Month: October 2023

Featured Post

Behavior vs Addiction

I promised I would write about addiction in another blog post. Matt Walsh, who I agree with most of the time, dismisses food addiction as addiction. I disagree with him, and here is why.

Matt confuses behavior with addiction. Matt dismisses brain chemistry as addiction.

I will argue that behavior can be a precursor to addiction.

Years ago, someone informed me that once I tried cocaine, I would become addicted. I took their word at face value. In the back of my mind, I wondered, how is that possible?

When Matt argued against addiction, I wondered how people become addicted to self-injury?

Let’s look at a few non-drug-related addictions.

Gambling.
Video games
Pornography
Workaholism
Kleptomania
Pyromania
Compulsive buying disorder
Hoarding
Food Addiction
Social Media
Sex

These (and many more) start as behavioral issues.

Matt touches on this when he speaks about the brain reward system. I will also argue it was at this point that those issues that turned me from an agnostic to a believer in intelligent design. (GOD)

Whether constructive or destructive, those things that bring you glee become habits. Habits can turn into addictions in this way. When you first experience pleasure from any of those activities, the ‘high’ from dopamine released is a type of euphoria.

Repeated activities become less intense, thus forcing the perpetuation of those activities to a greater degree to achieve the same level of excitement or pleasure.

So, Matt and others. This is how someone can become addicted to just about anything.

Circling back to the cocaine dilemma… This drug is incredibly addictive because it dramatically stimulates the reward system more than online shopping. Like all addictions, the brain becomes accustomed to the reward, requiring more intensity or more of the chemical to achieve the same results.

In short, the brain is a drug store with molecules like cannabis.

Runners often feel a state of euphoria due to endocannabinoids. We know this as a runner’s high. These molecules act on your endocannabinoid system, which is affected by THC.

Exercising and practicing extreme cardio can release chemicals in your brain that make you addicted to the same euphoria. I know a man who is running a 50-mile marathon. He has been a runner for years, up to fifty miles. Think about it.

-Best

If you want more from author Scott Taylor, check out his book, ‘Earth’s Last Hope.’

Thanks in advance!

Featured Post

Honesty, Integrity, and Morality

When living in a new community, finding an honest broker becomes necessary.

One of the first things that I needed was a plumber. Let me begin by telling you that plumbing is not rocket science. I am not denigrating the vocation; most plumbers I know are successful because they have the right stuff when they have a job.

I also want to emphasize that plumbers, mechanics, electricians, and so on must make a profit.

If they charge $100 for five minutes of work, you are not paying for the five minutes but for the years of experience.

Some plumbing projects don’t require years of experience. A little common sense and research could be enough. I researched the problem and purchased the correct part and tool to replace the defective valve. I put the project on my to-do list.

Another project involved plumbing gas. I wanted a quote from a certified gas plumber.

I could plumb it, but leaking gas in the attic, wall, or house raises the experience quotient much higher. The shower valve’s worst-case scenario is it leaks water into a tub. Pick your battles and know your limitations.

The quote for the gas plumbing would have been free. I sweetened the deal with them. I told them that while they were here creating a scope of work and an estimate, they could change this valve for me. In that way, they could kill two birds…and get paid for their time.

I wanted to get a feel for their level of expertise and professionalism.

Other workers getting things set up for my eventual move witnessed the exchange.

Two young guys appeared instead of the older gentleman I spoke with at the plumbing company. One was most probably a plumber, and the other was a helper. This was obvious by their banter.

They focused on the valve, an ancillary project, not why I called them.

He struggled for 45 minutes. They used my valve and tool and presented me with an invoice for $215.

“What about the quote for the other work?”

“Oh…, I will do that,” he said. The quote wasn’t even an afterthought. He forgot about it.

He made notes and told me he would get back to me.

One of the other men working on another project stopped what he was doing and laughed. “You just got screwed.”

I nodded. “True, but guess who I won’t be using to do this major plumbing job!?”

They installed the valve, which functions, but did not install it correctly. A mechanical stop must be in place, but it is not.

When you hire people to represent your company, following up with your customers is something you should prioritize. Customers should test the ‘professional’ with something simple to see how they work, charge, etc.

When I tell the story to others, who ask if I know a plumber, they want to know about the quote. I never got the quote. The kid didn’t follow through.

“Are you going to call and get it?”

“Not from them. Even if it were free, I wouldn’t want them doing the work.”

Contractors should display some modicum of morality. Ethics are lacking, and the trend is not for the better. If he half-assed a simple shower valve install and charged like a seasoned professional, think about them running a gas pipe in the attic, walls, etc.

Featured Post

From the City to the Country

Age might play into this calculus of what I am about to share.

4:44 AM, my eyes pop open. The digital clock doesn’t lie. In years past, I would think to myself, I still have a few hours to sleep.

I believed it was still too early to leave my bed this morning. The weather was fifty-odd degrees with a slight breeze from the north. I attempted to silence my brain.

The thought of coffee was the last straw. With that piping hot brew warming my hands, the first sip set the stage for the rest of the day.

Stepping onto the porch with my bare feet, I had mixed emotions about the hazards if my scorpion frenemies were out and about.

I love the feel of grass and even cement on my bare feet.

The breeze from the north circled around me as I peeked at the twinkling lights above.

Orion, one of my favorite constellations, greeted me, making it worth my efforts to leave a warm bed. This picture was taken with my iPhone, just holding it with a three-second exposure. Amazing!

I expected another celestial event that was scheduled for that day.

Those strange-looking shadows are images of the moon eclipsing the sun. Using the pinhole camera technique with tree leaves and, oddly enough, my blinds…I never looked up.

Yes, images on the rug of the eclipse that was in progress.

The temperature dropped during the eclipse, which I found interesting.

Before dusk, I walked the block. There were many children at play. Their voices echoed through the woods, reminding me of days when I had the simple instructions to be home before the streetlights came on.

Many deer stopped to look at the other animals of the two-legged variety in the forest.

The breeze off the lake refreshed other memories, too.

Life is short. I encourage you to smell the roses, a metaphor for living your life.

Ok, not a rose…

-Best

Featured Post

Misery Index

There are a select few who know history and know how to manipulate the masses. In generic terms, to the elite, the masses are nothing more than useful idiots.

It is no accident that despots throughout history were elected; they are more intelligent than the average person and took the time to understand the animal known as a human.

We, The People, elect leaders to focus on the things that matter. Family, friends, and a lifestyle that is comfortable and safe.

Anyone with a brain lives for today but plans for tomorrow.

Our tomorrows are slowly being eroded as Bidonomics is robbing the masses of their savings, forcing many into credit card debt and stealing retirement accounts through inflation.

Some of our leaders are so drunk with power that they are addicted. At some point, I will explain addiction in terms that even the dimwitted can understand it. Today, I want to focus on why you ‘feel’ how you do.

Soros and his ilk have more money than sense. He has compared himself to God.

While working at the Texas Medical Center, I knew many doctors who thought they were God.

The God complex is universal when it comes to those in power.

The power to save lives.
The power to ruin lives.
The power to manipulate economies.
The power to change the natural evolution of humanity.

The key word is power. The more they have, the more they want.

While money and power often go hand in hand, knowledge is much more powerful.

The only thing that trumps knowledge is wisdom.

Just because I can do it, should I?

With limited exceptions, most world leaders understand that the world is over once you push the launch button on nukes. There can be no winners. That is a fact.

While Einstein and his ilk were brilliant, they lacked wisdom. They lacked the knowledge to understand human nature. They gave the despots a superweapon because they understood the ATOM Fission and the physics that went along with it.

I address this in story format in my book Earth’s Last Hope.

You don’t give a child a loaded gun nor give demigods the power to destroy the whole planet.

Any invention today, ANY INVENTION, will be scrutinized by some to understand its potential as a weapon.

The God Complex is part of human nature.

The God Complex is a character flaw that is part of Narcissism.

A wise person would ask themselves, when is enough enough?

Feinstein, Pelosi, and their ilk lack wisdom. How much money is enough?

Why would you spend your entire life wielding your evil prowess on the world when you have enough money to be happy? They are drunk with power and lack wisdom. The hell of it is they think they are doing good.

Our leaders have no clue what the average person goes through daily. They don’t know what it is like to try and sleep at night and worry about how the water bill will get paid. They have never been happy to find cheap soup, five for a dollar. They don’t clip coupons.

Those people have the best doctors, security, and so on. They don’t understand what it’s like to worry about some thug attacking them for a twenty-dollar fix.

I cannot stand stupidity disguised as wisdom. While it infuriates me, some absorb toxicity to feed their inner demons. Many thrive on hate. They want to be mad. Some authors post scathing things ‘that they heard on the view.’

The talking heads getting millions of dollars a year to lie to us don’t understand what they are doing to the natural evolution of mankind. My feelings are that the talking heads don’t care.

I have said this before, and it is worth repeating that most actors are vapid creatures you wouldn’t want to meet in real life.

Actors and the DC elite have this symbiotic relationship as they are the same type of swamp monsters living in total depravity while loathing the people they purport to champion. Without writers, the late-night ‘comedians’ would be rather dull.

Without writers, the Thespians of the world would simply be another pretty face. We give the elite power by holding them in high esteem.

Circling back to the misery index, what does it matter, you might ask.

The higher the index, the more readily the masses will be ready to vote for someone who promises to improve their lives.

I want you to think about this last analogy before I stop typing…

When you were small and hurt yourself, your mommy probably kissed it and made it all better.

As you grew up and skinned your knees, mommy was there to cure the boo-boo and, if she were smart, would use it as a teaching moment. ‘Johnny, this wouldn’t have happened if you were not running in the house.’

From touching the hot stove to riding your bike on a busy street, you went to the one who could improve it.

Despots and politicians want to be mommies. They point out what is wrong and then blame the other guy. Elect them, and they will fix it.

Biden ran on making it all better. Are you better off today than you were in 2020?

Is the world better off today than in 2020?

If you said yes to either, you are most probably part of the problem.

Soros and his ilk spend millions to control the misery index before an election.

You need to be miserable, in debt, in bad health, working two jobs, and so on, so they can usher in a messiah.

While their end goal is a one-world government, many will have to die before it can become a reality. Which Despot will have total control over the Earth? Our open borders policy by this administration is a precursor of things to come.

Give us your poor, you huddling masses.. Yeah, give us more slaves so when the entitled brats in the US can’t find work, we can remove their voice by taking their money.

History is replete with this foolishness, and it works every time. How it works is simple. People are too damned lazy to learn history. In fact, few will read this far in this blog post to understand the points I am making.

Congratulations if you are one of the few who will read this far. You should follow me if you haven’t already.

Audiobooks are more popular than ever; why??? People are too damned lazy to read.

Ignorance of history and apathy are the politicians’ friends. I know many who approve of this administration. Why do they side with this administration? They listen to the talking heads blaming the misery on someone else and don’t bother to look at the facts.

The Universities get funding from the Soross of the world if they teach the right things like socialism.

Global Warming and Climate change are the rock falling from the sky ’chicken little.’ Teach things that will scare the sheep so we can control them with fear.

And how many genders are there today?

Masks don’t work, can’t work, but few understood why and chose to wear the obedience diaper on their faces. Be very afraid so we can tell you when it is safe to come out of your holes in the ground.

Think of this metaphor.

One four-legged white and black dog with a loud bark herds hundreds of sheep by chasing the sheep and barking. Sheep are stupid animals and react to stimuli. They run to where the bark (noise) isn’t.

We, the people, run to where the pain is less, even though the sheepdog puts us into a corner for the slaughter.

Look for the misery index to increase in election years.

You can bleat all you like, but you will never be free or happy until you understand how the dog is manipulating you and you take action against the dog.

The action I refer to is knowledge. While it is a cliché, knowledge is power.

There was a reason it was illegal to teach a slave to read.

There is a reason that the teachers union is in bed with the elite. Teach the masses just enough to be valuable idiots and brainwash the more intelligent sheep to believe that Stalin and his ilk were good people.

Obliterate history from statues to books so the sheep will have to believe the folks on cable news who tell them who to blame for their troubles.

Propaganda is rife; one day, the world will understand that Morning Mica is a paid propagandist.

If you want to support my efforts … Take a look at my latest novel. Earth’s Last Hope is a sci-fi with overtones of life on this planet. It’s light on science with an attractive redhead with daddy issues.

-Best

Featured Post

Writing Contest, Should You Enter?

Is it a good idea to enter contests?

I harken back to why I first put pen to paper way back when I was a child. Before English classes were part of my routine, I wrote. To be fair, I also drew and took part in other creative expressions, including teaching myself to play the guitar.

Why writing?
Why contests?
What is the larger picture?

Ancient movies might give false hope to writers. Dragging the carriage of an old typewriter back to the starting point a million times or so in the hopes of creating a best-selling novel might seem like a great idea. Still, I think it is the wrong reason to write.

I write for the same reasons I paint or play music; I do it for myself.

Losing oneself in a world you create is the only reward I can count on. Sorry if that bursts your bubble, but it is the truth of it. The same goes for painting or, yes, music.

‘But, there are famous artists, and look at these books that have sold millions of copies.’

Yes, that is true, and look at the lottery ticket winners; see, the comparison is not as estranged as one might think.

While I create stories, paintings, and music for my own pleasure, there is that fantasy that lives in the back of my mind that this book will be one that will sell.

So, to answer the first bullet point, write to please yourself. The odds are that others might also like your book if you are happy with your creation.

To respond to the second bullet point contest.

I have entered multiple contests and won many. Winning local contests affirms your writing; not winning is a wake-up call that you must improve something. The something is the bugaboo. What is it that you need to improve?

I will address this in a future blog. For now, I want to focus on which contests you should enter.

Lately, I have entered the Reedsy contest. Usually, there are about 300 entries that pay five dollars per entry. It doesn’t take a mathematician to figure out this is a business.

The cards are stacked in their favor, much like any gambling house, casino, or slot machine.

Why it works is simple: they prey on one’s ego.

Analyzing winning stories, it didn’t take long to determine that the judges were swayed by emotion. The judges are volunteers and could be anyone.

Reedsy is in the UK, as are their contributors, and so on. Idioms they use don’t resonate with Americans. Conversely, stories and styles written by Americans don’t seem to resonate with their judges.

In conclusion to the second bullet point, I would focus on contests in your backyard. If you live in New York, your story might not resonate with a judge in Alabama or vice versa, and most certainly not with some judge in the UK.

That is not always the case; however, keep that fact in mind.

The third bullet point that ties this all together is simply considering your audience. I continue to search for the algorithm of a best seller. Quite literally, you are shooting at a moving target. To spot your audience, one must almost be a time traveler with insight into the future.

While not as challenging as picking the correct lottery numbers for a specific day and time, it is almost as tricky.

Several authors have written how-to books on the subject.

This will sound cynical, but…if they are all knowledgable, where is their best seller?

I have their books on how to do this, and they have some value for the foundation of your novel. What they don’t have is ‘the magic formula.’

In conclusion to the title…I would keep it local and look for contests that don’t charge an entry fee unless…you get feedback on your entry, no matter what.

On Reedsy, you might get comments from those who read it; you want professional feedback.

As I venture forward in this world of words, I will continue to pontificate on what I have learned. The good news is that it won’t be in some how-to book you must pay for.

Click to follow, yes.
Sign up for my updates, certainly…Why not?
Comment occasionally, sure. I love to hear from you.
Buy my book Earth’s Last Hope… Yes, that keeps me going. I am currently working on a book about witchcraft… Seems prudent for Halloween, don’t you think?

-Best