The Peckish Synapse

customboss · April 6, 2024

1 minute ago, KARNUT said:

It’s evident the self reliant from the blame everyone else crowd.

here goes the circular firing squad........

diyer2 · April 6, 2024

Head up.

I have been self reliant all my life, started with farm life IMO. and always payed my way. Lived on the same city street over 30 years, people came and went. Once neighbors realized I was a handy guy they knocked on my door for help. They could buy new cars, windows etc. But if I fixed their garbage disposal, I got a thank you. After a while I stopped helping neighbors, felt I was being taken advantage of, not once was I offered money for helping them when I had just saved them hundreds of dollars. One neighbor was a single mom who I always helped.

I'm not big on debating or proving anything to people, no ego here to stroke. You live your life, believe and do what makes you happy and I will do the same. I like living rural, nobody knocks on my door. I'm not antisocial, just burned out on people.

We live outside a small town and a few people I help out because they pay their way or they are nice people.

Grumpy Bear · April 6, 2024

I've never cast my own toilet. Made a lawnmower from scratch. Mined for salt. Fact is, not a thing I have I was not given. Foremost among those things I was given was life. I don't print money and if I did it would have no worth. Its value is not set by me alone. Self-reliance, in the absolute, is as fictional as control.

The Zip · April 7, 2024

8 hours ago, diyer2 said:

After a while I stopped helping neighbors, felt I was being taken advantage of, not once was I offered money for helping them when I had just saved them hundreds of dollars.

Another perspective. I had an over-the-top barbering skill set and when I trimmed a fella's 'wig' because I wanted to, I never expected to be paid and didn't have an issue with them when I wasn't. Didn't feel I was being taken advantage of. On the other hand, if I trimmed a fellas' wig because I needed to, then I let them know right up front that I expected to be paid and we negotiated a wage. Always at least 50% cheaper than he could find at any barber by using the Yellow pages. Are Yellow pages still a thing with Google?

Grumpy Bear · April 7, 2024

Self-Reliance in the abstract is just being a grownup. Do what you need to do and OWN IT.

diyer2 · April 7, 2024

"Self-Reliance in the abstract is just being a grown up."

Really, you have to be able to perform the task at hand to be self reliant.

Grumpy Bear · April 7, 2024

15 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

"Self-Reliance in the abstract is just being a grown up."

Really, you have to be able to perform the task at hand to be self reliant.

What are you typing on? Did you design and built the computer and internet? Your car/truck? No but you do take ownership of what you just typed. You did it all by yourself with the help of thousands that made it possible to do so. So, in the abstract you ARE self-reliant but in the absolute...never.

I plant and cultivate and harvest and cook my meals. Am I self-reliant? In the abstract, yes. But brother I am NOT the one who provided the rain, the sun, the genetic materials or design, the CO2 or the soil. I didn't set the seasons or determine the time to maturity. I didn't set the plants needs or its limits of tolerance. Even the geneticist who alters the DNA to make a crop more drought or pest resistant or shorten its maturity is ALWAYS bound by the limits and laws God place on HIM.

Even on a less loft plane I do not get to determine where on earth I plant or the governance of that plot. How much it cost and I certainly didn't build the tools or provide the seed. I can choose to accept or decline and place or a price and in that limited way have some influence on the outcome. But you are not going to plant your potatoes at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue no matter how self-determined or self-reliant you are.

We are a flea on an elephant back. We just refuse to see the elephant when we brag on how we shake the earth when we walk. He is so large we are numb to his presents. Both God and the systems he permits.

diyer2 · April 7, 2024

Your definition of self reliance is different than mine. Simply put I fix, maintain it. Why is this so hard?

Edited April 7, 2024 by diyer2

Grumpy Bear · April 7, 2024

58 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

Your definition of self reliance is different than mine. Simply put I fix, maintain it. Why is this so hard?

Because our definitions are different?

KARNUT · April 7, 2024

In my world self reliance you do it yourself or you pay for someone else’s service. I didn’t build the car, I bought it. I pay taxes to use the roads and so on. I rely on my wife as she does me. I don’t expect anything for free. There’s always a ying to the yang. Now reliance are people who want stuff, money without earning it. In other words our ancestors fought for what we call the USA. Our services maintain that for us. Some people who flood into our country want our treasure for free. How about fix your own.

Grumpy Bear · April 7, 2024

2 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

Now reliance are people who want stuff, money without earning it.

Even reading the context this was offered in, I'm not fully sure I understand it's meaning. Although I do tend to tilt toward those on 'social programs' verses those who expect a return on their investments. Am I close?

KARNUT · April 7, 2024

1 minute ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Even reading the context this was offered in, I'm not fully sure I understand it's meaning. Although I do tend to tilt toward those on 'social programs' verses those who expect a return on their investments. Am I close?

Just explaining how I see self reliance.

customboss · April 8, 2024

crux of the problem

customboss · April 8, 2024

Few ever serve the nation and constitution but are ready to dismantle it.

My fellow USN swimmer is doing something about that for military and veterans.

https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-veterans-organizing-to-stop-trumpism

At least Grumpy serves his community through his church. Religion and faith will not save the nation here in this time though because God doesn't care about nations really.

Edited April 8, 2024 by customboss
Most of you talk a good line but unless you serve your neighbor, country, constiution your opinions ring hollow. n

KARNUT · April 8, 2024

17 minutes ago, customboss said:

Few ever serve the nation and constitution but are ready to dismantle it.

My fellow USN swimmer is doing something about that for military and veterans.

https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-veterans-organizing-to-stop-trumpism

At least Grumpy serves his community through his church. Religion and faith will not save the nation here in this time though because God doesn't care about nations really.

I spent the last 10 years visiting every chance I got a highly decorated Sargent Major. I just learned at his funeral he was involved when North Korea crossed over and killed some servicemen. He was part of the crew, not his rotation. He found the dead. He was a Ranger and jumped out of planes. I’m a senior member of our church, my wife is a secretary there. My business have given me the opportunity to see the world. I’ve even been in the China airport. I’ve seen things, learned things from many influential people. Formed knowledge and opinions through experience. I don’t lump the misinformed or wishful thinkers into some kind of cult if they disagree. I feel sad for them. They always respond with name calling and degradation. You know who you are. Me I’m happily on my way. For ever grateful for knowing a man such as my Father in law. The Rush listening, America loving, highly respected conservative.