tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post8424486074302887707..comments2024-03-28T10:08:38.560-04:00Comments on The Adventures of Roberta X: BeneficenceRoberta Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956807794520627885noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-6019748976468450302007-12-20T10:23:00.000-05:002007-12-20T10:23:00.000-05:00Sadly, I'm unable to contrive an Objectivist ratio...Sadly, I'm unable to contrive an Objectivist rationale for the office party or Secret Santa. I'm guessing the Invisible Hand must be involved somehow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-44206117763048455212007-12-20T10:20:00.000-05:002007-12-20T10:20:00.000-05:00In the 18th century, this thought was on many mind...In the 18th century, this thought was on many minds. Our modern idea of humanity as a cold-blooded collection of chemicals was familiar then, and some otherwise hard-headed fellows cast about to avoid feeling guilty for their better angels. <BR/><BR/>Locke said that, absent the play of pleasure and pain, man would be "a very idle unactive Creature" and "pass his time only in a lazy lethargick Dream" (seem familiar? Hell, seem <I>attractive</I>?) He felt there must be a moral sixth sense. This became so accepted that Jefferson wrote about it, declaring the white races wanting in comparison to their African wards.<BR/><BR/>Adam Smith wanted to work out a more complex psychology, and got this far: "How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortunes of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it, except the pleasure of seeing it."<BR/>A sort of Kantian category of bonhomie. You could build a state socialism on this, but somehow Smith's followers didn't. <BR/><BR/>I reckon Rand, working her one good trick of blowing off false dichotomies, took this to a logical(no, emotional. No, <I>logical</I>...)conclusion. Check your premises, don't be misled, but, having achieved a balanced station, emotion is a response to logic and will not betray you. Go ahead and give the damn present. "Here. I want you to have this." <I>I</I> want.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-43151314320225044652007-12-18T23:01:00.000-05:002007-12-18T23:01:00.000-05:00The most gentle of my knights and my salvaged Rand...The most gentle of my knights <I>and</I> my salvaged Random House Dictnary of the English Language both tell me there is but one "i" in the "beneficence," just like Odin. Except without the raven.<BR/><BR/> Sharp-eyed readers will have noted there are a few oddities in my orthography. Ummm, I may have skipped a grade or two as a child and a class or six as a teen; there are some things for which drill is a necessity. Orthography, for one. Typing, for another. Ooops?Roberta Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09956807794520627885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-30498557105666378202007-12-17T21:04:00.000-05:002007-12-17T21:04:00.000-05:00They're very well-insulated, Squeaky, and mobile e...They're very well-insulated, Squeaky, and mobile enough to operate the controls of a motorcycle (as Tam points out). You may need to get creative with your shutter release, depending on the camera.<BR/><BR/> These may be extra warm, 'cos they came from a friend; the label says "Olympia Sports Co. Inc., Style # 6000, Top Grade Leather Palm Patch." The palm's a grippy suede; rest of the glove outer shell is a tight synthetic (the WATER PROOF tag on the left was borne out by experiment) and the liner is a soft fleece. They're cold weather motorcycling (or snowmobiling) gloves!<BR/><BR/> I'd already learned from buying riding gear that the very best gloves are to be found at 'cycle outfitters. These are a cut above. They're not "armored," as many are, which makes them better for all-around Winter use. I'd advise checking out nearby places that sell motorcycle/ATV/etc. gear (<I>not</I> the Harley shops unless you've gotta have it: you pay plenty extra for the HD logo).<BR/><BR/> In the name brands, you get what you pay for with this stuff. A good pair of gloves won't be inexpensive but they'll last and last! <BR/><BR/> (If you're confident of your size or don't mind a few iterations, online sellers like newenough.com often have good deals).Roberta Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09956807794520627885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-64175894688822985772007-12-17T12:56:00.000-05:002007-12-17T12:56:00.000-05:00Agreed! One thing that bothers me a lot about Chr...Agreed! One thing that bothers me a lot about Christmas is the "need" to buy presents that everyone exhibits, as if that's the only way you're ever going to be able to show someone you care. The best gifts are the ones given with a specific purpose in mind...the ones that have been thought out, and thought to make a difference in the receiver's life, however small or big that difference may be.<BR/><BR/>Also, those gloves sound awesome. What kind are they? When I take photos outside, my hands freakin' freeze, and as long as I can mash the shutter, I don't care how immobile the rest of me is, as long as my hands are warm! :-)Bonniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01119645829480810524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-33850404257319924072007-12-17T09:54:00.000-05:002007-12-17T09:54:00.000-05:00Brand, make, model, etc., please. I'm in the marke...Brand, make, model, etc., please. I'm in the market. (and I live in NE Ohio and the snow has just hit - so hurry!)bredahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00216098318849287384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-22470889120278241952007-12-17T08:24:00.000-05:002007-12-17T08:24:00.000-05:00Hey, if they kept my fingers mobile in ten-degree ...Hey, if they kept my fingers mobile in ten-degree weather with an 80mph headwind, a bit of snow shouldn't faze 'em.Tamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07285540310465422476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-58044086030260136542007-12-17T07:49:00.000-05:002007-12-17T07:49:00.000-05:00I agree, and think Rand would as well.In Shrugged,...I agree, and think Rand would as well.<BR/><BR/>In Shrugged, She made her thoughts towards donating money very clear. Yet, Reardon gives gifts to those HE wants to please, because sometimes other peoples happiness is necessary to your own.<BR/><BR/>I never, ever, give money to charities that will spend it in ways I can't follow. But, I will often give directly when I see a need, or can make someone happy. It gives ME joy to do that.<BR/><BR/>The people who think we should give till it hurts, then feel guilty for having something to give... screw them.Carteachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08468700184940877315noreply@blogger.com