June 12, 2008

My Goal in Life

What if your #1 priority in life was to offend no one? What would that life look like? Note: Suicide or becoming a hermit would offend all of your existing relationships. Nice try.
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June 11, 2008

Is it Illegal?

So, people who rob a bank in a car and don't cover their license plates are idiots, and they need some help. Here's my invention. A motorized plastic cover that hides your license plates by pushing a button accessible from the dashboard. Would it be illegal for me to sell these parts? Should it be?
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June 10, 2008

The Art of Tipping

My mother raised a big tipper. But, she also raised a value seeker. So, I go to Great Clips to get my hair cut and I don't get a usual stylist. It's random chance, first-in-line seating. So, if the stylist knew that I was a big tipper, she'd probably be more careful and spend some more time on me. But, they don't get tipped until after the haircut, and I don't see a single stylist often enough for them to remember me. So, doesn't tipping really well only make sense if you're hoping to establish a relationship with the service person? Because while tipping out of respect, or appreciation for a job well done is great, isn't an ulterior motive to ensure great service the next time?
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June 9, 2008

Faith or Reason?

I watched my favorite Woody Allen movie this weekend, Crimes and Misdemeanors. There's a quote in it by a rabbi who ends a compelling conversation about God with, "I will always choose God over truth." Are those our only choices? Is all faith blind? Or is there a way to put trust in that which we can be confident in? A reasonable faith?
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June 6, 2008

“Insert Your Name Here” Church

Think about some denominational and church names. Pentecostal Church - we are totally into Pentecost. St. Paul's Church - we are totally into that Paul guy. Lutheran Church - Martin Luther, that's our guy. how ridiculous is this premise? We distinguish ourselves based on a singular spiritual theme that we think we have right, or based on a single man other than Christ.
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June 5, 2008

A Confident Crook

So, I was in the locker room the other morning. A guy says "Excuse me" and then starts rifling through my gym bag. What I didn't see was the second before when his goggles fell into my bag from his locker. I stood there in baffled silence, perhaps so impressed by his nonchalance that if he had taken my wallet, I'd have let him go. So, it got me thinking. You're somewhere (locker room, restaurant) where your wallet is out. A stronger comes up to you, says "Excuse me", takes the wallet, says "I'll be RIGHT BACK", and hurries away. What % of people would that work on? I feel like it might. Because crooks don't usually show that kind of courtesy.
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June 4, 2008

Where Have All the Questions Gone?

Why do we have to be right before engaging in discussion? Why can't we just be legitimately curious? Because it means we're stupid - at least partially. Isn't that ok? I mean, who are we trying to fool? Wouldn't you likely be more persuaded by a humble thinker who's trying to learn than a person who think they have everything figured out?
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June 3, 2008

Fore Patriotism

Critical Thinking Test: "If I owned a golf course, I would display my patriotism by making all of the hole-flags American flags." Golfers, what's the problem with this idea?
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June 2, 2008

Does the Story Sink or Swim?

I recently heard an argument against the belief of a giant flood (Noah's) in the ancient past because of the fact that every civilization has a story of a giant flood in their past. Wouldn't a catastrophic flood be more unlikely if the Jews were the ONLY people who had this story in their past?
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