What does that mean? Let me put it like this. If we met, I'd probably give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you're a good person. And if you're not cynical like me, we'd get along fine.
Just don't expect me to enjoy mosh pits.
I haven't blogged in ages. And to all my reader(s) out there, I am sorry my good man (or woman... or Jenner's gender). I'd apologize for not writing for a while, but I was taught that sometimes the best excuse is no excuse.
This is some time we're living in.
Now that I'm back online, I want to talk about something exciting-- the chances of being born. I've been contemplating it and realized the chances of being born are closer to zero than anyone can imagine.
Matter of fact, I came across another blog by a guy who uses math to predict the chances of being born. Someone else summarized his thoughts into this amazing infographic (which you can right click, open in a new tab, and zoom in on if you're not already an eagle).
The point he makes is that the chances of being born as "you", meaning all of your ancestors procreated down the line until you came about, are pretty much impossible. It's a tricky concept to grasp because when you think of it, your life was inevitable. There couldn't have not been a "you"... right?
Think about all the millions of potential brothers and sisters you could have had, each born with slight variations. Some might be more prone to genetic disorders, or genetic advantages, they would each inherit physical, mental, and personality features of your mother or your father, the quirks of your grandparents, and so on.
Now forget about all of that and think of being born as someone else from a different family entirely.
Forget about that and think about being born as an animal or an insect.
What determines whose consciousness we start off with? You could have been born as one of your siblings just as easily as you could have been born as pop culture phenomenon Carrot Top, chef Gordon Ramsay, or the homeless veteran holding up a sign in front of your favorite supermarket.
In the end, we're all stuck in our own bodies. There's no Jimmy Neutron science experiment that will transfer your mind into another person's body (which Jimmy ended up doing with his crush, Cindy, via telephone lines). You're you. And even though most of modern human life is spent doing mundane tasks, returning e-mails, driving around, waiting in lines, and sleeping in hopes you'll wake up with enough energy this time, you have the gift of perception. You're literate, which allows you to put yourself in someone else's imagination. You've seen good things, bad things, and probably lots of Kermit the Frog. But in everything you've experienced, in every choice you'll ever make, there is a "You" and I encourage you to make the most of it.
Be well.
-Philip
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