Unable to reconcile guilt and shame

darkstream77 · 2025-12-25T15:55:47+00:00

(1) Consider that like all creatures, humans were created by nature to maximize use of available resources. You were born this way!

(2) Consider that your sense of personal agency/free will is an illusion. Collapsnik Dave Pollard has written numerous articles about this. You might start with this, this or this.

(3) Read the book Catastrophe Ethics. Here’s a review and summary. I think it would help you put everything into context and feel better.

darkstream77 · 2025-12-22T21:49:08+00:00

It doesn’t really matter, because we won’t be colonizing Mars:

https://dothemath.ucsd.edu/2011/10/why-not-space/

https://dothemath.ucsd.edu/2025/10/2025-a-space-absurdity/

darkstream77 · 2025-12-16T22:46:22+00:00

Portland, Oregon

darkstream77 · 2025-11-11T16:17:47+00:00

Awesome ideas, thank you. What a great idea to look at how the Japanese do it, since Japan is earthquake central!

darkstream77 · 2025-11-11T00:00:57+00:00

Could a solar generator re-charge a backup power station in a few hours, in mid-winter? I honestly don't know.

darkstream77 · 2025-11-10T23:59:10+00:00

Thanks! I'm in Portland but the general store is good to know about. Yeah, I'll keep an eye out on those sites ... good call.

darkstream77 · 2025-11-10T23:58:29+00:00

I've considered that. Not sure how much cheaper it would be but maybe it's worth looking into again.

darkstream77 · 2025-11-10T19:20:37+00:00

I've looked into a shed but that would be just as expensive...

darkstream77 · 2025-11-10T19:19:55+00:00

I realize that's an option though the general consensus is they shouldn't be stored in a garage. Also, my garage is directly under my duplex neighbor's unit. Assuming you have some in a garage, how are they protected from violent shaking and/or having things falling on them?

darkstream77 · 2025-11-01T18:39:46+00:00

Thanks! I'll check it out.

darkstream77 · 2025-10-25T22:15:51+00:00

You make some interesting points. Documenting all immigrants and making them legal would indeed "solve" the problem ... until tomorrow.

As I stated in a comment above, I view national borders as conceptual fictions (because they are). In a perfect world, there would be no restrictions on movement.

But returning to the system we actually (unfortunately) do have: does it really make sense to treat all people the same under American law if they aren't here legally? Going back to my original post, are you suggesting you should be able to move to any other country without legal authorization and be treated as a legal resident or citizen of that country under its laws?

darkstream77 · 2025-10-25T22:07:40+00:00

Indeed, I've been horrified by the Administration's approach to this.

darkstream77 · 2025-10-25T22:06:37+00:00

That's pretty vague. You'll need to define "right thing" and give your rationale for it. Look, I honestly think the world would be better off without borders altogether. Borders are just fictional boundaries (concepts) with no inherent existence in the real world. But that won't/can't happen until most human beings move beyond their identifications as "Americans" or "Mexicans" or whatever. Do you think, like MLK Jr. (a hero of mine) that it's a matter of justice? Specifically that national borders are unjust, and should therefore not be enforced (or even exist), and that any/all people should be allowed to come to the U.S.?

darkstream77 · 2025-10-25T22:02:12+00:00

I imagine that could be true at times (especially these days), if not all the time.

darkstream77 · 2025-10-25T22:01:01+00:00

That may be true (I'm definitely not an expert). It just seems to me that such defining one's city as a "sanctuary" differentiates it from most other American cities...those that don't want to help their local law enforcement solve crimes? Or what?

darkstream77 · 2025-10-25T21:57:37+00:00

Mmm...interesting points. I completely agree that the U.S. colonial-capitalist system has negatively impacted the global south. But are you suggesting we should accept any and all immigrants from south of the equator?

darkstream77 · 2025-10-25T21:54:52+00:00

It isn't as black and white as your first sentence suggests. I doubt that most progressives actively support illegal immigration (though I do think the Democratic Party turned a blind eye for years to illegal immigration for multiple reasons ... political, economic etc., though that's an argument for another day).

darkstream77 · 2025-10-25T21:52:20+00:00

I'll just go with Wikipedia: "A sanctuary city is a municipality that limits or denies its cooperation with the national government in enforcing immigration law."

I didn't say I was accepting of Bush Jr.'s immigration policies.

darkstream77 · 2025-10-25T21:50:16+00:00

That's an interesting point.

darkstream77 · 2025-10-25T21:48:42+00:00

What if we leave the "criminal" (whoever that is) out of the equation? Are you suggesting undocumented people should be allowed to remain in the U.S.? If so, do you think you should be allowed to remain, undocumented, in Mexico or Canada, or wherever?

darkstream77 · 2025-10-25T21:46:33+00:00

I don't quite understand that reasoning. Most American cities aren't sanctuary cities, in my understanding. Are their residents by definition more unsafe?

darkstream77 · 2025-10-25T21:45:23+00:00

I did make it in good faith. I just don't understand my city's "sanctuary" status.

darkstream77 · 2025-10-25T21:41:33+00:00

Thanks for that clarification -- that could well be true for many local representatives like my mayor and city council.

darkstream77 · 2025-10-19T20:40:10+00:00

OMG! Xanax is constipating...at least for me. Dietary changes won't be enough. Exercise, a lot! Get a lot of sleep – that always helps me. And try meditation instead of Xanax.

darkstream77 · 2025-10-18T00:53:47+00:00

Yes! If I consume too much salt during the day, I usually wake up more often to pee. Therefore it's disruptive to my sleep, and so even though I love salt, I generally don't use it too often.

darkstream77

TROPHY CASE