Video blog of the day

Why It's Better To Pretend You Don't Know Anything About Computers

Another very funny Oatmeal comic. Ha ha. 

Maybe I should get some work done today. Hmmmmm.......nah.

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/computers

The Oatmeal hits a home run

This is a very funny comic strip from one of my favorite online comics. I hope you enjoy it. Also, please don't be offended. The simple fact is most Facebook users really suck at Facebook. This is a little offensive though. Sorry about that.

On the attainment of happiness pt. 4

Weekly excerpt from St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica.


Article 4. Whether happiness once had can be lost?

Objection 1. It would seem that Happiness can be lost. For Happiness is a perfection. But every perfection is in the thing perfected according to the mode of the latter. Since then man is, by his nature, changeable, it seems that Happiness is participated by man in a changeable manner. And consequently it seems that man can lose Happiness.

Objection 2. Further, Happiness consists in an act of the intellect; and the intellect is subject to the will. But the will can be directed to opposites. Therefore it seems that it can desist from the operation whereby man is made happy: and thus man will cease to be happy.

Objection 3. Further, the end corresponds to the beginning. But man's Happiness has a beginning, since man was not always happy. Therefore it seems that it has an end.

On the contrary, It is written (Matthew 25:46) of the righteous that "they shall god . . . into life everlasting," which, as above stated (2), is the Happiness of the saints. Now what is eternal ceases not. Therefore Happiness cannot be lost.

I answer that, If we speak of imperfect happiness, such as can be had in this life, in this sense it can be lost. This is clear of contemplative happiness, which is lost either by forgetfulness, for instance, when knowledge is lost through sickness; or again by certain occupations, whereby a man is altogether withdrawn from contemplation.

This is also clear of active happiness: since man's will can be changed so as to fall to vice from the virtue, in whose act that happiness principally consists. If, however, the virtue remain unimpaired, outward changes can indeed disturb such like happiness, in so far as they hinder many acts of virtue; but they cannot take it away altogether because there still remains an act of virtue, whereby man bears these trials in a praiseworthy manner. And since the happiness of this life can be lost, a circumstance that appears to be contrary to the nature of happiness, therefore did the Philosopher state (Ethic. i, 10) that some are happy in this life, not simply, but "as men," whose nature is subject to change.

But if we speak of that perfect Happiness which we await after this life, it must be observed that Origen (Peri Archon. ii, 3), following the error of certain Platonists, held that man can become unhappy after the final Happiness.

This, however, is evidently false, for two reasons. First, from the general notion of happiness. For since happiness is the "perfect and sufficient good," it must needs set man's desire at rest and exclude every evil. Now man naturally desires to hold to the good that he has, and to have the surety of his holding: else he must of necessity be troubled with the fear of losing it, or with the sorrow of knowing that he will lose it. Therefore it is necessary for true Happiness that man have the assured opinion of never losing the good that he possesses. If this opinion be true, it follows that he never will lose happiness: but if it be false, it is in itself an evil that he should have a false opinion: because the false is the evil of the intellect, just as the true is its good, as stated in Ethic. vi, 2. Consequently he will no longer be truly happy, if evil be in him.

Secondly, it is again evident if we consider the specific nature of Happiness. For it has been shown above (Question 3, Article 8) that man's perfect Happiness consists in the vision of the Divine Essence. Now it is impossible for anyone seeing the Divine Essence, to wish not to see It. Because every good that one possesses and yet wishes to be without, is either insufficient, something more sufficing being desired in its stead; or else has some inconvenience attached to it, by reason of which it becomes wearisome. But the vision of the Divine Essence fills the soul with all good things, since it unites it to the source of all goodness; hence it is written (Psalm 16:15): "I shall be satisfied when Thy glory shall appear"; and (Wisdom 7:11): "All good things came to me together with her," i.e. with the contemplation of wisdom. In like manner neither has it any inconvenience attached to it; because it is written of the contemplation of wisdom (Wisdom 8:16): "Her conversation hath no bitterness, nor her company any tediousness." It is thus evident that the happy man cannot forsake Happiness of his own accord. Moreover, neither can he lose Happiness, through God taking it away from him. Because, since the withdrawal of Happiness is a punishment, it cannot be enforced by God, the just Judge, except for some fault; and he that sees God cannot fall into a fault, since rectitude of the will, of necessity, results from that vision as was shown above (Question 4, Article 4). Nor again can it be withdrawn by any other agent. Because the mind that is united to God is raised above all other things: and consequently no other agent can sever the mind from that union. Therefore it seems unreasonable that as time goes on, man should pass from happiness to misery, and vice versa; because such like vicissitudes of time can only be for such things as are subject to time and movement.

Reply to Objection 1. Happiness is consummate perfection, which excludes every defect from the happy. And therefore whoever has happiness has it altogether unchangeably: this is done by the Divine power, which raises man to the participation of eternity which transcends all change.

Reply to Objection 2. The will can be directed to opposites, in things which are ordained to the end; but it is ordained, of natural necessity, to the last end. This is evident from the fact that man is unable not to wish to be happy.

Reply to Objection 3. Happiness has a beginning owing to the condition of the participator: but it has no end by reason of the condition of the good, the participation of which makes man happy. Hence the beginning of happiness is from one cause, its endlessness is from another.

The way the cookie crumbles

Saturday was my 23rd birthday. We had a nice party and enjoyed ourselves very well. I was the recipient of numerous very generous gifts including a very nice pair of shoes from my wonderful wife (see picture).

Saturday was also the date of a horrible tragedy in the world of college football. To explain the true horror of this nasty event I will now use a simple analogy. Imagine, if you will, a young boy. A bright, talented youth who works very hard all his life and overcomes tremendous obstacles to acheive his lifelong goal of one day getting a job as radio talk show host. His first day on the job is everything he dreamed of and more. But when his shift is over his boss walks in to talk to him and says

"Boy....I don't know how to say this, but you are fired. And not just fired. You are going to go to prison and declare bankruptcy and donate all of your possessions to PETA and change your name to Kwame and have all the toes on your left foot removed and we are giving your job to someone far less deserving. Also, I have no real reason for this. It is just your fate to suffer". This is very much like what happened on Saturday, the 9th of October.



On the attainment of happiness pt. 3

Weekly excerpt from St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica.


Article 3. Whether one can be happy in this life?

Objection 1. It would seem that Happiness can be had in this life. For it is written (Psalm 118:1): "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord." But this happens in this life. Therefore one can be happy in this life.

Objection 2. Further, imperfect participation in the Sovereign Good does not destroy the nature of Happiness, otherwise one would not be happier than another. But men can participate in the Sovereign Good in this life, by knowing and loving God, albeit imperfectly. Therefore man can be happy in this life.

Objection 3. Further, what is said by many cannot be altogether false: since what is in many, comes, apparently, from nature; and nature does not fail altogether. Now many say that Happiness can be had in this life, as appears from Psalm 143:15: "They have called the people happy that hath these things," to wit, the good things in this life. Therefore one can be happy in this life.

On the contrary, It is written (Job 14:1): "Man born of a woman, living for a short time, is filled with many miseries." ButHappiness excludes misery. Therefore man cannot be happy in this life.

I answer that, A certain participation of Happiness can be had in this life: but perfect and true Happiness cannot be had in this life. This may be seen from a twofold consideration.

First, from the general notion of happiness. For since happiness is a "perfect and sufficient good," it excludes every evil, and fulfils every desire. But in this life every evil cannot be excluded. For this present life is subject to many unavoidable evils; to ignorance on the part of the intellect; to inordinate affection on the part of the appetite, and to many penalties on the part of the body; as Augustine sets forth in De Civ. Dei xix, 4. Likewise neither can the desire for good be satiated in this life. For man naturally desires the good, which he has, to be abiding. Now the goods of the present life pass away; since life itself passes away, which we naturally desire to have, and would wish to hold abidingly, for man naturally shrinks from death. Wherefore it is impossible to have true Happiness in this life.

Secondly, from a consideration of the specific nature of Happiness, viz. the vision of the Divine Essence, which man cannot obtain in this life, as was shown in the I, 12, 11. Hence it is evident that none can attain true and perfect Happiness in this life.

Reply to Objection 1. Some are said to be happy in this life, either on account of the hope of obtaining Happiness in the life to come, according to Romans 8:24: "We are saved by hope"; or on account of a certain participation of Happiness, by reason of a kind of enjoyment of the Sovereign Good.

Reply to Objection 2. The imperfection of participated Happiness is due to one of two causes. First, on the part of the object of Happiness, which is not seen in Its Essence: and this imperfection destroys the nature of true Happiness. Secondly, the imperfection may be on the part of the participator, who indeed attains the object of Happiness, in itself, namely, God: imperfectly, however, in comparison with the way in which God enjoys Himself. This imperfection does not destroy the true nature of Happiness; because, since Happiness is an operation, as stated above (Question 3, Article 2), the true nature ofHappiness is taken from the object, which specifies the act, and not from the subject.

Reply to Objection 3. Men esteem that there is some kind of happiness to be had in this life, on account of a certain likeness to true Happiness. And thus they do not fail altogether in their estimate.

On the attainment of happiness pt. 2

Article 2. Whether one man can be happier than another?

Objection 1. It would seem that one man cannot be happier than another. For Happiness is "the reward of virtue," as the Philosopher says (Ethic. i, 9). But equal reward is given for all the works of virtue; because it is written (Matthew 20:10) that all who labor in the vineyard "received every man a penny"; for, as Gregory says (Hom. xix in Evang.), "each was equally rewarded with eternal life." Therefore one man cannot be happier than another.

Objection 2. Further, Happiness is the supreme good. But nothing can surpass the supreme. Therefore one man's Happiness cannot be surpassed by another's.

Objection 3. Further, since Happiness is "the perfect and sufficient good" (Ethic. i, 7) it brings rest to man's desire. But his desire is not at rest, if he yet lacks some good that can be got. And if he lack nothing that he can get, there can be no still greater good. Therefore either man is not happy; or, if he be happy, no other Happiness can be greater.

On the contrary, It is written (John 14:2): "In My Father's house there are many mansions"; which, according to Augustine(Tract. lxvii in Joan.) signify "the diverse dignities of merits in the one eternal life." But the dignity of eternal life which is given according to merit, is Happiness itself. Therefore there are diverse degrees of Happiness, and Happiness is not equally in all.

I answer that, As stated above (1, 8; 2, 7), Happiness implies two things, to wit, the last end itself, i.e. the Sovereign Good; and the attainment or enjoyment of that same Good. As to that Good itself, Which is the object and cause of Happiness, one Happiness cannot be greater than another, since there is but one Sovereign Good, namely, God, by enjoying Whom, men are made happy. But as to the attainment or enjoyment of this Good, one man can be happier than another; because the more a man enjoys this Good the happier he is. Now, that one man enjoys God more than another, happens through his being better disposed or ordered to the enjoyment of Him. And in this sense one man can be happier than another.

Reply to Objection 1. The one penny signifies that Happiness is one in its object. But the many mansions signify the manifold Happiness in the divers degrees of enjoyment.

Reply to Objection 2. Happiness is said to be the supreme good, inasmuch as it is the perfect possession or enjoyment of the Supreme Good.

Reply to Objection 3. None of the Blessed lacks any desirable good; since they have the Infinite Good Itself, Which is "the good of all good," as Augustine says (Enarr. in Ps. 134). But one is said to be happier than another, by reason of diverse participation of the same good. And the addition of other goods does not increase Happiness, since Augustine says (Confess. v, 4): "He who knows Thee, and others besides, is not the happier for knowing them, but is happy for knowing Thee alone."

Music ratings

I like to talk about music. I could do so all day and never run out of things to say. So, my thinking is that this blog would be the perfect place for me to share my thoughts on the subject without boring the snot out of anyone against their will. It is perfect because you DON'T HAVE TO READ THIS! You may be thinking "This is a really boring blog post. Kyle is totally off his rocker. I think I will go sever the lines to his internet connection so we can rid the world of constant, ludicrous postings." Well, to that I say: just stop reading. Anyway, here are some thoughts.

Chevelle rocks. No question, they are AMAZING! I love absolutely everything they do. If you have never heard of this band and dig true, intelligent, brilliant rock music then I absolutely recommend this band. Here is a link to their wikipedia page and here is a video.

As you can see, they kick butt. I am serious when I say that EVERYTHING they do is good. The current lineup in the band is all family members. I kind of think that is pretty neat.

Apart from Chevelle, my other top "modern" rock band would have to be Avenged Sevenfold. That band is possibly the most talented musical group I can think of. Recently recovering from the death of their drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, the guys from Ax7 have changed dramatically over the course of their short but brilliant career. I must caution with this though, since this band is a little.....hard core. Especially their early compositions, which happen to be my favorite. I don't expect many people to like them but I think they are incredible and I never tire of their aggressive, over-the-top style of metal. They are usually placed in a metal sub-genre which I feel poorly suits them and I am not a fan of any other band in that category. Ax7 I feel is unique. Here is a video for one of my favorite songs from them. One of their oldest, made back when some of the band members were still teenagers.

Kind of a nice piano ballad. Most of their stuff is more in-your-face, shred style which also appeals to me if done well.

Well, my back hurts. I am done for now.

On the attainment of happiness pt. 1

An excerpt from the "Summa Theologica" by St. Thomas Aquinas. Among the greatest literary works of all time. This is one part I particularly enjoy and am fascinated by. It is rather lengthy so I will post only one of the eight points each week. I hope you enjoy.

On the attainment of happiness

We must now consider the attainment of happiness. Under this heading there are eight points of inquiry:

1.     Whether man can attain Happiness? 

2.     Whether one man can be happier than another? 

3.     Whether any man can be happy in this life? 

4.     Whether Happiness once had can be lost? 

5.     Whether man can attain Happiness by means of his natural powers?

6.     Whether man attains Happiness through the actions of some higher creature?

7.     Whether any actions of man are necessary in order that man may obtain Happiness of God?

8.     Whether every man desires happiness?

 Objection 1. It would seem that man cannot attain happiness. For just as the rational is above the sensible nature, so the intellectual is above the rational, as Dionysius declares (Div. Nom. iv, vi, vii) in several passages. But irrational animals that have the sensitive nature only, cannot attain the end of the rational nature. Therefore neither can man, who is of rational nature, attain the end of the intellectual nature, which is Happiness.

Objection 2. Further, True Happiness consists in seeing God, Who is pure Truth. But from his very nature, man considers truth in material things: wherefore "he understands the intelligible species in the phantasm" (De Anima iii, 7). Therefore he cannot attain Happiness.

Objection 3. Further, Happiness consists in attaining the Sovereign Good. But we cannot arrive at the top without surmounting the middle. Since, therefore, the angelic nature through which man cannot mount is midway between God and human nature; it seems that he cannot attain Happiness.

On the contrary, It is written (Psalm 93:12): "Blessed is the man whom Thou shalt instruct, O Lord."

I answer that, Happiness is the attainment of the Perfect Good. Whoever, therefore, is capable of the Perfect Good can attain Happiness. Now, that man is capable of the Perfect Good, is proved both because his intellect can apprehend the universal and perfect good, and because his will can desire it. And therefore man can attain Happiness. This can be proved again from the fact that man is capable of seeing God, as stated in I, 12, 1: in which vision, as we stated above (Question 3, Article 8) man's perfect Happiness consists.

Reply to Objection 1. The rational exceeds the sensitive nature, otherwise than the intellectual surpasses the rational. For the rational exceeds the sensitive nature in respect of the object of its knowledge: since the senses have no knowledge whatever of the universal, whereas the reason has knowledge thereof. But the intellectual surpasses the rational nature, as to the mode of knowing the same intelligible truth: for the intellectual nature grasps forthwith the truth which the rational nature reaches by the inquiry of reason, as was made clear in the I, 58, 3; I, 79, 8. Therefore reason arrives by a kind of movement at that which the intellect grasps. Consequently the rational nature can attain Happiness, which is the perfection of the intellectual nature: but otherwise than the angels. Because the angels attained it forthwith after the beginning of their creation: whereas man attains if after a time. But the sensitive nature can nowise attain this end.

Reply to Objection 2. To man in the present state of life the natural way of knowing intelligible truth is by means of phantasms. But after this state of life, he has another natural way, as was stated in the I, 84, 7; I, 89, 1.

Reply to Objection 3. Man cannot surmount the angels in the degree of nature so as to be above them naturally. But he can surmount them by an operation of the intellect, by understanding that there is above the angels something that makes men happy; and when he has attained it, he will be perfectly happy.

So.....that was Sparta.......

So....some may find it hard to believe. But I went to a Michigan State football game this weekend. Yep. You read that right. 23 years of believing that green and white were the colors of the enemy and I found myself sitting in Spartan stadium, cheering for MSU along with the other 70,000 State fans. Bizarre. This experience was.....difficult to describe. It was certainly uncomfortable (the guy behind me kept engaging me in a passionate conversation about his hatred for Michigan) and I had a much more difficult time detaching myself and just enjoying the game than I would have guessed. It seems we can really program ourselves to think a certain way (MSU is the enemy) and it becomes so much a part of you that you can't shake it off.


I suppose I should explain. One of my best chums is, sadly, a State fan. But not just a casual, root for the underdog, Wolverine hater. He is totally legit. A real fan who, in many ways, puts me entirely to shame with his devotion to his team. So anyway, we each usually go to a game a year and take someone with us and this year we decided to take each other. I would go with him to see the Spartans and he would come with me to the Big House (which we are doing next month). So this past Saturday was our State day and we witnessed them destroy Northern Colorado.


It was certainly different from a UofM game. Mostly because I had to restrain myself constantly. I wore neutral colors and did my best to pretend I was a real Spartan (the other fans around me made me FAR too nervous to share my true allegiance) but I kept wanting to cheer when the Michigan score was announced. Still, it was a nice experience overall and I am glad I went. State played decently but committed a multitude of penalties. I think we have a good chance this year of beating them and getting things back to normal in this state. We'll see in two weeks.

A TRUE Spartan fan!