Fantastic site for famous writing

(click on the link above to access the site.)

I just wanted to share this fantastic site for famous writing. Here a few of the more memorable passages:

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D.H. Lawrence

Fidelity and love are two different things, like a flower and a gem.
Man and woman are like the earth, that brings forth flowers in summer
and love, but underneath is rock.
Older than flowers, older than ferns, older than plasma altogether
is the soul of the human underneath.
And when, throughout all the wild orgasms of love
slowly a gem forms, in the ancient, once-more-molten rocks,
of two human hearts, two ancient rocks,
a man's heart and a woman's heart;
That is the crystal of peace, the slow, hard jewel of trust,
the sapphire of fidelity.
The gem of mutual peace emerging from the wild chaos of love.

Great use of language and imagery here - metaphors of time and rock and flora and minerals all collaborating in nature to create human love and in order to reach this state one must be faithful to oneself and your partner.

And this one is magical, too.

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Rainier Maria Rilke

To love is good; love being difficult.
For one human to love another:
that is perhaps the most difficult of all our tasks, the ultimate,
the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but a preparation.
For this reason young people, who are beginners in everything,
cannot yet know love; they have to learn it.
With their whole being, with all their forces, gathered close about their lonely, timid, upward-beating heart,
they must learn to love.
But learning time is always a long, secluded time, and so loving,
for a long while ahead and far on into life, is - solitude,
intensified and deepened aloneness for those who love.
Love is at first not anything that means merging, giving over,
uniting with another, for what would a union be of something unclarified,
unfinished, still subordinate?
It is a high inducement to the individual to ripen,
to become something in himself, to become world,
to become world for herself, for another's sake;
it is a great and exacting claim, something that chooses one out,
calls the lover to vast things...

The idea here being that love is a process over a long time that chooses you, not the other way around, and forces you to become something much more than before. D H Lawrence says something like this somewhere else when talking about marriage, something like "marriage requires three things: a man, a woman, and...something else?

This one is amazing as well:

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Goethe on "Commitment"


Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no one could have dreamt would have come one's way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do begin it! Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!

In other words, in the very act of just simply "going for it", the very boldness of actually trying something provides a window of opportunity in and of itself that was previously absent. When you create an idea from an initial impulse you set off a train of occurrences and trigger events and happenings around you.

Here's a few more to whet your appetite.

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Psalm 1

Blessed are the man and woman who have grown beyond themselves and have seen through their separations. They delight in the way things are and keep their hearts open, day and night. They are like trees planted near flowing rivers, which bear fruit when they are ready. Their leaves will not fall or wither Everything they do will succeed.

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The Song of Songs by Solomon, Chap. 3, verses 9-11


You have captured my heart, my own, my bride, you have captured my heart with one glance of you eyes, with one coil of your necklace. How sweet is your love, my own, my bride! How much more delightful your love than wine, your ointments more fragrant than any spice! Sweetness drops from your lips, O bride; honey and milk are under your tongue; and the scent of your robes is like the scent of Lebanon
The Tanakh (Old Testament)

Where's the fire? The phoenix?

Just when I think Obama can't surprise me any more, he goes and does it again. Just when you think it's all dead on done, along it comes in the news again like a "phoenix rising from the ashes". If you click on the link above, you read the article saying that Obama has declared a state of emergency because of the 1000th death at the hands of H1N1. However, you have to also ask yourself why the most powerful man in not only America, but the rest of the world, is talking about emergencies when just as many people die on roads in a typical week in the same country? Why then the "crisis mode" approach? The "situation room" stance? Why the focus on emotive and reactive words like "national emergency"?

For those who've read earlier blog entries by me, this is part of another hidden agenda - just another way of keeping the H1N1 thing in the news so that when the second wave of flu deaths occurs,they'll be able to get even more people to take the vaccines; chemicals that are largely untested and if anything like the Flu Epidemic of 1976, deadlier than not taking them at all. The primary lesson learned back then was that inaction to the flu outbreak really was better than action where the latter resulted in unnecessary deaths. If you don't believe me, read other posts from my blog which are referenced and read about how many doctors on both sides of the Atlantic have refused to not only administer the vaccine, but also refused to treat themselves or their families with it either.

One more thing, always be wary of governments when they decide to bypass normal regulation as evidenced in the following information from the article as above:

"However, the White House said that declaring an emergency was a largely precautionary step aimed at allowing medical officials to bypass certain federal regulations in the event of a genuine disaster."

How interesting! This is also significant:

"White House officials say the move was similar to precautions taken by coastal areas before a hurricane. "As a nation, we have prepared at all levels of government, and as individuals and communities, taking unprecedented steps to counter the emerging pandemic," Obama wrote in the declaration that he signed late on Friday night."

Isn't this eerily reminiscent of what happens in Naomi Klein's "Shock Doctrine" book? A major shock comes along (H1N1?) and while we are all busy dealing with the major event, certain things are taking place in government (bypassing certain laws?) in order to reinstate a new world order. You can think of it in Hegelian terms and how Hegel believed history advances i.e. in three stages like a syllogism:

thesis - causes of both world wars

Stage one: thesis possibilities:
- rise of excessive nationalism/fascism/communism
- rise of leaders like Hitler, Stalin & Mussolini
- all use expansionist tactics to invade weaker countries - war

Stage two: anti-thesis - UK, USA et al bind together, form pacts to fight the war:
- to fight fascism, communism -
- stop expansionism
- ultimately to stop these leaders

Stage three: syn- thesis - creation of pacts/agreements/international bodies:

- creation of European Union (single currency, ECHR)
- League of Nations (now NATO)
- creation of treaties e.g. Treaty of Rome, Treaty of Lisbon,

This was done so that we could all have Peace in Our Time as Mr. Chamberlain famously said. What's interesting is that when we reach the third part of the tripartite system, there is a new order created out of the ashes of the old one like our proverbial "phoenix rising from the ashes".

BMW? BOMFOG? WTF?

This is a fantastic website with so many great ideas encapsulated in different word forms e.g. initialisms, acronyms, and general abbreviations.

Here are a few of my favoutites:

BOMFOG

Brotherhood Of Man (under the) Fatherhood Of God. Paternalistic - and thoroughly patronising - expression of traditional values still held by many, including some who lead us. Accepting modern politically correct adaptations, BOMFOG attitudes typically sit snugly alongside the marginalisation of women and all other historically brow-beaten groups. Nowadays more importantly, BOMFOG thinking undermines humankind's independence and development. Nigel Rees, the commentator and language expert refers to BOMFOG as an acronym for a pompous meaningless generality. This interpretation - and the wider implications of BOMFOG - have a very relevant modern resonance with a certain arrogant deluded leadership style (akin to Theory Y, but altogether more deeply insidious) that we often see in the western world, which seeks to suppress and control all good and honest folk - people like you and me, capable of mature independent thoughts and actions of far greater purity and truth than those exhibited by our leaders, supported incidentally by much of our media. Leadership - and government, and any organized system - should be a force for genuine individual aspiration and emotional maturity. Regrettably however many sorts of leadership - especially of significant scale - eventually degenerate into control, manipulation, sham, and BOMFOG principles. By the way the term BOMFOG is linked most famously with certain very grand quotes attributed to the Rockerfellers (Nelson and John D) around the mid 1900s, generally pronouncing how a new world can be established, based on their own (superior, western, 'enlightened') view of life, and the assumption that holding such a view somehow includes the right to impose it on others. Sounds familiar?...

BMW

Bitch, Moan and Whine/Whinge. Behaviour that can be exhibited by a group when stressed, demotivated or unhappy with their situation. Also a common subject area in meetings where the purpose and facilitation perhaps requires a more a positive focus or perspective. (Ack Denise) If you are a manager or team leader and ever find yourself having to handle a BMW session, give the group encouragement, responsibility and suitable freedom to identify and pursue constructive response, change and improvement. Focus on positive response rather than blame. Here are a couple of helpful quotes in this connection: "You have a choice whether to be part of the steam roller or part of the road.." (unknown) and "If you're not part of the solution you must be part of the problem.." (the commonly paraphrased version of the original quote: "What we're saying today is that you're either part of the solution, or you're part of the problem.." by Eldridge Cleaver 1935-98, founder member and information minister of the Black Panthers, American political activist group, in a speech in 1968). More relevant motivational quotes are on the quotes page. BMW is also interpreted in some police circles (ack P&J) as Break My Windows, being a reflection of the car make's tendency to attract envious attack, either through envy or because the mark is a favourite among gangsters who attract aggressive attentions. Additionally (ack Ed P) BMW is interpreted to form other ironic meanings such as the somewhat offensive Built by Migrant Workers; the irresitibly smile-inducing Big-up My Willy, and probably funniest of all to the folk who particularly resent the car brand and what they think it stands for: Bought Mainly by Wankers. There are some other automotive-related interpretations of BMW in the automotive aconyms list, interestingly including (ack G Boyle) Bersten Mal Wieder, which is apparently used by German folk, and means 'Bust Again'.



CHIP

Come Home I'm Pregnant. Another acronym gem from the 2nd World War, and potentially applicable today for husbands on prolonged residential training courses, drilling rigs and overseas work assignments - see also ITALY, HOLLAND, SWALK, BURMA and NORWICH, etc. (Thanks Sandy Fox)

CRITWATNF

Currently Residing In The Where Are They Now File. The full expression perhaps originated, certainly features and achieved prominence in Rob Reiner's 1984 classic rock band spoof masterpiece movie This is Spinal Tap. A radio DJ refers to the band in this way. It's not the most easy to pronounce acronym, but is a fine example of the genre nevertheless. The term is widely applicable for all ideas, fashions, trends, personalities, must-haves, etc., which were once actually or hoped to be significant, but are now lost, hidden or conveniently forgotten. Use it to illustrate the fleeting nature of success, the whimsical nature of swarming humankind, or the fact, simply, that every dog has its day. What can seem in people's lives utterly crucial today, will almost certainly be insignificant given a little time. (Thanks P Smith for suggesting it.) See the CRITWATNF game.

DILLIGAFF

Do I Look Like I Give A Flying Fig? Polite version. Alternatively again DILLIGAF, which omits the 'Flying' element. And the variation (ack A Burger) Does It Look Like I Give A Fig? The possibilities are almost endless. Popularly used for emphasising a lack of time or concern for a particular issue arising. DILLIGAFF illustrates a personal view which could result from pure apathy, or more excusably from having more essential responsibilities and priorities, hence the expression's use in the modern heathcare industry, and similar sectors where there's more demand than resource to meet it. DILLIGAFF is the opposite to empathy, and can also be used to illustrate the 'apathetic worker' syndrome. (Ack Dr N Roney and S Didlick and the many others.)

EDINBURGH

Elated Darling, I'm Near, Book Usual Room, Grand Hotel. Lovers code from way back. You see, people have been using social and flirting short-hand for generations - before texting was ever imagined, see also SWALK, NORWICH, etc.

FART

Fecal Air Rectally Transmitted. Daft and amusing restrospectively devised acronym, so it's technically a 'backronym'. The word fart in fact is derived from Old High German 'ferzan' (pronounced fertsan) from older Germanic roots 'fertan', both of which are clearly onomatopoeic (sounds like what it is), as is the modern-day word, unchanged in English since the 1200s. Words and language might change over time, but the sound of a fart is one of life's more enduring features.

And many, many more!!

Phishermen's Blues...

Most people will remember the news that came out this week about how a fake Microsoft Hotmail page was replicated and 10,000 email passwords were stolen in some kind of elaborate phishing scam and 10,000 email passwords from other web email provider's customers were also affected e.g. Gmail and Yahoo. Apparently up to 21 million email users could be affected by this.

I saw this article in The Bangkok Post today. It says that the next global war (and this time I don't mean the "global war on terror" so happily espoused by George Bush and his cronies!) will not be fought on a battlefield but in cyberspace! Wahoo!

According to the article, at the ITU's Telecom World 2009 fair in Geneva people are queuing up to cast all kinds of negative predictions about what will happen with cyber attacks in the not too distant future. According to Hamadoun Toure, the secretary-general of the International Telecommunications Union, "Loss of vital networks would quickly cripple any nation, and none is immune to cyber attack."

This seems a little dramatic to put it on a par with world wars and give us a Doomsday scenario e.g. call it the next WW3? However they do at least provide some evidence for their assertions. For a start, they highlight the absolute dependence on technology for all developed as well as developing countries to the point were any disruption of business and services is vital and will result in calamities not to mention huge loss in revenues.

According to Hamadoun Toure, many countries have become "critically dependent" on technology for commerce, finance, health care, emergency services and food distribution, so any disruption will affect some or all of these and in major ways. Because of these reports, many countries are hiring additional experts in this field of cyber attacks. IN the USA, they are hiring 1,000 extra security experts. US Secretary for Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said Thursday that she has been given the go ahead to hire up to 1,000 cybersecurity experts to improve the United States' defenses against cyber threats. In S. Korea they have gone a lot further and are hiring 3,000 such experts what they are calling "cyber sheriffs". Why? "to protect businesses after a spate of attacks on state and private websites."



Many people believe that the main reason for the ease with which cyber atttacks can be launched is because of software protocols that have changed little since the 1980s when a lot of software rules were established.

"Experts say that a major problem is that the current software and web infrastructure has the same weaknesses as those produced two decades ago."

According to Cristine Hoepers, general manager at Brazilian National Computer Emergency Response Team,"The real problem is that we're putting on the market software that is as vulnerable as it was 20 years ago."

She suggest that if we want to seriously tackle the problem we need to educate ICT students at university level to be aware of these limitations on current software and help them design new ways that will help protect the security of future software based systems.

Somehow, I think this seems all a little bit too easy to eradicate such a global problem. In the same way that criminals have always been one step behind new security measure for forging banknotes, or laundering money, or breaking security codes using technology to get password, so the new crop of cyber attackers will be just one step behind and when as in the case of Microsoft above, they take their eye off the ball for a brief period, the cyber attackers will strike.

Do you feel any safer with your online bank account now after reading this? I certainly don't!