Sebastián

Oh sorry Brando, I guess I just read "Bran—" and assumed the rest, lol, I guess I really do need to be more careful, eh? I can already see that, I've been reading through some of the other forums, it's great. I love Ayn Rand, and reading her books has really changed everything. I think my life would have followed a different course had I not read The Fountainhead about three years ago. It's funny, because I'm just about to turn twenty, and having read the books so early in life, I don't think I realized just how radical the ideas in them were. I hadn't been exposed to what most people are really like, because I had a very sheltered childhood and adolescence. I couldn't believe at first that most of her ideas were actually revolutionary, because it all made so much sense to me, I thought, "How could no one have ever thought of this before? It's been right before their eyes all along!" Needless to say, I'm completely consumed by all of these ideas, and the sense that I'm discovering something so wonderful and powerful and new... I wish that I could express just how excited I am about this more effectively, but I'm not quite there yet. Thank you, l wish the same to you. Seb.

< Seconds GRACE KELLY:

Thanks Brandon, yours was a very thoughtful and thorough response. Though I can't quite agree just yet that tattooing isn't "irrational," I'll step back because I realize I did not back that up, as you said, with facts and reason. I won't challenge any Objectivist's opinions and/or assertions on this forum before I can come up with a logical reasoning for my own opinions/assertions. What I really want apologize for is my statement that tattoos are immoral, that was incredibly stupid of me, I'm truly sorry about that. I had a history teacher who had a Marines tattoo on his arm, and the fact that he had a tattoo didn't change what I thought of him when I found out. I respected him and really thought he was a very nice guy. Sorry to anyone w/ tattoos who may have been offended. Jeez, I was about ready to leave this forum. Apologetically, Sebastián

I said, "The implications of that last sentence notwithstanding." In other words, I recognize that it is based more on feeling that actual facts, either way, there are too many other things I said that you chose not to comment on. I apologize. I really meant to say most, because tattoos are permanent, and so to agree with me and not remove your tattoo would be an evasion, right? Listen, I realized I went a bit too far, and I apologize, but it seems to me that you've only chosen specific things I've said and attacked me based on that, rather than consider the whole of my argument, and apparently those of the others. Now, do you accept any of my points? I am a newcomer here, and not used to this sort of debate. So take it a bit easy on me. S. BTW, thanks to the kind members who politely considered what I said, although yes—I could've been a bit less severe and assertive. Sorry about that.

I admit, I can't completely back up that statement. To me it is just obvious. The implications of that last sentence notwithstanding. I should have stated it as my opinion, but then that's also obvious. I am fairly new to Objectivism. I have read both TF and AS and some of Ayn Rand's non-fiction. I suppose the attitude of my first post invited a post such as yours. To me the why and what of tattooing are completely irrelevant. I believe that tattoing is a tribal practice that should have no place in a civilized society. I belive that tattoing is... :sigh: completely irrational. I wonder why it is that tattoos are mostly popular with gang members and drug addicts. I wish that someone would come and help me back up these statements. I'm sure that many objectivists object to tattooing on the same grounds as I. But, the main reason that they disgust me so much, is that they are a violation, in my opinion, of the human body. The human body is beautiful all by itself, it doesn't need to be defaced in such a way, to do that to a human body is in my opinion, and I'm sure in the opinion of many others, immoral. It disturbs me in the same way as graffiti, in the same way as trash. I suppose in the same way that Howard Roark was offended when classical accents were added to a model of one of his creations. If there were a God, I believe he'd be offended by tattoos. I am serious here, and I am seriously debating this point. If I have made any errors, please point them out to me. What could possibly justify such a masochistic marring of the human body? I wouldn't expect those of you who have tattoos to agree with me, even if you thought I had a point, or was right. And I'm sorry if I've offended anyone, but this is where I stand. Sincerely, Sebastián P. edit: I may have gone too far in considering tattooing to be immoral, I can see how it could be considered more an error of knowledge, especially when done by the young. Nonetheless, I am wholeheartedly opposed to it. S.

I only read the first few posts, but wanted to add this: "2. In any collaboration between two men (or groups) who hold different basic principles, it is the more evil or irrational one who wins. "The rational (principle, premise, idea, policy, or action) is that which is consonant with the facts of reality; the irrational is that which contradicts the facts and attempts to get away with it. A collabroation is a joint undertaking, a common course of action. The rational (the good) has nothing to gain from the irrational (the evil), except a share of its failures and crimes; the irrational has everything to gain from the rational: a share of its achievements and values. An industrialist does not need the help of a burglar in order to succeed; a burglar needs the industrialist's achievement in order to exist at all. What collaboration is possible between them and to what end? "If an individual holds mixed premises, his vices undercut, hamper, defeat, and ultimately destroy his virtues. What is the moral status of an honest man who steals once in a while? In the same way, if a group of men persues mixed goals, it's bad priciples drive out the good..."* Besides, John Galt had absolutely nothing to fear; evil is to be despised, but never feared, never to be taken seriously. Sebastián * From The Anatomy of Compromise (CUI, pg. 144), by Ayn Rand edit: LOL I just read the post prior to this, Eric was spot on!

I second Cary Grant: He has a very angular face, and body. I love everything about him, I think he's one of the most handsome men to have ever set foot on this earth. He had a magnificient way of moving and talking, he was very funny but he was also very reserved. He was like an average man, but he had an air of aristocracy. He always looked perfect. I can't pick any feature in particular, I think everything about him added up to one indivisible whole, a complete projection of: MAN. While I'm at it, I'll cast my vote for Ingrid Bergman as one of the most beautiful women ever (she's up there in the pic with Cary, if you don't know). But here it's different, what I like about her most is her smile, it just doesn't get better than that. She was a relatively large woman, so physically I'm not too attracted to her. I just think she has the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. Other classic actors worth mention: Errol Flynn, Humphrey Bogart, Robert Mitchum. Oh, and then there's Marcello Mastroianni(also on my avatar): Recent actors: Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman. As a male, Sebastián Peña

I'm glad I came upon this thread, because I've been thinking about tattoos a lot lately. I absolutely hate them; I don't understand why anyone would do something like that to their bodies. Tattooing, like piercing, is a tribal custom for the love of God! I think it's stupid to even think about it. Recently I asked a friend if she would ever consider getting a tattoo, after three seconds I said: "No way!" I couldn't believe she actually had to think about it. I could never get a tattoo, and I don't think it's a matter of preference or taste, tattoos are always a step backward, never forward. Earlier kenstauffer said that the human body is beautiful naked. That's an understatement. The Human body is the most beautiful thing that exists. Howard Roark would never get a tattoo, why would he possibly want to? Are you kidding? This is hilarious. Would Howard Roark pierce his ears? Or his nipples maybe? Maybe after completing the Wynand building, he would have liked to urinate on it...? How can none of you see this? Tattoing is anti-reason. Tattoos corrupt the beautiful purity of a human body, and hinder development personal development. I don't see why anyone truly commited to anything should need to brand themselves in such a manner. Like I said, it is anti-reason, even if it intends to celebrate it's full use. Can you imagine Michelangelo's David with tattoos? Also consider what it is that the pain experienced during tattooing implies: "Pleasure (in the widest sense of the term) is a metaphysical concomitant of life, the reward and consequence of successful action—just as pain is the insignia of failure, destruction, death."* Sebastián *TVS, pg. 71

Mark, You have to do what you have to do. You must find a way out of this; this is your life. There is always a way out, find it. Do whatever it is you feel you must do, not only for yourself, but most importantly for your daughter. Your daughter's future depends on your finding a solution to these problems. I know exactly what you mean about work, but listen—if you have to work at McDonald's, then work at McDonalds. I don't think that you really have to do that though, there are many alternatives, that you have to look for. Do everything you can, ask help from anyone you can. But mostly, you have to stop thinking so much about it and lighten up. Wave your anxiety and depression aside, and get to work. The more work you can find the better, because you'll be kept busy, this will stop you from thinking so goddamn much, and therefore from worrying so much. I know. I feel that I can say this to you, because I have said it to myself many times before. Mark, you have to be strong. Whatever it is you must do, do it, so long as it's within reason, of course. If you have to leave the state, or the country, or if you must sell most of your belongings, or borrow money, or whatever, you know that if you don't... well, I think you know better than I what will happen. Though it's hard to do under such circumstances, take it easy Mark. Attentively, Sebastián