Category: Philosophy

Yeah, I know. Years are just an arbitrary way of delineating things. BUT — THIS particular arbitrary delineation is an outlier. I take note of deaths in the course of a year. I keep a list. Not just celebrities, but others I know; it’s just a form of remembrance.

I had to look, just to satisfy my curiosity. How many have there been this year, and how many last year, just to pick a convenient year for comparison.

Last year, there were 70 on my list. The most notable one for me was Leonard Nimoy. This year, I counted earlier today, was 87. Now adding Debbie Reynolds, 88. And there are a LOT more highly notables, and many before what could conventionally be considered “their time” — too young.

So, 2016 is worse than our collective most recent frame of reference, 2015. And not by just a little.

If sanity ever does reign supreme, it will probably be lonely.

It may have logic to keep it company. Hopefully compassion and mercy won’t be strangers either.

A banner appears in the distance, one month removed from today. “Welcome to fall,” it says. Each day is a step closer in the march to the equinox. If you can’t stop the march, dance instead.

The word of the night is redemption. If you did not win at the Olympics last time, you are obligated to seek it.

Otherwise? I don’t know. If you don’t earn your Olympic redemption, do you wander around in shame for the rest of your life, unable to meet the eyes of others in polite society? All the competitors in the world all striving for a very small number of places on the victory podium, but if you do not win, no redemption for YOU.

And is redemption a zero-sum game? Because you achieving YOUR redemption at the Olympics denies someone else the chance to win theirs.