-_-"

     As is well known (and well documented), one's culture affects the way that you carry out your life. From the subtle decisions to the more obvious ones, culture plays a key role in your everyday to day matter. For example, years of blind consumption have set aside US citizens from, say, those of a more oriental culture.

     Yes, this is an obvious trend in society that is easily mapped. My question now, however, is this: To what extent will internet culture affect us? A global culture, one with nearly no restrictions, making itself invaluable as one acquaints him/herself with it. Will this change from local subcultures to a major global culture affect us in a positive way? Or a negative one? For without a doubt, the internet will continue to forge ahead into societie's life.

=D

    Scientific endeavor surely is a beautiful thing. The product if the greatest of minds continually thinking and rethinking a subject leads to profound insights into the nature of our universe, or, closer to home, our own nature.
Take many great scientists that have shaped our world in a fundamental way:  Einstein, who's insights into the inner workings of our universe birthed the nuclear age; Godel, who's realization that no axiomatic statement will hold true in every case revolutionized meta-mathematics; Bacon, a scientist years ahead of his time, knocking down all the walls of his culture to create the scientific method: a structured, detailed analysis on actual physical happenings.
     But what is truly beautiful about this advancement is not the fact that they have shaped our understanding of universe, but that have been discovered at all. When I gaze across the endless expanse of night sky, I do not feel awe at the enormity and mystic of it; I admire those who dared to try an explain it.
                                           

(._.')

     What I find to be one of the most intriguing aspects of human nature is our seemingly inherent ability to place blame. From an psychological perspective, it makes a great deal of sense; it's an effective defense mechanism employed to keep ourselves "free of blame", to maintain a picture of ourselves that is by all regards as "perfect" as it is possible for us to believe. I'm not saying that this is a bad thing; quite to the contrary in fact. Our believing ourselves to be immutable, perfect beings  helps keep us sane in a complex and oftimes confusing world. It is the axiom that many stand by, the steady rock in the turbulent sea.
    But isn't seeing someone like that is just a foot up the ass, to say it not-so-eloquently?
    That just may be another defense mechanism in and of itself, too. Accepting that others are better than us means acknowledging that you have faults of your own. So when you see the man/woman that you consider to be the representation of your ideals, you have almost no choice but to resent him/her, trying all you can to demean them in any way possible. In short, placing blame on them.