The nature of the thing

# 02 May, 2013 22:07
Gunbuddhist	Listening to what Chris said in this episode in regards to guns really got me thinking. Is the purpose of a thing or action what it was designed for or is the purpose what the thing or action is used most for? His example was that the purpose of a gun is to kill someone. Now while I am an avid shooter I find it difficult to disagree. The function of most firearms or at least the technology aspect of them has been to increase their ability to kill a human. The main developments have been in night vision, infra red sights, and increasing distance while decreasing barrel size and limiting recoil and rise. I'll admit all of these advancements are for taking a life but is that the items function? Take sex for example. I believe Chris even brought up this subject on a different podcast. You could say that the purpose of sex is procreation. However, something like 90% of sex does not end in pregnancy. So is the purpose of sex pleasure or procreation? If an object or act is defined by it's original design than yes a gun's purpose is to kill, but if it's purpose is defined by what it is used most for than sex is for fun and guns are for punching wholes in paper. quote

# 02 May, 2013 22:07

Listening to what Chris said in this episode in regards to guns really got me thinking. Is the purpose of a thing or action what it was designed for or is the purpose what the thing or action is used most for? His example was that the purpose of a gun is to kill someone. Now while I am an avid shooter I find it difficult to disagree. The function of most firearms or at least the technology aspect of them has been to increase their ability to kill a human. The main developments have been in night vision, infra red sights, and increasing distance while decreasing barrel size and limiting recoil and rise. I'll admit all of these advancements are for taking a life but is that the items function? Take sex for example. I believe Chris even brought up this subject on a different podcast. You could say that the purpose of sex is procreation. However, something like 90% of sex does not end in pregnancy. So is the purpose of sex pleasure or procreation? If an object or act is defined by it's original design than yes a gun's purpose is to kill, but if it's purpose is defined by what it is used most for than sex is for fun and guns are for punching wholes in paper.

# 04 May, 2013 08:02
NS	Re your qualms about TED, this was posted on Disinformation: http://disinfo.com/2013/04/an-open-letter-to-ted/#sthash.6fNinpTt.dpbs It articulates my own reservations about TED much better than I could. quote

# 08 May, 2013 00:35
PrimalPurpleMoons	This was a good ‘sode. Daniele, despite your reservations about TED(which I definitely understand), I’d love to see you give a talk. Your overall “message” seems to be about unifying history with “real life.” Not separating the two into distinct categories. And not just history, your specialty, but everything. You're good at unifying everything under the sun into one overall idea. TED needs a talk like that. But until then, the podcast is good enough. Hope there's a new episode soon…they don't come out nearly enough. Though I understand you're busy and there's a lot of work to make these. I appreciate it lots. If I can put in a request….get Duncan Trussell back on! You two go together perfectly and the first episode with him was one of the best. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate listening to you. I just turned 30 and all through my 20s I was very much in my head. I read a lot, smoked a lot of pot, wrote music in my room by myself, etc. I lived in my introverted intellect 24/7. While that is definitely a big part of my persona, I appreciate the fact that you're such a…sensual…person, for lack of a better word. You seem to suck up the marrow of life….the intellectual AND the physical. It makes me realize that I need to get outside more, socialize more, push my body more, and of course…have more sex. So, just wanted to thank you for showing me that I've become a bit too comfortable in my little introverted mental box. Since I just turned 30, I'm dedicating the next decade to reinvent myself a bit and remake myself into a more realized human being. Thanks for the push in the right direction. -Sean quote

# 08 May, 2013 00:35

PrimalPurpleMoons

This was a good ‘sode. Daniele, despite your reservations about TED(which I definitely understand), I’d love to see you give a talk. Your overall “message” seems to be about unifying history with “real life.” Not separating the two into distinct categories. And not just history, your specialty, but everything. You're good at unifying everything under the sun into one overall idea. TED needs a talk like that. But until then, the podcast is good enough. smile

Hope there's a new episode soon…they don't come out nearly enough. Though I understand you're busy and there's a lot of work to make these. I appreciate it lots.

If I can put in a request….get Duncan Trussell back on! You two go together perfectly and the first episode with him was one of the best.

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate listening to you. I just turned 30 and all through my 20s I was very much in my head. I read a lot, smoked a lot of pot, wrote music in my room by myself, etc. I lived in my introverted intellect 24/7. While that is definitely a big part of my persona, I appreciate the fact that you're such a…sensual…person, for lack of a better word. You seem to suck up the marrow of life….the intellectual AND the physical. It makes me realize that I need to get outside more, socialize more, push my body more, and of course…have more sex. smile

So, just wanted to thank you for showing me that I've become a bit too comfortable in my little introverted mental box. Since I just turned 30, I'm dedicating the next decade to reinvent myself a bit and remake myself into a more realized human being. Thanks for the push in the right direction.

-Sean

# 17 May, 2013 03:43
Brandon	I'm not quite sure what question the OP is asking. Is it the chicken vs the egg question? After reading Sex at Dawn, I feel like Christopher Ryan really left us reeling. We have plenty of the prehistory of sexuality, a scotch of Victorian-era disillusion but not so much of history of women's liberation and Madison Ave advertizement. But, here we are, in 2013. Any cultural revolution takes at least 2 or 3 generations to change direction and a few more to codify it. Moreover, those in control will go at lengths to make sure nothing changes the status quo. quote

# 17 May, 2013 03:43

Brandon

I'm not quite sure what question the OP is asking. Is it the chicken vs the egg question?

After reading Sex at Dawn, I feel like Christopher Ryan really left us reeling. We have plenty of the prehistory of sexuality, a scotch of Victorian-era disillusion but not so much of history of women's liberation and Madison Ave advertizement.

But, here we are, in 2013. Any cultural revolution takes at least 2 or 3 generations to change direction and a few more to codify it. Moreover, those in control will go at lengths to make sure nothing changes the status quo.

# 21 May, 2013 02:06
dhizzo	Gunbuddhist Listening to what Chris said in this episode in regards to guns really got me thinking. Is the purpose of a thing or action what it was designed for or is the purpose what the thing or action is used most for? His example was that the purpose of a gun is to kill someone. Now while I am an avid shooter I find it difficult to disagree. The function of most firearms or at least the technology aspect of them has been to increase their ability to kill a human. The main developments have been in night vision, infra red sights, and increasing distance while decreasing barrel size and limiting recoil and rise. I'll admit all of these advancements are for taking a life but is that the items function? Take sex for example. I believe Chris even brought up this subject on a different podcast. You could say that the purpose of sex is procreation. However, something like 90% of sex does not end in pregnancy. So is the purpose of sex pleasure or procreation? If an object or act is defined by it's original design than yes a gun's purpose is to kill, but if it's purpose is defined by what it is used most for than sex is for fun and guns are for punching wholes in paper. You don't need hollow points to punch holes in paper. The power of an automatic rifle is grossly excessive for punching holes in paper. What an object is capable of, is what's important. quote

# 21 May, 2013 02:06

dhizzo

Gunbuddhist
Listening to what Chris said in this episode in regards to guns really got me thinking. Is the purpose of a thing or action what it was designed for or is the purpose what the thing or action is used most for? His example was that the purpose of a gun is to kill someone. Now while I am an avid shooter I find it difficult to disagree. The function of most firearms or at least the technology aspect of them has been to increase their ability to kill a human. The main developments have been in night vision, infra red sights, and increasing distance while decreasing barrel size and limiting recoil and rise. I'll admit all of these advancements are for taking a life but is that the items function? Take sex for example. I believe Chris even brought up this subject on a different podcast. You could say that the purpose of sex is procreation. However, something like 90% of sex does not end in pregnancy. So is the purpose of sex pleasure or procreation? If an object or act is defined by it's original design than yes a gun's purpose is to kill, but if it's purpose is defined by what it is used most for than sex is for fun and guns are for punching wholes in paper.

You don't need hollow points to punch holes in paper. The power of an automatic rifle is grossly excessive for punching holes in paper.

What an object is capable of, is what's important.