Why Do We Stone and Slay Our Prophets?

Why Do We Stone and Slay Our Prophets?

Numbered reasons beyond an expository may suffice.

1.  People generally and specifically resist and resent authority, those who claim to wield it or those who claim to invoke a divine or powerful authority above or over others.

2.  Many so called prophets are false and delusional, and cause a great deal of harm. Many should not be trusted or heeded.

3. People increasingly do not believe in any type of authority other than empirical science. Lack of the belief in higher powers eliminates the middle men, if it were.

4. Prophets, even if they seem wise or correct, do not often proclaim and preach things that the people want to hear. Or follow.

5. People resist what they do not know, understand, or agree with sad bouts of violence and contempt.

Redemption Song, by Bob Marley.

Old pirates, yes, they rob I,
Sold I to the merchant ships
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit

But my 'and was made strong
By the 'and of the Almighty
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly

Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs

Emancipate yourself from mental slavery
None but our self can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
'Cause none of them can stop the time

How long shall they kill our prophets

While we stand aside and look?

Some say it's just a part of it

We've got to fulfill de book

Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Redemption songs

Emancipate yourself from mental slavery
None but our self can free our mind
Have no fear for atomic energy
'Cause none of them can stop the time
How long shall dey kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look?
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill de book

Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever had
Redemption songs
All I ever had
Redemption songs
These songs of freedom
Songs of freedom

Protected Veteran

Magic Number 541-- Among the Best, America's Elite

Magic Number 541-- Among the Best, America's Elite

All you need to do to be among the best baseball players of all time is to reach that number.

The top thousand guys in Runs Batted In. RBIs. These are the major league hitters who have somehow driven in that many runs. By hit, by sacrifice, by walks... Probably not awarding an RBI by the defensive team's errors.

At least for now, 2020, that is the number to reach. 541. That means 5 really good seasons, or at least 10 pretty good seasons, or a career of some longevity. This benchmark will change in the future as newer guys surpass it and bump the older guys down.

A few things to consider in being deemed "America's Elite". Just because it is considered "America's pastime", it is certainly not limited to the United States and its citizens. Many non-U.S. players have excelled in the sport, increasingly so since the late 1800s when the statistics were first kept.

Of the top five RBI leaders of all time, Cap Anson, was born way back in 1852! He must have had distinct memories of the Civil War all his life. He began playing at age 19 in 1871, and enjoyed a long career till 1897 when 45. He is the oldest and eldest among the top players. He accomplished the feat, not to be surpassed for a while, in 2524 games over 27 years. All before the year 1900. He had 2075 ribbies, currently tied with a current player to be mentioned soon, at fifth all time.

Speaking of before the year 1900, the Bambino was born in 1895 (about the same time as my grandparents), and went on to crash into the record books in many ways, mostly with the Yankees. While being known for the long ball home run, recreating the game in some ways, he went on to log 2214 RBIs, in the span of 22 seasons from 1914 to 1935. Legendary, and then becoming the best RBI producer in 5 years less than Anson, by 310 games less, too (2214). Babe Ruth was all of that.

Hammerin' Hank came next; he is still number one in RBIs at present (2020, COVID-19 delayed season), but he had the Babe to reach for . He is Mr. Production, if no one has ever called him that before. Hank Aaron was the epitome of getting runs on the board over his 23 year career, which began in 1954.  Sad to think that other African-American players could have a chance to put huge numbers on the boards like Cap Anson or Babe Ruth if they had been integrated into the game before 1947. At least Major League baseball and America got it right by then... In time for greats  such as Aaron and Mays and so many others to make the national pastime what it should be. A place for all to compete and play. The Hammer was born in 1934, three years before my dad. His career ended in 1976, about the time I was about to see my first major league game in Cincinnati. Hank tops the charts for Runs driven in at the Everest number of 2297.

The last two players to round out the top five RBI guys of all time, of this pantheon of 1,000 major leaguers that range from the two thousands down to 541, are recent gentlemen to the game, players who have made it deep, relatively, or at least thus far, into the 21st century. Alex Rodriguez did not retire too long ago (2016). His numbers were always stellar and amazing, but he will forever be tainted with having using PEDs, Performance Enhancing Drugs. This has cost him a lot, so despite his 22 seasons played and 2784 games at such high caliber, his numbers will always be questioned because of those illegal substances. He was born in 1975, five years after me, and played from 1994 to 2016. He will be eligible for the Hall of Fame next January, but some other all time greats have been penalized for many years now, and have not been selected by the purists among the chosen voters, namely Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, and Roger Clemens (pitcher) foremost among them.

 It will be interesting to see how the Hall of Fame vote will turn out for A-rod in his first year of eligibility in 2021. Those voters can be really stingy when it comes to not cheating, being honest, and the purity of the game (see Pete Rose, all-time hits leader). Rodriguez has been punished with games suspended, so I think he will fare better than Bonds and Palmeiro, whose number certainly deserve it. Mark McGuire is another matter. It will also be crucial from the point of view if the 2020 season will play at all because of corona virus ravaging the earth physically and economically, and what will happen as far as playing even next year, 2021. The world is changed right now.

Lastly we have the man of the hour, Albert Pujols. Quite the guy, no evidence of cheating or doing enhancers, and he is tied with Mr. Cap Anson of the 19th century at fifth place, at 2075 ribbies. He is poised to get a bit more production before he is through. Last year he hit .244 and reached 93 RBIs in only 131 games, at age 39. He has some RBIs left in the tank, and he trails number one, Hank Aaron by a mere 222 RBIs. Will he be valuable enough to the California Angels or another team into his 40s to make the mark? I think so. That would amount to two amazing seasons, far fetched for his age, or three decent ones, putting him at 42 years-old. This global pandemic is not helping matters for him or any player seeking career stats.

By the way, I remember feeling old doing Army things when I was forty-two years old, and also playing competitive basketball and ping pong (yes, it's a sport), and at the the same time still having some chops and skills.

The two dudes at the bottom, at 541 career RBIs? They are not  forgotten and not chopped liver.

Jerry Pridy and Pete Suder. One was born in 1916, the other in 1919. One played 11 years and the other 13. They are still among the top thousand of all time, that includes hundreds of men from all parts and backgrounds. African- Americans, Puerto Ricans, Domincans, Cubans, Venezuelans, Colombians, Panamanians, Nicaraguans, Mexicans, Canadians, Japanese, Taiwanese, Koreans... Perhaps I am leaving a few countries out. Point is, the elite of this pastime and sport we wish to celebrate and honor. It brings some of us back home, to our roots or our dreams or fantasies. To contemplate the greatness, the production, a game well played, a career well invested, a fandom well earned. Fame and fortune from hard work, ultimate skill, and bit of lady luck.

Hammerin' Hank, the Sultan of Swat, A-rod, Cap and Albert, you are the best of the best, and we honor the rest.

Way to bring 'em home.

Depression and Having Low Self-Esteem

Depression and Having Low Self-Esteem

Not exactly an inspiring and rousing topic, huh?

Sometimes it helps us humans to talk it out, maybe write about it, perhaps analyze it and put it into a bigger, or better context.

I have known a few people who have suffered with depression, which is a very real thing. Some people mask it pretty well. Sometimes those of us feeling down or who beat ourselves up (probably too much) may wonder if we are dealing with it. The comedian self-help character cum Minnesota Senator Al Franken, aka Stuart Smalley, was a funny exercise in determining self-confidence, the lack of it, or perhaps into depression, which was coupled with alcohol abuse, and therefore the positive affirmations to live one up, like "You're good enough, you're smart enough, and doggonit: people like me!"

But clinical depression is bigger than that, and requires more than just affirmations and positivity. Some need treatment and drugs, like my mom used, and those helped her quite a bit.

Low self-esteem or lack of confidence does not have to accompany depression, but they probably enable each other somewhat. It is a bad combination. Can you imagine a person who is severely depressed but has high self-confidence or high self-esteem? Hard to imagine, right?

But there are those who lack confidence and/or esteem who have no problems with depression.

The combination of the two makes more sense, however.

Motivation versus apathy.

That is a big topic right there. Are there highly confident people who have great self-esteem that lack motivation, who are highly apathetic? I guess that can be so. Seems like a cynical type, right?

But in life we have all kinds. Grumpy, moody, forlorn, happy, effervescent, high energy, friendly, amiable, and we can cross from one mood or disposition to another. Sometimes day to day or week to week, sometimes hour to hour or minutes to minute.

Long versus short term moods or postures define the descriptions or statuses of what we deem ourselves.

"Down", or "in the dumps", "blue", or melancholy, even morose--a word I heard in a very good documentary last night-- can describe a short term condition or feeling. When things last, the mood persists for a longer period of time, then it can be deemed a disorder, perhaps. Even a mental condition. Like depression, or other diagnoses that are not totally mentally healthy.

Neurosis, psychosis, are the clinical conditions that we try to avoid. Or overcome, treat, and deal with. Cope with. Survive. Conquer or work past.

I was thinking that beating yourself up mentally, probably too much, is obviously not healthy but might be a mechanism of coping or a derivative of apathy. Apathy may be an indicator of laziness, but a lot of slothfulness or laziness may really be at root a large amount of lack of motivation, which might have other reasons, which may include low self esteem. Or low self-confidence.

Or, perhaps the person simply does not believe in the overall schema of the proposed enterprise. The lack of motivation may not be within themselves, but how they interpret the utility or efficacy of the project being dealt with.

Make sense?

There, maybe that helps sort some things out.

Enjoy. And stay motivated. MOTIVATED. Despite all the other tom foolery.

Dens of Vipers

Dens of Vipers

Evil can be achieved in many ways.

There are both pro-active and less active ways of condoning, promoting, or enabling evil to occur. Evil acts and trends are fomented or abated by all of us, individually and collectively.

Do we stand up to the evil, or at least 

I learned about Michael Jordan's rookie team in Chicago, circa 1984. He found out what evil people were many of them, really, when you scrutinize it. Perhaps they were simply dumb or extremely selfish, but I think that their misdeeds and actions add up to really bad, criminal and morally negligent behavior. Michael is considered by most people the best basketball player of all time, and luckily he did not succumb to the evil that he witnessed on his team. That is one reason why he ended up being so great: he would not participate in the dangerous or foolish, or morally reprehensible things that his older teammates were doing.

They were found smoking marijuana, snorting cocaine, drinking alcohol heavily, and cavorting with women. Michael was surprised and stayed away from it.

Consuming and dealing with illicit drugs is evil, because it is not damaging just you. It is harming the whole flow: the peasant grower who depends on the product, the gangs and cartels that move it, and kill for it, the police and sometimes judges or innocent bystanders who die in this war on drugs. Whether you believe in taking the drug should be legal or not, by participating in this illegal trade, many people end up getting hurt. You, the "innocent" consumer, are killing people. 

Not me! Yes, you. That ignorance or feigned dis-culpability is evil. Wrong.

In the case of the basketball players for the Bulls, they were wasting well earned funds on themselves in indulgent and damaging ways. Could they not have saved a lot of that money, setting up their immediate families and themselves for a more responsible future? A healthier lifestyle that would themselves and those that surrounded them, and even gone on to help others do so with their power and influence?

How many of those Bulls were financially strapped within five years of their professional careers? How many went on to have serious health problems, many of which derived from their usage of alcohol or illicit substances, maybe some them becoming addicted? How much were those wealthy for a time players help their own families get ahead financially and in their physical and mental health over the course of their lives?

This is an example of evil. Just because they were ignorant or immature when younger and dumber, it does not excuse the evil of it.

There are other dens of evil which all of us can fall into. Most of those can happen through apathy. We just don't care enough.

Like, we do not participate in good causes or communities, perhaps because we have other selfish desires or are just plain lazy. I can relate to that.  

We all have ways that we contribute to evil ways or practices...

What more can we do to avoid it, or to stop it, or to overcome those things?

Good health.

Good language.

Hard work.

Selflessness.

Sacrifice.

Team work.

Giving back and being careful.

Be cautious.

Save some money.

Hold back from over-indulgence.

Share with those that do not have as much.

Stay within your means and stay committed to true principles.

Avoid debauchery and wasteful acts.

Stay far from the pits of dens and vipers.

Thanks, Michael, for not going into those dens of iniquity.

I think that we are all a bit better because of your focus, integrity, determination, and grace.

You were never perfect, but you were never a snake or a viper. And they are out there.

 

Sex for Fantasy--Some Analysis

Sex for Fantasy--Some Analysis

A lot of time and energy are dedicated to all aspects under the huge umbrella of the subject of sex.

There is the topic of gender and its identity. There is the subject of sexual drive, attraction, and desire. There is sex appeal. There is sexual abuse. There is sexual addiction. There is sexual health. There is sexual promiscuity, monogamy, bigamy, celibacy, and many others forms of sexual relationships and practices, postures and attitudes. There are sex workers and shows and programs dealing with sex, the act and the practices, the visual, mental, physical, cultural, spiritual aspects of it.

In the modern 21st century globalized world there are all types of discussions and specialists and professionals, money-generating and active industries that earn fame, fortune, notoriety related to sexual matters, and of course there are the negative consequences of sexual activity and behavior. Millions of people are driven by it openly and inwardly; it is the topic of religion, science, and entertainment. Casual humor abounds with it. Some comedians use it the most.

Sigmund Freud had theories about it, many of them became famous or fashionable albeit later antiquated or relegated to obscurity or disgrace; most organized religions have commandments and decrees regarding it, rules and standards regulating sexual good and bad practices, millions of people, religious or secular, use it to get what they want, both the drive and the act, others simply want it, billions of us are directed or informed by it, especially by identity, but also concerning desires and appeal. Some pretend to act like it is not there, mostly, others ignore it altogether, others sublimate it, some flaunt it, some abuse it or exploit it. 

It's a big deal.

In art, which reflects reality, and fantasy, (right? or is it the other way around?), sexual images and messages are widespread and ubiquitous, naturally. It is a large part of our psyches, collective identities, social mores and taboos, science and beliefs. We, as humans, of course like to understand the biological aspects of sex in not only humans, but the animal world. Sexual reproduction be it conjoining of mates or asexual in all forms of life. The science of it is crucial. Some economists track it a lot, law enforcement and other groups pay close attention to aspects of sex and its traffic, both paid and hobbyists use it as their specialty or their cause d' etre, or simply as an extra part of their overall presence. Think of the gamut of music, dance, film, theatre, television, the Internet, books, magazines, news articles. I have not even touched on pornography, the explicit usage or exploitation of the powerful images and sensations of sexual appetites and passions, or abuse and immodest exploitation that occurs illicitly, more behind the scenes but found everywhere.

Some individuals and groups are very opinionated and authoritative about sexual mores and practices, others are lax. Some are in between.

Scientists and medical professionals have their strong beliefs and principles, most of us take a stand somehow, as individuals, families, peer groups, societies, religious faith, governments.

Part of the title of this article (essay?), I derived from a 1980s song by the pop rock star Billy Idol, who used sex and its appeals in a lot of his music. The song is called "Flesh for Fantasy". Fantasy, as we know is big business. The sexual appeals with those fantasies are constant seller. Sex sells, goes the true adage. Sex and identity are huge subjects of power and control, we know now more than ever in the newly branded post #METOO movement. Many -isms, notably feminism, have a lot to say about sexual identity, politics, and economics and status according to how it is defined and used, or abused. Power and control.

Identity and exploitation, even to the point of the term "sexploitation". That's a thing.

Another 1980s rock reference to sex is the Chilean pop band Los Prisioneros, their song called Sexo.

They produced the following song (shared and translated below), which at first glance may appear to simply be reveling in the appeal of sex and its delights, as so many pop songs do, directly or through insinuation or innuendo; however, perhaps it deserves a deeper appreciation or understanding. That is what I wish to do in this article post.

I think that it is worth noting that David of the Old Testament wrote many or most of the Psalms of the Bible, and many verses of that book and other Biblical topics and verses resort to the principles and practices of lawful and proper sexual relations. And modesty and virtue, of course. Holy books and writ throughout human history deal with sexual standards and rules.

For some today, these older standards might be considered prudish notions in the 21st century. For others it is an embarrassing taboo subject. For many of us, it is worth pondering and scrutinizing. Does it control us or do we have more power and control in regards to its influences and presence? The kama sutra originating from India is an interesting take on sex as well.

Here is the song by translation. Keep in mind, in the original Spanish much of it rhymes, and the rhythm and tempo is upbeat and fast, but: not all that glitters is gold. Not all pop art is purely bubble gum and the quest to sell for titillation and lucre . I see the more profound meanings in it, anyway.

 Sexo (Sex)

Lyrics

El mejor gancho comercial             (The best commercial hook)
Apela a tu liberalidad                      (It appeals to your liberalism)
Toca tu instinto animal                    (It touches your animal instinct)
Rozando la brutalidad                     (Brushing upon your brutality)

Te lo encuentras en la pared           (You find it on the wall)
En el anuncio del licor                     (In the liquor advertisement)
Pegado en un mostrador                 (Stuck on the counter)
Gritándote a todo color                    (Screaming in full color)

Sexo compro                                    (I buy sex)
Sexo vendo                                      (I sell sex)
Sexo arriendo                                  (I rent sex)
Sexo ofrezco                                    (I offer sex)

Sexo compro                                    (I buy sex)
Sexo vendo                                      (I sell sex)
Sexo arriendo                                   (I rent sex)
Sexo, sexo, sexo, sexo, sexo           (Sex, sex, sex, sex, sex!)

Ya no hay de qué enrojecer             (Nowadays you do not have to blush)
Es cotidiano ya lo ves                      (It's an everyday thing you see)
Ahora la virginidad                           (Currently virginity)
Es una cosa medieval                      (Is a medieval thing)

Es tu carnet de madurez                  (It is your license to maturity)
Tu pasaporte a la adultez                 (Your passport to adulthood)
Ella no es una mujer para amar       (She is not a woman to love)
Sino un enemigo al cual doblegar    (But rather an enemy to twist)

Sexo compro                                       (I buy sex)
Sexo arriendo                                     (I sell sex)
Sexo vendo                                         (I rent sex)
Sexo ofrezco                                       (I offer sex)
(Sex, sex, sex, sex, sex!)                    (Sex, sex, sex, sex, sex!)

Sexo compro                                      (I buy sex)
Sexo vendo                                        (I sell sex)
Sexo arriendo                                     (I rent sex)
Sexo, sexo, sexo, sexo, sexo             (Sex, sex, sex, sex, sex!)
Sexo, sexo, sexo                                (Sex, sex, sex)

Las rotativas de imprenta                   (Rotary printers)
Ya están empezando a editar             (Are now starting to publish more naked ladies)

más mujeres desnudas
Y tú tienes una cara de cliente fácil      (You have the face of an easy client)
Tú compras por una promesa de sexo (You purchase for a promise of sex)
 

Abres la boca y te meten el dedo       (Open your mouth and they stick their finger in)
Y les sigues el juego                           (And you follow their game)
Y les das tu dinero                              (And you give them your money)
Y te sientes muy hombre                    (And you feel very manly)
Y me río en tu cara de tu estupidez    (And I laugh in your face for your stupidity)

El mejor gancho comercial                  (The best commercial hook)
Apela a tu imbecilidad                         (It appeals to your imbecility)
Te trata como un animal                      (It treats you like an animal)
Poniendo en claro tu brutalidad           (Making clear your brutality)
 

Es un trofeo la ilusión                          (It's a trophy of illusion)
Que quiebras en la situación               (That fails you in the situation)
Me estas dando la ocasión                  (You are giving me the opportunity)
De gritarte con razón                           (To scream at you with logical reason)
 

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh

Gamulán que se duerme se lo          (Shepherd boy that sleeps is carried off by the current)

lleva la corriente
Tangente de cuarenta y cinco           (Tangent of 45)
Gamulán que se duerme se lo          (Shepherd boy that sleeps is carried off by the current)

lleva la corriente
Tangente de cuarenta y cinco           (Tangent of 45)

 

Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Jorge Gonzalez

Sexo lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

     This song, subjected to interpretation and analysis, may come across as tawdry and cheap, itself trying to sell the commerce of sensual pleasures, i.e. sex, like so many rock songs do. Yes, Mick Jagger, you and so many others! I do not think it is trying to promote sex or encorage it, but rather give us pause to its power and allure. However, unfortunately by the sheer repetition of the wording, it may overtly or subconsciously defeat its own purpose and popularize the theme more, contrary to its intentions.

  Again, let's step back and analyze the subject within this song a bit more. This particular rock group wrote and performed a lot of serious protest music back when Chile was under a pretty harsh, represive dictatorship in the 1980s. They sang songs about poverty, political strife, commercial or consumer vapidness or mindlessness, male chauvinism, openly critical of pop culture and trends and things amiss in the world and in life, Chile and Latin America.

This song is against cheap and tawdry sex and those that push it, those who exploit people with it and gain from it. Sexploiters, like certain musicians, movie makers, writers and marketers and profiteers of sex-based entertainment.

Hurrah for the "Prisoners", the very name of the group another indication of where their sympathies lie.  They are not trying to push this topic, sex, upon the public for money. They protest it, they critique its overuse and abuse. To quote another rock group, the Eagles in their seminal hit "Hotel California" a song perhaps in reference to a brothel, proclaim, "We are only prisoners here, of our own device."

Both the client and the servant are trapped, it would seem. Addicted? Perhaps? Imprisoned by this trade and low practice. This song may be about prostitution. Although, it could be about any prison or addiction that we find ourselves in.

Yes, low. Sex work is low. When not practiced in the right time or place, this very beautiful act also  known as procreation becomes a lower form of behavior. And, it is exploited to sell and make money for billions of dollars worldwide. To mostly detrimental ends.

I studied more advanced words in English for a graduate exam back in 1997; we learned groups of words to test better, words that would be on the test, so we learned synonyms and associated meanings.

Prurient

Ribald

Libidinous

Lascivious

Banal

Crude

Lewd

Vulgar

Bawdy

Salacious 

Low

Low brow

Off color

Blue
Dirty
Unclean
Sexist
Chauvinist
Not for mixed company
R-rated
X-rated
Adult
Profane
Obscene
Debased
Degraded
Depraved
Sick
Debauchery
Filthy
Picaresque* (not exactly heavy)
Smut
Trash
NC-17
Not appropriate for minors
Not appropriate for young audiences

Porn
Pornography

These adjectives mostly refer to sexual things and terms, words that are related to sexual thoughts, ideas, acts, jokes, stories, scenes.

People try to make it a fantasy, a world of play and wonder that is outside of the normal family, outside of a regular committed marriage, outside the bounds of modesty and chastity.

Outside of morality. Beyond virtue, like virtue does not exist. Are we in a world with no more sexual virtue? Of course we are not. We know that there are boundaries and limits, and just because we turn a certain age does not give us free reign to pour over the libidinous extremes of the flesh, either visually or tactically, personally or vicariously.

As if God, or virtuous living in the secular sense, either never existed or were a thing of the past! Passé. Yesterday's news. Out of la mode.

I am here to let you know that sexual purity and fidelity are not out of style. Never was, and never will be. These virtues, living cleanly and faithfully, have always been the best way to live. Virtue is what we need to strive for.

Analyze your status and assess your current standings within the bounds of human sexuality.

Are you clean? Should you be? Are you morally straight? Should you be? Are there sexual images, thoughts, actions, or practices that distract you or drag you down into the sewer? Should this continue?

Do the Ten Commandments apply to you? Adultery and fornication are against His law. Yes, the commandments are universal, they apply to all of us.

Sexual sin is real. Impure thoughts and actions drag us down. There needs to be healthier alternatives to keep us balanced and clean.

Please don't be the shepherd boy or girl being carried away by the current of hyper-sexuality, as Los Prisioneros claim that people are stolen from their better selves, be it their lowered self image or the over-fixation on others, as subjects or objects. We are all sexual beings, yes, in part, but this is not who we are as people en totum, as a whole. We are bigger than that aspect alone, we are full and complete human beings, and we are not meant to be swept up in the seas of trash and flotsam and jetsam.

Thanks for analyzing some things with me.

Stay pure. Or strive towards it! Purity and virtue are beautiful. Stay true to your loved ones and yourself. Be chaste and modest. This is who we are, or who we should be. Freud was a bit off; there is more to life than sex drives and death drives. Choose pure life.