Defining Greed:
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Humanism is a great idea - but is contrary to our animal nature.
Capitalism is successful because it depends on the animal instinct to feed yourself first. However we somehow developed GREED ( which started this thread )
Animals don't seem to have this thing for greed - they will have their fill and then let the others eat.
More and more this seems to be the overriding 'benefit' of our so called superior intellect and creativity - perverting everything that is natural.
This process only seems to overturn itself after extreme excess has been achieved (Bill Gates had to be the richest man on earth before he pledged to give it all away ) and then realize that you simply have no use for all that cash.....
Unfortunately the average new capitalist is too happy splurging on yachts to think about the sweatshop worker creating his product or the C scaler having to cough up a $ 120 000 bribe (debenture in capitalist speak ) to get his kid into an English school in HKG
Capitalism is successful because it depends on the animal instinct to feed yourself first. However we somehow developed GREED ( which started this thread )
Animals don't seem to have this thing for greed - they will have their fill and then let the others eat.
More and more this seems to be the overriding 'benefit' of our so called superior intellect and creativity - perverting everything that is natural.
This process only seems to overturn itself after extreme excess has been achieved (Bill Gates had to be the richest man on earth before he pledged to give it all away ) and then realize that you simply have no use for all that cash.....
Unfortunately the average new capitalist is too happy splurging on yachts to think about the sweatshop worker creating his product or the C scaler having to cough up a $ 120 000 bribe (debenture in capitalist speak ) to get his kid into an English school in HKG
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You are making the implied assumption that Bill Gates motivation was money and his "end" goal which it was not. I would have guessed having followed his career a bit that money was an end to a means for him he had a "vision" of a PC on every desk and in every home by 2000 and he had that vision when a 'PC' cost equivalent to a jumbo jet...He managed to bring the price down from Jumbo jet to pizza and he didn't even see them himself, genius...
By the way publicly giving all your money away means the money has now the function of presenting one as a very decent person rather then a very rich or powerful person , but there is still a benefit even if its just the satisfaction of doing something good. So is it possible to do a good selfless act without any benefit?
Animals it could be suggested don't have greed because they do not have reason. There basic driving forces then are only survival and reproduction.
In the
Nicomachean Ethics (fantastic read! ) its fascinating how our man Aristotle defines happiness by examining all of the various proposals and comes to the beautiful conclusion of
Happiness is the pursuit of excellence through virtue (virtue being balance)...
NI the problem with us lot is that its not all about survival any more in this business..families , health and minds are falling apart....some are beyond the point of having to work to survive and therefore are now wanting to enjoy lifestyle and live a bit. We no longer have a unified objective and our "leadership" do not seem to have an idea of where they are going or the challenges they are creating by constantly pulling at the low lying fruit....
Now where is that remote control....This is great lads a decent chat for a change..
By the way publicly giving all your money away means the money has now the function of presenting one as a very decent person rather then a very rich or powerful person , but there is still a benefit even if its just the satisfaction of doing something good. So is it possible to do a good selfless act without any benefit?
Animals it could be suggested don't have greed because they do not have reason. There basic driving forces then are only survival and reproduction.
In the
Nicomachean Ethics (fantastic read! ) its fascinating how our man Aristotle defines happiness by examining all of the various proposals and comes to the beautiful conclusion of
Happiness is the pursuit of excellence through virtue (virtue being balance)...
NI the problem with us lot is that its not all about survival any more in this business..families , health and minds are falling apart....some are beyond the point of having to work to survive and therefore are now wanting to enjoy lifestyle and live a bit. We no longer have a unified objective and our "leadership" do not seem to have an idea of where they are going or the challenges they are creating by constantly pulling at the low lying fruit....
Now where is that remote control....This is great lads a decent chat for a change..
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missingblade,
interesting that you mention Bill Gates, his massive donation to his own trust is indeed a great move. But, of course you forget that Bill gave almost all his money, actually about 80% of it. When you remember that Bill was a multi billionaire - about $5 billion I think - that leaves Bill $1 point something billion for him to feed his family and buy tasteful sweaters.....
volarecantare,
yes - it's good to talk. As we humans have the largest brains in nature, and our intelligence has gone way beyond the dolphins, the firt thing we would have 'capitalised' on would have been land - territory - as we hadn't invented money 1 million years ago. Then we found that we needed to defend that land/territory - and so eventually a few hundred thousand years on - borders were born. With those borders came the wealth of the land within, and then jealousy of the land beyond. Greed, war, violence, theft etc. The thing that fascinates me that an animal (humankind) that is intelligent enough to survive and has developed systems to exist in some sort of peace/equality, be it in small numbers, in the 5 billion residents, that we still feel we need greed/borders. Your thoughts.
Regards,
N1 Vibes
interesting that you mention Bill Gates, his massive donation to his own trust is indeed a great move. But, of course you forget that Bill gave almost all his money, actually about 80% of it. When you remember that Bill was a multi billionaire - about $5 billion I think - that leaves Bill $1 point something billion for him to feed his family and buy tasteful sweaters.....
volarecantare,
yes - it's good to talk. As we humans have the largest brains in nature, and our intelligence has gone way beyond the dolphins, the firt thing we would have 'capitalised' on would have been land - territory - as we hadn't invented money 1 million years ago. Then we found that we needed to defend that land/territory - and so eventually a few hundred thousand years on - borders were born. With those borders came the wealth of the land within, and then jealousy of the land beyond. Greed, war, violence, theft etc. The thing that fascinates me that an animal (humankind) that is intelligent enough to survive and has developed systems to exist in some sort of peace/equality, be it in small numbers, in the 5 billion residents, that we still feel we need greed/borders. Your thoughts.
Regards,
N1 Vibes
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VIBES
Hi Vibes, I like his sweaters..cool though I am not.
some interesting points there. First of all it seems the issues with borders and ownership seems to come from a feeling of separatism which I suspect is the root cause of many issues world wide. This fear starts in individuals the first time they feel their needs are not met which as any parent knows is inevitable for every child. This then is where the child begins to experience fear and develop negative emotions of them. It struggles to feel safe in a world which encourages in most of its modern development, Newtonian and male perspective to react from that place of fear rather than the more inclusive feelings of love. Ancient cultures lived more in harmony with each other and nature understanding that everything is interconnected and part of a unified system. The result of moving away from this is evident everywhere, environmentally economically and in global unrest (even here on this site). However we humans as a species are now being forced to witness the cause and effects of living like this. massive natural economic and natural adjustments are taking place which although appearing terrifying from our small flatlander perspectives will inevitably lead to a more balanced system again. Subconsciously everyone is feeling this and its playing out in their own dramas everyday projecting their fears onto some "perceived enemy" whether is "the company" 'The management' or some poor bloke or girl taking up a freight base. The fact is security is an illusion which is desperately hung on to be ego and fear. That illusion is being torn to shreds, of course people will be scared initially. However if one relaxes, goes back to their basic needs and instinct takes responsibility for who they are and where they are there is a gem of treasure of inner peace which is threatened by no one or nothing...Boundaries therefore personally and internationally will dissolve. Your thoughts?
some interesting points there. First of all it seems the issues with borders and ownership seems to come from a feeling of separatism which I suspect is the root cause of many issues world wide. This fear starts in individuals the first time they feel their needs are not met which as any parent knows is inevitable for every child. This then is where the child begins to experience fear and develop negative emotions of them. It struggles to feel safe in a world which encourages in most of its modern development, Newtonian and male perspective to react from that place of fear rather than the more inclusive feelings of love. Ancient cultures lived more in harmony with each other and nature understanding that everything is interconnected and part of a unified system. The result of moving away from this is evident everywhere, environmentally economically and in global unrest (even here on this site). However we humans as a species are now being forced to witness the cause and effects of living like this. massive natural economic and natural adjustments are taking place which although appearing terrifying from our small flatlander perspectives will inevitably lead to a more balanced system again. Subconsciously everyone is feeling this and its playing out in their own dramas everyday projecting their fears onto some "perceived enemy" whether is "the company" 'The management' or some poor bloke or girl taking up a freight base. The fact is security is an illusion which is desperately hung on to be ego and fear. That illusion is being torn to shreds, of course people will be scared initially. However if one relaxes, goes back to their basic needs and instinct takes responsibility for who they are and where they are there is a gem of treasure of inner peace which is threatened by no one or nothing...Boundaries therefore personally and internationally will dissolve. Your thoughts?
Last edited by volarecantare; 2nd May 2008 at 16:23.
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Busdude:
Of course you are perfectly correct, that full stop should not be there and I realise now I should be more careful. My mistake it won't happen again.
Loopdeloop:
I agree with your comments about the rules for using exclamation marks as I find them irritating in well written prose. However I trust you observed my reference to "modern" punctuation. All the best.
volarecantare:
missing blade:
sylversurfer:
N1 Vibes:
Your collective comments are positive and enlightening but may I suggest you spare a thought for the young Asian woman up to her ankles in water planting rice. A gaggle of migrating geese fly overhead and she stands erect to watch them. She continues to watch even after the geese have long disappeared. People like us with unlimited opportunity can't even begin to imagine her immediate thoughts and therein lies another injustice.
828a
Of course you are perfectly correct, that full stop should not be there and I realise now I should be more careful. My mistake it won't happen again.
Loopdeloop:
I agree with your comments about the rules for using exclamation marks as I find them irritating in well written prose. However I trust you observed my reference to "modern" punctuation. All the best.
volarecantare:
missing blade:
sylversurfer:
N1 Vibes:
Your collective comments are positive and enlightening but may I suggest you spare a thought for the young Asian woman up to her ankles in water planting rice. A gaggle of migrating geese fly overhead and she stands erect to watch them. She continues to watch even after the geese have long disappeared. People like us with unlimited opportunity can't even begin to imagine her immediate thoughts and therein lies another injustice.
828a
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N1 Vibes, you are counting young William Gates down a bit. According to the current list of Forbes World's billionaires, Billy has a net worth of some $USD56 Billion, yes, that's Fifty Six! So even if he really did divest himself honourably of 80% of his lot, it would still leave some 11 Billion dollars, and the prospect probably, of never having to pay tax again.
Amongst my definitions of greed, is when my trainee in the tower is doing ground control, the frequency is very busy, a B747 has pushed back from bay W61 and is taking a bit longer than normal to be on his way, and some guy on W63 who is blocked starts to bleat "How much longer are we going to be delayed?". In the words of the spelling police, "how the f**k would I know!". Actually, on re-reading V-cantare's last post, maybe V-c's references to childish fears could throw some light on the subject.
Apart from that, an interesting thread with some nice points of view.
Amongst my definitions of greed, is when my trainee in the tower is doing ground control, the frequency is very busy, a B747 has pushed back from bay W61 and is taking a bit longer than normal to be on his way, and some guy on W63 who is blocked starts to bleat "How much longer are we going to be delayed?". In the words of the spelling police, "how the f**k would I know!". Actually, on re-reading V-cantare's last post, maybe V-c's references to childish fears could throw some light on the subject.
Apart from that, an interesting thread with some nice points of view.
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Volarecantare,
you make a very strong point in reference to the fears of the child and the role of the parent. My nagging question is sort of chicken and egg, is/was the thought of fear/losing something/being poor/greed learnt by the parents from humanity/society/state? Personally I think it is more towards the latter 2, especially as society becomes more perfection driven, nice car, nice house, white teeth, pale skin, rich etc.
This search for perfection is ultimately driven by the state, that wants to have the most wealth, land, control, power etc, when they virtually dictate to society "we must be more successful" at something, translates as "we must make more money/land". The fear of not having these things at a state level, filters down to the individual who also behaves in this way with house, car, money, possesions. Politicians are very clever at making people think that everything the state owns is also theirs, but it's not really is it? We voted them in, they are in control. not us individually. Only the £5 note says it "will pay the bearer the amount", it doesn't physically mean I own £5 worth of the british state. Democracy is not the perfect answer here.
And in certain countries, not far from where we live, this fear/desire can be very powerful, especially when private ownership has been repressed for so long, it is the state which repressed the chinese peoples personal wealth growth, which it believed would make things 'equal'.
Now, you only have to look at the flag waving and almost enforced anthem singing at yesterdays torch relay, to see the behaviour of adults 'in fear' of how the state sees them, back to perception of image. And the relation of the individual with the state, if I don't sing my heart out and wave a flag, the state will see me as bad, and therefore I won't succeed. This is not unique to China, look at how individuals/big business worldwide behaves to keep the state/individual politicians happy.
Finally, your point about the ancient society's I basically agree, but even those societies had hierarchy. Could it be that the human races greatest achievement - organised societies - has perhaps today become it's greatest downfall? Hierarchy - individual leadership/control - jealousy of that individuals elevated position/wealth - GREED?
Hope the thread drift wasn't too much, your thoughts.
Regards,
N1 Vibes
PS Bb - 0ooops, I didn't know it was that much!
you make a very strong point in reference to the fears of the child and the role of the parent. My nagging question is sort of chicken and egg, is/was the thought of fear/losing something/being poor/greed learnt by the parents from humanity/society/state? Personally I think it is more towards the latter 2, especially as society becomes more perfection driven, nice car, nice house, white teeth, pale skin, rich etc.
This search for perfection is ultimately driven by the state, that wants to have the most wealth, land, control, power etc, when they virtually dictate to society "we must be more successful" at something, translates as "we must make more money/land". The fear of not having these things at a state level, filters down to the individual who also behaves in this way with house, car, money, possesions. Politicians are very clever at making people think that everything the state owns is also theirs, but it's not really is it? We voted them in, they are in control. not us individually. Only the £5 note says it "will pay the bearer the amount", it doesn't physically mean I own £5 worth of the british state. Democracy is not the perfect answer here.
And in certain countries, not far from where we live, this fear/desire can be very powerful, especially when private ownership has been repressed for so long, it is the state which repressed the chinese peoples personal wealth growth, which it believed would make things 'equal'.
Now, you only have to look at the flag waving and almost enforced anthem singing at yesterdays torch relay, to see the behaviour of adults 'in fear' of how the state sees them, back to perception of image. And the relation of the individual with the state, if I don't sing my heart out and wave a flag, the state will see me as bad, and therefore I won't succeed. This is not unique to China, look at how individuals/big business worldwide behaves to keep the state/individual politicians happy.
Finally, your point about the ancient society's I basically agree, but even those societies had hierarchy. Could it be that the human races greatest achievement - organised societies - has perhaps today become it's greatest downfall? Hierarchy - individual leadership/control - jealousy of that individuals elevated position/wealth - GREED?
Hope the thread drift wasn't too much, your thoughts.
Regards,
N1 Vibes
PS Bb - 0ooops, I didn't know it was that much!
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N1 V, well written observations. Funnily enough, I was in Central yesterday afternoon when the flame deal was going on, and I thought exactly the same sentiments that you have elucidated. When I arrived home I was watching the Australian Network "News Hour" and there was a 5 minute video grab on a company that has been set up in London to advise wealthy philanthropists on how to "better" direct their donations for the benefit of others, so that they won't be "ripped off" - shall we say. Will be interesting to see in the future, if said "company" itself has a totally free and unblemished record! Included was a bit on the foundation set up by Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, and the two have each "donated" 31 billion dollars (don't know what sort, but I don't think they are Zimbabwean!) to their foundation..
Sorry if I seemed to be introducing another aspect into this discussion re "whinges", but I guess I was alluding to the fact that there are other forms of greed, other than fiscal, such as "time greed" whereby "my time is more important than yours", or "emotional greed" whereby "I expect more from this relationship than I am prepared to give" etc.
Cheers
Sorry if I seemed to be introducing another aspect into this discussion re "whinges", but I guess I was alluding to the fact that there are other forms of greed, other than fiscal, such as "time greed" whereby "my time is more important than yours", or "emotional greed" whereby "I expect more from this relationship than I am prepared to give" etc.
Cheers
the average new capitalist is too happy splurging on yachts to think about the sweatshop worker creating his product
I read a comment from over a hundred years ago by a literate farm worker who wrote of the painful hacks on his hands as he wove wattle fencing panels outdoors in a British winter.
I'd rather work in a factory.
Can't say I have a lot of time for 'intellectual' discussion of the condition of man.
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The Nobler Man:
Confucius knew a thing or two about greed. He speaks of it when discussing the nobler man.
Quote: "There are three impulses against which the nobler sort of man is on his guard. In the period of youth, when the heyday in the blood has not yet subsided, he guards against lustfulness; in the prime of life, when the physical frame is vigorous and strong, he guards against pugnacity; in old age, when the vital forces are in their decline, he guards against the greed of gain." unquote.
He seems to be saying that in old age greed is one of the few things left.
828a
Quote: "There are three impulses against which the nobler sort of man is on his guard. In the period of youth, when the heyday in the blood has not yet subsided, he guards against lustfulness; in the prime of life, when the physical frame is vigorous and strong, he guards against pugnacity; in old age, when the vital forces are in their decline, he guards against the greed of gain." unquote.
He seems to be saying that in old age greed is one of the few things left.
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Basil,
an interesting quotation, was this from an essay or a diary? If it was from the former then one would believe it to be the firm belief of the writer, after considering carefully what to write in his essayIf it was the latter, then it could have been a particularly harsh winter, or just a bad day, and the comment should be taken in context.
It's like a pilot keepinga diary and saying "that's the 100th sector I've flown this month and I'm sick of it, the boss won't let me retire til I'm 65, and I didn't get a payrise - I wan't to give up flying and clean the streets for a living".
On the subject of sweatshops, have you actually visited any towns/cities in asia that are producing your Tommy ****flinger boxer shorts for £4.99? I recently did, Hanhgzhou and Shaoxing, these places are terribly polluted from coal burning, the residential buildings are all tightly packed, with no real open spaces, and those that do have open space, it's covered with concrete - this is not exactly quality of life.
And to follow your quotation - some of my relatives live off the land, in beautiful bamboo lined valleys, not 10km from these industrial cesspits. The younger relatives are all moving to the towns and cities, because it seems to be more attractive. To drive cars, own an appartment, earn a wage. Yet, as happened in the UK/Europe at the time of the writing of the farmer, something else happened as a result of the industrial revolution.
With the move of people to the towns and cities for work there was a total loss of community for the country people. Whereas today you can walk into the above mentioned valleys and be weclomed in as a stranger, and everybody in the village is looking out for each other, helping with difficult jobs, a system of community barter still exists etc - they still have a real sense of community spirit and this brings out their humanity on a local scale.
But, the people who have moved to the town have lost their sense of community, as they don't know the background of person who lives down the hallway, they didn't grow up together in the same village as children, there's no sense of connection and they certainly wouldn't give up a day to help them with their work in a factory, as they would have done for their neighbour in the village.
At the time of wiriting more than 50% of the global poulation lives in a city, in another 10 years that will be 60%, this will continue to erode any sense of community that has existed between people. This will also mean that your boxer shorts will be even more cheaper.
We hope you enjoy wearing them!
Regards,
N1 Vibes
an interesting quotation, was this from an essay or a diary? If it was from the former then one would believe it to be the firm belief of the writer, after considering carefully what to write in his essayIf it was the latter, then it could have been a particularly harsh winter, or just a bad day, and the comment should be taken in context.
It's like a pilot keepinga diary and saying "that's the 100th sector I've flown this month and I'm sick of it, the boss won't let me retire til I'm 65, and I didn't get a payrise - I wan't to give up flying and clean the streets for a living".
On the subject of sweatshops, have you actually visited any towns/cities in asia that are producing your Tommy ****flinger boxer shorts for £4.99? I recently did, Hanhgzhou and Shaoxing, these places are terribly polluted from coal burning, the residential buildings are all tightly packed, with no real open spaces, and those that do have open space, it's covered with concrete - this is not exactly quality of life.
And to follow your quotation - some of my relatives live off the land, in beautiful bamboo lined valleys, not 10km from these industrial cesspits. The younger relatives are all moving to the towns and cities, because it seems to be more attractive. To drive cars, own an appartment, earn a wage. Yet, as happened in the UK/Europe at the time of the writing of the farmer, something else happened as a result of the industrial revolution.
With the move of people to the towns and cities for work there was a total loss of community for the country people. Whereas today you can walk into the above mentioned valleys and be weclomed in as a stranger, and everybody in the village is looking out for each other, helping with difficult jobs, a system of community barter still exists etc - they still have a real sense of community spirit and this brings out their humanity on a local scale.
But, the people who have moved to the town have lost their sense of community, as they don't know the background of person who lives down the hallway, they didn't grow up together in the same village as children, there's no sense of connection and they certainly wouldn't give up a day to help them with their work in a factory, as they would have done for their neighbour in the village.
At the time of wiriting more than 50% of the global poulation lives in a city, in another 10 years that will be 60%, this will continue to erode any sense of community that has existed between people. This will also mean that your boxer shorts will be even more cheaper.
We hope you enjoy wearing them!
Regards,
N1 Vibes
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So it's a good thing right? It's all very well being sanctimonious as long as it's not YOU living over the pigs and chickens. People move from their ancestral homes for what THEY perceive to be a better quality of life, either for them or their children. Bleeding heart Western liberals who want to freeze these people in some sort of time warp need to try living as subsistence farmers for a couple of months. 
N1 Vibes,
I can't remember in what form it was written or where I read it.
Just for clarification the comment 'I'd rather work in a factory.' was mine and not the farm worker's.
I can't remember in what form it was written or where I read it.
Just for clarification the comment 'I'd rather work in a factory.' was mine and not the farm worker's.
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Most certainly an interesting thread if only for the sheer timing so soon after the collapse of Oasis; an airline supposedly founded on the basis of biblical values by a God-fearing Reverend and a born-again CEO who did nothing but espouse the philanthropic desire to bring the world to the poor (or was it the poor to the world?). After all it was God that whispered in the CEO's ear wasn't it?
And yet 18 months later, after 18 months of vanity and self-adoration, and nothing but abuse and misuse of 700+ employees, those very same individuals brought about its collapse through sheer business ignorance and incompetence; oh and of course, failing to capitalise a bloody good business that they created. Perhaps they thought God would provide?
...and of course, those poor, impoverished wretches that the good Reverend had hoped to send to the world, are now poorer, losing their money and the [sweat] shirts off their backs.
Morality left the building a long time ago....
And yet 18 months later, after 18 months of vanity and self-adoration, and nothing but abuse and misuse of 700+ employees, those very same individuals brought about its collapse through sheer business ignorance and incompetence; oh and of course, failing to capitalise a bloody good business that they created. Perhaps they thought God would provide?
...and of course, those poor, impoverished wretches that the good Reverend had hoped to send to the world, are now poorer, losing their money and the [sweat] shirts off their backs.
Morality left the building a long time ago....
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Zoologist,
great comparison!
Basil,
thanks for clearing up your point. Might I counter - for the British 19C farmer - painful hacks on his hands - for the 21C chinese factory worker 60-70hr week, horrific industrial accidents, airborne pollution that will slowly kill them or the swift death traffic accident - 13 times more likely to die on a road in China vs UK per head of population.
Kitsune,
No. I don't want to freeze people in a time warp, they need support and investment from the 'state' dare I say it. The loss of the younger people to the towns makes the life even more harder and eventually villages will die out.
Your point is excellent actually, more people should go back to the land/country, this would revive communities that actually genuinely supported each other.
As for:
Here's the nub, who gives these people that "perception of better quality of life"? The first indication they get is from the state - by their massive investment in growing industrial towns, and their total lack of investment in rural areas. The second source of perception is from society/media suggesting that the quality of life is better in the towns.
Do you believe everything you are told by the UK government about the quality of your life? Or all that you see in an advertisment on TV? If you do then you are a true 'state believer'. But, from your membership of Pprune and your comments I would guess you very much have your own mind/access to the internet/free-media in the UK etc.
The people living in a village in China DO NOT have this advantage!
Suggest you might want to visit China's industrial regions for a clearer view of whats being discussed here. Or just continue buying your underpants for £4.99.
Regards,
N1 Vibes
great comparison!
Basil,
thanks for clearing up your point. Might I counter - for the British 19C farmer - painful hacks on his hands - for the 21C chinese factory worker 60-70hr week, horrific industrial accidents, airborne pollution that will slowly kill them or the swift death traffic accident - 13 times more likely to die on a road in China vs UK per head of population.
Kitsune,
Bleeding heart Western liberals who want to freeze these people in some sort of time warp need to try living as subsistence farmers for a couple of months
Your point is excellent actually, more people should go back to the land/country, this would revive communities that actually genuinely supported each other.
As for:
People move from their ancestral homes for what THEY perceive to be a better quality of life, either for them or their children
Do you believe everything you are told by the UK government about the quality of your life? Or all that you see in an advertisment on TV? If you do then you are a true 'state believer'. But, from your membership of Pprune and your comments I would guess you very much have your own mind/access to the internet/free-media in the UK etc.
The people living in a village in China DO NOT have this advantage!
Suggest you might want to visit China's industrial regions for a clearer view of whats being discussed here. Or just continue buying your underpants for £4.99.
Regards,
N1 Vibes
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Frogs:
A little off topic but relevant. It's a wake up call for the disgruntled frogs of Cathay. The frogs who managed to escape from their hometown suburban well but for some unfathomable reason wished they hadn't.
"I do not deny the happiness of a life spent beneath the shadow of the belfry of one's own home, surrounded by one's own family; but, after all, what are such joys as these compared to those of the explorer who goes forth to meet the unknown ready for all that may betide, making fresh discoveries at every turn, gladly facing all and rejoicing in the ever-changing, ever-widening horizon before him? Who would care to forego the joys of memory, the power of living over again in old age the adventures of youth, of seeing once more with the mind's eye the wonders of the far-distant lands visited when the mind was still buoyant, the sight still undimmed, the limbs still in all the vigour of manhood? Happy mortal indeed is he who, thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the discoverer elects to travel this path. "
828a
"I do not deny the happiness of a life spent beneath the shadow of the belfry of one's own home, surrounded by one's own family; but, after all, what are such joys as these compared to those of the explorer who goes forth to meet the unknown ready for all that may betide, making fresh discoveries at every turn, gladly facing all and rejoicing in the ever-changing, ever-widening horizon before him? Who would care to forego the joys of memory, the power of living over again in old age the adventures of youth, of seeing once more with the mind's eye the wonders of the far-distant lands visited when the mind was still buoyant, the sight still undimmed, the limbs still in all the vigour of manhood? Happy mortal indeed is he who, thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the discoverer elects to travel this path. "
828a