some words on the general futility of words

One of the reasons I haven't been posting as much over the last couple of years is a dawning awareness of the general futility of words.

I've also, as I was saying to R* last night, developed a strong aversion to being lectured by people 15-20 years younger than me. I want to just say, though it is bad form, "Do you think you are the first person to recite these ideas at me?" It's 'bad form' because ideas are supposed to be replied to with ideas. That's the 'free marketplace of ideas,' right?

But there's so little point to playing the idea game because words are so often nothing more than a verbal soundtrack people play while committing acts which may or may not bear any resemblance to the ideas they are promoting.

And, it is highly discouraging how few people seem capable of really grokking this point. Especially when it comes to politicians. There are a lot of words about how politicians are lying scumbags but people will always refuse to accept this about their favorite politician. I hate to break it to you, but yes, even your favorite politician is a lying selfish scumbag.

So, what does matter to me? Experiences and actions. Tell me what you've seen and experienced. Show me what you've done and what you are doing. Those are the things I can trust, and which have real impact on the world.

Writer's Block: Money to burn

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I'd rent a room at a bed & breakfast in the French Quarter -- no, I'd rent out the whole B & B because I wouldn't want to have to worry about waking up or disturbing the other guests. I'm considerate that way.

And then I and some select friends and lovers would have a grand old time. Oh yes we would.

(no subject)

It has come to my attention that apparently some of my words of this morning are causing some umbrage.

When I wrote earlier that I have "developed a strong aversion to being lectured by people 15-20 years younger than me," I did not mean to imply that young people have nothing of value to say or teach me. Quite the contrary. I'm not quite old enough to be a curmudgeon yet, but I see my main role in certain respects to be doing as much as possible not to screw the world up any more than it already is, so as not to leave the next generation a diminished legacy. I've learned a lot from watching young folks accomplish effortlessly things (like certain kinds of inclusion and affinity) that were and still are a mighty struggle for people my age. Whenever I go to youth events, esp. things like the Dyke March and Youth Pride Day, I am in awe. I would consider it a tragedy if the feuds of people my age were to be passed on.

Primarily what I meant, then, are cases where I am literally lectured in debates. The presumption is that since I do not agree with a particular point, that I must be ignorant. What they do not know, is that chances are high (and increasing with each year that passes) that I have heard this song and dance before, decided it was wrong then, and still think it is wrong now. The topics being debated today are the same topics that were being debated 20 years ago. And, amazingly, the same talking points get thrown back and forth, to the general benefit of no one in particular. Every now and then, someone will present a fresh nuance that I had not encountered, and I will have to take time to consider it, but this is becoming an increasingly rare occurrence.