Pass It Along

I stopped by the local bookstore to browse the titles. I do this to add to my reading list for the local library. I am trying to only buy books I can see myself referring to in the future. I have also been trying to read more from my To Be Read pile. It is cheaper economical alternative. And it is about time I got around to reading them.

I made this observation though. The store had racks of discount books outside in front of the store. They were those obscure book titles nobody wanted and they are heavily discounted at this point. And the rack is unsecured. This is what I think their reasoning for this may be. “Look if we can get you to pay something for these books. That would be great. But if you grab one and run. We’re not going to chase after you.”

 I have been trying to organize unwanted books and other things to E-Bay. But right now with that is a project on hold due to the fact there are a few things more pressing for me to get done. And the sooner. The better.

 

A few months ago, Ben over at the blog “Dead End Follies” published a list of books he was going to challenge himself to read. He wanted to read The Executioner’s Song by Norman Mailer but he could not find an affordable copy of the book. I had a copy of that book that has sat in my TBR pile for about 15 years. I started to read it but it was too dense for me to tackle at the time. I think it was too ambitious at the time to read along with all of my other college requirements. I am going to save the story of why I picked up this particular book for another time. So I decided I would pass the book along to him. I guess the book was meant more for him than it was for me. Also I hate it when people buy books just to leave them on a shelf to try impressing people. They want to give some false representation of “intelligence” they really do not possess at all .I try find out a lot about a people by their bookcase along with their CD and DVD shelves.

Besides if you have something that someone else needs then pass it along. Is that item whatever it might be worth holding on to just to collect dust in your place? It is become more about how you apply what you have in your possession both physically and mentally. That is what the comment section, the e-mail link, Twitter feed, Facebook, etc is there for you to reply to and get the conversation started. Tools were meant to be used. Thoughts and ideas are meant to be shared.

I have been thinking about the challenge of the Internet. You are going to come across a wide variety of topics. Most of the postings are there just for passive viewing. But from time to time you are going to come across websites where people are looking for answers to questions or problems. The challenge is taking a moment or two to respond. The future is going to those out their willing to participate with people. Many of these people will most likely never meet directly in person. We have experienced the “troll” on the Internet that person who cowardly hides behind a made up screen name with the sole purpose of being an asshole spewing ignorance. Secret identities only work in super hero comics. And those characters are trying to help humanity. The Internet Superhighway is going to eventually filter these trolls on to the off-ramp. Talk shit is going to accomplish nothing in a conversation. The Internet will someday filter these people out of the conversation because they are irrelevant.

The people who are willing to put their name to what they are putting out are going reap the benefits. Well most of the people. And let me declare this mandate. When it comes to publishing on the Internet pictures or video of your genitals (male or female) in action. PLEASE leave that to the professionals! Or to drunken amateurs who need to learn a life lesson. Doing the “act” in return for a free t-shirt is not an economic formula for success that will carry you through life. Another thing I want to mention. If you have ever posted your own “in action photos” (it does not count if you blacked out your face) then you cannot complain about privacy settings on social media websites.

I listened again to an old podcast from Keith and the Girl that featured a conversation with comedian Doug Stanhope. He said two things that stood out for me in regards to the Internet. “This is what the Internet will do. It is going to force people into places of honesty they don’t want to be in.” And “But the Internet is putting everyone on stage when it comes to social networking.” This episode ends with his story about how the Internet reunited him with a past “flame” aka Bobbie Barnett. She was not happy being the subject of one his most downloaded comedy bits. His response in the podcast episode was a bit tough yet funny. (Note: This segment in discussion starts at around 48:00 minute mark and the original comedy bit ends out the podcast)

In the end, you cannot take any of it with you. Whether that is a physical item or a mental thought. So when you can leave them behind

Besides, I would hate to have to go to this extreme with my site.

 

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