"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society."

-- Krishnamurti --

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A friend of mine from Faire wrote:

Actually, I don't think there is truth, just perception.

My reply:

Really. That's an interesting viewpoint. I think it depends on whether you want to define Truth as a function of the individual, or the group.

And I can see that going either way.

Insanity was once said to be, "a majority of one." Then, though, they said Gallileo was crazy. Hmm. Turns out the world was crazy, and he was right.

But the guy that thinks he's Napoleon really believes it. Hmm.

Methinks perhaps there is an Objective Reality outside of Human Perception, but we, through our Senses and Reason, perceive it only dimly, some better than others, and sometimes, through the Distorted Lens of Faith, all of us not at all.

"The fault, Dear Brutus, is not in the stars, but in ourselves."

And I've just given myself a headache. Thanks a lot. :-)

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In college, I read a book.

Imagine that. :-)

"The Courtier" by Castiglione.

I was introduced to the idea of a Renaissance Man, a warrior/poet/philosopher/artist/lover, a man who excelled in all things, the perfect combination of brains, brawn, and cultured sophistication. A worthy goal.

After I'd dropped out for a year to make some money so that I could go back to school, (I am not from a wealthy family) I read another book.

(In fact, I was reading lots of books, but this one is an important one.)

Starship Troopers. Robert Heinlein.

I remembered the warrior part of the Renaissance Man ideal.

Two weeks later, I was in boot camp.

It was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.

But that's a whole 'nother story... :-)

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