Title: Greetings Earthlings
Post by: Grassharpper on February 01, 2010, 04:56:40 AM
Post by: Grassharpper on February 01, 2010, 04:56:40 AM
Hey Folks,
I was born an atheist and have never been indoctrinated into any religious belief system. It's very frustrating for me to sit quiet when the whole world seems to be so hypnotized by all manner of superstitious belief. I spent the last three years driving a semi all over America trying to get a feel for what people are thinking out there. I gotta say, it did surprise me a bit. As I tuned in to local radio stations in all the different towns, I found there to be an intense media campaign against science, intellectual endeavor, and the social diversity that makes a free society worth living in. I grew up in Northern Virginia near D.C. and have had the good fortune of being exposed to the extensive variety of differing socioeconomic classes, ethnicities, and ideologies that only a cosmopolitan region can offer. So when I got out there to discover the relative homogenization of culture in the interior of the country, I started to really get interested in listening to what political and religious agendas that a great many people were being exposed to. I'll tell you, I've never heard as much vitriol, xenophobia, and just plain hate over the airwaves during these travels as I've heard in my entire life. There is a concerted effort among these media outlets to really gin up fervor for these really radical and dangerous ideological points of view. I developed a kind of obsession with listening to the harshest and strictest kinds of intolerance that these broadcasters were espousing. Now that I'm back in D.C. and done with my whirlwind adventure, I need some decompression from all the intense vulgarity that I subjected myself to. So I've come here mainly as therapy and to try to reassemble a more positive outlook on the state of humanity. Because that crap really bummed me out.
I was born an atheist and have never been indoctrinated into any religious belief system. It's very frustrating for me to sit quiet when the whole world seems to be so hypnotized by all manner of superstitious belief. I spent the last three years driving a semi all over America trying to get a feel for what people are thinking out there. I gotta say, it did surprise me a bit. As I tuned in to local radio stations in all the different towns, I found there to be an intense media campaign against science, intellectual endeavor, and the social diversity that makes a free society worth living in. I grew up in Northern Virginia near D.C. and have had the good fortune of being exposed to the extensive variety of differing socioeconomic classes, ethnicities, and ideologies that only a cosmopolitan region can offer. So when I got out there to discover the relative homogenization of culture in the interior of the country, I started to really get interested in listening to what political and religious agendas that a great many people were being exposed to. I'll tell you, I've never heard as much vitriol, xenophobia, and just plain hate over the airwaves during these travels as I've heard in my entire life. There is a concerted effort among these media outlets to really gin up fervor for these really radical and dangerous ideological points of view. I developed a kind of obsession with listening to the harshest and strictest kinds of intolerance that these broadcasters were espousing. Now that I'm back in D.C. and done with my whirlwind adventure, I need some decompression from all the intense vulgarity that I subjected myself to. So I've come here mainly as therapy and to try to reassemble a more positive outlook on the state of humanity. Because that crap really bummed me out.
Title: Re: Greetings Earthlings
Post by: AlP on February 01, 2010, 05:58:56 AM
Post by: AlP on February 01, 2010, 05:58:56 AM
Hi Grassharpper. I hope you find this a good place to decompress. What are you doing now after your trip? And welcome to the forum!
Title: Re: Greetings Earthlings
Post by: Grassharpper on February 01, 2010, 08:32:56 AM
Post by: Grassharpper on February 01, 2010, 08:32:56 AM
Thanks AIP. Right now I'm trying to get my guitar chops back up to par and get with some of my old rock 'n roll pals and try to do a few gigs around town here. I've actually had about a month to come down so I'm feeling a little more groovy than I was. I appreciate the good tidings.
Title: Re: Greetings Earthlings
Post by: Jolly Sapper on February 01, 2010, 02:53:00 PM
Post by: Jolly Sapper on February 01, 2010, 02:53:00 PM
Welcome to the forum.
Title: Re: Greetings Earthlings
Post by: Grassharpper on February 01, 2010, 06:27:08 PM
Post by: Grassharpper on February 01, 2010, 06:27:08 PM
Thanks Jolly Sapper--There's so much here, I don't where to begin. Some of this stuff is over my head but I sure will enjoy the reading material.
Title: Re: Greetings Earthlings
Post by: curiosityandthecat on February 01, 2010, 06:27:41 PM
Post by: curiosityandthecat on February 01, 2010, 06:27:41 PM
Good to have another lifer with us. 
Welcome.
Welcome.
Title: Re: Greetings Earthlings
Post by: Grassharpper on February 01, 2010, 06:40:46 PM
Post by: Grassharpper on February 01, 2010, 06:40:46 PM
'Preciate it Curio---glad to be with you.
Title: Re: Greetings Earthlings
Post by: Jolly Sapper on February 01, 2010, 10:00:42 PM
Post by: Jolly Sapper on February 01, 2010, 10:00:42 PM
Quote from: "Grassharpper"Thanks Jolly Sapper--There's so much here, I don't where to begin. Some of this stuff is over my head but I sure will enjoy the reading material.
Most of it is over my head too, but I haven't been chased off yet.
Title: Re: Greetings Earthlings
Post by: kenh on February 02, 2010, 12:04:59 AM
Post by: kenh on February 02, 2010, 12:04:59 AM
Welcome to the forum. I've found it abounds with eloquent and intelligent posts - and a few rants!
Of course, you are assuming all of us here are Earthlings...
Of course, you are assuming all of us here are Earthlings...
Title: Re: Greetings Earthlings
Post by: pinkocommie on February 02, 2010, 12:13:46 AM
Post by: pinkocommie on February 02, 2010, 12:13:46 AM
Welcome to the forum, super buddy!
Title: Re: Greetings Earthlings
Post by: McQ on February 02, 2010, 04:09:01 AM
Post by: McQ on February 02, 2010, 04:09:01 AM
Welcome to the forum, and thanks for that intro. Yeah, you can really hear it all by tuning into the "Rush wannabees". Although why they would wannabee is beyond me...
Title: Re: Greetings Earthlings
Post by: G-Roll on February 02, 2010, 08:20:55 PM
Post by: G-Roll on February 02, 2010, 08:20:55 PM
QuoteWelcome to the forum. I've found it abounds with eloquent and intelligent posts - and a few rants!haha i think alot of the rants may be mine!! i seldom seem to have anything truely intelligent to add to the topic
welcome and enjoy your stay.
Title: Re: Greetings Earthlings
Post by: Grassharpper on February 03, 2010, 09:52:48 PM
Post by: Grassharpper on February 03, 2010, 09:52:48 PM
Well see there---thank you all for the reception . Relating to realists helps me get back into a positive state. I mean, am I crazy for thinking that the norms of this society are just a little bizarre? We're dealing with a mass mental illness here.
Title: Re: Greetings Earthlings
Post by: elliebean on February 04, 2010, 05:12:43 AM
Post by: elliebean on February 04, 2010, 05:12:43 AM
Hi, I just joined too, so....nice to meet you =)
Great story. I like that you took it upon yourself to gain that perspective. I myself had to endure the lon version of that experience by living in Mississippi for 9 years. I look forward to reading more of your posts!
Great story. I like that you took it upon yourself to gain that perspective. I myself had to endure the lon version of that experience by living in Mississippi for 9 years. I look forward to reading more of your posts!
Title: Re: Greetings Earthlings
Post by: Grassharpper on February 04, 2010, 06:50:03 PM
Post by: Grassharpper on February 04, 2010, 06:50:03 PM
Thanks for your kindness Elliebean--- As a traveler, I'm getting a fleeting view of a generally polite and amiable society. "Belief" doesn't seem to play much of a factor in how friendly or helpful strangers are to me. So it can be a little "Twilight Zoney" sometimes.
Title: Re: Greetings Earthlings
Post by: dtfanxxosq on February 08, 2010, 07:01:13 PM
Post by: dtfanxxosq on February 08, 2010, 07:01:13 PM
wow-what youve done -traveling around the country to figure out what people think and giving 3 big years,needs a lot of patient!
i really wondered that,because religion thing is not being an issue to talk for people.so, i would like to hear what they think,some time.
im new either, :D
i really wondered that,because religion thing is not being an issue to talk for people.so, i would like to hear what they think,some time.
im new either, :D
Title: Re: Greetings Earthlings
Post by: Ellainix on February 09, 2010, 06:07:35 AM
Post by: Ellainix on February 09, 2010, 06:07:35 AM
I love your screen name. What inspired it?