September 16, 2008

An astute quote from one Richard P. Feynman: "Writing commentaries is some kind of disease of the intellect." He makes a point a bit later about the issue of language concordance - that of spelling and phonetics in the modern era (circa 1954, respectively): "If the professors of English will complain to me that the students who come to the universities, after all these years of study, still cannot spell 'friend', I say to them that something's the matter with the way you spell friend." I applaud, and even agree with, Feynman's sentiment in cultural evolution (for language, both spoken and written is a part of culture), but his view has a morbid undertone to it. Look at our state of things today. People are spelling things with 'z's, 's's, 'ie's, and 'e's where they have traditionally been vacant - or elsewhere! Names have undergone a modern Renaissance in differentiation: Chaty (Katie), Alizabeth (Elizabeth), Malyssha (?), Ammie (Amy), and Aileen (Eileen). Should phonetics and mechanical spelling work together or in opposition Why shouldn't they work together? It only makes sense, really?
Another point he makes: What does it matter where ideas or theories come from as long as everyone accepts them?

- Later -

Everyone has to agree on the theory or idea, but they have to all agree that the originator/origination of the idea is honest. There is no room for progress - if everyone accepts that there is only matter and energy, the we would never have television, radio, or atomic energy: "There is no right time for the truth." - Emily De Schantale.
There is something here to crack, I just can't figure out what it is. It is philosophy? It is mathematics? It is literary criticism - a study of language? Psychology? Sociology?
A slice of cheese could level the North American continent. With a house, the Earth, its moon, and probably Venus would be erased. A life can be destroyed because of the potential energy/force contained with a single factor; the energy could create a whole new world. Keep this up - you may just be on to something.