Cease and Desist

Why would you read this? Are you a masochist? Or do you simply not have any better way to waste time? Either way, consider this disclaimer as you would the sign above the gates of hell, Dante.

Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here.  

In other words, if you are Dante, you know that it is a good idea to heed this warning.

If you aren't Dante, then you must just be really stupid or really bored.

So if you know what’s good for you, you will put the papers in your hand down, or light them on fire with the end of the fashionable collection of weeds, delicately smoking away in your hand.

If you must continue reading however, then know this: I have nothing to do with your being put in a straitjacket later on.

 ***

When man first discovered fire, he must have been very impressed with himself. He probably went around, showing all of his friends how bright it was, and showing all of his enemies how hot it was. He roasted some bacon, popped corn, kept warm at night, and flattened a neighboring village. Discoveries like fire have their purpose; they have meaning for years and years into the future. Where would we be if not for the discovery of fire?

Now consider the discoveries we make today. It begins with a shout of, “Hey guys! Look at what I can do!” and ends very soon after with ambulance lights and tears. However, if you think about the first discovery of fire, it most likely began with a, “You! *grunt* Look!” and ended with roasting flesh and tears. Not so very different after all.

It is in man’s nature to discover and try new things. Pushing the limitations of his reality and finding new ways to look at what was previously obvious. For early mankind, there was more to discover. The world was brand new and full of wonders. Man stumbled out of the garden and into a land of nice sprites and scary monsters—you know, ghosts and stuff*. Basically, man found that he didn't know or understand anything, and he had to start at the very basic and work his way towards a fuller understanding.

What I’m trying to say is that man has lost this sense of stupidity that early man had. Nowadays, we think we know everything. So we seek to invent rather than discover. We play god and attempt to create things using science we have no business dabbling with. I’m mean, look at what happened with Jurassic Park. It may be fantasy, but it is an excellent example of what happens when you use science to change the natural order of things. Bad things happen to good people, innocent pedestrians get mauled by raptors.

So consider this: discovery—good. Research used to discover things and understand this is an excellent way for an eager young scientist to pass the time.