The Eye of the Paradox

I've only read part of your booklet so far, and have especially enjoyed your "Tao of Water" chapter. You mentioned water tasting in the future. After reading that paragraph, it made me think for the last couple of days how that could happen. Would people really purchase different samples of water to taste the different impurities? Could someone be able to tell the difference between water from New York as compared to Texas? I don't drink wine, and can't tell the difference between Napa Valley and the best French wines, but I can see the water tasting as a definate possibility. As for the impurities, it can't be any worse for the human body than Taco Bell.

Americ, you may want to consider posting "The Eye of the Paradox" URL in your "Being Wired, Being Human" conference area. I'm sure the rest of your students will enjoy reading it as well.

Water tasting is great thing to do. You might go to a store that had some Itialian, French and American waters to start. Or, try different types of American waters -- with and without bubbles. It is fun. Curtis -- welcome to The Spring. I like your idea of posting the "Eye of the Paradox" to the "BeingWire, BeingHuman" conference at GGU.

I second that, go for it Curtis! And welcome!

Back to the water... definite differences in water from Texas springs and Colorado springs. Texas is built on tons of coleche (sp?) rock, basically limestone. The water is naturally filtered through the rocks and, when bottled or sipped from a spring, has a considerable amount of minerals within. You can almost chew some Texas spring waters.

Does this mean that people in Texas have better teeth? ...assuming that there is more calcium in the water.

If it warn't fer all that tabacky we chew, maybe we wud...

:)

Actually, in some parts o' Texas, there is a higher incidence of kidney stones due to the extra stuff in da water.

the dark side of too much mineral in the water. i see. so the philosophy of moderation prevails! i think it was Aristotle who promoted that view. i am also into it -- even moderate about being moderate. excess now and then is good for the soul.

Agreed- excessive moderation numbs the soul (which can really be a drag). And- as Disraeli said- "There is moderation even in excess." Far more compelling than the former, don't you think?

Actually, back to the teeth... people in San Antonio sometimes have 'worse' teeth because the water is untreated and there is no flouride added.

So here we are -- uncovering deep philosophical problems of knowledge and science. So easy to make assumptions. Yet, every assumption that I am making about TX and San Antonio is wrong. I passed through Texas once on AmTrack. It just went on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on...... That tell my something, but not much.

At least you are open to insight -- there are some who would've taken the same train ride, thought the same thoughts and never looked beyond or accepted an explanation beyond what they experienced with their own 'limited' sight.

I think one of the best reasons for practicing/doing philosophy is to train the mind to stay open. "Your mind is like a parachut, to use it, you must open it." --Anon

And for dealing with those whose minds are closed: "There ain't no way to find out why a snorer can't hear himself snore." -- Mark Twain

Very apt quote (and a little Twain is a welcome respite from a dismal day)...

Good work! I love it.

Another of my favorites (for those "dismal" days, nick): "The true way goes over a rope which is not stretched at any great height but just above the ground. It seems more designed to make people stumble than to be walked upon." -- Franz Kafka Of course, I am feeling good today and reminded: "It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end." Ursla K. LeGuin (that is my ABSOLUTE favorite quote! perhaps because I am often changing directions, altering purposes and occassionally I become frustrated with my lack of "vision.") Funny. I could never remember the periodic table but favorite quotes... they're begging to be etched permanently upon my brain!

What book or Ursula's did that quote come out of?

Enjoyed both quotes, and agree with sentiments expressed in each..."Vision" is mostly over-rated anyway, don't you think? Simple dreams are best, not only because they're achievable- they wear better, too... As for me- Give me a look, give me a face, that makes simplicity a grace; Robes flowing loosely, hair as free: Such sweet neglect more taketh me than all the adultries of art; They strike mine eyes, but not mine heart... (Ben Jonson)

I do enjoy Ben Jonson as well. Paul, I cannot remember where the LeGuin quote originated, it's been in my brain for awhile! I see if I can find out this weekend for you.

Good morning Stacey.

Good Morning!

wow Americ, that really was a great read. Bought back alot of feelings especially liked what you wrote about money, money-lust etc. Hmm I find it soo easy to get trapped in the rat race, and is such an inspiration to read that you act on your beliefs and a managing well. I have a friend who refuses to use her tax file number and last I heard of her she was even closing her bank account, she refuses to be another number in the system. Though her perants have requested she seek pyschological evalutaion. I know she finds it really hard to be accepted and to hold a job, but she is happy. I though take a subtle approach to these ideas, like the biblical passage be in the world but not of the world. and such other saying as the love of money is the root of all evil would you say you belive in that quote?

Money is not the problem; it is the confusing of money for life itself that is the problem. For some money is God -- that is a serious problem. We work for life, not for money. So I am thinking. Anyway, I am glad read the eye of the paradox book here on the web.

Good morning.

Actually it's mid-afternoon.... but I'm still bleary-eyed after missing a nights sleep ... overnight flights are a bummer

Did they give you a window seat? Pillow?

yup both ...but the film was stupid and I couldn't sleep

Any interesting sights out your window?

Brussels was kinda nice by night ... lots of twinkly lights. london was a bit dreary although itwas fun following the Thames for a bit and trying to guess where we were.