Saturday, April 05, 2014

Inscrutable Images?

Bristol-Google+


















I finished a ten hour shift @ corporate security yesterday which was originally supposed to be four to seven hours, but someone missed and I was asked to fill in.

I received these classic photos that evening trying to chill...

Satirical photos sent to me by email, unless otherwise noted.

Now I am the first to admit that I am not mechanically inclined. But I have evolved (not macroevolution, take it easy) to a point where I can replace a broken lock on a door and do some minor car repairs and maintenance. This gentleman I suppose could support somewhat the philosophical and Darwinian scientific idea of survival of the fittest, and he does not look too fit. And also more accurately his actions support the Biblical concept of fallen nature and bad choices, implied and explained from Romans, which in this case works against common sense.
'Hey Mom hurry up and finish that bucket of ice cream. Do you want me to get hurt working outside without a helmet?!' 'Yea I need the bucket'. The bucket is not recommended or sanctioned by any government safety board, but by Safeway.
In the context of my present employment I would deduce that a turban would provide more protection.
Do not be too judgemental! The worker in the yellow construction vest could be holding: a) Mr. Fantastic b) Plastic Man or c) Elongated Man d) Mr. Bobby Buff. Four 'reasonable' philosophical possibilities, in another 'possible world'. 
See that backs up previous comments. Comicvine.com

Now this appears to be an adult male, but does it not look like the work of a three year old? 'Look Mommy, I can fix it!'
I philosophically disagree with this photo. The area behind the yellow metal bars should be a designated group smoker's pit...And frankly the way Western society is going one had better open that area up for potheads and crackheads too.

From crackheadscandy.com








Bravest wildcat: Daily Mail

Cited

'Tiny wildcat fights for its life in a battle against four lionesses Lionesses are 30 times its size - but the cat will not give up without a fight Kitten bares teeth and swipes claws at the predators in Botswana park'

Cited

'This brave little wildcat took on four lionesses in a battle for its life in a wildlife park in southern Africa. The tiny cat ferociously bore its teeth and rose its claws in an attempt to fight off the predators as the lionesses crowded around. In the David versus Goliath attack, the females ganged up on the animal - despite it being 30 times smaller than them. Tragically the little wildcat lost the battle, but proved that it still had some fight left in its body and scratched one of the lionesses across the nose before it was killed - causing the predator to lurch back.'

End citations

This incident made me emotionally sad and admittedly reminds me of, and I will have to paraphrase because I did not document the exact words, the statements of my temporary academic advisor at Manchester University, Professor and Philosopher of Religion, David Pailin.

Basically one the major objections he used against a Biblical and Reformed philosophical/theological position on the problem of evil was in regard to the pain and suffering of creatures in nature.

Some possible critical views, not an exhaustive list, are that God is deistic, in contrast to the Biblical God and does not intervene in material affairs although he is the creator, which I think was at least somewhat the Professor's position.

That God is unable to intervene, perhaps less than infinite and omnipotent, which was I deduced perhaps the Dean's position when I spoke to him on the subject.

These types of views have been discussed on my other blog or my PhD thesis.

Other options include that God does not care about creatures like this wildcat.

Or that God cares, but creatures like the wildcat have much less value, in a divine view, than human beings would provide for them.

Or that God, if he exists, is evil. 

These are not my views after twelve years plus of problem of evil and theodicy research, granted within a Christian worldview.

Some possible Biblical, Christian theological views could be that God cannot or does not intervene because of human free will, with humanity having dominion over the animal world (Genesis 1). When humanity fell, so did all of creation (Romans 8).

I think this view is incompatibilistic and places too much emphasis on human free will and freedom.

God as first cause could be reasonably understood as intervening in the sense of preventing pain, suffering and death, at times within creation.

Another possible explanation is that this type of animal death is at least in this present realm, a natural part of God's plans for his animal creation and non-human biological creation.

I personally reason that within a compatibilistic view that there is an aspect of the fall effecting creation, but more likely this effected human beings primarily and secondarily other creatures, although human beings can effect other creatures via sin.

I also reason ecologically animal, plant and no-human death is likely a natural part of God's creation. At least, minimally, in the present realm.

I am not certain how this shall work in a restored Universe.

Human death at this point is also in a sense, natural. Human beings need to be transformed from present flesh and blood (1 Corinthians 15) and cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. Non-exhaustively, theological views, include that prior to the Genesis 3 fall, human beings were immortal and lost that aspect of nature through sin, or that they were mortal and would have been translated into immortality, theoretically if the fall had not occurred.

However, I still find the incident sad and once again this demonstrates to me even taking a Biblical, Reformed position on the problem of evil, suffering and theodicy, that God, the Biblical, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, takes a radically different view on the problem of evil and suffering than does humanity.

And often radically different that many in the Church or cultural Christianity.

I do not believe, as documented especially on my other blog and in my PhD, in gratuitous evil, as God is the sovereign first cause of all things with purpose, but I certainly from a human perspective reason there is inscrutable evil, as also documented.

This would be evil and evils be very difficult if not virtually impossible to reasonably fully understand for humanity. I would also further state that these would be very difficult if not virtually impossible to reasonably fully explain at times.

Perhaps the death of a cute, lovable looking, wildcat kitten within nature's food chain may at least, even accepting the fall and natural order, fit somewhat under the category of inscrutable evil.

Further

But this depends on whether or not, I suppose, in a restored Universe, all death is to be ended, or if rather human death is to be ended based on Revelation 21-22.

It seems philosophically that even in a realm of everlasting life (eternity) that an ecology would require at least a type of death via and through a programmed life cycle in the sense of regenerating itself, but the ending of animals for food is perhaps possibility and therefore perhaps an inscrutable evil at this point.

Tuesday, April 01, 2014

Google+ Views

England-Google+
Google+ Views

As noted on my present Facebook status, I noticed for the first time that with my two Google+ profiles associated with my two blogs, one blog per Google+ account, that 'view' statistics were provided.

I was surprised that relative to the Blogger blog (s) pageview numbers, how much higher the Google+ site's views were.

The Google+ sites are several years more recent than my blogs and in my opinion I do not have that many 'followers' relative to those recently documented Google+ views.

I view myself as a moderately successful blogger with two blogs writing in the difficult genres, as far as gaining views, of Philosophical Theology, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy and Biblical Studies with Satire being a major component of my second blog.

I have not been significantly publicly embraced within the Church or in a secular context, and yet I do have slowly increasing readership, it appears within the Church and secular society.

The statistics

First Google+ account associated with my first blog, Dr. Russell Norman Murray.

Russell Norman Murray

Google+

112 followers|933,887 views

Dr. Russell Norman Murray

Blogger (Google)

173 followers/286,913 views

Second Google+ account associated with my second blog, Satire And Theology

Russell Norman Murray

Google+

58 followers|2,529,493 views

Satire And Theology

Blogger (Google)

137 followers/485,788 views

My first blog was established in 2004 with basically full-time blogging beginning in 2006. The blog was restructured in 2006 and I deleted some satirical (Bobby Buff related) posts taking this approach to my second blog, Satire And Theology, established 2006.

My Google+ accounts and sites were started this decade and therefore have many more pageviews than the Google Blogger accounts in much less time.

Perhaps the use of the animated clips, often humourous and sometimes educational, featured on Google+ and borrowed legally, make my Google+ sites more marketable overall, and more popular than my Google Blogger sites.

Even so to have 933, 000 views with my first account associated with Dr. Russell Norman Murray blog and to only have 112 followers is disappointing and somewhat of a concern as far as actual and potential readership and support.

The same can be stated for my second Google+ account, associated with my Satire Theology blog, as I have over 2.5 million viewers and only 58 followers.

That statistic seems very disproportionate! Two and one half million pageviews according to Google and I do not even have 60 followers.

Laughable.;)

I would have never reasoned with 58 followers the Google+ numbers would equal the Google Blogger pageviews at this time.

Forget the reasonable reality of surpassing them substantially.

My sister-in-law on Facebook, a professional online marketer, was impressed with the Google+ statistics. Which is a positive.

But as usual with me, I am seeing mixed signals here. Perhaps my academic, skeptical nature.

Chuck has stated previously that I could start my own Christian cynics club...

Overall, this year especially I am noticing more significant growth with my sites. And I am thankful to God and my supporters for this growth.

Incidentally, I shall present the Google+ statistics for my two 'dummy' sites, noted previously on this blog, that were simply formed because Google kept emailing (annoying) me and telling that each Google related email should have an associated Google+ account, making it more difficult to sign in without Google+.

These are accounts and sites that I have zero interest and intent in building, but they serve as good contrast.

R Wales 8 followers|3,631 views

R Wales II 11 followers|425 views

I often wonder how with two blank pages and zero effort I managed to get 19 followers, more so sadly and satirically only 39 behind the Satire blog...

That is a bit concerning.

However, obviously the views tell a more revealing story.

Then there is my good blogging friend Ms. Eva from Brasil and her home decoration blog with 32 million views on Google+ and 13 million Revolver views.

Yes, this is why I realize I am merely moderately successful...

My cat on the way to the veterinarian used to insist on lying on my lap, or my Dad's when I was too young to drive. There was with scared orange and white cat digging his claws in for dear life. The German Shepherd-Husky (yes he and the cat were 'deeply secretly in love') on the other hand insisted, when given the opportunity that he follow everywhere, jumping into the Ford F250, forgetting that virtually every time this led to him 'ralphing' in the truck. Another job for me...

How many scratch marks did my cat leave on my dog's nose? And yet next time the dog attempts the big sniff, tail wag with the whine, once again.
Photos from email

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Weekend At Surrey

Surrey, BC-trekearth

What a wonderful world, via Google+
Northern Lights, Norway-Google+
Venice-Google+








































































Incident photos courtesy Dean H. I showed a couple of these pictures last post, but I have 'new information'...

According to Dean this is via a police car chase outside of his Estate. On a serious note the driver of the car in a sense was likely provided with a form of 'instant justice'. Rather than obeying the State in the context of living within law and order, including driving laws, as the New Testament states in general theological terms in Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2, this driver likely breaking law and laws found quick and decisive judgement. On the other hand, not that I am by any means a perfect example; I was the evening prior to the birthday party stopped at a RCMP road check: The officer asks if I had anything to drink, sees my corp. security jacket, pants and tie and is dismissing me and walking away while I am stating "Just worked eight hours at ....' I figured it may pay to keep the tie on,.
Just to be very clear, there is no truth to the rumour, started by Dean at Bulgarian Princess Srs' birthday party, that this was her Highness having just received a learner's license for her birthday...
My personal deduction is that the police and street crasher were playing 'Dukes of Hazzard'.
Almost looks like that city employee is 'curling'. That is one big 'rock'.
Yes, Surrey is the second most populated city in British Columbia and would be a more profitable National Hockey League franchise with a larger fan base than would be Seattle, or Las Vegas. But of course no billionaire or trillionaire is going to build a 15, 000 to 20, 000 thousand seat arena in Surrey when it would be a white elephant (perhaps wearing a turban).
































From the birthday party...

This Bulgarian dog takes affection to the maximum. She is extremely extroverted and has no respect whatsoever for personal space. Especially a cat's personal space...
This 'priceless and valuable' Bulgarian, Persian cat, (perhaps worth millions?) according to the Princess, is demonstrating her disgust with the evening's dog dominated proceedings...
Elsewhere

Florida police and their new police 'gator' on duty. Facebook
Newest mall security idea at closing hours. Malls are built to contain water and then Guard Sharks are hired...Facebook
Dog in need of assistance from the Fire Department? No actually it is a canine CIA operative that was seen trying to leave a dwelling where he had been eating and then eliminating sensitive documents. He was busted by a 911 call from a elderly couple with nothing better to do that day than spy on neighbours...Facebook
I would hope, for his employment status that he becomes a trained tattoo artist...It looks like he has a built-in pen/pencil holder. I will give him credit for that...
My major philosophical question is...Would that now famous, socially groundbreaking rooster consider an executive position at KFC? If he did, would his motives be palatable to most? Or chicken, whatever.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Funny Finnish Puck

Oulu, Finland-trekearth


















TSN Bar Down

TSN























Cited

'We always hear people talking about ways to improve hockey. Some would like bigger nets, others would like smaller goalie pads, etc. The list is usually typical. Very rarely does a new idea come along, until now. This company would like to change the actual hockey puck.'

This is how they describe their version of the puck. "The Aalto Puck is made in the same material as a regular hockey puck and behaves in the same way on ice with one fundamental difference. It has a built in randomness, it doesn't bounce as a regular puck, it can, depending on how it's hit, speed off in different ways and more importantly, by adding an element of chance it's the most equal puck produced. Advantages are randomly given to either of the two competing teams. By adding the element of chance this small puck changes the big picture."'

One of my Facebook comments

This is more of this 'The game is not popular enough compared to some sports so let us change it...'

Aaltopuck.com

Cited

S'ince the middle ages ice hockey has been played with round pucks. So this is why we are proud to present the first non-round hockey puck in the history of mankind, the Aalto puck. Inspired by the free forms of the Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto and a small reminder that not everything has to be as we’re used to. The Aalto Puck will is mainly a research project and if you want to help us, please fill in the form below and we'll send a puck free of charge (as long as we have any left).

What we would like in return is documentation, pictures or video of how the puck behaves in action.'

'A REGULAR PUCK BOUNCES IN A PREDICTABLE WAY. PUCK A FOLLOWS THE A PATH. B AND C BEHAVES THE SAME WAY. ENTER AND EXIT ANGLES ARE THE SAME.'

'THE ANGLE OF THE PUCK BEFORE THE COLLISION IS REVERSED WHEN BOUNCING OF A EVEN SURFACE.'

'THE AALTO PUCK CAN IMPACT IN MANY WAYS CHANGING THE EXIT ANGLE.'

End citations

I reason the Aalto puck would exchange some hockey skill for randomness because it would change angles unpredictably.

This would effect passing, shooting and goaltending quite significantly.

Puck handling might not be as effected because the puck remains on the ice surface, the angles changing as it is airborne.

The Aalto puck does not fit within present day professional hockey, nor with its tradition.

However although funny and humourous in a present day professional hockey context, I am not stating that the idea does not have any merit.

Perhaps, Aalto should sponsor its own professional tournament and test the puck.

I doubt the National Hockey League or any professional League would ever consider using the puck long-term on even in one game.

But the Aalto puck could be used in a semi-new sport...

It might be interesting. I wish them well and ordered a free puck.

Hockey or Ice Hockey in Europe is already a world-known sport with a significant professional League in North America and others in Europe.

The National Hockey League, just signed a 5.2 Billion dollar Canadian television deal with Rogers Communications. Although the revenue is shared by all thirty teams, without the seven Canadian teams, especially Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, there would be no deal generating anywhere near that much revenue.

But because Canada is perhaps the only semi-major country where hockey is the most popular sport, hockey is somehow looked at by many in the media and by some fans as being deficient because it is lacking in popularity behind UEFA Football, The National Football League, Major League Baseball and the NCAA.

Therefore according to some media and fans, along with in some cases, quality of play reasons, various changes need to be considered to increase popularity as the TSN article mentioned, and I reasoned on Facebook that this may very well be a motivation behind the Aalto puck.

Philosophically, how important is it to be the most or more popular?

As I have noted many times on both blogs, the National Hockey League could generate more revenue and more new fans by concentrating on new traditional hockey markets. Not just my view, but also documented in the New York Times and Forbes from an American perspective and the economic Conference Board of Canada, from a Canadian perspective.

However, the League does have significant overall success based largely on Canada, the Northern United States and California.

The more popular sports such as European Football, the National Football League and Major League Baseball, in my opinion have certain advantages over hockey in that they are largely outdoor sports which can be played in more countries that fit naturally better into a culture.

I also reason that in general spectators will prefer an outdoor event outside in the sun than in an indoor arena.

These issues contribute to hockey being less popular. But less popular does not mean that the sport is not successful or cannot be increased in popularity if properly marketed.

Exodus 20: 17 English Standard Version

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

When I see the attempts my the League to market itself in new non-traditional markets at the expense of more profitable new traditional ones and I read and hear about the need for the game to change to be more popular, the Biblical idea not to covet comes to mind.

Rather on the corporate level and personal level, I reason advancement should be made within one's own limitations and not in comparison to others corporately or privately.

From a Biblical perspective this is the case, in Christ from a New Testament perspective.

This covetousness I reason is quite likely occurring in the realms of professional hockey at the highest level.

Not including the Aalto and their new technology in the statement.  I am not judging the Finnish manufactures motives for making the Aalto puck as being the same as the League.

I see Aalto as suggesting change for betterment as if hockey needs to be improved.

For forty years plus the National Hockey League has marketed itself as if its traditional roots will not suffice and that hockey as a business needs to be improved.

As I have opined, with this view the League is not being governed near optimally, primarily in regard to franchise placement.

Sesame Street-NHL: The Aalto puck make me think bitten on cookie or cake.
Learnin to drive?-Thanks to Deeaan of Deeaan and Bulgarian Princess fame. That is in front of their palace...
No, none of us were involved!
More from Dean...