Get help to make life better (Monday)
Life Scholar β€’ World Philosopher
Culture Curator β€’ Tech Strategist
Human Being β€’ Sports Analyst

Serve Humanity Instead Of Money

Superman never made any money, savin' the world from Solomon Grundy. And sometimes I despair the world will never see another man like him. - Crash Test Dummies

Hey Bob, Supe had a straight job
Even though he could have smashed through any bank in the United States,
Well he had the strength, but he would not

Superman never made any money
For saving the world from Solomon Grundy
And sometimes I despair the world will never see another man like him

Superman's Song - Crash Test Dummies - AZ Lyrics

Be Careful What You Swish For

I wonder if more NBA rules created to discourage rebuilding and tanking results in "perverse incentives", and that reversing course to completely remove both the draft lottery and play-in tournament might be the simplest, best, or most natural order.

Draft

  • Flagg 1 (12th Last)
  • Risacher 1 (10th Last)
  • Wemby 1, Harper 2, Castle 4
  • Cade 1, Ausar 5, Ivey 5
  • Tatum 3, Brown 3, Smart 6
  • Wade 5, *James 1, *Bosh 4
  • Jordan 3, Pippen 5, Grant 10
  • Magic 1, Worthy 1, *Kareem 1

While the current NBA rule changes with the draft lottery and play-in tournament, as well as any further flattening of the draft lottery odds or other rule changes, are an attempt to combat a team rebuilding with homegrown talent and tanking or losing some games some years, it's possible the effects of these changes are worse and with other unexpected and negative consequences and natural reactions by teams that we have seen. It may be that great teams of the present and past had often naturally rebuilt to get one or two high draft picks or the possibility of a star player, and then they would go on to win or try to win for many years, including many of the top ranked, successful, and championship level teams of the past.

Continued... >

Embrace Your Own Place

I'm always left of center and that's right where I belong. I'm the random minor note you hear in major songs. - Janelle Monae

Sometimes a mystery, sometimes I'm free
Depending on my mood or my attitude
Sometimes I wanna roll or stay at home
Walking contradiction, guess I’m factual and fiction

A little crazy, little sexy, little cool
Little rough around the edges but I keep it smooth
I'm always left of center and that's right where I belong
I'm the random minor note you hear in major songs

I Like That - Janelle Monae - AZ Lyrics

Famous Buddha Paradox

If Buddha was content doing nothing, then "Why is Buddha so famous?"

  • If Buddha thought that living a life in which you don't need to do anything, make any improvements, or strive for any purpose was most rewarding or the best way to live, then why is he so famous and how did he produce many teachings which are so well-known?
  • Could it be because he followed his passions, sometimes strived to make things better with his ideas, found ways to potentially be of service for others, spent time doing and working on things he enjoyed, and even gained recognition from others for his work?
  • If Buddha was truly happy and content with just existing, meditating, and sitting in nature all of the time, then I wonder if we would not know him at all, let alone recognize him as such a famous and great writer, teacher, and philosopher.
  • I wonder if he may have really enjoyed his purpose or role as a teacher and philosopher, and spent a good deal of time learning and teaching how to live a better life, which resulted in him creating and writing many teachings on enlightenment and other ideas.
  • I admit my ignorance that I am not a master scholar of Buddha's teachings. Of course I understand he taught many different ideas including the Middle Way of finding a balance, and I know that he didn't actually teach everyone to just "sit in nature all day".
  • This was simply inspired by my ignorant image of him sitting in nature all day being content, and wondering if he might not be so famous if he did not follow his own passions and get some enjoyment from or even attachment to the purposes, roles, practices, or habits he did in his life.

February 18th, 2026