I wonder... #16

I wonder...
Is there any form of entertainment that is uniformly efficacious in producing sin like pornography is? Sorry for how convoluted this question is--allow me to explain. While thinking about the inherently degrading qualities of pornography (as almost necessarily producing/provoking lust through visual and phonic stimuli) I began to wonder if there was any other genre that yielded the same results, only with a different sin. Is there a type of movie, music, etc. that is universally proven to produce anger? sloth? envy? gluttony? etc. What other types of pornography are out there in this world?

When it comes to entertainment, the question of whether or not it is harmful is often driven by (but should not be reduced to!) "moderation." Video games are permissible, in moderation; likewise, movies are permissible, when taken in moderation; etc. However, when it comes to pornography, there is no proper, permissible, moderate use of it--it is itself the manifestation of immoderation (sexual incontinence, i.e. lust)--if you disagree, I would love to hear why. However, if you grant me my above claims, I wonder if there is anything else uniformly degrading and never "edifying" despite how infrequently we may indulge in it?

I wonder... #15

I wonder...
How does physicalism account for the unity of our experiences without the mind/consciousness? Do proponents of physicalism posit there is a part of the brain that acts as a uniting terminus point for the diverse sensations that we constantly receive as sentient beings? And, If physicalism does not have a uniting terminus point in the brain, is physicalism compromised, being unable to account for our basic awareness of "self" and the quality of our sensual apprehension (i.e. as being a united/single experience)?


Also, a question for my readers:
What is a person? I really do want your opinions, but if you would rather not post them on this blog, you can e-mail them to me at James.A.Garcia@Biola.edu

Some Camping Pictures

But first, I want your opinion. Which one do you like better?
1:
2:
3:

...and here is a close up of the rays on the mountains:
These pictures were taken on the way to Bishop with my older brother about a year ago. It was my first time camping in the snow. Hopefully I will be able to go there again this year.

(Lake Sabrina)

(My brother rejoicing at Lake Sabrina)

The Flight of the Shadow, By George MacDonald

The first paragraph:

CHAPTER I.

MRS. DAY BEGINS THE STORY.

"I AM old, else, I think, I should not have the courage to tell the story I am going to tell. All those concerned in it about whose feelings I am careful, are gone where, thank God, there are no secrets! If they know what I am doing, I know they do not mind. If they were alive to read as I record, they might perhaps now and again look a little paler and wish the leaf turned, but to see the things set down would not make them unhappy: they do not love secrecy. Half the misery in the world comes from trying to look, instead of trying to be, what one is not. I would that not God only but all good men and women might see me through and through. They would not be pleased with everything they saw, but then neither am I, and I would have no coals of fire in my soul's pockets! But my very nature would shudder at the thought of letting one person that loved a secret see into it. Such a one never sees things as they are--would not indeed see what was there, but something shaped and coloured after his own likeness. No one who loves and chooses a secret can be of the pure in heart that shall see God."

I wonder... #14

I wonder...
Will I ever be able to talk with my father without getting into an argument?

• God, teach me to love you.
• God, teach me to love my father.

Also, how do I honor my father if he disagrees with what I am doing at Biola and what I plan on doing in my graduate studies?

• God, teach me to honor you.
• God, teach me to honor my father.
  

I wonder... #13

I wonder...
What are the long term repercussions of staying up all night? Will I die sooner?......
Will I fail to take advantage of the opportunities God has given to me?
What bad fruit will this bad seed produce?...I wonder...all I know is that my brain is burning...

I hate sleep deprivation. Because when I am tired I lack a sense of life's depth.