User:Jcrocker/!archive 01

About user: JCrocker
According to Wikipedia (which by the way is THE source for ALL others sources) I am a Gen Xer. Although I'd like to create a subset called "Late Gen X", in that I'd consider myself a little more postmodern than my typical peer. My first computer was an Apple IIe in the early eighties; most likely in 1982. I remember seeing the Challenger accident broacast live in my elementary school's cafeteria. During the mid to early nineties I was the SysOp for a BBS known as The Penalty Box, located in suburban St. Louis. I graduated from Purdue University with a BS in civil engineering. I am currently chillin' in Uptown, Chicago, IL, USA.


 * Here are my photographs and image contributions to Wikipedia.

CPU
If you like architecture (or Chicago) check out my webpage, [project Chicago].

Besides spending hours upon hours lost in the "Wikipedia hole", I also enjoy playing SubSpace online. You can find me in various arena using the alias AfterBurner66606 or AfterBurner60666. Having metioned this, no I am NOT into Satanism. I just enjoy scaring the so-called Christians, which brings me to the next subject.

Religion/Philosophy
I believe arguing about the existence of god is futile since nobody ever has or ever will know for sure. Particularly annoying to me are those who think their purpose in life is to convert others to their way of thinking. Jesus was a good MAN, but unfortunately has been used all to often as an excuss for narrow-minded, evil actions.

I connect more fully with the teachings of Siddh&#257;rtha Gautama, but until I win the lottery, am unable to practice it completely. I think the ancient Greeks had the right formula to life, particularly the Stoics and Pythagoras. Although I am not against enjoying the many pleasures of life, I don't think you can find meaning in them. In contast to the modern world, Western and Eastern though were once very similar. Compare Taoism's Tao with Heraclitus' Logos. My eternal truth: The only thing that remains the same is change. A contemporary favorite of mine, Mahatma Gandhi, serves as an example of how all future conflicts should be solved.

Politics
Furthermore, I do not believe in the state monopoly on violence. I find the belief that war will solve man's problems deeply disturbing, and that "my" form of violence will end "their" form of violence absurd at best. "Us vs. them" mentality is completely ignorant considering each of us are alone in this world and we all basically want the same thing out of life. The more I age the more I find all forms of government unacceptable. I think true individual freedom will only be accomplished through Anarchy.

Profession
Being a civil engineer, perhaps you could grant me some authority on the subject of transportation. Altough I can't blame most people for using them, I think having the private automobile as the main mode of transportation is a mistake. It is not only environmentally irresponsible, but also has terrible social effects. Besides the obvious road rage syndrome, cars also isolate the occupants from the environment around them. Therefore they can never truly interact with their surroundings and are only getting a glimpse of what lies outside their windshield. It is like determining the quality of movie by watching it with the sound off. About the only thing you can determine about a neighborhood while driving through it is how many potholes its roads have. Cars also have the power to change one's personality. Once behind the wheel, most acquire a certain I am god feeling and start to believe that they own the road.

To cure this social ill, I advocate a carfree lifestyle. Take the train, use the bus, purchase a bicycle, and god forbid, walk. In my utopia, all roads will be turned into living streets.

J. Crocker