Japan's list of countries with less restrictions on Japanese exports, Moon said that if it was in retaliation for Korea's Supreme Court decision as Abe stated in the beginning before he changed the reason to national security and then a revision of Japan's export regulations, then he should state it as such and not lie.

Japan is the one twisting the truth and spreading false news, yet Abe thinks he is pulling one over the world.

The Trump administrations recent comments on South Korea's defense exercises off of the island of Dok-do, which has historically always been labelled as Korean territory in Korean and Japanese maps (only in recent times has Japan tried to claim ownership, but they along with China have always tried to invade Korea since ancient times), along with the stated disappointment at Korea's decision not to extend an intelligence sharing agreement with Japan seems to be a ploy to gain concessions in the US-Japan trade negotiations. The US used to be fair in its comments. Shame.

Japan's previously stated reason for Korea's removal from Japan's "White List" was that Korea is a national security risk to Japan. Korean press have asked frequently, if Korea is a national security risk, why would Japan have an intelligence sharing agreement with Korea? Now, Japan changed its reason to "a revision of its export regulations".

Publicly Making Negative Assumptions About People Should Be Illegal

Like calling someone a "bad" person. One should only be allowed to reference facts and then ask the listener to decide.

I noticed that most mindless people use this strategy of calling people names and negatively labeling them

If God is a Group of Dimensions?

If God turns out to be a phenomena from a group of dimensions, then is the word, God, a coincidence or did some thing make it that way?

Media Polls vs Korean Presidential Website Petition Results?

Most of the Korean media report polls that state the majority of Koreans are opposed to the appointment of progressive law professor Cho Kuk as Minister of Justice.

Yet, on the Korean presidential website, the number of people supporting the petition asking Cho Kuk be appointed as Justice Minister totaled over 400,000. While the petition opposing the appointment had over 250,000 supporters. I think the large number of people opposed is due to the negative media on Cho Kuk for the past several weeks. Nothing about the good things he has done. You need to log in using Facebook or other social network site in order to support or register a petition.

From what I see on TV, it seems the rich and powerful conservatives in Korean are mounting an all out campaign against Cho Kuk who has promised to reform the justice system to stamp out abuses of power. They exaggerate small student demonstrations against Cho Kuk. I am pretty sure some conservatives persuaded some students to demonstrate. I am also pretty sure the majority of students are in favor of Cho Kuk, but not his daughter, at the moment. Due to allegations of the daughter receiving favoritism in getting named in research papers which allegedly played a part in her getting accepted to medical school. She attended private school and had a privileged upbringing which makes her pretty unpopular with students, at the moment. Things are pretty bleak for Korean students with very high unemployment in Korea which I am pretty sure is due to the previous conservative administrations which focused on self-enrichment and suppression of liberal and progressive ideals and people for a decade and has opposed every reform proposed by progressive administrations by blocking and boycotting legislation. People are sick of this. At least, I am.

I hope he does become the minister of justice. Korea desperately needs to reform its justice system to stop abuses by powerful individuals.

A Quantum Dimension or The Quantum Dimension?

Is there one or are there many quantum dimensions?

Quantum dimensions? Metaphysical dimensions. Some dimension that is invisible to physical detection. A non-local dimension that is not affected so much by the space/time/energy dimension.

Non-local phenomena? Wave-particle duality, quantum entanglement, collective intelligence and similar phenomena describe things that do not seem to be connected physically, but have a connection nonetheless. They must be connected through some metaphysical dimension(s).

Some say "will" evolved from the need to survive. Where did we get the need to survive? From the sun? Or some thing or some phenomena that exists in metaphysical dimensions and the detectable dimensions. The sun provides energy for most life on earth. So it could explain basic life. But where did the need to build supercomputers come from? Not sure if it came from the sun. Is the potential of ideas be larger than the total energy received from the sun?

Some scientists theorize that life emerged from chemical reactions in something like a drop of oil that caused it to have the ability to replicate  (some basic genetic code) and eventually evolve by chance. Seems like something from nothing. Especially if that life can make nuclear bombs and semiconductors from rocks.

Then could basic instincts, ability to learn from experience, and such eventually evolve into self-awareness and an explosion in communication of ideas by chance? I think there are probably different degrees of self-awareness.

Feelings, experience, logic seem so far removed from energy, yet require energy to exist.

So energy, mass, gravity, feelings and such are all related, in other words have some connections.

Maybe it's not a metaphysical dimension, maybe it's just a phenomena? No, for quantum entanglement, the entangled objects affect each other over space/time instantly. So, there must be a way for them to connect. That way is through an as of yet undetected non-local dimension or dimensions. If there is a connection, then there is something that connects them, something that we cannot yet detect physically.

Consciousness

Everything seems infinitely complicated, like a googol.

What makes up consciousness? There are our basic instincts, knowledge, experience, and more.

Some people only think in the first person, while others are comfortable without using people as the subject in a sentence. Does thinking in the first person lead to selfish thoughts? Yes. So, if they are stuck at that level of consciousness, then it could be bad.

If everyone was required to write sentences without using people as the subject in sentences, I am sure it will eventually lead to more enlightenment. They should be required to write such sentences and comment on philosophical questions until they reach a certain level of understanding.

Also, a year or two of using only positive sentences without "not", "no" and other negative words is another way of expanding mental horizons.

In addition, people talk too much. They should be required to debate only in writing, especially in politics. If everything is in writing, everything can be examined, considered, and if needed, counter arguments can be made after deep thought. Hopefully an end to brief slogan filled speeches appealing to instincts.

Bad people accuse others of doing bad things that they themselves have done and usually are doing. The Liberty Korea Party accuses the Moon administration of abuses of power. The party supports disgraced former Korean presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Keun-hye, who abused power as well as blacklisting liberals and progressives. Why do they do this? Most of their thoughts result from their decisions and actions. When they try to think, their thought are limited to what they know and do, so they can imagine little else. They can't accuse people of something they don't know about.

If you look closely at what people write or what their arguments are, then you can tell a lot about that person.

A lot of people just blab away, like Trump. They are stuck in that mind frame. Why? I have asked many times. My conclusion so far is that they are running away from death. They need to do something exciting, fun, and such before they die. Blabbing is a popular pastime, it seems. Where one can brag, boast, be conceited and the like.

Cognitive dissonance should be taught and discussed extensively. I pretty sure that's what Jesus was trying to do. He asked people to be true and not be so materialistic.

Good News and Bad News

Environmental, social and governance are now factors widely taken into consideration to evaluate the sustainability and ethical impact of an investment in a company or business.

Top U.S. CEOs say companies should put social responsibility above profit

The Business Roundtable group's statement was signed by CEOs of some top US companies. An investor's group was opposed to the idea arguing “accountability to everyone means accountability to no one.” .

Too bad there's very little sincere evidence of such ideas in the corporate worlds and societies of Korea, China, Japan and other countries.

Too Bad It's Legal To Be An A-hole

I try not to think about it, but there are lots of really bad people out there. They may be kind to their family and friends, but to the poor and powerless, they are really unkind.

When I drive, drivers cut me off, honk behind me even when I am stopped at a red light, give me dirty looks, and so on.

In life, many of the rich don't give a hoot about the poor and homeless. It's not their problem. There are people who litter. Dirty streets are not their problem. There are people and companies that pollute. World pollution is not their problem, they will probably reply if asked.

Not All Things In The Bible Are True, But Some Are

So, people should think carefully before tossing out everything in the Bible as fantasy.

Evidence of Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem - as told in the Bible

According to the article, the conquest led to the destruction of King Solomon's Temple, as told in the Second Book of Kings in the Old Testament.

There could be a God, but not like religions describe. Something other dimension-like phenomena that rewards good with a little more knowledge, content, peace, and less cognitive dissonance.

Consumer Trends

Could the future prevalent consumer trend become one where consumers research the manufacturer's contributions to society (employment, charity, pollution, ethics) and make choices accordingly instead of commercials and plugs from celebrities? It seems have started, do you think?

When will society stop condoning conceit, aloofness, and hoarding of wealth? Isn't it time we started looking down on the rich and unethical? It would be wonderful if everyone suddenly started writing about this subject and spread it on the web.

Could it be the beginning of the post-Capitalism era?

Korea Needs To Tax Baby Kid Landowners

There are kids who own condominiums, houses, land, buildings and other property given to them by their rich parents. The government just announced that it will increase gift and inheritance taxes for these cases.

How do these kids "earn" money to pay for property taxes? Their parents probably pay or do the work (rent the property, etc.) in order to pay the taxes. The kids should be taxed on this also.

Another development. The main opposition party, Liberty Korea Party, an extreme far right party supporting former and imprisoned Park Keun-hye, is dead set against the candidate for Minister of Justice, Cho Kuk. a human rights activist and law professor.

Korea is trying to reform its justice system after the abuses of power and other corruption during the administrations of conservative presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Keun-hye. Lee is out on bond while being tried. Many think Cho Kuk is the ideal candidate.

I think the radically conservative Liberty Korea Party agrees, they are scared to death of him from their rhetoric. They are trying to paint him as corrupt, a commie (as usual), unethical, and more.

No worries. Even if the conservatives object, President Moon can still appoint him as Minister of Justice.

Japan's Abe Seems To Have Made A Mistake

By placing Korea on Japan's list of restricted countries for exports, he made several mistakes.

1. He stated that it was in retaliation against Korea's Supreme Court ruling in favor of the enslaved Korean workers enslaved by a certain Japanese multinational. Which is against WTO rules. He and the Japanese government later changed the reason to national security.

2. He targeted industries where Japan is a leader, so it would Korea would not have an alternative source. Korea is now encouraging R&D, investment, and M&As for those industries. So, Korea will become a competitor in those industries within 1-5 years, depending on the industry.

3. Japan has always enjoyed a huge annual trade surplus since Korea became independent. Koreans are now boycotting travel to Japan and Japanese goods. Some companies have seen a 70% drop in revenues and a popular tourist area in Japan is empty. We have a trade deficit in tourism also. About a 4:1 ratio. Korea's trade deficit with Japan will be reduced significantly. This should cause a decrease in Japan's already very low annual GDP growth rate of less than 1%.

Did you know Japan spends over $500 million a year on promoting their version of history?

Japan's public diplomacy budget

If a person talks bad about people often, then that person probably talks bad about you too. If Japan twists history with Korea to cover up negative Japanese involvement, then think about what they say about Pearl Harbor. Ask the Chinese about the Japanese version of the Nanjing Massacre.

Japan's Abe says Japan never attacked and invaded Korea without warning which is false. It seems they attack without warning as a habit. The talk about mistaking time zones when they sent the letter declaring war on the US could be a lie. It could be just an excuse. They knew, but they just pretended to be mixed up about the time zones.

What If We Banned Unnecessary Industries and Businesses?

But still paid employees and owners that would not have an income, a basic wage for not working?

A little more, if they choose not to have children. At least until the population explosion is stopped or reversed.

We should focus on feeding, housing and taking care of people in need, not eating unhealthy food at expensive restaurants, driving expensive cars, and other stuff. Logically and ethically, that's what should happen until we solve our problems.

Imagine, a whole bunch of people being paid for nothing. What would they do? Spend money? Yes, but just on basics. Nothing luxurious would be available until everyone was fed and housed. No more rich. Sounds like communism or socialism. But only until the world's problems were solved. Music, philosophy, thought, science, and other mental activities would flourish, I think. People would spend all day trying to exercise, do charity work...

I am afraid that the world's problems will not be fully addressed in time, even though we have the resources to do it. Actually, the rich have most of it, but everyone has to participate.

The world as it is now is run by the rich and is basically a system to make the rich richer.

Once you have more money than you need, you can save and invest. The ordinary person has more money than they actually need for just necessities, so they can save and invest. But society teaches you to be ashamed of driving a beat up car or wearing cheap clothing, so most people spend instead of saving. Something is wrong.

The rich looking down on the poor contributed to this feeling of being ashamed if you are not outwardly rich or attractive. Stop buying into it.

I would probably be a really "bad" leader of the world. A "true" dictator.

Alas, the majority have extreme cognitive dissonance and prefer to avoid such thoughts.

Is the feeling of mostly content and somewhat satisfied in life from God? Or is it because of my middle class life? Both, probably.

Are life and consciousness a kind of dimension? That's going to take some time to think about. Where to start? Thinking through the void to new discoveries and conclusions, sometimes. Usually end up with other more difficult questions.

Really Shocked By Biased News On TV Chosun

The Korean TV channel's news reporting was so anti-Moon administration and twisted the truth far more than other TV channels that I felt obliged to looked it up on Wiki.

Wiki says -

It is owned by Chosun Ilbo, a newspaper that has been "criticized for its spotty fact-finding journalistic reporting" and has "a close relationship with far-right Liberty Korea Party".

The Liberty Korea Party changed its name because of former President Park Keun-hye. It is the main opposition party that is against every single thing that the Moon administration proposes and has boycotted almost every Parliamentary session in order to stop legislation from moving forward.

The party has changed its name several times, but the bad-mouthing, personal attacks, spreading of false news, agitating and trying to incite anger against a progressive government and boycotting of Parliamentary sessions have been its trademark ever since the administration of former President Roh Moo-hyun.

It worked to generate negative opinion against President Roh, and seemed to be working against President Moon, but just recently the Liberal Korea Party's approval ratings have fallen. When it rises, it is widely reported on the news and used as evidence of the alleged unpopularity and ineptness of President Moon, but when it falls, it is rarely reported and when it is, it is with little fanfare. When the next parliamentary elections are held next year, I hope the party disappears.

They used violence and physical detention of people in order to try to stop a bill reforming voting districts. There is a law against that. Now, they are refusing to show up for police questioning in the case. About 90 of them . All the other parties have responded to police requests, but the Liberal Korea Party is saying that the administration is using the police and prosecutors to suppress the opposition.

This party has a habit of accusing others of things that they do and have done when they were in power with President Park Keun-hye and President Lee  Myung-bak. They used the police, prosecutors, judges, Supreme Court, the Korean intelligence agency, military intelligence, and other government organizations to suppress, harass and imprison the progressive or liberal opposition. They even made up a couple of spy scandals and tried to frame innocent people of being spies for North Korea. All of the above have been proven in court and some of the instigators have gone to jail. Some cases are still being investigated.

Yet, the Liberal Korea Party has steadfast support from the majority of people over 60. They have an approval rating of around 25%. It used to be in the high 40s before President Park Keun-hye's scandal and impeachment, and then dropped to the mid-30s.

A couple of days ago on KBS, I watched news about legalization of medicinal marijuana in other countries. Although it stated marijuana was a dangerous and addictive drug, the news reported in detail about how other countries have legalized it. It was the first time, I saw a sort of objective report on pot on TV. We usually have extremely negative news of people being arrested for pot and other drugs, and painting drugs users as really really bad criminals.

Thinking about gravity, quantum entanglement, metaphysical dimensions of meaning, will, and such is much more peaceful than reflecting on the political situation in Korea.

Space/time, energy/mass. What about structure, meaning, logic, will, emotion, thought, etc.?

Three Dimensions of Space?

Maybe we ought to differentiate between dimensions as used in measurement and Dimensions as used in space/time.

In reality, there can't be just x, y, and z dimensions in space, since space exists as space/time and other things, probably other kinds of Dimensions.

In many cases, nothing is as simple as one's mind or thoughts make it out to be.

Could mass/gravity be a Dimension also?

What about metaphysical dimensions? Probably a combination also. Data/logic?

What about life, meaning, logic, emotions?

Some more things to think about.

Nothing is just black and white. There are two sides to a coin and everything in between.

Meanings of words can change depending on the context and perspective. Communication through words is imperfect.

A person learns more by being close to a good leader (a person who sets the example) than through being lectured on how to be a good leader.

What one knows is much greater than what was learned. So learn a lot.

Will humans ever solve any of the world's problems? Not if they are cognitively dissonant. The cognitively dissonant rationalize illogical or unethical behavior, and subsequently act in unreasonable ways. Some very rich can afford to house homeless people, yet they refuse to do so for various reasons. Not ethical or logical.

Most everyone in the world could give a lot more to charity or good causes. Including me. Might have to increase my donations.

No Ones Knows What Gravity Is?

That's what they tell me.

Washington Post: Everything you thought you knew about gravity is wrong.

Guess I am not the only one wondering about gravity. Force or Dimension? Both?

According to Einstein, mass bends space/time to cause gravity. It seems like a force to us, but is related to the dimension of space/time. Photons are both wave and particle, depending on the perspective. Maybe gravity is both a force and a dimension? Or just bent space/time?

According to equations in physics, gravity is a force.

Spend time thinking about God, gravity, quantum entanglement, or metaphysical dimensions.?

God is definitely not a being. Seems to be a dimension, force, or natural law, in my thoughts.

Good Reasons For Bad Things In Life

If one's life is entirely wonderful, one would feel more regret towards the early death of loved ones.

If life was really bad, then one would feel less bad about loved ones passing away before their time. Don't you think?

Another reason? If life is really bad or painful, then death becomes an acceptable option. An imperfect life makes death seem less scary than a perfect life.

One more? Severe chronic pain for two decades can make one short tempered, overeat, too tired to exercise, and not be thoughtful. It can also help one overcome these problems, be more aware, mindful and thoughtful about such things.

Everyone seems to be in a hurry. Never stop to see the wonders of life. Imagine the Planck scale, the size of a proton, atom, molecule, mountain, earth, solar system, galaxies, size of the universe, all the atoms in the universe, a googol.

That's what everything should seem like. A googol. Almost infinitely complex and mind boggling. Most everything should test one's mental facilities. Nothing is simple, but most people, in their rush to live life fully before they die and due to natural instincts, skim through the facts of life.

Is one free? Most would say yes. A few would say, it depends on the exact definition of  "one" and what you mean by free. Take time to "look" at all the wonders of the world, the metaphysical ones.

All that money, time, energy spent on eating out. I doubt humans were meant to eat processed foods, or sit down all day. Suppose eating out and unnecessary foods were frowned upon by society, discouraged, even banned. We could use the money saved to pay employees, or other people a basic living allowance, feed the poor, do other things. But no! Capitalism and freedom of choice seem to overrule ethics in today's society? Hopefully, present society will seem very barbaric in the future. Do we really need to eat that cake, or feed the poor? Feed the poor and then eat cake together? No, no more cake. Not good for you. Worse than pot.

Collective cognitive dissonance. Can the collective mind become free of cognitive dissonance?

Is Gravity A Force or Dimension?

It is described as a force in equations, but it is related to space/time. So, it seems to be a dimension.

Is God a force or dimension?

Did you know that many religions say that God cannot be described in human terms and then try to explain God by assigning human characteristics, values and such to God.

God probably does not bless, "listen" or get angry. God cannot be described in detail, but if you take a more general perspective, you can make out the picture. Sort of like focusing a microscope. The magnification depends on what you want to see.

Something seems to inject thoughts/emotions/will into my consciousness occasionally daily or weekly. Maybe I have a clear consciousness?

Remember watching black and white TV, just ABC, NBC, and CBS.

Do you think that TV tried to show how people should behave in the 60s, 70s, and 80s? Remember lots of family shows. Brady Bunch, Cosby Family, the one with the guy housekeeper, The Jeffersons, All In The Family.

The Greatest Equalizer Of Humans?

Cognitive Dissonance. The only way to avoid it is to try very earnestly to be truthful and good.

What happens when one has too many cognitive dissonances? Remember that most people have a conscience. Well, one tries to make up for the inconsistency with moral values by altering one's perception, and/or moral values. Simply put, one cannot think or behave logically in the area of their cognitive dissonances. So, one can do some things logically, but in other things, one is lost. Sort of crippled mentally and in behavior. This description seems to fit most people.

Time to try to spread the word, once more. No one seems to listen or understand.

Wonder why? Cognitive dissonance.

Wonder how God, conscience, and cognitive dissonance are connected? Me too.

Korea's President Moon vs Japan's Abe?

In a fight? Moon will win. He used to be in the Korean Army Special Forces, the Black Berets. Hikes in the Himalayas for pleasure. I would love to see them fight it out. Abe is much taller than Moon, so it won't be too lopsided.

Abe tries to act tough. Watch him in a speech. He tries to stir up anger and indignity. Lots of politicians try to stir up anger and negative feelings about other people. They seem to win elections, but that seems to be changing.

Moon Jae-in is from the same mold as former Korean president Roh Moo-hyun. You know the type. Really straight arrow, never attacks or says bad things about people, don't drink or smoke. Speaks with humility. Tries to set a good example, like a leader.

It's a shame that the conservative opposition party calls him a mouthpiece for North Korea's Kim Jong-il and attacks him and says very negative things about him and his wife. The guy is Special Forces. human rights lawyer, Mr. Do Good. I bet they would never say that to his face if just the two of them were alone in a room.

I'm really proud that he is president. What more could you want in a president, a leader?

I think mostly people who believe in a God notice people who never attack or say bad things about people. One is allowed to say facts, even if they are "bad" about people.

In the beginning, I didn't realize the need to do as such. I was just trying to follow what I thought God wanted. Just the basics. I don't go to church. Just try not to lie, not say negative things. So, I stay silent, most of the time. Write a lot. Try to not eat so richly. Try not to be too materialistic. Try to give to charity and such.

If everyone, middle class and over, and all businesses gave to charity and to fixing the world's problems, the world would be much happier, I think. Is there a really a need to buy expensive toys? There is a need to learn some self discipline somewhere. Logically, we should be satisfied with the just the basics and thank God, or whatever it is that rewards truly being good.

I seriously thought I was going to die when I had three surgeries for cancer over several years. So I traveled, met old friends, and prepared to die. Two decades ago. Still preparing to die. Trying to satisfy my curiosity about a God, or something, before I die. Know that it is impossible, but I want to know as much as possible. Don't you?

I know. Most people don't believe in a God because of resurrection, holy this and that, God created the universe, God punishes the bad, and such. A lot of people hang around the rich. They are mostly interested in money. A lot of people hang around God, they are interested in gaining your trust. But they are probably not good people.

Would God or something reward building huge expensive churches, or homeless shelters?

Just my two cents. I have nothing against religion or anyone, just stating facts as I see them.

Why Has Abe Tried To Make An Enemy Of Korea?

He has had school textbooks changed to deny that Japan committed war crimes against Korea. He has stated that systematic rape of Korean women never happened. That massacres of Koreans living in Japan never happened. He is trying to anger Korea by preventing exports of Japanese materials to Korea and reduce Korean imports by tightening restrictions.

He was primarily behind the change in textbooks used in many Japanese schools that teach kids that Dok-do Island belongs to Japan, and that Korea is occupying the island illegally. In historical documents in Japan and Korea, it always belonged to Korea. Only in recent history, does Japan claim rights. It seems that to many conservative Japanese politicians that everything in the Sea of Japan belongs to Japan. That is why we don't want to call it the Sea of Japan. It was never called the Sea of Japan in Korean or Chinese history. It was Westerners who listened to Japanese that started to call it the Sea of Japan.

If you teach Japanese kids that a Korean island is theirs and that it is being occupied illegally, then you are starting a conflict, a potential war.

Why?

He feels that Japan is crippled by not having a full military. It is only allowed to have a defense force by constitution. He wants to change the constitution. A slight majority of Japanese are against this.

The only probable way to persuade Japanese to change the constitution seems to be to make South Korea an enemy and have it withdraw from defense pacts that it has with Japan. That would make US Japan's sole ally in the region. Against both Koreas, China, and Russia. That would probably convince Japanese that they need a full military.

Maybe that's happening behind the scenes.

Koreans rarely talk about boycotting other countries, but there is a lot of talk about boycotting Japanese and Japanese related goods. Except Japanese restaurants in Korea, since they are usually owned by Koreans.

Quantum Entanglement?

If they are interacting, then they are connected. Just not by the dimensions of space/time, but by another dimension or dimensions.

Seems logical that if they are not connected, then they will not interact. So they must be connected somehow. Most probably a dimension or dimensions other than space/time.

Are Our Minds Just Our Brains?

That was the title of an article in Scientific American.

Are Our Minds Just Our Brains? 

On the page is a video of a discussion on whether our minds and consciousness are no more than matter and mechanism. All of the speakers explain in detail why they feel that the mind is much more than just our brains. Very scientific and philosophical.

There was another article on the Institute of Art and Ideas website with similar thoughts, yet different perspective.

Why The Mind Is Not the Brain

If I remember correctly, my last thoughts on this subject was that consciousness is an emergent quality or phenomenon resulting from a complex nervous system... Time to think about this some more?

Should Pot Be Legal For People Over 60?

In over 20% of the US, recreational marijuana is legal, and many nations now allow recreational marijuana.

But for other nations where it is still illegal, they should make it legal for people over 60, like me. Sort of earned the right to enjoy the twilight years without fear of being jailed and called a criminal. addict, or worse. It's about quality of life. 

But alas, in Korea and all around the globe, it seems the media is controlled by the rich and they have their own agendas. 

Here is a link to an article in the Guardian that relates to this -

After urging land reform I now know the brute power of our billionaire press

Capitalism is just a phase. Chill.

Guess there are always seemingly infinite perspectives on everything, which is good.

Concentration of wealth, increase in poverty the world population and in our country, really pisses me off. We have enough money to feed and house the world, but not the collective will. However, on the other hand, it is just a transition.

They say that a majority of the total population is not needed in order to cause the downfall of a government. Maybe having a vocal 20% might be enough to cause change in the world.

In the beginning, physical superiority was number one. Then came societies, like the feudal systems and dictatorships (kingdoms), along with religions. Democracy, socialism and capitalism also came into being replacing dictatorships. Society will evolve, as it always has in the past.

Young people care about the world as much as our generation in the 70s.

Emergent Dimensions In Systems

In a system of nothing, there are no dimensions. If you introduce an infinitesimal string of energy, then you have the dimensions of energy and time. If there are two strings, then you have the dimensions of space, time, energy, and probably some others. As the system gets more complex, more dimensions arise (consciousness, life, memory, logic/knowledge, will, good).

Maybe there are space/time, energy, and a few metaphysical dimensions?

Everything Everyone seems to live/exist in a separate yet connected universe?

Maybe good or God is a dimension? An aspect of life, like constructiveness? 

Korean Ultra Right Wing Opposition Party Screaming Bloody Murder!

Na Kyung-won, floor leader of the main Ultra Right Wing Opposition Party (official name is "Liberty Korea Party"), said the same thing as the so-called "expert" journalist on Yonhap News TV (cable channel 23). She said that fast tracking the bill would lead to a ruined leftist country like Venezuela! What nonsense! What a coincidence!

Here is an article in Maeil Business News in Korean about her saying this.

Kim Moo-sung, another Ultra Right Wing Opposition Party member, was speaking at a rally and said that people should take dynamite and blow up the presidential compound. This is the same party that had an opposing parliamentarian Lee Soek-ki jailed nearly a decade (still in jail) for sedition for making similar comments. The Korean intelligence agency even used a paid informant as a witness.

Here is an article in The Hankyoreh about him doing this.

A former floor leader of this Ultra Right Wing Party is under suspicion of using his influence to get his daughter to become an employee at Korea Telecom, a formerly state-run company. The former chairman of Korea Telecom and executives have been arrested for illegally employing 12 children of high ranking or powerful people. The former leader, Kim Sung-tae, denies any knowledge of this. Korean prosecutors have yet to question him, probably due to fears that the Ultra Right Wing Party will protest.

Korea Times: Ex-KT chief arrested over hiring irregularities
This Ultra Right Wing Opposition Party is called a "conservative party" by most media.

There are not many English articles in Korean publications on the crimes Korean prosecutors, Supreme court justice, and judges committed. One used rulings on cases to make deals with a former president. Some suppressed evidence and declared a very guilty former prosecutor and his con-man accomplice innocent due to lack of evidence when there was concrete proof. And on and on.

South China Morning Post: South Korea’s former chief justice Yang Sung-tae indicted in abuse of power scandal

So, they are trying to reform the justice system and the Ultra Right Wing Opposition Party says this is a leftist plot and against democracy. And the media gives the Ultra Right Wing Opposition Party all the air time they want.

Oh, I almost forgot. The minority floor leader and the leader of the Ultra Right Wing Opposition Party are both former prosecutors. The leader, Hwang Kyo-ahn worked as a henchman under the imprisoned former president Park Keun-hye as Minister of Justice (ironic) and hints in front of right wing supporters that she should be released from prison because she didn't do anything wrong.

The guy blatantly lies stating that the Moon administration is a dictatorship and leftist. He is being investigated for covering up the Saewol Ferry disaster as requested by an independent commission set up to investigate the cover up by the former president Park Keun-hye's administration. Someone ordered contents of the blackbox to be altered, blocked investigations, destroyed evidence, lied, and committed other criminal acts in order to hide the facts from the public. Almost 300 students who drowned needlessly because they were told to stay in the cabins while the ship capsized. The students survived in the air pockets for days before dying. This Hwang Kyo-ahn is fighting with the parents of the students that died.

The Ultra Right Wing Opposition Party political base is mainly in the southeast region of Korea, and most people over 60. The old remember the sufferings of the Korean war and are instinctively opposed to anything related to communism and socialism. The southeast region of Korea is where Park Chung-hee was from, and the region was heavily developed during his regime, leading to many rich supporters.

The southeast region of Korea (Kyungsan Province) does not get along with the southwest region (Cholla Province). This sort of history probably eventually led to the violent and illegal suppression of demonstrations against the dictator Chun Do-hwan. He ordered special forces to quell the demonstrations. They raped and killed people. So, it turned into a riot and mass bloodshed.

The ultra right wing faction still contend without any evidence that North Korea was behind the demonstrations and that the demonstrators were led by North Korean agents.



In the past, even recent past during Park Keun-hye's administration, innocent people, usually liberal or progressive, have been framed for being North Korean agents.

The ruling party's base is in the middle aged and younger people who are against the dictatorships of Park Chun-hee and Chun Do-hwan. So the ultra right wingers are creating false news about Moon being a dictator in order to erode the ruling party's base. They are also calling the Moon administration, the Moon "regime". Good luck!

Korea's Next Parliamentary Elections Are In April 2020

The ultra right wing party is already preparing. As they have under previous progressive administrations, they are boycotting parliamentary votes on laws and emergency budgets in the name of democracy.

They have announced that the present administration is a dictatorship (from a party that supports former dictator Park Chung-hee, his daughter, the imprisoned Park Keun-hye, and associated with former dictator Chun Do-hwan), and that they will hold nationwide public protests to stop the administration's dictatorship (without detailing what the administration did) till the day protesters tear down the fence at the presidential Blue House. Sounds like sedition to me. Supposed to be illegal, except in certain instances where politicians are the ones agitating, it seems.

Some male party members shaved their heads in protest. If female members start shaving their heads, or male members cut off something else, I might start to consider the sincerity of their protests.

Print and broadcast media have started to add negative phrases in all sorts of unrelated coverage.

For example in an article in Business Korea, it reported the following.

"Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction has been steadily landing orders for nuclear power plants from overseas countries despite the Korean government’s ill-advised nuclear phase-out policy."

Why did they insert "the Korean government’s ill-advised nuclear phase-out policy"? Aren't they supposed to be unbiased and objective? A lot of Koreans think it is a good policy. We are a small country on the edge of a peninsula (only takes a few hours to drive anywhere) and if an accident happens, it affects the whole nation, not just an area. The chances of an accident happening are probably less than one in a thousand, but is the risk worth taking? Definitely no.

If Kim Jong-un wants to drop the bomb on South Korea, he'd better check the wind direction! Blow all that stuff towards his house, and make it radioactive for decades.

On TV, channel 23, a supposed "expert" was talking about protests in Venezuela, inserted that "fast tracking the bill to reorganize voting districts (to end the gerrymandering that the previous ultra right wing party imposed when they had the majority) would lead to a leftist government like in Venezuela" and states that the administration is at fault. I fail to see the logic.

The bill to fast track the propose was passed after the ultra right wing party refused to even submit an alternative proposal for years. The ruling party and the ultra right wing party stand to lose seats under the proposed reorganization. The ruling party made concessions to the minority opposition parties that stand to gain seats.  The ultra right wing party do not want to see the voting districts reorganized and is the only party against the bill. What a cry baby!

I think they know they are going to lose a lot of seats in the next parliamentary elections, and are pulling out all the stops in an attempt to survive (with the backing of the rich and powerful).

They used to have a majority in the parliament for decades. The ultra right wing have the backing of around 30%, no matter what they do. I know some of their supporters, they are pretty senile and unreasonable. Most are rich or wannabee rich types. Fortunate thing most of their supporters are dying of old age, and other diseases.

Wrote a lot this time! Must be frustrated. It's hard to watch the news or read anything without seeing this stuff.

Far Right Demonstrators in Korea Waving American Flags?

The right wing opposition party timed their protest to coincide with a far right wing demonstration demanding that former president Park Keun-hye be released from prison. The opposition party leaders protested against President Moon stating that he is Kim Jong-un's mouthpiece, and other nonsense.

Nothing new, but I noticed a new twist. The demonstrators are waving American flags! In the video, among the Korean flags, you will see American flags. There were more American flags in subsequent protests, and I think it is a deliberate attempt to make them appear more legitimate, and win over Americans. Let's see if it is a growing trend...

Wonder how Americans would feel about this?

Metaphysical Universe, The Vast Frontier of Knowledge

The place where one uses knowledge/God to see. The place where God is/hides.

If you don't like or believe in God/knowledge, then you won't be able to think clearly, or even want to think.

Not a God as described by religions, but as a concept related to knowledge and good will. Some type of field or dimensions.

Seemingly impossible to understand universe of good will, meaning, subconscious, mental energy and so much more.

In this universe, cognitive dissonance causes blindness. Be careful.

State of the Nation?

Three grandchildren of founders of various Korean conglomerates present and past arrests are getting a lot of TV news time. Probably the first serious TV news coverage of the legalization of marijuana in the US.

Hyundai Group And SK Group’s Grandsons Booked For Illegal Drug Use
As a reminder, on TV, they point out the maximum penalty for using pot is 5 years in prison, and life for dealing.

Son of dictator Park smoked pot and his father made it illegal. It was a long time ago, my memory could be failing me, but I distinctly remember that he made long hair illegal! Staying out past midnight? Illegal. Want to leave the country? Only allowed for government approved people (working for government or business). Somewhat similar to North Korea's dictatorship.

Glad Korea is now almost a democracy, run by rich people and people wanting to get rich.

We have shelters for homeless and a really good inexpensive medical insurance system. Tons of problems though...

Maybe most rich people are caught in a mental loop of addictions. They like the moment and try to avoid reality.

Getting over the fear of death and pondering philosophical questions in life could be a prerequisite to finding peace in the world and content in life. 

If you had all the money in the world, what would you do? Keep it?

Ever search your soul, or think about death? Seemingly almost everyone avoids such thoughts.

Donate to UNCH and other organizations? Give all but a million away?

What If Cannabinoids Like Those In Cannabis Prolong Life?

What would all the abolitionists do?

Probably prolongs life through reduction of stresses and aggressive behavior, but now, science hints that it may hold the key to extending life by 45%. In worms, though.

Science Daily: Discovery of life-extension pathway in worms

Fright of Death Causing Early Death?

I would put money on it.

Being too scared to contemplate death in depth, usually for years or decades before coming to terms with it, could cause life to become less meaningful and satisfying. Living too fast syndrome.

I believe we all die, but some essence continues to exist. Something beyond consciousness, or the essence of consciousness.  Eternal existence in some form, but most likely not personal and nothing like human existence. Maybe some type of energy or dimension.

Trump, Kim Summit. What REALLY Happened?

In my imagination -

There was a deal in place to sign, but Trump confronted Kim and stated that if he signed the agreement, then Kim would still have all the nuclear facilities that he was hiding in secret and were not addressed in the proposed deal. He then told Kim that if the agreement was amended to include all nuclear related facilities and weapons, he would sign. Kim refused.

Kim left North Korea amid great fanfare. He was ready to sign a deal, probably one in which he thought he had pulled one over the Americans. In contrast, Trump kept stating that he was in no hurry over the deal, before, during, and after the summit. Kim was overheard on Korean TV stating that they were in a rush, in response to Trump saying that he was in no hurry.

If I were the CIA and wanted to teach Kim a lesson for trying to pull a fast one, this would be a very promising scenario.

I prefer my version over all the others in the media.

Egg, Chicken?

What is all the controversy about? Everyone cognitively dissonant?

Egg came before the chicken, from an evolutionary perspective.

Physics Only Covers Physical Phenomena

How does physics explain the pyramids? Or writing?

Are the pyramids real? Is writing real? Are the meaning of words real?

A person wanted to build a tomb. It started as a thought. Are thoughts real? Are they part of the "real" world?

Physics only describes and explains what can be physically tested.

Maybe, we need to start teaching metaphysics like they used to do in the old days. Philosophy is okay, but we need to place more emphasis on it and expand.  What discoveries await? World changing? Dimension changing? Can it be patented?

What Is God?

To me? Some metaphysical thing, phenomenon, and/or dimension related to meaning and good. Mostly having little to do with religion.

Some thing taught me how to avoid cognitive dissonance. How? By avoiding lying (not speaking and mostly listening are essential). By avoiding thoughts of wealth, power, envy, righteousness, pride and other destructive influences. Getting your hands dirty and clean. Things that Jesus touched upon.

This thing also helped to come to terms with death, among other things. Most are scared to death of death and live/die accordingly.