Best day of my Summer '11

So my friend came up to me one day and said she was going to independently raise money on behalf of the WHO and UN Food Program. I figured, "awesome, I want to do everything I can to help out". This was reinforced by the simplefact that I've known my friend for almost 7 years now and she has a heart of gold. I treat her more as an older sister than anything. But when the day came, I realized I had no display-able talents; after all, all her friends were playing instruments, singing songs, breakdancing, etc. and here I stood without any skills whatsoever. Then it dawned on me, I could RUN. And so as an advertisement of charity, my friend wrote on my back a brief and straight-to-the-point message on my back and off I went...

I ran across all of downtown, winding through alleys, down major streets, running up to random people and getting them to text. Each text was $5 and I ended up by the end of it all, $1500 through texts and a finished distance of 66km.

It was an amazing day. I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend a summer day in the city of Toronto.

-ZC

Philosophy on the go... (10.17.11)

I originally had planned to write on an idea that I had come across last week while working out. Unfortunately, by the time I sat down at a computer to type out my thoughts, I completely forgot what I was going to write about. It was a little disappointing only because it had hit me like an epiphany and at the time I thought it was an amazing idea.

Anyways, I decided to write on something else in the meantime, not to just fill space and time, but because I feel like if I start writing, it will get the creative juices flowing again and maybe more and new ideas will fill my mind.
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There has been one thought that I have been pondering a little bit and I had an in-depth conversation with a buddy of mine about the ethical progression of society. What I've realized today with the help of a friend today was that my style of writing and perspective have changed very subtly. It is not that I have a different stance on the matter, just a different way of expressing it. Maybe it is because as time has passed, I have grown older and so my enthusiasm has diminished.

So the original point we were discussing was whether or not a person genuinely knows who they are. We had agreed that each individual person is in constant pursuit of what they believe was the "good life". Now obviously each individual has their own idea of what the "good life" entail; which is why people pursue different things in their respective lives. How we got onto this topic was when we were discussing why we are the way we are. my buddy says that he never takes life too seriously. I rebutted that this point made no sense. I am not suggesting that when you take life seriously and that you need to approach everything sternly. What I AM suggesting is the various pursuits in life, whatever they may be, are taken seriously by that individual. Otherwise our pursuits wouldn't be meaningful if we never pursued them whole-heartedly. My buddy then disputed that you can take your pursuits seriously, but that you don't have to take life seriously. I half agree with this point. Here's why. Let's take a computer for example, you the user don't care about how the little parts in your computer work, as long as the computer as a whole works. Yet the person who is responsible for creating one specific part of that computer is very much concerned with his one part working because it contributes to the overall effectiveness of the computer as a whole. I tend to agree moreso with the second analogy. I agree only because our lives are something we work on constantly, whether to add on or refine it, we are constantly working on it. I do not take the perspective that we are handed life and are passive consumers of it. I believe that every proactive action we take in our life further refines or adds onto who we are - this may make us 'better' or 'worse' but nonetheless make us who we are.

And thus back to our original point, I believe that the moment you take something in life (whatever it may be) seriously, you have by default taken life as a whole seriously.

Somehow, we then got on to the topic or moral subjectivism and objectivism. My buddy brought up loosely the idea that if we all are committed to our own life courses, there will undoubtedly be some that choose to do evil in their life path. He posed the question, "How could that be someone's pursuit? I believe then that although life may have different meaning to different people, that I can still judge one person's pursuits more worthy than anothers...". Let's for a second, kind of dismiss the inherent albeit vague contradiction that exists there. Here I disagree with my friend at a fundamental level. I have very core libertarian values, even from an ethics standpoint. I do not presume to judge another's ethical principles in either comparison to mine or to some objective golden rule either. Every individual can claim their own ethical judgments, and although they may differ from mine, that difference alone does not warrant one to conclude one is better than the other. However, when one individual pursues their principles to the point where it infringes on another's liberties, then it becomes a problem.

With that side point taken into consideration then, the issue me and my buddy were discussing was whether or not an objective standard of morality exists. I argued that objectivity does not exist in the realm of ethics, and that what he 'thinks' is 'objectivity' is in actuality ethical intersubjectivity. The difference between the two is that moral objectivism generally posits that ethics has some set of golden principles. Many people have taken this view with varying degrees of leniency in terms of people actually adhering to those principles. Intersubjectivity on the other hand accepts that individuals have subjective moral principles. The position accepts to a certain degree moral relativism. However, the position does not follow moral relativism to the end because of the inevitable problems pure relativism encounters. Rather, intersubjectivity argues that although we all have various ethical principles, we find that there are many beliefs that overlap between most people. These overlapping principles are what we use to create social norms and enforce a form of social justice.

Now it is important to note here that this perspective echoes elements of legal naturalism (in that there are 'hidden' principles that we must find or that the 'emerge' from within) since these core principles are found inherent between most of the participants of a given group. Here though it is also important to note that although the social norms emerge from the intersubjective perspectives of most of the individuals of a given group, it does not mean that dissenting perspectives do not exist or that it cannot spread as an idea.

Now back to the point that this subtopic was suppose to address. With this perspective in mind then. The approach I took to my buddy's argument (that a person's pursuits in life can be judged from a moral standpoint to be better or worse than another) was to argue we cannot judge one better than another for our own perspective is subject to the social norms and thus layers of other people's subjective ethics. We are thus judging others to a social norm. Here I want to differentiate between objectivism and what I will call the "Intersubjective Norm". Objectivism would argue that some unchanging principles are constant and consistent throughout time and that people's relations with those principles are just a matter of how close we get to those, i.e. moral progress vs regress. My intersubjective norm however does not accept that there are some universal principles. Rather, society merely fluctuates as certain groups of ethical principles become more or less prominent in any given society. This means that when we judge an individual's action is unethical, it is relative to the group that judges him. It would be a mistake to say that their pursuits are morally right or wrong outright.

And so our conversation at this point was cut short as we had to finish up our dinner, pay the bill and head home after a long day's workout. But if you follow my thought process and head back to the original point about whether or not someone really knows who they are as a person, I would argue that an individual's life is spent pursuing the very meaning of it. If an individual does something at any one time that seems to contradict their moral principles, it does not necessarily follow (I think) that they have committed a moral wrong. Rather, I feel that they have simply evolved their ethical principles to include specific contexts and a specific situation.

Now there are HUGE ramifications of this conclusion, and I am more than willing to support that conclusion against very obvious rebuttals to it, but we'll save that for next time.

Have fun everyone.

"Every time I think, I have to rewind
With minutes and seconds, I've only got a little bit of time...
To find my mind and realize just how long I have to grind.
On my skateboard I ollie my way down the walkway
You have to at least meet my perspective halfway
With SB's on my feet,
I kickflip my ideas, Down the street
I head into a mall of ideas, thoughts and perspectives
180 and I find myself on the other side with ideas so selective
I gota grab new wheels for my board
so that I can keep my ideas rolling along the floor
I see a halfpipe
So it's time to take my ideas to the next level
Fly high into the night
Suspend my thoughts for a quick second with a handstand
come right back down to a... uh oh - faceplant.
Ow that one hurt - getting hit by an idea different from my own
From then to now, oh how I've grown
But without pain, I cannot grow wise.
With only my name, I travel in time." - ZC

Philosophy on the go... (A retrospective/02.11.07)

So I am beginning a new installment in my facebook note series, and it is my Philosophy on the go segments...

I got this idea when I was on the subway one day and I was just pondering how many theories, thoughts and rants I have with myself, which are actually quite revelating and enlightening, so I decided to share with all my fellow facebookers.

So this is how it works...every once in awhile, when I am struck with a deep philosophical question or tribulation, I shall post it for all of you to read, and if you want to give me feedback, by all means. I like controversy by the way...

So I hope you guys enjoy my new segment of Philosophy on the Go...and I'll begin by writing my first segment.

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So the other day I was sitting on the subway on my way home, and I was just sitting there listening to my music because I left my english book at home that day (I am getting old, losing my memory, LOL).

As usual, I notice people, they notice me, we exchange looks, maybe even smiles and perhaps a "hello" here or there...

By halfway through, around greenwood station, I notice a man with a simple art pad with blank papers and a pencil...and basically he is sketching people as they are standing, sitting or leaving the subway. And I mean he did it fairly quickly and he wasn't half bad in his art, mind you he wasn't the next Picasso or anything, LOL.

At first I was like...whoa this is kinda weird, I mean its kinda like taking someone's picture on the subway without them knowing...creepy huh? But then I came to realize something that might sound creepy at first, but hear me out.

I actually envied him. I mean here is a guy...on the subway without a care in the world because this is his escape, this is his alone time where he can transcend reality and just do what he likes to do, just let his art be what it is.

I on the other hand found myself to be his opposite...the struggling student working part time, going to school full time, doing all my other shit...and for what? a shot at success? What have I gained so far? only stress from all the time and effort I put into all my work, and that is why I envied him.

Its strange because V-day is coming up to, and people are riding that anti-commercialism fad, even when they are complete hypocrits. I on the other hand...have come to realize, you know what? Days like valentines, or xmas, or bdays....We should cherish them as much as we can...becuz everyday we are constantly barraged with work, stress, etc...and sometimes we lose sight of why we put up with the shit we do...and its cuz "there is some good in the world, and its worth fighting for..." - SG, LOTR

I admit that at times, I totally lost sight of why I put up with all this shit...and noI'm not saying im special because i have certain shit to deal with, because life is hard on all of us. There are those worse off than me, there are those better off than me. But even so, with all this hate and tragedy in this world, it would seem that being a good guy is hard...but still....this world needs good guys...

Philosophy on the go... (A retrospective/02.18.07)

Hey guys n gals, its me again, with my second installment to my "Philosophy on the go...". Since I got some positive feedback from the first one, I decided to post another one sooner rather than later.

So here it is, Philosophy on the go for Feb. 18...

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As many of you reminisce about what you did on V-day for your loved ones, or just what you did alone, you may have come across this new fad...

And guess what it is? People complaining that V-day has become too commercialized, and therefore do not buy any gifts or treat their loved ones to dinner or some other event to celebrate two people have with one another.

Here is what I have to say to those fad followers...You people are fucking morons. V-day has been commercialized? No shit Sherlock, but then again...we live in a commercialized consumer society...so er, how is V-day different then any other day?? Its not. So here's the point, those who complain that holidays are too commercialized or are driven by consumerism are complete hypocrites.

We as a race consume mass amounts of resources on a daily basis, whether it be clothes, toys, food etc. To focus on a day that is meant to celebrate love is basically an excuse for the poser revolutionary to cry out "OMG, look at what is wrong with everything!!"

Like I say to everyone else, I am not the next great revolutionary, hell, the paradox of being a revolutionary is that in order to overthrow the society you live in, you must first abide by the rules...its a predicament I find myself in, and hard to get out.

But the thing is, that people these days like any other day, enjoy posing or paying lip service to trends and fads...What do I mean? Look at Environmentalists...I am a die hard environmentalist at heart, but it pains me to see all these people, and you will probably see these people too who simply quote a fact (That is most likely inaccurate) and then conclude by saying "We should be doing something" or "The first step is raising awareness"...

LOL, whats so funny about those people is that they never really elaborate on what this "something" is, nor do they in their regular lives apply what they write on paper.

Sure, many of you are saying "But Zack, I try hard to recycle, and I throw my trash in the garbage all the time, and save energy etc etc."...

Here's the thing though, these people live in complete contradiction. They say that we need to stop pollution and global warming etc, doing these "superficial" things. This is because nobody bothers to actually research or is passionate enough to actually work towards preventing the destruction of our earth.

What contradictions you may ask? Hmmm I wish I could list them all, but its the middle of the night, I had a long day at work, and my mind is running in circles full of questions and emotions...So maybe another time.

But now, we must draw in concept of "Fad-riding" back to V-day. When people try to give me that bullshit lecture that V-day is commercialized I just let them know that because we live in a capitalist society, it is unavoidable. I mean, you're telling me that people who want to make money wont try to exploit a holiday? Obviously they are. The world revolves around exploitation and manipulation because we are driven by a capitalist world. Hell Even China's Communist party is now in support of a free market, and has further implications of becoming more and more Americanized... It makes me sick.

And its sad to say, but in our world, there is much more evil than there is good...there is no such thing as equal, we are all of us, deceived to believe otherwise...

And it is because there is so much evil in the world hat we need to celebrate V-day, to take a day out of your hectic year to satisfy the Western Capitalist demand of your labor, in order to remind yourself why you keep going, why life is worth living. To allow you and your other to just take that day and embrace each other in unconditional love. And this is what is key to end all suffering in the world, and to end evil...Unconditional Love. So next year's V-day, take the time out of your hectic schedule, you don't have to buy a fancy shmancy gift, just a dinner and some kind of thoughtful event or gift.

It's weird, because as I write this, I begin to question the existence of this concept that we call Love. But I guess that will be for another time...

There is such thing as love, the problem is that we just may never find it...

Philosophy on the go... (A retrospective/07.08.07)

Well boys and girls of all ages, it has been a long time since I have typed up a segment on my "philosophy on the go...". So I have decided to make this a 2-part segment just to make it up to all my loyal readers. The first will focus more on life, death, etc. The second? Frustration...endless frustration with the world, with people, and most importantly...with me. Well, lets get this baby started...

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So just a few hours ago I was watching "Armageddon" starring Bruce Willis, and for those of you who have not already seen it on the many times it has been aired...

This is the jist of the movie...there is a giant meteor headed for earth, only way to save the entire world is to blow it up from the inside of it, so the crew heads up there, lots of people die...and chaos ensues. Near the end, they realize that the bomb is damaged and one person has to stay back to detonate it manually...so they draw straws. Bruce Willis' character whole-heartedly sacrifices himself.

Now I kept thinking to myself...what would I do in that situation? Could I REALLY sacrifice myself for another? The answer for most of you is probably "yes"...I mean for a loved one, for the world even. But to me the greatest wonder is what would be going through your mind while you consciously and knowingly face your demise? What would you say? And I think that these final moments really define our kind of character and who we really are.

If I were to knowingly face my own demise, it would be simple for me. I would face death head on...and say, "Bring it on Motherrrfucker!" And go out defiantly. But if it was an altruistic type of death, then I would probably go out with a more peaceful way...kind of like closing my eyes until the last second and then *poof.

But I mean this all of course ties in with your personal beliefs about death and if you really believe in life after death. Me? I believe that there really is nothing after death...when we die...nothing happens, we just die. It's as simple as that, and at this stage in my life, and I believe a lot of other people as well...have already come to grips with their own death. And if not, then I suggest you keep pursuing your interpretation of life and the meanings tied in with it. I mean, I can honestly say that I am not afraid of death, even though there is a lot of things I have yet to do, and people I have yet to meet...I can honestly say that if I were to die tomorrow, I would be content with my life...although I know that I would leave some people with something less than happiness, I feel that if I were to go out in an altruistic fashion...I would die a happy man.

Yet on the flipside, if the world were to end tomorrow. Say...24 hours. What would you do? "Spend time with your loved ones" is what most of you would probably say. But what for those you could not get to in time? Say for example, someone who lived on the other side of the world, who was dear to you? would a phone call suffice? Or would it be a sad reality that not all those you have loved could be with you in your and their last moments on earth?

"Those who knowingly and willingly face their deaths...now aren't those the ones you want to keep alive?..." - Anonymous

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And for my second part, I would like to talk about frustration. It is a common if a tad unpleasant emotions that humans submit to more so in their youths rather than their elderly age. Recently I have had a string of frustrating moments...with the world, with humanity, with myself...and sometimes for no apparent reason at all. Yet each time I was enticed by that dark voice to give into my frustration, I realized that it was useful. Being frustrated, like everything else you do, truly reflects what kind of person you really are.

For me, the story goes a little something like this...

Work was brutal, close to a 13-day back-to-back shifts with a few 9.5 hr shifts among those 13 days. And for those who don't know, I work at Koya and deal with all types of people of different shapes, sizes, beliefs and attitudes. And I can honestly say that humanity disgusts me. Life is too long. And people really are stupider than they seem.

I remember during my shift on Thursday, I dealt with a (politely put) "troublesome" customer...and I walked off right after I served her, and one of my co-workers pulled me aside and said, "Hey, don't worry about it, it's just work, don't take it too personal..." And I pondered to myself what he said, and to me it made sense, but at the same time it didn't...

On the one hand, there are of course people that you will dislike for particular reasons, but you still need to work or communicate with them. Especially during work, there will always be unhappy moments and unfriendly customers. And because of this, work should strictly remain a professional thing.

But think about it...How am I? A creature subject to emotion, suppose to simply ignore and brush off something like that? to be proffesional...in a sense, is to be robotic...to be simply a machine part of a manufacturing line...and is that what I am? Of course not. Everything I do, I do with everything I've got...that's simply just the person I am, I give it my all, and in order to give it my all, I have to use everything I've got...and surprise surprise...emotion is one of them.

This all of course ties in with the idea of perfect rationality and ignorance. I mean, when I get frustrated with people, it is because I perceive them as being rude, as being troublesome towards me. But like all humans, I am my own perspective and as such...Me being in a state of frustration due to another individual is just a sign of my ignorance. If I am to get mad at another, I have unwillingly submit myself to quasi-rationality...which is (to me) a bad thing. People should always strive for Ideal rationality...but this in itself is impossible to attain, for if we were to obtain omniscience...we would cease to be human...and I don't know about you, but I like being me.

Humanity...no matter what your professors say, humanity needs strife, suffering, pain, frustration, anger. It serves a purpose. Utopia is a word full of contradictions and paradoxes. With all good there is bad, Ying with Yang, Man and Woman, Life and Death. Frustration exists to balance our more positive emotions, lest we be overwhelmed in an ecstatic orgiastic state.

So frustation...how do I deal with it? I walk home after work in the dark...go to a nearby park, and curse at the sky. Curse with exhaustion...Curse with everything I've got...Curse like the universe gives a shit.

Thanks for reading, appreciate it. Stay tuned for the next segment.

- Zacchaeus Chan

Philosophy on the go... (A retrospective/07.25.07)

Let's get one thing straight right off the bat. I am fucking pissed beyond the description of words. Language is bound by its inferiority as a tool due to the inferiority of its creators.

So let's get this started shall we?

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So. To begin. Life is basically the cruelest most ironic joke that plays itself out. It teases you, beckons you to cling onto it without the realization that it grants nothing more than the very simple survival of the species. We think that we are special, that we are unique. Yet we as individuals are not unique. What I do now, what you do now, what I do 5 days from now, has no impact on the universe. We are inferior beings who think we are superior. And here lies our insecurity, our search for some kind of meaning...That is why people believe that life is worth living, to search for meaning to our superiority.

But perhaps, we need to re-evaluate the situation. If we reduced ourselves to nothing more than say a monkey, we would no longer need to search for this "meaning" that we all look for through various forms, such as religion. When people tell you to distinguish a need from a want, there is in actuality no such thing as a need. It all boils down to wants. You want to live. You do not NEED to live. Your measly life is but a mere speck of dust in comparison to the entirety of the universe.

...So do not think too highly of yourself.

Everything we do, for all our claims to justice, freedom, morality...these are nothing more than words used to confuse people into believing they are able of such things, when really they are not. Come on, you're not a perfectly rational creature, so how can you uphold justice? How can you know what is right, or what is wrong? The answer? You can't. My friend once argued that beliefs do not exist in the way we believe they exist, and I find that he is more convincing with each passing day. We believe we have these miraculous things called the mind, which are able to do amazing things, and create things such as beliefs. But really...beliefs are just a formulation of ideas to help people deal with the world, with their environment. A person is nothing without their beliefs. And as such, people are unwilling to admit that beliefs are nothing more than the brain's inferiority trying to adapt to its environment...to try to keep the system sane and functioning.

It's sad really...for all that we have done throughout human history...all that we have been able to accomplish is to learn how to kill each other more efficiently...no achievements in the search for a utopia...But then again, a utopia is a paradox in itself...let me explain.

Many would agree that the ideal society would be one of a safe haven, with peace, and equality for all. No conflict, no discontent...kind of like a heaven on earth. But it's impossible.

The only way for people to achieve a utopian society, is if we lived under a dictatorship and enforced as a police state. Think about the conflict we have. Race, Sex, Gender, Culture....these differences will NEVER be resolved, no matter how optimistic we are. Sure there are examples of groups that co-exist outside these categories, but it is impossible to fully escape these categories and differences. And here's why...

With evolution, the human brain has learned using a process of categorization, I do not claim to know how it works, or how it began, all that I know is that the brain works so that it is able to find relatively similar things, group those things, and categorize them...this characteristic is a learning mechanism that is innate in all of us. There is no escaping nature's design.

Thus, categorization, stereotypes, etc. must exist, and if that is the case, there will never be peace and equality. The differences will always exist, and all it takes is for one person to see that difference and begin spreading hate, because an ideal utopian society would have free speech...so alas we come to the conclusion that humanity is doomed due to nature's design and evolution. If a police state were to establish itself in the world. Peace and tyranny would reign supreme. We as inferior creatures cannot design a perfect self-governing system, that is an unrealistic expectation...we cannot expect imperfect beings to perfectly rule themselves in flawless manner...it is simply impossible.

So with all our problems, overpopulatioin, animal cruelty, war, youth crime, poor political infrastructure, corruption, greed, injustice, and billion more issues...which ones are most dire? Most important? I cannot say. I remember my brother told me a quote, and it went something like this...

...Humanity's fall began the moment one man learned that he could attain power over another...

...and that was a long time ago...

Humanity. It's doomed. You are inferior. Life is meaningless. Have a nice day.

Zacchaeus Chan

Philosophy on the go... (A retrospective/04.26.08)

Hey everyone, it is me again lol, the one and only. I know I haven't really written anything in awhile, and that can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on who you are and how you are related to me, but the bottom line is that I have been bogged down in work and exams. So as I sit here, and watch the news and ponder about the things that have happened to me the past few days, I began reflecting, and these are the words of my thoughts.

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For this note, it's not going to be the typical me ranting about the demise of the human species or me making fun of you or even an enlightening piece whereby I express how we can become better people, but rather its just an observation that I have made over the past years and have only begun to be able to formulate into words recently. The observation is less an observation than it is a criticism of the human species as it currently is. What I want to address tonight, and what I have pondered upon lately is this whole thing of contradiction and paradox.

When I speak of contradiction, I am not speaking of people changing their minds over time, for this is not really a contradiction, it is merely an evolution of a personal philosophy or belief, and thus it is not by definition a contradiction. What I mean by contradiction is when a person prescribes a certain theory or belief, yet acts or argues the exact opposite in the immediate preceding moment. Now I am certain that many of you agree with my proposition and deem this note as useless because you assume axiomatically that these contradictions within society are simply true. But for me, that wont be enough, and for the sake of intrigue, I wanted to find out why, and the reason behind this.

There can be many approaches to many contradictions within society, you can look at it from a purely economic, or a socio-economic, a political, or other view, but I will focus on very general ideologies that the society at large accept. The first example is this whole environmentalist movement, or the "green movement" as many like to coin the phrase. The jist of this movement is that global warming is bad, and we need to save the environment, preserve biodiversity, and save animals from extinction. Now most certainly you would take this to be a virtuous and noble cause. When you speak to people around the streets or even looking at political leaders, they will play this "green card" to get voters' attention, by using words like "recycling", "energy management", "Carbon emissions", "clean water", etc. People nearly everywhere agree that the world is facing a global crisis of environmental degradation. Yet what is our answer to this problem? Worldwide concerts to raise awareness, political leaders paying lip service, and a Kyoto accord that makes pinky promises seem like an unbreakable blood bond.

Now, people tell me all the time, but Zack, these things are not meant to save the world right then and there, they are meant to raise awareness and spread knowledge. Well you know what? Awareness doesn't take much. I could hold a speaker phone and shout really loud a sentence like "Baby walruses fly across the canyons of Mars"... guess what? You are now aware that I am a nutcase. My point is that we as a global community is beyond the point of raising awareness, we are quite aware of what is going on around us, if not through propagating television or the internet. It is time for action, time for movement, and time to stop BULLSHITTING.

You know how people bullshit all the time? You ask them, "What should we do about the environment?" they say "Protect it". You then ask them, "How are the gas prices?", they say "Too high". Implicitly, they have just contradicted themselves. We should save the environment.... but after I feed my car, I eat that nice sirloin steak, and then use an air conditioner to cool me off in an office that is part of an urban sprawl that disrupts rainfall, wind movement and produces massive waste.

Now I know I am being a bit harsh, saying that people can't be held responsible for every possible indirect effect on the environment that our actions have. But isn't that EXACTLY what is wrong with us? It is because we act and behave and isolate ourselves into little pieces so that nobody ever knows what the complete picture is, where everybody says, "I didn't know that that was what is going to be used for... I was just doing my job". So, we act like we are in our own little vacuums, but admitting at the same time that our actions have a butterfly effect on the things around us. It is this mentality, this contradicting ideology that is so dangerous, the fact that we knowingly act destructively yet tell others that we should do our best to be virtuous.

Ok, so let's say I am wrong, let's say that for all that I have said, it is bullshit and indeed that you should now believe a word I have said, for you sincerely believe that it is our duty to save the planet, or our duty to save the animals, or our duty to praise God and banish all gays and lesbians. Ok, let's say that I am wrong, and that since people are always being born or that there are ignorant people, that we need to constantly raise awareness... then what is left for you? What is left is this: inaction. If you're going to always need to tell new generations this and that so that they have all the information they have to act, there will never be any action at all (Refer to my Theory and Action quote on my page). I ask you then, why do you want to save the planet? To leave a better world for your kids? To simply protect the world? To live a better life? Well I'm sorry to break up your utopian dreams, but for those that have actually done the time to research and understand even the surface of the real issues, one of the biggest problems is because of our exponential population growth, not only in the third world, but also in the developed world. The problem, some argue is consumption. For example, some argue, that it is because people in the West consume more resources than third world countries, and that is why the world is degrading. Sure, that could be true, but what do you propose? That those people reduce their quality of life to increase others, are you telling them to subscribe to a utilitarian type of philosophy? Because keep in mind, for all the subtleties of the developed world, they are far from being ideal, places such as ghettos, poverty stricken cities, the homeless, the hungry are rampant in developed countries. To tell them that they should reduce their quality of living to help someone else in, say Mongolia will never be taken as a serious comment unless this is imposed upon them. And this brings me to my overall point, if environmentalists are to succeed, it must be done with force, and imposed forcefully upon the entire world, otherwise, free will will always override environmentalism.

It is because we have free will, that we contradict ourselves, it is because we have all these options open to us, that we are so capable and powerful, that we do not know what to do. We are far from omnipotent, far from almighty, but this is only so because we cannot even begin to comprehend the powers of the choices that we make. The implications that we make, the effects of our actions. We as a species are destroying the planet, knowingly and willingly. To paraphrase Smith from "The Matrix", we are a virus, our behaviours mimic those of infectious organisms and parasites. But we don't want to see ourselves like that, because we are too full of ourselves.

So what does the future hold for us then if all this pessimism is in me? The answer is simple, I don't need an answer. I am content with the chaos and contradictions that exist within us, that exist among our relationships and with each other. To say that I want a natural disaster to destroy half the human population is a bit extreme, because the repercussions would be enormous, we don't need a revolution, because history tells us that that would only result in tyranny. So what is to happen next? I have no answer for you, and it's that simple, some of you may find that unsatisfactory or even a bit stupid... but it is the most honest answer that I can give you. And if I have learned anything from the time I have spent on this place we call Earth is that to be honest with yourself and others is what is most ideal, although the results are not always ideal, it is nonetheless necessary.

Now what do I think if the world does end, if the environmentalists are right and we are headed down a path of destruction? My answer is, so what? What is so bad about dying? What is so bad about us destroying ourselves due to our inadequacy? Is that not realistic? Is that not evolution at work? Why cling to life relentlessly? This too relates to one of my quotes on my information section referring to wants vs. needs. There are no needs in life, you do not NEED to live, you merely WANT to live. Remove this want, and your life becomes that much more simpler. Live without wants, and you will live without regrets, and a life without regrets is a content life.


Be honest, be content.

- Zacchaeus Chan

What is 'Philosophy on the go...'?

Hey everyone,

As many of you are already aware, this is not my first installment of 'Philosophy On The Go...'. I have had previous posts before about different topics that run through my mind whether they be brief or over an extended period of time. I was actually saddened when I looked back at my old posts because I have not written one for a very long time. This is undoubtedly because of my preoccupation with my training regiment for my Iron Man competitions, working full time, and experiencing everything else that a working class life has to offer.

Now most of these posts are intended to be neutral in their tones and approach. Although there may be a sense of frustration on behalf of the writer to the reader, I assure you that whatever emotional undertones that may or may not be detected are strictly within the realm of the ideas under discussion and are in no way taken personally by me and I hope that you, the reader, do not take any of these topics personally either.

With the way my recent life has been progressing, I've been surrounded by the issue of commitment and the fear of it. More specifically I've been dealing with people who are afraid to commit to themselves. It doesn't come as a surprise to me even though I have only worked in the health industry for a brief period of time that I have already encountered so many people who throw out countless excuses as to why they are unable to stay active or lead a healthier lifestyle. When that one person walks into that gym and sits down, they have all the intention to join because they know full well the benefits of a healthier and more active lifestyle. Now although the gym is not the only route to wellness and fitness, it is probably the most common. The odd thing I find is the type of person who comes in with the intent to commit to themselves and their own personal fitness goals but then decide to fill their heads with various thoughts of self doubt. Now don't get me wrong, the gym industry has never been the most credible industry, but let's be honest - very few industries are as honest as some people would believe. Many have this presumption that gyms are the same as say used car salesmen, or politicians; just full of shit...

Now if that person sat down in front of me and said that was their main concern, I would have no problem with it. This is because it shows that they aren't afraid of committing to themselves, they're hesitant because they don't want to be scammed (which is perfectly fine). I would rather those type of people say that then feed me a bunch of shit like "ooh I don't like my gyms having carpet" or "Why do I have to do a physical assessment to get my card!? This is preposterous!". The customer is sometimes just as full of shit...

And to stray off a little bit, this whole generation of "the customer is always right" mentality is probably one of the most dangerous thoughts we can implant in people today. Feeding into the self righteous, vain society that we already live in. Making people feel more important than they really are, that the world caters to their every whim and desire... it disgusts me how the privileged forget they are privileged. Just remember next time you walk into a restaurant or a store and the person helping you... use some patience and understanding. A Mr. Mike Hoehn once quoted another individual who said "the most dangerous thing we can tell our employees within a company is 'the customer is always right'... when in reality most of the time they are wrong..."

But back onto the topic of commitment, most people spend their entire lives sitting on the fence. Few people ever want to commit to something completely because they don't want to fail. They want a safety net, a way out. Most people's skewed perception of the health industry is so mind boggling, I don't know if I can explain it. People will nod and agree usually that a healthy active lifestyle ought to be something we should strive for on a daily basis for our entire lifetime. Now that is completely fine so far. Then suddenly they look at a membership and are bewildered when they find out that a gym membership may last for a year! What a lot of people may respond with is yea, but a lot can happen in that year such as relocation, vacation, etc. which is fine. Gyms are reasonable organizations who understand this - after all, lawyers are the ones who draft up these membership agreements. Most gyms accommodate for such events.

Now even after this, people still want to "think about it" which is my ALL TIME favourite sentence that basically says "I'm out of here". And I ask, what is there to really think about? Commitment takes a lot of time and effort, I understand that. But most things we have no problem committing to. Not even a second thought would be given. For example, things like post secondary education, getting a job, then a family, raising kids, paying for their schooling, cell phone plans, internet, cable, coffee, shoes, clothes, etc etc. And I get that each of us have our own priorities and personal things we need to deal with. We ALL do. Not taking the time out of the day to maintain your health just means that you won't be able to do the things you are trying to do now. How can you play soccer with your kids if you run out of breath every 10 seconds. Maintaining a strong healthy lifestyle will most certainly reduce the amount of days you feel sick or groggy. The benefits are immense. And the investment of it doesn't have to be more than 30 minutes a day. That's it. The average Canadian sits around and does nothing or watches TV for more than that. So if any of these excuses are ones you would use, I think it's time to get yourself off that couch and commit to yourself rather than laziness.

Although this little thought was mainly geared towards health, I am in no way limiting to just health and fitness. I am attempting to relate this type of human behaviour to other things as well. The reason why there aren't many success stories is strictly because there are so few people willing to work hard, willing to give up a part of themselves to something they truly believe in. I used to think in my younger days it is because the "system" keeps people down. That the system is built to keep most people poor and allow only a few to trickle through. But you know what, although that may still be partly true, I think now that the bigger reason isn't that the people can't succeed because of unbeatable odds, but rather because most people are content with just getting by. They're happy to go to their jobs that just pays the bills and their kids schooling, their little toys and furniture and whatever little trinkets they amuse themselves with. But then they bitch when you ask them whether or not they think social inequities exist and how it is unfavourable towards them.

"To maximize your results, minimize the excuses" - Zacchaeus Chan

___

Cuz its a Fine Time to Rhyme in the 09, At it again in the 2010, Here I come in 20-1-1...

Rhyme Compilation =D Enjoy...

Oct. 08, 2011:
"Class is back and so are my lectures.
Sorry for the hiatus, but my mind needed to be nurtured.
Thought I had a lot of wisdom back in the day,
but really I was just another kid, nothing great.
This lecture is going to cover human psychology,
Sight, sound, touch and how we interpret information thoroughly.
It's an oddity that so many are afraid to work consistently.
School I heard once crushes your creativity,
to mold you as a drone to perform routinely,
a set schedule, as you grow - 30, 40, 50...
But let's face facts.
Knowledge can only be found through class.
But that's not to ignore wisdom and it's role in your life path.
I stand here today, but I've also been where you've sat.
Age doesn't define one's wisdom
Just like music isn't all set by one rhythm
Many people say life isn't a sprint, its a distance race
But what they fail to mention is that we run different routes at a varied pace.
We as people need to learn to slow things down and not bolt right out of the gates.
Enjoy your life, because it took a long long time to create.
Whatever is waiting for you at the end can do that - wait. Because whatever it is, you won't be able to change your fate." - ZC

Aug. 28, 2011:
"The summary of my philosophy can be stated quite simply.
No hate in my eyes, just feelings expressed verbally.
Making sure I filter my thoughts logically.
The responsibility I have is the same as others individuality.
For no one can be merely the product of their environment you see.
Free will defined as awareness, even vaguely allows us to choose our own morality.
But understand people change daily.
The only thing you can do for yourself is to state 'I won't fail me'."

July 9, 2011:
"What you sayin' Carl Sagan?
We live in an age where our knowledge has become so fractional,
it seems improbable we'll ever reach our maximal.
We're indeed made of star stuff,
each of us a diamond in the rough.
What makes me or you special is not what we are made of,
but how those atoms are arranged in each of us.
Only thing faster than the speed of light,
is wisdom parting ignorance like a candle in the night."

June 18, 2011:
"Nothing wrong with nodding our heads to this song.
What a good day, even when nothing goes your way;
boss hassling you but you put up with it anyway.
Realize your phone not in your pocket,
but you still got buds in your drums,so you just rock it.
Nothing in your bank account,
try to grab food only to hear the debit decline sound.
But it's gona take more than that to make this boy frown..."

May 25, 2011:
"What is an addict?
To be mentally sick?
Or something you can't seem to quit?
Shit - if that was the answer,
you know how many things I'd have to omit?
I am in need of an intervention for my afflictions,
attention paid to my many addictions.
One of them I put this way,
I tend to rhyme a lot of what I say.
To run is to rhyme in the same fashion,
because both require, form, technique and inspiration."

May 7, 2011:
"Got inspired to rhyme again by the fam,
driving down 401 in a 7 seat van.
Putting on beats for us to rhyme to,
stay on key like how pianos do.
Didn't verbalize fast or slow,
just our own pace when it was turn to go.
It's funny the mind set of the old ones,
stubbornness hardens as time ....um....
I am way too tired to figure a bright metaphor,
but at least we can sleep and count on the sun to rise ever more..."

March 22, 2011:
"Whether you break the wave, or go with the flow.
Open your mind to where knowledge will go.
Otherwise its like building a house with no window.
Closed in darkness and ignorance you see,
nothing to be proud of I'm sure you'll agree.
Don't let an -ism or -igion be the end of your thoughts,
otherwise, dogma is all you've got.
The knowledge I give? You don't have to keep,
just don't be proud to be ignorant sheep..."

Feb. 23, 2011:
"I find myself always saying 'Hello'
because too many people these days walking around as if they existed all alone -
it's time we realized we live in the same home;
making us all a family, wherever we may roam..."

Feb. 09, 2011:
"There's a reason CB rhymes with PC,
making me feel unworthy.
Perception of me by others treated more importantly,
than my lifestyle and what I choose to do freely.
If hindering my ability to perform was the fact,
than I would understand and change how I act.
Luckily I don't have to put up with this for a long while -
I'll just shut up as they rule with an iron fist and a smile..."

Jan. 28, 2011:
"Indecision is problematic,
fear is reactive
and laziness is attractive.
This is the situation of our generation -
so many freedoms, yet little moral progression.
Where impoverished kids don't learn how to read, build, or sew,
rather the quickest way to reload...
Despite these times, I'm gona rhyme for awhile,
cuz like Bruce; I'm not bound by style.
P.S. You gota be careful when a suit is wearing a smile..."

Jan. 28, 2011:
"What you gonna do, when life has it's hands chokin you?
Indecision is problematic,
fear is reactive
and laziness is attractive.
Combine them and you get the situation of our generation,
with so many freedoms, yet so little moral progression.
Success is measured with the juicy cash flow,
and not where our minds go,
where children in third world nations don't learn how to read, build, or sew...
but just simply the quickest way to reload...
Despite these depressing times, I think I'm gona stay for awhile,
I write more lines than I run miles,
cuz like Bruce; I'm not bound by any definitive style."

Jan. 01, 2011:
"Hey guess what, it's two-zero-one-one.
Gona further develop my perspective and have some fun.
Kinda weird to look outside on a January morning to see rain,
but I can't really complain.
Enjoying what the calendar has brought me,
a new day, never the same.
But even as the days roll by, it's hard to miss,
how the present now is the only moment that will continually persist...
even long after I lay in my cist."

Dec. 23, 2010:
"Not a pessimist, I'm an optimist -
not to be confused with Optimus.
Hidden in jargon, your fallacies are in disguise.
But beware, I reason like Wittgenstein,
break you down and seize the prize.
Trying to convince people of your lies
like horoscope signs.
Realize ideas must be correct,
pay respect for you're always in debt.
I'm the repo-man of intellect,
but it seems you don't have a thing for me to collect..."

Nov. 29, 2010:
"When I arrive, I tend to be a bit sloppier.
While you shoot blanks like an ink-less photocopier.
Time to bring class to this whole rhyming institution,
take all your stolen lines and bring about restitution.
Like our monetary system, most of the rhymes and beats are debt.
But now its time to listen, my rhymes are the banks, and it's time to collect..."

Nov. 26, 2010:
"It's time to wake up.
All my wrongs, I gota make up.
Get yourself out of that bed,
exercise your mental trapped inside that head.
Your crisp breath hitting the morning air,
fresh jeans or old sweats - nobody cares.
A homeless man sitting on the sidewalk with a broken smile,
with a brown hat, one sock and more time than a while.
Go to school and get some perspective,
then go to work and apply what's effective..."

Nov. 05, 2010:
"I can't remember the last time I mouthed out sounds.
Rummaging through a lyrical bin of lost and found.
Like strolling through a Goodwill store,
checking for old beats, rhymes and synonyms galore.
Rhyming is a lot like being homeless,
each layer of clothing metaphor covering the real shape,
somewhat formless.
Not really caring for social etiquette,
just rhyming to some beat for the hell of it..."

Aug. 17, 2010:
"I wish to write a clever rhyme in the middle of the night.
But to be honest, I'm walkin left on a street going right.
Here's a visual for those certain individuals.
Standing in the middle of an intersection, in the pale moon light.
A wrong turn demands correction, dilemma revealed in hindsight.
Suddenly the devil appears,
and my only friends are my numerous fears.
I scream for my own, but nobody hears..."

Aug. 08, 2010:
"The theory of evolution is a powerful one at that.
Darwin's finches unfortunately are not alive today to show this fact.
But we still see changes in gene pools,
whether its through a bottleneck
or another one of nature's tools.
Furthered by Dawkins memes,
seems to strengthen Darwin's dreams.
If you think its all BS, I suggest you take a look.
With a little mental finesse, go and read Darwin's great book." -ZC

July 19, 2010:
"It's great when you living on a 9 to 5,
just scrapin on by,
wondering if your cheque is gona keep you alive.
Living with inner city blues,
with the working class being persuaded to be content with what they do.
The middle class in the delude of an upper wealth attitude
in the attempts to preclude
so to enrich the feelin of a self-righteous mood,
dichotomizing various crews in this man-made sooth.
Widening the rich and poor chasms,
making it difficult like an infertile orgasm.
Good of society? I can fathom...
sorry if you can't tell, but that was sarcasm..." - ZC

July 15, 2010:
"I didn't believe in magic, until you disappeared from my life.
It's not that it's tragic, but I wished I could have had you as my wife.
I'm not unique, just complicated.
Like loan contracts, hidden but stated.
I need to find myself again so I can talk to him.
It's fair to redistribute poetry,
despair resolved through lyrical ingenuity.
My joys and pains, whom do I share...
but then again, I ask - who is to care?"-ZC

July 15, 2010:
"Lets talk about Kant's categorical Imperative,
it's contribution to Artificial Intelligence must of,
sparked the idea of relevance,
and this is for those who don't know his importance.
Knowledge acquisition is a secondary mental duty,
rather than actions done habitually.
Hume was right and wrong;
habit provides no reason to believe.
But after Kant has gone,
we still don't know ourselves... so smart, so naive..." - ZC

July 15, 2010:
"Let's talk moral philosophy,
from the view of Hume honestly.
The issue is motivation and action,
across the nation, every faction.
The mind is governed in such fashion;
reason and passion.
Yet reason alone never motivates us to act,
but if this is fact,
then pure rationality is something we'll always lack.
And given passions are few in type,
how can you ever ask someone to differentiate between wrong and right?"-ZC


June 16, 2010:
"Optimism of the optimum is honourable son,
but obviously without the aid of opium,
nor can you achieve this with a heart full of odium.
Otherwise you're left with stems and crumbs,
wondering how you ever got this dumb." - ZC

June 8, 2010:
"Everybody lookin for love,
and the answer ain't below or above.
It's whats in each of us,
try to enjoy and have fun,
so go break bread with your buds,
leaving noone with crumbs." - ZC

May 31, 2010:
"This lesson is a bit harder.
The newest threat to freedom is in our words and grammar,
hiding and concealing the matter.
Our fundamental right is to expression and thought,
as entrenched in our charters in case we ever forgot.
The problem today is many believe we need to be politically correct.
In other words, hiding behind euphemisms rather than be direct -
which is limiting your freedoms in the name of respect." - ZC

May 27, 2010:
"Let me tell you about a little boy, so...
Like any story, it starts when a girl says no,
the boy promises this won't hinder where their friendship will go.
The boy's attempts to busy his mind was in vain.
For he would think about her all the same.
Whenever he saw a girl that looked like her, his heart would skip a beat...
I wish I could tell you this story goes further, but who hasn't been in this boy's seat?" - ZC

May 11, 2010:
"It's high time, I shake down another fly rhyme.
Perspective on matter is a matter of perspective
since only effective physics shows physics is effective.
Yet it is wrong to assume subjective perception is what reality is,
this would be to misuse linguistic practices.
In order to have subjective sensation,
there must first exist objective ramifications." - ZC

April 25, 2010:
"Never fall for the sin of lust.
No I'm not religious,
I just don't believe in chasing sluts.
Thinking with your jimmy can prove callous,
especially when nothing else is in your mind but malice.
Self discipline is not idle, for it can only be practiced by one disciple." - ZC

April 15, 2010:
"I realize what I have missed,
this state of being love sick.
Living but never alive,
doing but never to strive,
expressing but never amplified.
Once again I had an epiphany,
an insight into reality.
What was missing, were the buds linking my music and me.
When it comes to living, its just my music and the air I breathe.
Now let's go back to that slow jazz and hip hop,
cuz from now to infinity, I can't stop." - ZC

March 29, 2010:
"When there is a pragmatic conflict between two.
Winners win, but what do Losers do?
Am I the only one who thinks ethics is delusional? T
he loser's way of claiming they chose the higher moral optional.
What is the danger of optimistic faith?
It shifts the responsibility of failure to what the individual creates.
Positivity is not the only factor to achieve a successful state.
Social control is not a conspiracy theory, s
ome see bureaucracy and deny its oppressive hierarchy,
and this scares the shit out of me." - ZC

March 18, 2010:
"This one is for the metaphysical empiricists.
For those who do their own thing as self proclaimed lyricists.
Humean causality seems like the right starting point for sensual reality.
Otherwise, it is nothing more than to merely speculatively hypothesize.
Conjunction of two contexts never gives accordance to causation,
but if pragmatic probability is necessary for human action, then it is a creation.
Reason cannot ground itself, this we all know.
But if emotions are what drives us to go,
what is the link between my lyrical notes?" - ZC

Feb. 08, 2010:
"Pragmatically a legal positivist,
Ideologically a legal naturalist.
The law is a terrible thing to disobey.
The threat of force is easy to persuade.
Criteria for law established by a minority state,
valid regardless of moral dictate.
Difference between what is necessary and sufficient,
between rules, principles and legal omissions.
Can a law still be a law if it is merely the procedural?
Only in the realm of validity in accordance to what has been accepted habitual.
Practice legal principles word for word,
as long as you understand the principles may overlap with the morally absurd.
Live life by the law,
for the state is the ultimate coercive power of them all." - ZC

Feb. 2, 2010:
"My mic sounds nice check 1, My mic sounds nice check 2,
time for Hip Hop to emerge as a scholarly pursuit.
Whether you take a class in mixology or Turntablism,
a lecture in Trip hop fusion or clever metaphorical lyricisms.
Hip Hop history goes beyond the 1990's.
Realize the evolution of this entity in contrast to mainstream hypocrisy.
Slavery brought about resistance physically,
but oppression still reigned supremely.
And so music was the expression of the struggle by men mainly,
in the form of Rhythm and blues you see.
And suddenly equality was fought through the use of the sax, drums and trumpets blown crazily.
With the passion of resistance to centuries of white supremacy.
And eventually things got jazzy, with talented artists like Ms. Billie.
Study these men from Grover to Ben E.
Because without those brass and bass,
there would not exist the Hip Hop we know today.
Cultures evolve too, self-preservation is everything's way.
But I do say, when you listen to the airwave,
is the message they say really what has been the product of progress made?
Or are they bragging that they are now paid,
lots of money in the bank and a mansion in L.A.?
Just keep in mind what is to be gained,
being given a paycheck is another way of saying you're a wage slave.
It is time to open your mind to real hip hop, and that starts... today." - ZC

Feb. 1, 2010:
"Stop exaggerating your riches and money,
even a high school dropout makes a few 50's a week at Mickeys.
Do the right thing and stay in school as long as you can,
Because only this will bring change and upliftment of every man.
I haven't forgotten the struggles of women in our history,
but don't strive to fulfill a man's misery.
Success in an oppressive system means just barely getting enough.
Thus your goal is not prosperity of self, but all of us.
Your mind? Fill with Wisdom. Your heart? Fill with Love." - ZC

Jan. 26, 2010:
"Use all my strength to find her.
Hopin she don't hit me outa the park like Mcgwire.
For a sec I thought you were the one,
but it was my mind that created a facade of our fun.
Time has left my body jaded,
guess your relationship with me has faded,
something to be sublimated until it was eliminated.
As I stated, I knew my desire wouldn't be sated,
your sleight of hand caught me by surprise and I became intoxicated.
I can't enumerate how my mental state will never eliminate this condition I suffer,
until the day I emancipate, by incapacitating my heart, no longer a lover... " - ZC

Jan. 20, 2010:
"I'm all about the rhymin and the beats.
It can come from a concert hall, or on the corner street.
Cuz music is expressing what's goin on,
so hit play to the 'break of dawn'.
It's not about dividing the old and new,
but being proud of what expresses the truth.
Bump to Guru's Jazz - forged,
rock to Del's Brother George,
and lay back and chill to Damu's beats hardcore.
You can rhyme anywhere,
as long as its fresh and rare.
I'm proud to listen to the vintage,
now, pretend you Flash, and leave me a message" - ZC

Jan. 19, 2010:
"I guess you can say
I'm working towards my permanent vacation pay.
A story foretold that the long road
is yet to unfold
but not to worry,
you won't spent it alone.
Call me a visionary who stays stationary,
but it sounds a little like a cliche preached in a missionary.
I'm not Jiddu, Osho or Berkley.
I'm not Carlin, Bruce, or Jeffries.
I'm just one of many,
leaving you the reader with my social commentaries..." - ZC

Jan. 08, 2010:
"I need some godamn guidance...
Haven't gotten any from anyone for a long time...
how do I know what I am doing is the rightly mine?
It's been a long time since I've had any help,
and I definitely know how it has felt.
Perhaps I don't work hard enough,
or I don't know where to find the right stuff...
all I know is that this self-reliance lesson went too far,
and now I'm left with only guidance questions...
like a wise man following no star" - ZC

Jan. 3, 2010:
"It's similar to the message by KRS,
concentrate on the what was,
rather than the who says.
Otherwise people get lost and confused when the leader is gone,
but if they really hear the positive,
they'll remember it in song.
Pass it on to the young,
told by those who are soon to be gone.
Every living thing must die,
but not every message is necessarily a lie.
Every object is fallible,
but every word is palpable.
Although interpretation is key,
understanding through tolerance and respect you'll see,
is the answer we all seek.
Love thy neighbour is not literal about the proximal,
but rather a teaching that would result in the human optimal." - ZC

Dec. 30, 2009:
""A year has past since I started speaking in rhymes.
09 was an arduous time for my mind but still I find solace in the binds that confine.
This life thing better be on an upswing as I flip this calendar page,
Hard to tell what the next square bring all I can do is set the stage.
Action is possible to be, but not a necessity,
whereas time is an inevitability.
Meaning each day is irreversible,
so love all that is expirable,
do all that is sensible,
open your mind to all that is possible...
I am Zacchaeus, and this is my parable..."-ZC

Dec. 10, 2009:
"When I speak of intelligence, I am not talking about formal education.
Smarts does not equal common sense, I am talking about enlightening a nation.
Just because you use long words and euphemisms,
or trash talk the government or market mechanisms
dont make you intelligent, so listen.
To be intelligent is not only to criticize, theorize and hypothesize,
because any conspirator can speculate just by using their eyes.
Spread wisdom through hip hop's glory,
not through animosity, brutality or misogyny,
but by offering a non mainstream alternative to the problems of poverty.
Hip Hop, 'I am my own self-improving strategy...'" - ZC & KRS-ONE

Nov. 17, 2009:
"Persistence in due diligence is foundational to mass vigilance.
Legal power in the hands of the masses disseminate responsibility slow like molasses.
An armed populace may defend well against tyranny,
but it turns the group into you vs. me.
State regulation may be coercive,
but without communal enforcement,
crime becomes subjectively permissive.
Redistributive welfare is lost,
and the poor, only get poorer at the hands of their boss.
Although the system is oppressive,
without it, what are we left with?"

Nov. 16, 2009:
"Follow me, if you dare to believe.
Mix my lyrical potions like an alchemist,
share my moral hopes like a lover's kiss.
Metaphysics brought down on your sensory perception,
don't worry, my words contain no deception.
Yes I went to college,
picked up a book and learned me some knowledge,
specifically in English, cuz I gota pay homage.
Dont worry, my english does you good like milk,
not old and expired like fromage"

Nov. 03, 2009:
"What does it mean to have logical consistency?
Does it mean the opposite of objective hipocrisy?
No, because a hypocrite does not necessitate a logical fallacy.
A-B-A-B is not just a rhyme scheme,
Can you not see, its also a logic theme?
I used to think so highly of you, but I guess I was just a fool.
As days pass by, You give me disappointment.
My stay has dried, and so dies my enjoyment."

"You might play some funky notes,
but if you not pumping out positive quotes,
I'll drop your LP faster than antibodies do colds.
ou might be on the positive movement,
but you better have books to back your groovin.
Otherwise people joinin your cause, you'll be losin.
Like Iverson I combine these skills the fastest.
But aint like him, I understand the game takes practice."

Oct. 23, 2009:
"Its the hip that gets me outa bed,
the hop that gets me fed.
The rhymes that make me think ahead,
but remember the past, the forgotten and the dead.
Me and music one in the same like Jesus and bread.
With no beginning or end, we're like the cosmological argument once said:
Infinite regress is illogical,
nonetheless this is how the universe is lead.
Asking the question of the chicken and the egg,
is the same as Hip Hop and the rhymes in my head."

Oct. 22, 2009:
"Is it weakness to show a longingness for something you miss?
Is it necessarily deprivation if its starvation for salvation?
The love that was never enough cuz I wasnt the right stuff?
My mind plays tricks on me to see if I plea for it to leave me be.
Was it lust or companionship
that weathered like rust,
and compacted to useless shit?
I don't know this ache in my heart,
Just trying to find my way in this dark.

But like the fluids in my veins,
they've lived through more pain then I can maintain.
Though I have a pen and a rhyming desire,
the ink dries out like a wedge left too long in a deep fryer.
Eventually we all end up older and grown,
my only hope is that when I'm dead and alone,
That I have experienced enough rhymes on my own,
so that I will have found the words I want engraved on my stone."

Oct. 20, 2009:
"Just call me Evian,
flow right up til the end of the song.
I got pringles all over my desk,
you want regular or bbq?
Its guaranteed fresh.
Pop the top and you won't stop
cuz the sodium amounts in a lot.
Speakers pumpin some Rascalz tunes,
been writing this paper since noon.
Why won't my thoughts formulate in this room?
Procrastinating with this FB status,
maybe I should take a quick nap on my white mattress?"

Oct. 17, 2009:
"Stop skeemin like pseudoscience,
cuz if you can't escape the lies,
you'll never end the violence.
Circular with no hypothesis,
have you givin any thought to this?
Just cuz you got an opinion doesn't make it reliable,
submit truths that are at least falsifiable.
That might sound contradictory,
but its better to be wrong and say sorry
than to hold onto that ignorance til you're 40...
This is a story of false glory."

Oct. 14, 2009:
"Lecture 3, is by Nozick on anarchy.
Who has claims to property?
To lay hands first or mix labor that's free?
What is encompassed in the fruits of your work,
if another can use force and cause hurt.
Hire an agency to protect me you say,
but that degrades into anarchy in less than a day.
So the solution is to create a state.
A judiciary that will enforce whats right,
because liberty should be inherent in life."

Oct. 9, 2009:
"My second lesson is inspired by S.F.
cus his insight inspired some of my best said.
What is the social construction?
Is it manipulation of the human function?
Or group psychology reduced by logical deduction?
Tragedy of the commons is a song of dissemination within a selfish nation.
Is it right businesses are more powerful than states?
An unbound capitalist... I ask you, what's at stake?"

Sept. 28, 2009:
"To grow old quick fast,
is to pass this whole soul thing without making it last.
Looking to the future without remembering the past,
is like Alzheimers hitting an Amnesiac.
Spirituality is what I lack,
But if I chase God, will I find my way back?
The fact that tacit contracts exist in the back of social pacts
creates a concerned react in the mind of Zack.
Live wise or freaky.
Life, teach me."

Sept. 22, 2009:
"Here's a part of Rawl's thought.
What have people in a state of nature sought?
Each wishes justice and good.
But people usually wish to advantage as much as they could.
A veil of ignorance assumes no one favors the 'me'.
But this ignores people willing to forego basic rights for a chance at glory.
Equality of opportunity doesn't guarantee social goods are primary.
This was lesson 1 in my class of Philosophy."

Sept. 15, 2009:
"As we grow, we are all lied to.
They say there is a perfect one for everybody, including you.
You are told never to settle for less, that love is a test.
But how do you expect me to find my one and only?
One who wants to talk about philosophy but appreciates the beats of Whodini?
One who remembers starcraft and goldeneye,
one who ain't street shy and can quote a verse from Tribe?
One who can laugh at Marlon, but can appreciate the 7 words of Carlin?
One who knows that hard work and planning is a priority and not leave their future in chaotic insanity?
One who understands the difference between Hip Hop and Rap,
and works out to stay healthy, not lazy and fat.
Sloth of the mind of course,
Can't stand a woman who has no knowledge source.
One who would read Hume and appreciate his empiricism,
and study his book while listenin to KRS's lyricism.
One who is open minded, and not ignorantly blinded...
One who is like Zacchaeus,
guess that's too much to ask of a miss.
There is no perfect one, just social circumstance.
But the journey is so fun, trying to get into girls pants..." LOL

Sept. 10, 2009:
"Rearrange the page from cover to cover,
Maintain the same semantics because syntax can result in error.
Otherwise you misinterpret the author,
and what you tell others isn't worth a bother cuz you got it wrong from the starter.
Focus on the meaning of the words,
not the author or what you have heard.
Remember from this what I have said,
or else ignorance will be your chains til you're dead..."

Sept. 8, 2009:
"Hi miss, I don't mean to interrupt in the middle of your day.
Can you spare 4 minutes while I recite a verse your way?
May I ask what you got in your headphones?
Some Flash or Premier scratchin in your head dome?
Are you the type to converse what you've learned and not about what's on sale or your nails and your perm?
Sorry miss, time is ending this, sorry I don't kiss, too busy rhymin with my lips..."

August 11, 2009:
"Don't mind the questions people ask you or the actions some people will do.
Not many have a clue about what lies beyond the what and who.
Because ignorance keeps the populace unglued.
Pick up a book and learn a thing or two, a
bout the state and the rights concerning me and you.
Remember what was said by Montesquieu,
'Liberty is the right to do as the law permits' meaning our freedom is dictated by only a few..."

August 4, 2009:
"There is no music without U or I... so let's jazz out, get funky and nod our heads to these rhymes..."

July 28, 2009:
"This is the place where stars are born,
where the sun rises and where the tides turn.
Where somebody is nobody but everybody has a story.
Where we learn to see past time and space yet trapped within the vanities that drive our impulses..."

July 23, 2009:
"Life as a student is no laughing matter,
gota choose between school or food, I'll go with the latter.
Families comin' from below the poverty line,
hoping their kids do right instead of time.
But it ain't that nice;
loans, debts and banks monopolize the bare essentials of life.
Working class forced to think fast,
make sure their kids grasp the idea of the lack of cash.
Freedom ain't free, and neither is a degree,
you'll see... Body, mind and soul, it'll cost all three."

July 12, 2009
"Sometimes it ain't about who got the freshest gear,
cuz life aint just about whats now and here.
Might seem like quick bills be ill when you still young and chill, buy what you want and feel fulfilled.
But reality aint like that insanity, pick up a book and learn about humanity.
Because ignorance is not something to be proud of, it just means that you stupid as fuck."

June 17, 2009:
"Warm downtown Toronto night,
men be right, ladies lookin tight.
Not a wrong in sight, this might just be the night I like.
Enjoy myself in the city lights,
No booze in my system,
but dont mind being high as a kite.
Because tonight, you dont have to be a rapper to have delight."

June 16, 2009:
"Brace yourself for my philosophies,
cuz what you face will make you weak in your knees.
Break you down with physicality,
because vast reality tells us everything dies, with you being lastly.
Life is about an endurance run, not about who gets the first step at the gun.
Make sure you have time for fun,
because you're remembered not only what you've done."

June 14, 2009:
"On a warm Toronto night,
after work, sky's still got light.
Feelin the breeze on your skin,
can't remember how long its been.
Bringin nothin home cept my head on my shoulders and all my limbs.
With this grin I head home before it's dim.
With nothing more than Pete rock in my phones,
I look up at the sky and brush back the hair on my dome.
Can't believe how small I am, but here I choose to stand.
Let these beats seam through me,
music isn't something you can see,
but hell, these beats feel real to me."

June 5, 2009
"Playing ball is an art that takes blood, sweat and heart.
You have to know where to start, play your part,
cuz on the court, you always go hard.
Your game is never perfected,
working hard is something that is never ended,
whether it be your jimmy or your left hand kid.
Ball is pure and right, kinda like life."

June 1, 2009
"Skills more mature than what my age belies,
leavin old school rappers with tears in their eyes.
Battle me alone, might as well be suicide.
so pick up your phone, and call your my-five... (there was more, but got deleted)"

May 30, 2009:
"Lyrics, somebody want lyrics?
Warp you and melt you like acrylics with my linguistic limericks.
Can't hold me or even touch me, cuz im non-stick.
So cold, I leave you hypothermic, realize the conditions, learn it.
My rhymes mix quick like Nesquik.
I eat whoever think they're lucky,
cuz if they think they're sick,
I'll be their Buckleys."

May 5, 2009:
"My life is tied with the Boom Bap, it does this and that,
but its been lost since I remember it last,
cuz it seems these days its all about fast cash, grass and ass...
Hip Hop is alive, not a shirt you pick up and buy,
not something you can claim as 'mine'.
Hip Hop and me are right like 90 degrees,
we last forever like infinite,
realize its more than just music... its a philosophy.
Can't you see? You can't have Philosophy without H-I-P or H-O-P.
Hip Hop, it lives in me"

April 16, 209:
"Time to graph another lyrical map,
cuz I got more raps than taco bell staffs'.
No way to hold my lyrical ingenuity,
A force beyond weak, strong, or even gravity.
Me and hip hop are attached too strong,
like polonium and its many electrons.
Class is back, and its gona get scientific.
Better pass the slack, work hard and get prolific...
My style got more elements than the periodic table.
Makin the right rhymin compounds to stay stable.
Keeping my words simple so that you can feel this,
but still makin everything flow smoothly like its homogeneous.
I'm essential to this Hip Hop sound
like carbon atoms to organic compounds.
Break down weak rhymes fast kid, as if I was a glass ofhydrochloric acid,
so dont step to if you can't match this, stay home and do some practice.
Cuz the fact is that you should look at a past quiz to understand what is, this biz that we call Physics is. Hip hop and science aren't so far apart,
both are expressions, one of nature, the other of heart.
Both have unique methodology, a chronology of unique history.
Even Einstein did see,
through physics the importance of treble, bass and key expressed through mass, light and energy.
Put it in a formula for you and me.
Science IS hip hop you see. after all, what is science without an "e", and what is an "e" without an "mc"?
(Think about that last line)

April 14, 2009:
"Let's start this off with a little riddle,
what has two end points but no middle?
Pythagorean wont help you, cuz its got three not two... now what is a kid to do?
Here's a clue, it involves people and social structure too.
Kinda like what Engel and Marx said about a coup, What's your view?
Still nothing eh? Ok lemme say that it involves getting paid...
The answer relates to inequality, see, it involves you and me,
separating a dynamic dichotomy of gigantic instability with have's and have-nots.
Even if the top get caught trying to rob the mob, from giver to taker,
they still wont stop what was hiding Hobbe's big prob, the state of nature.
Things like the media can socialize the average teenaga with thoughts of robbin and killin ya.
There's only two points, no middle, those with or without coins. Who are you in this riddle?"

April 12, 2009:
"Time to make another lyrical sandwich,
aint from the Bronx or necessarily Queensbridge,
but I can still kick it without a hitch.
More to me than just butter and jam,
cuz dichotomous rhymin aint what I am.
Think of my rhymes as sandwiches, make it a club,
layers of metaphor images, more styles than Mr. Sub.
Merging reality with knowledge you cant see,
manifested in a BLT. Best Lyrical Talent, yea thats me..."

April 5, 2009:
"Not surprised I already found gray hairs on my head,
only 6 more years til I'm dead.
Snuggle up and close my eyes in my comfy bed.
No more do I need to philosophize, I've spoken what needs to be said.
No such thing as falling behind or getting ahead.
Focus on Knowledge, Peace and Love instead...
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to put forward what you've just read,
find my brothers and break some bread..."

April 1, 2009:
"Music and I are a duality of mutuality.
It always will embrace me with trebles and bass,
rhythms that minimize the pain on my face.
I can't get enough of this stuff,
when times are rough and hard times just too much,
when I'm broken and crushed.
Music is there to be my crutch in the clutch which I can't get enough of.
Its cuz Music is about the love, the hard beats, and the real rap...never forget that..."

March 25, 2009:
"Hear Me.
The contingency for conspiracy is not contemporary,
It is however a matter of conformity of congruent continuity of creativity,
The result being a cowardly collectivity unable to see with clarity their own capitalistic captivity
Consequently, the capacity to counter the calamity of the dangers is costly
Like a cavity, we need an individual with capability to fix the inconsistency.
Fill the gaps between concepts with connectivity.
Thats me. ZC.
Thinkin out loud cuz my head can't contain all my lyrical styles.

Peace,
From ZC, cuz its a fine time to rhyme in the 09."

March 23, 2009:
"It's 6:28. For me, this isnt really late. Workin hard like a sweatshop. No pay, break or stop.
Been awhile since I set an alarm on my biological clock,
Sleep is overrated, I just stay awake
Like a machine,
I run on outlets and double A's.
Writing poetry on the side
while I make notes in textbooks
Cuz school is only a guide
Don't take everything they teach too literally
Because even school is a system,
Subject to bribes and hypocrisy,
Education don't release you from tyranny
It just opens your mind visually
Shows you that you on the bottom rung of inequality
Free will and a work ethic is your key to prosperity
Not in cash flow, but mental stability
Tolerance of religion or sexuality
But even after that grad ceremony,
With that diploma in your hand
Dont change you from boy to man
A struggle is a lifelong chore
Just cuz you march with a flag down bloor
dont mean you have wisdom
Listen to 'them'
Put down your gun, join for freedom
Just cuz you shout louder dont mean you winnin em.
What it is
is ignorant bliss
why can't we see this
the pointless conflicts
created by human weakness
Should I accept this?
It is what it is?
Ponder this...
And on that notice,
I'm out, Peace, from Zacchaeus..."

March 13, 2009:
"Late at night, its a delight to be inspired by poetic insight outright... Jammin to my slow beats, like strawberries to wholewheats"

March 5, 2009:
"I'm supreme with my rhyme schemes. Already did mathematics, so its time for lynguistic schematics.
Lets break it down, from verbs to nouns.
It's not just about the rhyme, punctuations count.
My words are subject to complication,
If you need, I'll repeat my rhymes like a dictation
Can't you see? Its not just about syntactical realization
But also semantic fusion
Because it seems themes aren't keen to reveal themselves
Interpretation is asking what do my rhymes mean?
KRS is a teacher in his lesson,
But I'm the professor, and school's in session
There's a reason my initials are ZC,
Cuz I was destined to be the greatest MC
With extraordinary vocabulary that's this scary
They should nickname me Zack the dictionary
I'll even use the same English they used in the 1450's
Not even Shakespeare had anything on me
Dost thou think ye can handle me? Ponder that again G,
I'll leave you stuttering like a kid at a spelling bee.

Peace,
From ZC, cuz its a fine time to rhyme in the 09"

Feb 19, 2009:
"So lyrically encompassing I've used up my english. Guess its time to start the french list, go multicultural and end finnish"

Feb 2, 2009:
"Bedmas teaches us addition comes last,
why else would gettin sum be so hard to grasp?
They make us live in the brackets, cuz intelligence, we lack it.
It's time to multiply whats in your mind and divide time to find your axiom.
Serenity with others is finding the relax in them, even if it means being in shackles made by them.
Expand to reduce the radicals, show your work, step-by-step mathematicals.
Cuz the limit to the lines of my rhymes within the grids of X and Y's are infinite like the numbers of Pi.
Don't be fooled by my philosophical math, like P said, you can feel its wrath.
There is a root to all, unless its a negative, thus we need to stay positive.
What fraction of you is lackin reaction?
The average is no mean, cuz we're all radicals by theme.
So we go back again, count back from 10... learn from every friend, for they are your remainders in the end.
But this can only be done, if we start with you... the number 1."

Jan 14, 2009:
"My rhymes be the tightest. Far from wrong, Im the absolute rightest. Like KRS, Im dramatical cuz I'll spit at y'all. Lyrics are beyond u like the metaphysical. It's easy to sit and do a rhyme scheme,
But its the true philosopher that make every rhyme seem
Like there's nothing that ever will or has been
That's where I come in,
Youv'e heard of 9th, but I'm the 10th wonder.
When it comes to lyrical prowess, I'm hotter.
Even compared to Nature, I'm Naughtier
I spit so pure, saliva's used as holy water
Cuz my lyrical impressions are so explosive
They're used as cannon fodder.
But don't take everything to heart, rather,
Understand the material stylings of matter
To make the demand for unreal nothings that shatter...
the language of physics... that's right,
I'm talking about my unmatched lyrics."

Oct 24, 2008:
"I'm an Expert in the artwork of spittin and rippin MC's like hogan's shirt,
all this with just my first verse, so go ahead n do your worst.
dont rehearse a weak verse cuz noone will reimburse the hurt you get from flirtin with my lyrical thirst.
Always hungry for weak MC's, so you better stay alert.
otherwise, I'll do to you what a fat kid does to a dessert.
I aint a rapper or a superstar MC,
I'm just an average asian goin to U of T.
Got barely any money, this shit aint very funny.
Most moms doin O.T. to pay for kid's tuition fees, while M.P's talkin about savin trees and the needs of refugees overseas.
Think about life, it aint all money and ice
Rights are nice when there aint no strife to fight
Revolution is my side of the mix, so make your picks quick cuz there aint no quick fix...
Before I start another 1776.

Peace, from ZC, chillin from 08 to infinity..."