Blog update: time to hang up the old header.

Since I've been blogging again recently I decided to update my profile. My old profile was more of a blog description anyway, and since I was getting tired of the old header, I moved the description from the profile and put it in the blog header.

The old header read:

Welcome. Rejoice at the discovery of this website, for your eyes do not deceive you. Truly I say unto you, the universe is One, dynamic, and flowing with creative beinghood. Do not deny what you know to be true. Prepare your deepest self for the life-journey that is snaaaaaaaaaars.

Elegant Snaarsiverse

I bought Brian Greene's best-selling popular science novel, "The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory" today.

Hopefully, I'll have something both philosophical and irrelevant to say about string theory after reading the book. But first off, let me say that string theory is really a fool's quest, and here's why:

String theory is touted as the explain-everything model that will reconcile general relativity with quantum theory. For those who are unfamiliar, quantum mechanics is about the smallest things we know about in physics, and general relativity is about medium- and large-sized objects (like bugs, apples, cars, planets, and stars) on up to the ungeblievagly engormous things (like black holes and galaxies.) The theories of quantum mechanics and general relativity, taken together, explain just about everything observable about the physical universe, but they are mutually exclusive - they can't both be right.

String theory posits the existence of zero-point, one-dimensional structures called "strings," which vibrate through precisely eleven dimensions, and from which emerge matter and the forces familiar to modern physics: gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear forces.

String theory, so far (to my admittedly meager knowledge), doesn't predict anything that is observable - but it does seem to be able to unify quantum mechanics and general relativity.

If I were a professional philosopher of science, I might characterize string theory as a reductionist theory, meaning that it attempts to explain all phenomena by appealing to one, or a very few, fundamental phenomena, forces, particles, or kinds of things (the last phrase being deliberately vague.)

Anyway, let's cut to the chase, shall we? The truth is, string theory is bullshit when - huh, obviously - the universe is composed not of strings, but - DUH - little bitty snaarsisms, quivering their way through the universal ovoid, imbuing space itself with hyper-optional potentiality.

I can teach you all the Way of the snaars, by which you too can know the truth of these things.

Good v. Evil: Narcissism v. Snaarsissism

Narcissism (from "Abstract Concepts"):

Narcissism is a set of character traits concerned with self-admiration, self-centeredness and self-regard...in Narcissistic Personality Disorder ... the patient overestimates his abilities and has an excessive need for admiration and affirmation ...

Some sources suggest that narcissistic personality disorder may be an infantile, defensive personality structure ...

... may be a maladaptive defense of the ... emotional splitting, resultant cognitive distortions, and negative/hostile worldview ...

... yadayadayada, something something.

In a world in which live such people, now more than ever is needed the snaars.

A Millenialissistic Visitation

Having withheld my snaarsissistic blessings for what I have calculated precisely to be just the right amount of time, I hereby deign and design to impart and bestow grandiose words of opportune importunity.

No longer will I the silence, endured by so many and long, and so fortunately, be the purveyor of **.

It's been months since I've written anything substantive. That's because, in my incalculable wisdom, I find that long, drawn-out expectancy makes the precipitously forthcoming reward all the sweeter. The snaars must be doled out carefully and cautiously, like honey, from the crock of enlightenment. The secrets must not be dispensed with all at once, lest the unready uninitiates misuse or disabuse others of the gifts and get a stomachache from all that honey-sugar.

Okay, here's today's bit of wisdom. Ahem. Here goes (get ready now):

Do not do any thing that I would not do**.

There! Now don't we all feel better? See y'all again soon!

---

** Better a language abused than disused, that's what I always say. When I'm not obstinately close-mouthed, that is.
** Excepting inasmuch as such activities distend to the overall benefit of Snaars, or of His condition, and that of the Universal Sentientosity generally, and humanity most very especially. Or if you really feel like it. But even if you are going to do something that I would do, consult your inner snaars first. Ask your physician before performing snaarslike feats.

post labels

Today I've started putting labels on all the posts in the archive. It's a lot of work, but it will be worth it. Anyone that clicks on the labels links for the next couple of weeks should keep in mind that I'm still working on them.

Snaarsissism goes private

If you are reading this, then you are part of an exclusive club. Aren't you honored? Enjoy!

(Sorry there's no new material. More to come soon. I've not given up.)

Come, fellow believers.

Brother, sister, enter in. Self-consciousness is but a stumbling block. Snaarsconsciousness is the key. Do but this: devote yourself to the snaars, and all else will be revealed as dreamstuffs.

We have a winner!

The blog naming competition is over.

"Snaarsissism" wins! (Congratulations, Ron. Your prize is getting to see the title you invented on the one and only genuine snaars site.)

Thank you everyone for your imaginative responses.

naming competition and new photos

Thank you one and all for your contributions. The naming competition continues.

So far, the list of prospective titles* includes:

• The Magnificent Snaars
• Conceited Snaars
• Chippy Snaars
• ... I'll get back to you
• I'm thinking....
• Soar with Snaars
• Snore with Snaars
• ... I'll give it some more thought.
• Through the Third Wall with Snaars
• Omega Snaars Prime: More Than Meets the Eye
• Snaar Wars
• Snaars-issistic Sermons
• Snaarsissism
• Snaarsimus Prime
• Roll your Rs with Snaars
• Don't contract SARS; stay home and read Snaars
• Pungent Snaars
• Shtick with Snaars
• Minion Snaars
• Sentience Snaars
• Sinners in the Hands of an Angry Snaars
• Suave, Sophisticated Snaars
• The Inscrutable/Insightful/Insidious Snaars
• Semiotic Snaars
• Semiliterate Snaars
• Spastic Snaars
• Snaarsilicious
• Simply Snaars
• A Snaars by Any Other Name
• Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Snaars
• Snaars the Subversive
• definitive Snaaring
• Snaars: He's Almost As Cool As Mayfly
• enSNAARed
• Citizen Snaars

I'm gratified by the efforts to help me choose a name for the blog; however, some do not seem to be approaching the project with the proper spirit. I won't name names, but if one contributor had been born a Native American in Louisiana, (of the Kosati or Choctaw tribe, say) instead of in Canada, then he might be named "Snoring with Alligators."

While you all try to think up some REAL titles, feel free to view some recent pictures at my photoblog.

* Updated periodically as new suggestions come in.

Name the Snaars blog competition!!!

I kicked the google ads to the curb. They didn't contribute much to the site other than a little running joke*.

When I started this site, I thought it would be a place to do a little philosophy, and to keep in touch with family and friends. I have found myself reluctant to post anything seriously philosophical, mostly because it takes so much work. Also, there are plenty of good sites and discussion forums out there already.** Most of my family and friends have strictly avoided this blog.***

So the blog has not fulfilled its intended purposes. Nevertheless it has been fruitful. I have had the pleasure of "meeting" and interacting with some insightful and interesting and wonderful people. I have enjoyed taking the time to do a little creative writing, which is good for me.

The time has come for me to re-evaluate this endeavor. I would like to get some feedback because I enjoy writing for an audience.

The feedback I would like is in the following form. I would like everyone to suggest a new title for the blog. Titles should have the word "snaars" in them****. In a few sentences, explain and defend your suggestion. Why should I use your title?

The "winner" will get the satisfaction of seeing the name he or she chose adorning the top left-hand corner of the page whenever s/he visits!

* I'm so sorry, you pitiful simple-minded manic zombie clicking robot consumerist insomniac shop-a-holic. I'm closing up shop. Go get your google ad candy somewhere else! You disgust me.
** And these are generally eclipsed by the huge number of bad ones.
*** My Mom posted once. My wife has posted maybe three times. Arglor has posted, but he has his own blog, which I vist frequently. I think that's been it.
**** In a sense befitting the awe, veneration and sheer wonderment engendered by that name.