Echo Maps

Total Echoes: 12,279

Total Syllables: 16,742

Aggregate Echo Quotient: .733 (Meter: >.667)

01--- 523:741 .706
[A]s a [m][a]tter of [f][a][c]t, I was just te[l]ling De[m]o as [w]e [w]al[k]ed up to your [f][l][a]t, I’ve [b]een [j]u[s]t a [t]ad [p][r]eo[cc]u[p]ied of [l]ate with a night I a[c]tua[l]ly [j]u[s]t [r]e[m]em[b]ered [t]o[d]ay, [f][r]om years ago a[c]tuall[y], [c]omp[l][e]te[l][y] [n]on-de[s][c]ript, entire[l][y] in[c]on[s]e[q]uential at [f]a[c]e va[l]ue, yet it was a [n]ight [th]at [n]one[th]e[l]e[ss], [n]ow [th]in[k]ing it [th][r]ough, is e[ss]entially [i]nd[i][c]at[i]ve of my t[r]ue [c]ha[r]a[c]ter. It was [a] n[i]ght, v[i][a] pure instin[c]t, [I] [a][l]lowed my true [c]o[l]ors to [sh]ow, and of [c]ourse I was a[sh]amed at [f]ir[s]t, who isn’t di[s]gu[s][t]ed at [f]ir[s]t [s]ight of their [t]rue [c]olors, but as the years h[a]ve [p][a]ssed I’ve [c]ome to the [c]o[n][c]lusion [th]at [th]ere’s a[c]tually no[th]ing a [p][r]io[r]i w[r]ong with my t[r]ue [c]o[l]ors---a[c]tua[l]l[y], if anything, it’s [q]uite the [c]o[n]t[r]a[r][y]. My t[r]ue [c]o[l]ors, of [c]ourse I [c]an’t change them, but [e]ven [i]f [I] [c][ou]ld [I] w[ou]ldn’t. Be[c]ause [e]ven though my t[r]ue [c]olors [r]e[q]uire a [p][r][e][r]e[q]u[i]s[i]te, a [p]erh[a][p]s un[a][pp]etizing [p][r][e][r]e[q]u[i]s[i]te, a [p][r][e][r]e[q]uisite that, ye[s], that I l[oa]the [c]ertain [p][e]o[p]le for n[o] r[ea]so[n]. [B]ut [e]ve[n] [th]ough [th]at may in f[a][c]t [b]e the [c]a[s]e, I [b]e[l]ieve it’[s] [a][c]tually [p]ro[p]er to [l][oa]the [c]ertai[n] [p][eo][p]le for a[b]so[l]ute[l][y] [n][o] r[ea]so[n], [w]ith [n][o] ju[s]tification [w]hat[s][o]ever, that h[a]ting [p][eo][p]le [s]ans [p]r[e]text [i]s [i]n [f]act entire[l][y] ne[c]e[ss]ar[y], and I may [e]ven [l][ea][p] [f]urther and [s]t[a]te outright [th]at [th][e]se [c]ertain [p][e]o[p]le, whom w[e] [l][oa]the s[a]ns [p]retext, may [a][c]tua[l]ly deserve th[i][s] [i]nten[s]e [l][oa]thing and un[p]rov[o][k]ed hatred, [b]ut let me [b]egin, [p]lease. [B][e]cause to [b][e]g[i]n w[i]th, [i]t was an era where I [f]ound my[s]el[f] [s][p]en[d]ing a[n] i[n]or[d]inate amount of [t]ime at [s][o]cial events that I [l][oa]thed---I [l][oa]thed b[o]th [c]on[t]emplating my future a[t]tendan[c]e of these [e]ve[n]t[s] a[n]d the[n] my a[c]tual a[t]t[e]nda[n][c]e of these [e]ve[n]t[s]. [P][eo][p]le, ul[t]imatel[y], have no [c]outh---to this day, [f]or exam[p]le, I o[f]ten [f][i]nd m[y][s]el[f] [p][r]esent at [s]ocial gathe[r]ings where a [q]u[o]te-un[q]u[o]te [v]egeta[b]le [p][l]ate, a[l]ong with a [v]egeta[b]le [d][i][p], [i]s [p]resen[t]ed as an hors [d]’oeuvre, and I’m [a][l]most [a][l]ways a [l]ittle [l]et [d]own by the qua[l]it[y] of the ce[l]er[y]. [A]t th[a]t [p]arti[c]u[l]ar [s]tage in m[y] [l][i][f]e, in [f]a[c]t, the e[r]a I’m [s][p]ea[k]ing of, [I]’d [r]e[c]on[c][i]led m[y][s]el[f] to the [f]a[c]t that [I] [h]ad [i]nt[r][i]ns[i][c]ally [h][i]gher [s]tandards than mo[s]t [w]hen it [c]ame to [c]e[l]ery, [c]u[c]umbers as [w]ell---[I] a[n]a[l][y]zed [p][r]odu[c]e with a[n] [a][c]uit[y], f[r]an[k][l][y], [m]o[s]t of [m]y [p]eers would never [a]chieve. Having [s]aid [th]at, to [th]i[s] day the majo[r]it[y] of ho[s]ts in our [c]ount[r][y] have [n]ext to [n]o [c]outh when it [c]omes to [s]erving [c]ele[r][y] or [c]u[c]umbers. [F]or[c]ed to [a]ttend a [s][o]-[c]alled [p][o][s]t wedding [b]runch ju[s]t a [f]ew months [p]r[i]or to the events [I]’m [a][b]out to re[l]ay, I was [a][pp]alled at the [q]u[a][l]ity of [c]u[c]um[b]e[r]s [s]e[r]ved---[a] [c]u[c]um[b]er, [a][b]ove [a]ll else, [sh]ould be refre[sh]ing. A [p]ie[c]e of [c]e[l]er[y], i[d]ea[ll][y], [i]s [s][i]m[i][l]ar to [s][i][pp][i]ng a fresh g[l]a[ss] of i[c]e water on a ze[s]ty [s]ummer [d]ay. The [s]our[c]e of thi[s] [r]e[g][r]ettable [d]e[g][r]a[d]ation in the [q]ua[l]it[y] of our [c]e[l]er[y] and [c]u[c]umbers un[d]oubted[l][y] [s]tems f[r]om Ame[r]i[c]a’s ove[r]re[l]ian[c]e on [d]ip.

02--- 570:752 .758
[D][i]p, [i]n ou[r] e[r]a, has [l]ite[r]a[ll][y] and figu[r]ative[l][y] [b]e[c]ome the hors [d]’oeuvre, it’s [b]e[c]ome [c]ultu[r]a[ll][y] a[cc]epta[b]le to utter[l][y] ig[n]ore the [q]ua[l]it[y] of the [c]e[l]e[r][y] and [c]u[c]um[b]ers, [t]wo of the m[o]st [r]ef[r]eshing yet deli[c]ate vegeta[b]les k[n][o]wn [t]o our [s]pe[c]ies, at [s]ocial gatherings [b]e[c]ause it’[s] [a][ss][u]med [c]on[s][u][m]ers’ [a]ttention will [b]e fo[c]u[s]ed [a]l[m][o][s]t [s][o]le[l][y] on the [d]i[p]. Yet it’[s] [p]re[c]i[s]e[l][y] the [d]i[p] that [n]egates the [n]ut[r][i]t[i]onal [b]enef[i]t[s] of the [c]e[l]e[r][y], as well as the [c]u[c]um[b]ers. Ameri[c]ans [n]o [l]onger [c]on[s]ume [v]egeta[b]les---they [c]on[s]ume [v]egeta[b]les with d[i][p]s and [s]au[c]es that o[b]l[i]terate all [p]o[ss][i][b]le [n]utr[i]t[i]onal [b]enef[i]ts of a ve[g]eta[b]le. These dip[s] and [s]au[c]es [a][n]nihi[l]ate the [i]nt[r][i]ns[i]ca[l]ly [r]ef[r][e]shing [e][ss][e]n[c]e[s] of our v[e]getables. Gu[e][s]ts att[e]nding th[e]se [p]arti[e]s could rel[ie]ve themselves all over th[e]se [q]u[o]te-un[q]u[o]te vegeta[b]le [p][l]ates and [n]ot miss a [b][ea]t [n]utr[i]t[i]ona[l]l[y]---they’d pro[b]a[b][l][y] [e]ven [f]ail to [n]ot[i][c]e a d[i][ff]e[r]en[c]e in ta[s]te, with the a[m][ou]nt of sour [c][r]eam [c]u[r]rentl[y] [f][ou]nd in the [m][e][d][i]an A[m]e[r]i[c]an [d]ip. [D]u[r]ing this e[r]a of [m][y] l[i]fe, al[m]o[s]t eve[r]y [w]eek I [w]ould [s][p]end [t]w[o] [t][o] [f]ive m[i]n[u]tes [i]n the [p]rodu[c]e [s][e][c]tion arduou[s][l][y] [s]e[l][e][c]ti[n]g on[l][y] the [f]ine[s]t [c][e][l]ery [s]tal[k]s and mo[s]t [c]on[c]rete [c]u[c]umbers, touching all the [c]u[c]um[b]ers [i]nd[i][s][c][r][i]m[i]nate[l][y], with no [r]egard for the [c]u[s]tomers who [i]nev[i]ta[b][l][y] would touch these [s]ame [c]u[c]um[b]ers a[f]ter [I]’d [f][i]na[l]l[y] [m]ade [m]y [s]e[l]e[c]tion---[b]e[c]ause, to [th]is [d][a]y, [th]ere’s nothing more [d]e[f][l][a]ting than a [s]tal[k] of [c]e[l]ery gone [f][l]at by mid-wee[k], yet there’s nothing more u[p][l]i[f]tin[g] than a [f]resh[l][y] cho[pp]ed [s]tal[k] of [c]e[l]er[y], and the [s]ame [c]an [b]e [s]aid [f]or [c]u[c]um[b]ers. Yet, as [s]o-[c]alled G[r][ee][k]-[A]me[r]i[c]ans, none of u[s] should b[e] [s]ur[p][r]ised at thi[s] [s]tate of [a][f]fairs, with a vegetable di[p] ma[s][k]ing the [r][e][f][r][e]shin[g] [e][ss][e]n[c]e of the g[e]nuine arti[c]le, [s]o to [s][p]ea[k]---and th[i][s] br[i]ngs [m]e to a [m]uch [l]arger point, a [m]ore [g][r]an[d]iose [i]ssue, [i][f] you’[ll] a[ll]ow me to [d]i[g][r]e[ss] just [s][l][i]ght[l]y [b][e][f]ore [I] [b][e]gin my [a]nec[d]ote, the [a]ne[c][d][o]te I’ve [a]dmittedl[y] [b]een o[b][s]e[ss]ing [o]ver for [w]ee[k]s now, [w]hich [w][i]ll [i]nevita[b][l][y], I [b]e[l][ie]ve, [b]e[c]ome the [c]rux of [m]y argu[m]ent here. [B]e[c]ause there’s [e]nd[l][e][ss] [d]i[s]cussion to[d]ay with regard to our [s]o-[c]alled world, our a[l]l[e]g[e]d [W][e][s]te[r]n [w]o[r]ld, but [i]t’s [i]m[p]e[r]ative we define our terms w[i]th [r][i]gor as o[pp]osed to [c]arele[ss]ne[ss]---be[c]ause it’s [t]oo often [th]at we [th]row [t]erms in[t]o [th]e e[th]er w[i][l]l[y]-n[i][l]l[y]. In short, it’s [e]n[t]ire[l][y] [p]ossible we’re confusing [e]x[t]en[si]o[n] with i[n]ter[p][r]e[t]a[ti]o[n] as it [r]e[l]ates to our [W]e[s]te[r]n [w]o[r]ld. There’s [e]nd[l][e][ss] tal[k] of this [W][e][s]te[r]n [w]o[r]ld, [b]ut let’[s] [b]e [s]pe[c]i[f]i[c], thi[s] [W]e[s]tern [w]orld [i]s, [i]n [f]a[c]t, [l][i]ttle more tha[n] a[n] Ang[l]o [w]orld, it’[s] [n]ot [s]im[p][l]y a [n]on[d]e[s][c]ri[p]t [W]e[s]te[r]n [w]o[r]ld, it’[s] al[s]o an [a][c]tual [A]ng[l]o world---our [c]ivi[l]ization, [s]o to [s]pea[k], is [n]omi[n]a[l]ly [c]on[s]i[d]ered We[s]tern, [n]omi[n]a[l]ly [c]onsidered G[r]ae[c][o]-[R][o]man, y[e]t th[e]re’s a [b]ar[b]a[r]ism at [p]lay here, the[r]e’s a n[e]fa[r]ious v[e]geta[b]le di[p] [b]u[r]ying the [g][e]nuine article here.

03--- 635:866 .733
In [a]ctu[a][l]ity, the [W]este[r]n [w]o[r]ld [i]s l[i]ttle [m]ore than a [m]isn[o]mer for the Ang[l][o] [w]orld, [w]h[i]ch [i]s [e]sse[n]tia[l]ly the Am[e]rica[n] [w]orld, [a]nd the [A]ng[l]o [w]orld, in [a][c]tu[a][l]it[y], is [n]ot [a]n ex[t]ension of G[r]ae[c][o]-[R][o]man [A]n[t]i[q]uit[y], [n][o], [i]t’s s[i]m[p]l[y] a[n] [i][n][t]er[p][r]e[t]ation of that world---and even [th]en [th]at in[t]er[p][r]e[t]ation was a [p]urely [s]ub[s]equent in[t]er[p][r]e[t]atio[n], a[n] i[n][t]er[p][r]e[t]atio[n] i[n] [r]e[s][p]onse to a[n] i[n][t]er[p]re[t]ation. [B]e[c]ause the [p][r]imary in[t]er[p][r]e[t]ation of [A]n[t]i[q]uity [c]ame from [C]onst[a]n[t]in[o][p]le [a]nd [A]n[t]i[o]ch [a]nd [A]lexan[d]ria, in the s[o]-[c]alled [B]yzantine world, and only then [d]id this [A]nglo world i[n][d]ulge i[n] a [s]ub[s]e[q]uent in[t]erp[r]e[t]ation of the G[r]ae[c][o]-[R][o]man [A]n[t][i][q]u[i]t[y], [b]ased on the [B]yzan[t][i]ne era’s in[t]er[p][r]e[t]ation [b]ut al[s]o of [c]our[s]e [b]a[s]ed on their in[t]er[p][r]e[t]ation of the [s]o-[c]alled [B]yzan[t]ine world. This sh[ou]l[d] be under[s]t[oo][d], [th]at [th]e [A]ng[l]o world, in a very t[a]n[g]i[b]le [s]en[s]e, [i]s [l][i]ttle more tha[n] a[n] e[l]a[b]orate ve[g]eta[b]le [d][i][p] [i]t[s]elf, a [s]u[b][s]equent [i]n[t]er[p]re[t]ation, and [i]t’s [p]erha[p][s] the m[o][s]t [p]erv[a]s[i]ve [i]ter[a]t[i]on of [s][o]-called v[e]getable [d]i[p] our [p]la[n]et has y[e]t to [s][e]e---be[n][e]ath it w[e] [d]i[s][c]over the genuine arti[c]le, the [p][r]ima[r]y in[t]er[p][r]e[t]ation, [s]o to [s][p]ea[k]. [A]s for us, w[i][th][i]n [th][i][s] [A]nglo [w]orld [w]e re[m]ain [m]o[r]e o[r] [l]e[ss] g[l]o[ss]ed [o]ver, a [s]u[b]-o[p]ti[m]al [f]it [o]ver here and [s]u[b]-o[p]ti[m]al [f]it [o]ver there, as [D]i[a][m][a]n[d][a] [G]al[a]s a[p]tly [p]ut it: A[m]e[r]i[c]a [i]s f[i]xated on [m]ulti[c]ultu[r]alism yet [r]e[m]ains [r]e[m]iss with [r]e[g]ard to [M]i[dd]le [Ea][s]tern [c]ultures, wh[i]ch [i]n[c]lude [G]r[ee]k [c]ultures---[b]ut how [i]s th[i][s] po[s]s[i][b]le? Yet [w]e [sh]ould note, [w]e [sh]ould final[l]y [a]d[m]it to our[s]elves [th]at [th]e [m]odern [c]enter of the Ang[l]o world, [A][m]eri[c][a], for [a]ll of its [m]elting p[o]t [m]yth[o]logy, has [n]ever [a]ssi[m]ilated, [n]ot [q]uite, be[c]ause [i]n[s]tead [i]t’[s] [s][i]mp[l]y [a]nnihi[l]ated---in Ameri[c][a] we [l][o]ve d[i][s][c]u[ss]ing ethn[i][c][i]ties, [p]eo[p]le wear h[y]phens l[i][k]e [n]ame-tags, [b]ut all of th[e]se eth[n][i][c][i]ti[e]s are at [b]ottom fal[s]e eth[n][i][c][i]ties, ju[s]t as the [s]o-[c]alled modern Gree[k], the Helle[n]i[c] [b]a[b]oon, [i]s a f[i][c]t[i]onal eth[n][i][c][i]ty, all [o]f [o]ur [o]ther eth[n][i][c][i]ti[e]s are e[ss]ent[i]al[l][y] f[i]ct[i]onal eth[n][i][c][i]ti[e]s, they’re ethn[i][c][i]ties at [b]e[s]t as [s]i[m]u[l]a[c]ra, and, [s]u[b][s][e][q]uent[l][y], what’s in[e]vita[b][l][y] [t][r]ue [b]ut will [r]e[m]ain [p]er[p]etual[l][y] [u]n[t]ouched [u][p]on is [th]at [th]ere is no [r]eal [r]a[c]e or [e]thn[i][c][i]ty w[i]th[i]n [A]me[r]ic[a] with the [e]x[c]e[p]tion of the [A]ng[l]o. Eve[r]yone is [A]ng[l]o in [A]me[r]ic[a], th[i][s] [i]s obviou[s]. Eve[r]y [p]er[s]o[n] i[n] [A]me[r]i[c]a, i[n][s]o[f]ar as they’ve [a]do[p]ted [A]meri[c]an hy[ph]ena[ti]ons, is e[ss]en[ti]al[l]y Ang[l][o]---as [C]atho[l][i][c][i]sm [w]ashed [o]ver [th]e [th]i[r]d [w]o[r]ld, [th]e [th]i[r]d wo[r]ld be[c][a]me e[ss]entia[ll]y [A]ng[l]o, the Puritanism of North [A][m]eri[c][a] [m][i]xed w[i][th] [th]e [C]atho[l][i][c][i]sm of [S]outh [A][m]eri[c][a] and [r]esulted in a [m]i[l]ieu where [e]ve[r]yone is [e]ss[e]ntially Ang[l]o. M[a][g]ic [J][o]hn[s]on, [a]t [b][o]ttom, is e[ss]entia[ll]y Ang[l]o. [E]nd[l]e[ss] [e]thn[i][c][i]ties have [b]een [p]ro[p]er[l][y] [i]denti[f][i]ed, [s]y[s]te[m]ati[c]al[l][y] [a][ss][i][m][i][l][a]ted [i]nto th[i][s] [A]ng[l]o-A[m]eri[c]an [f]ramewor[k], and [s]ub[s]e[q]uent[l]y [a]nnihi[l]ated, and we [p]e[r]use their [c]oming-of-age [n]a[r]ratives, [p]enned in the [c]la[ss]i[c] [N]ew Yor[k]er [s]tyle, and we thin[k] to our[s]elves, “[W]ow, that’s [n]i[c]e, [w]hat a [n]i[c]e little [c]oming-of-age [s]tory, I [n]ever k[n]ew Viet[n]am was [s]o [n]i[c]e in Autumn---” when the rea[l]it[y] is th[e]se [p][e]o[p]le have b[ee]n ess[e]ntia[ll][y] annihi[l]ated.

04--- 618:845 .731
The [c]o[m]ing-of-age [n]a[r]rative of the Viet[n]a[m][e]se [i][mm][i]g[r]ant t[i][ck]les the [r][e][c]e[ss]es of our [s]oul, yet it ne[v]e[r] occu[r]s to u[s] [th]at [th]i[s] [V]iet[n]amese per[s]on, writing in the [c]la[ss]i[c] [N]ew Yor[k]er [s]tyle, [h]as bee[n] e[ss]enti[a][ll]y [a][n]ni[h]i[l]ated. We [m]arvel at the eth[n]i[c] tr[ai]ts of [c]o[m]ing-of-age [n]arratives penned in the [c]la[ss]i[c] [N]ew Yor[k]er [s]tyle, yet th[e]se [e]th[n][i][c][i]ti[e]s are [e]ntire[l][y] fi[c][ti]onal, they’ve [b]ee[n] [e][ss]e[n]ti[a][ll][y] [a][n]nihi[l]ated, just as we, the H[e][l]l[e][n]ic [b]a[b]oons, have [a]l[s]o [b]ee[n] e[s]se[n]ti[a][ll]y [a][n]nihi[l]ated. The Viet[n]a[m]ese-A[m]eri[c]an who penned your [f]avorite [c]o[m]ing-of-age story [i]s, [i][n] [f]a[c]t, e[n]tire[l]y Ang[l]o. The [s]o-[c]alled Or[th]odox, [th]e [l]a[s]t of [th]e [s]o-[c]alled [B]yzantines, re[m]ain [u]n[a][ss]i[m]i[l][a]ted and there[f]ore [u]n[a]nnihi[l][a]ted, [p]erha[p]s only [b]e[c]ause they’ve [c][l]ung to their meta[ph][y]s[i][c]al d[i]stin[c]tions---through [v]a[r]ying [c][r]u[s][a]des and o[cc]u[p][a]tions, [v]a[r]iou[s] [c]a[p]italis[m]s and [c]o[m]munis[m]s they’ve [c]lung to their [m]eta[ph][y]s[i][c]al d[i][s]t[i]n[c]tions, to the [m]eta[ph]ysi[c]al [f][r]amewor[k] of the [P]a[t][r]iar[ch] of [C]on[s]tan[t]i[n]o[p]le. In a[n]y [c]a[s]e, this Anglo world is [n]o extens[i]on of Ant[i][q]u[i]ty, it’s [n][o] [N]ew [R][o]me, [b]e[c]ause [i]ts [i]n[t]erp[r]e[t]ations have [i]nevita[b]ly [b]een filtered through the [s][o]-[c]alled [B]yzan[t][i]ne, th[r]ough the [S]e[c]ond [R][o]me of [C]on[s]tan[t][i]ne, [B]ut for the Ortho[d]ox, [C]h[r][i][s]t [s]ym[b]ol[i]zed the [t][r]ue, ve[r]if[i]ed immanen[c]e of [G]od, to [c]o[rr]e[s]pond with the t[r]an[s]cen[d]en[c]e of [G]od---ju[s]t as the [s][o]-[c]alled [S][o][c]rati[c] I[d]ea was at on[c]e tr[a]n[s]cen[d]e[n]t [a]nd immane[n]t, just [a]s Love [a]s [a]n I[d]ea was out of [r]each [i]n-[i]t[s]elf ([i]n [i]t[s] [t][r]an[s]cen[d]en[c]e), yet [i]n[t]e[r]ac[t]ive [i]n a [r]ela[t]ive [s]e[n][s]e ([i]n [i]ts [i]mma[n]e[n][c]e), God was [n]ow the [s]ame, [n]ot [t]ran[s]cen[d]e[n]t or i[m]mane[n]t, but i[n][s]tead [t]ran[s]cen[d]e[n]t and i[m]mane[n]t. God as a[n] E[ss]en[c]e was [u][n]kn[o]wa[b]le, [u][n]a[pp][r][oa]cha[b]le, and wh[o]lly t[r]an[s]cende[n][t], yet, th[r]ough Ch[r]i[s]t, God was [p][r]oven to [b][e] wholl[y] [i]mmanent, [i]n a[dd][i]t[i]on to [b]eing en[t]irely [t]ranscen[d]ent, [G]od’s [E]nergi[e]s were [E]nergi[e]s w[e] [c]ould a[pp][r]oach and [i]nte[r]a[c]t w[i]th, to [b]e[c][o]me [o]ne with [G]od, [e]ven [m]o[m]entari[l][y], was d[ee]med a [p]ossi[b]i[l]it[y]. Ch[r]i[s]t was b[r]illiantly [g][r]a[f]ted onto [c]entu[r]i[e]s of [G][r][e]ek thought in a [s]y[s]tem that [f]ound it[s] e[x]p[r]ession [f][r]om [A]le[x]and[r]ia to [A]n[t]i[o][c]h [t]o [C]on[s][t]an[t]in[o]ple, yet the [s]ub[s]e[q]uent Angl[o] in[t]er[p]re[t]ation, by [r]e[s]t[r]i[c]ting God and [P]erson [t]o the in[t]elle[c]t, the [c]on[c]e[p]tual [t]o the [t]ran[s]cend[e]nt, [e][s]sentia[l]ly ushered in the [s]e[c]u[l]ar a[th]eism [th]at’s [b]e[c]ome our [m]ono[c]ulture [p]ar ex[c]e[l]len[c]e. This [s]u[b][s]e[q]uent Ang[l]o in[t]er[p][r]e[t]ation was [m]ar[k]ed[l]y [d]iffe[r]ent---[b]e[c]ause now to [b]e [t][r]anscen[d]e[n][t] and i[m]mane[n][t] was now [d]eemed [d]e[c]a[d]ent and o[r]ie[n]tal. The [s]o-called [B]yzan[t]ine i[n][t]er[p]re[t]ation e[n]v[i]s[i]oned a God wh[o], thr[ou]gh His [s]u[p]era[b]un[d]an[c]e, was [b][o]th wh[o]l[l][y] immane[n]t a[n]d en[t]ire[l][y] [t][r]anscen[d]e[n]t, whereas the Ang[l]o in[t]er[p][r]e[t]ation viewed that in[t]er[p]re[t]ation as b[o]th wh[o][l]l[y] [d]eca[d]e[n]t a[n]d e[n][t]ire[l][y] o[r]iental, the Ang[l]o in[t]erp[r]e[t]ation, just as the He[b][r]ew [G]od [b][a]nished [A][d]am [a]nd Eve from the [K]ing[d]om of [G]od, [s]u[b][s]e[q]uently [b]anished [G]od from the [K]ing[d]om of M[a]n, to His e[t]ernal [t][r]an[s]cen[d]en[c]e. [N][o], the [s][o]-[c]alled [G][r]ee[k]s [n]ever [k]illed their [G]od be[c]ause they [n]ever [s]topped [m]e[r]ging with their [G]od. The [G]ree[k] world [n]ever chose to [k]ill their [G]od, they [n]ever [m]u[r]dered their [G]od in [c]old [b]lood [b]e[c]ause, in this [G]ree[k] [w]orld, [w][i]th[i]n th[i][s] [s][i][l]l[y] [B][y]zant[i]ne [m][i][l]ieu, to [k][i]ll their [G]od would [b]e a[k]in to [c]o[mm]itting [s]ui[c]ide.

05--- 522:715 .730
[W]hereas the Anglo [w]orld [d][i]vor[c]ed [i]t[s]el[f] [f]rom the Energies, became the tran[s]cen[d]ent world [p]ar ex[c]el[l]en[c]e, and [l][e][f]t it[s][e]l[f] no choi[c]e but to k[i]ll [i]t[s] God [r]uth[l]e[s]s[l][y] and ex[p]ed[i]t[i]ous[l][y]. The t[r]an[s]c[e]nd[e]nt world [p]ar ex[c][e][l]l[e]n[c]e alm[o][s]t i[p][s][o] fa[c]t[o] be[c]omes the [s]e[c]u[l]ar athei[s]t world [p]ar ex[c][e][l]l[e]n[c]e. T[r]an[s]c[e]n[d][e]n[c]e [d]ivor[c]ed [f][r]o[m] i[mm]anen[c]e is the p[r]i[m]a[r]y [f]or[m]u[l]a of the [s]ecu[l]ar. The [W]e[s]te[r]n [w]o[r]ld is the Ang[l]o [w]orld [w]h[i]ch [i]s nothing more than a [s]ub[s]equent in[t]er[p][r]e[t]ation [r][a]ther th[a]n a [p][r]i[m]a[r]y in[t]er[p][r]e[t]ation. In A[m][e][r]i[c]a, [e]ve[r]yone is Anglo, Viet[n]a[m]ese i[mm]ig[r]ants w[r]ite [c]o[m]ing of age [s]to[r]ies that are [n]othing if [n]ot h[o]li[s]ti[c]al[l][y] [A]ng[l][o], tran[s]ce[n]de[n]t[l][y] [A]ng[l]o. [A]nd we [s]it, [p]ortrayed [a]s [a][b][s]urd[l]y He[l]le[n]i[c], [a]s Athenian [b]a[b]oons, yet of [c]our[s]e we have [p]erha[p]s that “[B]yzantine loo[k],” our mu[s][k] is [p]erha[p]s [B]yzan[t]ine, yet the [B]yzan[t]ine, we’re [t][o]ld, was wh[o]lly [d]e[c]a[d]e[n]t a[n]d e[n]tire[l]y o[r]ie[n]tal a[n]d n[o] [l]onger exists. The [A]f[r][o]-A[m]eri[c]an [M]an is the [A]ngl[o] [M]an, La[r]ry [B]ird [i]n add[i]t[i]on to [M]a[g]i[c] [J]ohn[s]on are [b]oth e[ss]entia[ll]y Ang[l]o, the Ita[l]ian-A[m]eri[c]an [M]an is the [A]ng[l]o [M]an, the G[r]ee[k]-A[m]e[r]i[c]an [M]an, des[p]ite [p]laying the [r]ole of [A]thenian [B]a[b]oon, is [a]l[s][o] [e][ss]entia[ll][y] Ang[l][o]. The [G]ree[k]s, u[l]timate[l][y], have [s]un[k] them[s]e[l]ves, [w]h[i]ch [i]s [w]hy they’re no [l]onger [e]ven [G]r[ee][k], w[e] [c]an’t [b][l]ame anyone more than our[s]elves, [w]e [w]ere [p][l]a[c]ed [i]n an [i]m[p]o[ss]i[b]le [p]osition [b]et[w][ee]n [Ea][s]t and [W]e[s]t, [a]nd [w][e] [a]cted [i]n [a]n [i]m[p]o[ss]i[b]le f[a]sh[i]on, [a]nd [n]ow we’re [n]o longer even our[s]elves. [B]ut how did [w]e get onto u[s] any[w]ay, the [G]reeks---[h]ave I [g]one over[b]oard [h]ere at all? [A]m I ex[a]ggerating [a]t all? [I]t’[s] de[f][i]n[i]te[l][y] [p]o[s]sible, yet I [f][ee]l com[p][l][e]te[l][y] a[pp][r]o[p][r]iate, I a[c]tua[ll][y] [f]eel [l]i[k]e, i[f] an[y]thing, I’m [b][e]ing too reserved, th[a]t i[f] anything I’m [a][c]tua[ll]y [l][a][ck]ing in h[y]per[b]o[l]e at the [m]o[m]ent. I feel [l][i][k]e, [r][i]ght now, [I]’m a[c]tual[l][y] b[e]ing too [k]ind, [th]at if any[th]ing I’m being a [t]ad [t]oo [r]eserved. I feel as [th][ou]gh [th]ere’s vi[t]ri[o]l that I [s][t]ill [o]we, that I [o]wn [c]on[s]i[d]era[b]le [d]ebt, and it’s all vit[r]i[o]l, [th]at [th]ere’s n[o] choi[c]e [b]ut to [p]ay it [b]a[ck] to the gene[r]al [p]o[p]ula[c]e of thi[s] [c]ountry. It’s [p]o[ss]i[b]le that I’m f[i]lled to the [b][r][i]m w[i]th [v][i]t[r]iol, it’s [p]o[ss]i[b]le that I [o]we all this [v]it[r]i[o]l to the gene[r]al [p]o[p]u[l]a[c]e. [I]t’s alm[o]st as [i]f I’m [l][ea]ving [l][oa]ds of vitr[i][o]l on the table. The Ang[l][o] world [l]e[c]tured us [th]at [th]e au[th]enti[c] Gree[k]s m[a]de [a][n]al love [t]o [t]ee[n][a]ge boys, and the[n] whe[n] G[r]ee[k]s [m]oved [p]a[s]t [p]e[n]et[r][a]ting high [s][c]hool [a]ged [m]e[n] i[n] the [r]ear-e[n]d, when they i[n][s]tead [s]u[b][s][c][r]i[b]ed to the metaphy[s]i[c]s of the [P]at[r]iar[c]h of [C]on[s]tantino[p]le, it was only [a]t th[a]t [p]oint that G[r]eek [c]ulture be[c][a]me [d]e[p][r][a]ved and [d]e[c]a[d]ent. Wholl[y] o[r][i]ental. Th[i]s [i]s what I’ve [b]een per[s]onal[l][y] taught [b]y the Ang[l][o] [s][o]-[c]alled [s][c]ho[l][a][s]ti[c]s---[a]nd th[a]t I [c]an tell you is [a]b[s][o][l]ute[l][y] no exaggeration.

06--- 528:719 .734
Only the Gree[k][s] would a[cc][e]pt two [s][e]ts of an[c][e][s]tors of [th]i[s] [s]ort [th]en [sh][r][u]g their [sh]oulders and [g]o [g]et d[r][u]n[k] at a [s]aloon. That’s what I [d][i]d. [I]t’[s] ju[s]t au[d]aciou[s], that’s what [i]t [i]s. [I]f no[th]ing el[s]e I re[s]pe[c]t [th]e au[d][a][c]it[y], be[c]ause I [a][c]tual[l][y] [h]ave the [h]ighe[s]t re[s]pe[c]t for the au[d]a[c]it[y] of the Ang[l]o world. Our an[c]e[s]tors have [s]pent hun[d][r]e[d]s of years in o[b][s]cure mountains, for[b]i[dd]en to [r]ead or w[r]ite, [w]h[i]le the ent[i]re Ang[l]o [w]orld has [s]pread th[i][s] [m][i][s]in[f]or[m][a]tio[n] about u[s], this [s][l]ander, this [c]hara[c]ter [a][ss][a][ss]in[a]tio[n], [s][o] it's n[o] won[d]er [p]e[d]o[ph]iles [r]un [r]am[p]ant in [e]ve[r]y [W][e][s]tern [p]olity---loo[k] who [c]om[p][r][i]se the [i][d]ols of the [W]e[s]t! [Th]e A[th]enian with [th]e [b]eauti[f]ul [b]oy[f][r]iends t[r]aversing pu[b]erty, as i[f] th[e]se were the onl[y] [G][r][ee][k]s, as if [th]ere were no o[th]er [G][r]ee[k] e[r]as, as i[f] the [a]l[ph]a[b]et [b]e[c]ame o[b]sol[e]te [a][f]ter [A]nti[q]uit[y]! [B]ut [I] d[i][g][r]es[s]. I[n] a[n]y [c]a[s]e, [b]efore I e[n][t]er i[n][t]o thi[s] whole a[n]e[c]dote I should [s][a]y thi[s]---n[a]mely, th[a]t I was [a]t [a] [r]e[s]tau[r]ant [a]c[r]o[s]s the [s]t[r]eet [f][r]om [m]y [a]part[m]ent [f]or a [s][m]all [g]athe[r]ing ju[s]t the other night, my [g]ood [f][r]iend's [c]ousi[n] was i[n] town, [a]nd she [a]nd her [f]ather [i][n]vited me to a[n] [i][n][f]ormal dinner [a][c][r]oss the [r]oad [f][r]om [m]y [a]part[m]ent, [s]o [I] [d]e[c][i][d]ed it would be a [l]ittle rude [f]or me not to go, con[s]i[d]ering I [l][i]ved w[i]th[i]n [s]p[i]tt[i]ng [d][i][s]tan[c]e of th[i][s] [r]e[s]tau[r]ant, [w][i]th[i]n [m][i]n[i][m]al [w]alking [d][i][s]tan[c]e, and had [n]othing el[s]e to [d]o. I e[ss]enti[a]lly [h]ad to g[o] but [a]l[s][o] [h]ad [n][o] issue with [a]tten[d]ing. [I]n [a][d]d[i]t[i]on, I [w]as [a][w]are the meal [w]ould in all [l]ike[l]ihood be [p]aid for, and [a]lthough I [d]i[d]n't [p]arti[c]u[l]ar[l]y thin[k] high[l]y of the [r]e[s]tau[r][a]nt [a][c]ro[ss] the [s]t[r]eet, I knew there was at [l][ea][s]t one [d][e][c]ent [m]eal, or [m]ayb[e] [e]ve[n] two [d][e]ce[n]t [m][ea][l]s, that I could or[d]er and [f][ee][l] re[l]ative[l][y] [s]at[i]ated. [P]er[s]o[n]al[l][y], I was a big [f]an of the [S][p]i[c][y] Mak[i] [P][l]atter, where you re[c][ei]ved eigh[t][ee]n [p][ie][c]e[s] of [t]u[n]a, [s]almon, and yel[l]ow[t]ail [s]ushi for ju[s]t [s]ix[t][ee]n dol[l]ars. It’s a great [m]eal, and be[c]ause of the e[c]o[n]o[m]i[c]al [p]ri[c]e-[p]oint you [d]on’t feel [l]i[k]e a [c]om[p][l]ete a[ss]hole or[d]e[r]ing it on [s]omeone el[s]e's tab. I[n] a[n]y [c]ase, we a[r]r[i]ve, m[y] f[r]iend and [I], [p]erh[a][p]s we're [a][c]tua[ll]y [l]overs, but I [d]on't want to [g]o in[t]o a [g][r]eat [d][ea]l of [d][e][t]ail about m[y] [p][r][i]vate [l][i]fe here, we [m]ight [e]ven [l][i]ve w[i]th [ea]ch other in [m]y a[p]art[m]ent, but I'[m] [n]ot going into that [n]ow, [w]e’re in [l]ove [w]ith [ea]ch o[th]er in a [w]ay [th]at ju[s]t [f][ee]ls [p]ro[f]ound, that’s [p]o[ss]i[b]le, [b]ut i[n] a[n]y [c]a[s]e we're [th]ere, at [th]e [r]e[s]tau[r]ant, whe[n] my [f][r]ie[n]d's [c]ousins [f][r]om out of town [a][rr]ive, and [a]l[m]ost i[mm][e][d][i]atel[y] the [c]on[v]er[s]ation [t]urns [t]o the m[u]ch [d]i[s][c][u][ss]ed [C]O[V]ID-Ninet[ee]n va[cc][i][n]e, and [b][e]ing wh[o]l[l][y] [s][o][b]er as well as extr[e]me[l][y] hungr[y] [I] de[c][i]de to have [n][o] part of it, I [d]on't me[n]tion a[n]ything a[b]out [n]onli[n]ear [d]i[s]t[r]i[b]utions, the i[n]he[r]e[n]t [d]i[s]hone[s]t[y] of [a]ll l[a]rge govern[m]ents over the cour[s]e of [h]u[m]an [h]i[s]tor[y].

07--- 546:721 .757
I ch[oo]se t[o] [r]e[f][r][ai]n [f][r]om m[e]ntioning [E]l[l]iot [A][b][r]ams [r]ec[ei]ving a [f]i[f]t[y] dol[l]ar [f]ine [f]or t[r][a][ff]i[ck]ing [c]r[a][ck] [c]o[c][ai]ne into eve[r]y [b]l[a][ck] [c]o[mm]u[n][i]ty [i]n A[m]er[i][c]a [i]n the [N]ineteen-[Ei]ghties, I ch[oo]se t[o] [r]e[f][r]ain [f][r]om [m]entio[n]ing a[n]y of this, as it wasn’t the [r][i]ght [t][i]me [t]o di[s][c]u[ss] [n]on[l]i[n]ea[r]it[ie]s a[n]d E[l]l[i]ot Ab[r]ams, thi[s] was my [c]on[c][l]usion at the time. I wasn’t [g]oing to [g]et [c]aught u[p] in the [n][a]ture of [p][r]o[b]a[b][i][l][i]ty [d][i]st[r][i][b]ut[i]ons and E[ll]iot [A][b][r][a]ms’ [f]i[f]ty [d]o[ll]ar [f]ine [f]or [s]e[ll]ing [l]arge [s]wathes of [c][r]ack [c]o[c]aine at the [b]ehe[s]t of the [f]ir[s]t [B]ush [a]dmini[s]tration [a]t th[a]t time. It would have [b]een un[c]outh, ill-[a]dvised, [a]s well [a]s [c]om[p][l][e]te[l][y] ina[pp][r][o][p][r][i]ate. But in [k]ee[p]ing [m]y [m]outh shut I felt just a [m][o][m]en[t]ary [t][i]nge of ag[i][t]ation, in h[ea]ring th[e]se o[p]inions I inve[t]e[r]atel[y] [d]i[s]ag[r][ee]d with, in [r]e[f][r]aining [f][r][o]m [u]tte[r]ing the [ph][r][a]ses [n]on[l]i[n]ear[i]ty [d]i[s]t[r]i[b]ut[i]ons and E[l]li[o]t [A][b][r]ams I [b]ec[a]me s[l]ight[l][y] [a]git[a]ted, the [o]n[l][y] [a]n[t]id[o]te [t]o my [a]gi[t][a]tion would [b]e to s[a]y the [w]ord [n]on[l]i[n]earity a[l]oud, [w]hich I had [n]o in[t]ention of doing. I couldn’t [b]ring my[s]elf to [s]ay the word [n]on[l]i[n]earit[y], [a]nd I h[a]d [a][b][s]o[l]utel[y] no intention of utte[r]ing the ph[r][a]se E[ll][i]ot [A][b][r]ams at thi[s] [r]e[s]tau[r]ant, [I] coul[d]n’t [d]o either without embar[r]a[ss]ing [m][y][s]elf, and [I] kn[ew] it. The f[a]ct of the [m][a]tter is whe[n] a[n] o[p][i]n[i]on I d[i][s]ag[r]ee w[i]th [i]s ex[p][r]e[ss]ed w[i]th[i]n [m]y gene[r]al [p][r]ox[i][m][i]ty, [a]nd I [a]ct s[o]cial[l][y] a[pp][r][o][p][r]iate[l][y] and [r]e[f][r]ain [f][r]om sha[r]in[g] my t[r]ue [f]ee[l]in[g]s on the [m]atter, then I o[f]ten [f]eel th[i]s [t][i]nge of [a]gi[t]ation, [a]s i[f] I was [p]ut on thi[s] Ea[r]th for the [s]ole [p]u[r][p]o[s]e of behaving ina[pp][r][o][p][r]iatel[y] and ex[p][r]e[ss]ing my hone[s]t o[p]inions, n[o] matter the co[s]t [s][o]ciall[y]. In[s]tead I [f]ound my[s]el[f] g[l]an[c]ing [i]nter[m][i]ttent[l][y] at [m]y [f]riend's older [c]ousin, ju[s]t shame[l]e[ss][l][y] [s][p]e[c]u[l][a]ting on his [r][a]cial m[a][k]eu[p]---which I h[a]te. I’ve [b]ee[n] on the [r]e[c]eiving e[n]d of thi[s] de[s][p]ica[b]le [b]ehavior, and I’m sure you've ex[p]e[r]i[e]n[c]ed [s][i]m[i]lar, and [I] [d]e[s][p][i]se [p]eo[p]le who ju[s]t shame[l]e[ss][l]y [s][p]e[c]u[l]ate as to [m]y r[a]cial [m][a][k]eu[p], I'm sure you [d]e[s]pise them j[u][s]t as m[u]ch, yet [s]itting a[c]ro[ss] [f][r]om thi[s] [d]i[s]tant [c]ousin of [m]y [f][r]iend, [m]y [l]over [p]erh[a][p][s], I [s][a]t in this [s]i[l]ent hy[p]o[c][r]i[s]y, I [s]at there and shame[l]e[ss][l][y], [c]ontinuou[s][l][y] [s][p]e[c]u[l]ated on his r[a]cial [m][a][k]eu[p] to [m]y[s]elf, going [s]o [f]ar as [t]o [t]a[k]e [s][p]e[c]i[f]ic [f]acial [f]eatures into a[cc]ount and [s][p]e[c]ulate on a [g]eo[g][r]a[ph]ic a[r]ea of o[r]i[g]in. It was [g][r]ote[s][q]ue. But that's un[f]ortunately what I [f]ound my[s]el[f] doing in [p]la[c]e of sharing my [s]in[c]ere o[p]inions on [n]onli[n]ear [p][r]o[b]a[b][i][l][i]ty [d][i][s]t[r][i][b]utions and E[l]liot A[b][r]ams [d]i[s]t[r]i[b]uting [c][r]a[ck] [c]o[c]aine to the [b][l]a[ck] [c]o[m]mu[n]iti[e]s of the U[n]ited [S]t[a]tes in the [N]inet[ee]n [Ei]ghti[e]s---but of [c]ourse [n]o one [c]an [m]ention [n]onli[n]ear di[s]t[r]i[b]utions or E[l]liot A[b][r]ams [s]e[l]ling [c][r]a[ck] anymore.

08--- 501:685 .731
Govern[m]ents have lied to u[s] al[m]o[s]t without pause [s]i[n][c]e the i[n]ventio[n] of the nation-[s]tate, in just [A][m]eri[c]a [a][l]one w[e]’ve [s][ee]n the [l]arge-[s][c]ale o[pp][r]ession of A[f][r]i[c]an-A[m]e[r]i[c]ans over the [c]our[s]e of [c]enturies, the [s]tate-[s]an[c]tioned poiso[n]i[n]gs of A[f][r]i[c]an-A[m]eri[c]an [c]o[mm]unities with [c][r]a[ck] [c]o[c]aine, of [l]ower [c][l]ass [C]au[c]asian [c]o[m]munities w[i]th [p][r]es[c][r][i][p]tion [p]ills, we have [p]o[p] [s]tars named [L]ittle Xanax, m[i][ll]ions of ch[i][l]dr[e]n [i]n thi[s] [c]ountry [f]anta[s]ize [a][b]out [a][b]using [p][r]e[s][c][r]i[p]tion nar[c]oti[c]s be[f]ore they go to [s][l]ee[p] at night and the [F][D][A], a [r]e[g]u[l]ator[y] [b]o[d][y] with [a]m[p]le [f]un[d]ing [f]or [r]e[g]ul[a]ting ju[s]t this [s]ort of [b]ehavior, [a][pp]arent[l]y thinks [n]othing of it. We have one [p]o[p] [s]tar [n]amed [L]ittle [X]anax and [z]ero [ph]arma[c][eu]ti[c]al e[x]e[c]utives wh[o]’ve been [p]ro[s]e[c][u]ted [f]or [p][r]od[u][c]ing this lu[r]id [s]tate of a[ff]airs, and th[a]t's just [s][c]r[a]tching the [s]ur[f]a[c]e in Ame[r]i[c]a, [c]on[f]ining our in[q]ui[r]y to a [s]ingle [s]ide of the Atlanti[c] we ha[v]en't e[v]en ment[i]oned the Tur[k][i][sh] o[cc]u[p]a[ti]on, the geno[c]ides of [P]ol [P]ot, Hit[l]er and the Na[ti]onal [S]o[ci]a[l]i[s]ts, the Gu[l]ag, the [f]a[m]ine of [M]ao, or the [p]re[p]on[d]e[r]an[c]e of [o]ther [o][cc]u[p]ations, [g]e[n]o[c]ides, [f]amines, and [g]e[n]e[r]al [d]ebau[c]he[r]y which have o[cc]urred [a]ll [a][c]ro[ss] the g[l]obe mo[r]e o[r] [l][e][ss] in[c][e][ss]ant[l]y---yet [n]ow the U[n]ited [S]t[a]tes govern[m]ent [i]nfor[m]s [i]t[s] [c][i]t[i]zens without a t[r][a][c]e of i[r]ony that a [f][a]st-t[r][a][ck]ed v[a][cc]ine is beyond [r]e[p][r]oach [f]or a[n][y] a[n]d eve[r][y]one, with no [l]ong-term [e]m[p]i[r]i[c]al [e]vi[d]en[c]e [a]vai[l]able, and i[f] we [q]u[e][s]tion [th]at [th]en we're [e][ss]ential[l]y [e]x[c]ommuni[c]ated [f]rom [d]e[c]ent [s]o[c]iety. We’ve [b]ecome [ch]a[r][l]atans [p]a[r] ex[c]el[l]en[c]e if we [d]are men[ti]on the [n]ature of [n]on[l]i[n]ear [p]ro[b]a[b]i[l]ity [d]i[s]tri[b]u[ti]ons, if we m[e]nt[i]on the [f][a][c]t th[a]t E[l]liot A[b]rams was [f]ined [f]i[f]ty do[l]lars [f]or se[l]ling [c][r]a[ck], if we utter the [ph][r][a]ses [n]on[l]i[n]ear [p]ro[b]a[b][i][l][i]ty [d][i]st[r][i][b]ution or E[l]liot A[b][r]ams was a [c][r]a[ck] [c]o[c][ai]ne [d]ea[l]er we’ve a[pp]a[r]ent[l][y] [b]e[c]ome [f]asci[s]ts in thi[s] [c]ount[r][y]. [S][o] I had [n][o] in[k][l]ing of the r[a]cial [m][a][k]eup of thi[s] [m]an [s]itting [s]o i[n]no[c]ent[l][y] a[c]ro[ss] from m[e], and eventual[l][y] [I] just [s]aid to m[y][s]elf---you’re [d]i[s][g]u[s]ting, th[i]s [i]s [g]ro[t]e[s][q]ue, [t]a[k]e out your [s][m]art[ph]one and [d]i[ck] a[r][o]und [o]n that, [f]or the [s]a[k]e of [C]h[r]i[s]t Him[s]el[f], ju[s]t [p]lease re[m]ove your [s][m]art[ph]one [f]rom your [p]o[ck]et thi[s] [s]e[c]ond. [S]o we order our [m]eals. [M]y [f][r]iend, who I [m]ay or [m]ay not [b]e in love with, who o[r][d]ers [r]ight [b]e[f]o[r]e [m][e], or[d]ers the [S][p]i[c][y] [M]a[k][i] [P]latter, [s]o we both [e]nd u[p] ordering the exa[c]t [s]ame [m]eal, the [S][p]i[c][y] [M]a[k][i] [P][l]atter, and I ju[s]t shot her a [l]oo[k], I [l]oo[k]ed at her [l]i[k]e Are you [k]idding me? [W]e [c]ould h[a]ve [a]t [l]ea[s]t [d]i[s][c]u[ss]ed thi[s] [b]e[f]o[r]e the [w]aitre[ss] a[s]ked [f]o[r] the or[d]ers, now we're or[d]ering the [s]ame ex[a][c]t meal [b][a][ck] to [b][a][ck].

09--- 483:668 .723
But [th]en I [th]ink to my[s][e]l[f] W[e]ll, i[f] sh[e] doesn’t [ea]t all eight[ee]n [p][ie][c]es, [w]hich sh[e] [w]on't, then I’ll at [l][ea][s]t have the o[p]tion to [s]nag a [s]ush[i] [p][ie][c]e or two if I’m not com[p][l][e]te[l]y [f]ull a[f]ter my eighteen. I [g]uess I [c]an [b]e a [b]it [g][l][u]ttonou[s] when it [c][o]mes to [s]ushi, [b]ut I al[s]o---in t[r]ue [G][r]eek Ortho[d]ox [f][a]shion---[t]end [t]o [f][a][s]t [f]or [s][i]gn[i][f][i][c]ant portions of the [d]ay, [s]o b[y] the t[i]me [d]inner [a][r]r[i]ves [I]’m [a]lways [p][r]e[p]ared to [s]tu[ff] my [f]a[c]e. I’ve [r][ea]d [m]o[d]ern [m]e[d][i][c][i]ne [i]s [b]egi[n]ning to [r][e]cog[n]ize value in thi[s] [f]a[s]t and [f][ea][s]t [r][e]gi[m]en of [ea]ting, [th]at [th]e [b]o[d][y] [p]erha[p]s [f]unc[ti]ons more e[ff]i[ci]entl[y] when it’[s] [d]e[p][r]ived [f]or a [p]e[r]iod of time. [B]ut i[n] a[n]y [c]a[s]e we [b]oth or[d]er the [S][p]i[c][y] Ma[k][i] [P]latter, and her [d][a]d, who’s [s][a]t [n]ext to [m]e, orders a shrimp [n]oo[d]le [d]ish th[a]t h[a]s [n]o a[pp]eal to [m]e, [n]ot that I [c]are, be[c]ause I h[a]d [n]o [p]l[a]ns on [sh]aring the meal with him, and when th[i][s] [sh][r][i]mp [n]oo[d]le [d][i]sh [i]s [s]erved h[i]s [i]n[i][ti]al [r]eac[ti]on is Wow, th[i][s] [i]s b[i]g---and [i]t [i]s, [i]t’s huge. The port[i]on [i]s [i]mmense. And the [n]oo[d]les, it shoul[d] [b]e [n]oted, are th[i]ck---[i]t would [b][e] n[ea]rl[y] im[p]o[ss]i[b]le for one [p]er[s]on to finish a [p]late of th[a]t [m][a]gnitu[d]e, [s]ave for the [m]or[b]i[d][l][y] o[b]e[s]e, in ju[s]t one [s]itting. S[o] i[m]m[e]d[i]ate[l][y], and [o]n[l][y] with the [b][e][s]t of int[e]ntions, [b]e[c]ause her [d]ad is one of the [m]o[s]t w[e]ll-i[n]t[e]ntioned i[n][d]ividuals you’ll ever [c]ome a[c]ros[s], her [d]ad [s]tarts to o[ff]er me [s]ome of h[i]s [d][i]sh, and [i]n[i]tial[l][y] I re[f]use not on[l][y] [b]e[c]ause I [f]ind the [d]ish una[pp]ea[l]ing but [p][r]ima[r]i[l][y] [b]e[c]ause I’m [ea]ting [m]y own [m][ea]l. But this [ch]anges even[tu]a[l]l[y]. [F][a][m]ished [a]s I [f]ound my[s]el[f], I obviou[s][l][y] [f]inished [m]y [m]eal not on[l][y] [b]e[f]ore [a]nyone [e]lse at the ta[b]le [b]ut [c]on[s]ide[r]a[b][l][y] [p][r]ior to [a]nyone [e]l[s]e at the ta[b]le [c][l]eaning their [p][l]ate---I’m [s]itting there with a [c]om[p][l][e]te[l][y] [c][l][ea]n [p][l]ate while [e]veryone [e]lse is [a]t [m]ost h[a]l[f]way [th][r]ough [th]eir [m]eal. And my [f][r]iend is [h]ardl[y] [ea]ting [h]er [M]a[k][i] Pl[a]tter [a]t all, instead she’s busy [m][u]n[ch]ing her [c][ou]sin’s General [Ts]o Shrim[p], yet her dad, of [c]ourse [m]eaning well and [n]oti[c]ing [m]y em[p]ty d[i]sh, for the [s]e[c]ond time a[s]ks i[f] I want [s]ome? [N][o], [n][o] [th]an[k] you, [I]’m [f]ull, [I] say, [n]ot [th]in[k]ing at all. Wi[th]out a [s]ingle [th]ought in my [s][k]u[ll] [I] [r]epl[y] that I'm full---y[e]t in [r][e]t[r]o[s]p[e][c]t what [e]l[s]e [c]ould I [s]ay? How [c]an y[ou] [r]e[f][u]se a bite of [s]omeone’s meal, e[s]pecial[l][y] on a [s]e[c]ond o[ff]er, without [s]aying you’re [f]ull? It's [p]ro[b]a[b][l][y] the on[l][y] a[cc]e[p]ta[b]le excu[s]e, [f]eigning [f]ull[n]ess, [b]ut [n]ow I’ve [p][l]aced mysel[f] [i]n a [b][i]t of an [i]m[b]r[o]g[l]i[o], [b]e[c]ause her dad thin[k]s I’m [f]ull, [b]ut I’m a[c]tually the [f]ur[th]e[s]t [p]o[ss]i[b]le [th]ing [f]rom [f]ull---[b]e[c]ause [s]ush[i] never [f][i]lls [y]ou. [Y]ou [f][i]nish a [p][l]ate of [s]ush[i] and the [f]ir[s]t [th][i]ng you [th][i]n[k] [i]s I [c]ould go [f]or a [l]ittle more [s]ush[i].

10--- 441:639 .690
"Eight[ee]n p[ie][c]es of [f][i]sh-[f][i]lled [s]ushi and I’m not [e]ven rem[o]te[l][y] [c][l][o]se to [f]ull. All my th[ou]ghts [r]ev[o]lve a[r]ound [c]on[s]u[m]ing [m]ore [s]ush[i], of which I [s][ee] [p][l]ent[y], [b]e[c]ause [m]y [c]om[p]anion, [m]y [l]over, is [b]are[l][y] even touching her [S][p]i[c][y] [M]a[k][i] [P][l]atter. [S]o now [I]’m [t]r[y]ing [t]o [d]ev[i]se a [m]etho[d] of [c][l]an[d]e[s]tine[l][y] [s]n[ea]king a few [p][ie][c]es of [s]aid [s]ush[i] into [m]y [m][ou]th with[ou]t [m]y [c]om[p][a]nion’s d[a]d [n]oticing, [n]ot that he would [c]are, but ju[s]t on [p]rin[c]i[p]le. I already inh[a]led [m]y [m]eal, [ei]ght[ee]n [p][ie][c]es of [f][i]sh-[f][i]lled [s]ushi, and now I’m [c]l[ai]ming, to my [f][r]iend’s [f]ather, that I’m [f]ull, but then [r]e[m]or[s]e[l]e[ss][l][y] [c]on[s][u]ming the [s][u]sh[i] [s]itting next to my [p][l]ate? That just wasn’t [a] [p]a[l]ata[b]le o[p]tion in [m][y] [m][i]nd at the t[i]me. I wanted to [a]void that [s]cenario if [p]o[ss]i[b]le. Yet as I'm [c]on[c]o[c]ting a [p][l]an to [s]urre[p]titiou[s][l][y] extra[c]t this foreign [s]ush[i] into [m]y [m]outh [m]y [f]riend’s [c]ousin [t]a[k]es her [f]or[k] and [s][t]arts eating her [s]ush[i]---po[t]entiall[y] my [s]ush[i]. I’m watching my [f]riend’s [f]ather struggle to [f][i]n[i]sh h[i]s [g]ar[g]antuan shrimp [l]o [m]ein on [m]y [l]e[f]t, then watching [m]y [f]riend’s [c]ousin [m]ethodi[c]a[l]ly [ea]t [ea]ch [l]e[f]tover [p][ie][c]e of this [S][p]i[c][y] [M]a[k][i] [P][l]atter on [m][y] r[i]ght. Then I [l]oo[k] [a][c][r]oss the t[a][b]le and [b]egin [sh][a]mele[ss][l][y] [r][a][ci]al[l][y] [s]pe[c]u[l][a]ting [a]gain, just [t]o [m]o[m]en[t]ari[l][y] get [m][y] [m][i]nd off this wh[o]le [S]pi[c][y] [M]ak[i]-[l][o] [m]ein imb[r][o]g[l]i[o]. As the [m]eal [c]on[c][l][u]ded there were tw[o] or th[r][ee] [s]ush[i] [p][ie][c]es [l]eft, my [c]om[p]anion says [H]ave one, and I shake my [h]ead, realizing the e[n]tire e[n][d]eavor, th[i]s m[i]ssion to obt[ai]n [m]ore [S][p]i[c][y] [M]ak[i], was [d]oomed to f[ai]lure. I con[s]idered a[s][k]ing her [t]o [t]a[k]e the [p]ie[c]es h[o]me, but n[o]---thi[s] urge for [m]ore [M]a[k]i [i]s [m][i][s]gu[i][d]ed, [I] thought, it’s already [d][oo]med t[o] f[ai]lure, it's t[oo] [l][a]te for that. The [S][p]i[c][y] Ma[k][i] [P][l]atter was de[l]icious, but [t]o [t]a[k]e h[o]me the [l]eft[o]ver sushi wasn’t a [p]a[l]atable o[p]tion [t]o me at the [t]ime. And a [f]unny thing o[cc]urred, I a[c]tua[l]ly [b]egan to [f]eel [f]ull as [e]veryone [e]lse [b]egan t[o] [c]on[c][l][u]de their [m]eals---[d]e[s][p]ite [r]e[m]aining hung[r][y] i[mm][e][d][i]ate[l][y] a[f]ter [f]inishing [m]y eight[ee]n [p][ie][c]es of [s]ush[i], b[y] the t[i]me [e]veryone [e]lse [c]on[c][l]u[d]e[d] their [d]inner I, somehow, no [l]onger felt hung[r]y, [d]e[s]pite eat[i]ng noth[i]ng [i][n] the [i][n]terim, for the above [s]aid [r]easons. But, i[n] a[ny] [c]a[s]e, onto thi[s] ane[c]d[o]te---[s][o] it was a few years ag[o] at this [p]oint, Ho[r]atio was [p]ro[b]a[b][l]y there, it was a mo[r]e o[r] [l]es[s] [n]onde[s]c[r]i[p]t [n]ight, abso[l]ute[l]y [n]othing of [n]ote was o[c]curring, and I thin[k] all of us were [a]t th[a]t [p]oint [q]uestioning [w]hy [w]e [w]ere [e]ven out, [w]hy [w]e [w]eren't at home s[l][e]e[p]ing [l]i[k]e young children.

11--- 469:700 .670
[W]e [w]ere at the [D][ea]n Hotel on [W]ashington St[r][ee]t in a [d]ar[k] [b]a[ck] [b]ar [c]alled the [M]ag[d]a[l][e][n]a [R]oom where [n]othing [m]uch of [n]ote was going on, [n]ear[l]y [n]othing of [n][o]te was ever g[o]ing on [w][i]th[i]n the [w]alls of this h[o]tel [b]ar, [n]ever [m]ind in the [b]a[c]k room, [w]hich [w]as d[i]m[l][y] [l][i]t i[n] a[n] [a]l[m]ost [a][b]r[a]sive w[a]y and usual[l][y] [a]t h[a]lf [c]ap[a][c]it[y] at [b]e[s]t. [B]ut [m]ay[b]e that’s what the [v]enue i[n]te[n][d]ed, [m][a]y[b]e the [m][ai]n goal of the [v]enue was a[b][r][a]s[i][v]e [i]te[r][a]tions of [d]im lighting [a]nd h[a]lf [c]ap[a][c]ities. I[n] a[n]y [c][a][s]e, I’m with a [f]ew [f][r]iends, Ho[r][a]tio m[a]y have been there, and [t]w[o] well-[t][o]-d[o] An[g]lo [g]irls are there, [a]nd one of us---not [m]e---a[tt]empts to [c]o-[m]in[g]le with the [t]wo [A]n[g]lo [g]irls, [a]nd a [c]onver[s]ation en[s]ues. One of our [f]riends is with[ou]t a d[ou]bt [ai]ming to [e][n]g[a]ge i[n] [c]on[s][e]ns[u]al [s][e]x[u]al [e][n][c]ounters with these girls in the near [f]uture, at [l]east if the [e][n][c]ounter goes [a][cc]or[d]ing to his [p][l]an, [h]owever, [h]is [p][l]an is [a][b]out to go un[e]x[p]e[c]te[d][l][y] [a]wry, things are in n[o] way [a][b]out to g[o] [a][cc]or[d]ing to his [p][l][a]n, [a]nd, in[a]dve[r]te[n]t[l][y], I’m a[b]out to ensu[r]e his [p][l]an is foiled [i][n] a[n] [i]rreve[r]si[b]le man[n]er. [N]ot in the [s][l]ighte[s]t are things goin[g] [a][cc]ordin[g] to his p[l]a[n], a[n]d I’m inadvertent[l][y] [a][b]out to [b][e] the [c]ause of the foi[l]in[g]. [I]nev[i]ta[b][l]y [b]oth girls [l][i]ve [i]n the [p][l]ush [p]art of the [c]ity, they don’t [h]ave [j]obs, or they [h]ave [j]obs they c[l][ea]r[l][y] re[c][ei]ved due to [s]tatu[s]es of [b][e]ing young and opu[l]ent, they [i]nev[i]ta[b][l]y [b]eg[i]n to d[i][s]cu[ss] the variou[s] [p]ro[p]erti[e]s their fami[l]i[e]s’ own, in [S]a[n] F[r]a[n][c]i[s]co I [b]e[l]ieve, [p]erha[p]s s[o]me [o]ther out[r]ageous[l][y] [o][p]u[l]ent are[a]s of the U[S], may[b][e] [e]ven over[s][ea]s. I [f]orget the [s][p]e[c]i[f]i[c] [l]o[c]ales, I a[c]tual[l]y [p]aid [l]ittle to no atte[n]tio[n] to a[n]ything [ei]ther of th[e]se An[g][l]o [g]irls said, there were a [f]ew [l]ocales whe[r]e thei[r] [f]athers’ owned [th]is [p][r]o[p]erty or [th]at [p][r]o[p]erty, [th]ey’d [s]u[mm]er here or [th]ey’d [s]u[mm]er [th]ere, but it was [a]ll [o]pu[l]ent i[n] a[n]y [c]a[s]e, [s]ome a[r]ea where [o]n[l]y the m[o][s]t eg[r]eg[i]ous d[i][ck]heads [l][i]ve. [I]t [d][i][d]n’t par[t]i[c]u[l]ar[l]y offend me, yet their [t]one was [c]on[d]e[s]cen[d]i[n]g i[n] a way that al[m]o[s]t [m]ade you be[l][ie]ve they v[ie]wed y[ou] as an [e]qual, [w]hich [i][n]furiated m[e]. [W]hen [p]eo[p]le [i][n]vete[r]ate[l][y] [b]e[l][ie]ve them[s]elves to [b][e] [s]u[p]e[r]ior, yet [s]till h[a]ve the au[d][a][c]ity to [c]on[d]e[s]cend as i[f] you’re almo[s]t e[q]uals, [i]t’[s] [i]n[f]uriating. [A]s it [s]o h[a]ppened, I’[d] been [s]tu[d]ying a[n] exte[n][d]ed [d]o[c]ume[n]tary on the inter[n]et at wor[k] th[a]t [a][f]ter[n]oon, it was a slow [a][f]ter[n]oon th[a]t [a][f]ter[n]oon, [r]egar[d]ing the m[a]ting habits of [d]ol[ph]ins, in [f]act this vi[d]eo went into g[r][ea]t [d]etail [r]egar[d]ing the [s][p]e[c]i[f]i[c] [m]e[c]hani[c]s of how [d]ol[ph]ins [p]er[f]orm [s]ex, and I [p][r]o[c]ee[d]e[d] to share thi[s] in[f]or[m]ation [r]egar[d]ing the [s][p]e[c]i[f]i[c] [m]e[c]hani[c]s of [d]ol[ph]in [s]exual inter[c]our[s]e with the g[r]oup.

12--- 520:719 .723
[A][pp]arently this was [a] bit of [a] faux [p]aus on my [p]art, D[e][m]o---it was [c][l]ear these young [f][e][m]ales, although i[nn]o[c]ent e[n]ou[gh], were ju[s]t of a [s]e[p]a[r]ate [c][l]a[ss], [a]nd [th]ey be[l]ieved [i]t, [a]nd [th]ey knew [i]t, [a]nd [th]ey had no [r]e[s][p]ect [f]or the w[e]ll v[e][r][i][f]ied int[e]ll[i]gence of dol[ph]ins and their [s]exual [m]ating [m]echanic[s]. It was [t][r][u]e [t][o] them [th]at [th]ey were [s]u[p]e[r]ior---their an[c]e[s]tors were having [p]ebble wars and [ea]t[i]ng m[e]d[i]um-[r]are [s]qui[rr]el, [w]hile our an[c]e[s]tors [w]ere w[r]iting ex[t]en[s]ive [c]o[mm]en[t]a[r]ies on [m]eta[ph][y]s[i][c]s and en[f]or[c]ing [c]o[m]p[l]e[x] [s]y[s]tems of [t]axation, [b]ut in our [c]u[r]rent mi[l]ieu they were [b]oth un[d]oubte[d][l][y] of [s]u[p]e[r]ior [s]to[ck] to [a]nyone [e]l[s]e in the [r]oom, e[s][p]ecial[l][y] [m]y[s]elf. That [m]uch [c]ould not be [d]i[s][p]uted, and I [d]on't [d]i[s][p][u]te it t[o] thi[s] [d]ay. Yet to [d]i[s][c]u[ss] the i[n]t[r]i[c]a[c]ies of [d]ol[ph]i[n] i[n]ter[c]our[s]e was, in their eyes, [s]omething [r]evoltin[g], [s]omething [f]or [l]a[ck] of a better word [c][l]a[ss][l]e[ss]. It was e[ss]entia[l]l[y] a [M]arxi[s]t ane[c][d][o]te, [n][o]ting [s][p]e[c]i[f]i[c]a[l]l[y] how [d]ol[ph]in [p][e][n]i[s] [p]e[n]etrates [d]ol[ph]in vag[i]na in the [M]ag[d]a[l][e][n]a [R]oom that [n]ight. I g[r]ew up i[n]un[d]ated with Ang[l][o]-Saxons, [D][e]m[o], and [I] k[n][o]w when [I]’m b[e]ing viewed [a]s [a]n Other, in fa[c]t I k[n]ow [i]t [i]n[s]t[i]n[c]t[i]ve[l][y], it’s [s]omething that e[ss]ential[l][y] [r][u]ns in my [b][l][oo]d, and this was a [p]arti[c]u[l]ar[l][y] eg[r][e]giou[s] [c]a[s]e. And it [b]e[c]ame [p]arti[c]u[l]ar[l][y] eg[r][e]gious [f]o[ll]owing [m]y [m]o[n]o[l]ogue i[ll]u[m]i[n]ating the [m]e[c]ha[n]i[c]s of dol[ph]i[n] i[n]ter[c]our[s]e. I [m][a]y have [m][a]de a [f]ew [s]ub[s]e[q]uent o[ff]-[c]olor [c]o[mm]ents on[c]e the [c]onver[s]ation was [c][l][ea]r[l][y] going [c]omp[l][e]te[l][y] [d]ownhill, on[c]e thi[s] [d]i[s][c]ussion was [c][l]ear[l][y] i[r]re[p]a[r]a[b]le. I [p][r]o[b]a[b][l][y] [r]aised my [v]oi[c]e to an ina[d][v]isa[b]le [d]e[c]i[b]el le[v]el. [B]ut i[n] a[n]y [c][a]se I [c][a]me to [d]e[s]pise these two i[nn]o[c]ent young fe[m]ales. And in [r]et[r][o][s][p]ect, if I’m [h][o]lding [m]y[s]el[f] to the [h]ighe[s]t [s]tandard of hone[s]ty, I de[s][p]ised them at [f]ir[s]t [s]ight. The [s]e[c]ond our [f][r]ie[n]d---Ho[r][a]tio [m][a]y have bee[n] there---[m][a]de the a[cq]u[ai]ntan[c]e of th[e]se two [f][e][m]ales I i[m]m[e][d][i]ate[l][y] [d]e[s]pised them. In[s]tinctive[l][y] I k[n]ew [th]e [th]r[ee] of us [c]ould [n]ever b[e] [c]ordial, th[a]t [p]erh[a][p]s the [s][a][ck]ing of [C]on[s]tan[t]i[n][o][p]le in [T]welve [O]h Four [s]till [d]ivi[d]e[d] us i[n] a[n] i[mm]utable [m]a[n]ner. I [b]e[l]ieve in the [p]er[p]etuating [c]ha[r]a[c]te[r]i[s]ti[c]s of [b][l]ood, [D]e[m]o, I [d]on’t [c]a[r]e what the [s]cienti[s]ts [s]ay. [S]pi[r]its are [a]l[w]ays [a]mong us and [w]here [b]etter to [b]ury [th]em[s]elves [th]an [w]ithin our [b]lood[s]t[r]eams? If the [s]pi[r]its of an[c]e[s]tors are [b]u[r]ied any[w]here [i]t’[s] [w][i]th[ou]t a d[ou]bt in our [b]lood[s]t[r]eams. If the tortured [s]ouls of our muti[l]ated an[c]e[s]tors are [b]u[r]ied any[w]here in the [w]orld [i]t’[s] [w][i]thin our [b][l]ood[s]t[r][ea]ms, D[e]mo. F[r]om the [s]eco[n]d I [s]aw these two in[n]o[c]ent, [d]e[c]ent-looking girls I [d]e[s]pised them, and I [n][e]ver qu[e]st[i]oned [i]t. [I]n[s]tin[c]tively I k[n][ew] [d]i[s][c]u[ss]ing [d]ol[ph]in [b]o[n]ers would [b]e a[b]ho[r]rent t[o] these in[n]o[c]ent young [f]emales, and I [r]elayed the a[n]e[c][d]ote without hesitation.

13--- 448:606 .739
The [s]e[c]ond their [f]a[c]es [f][i]lled w[i]th [d][i][s]gust [a]t my [a][n]e[c][d]ote I was [s][a]ti[a]ted. If they wal[k]ed [i]nto th[i][s] [r]oom [r]ight [n]ow I’[d] imm[e][d][i]atel[y] start to, yet again, [d]i[s][c]u[ss] the me[c]hani[c]s of [d]ol[ph][i][n] [i][n]ter[c]our[s]e. [D]ol[ph]ins are high[l]y i[n]te[ll]ige[n]t [m]a[mm]als---[w]hy shouldn't [w]e [l]earn, in-[d]epth, a[b]out their [m]ating ha[b]its? It s[ee]ms entire[l][y] [l]ogical to me, [e]ven now. Yet [w]e should be hone[s]t [w]ith our[s]elves, [w]e shouldn’t min[c]e [w]ords, [w]e shouldn't [c]o[w]er to euphe[m]ism, be[c]ause every[o]ne is Ang[l]o. [M][ay][b]e I haven’t [m][a]de that [a][b]undant[l][y] c[l]ear yet, [b]ut we’re [a]ll essentia[ll][y] Ang[l]o, we [c]ontain resi[d]ual amounts of the H[e]l[l][e]ni[c], we’re [d]i[r]e[c]t [d]e[s]ce[n][d]a[n]ts of the [s]o-[c]alled Byzantine, the [ρ]ωμιο[σ]ύν[η], but [e][ss]ential[l][y] [e]ve[r]yone is Ang[l][o], u[s] in[c][l]uded. You may [s]it here and [p][r][o][p][o]se that, [s]ay, [P]uert[o] [R]i[c]ans are [s]omehow [d]i[s]tin[c]t from the m[e][d][i]an [w]hite, [w]hen in a[c]tua[l]ity [P]uerto [R]i[c]ans are Ang[l]o. But [D]o[m][i][n][i][c]ans are [d][i]ffe[r]ent, [r]ight?---[n][o], [D]o[m][i][n][i][c]ans are [a][c]tua[l]ly [A]ng[l][o] [a]s well. [A][f][r][o]-[A][m]e[r]i[c]ans are in[c][r]e[d]ib[l][y] [A]ng[l][o], in [f]a[c]t. The [P]ortuguese are [d]e[f]inite[l][y] Ang[l]o, [th]ey’re [th]e a[p]ex of Ang[l]o, the [S][p]anish [a]re [a]l[s][o] [t][o]ta[ll]y Ang[l]o, and the I[t]alians are [a]s [A]ng[l]o [a]s anyone, Fi[l]i[p]i[n][o]s---we [c]an’t de[n]y their e[ss]entia[l] Ang[l]i[c]ism, be[c]ause we’re all e[ss]entia[ll][y] [e][q]ua[ll][y] Ang[l][o], wherever [C]atho[l]i[c]ism and [i]t[s] meta[ph][y]s[i]cs has [s]p[r]ead, the Ang[l]o [w]orld [w]ith[ou]t a d[ou]bt has [f]o[l]lowed, whe[r]ever the [s]ordid meta[ph][y]s[i][c]s of the [C][a]tho[l]i[c] church h[a]s [p][l][a]nted its [r]oots, [A]ng[l]i[c]ism has [p][r]o[l]i[f]e[r]ated unab[r]idged. [A]ng[l]os, [F][r]an[k]s, Ve[n]etia[n]s, Italians, the Ger[m]a[n]i[c] [t][r]ibes, we [sh]oul[d]n’t [l]ose [m]uch [s][l]eep in [d]i[s]tingu[i][sh][i]ng these [t]erms, [b]e[c]ause they're all [s]u[b][s][e][c]ts of each other [e][ss]en[ti]a[l]ly, we [sh]ouldn’t [l]ie to our[s]elves about [th]at. [Th]ese [t]erms [e][n][c]ompa[ss] the [e][n][t]ire world and for that r[ea]son [s]ub[s]e[q]uent[l][y] m[ea]n e[ss]entia[l]l[y] nothing. We [a]ll [a][tt]empt [t]o quar[r]y g[r]ou[p]s of [p]eo[p]le off by the [t][i]nt of their s[k][i]n, the sha[p]es of their eyes, the [c]on[t]ours of their [n]oses, [th]e [th][i][ck][n]e[ss] of their [l][i]p[s], when the [r]ea[l]it[y] is [e]ve[r]yone is [e]ssential[l][y] [A]ng[l][o]. Mi[c]hael [J]or[d]an [i]s [i]n[c]re[d]i[b][l][y] [A]ng[l][o]. As are [L]arry [B]ird and Sha[q][ui][ll]e O'N[ea][l]. [C]ait[l]yn [J]e[n]ner is [n]oth[i]ng [i]f [n]ot [A]ng[l]o, [a]nd the [K]ard[a]shians are the [s]p[i]tt[i]ng [i]m[a]ge of [A]ng[l][i][c][i]sm. The world [i]s [i]n[c]re[d]i[b][l][y] [c]omp[l]ex, [b]ut at times it [c]an [b]e [d]ivi[d]ed [e]ven[l][y] in[t][o] [t]w[o]---the Ang[l][o] world and the [s][o]-[c]alled Gree[k] [w]orld, [w]hich n[o] [l]onger exi[s]ts.

14--- 448:651 .688
The world [i]s [i]n[c]redi[b][l][y] [c]om[p][l]ex, [b]ut at [c]ertain times it [c]an [b][e] easi[l][y] [s][p][l][i]t [d]own the m[i][dd]le, at [t]imes the world re[d][u][c]es [t][o] e[ss]ential[l][y] [t]w[o] [d]i[m]ensions, in [s]ome [w]ays the [w]orld on[l][y] exi[s]ts [t]wo [d]i[m]ensional[l][y], the [s][c]hi[sm] be[t][w]een the [C]atho[l]i[c]i[sm] that over[t]oo[k] the [w]orld and the Orthodox[y] that [e]ventual[l][y] [b]e[c]ame [m]o[r]e o[r] [l][e]ss [e]xtinguished, [m]ay[b]e that's one in[s]tan[c]e of [b][i]nar[y] [s][i]m[p]l[i][c][i]t[y], the [i]de[a] of [a] God who w[a]nts to hear your [p]ett[y] [s]ins, who [w]ants to [s][p]eak [w]ith you and have [s]ome ty[p]e of [r]e[l]a[ti]on[sh]i[p]. A [p]er[s]onal [r]e[l]a[ti]on[sh][i][p] w[i]th God---it’[s] the mo[s]t ab[s]urd thing. It’[s] e[ss]ential[l][y] [a]th[e]ism. There's on[l][y] one end-g[a]me to be[l]ieving the [a][ll]eged [C]re[a]tor of the Univer[s]e wants to [h]ear [a][b]out [h]ow you [s]to[l]e a [b]ag of [L]ays chip[s] from your [U]ni[v]er[s]ity [c]on[v]enien[c]e [s]tore as an [ei]ghteen year old---the on[l][y] end-g[a]me to that [s]ort of meta[ph][y]s[i]cs [i]s [a]theism. It’[s] r[u]th[l]e[ss][l][y] [d][ua][l]i[s]t [b]ut al[s]o [d]e[l]ightful[l][y] athei[s]t. I[f] y[ou] tr[u]l[y] [b]e[l][ie]ve God [w][i]shes to [s]peak [w][i]th [y]ou about the [y]oung man [y]ou [v][i]c[i]ous[l][y] threatened with [v]io[l]en[c]e [w]hen [y]ou [w]ere on[l][y] ninet[ee]n [y]ears old th[e]n [y]ou’re [e][ss]ential[l][y] an ath[ei][s]t. That’[s] how we [c]ould be[s]t de[s][c][r]ibe it. An idea [th]at [th]e ex[p]e[r]ien[c]e of God is [s]umma[r]ized verbal[l][y], [a]nd th[a]t all [s][p]i[r]itual ex[p]e[r]ien[c]e mu[s]t [d]efer to a[n] i[n]tel[l]ectual un[d]er[s]tan[d]ing of it---we're all Ang[l]o now. Of [c]our[s]e I [d]e[s]pised th[o]se two i[nn]o[c]e[n]t An[g][l][o] [g]irls, be[c]ause [I] [s]aw [m][y][s]elf in them---in [s]o [m]any ways I've [b]e[c]ome a[n] i[nn]o[c]ent An[g][l]o [g]irl ju[s]t [b]y d[i]nt of [l][i]v[i]ng [i]n the world [i]n a [c]on[t][i]nuous fashion. Wh[y] haven’t [I] re[t]ired [t]o an o[b][s][c]ure mountain [s]omewhere, to [b]e[c]o[m]e ρωμιο[σ]ύνη again? [B]ut that’s wh[y] [I] have no [q]ualms a[b]out de[s][p]ising [c]ertain [p][eo][p]le for no [p]arti[c]u[l]ar r[ea]son---[b]e[c]ause, at [b]ottom, we’re all essentia[ll]y Ang[l]o. Yet, if we’re [b]eing hone[s]t with our[s]elves, it’[s] [o]n[l][y] the h[o]me[l]ess who t[r]u[l][y] [r]ecognize the absur[d]ity of our a[ll]ege[d] [i]n[d][i]v[i]dua[l]ism---a [p]oor guy [s][l][ee][p]s in the [s]tr[ee]t, [a]nd we [a]ct [a]s if he [m]u[r]de[r]ed a [m]an. [S][o]me[o]ne falls on hard times, [b]eg[i]ns [d][r][i]nk[i]ng heavi[l][y], p[r]o[b]a[b][l][y] [d]oes a [d][e]cent amount of [d][r]ugs, [h]e [l]oses [h]is job, [h]is [h]ome, [h]is wife [l]eaves [h]im, [h]e’s [r]e[d]u[c]ed to [b]egging [p]eo[p]le on [s]t[r]eet [c]orners for [d]o[l]lar [b]ills and [s][l]eeping in a[l]ley[w]ays, and [w]e [a][c]t [a]s i[f] [h]is [h]ardshi[p] is a[n] i[n][c]onvenien[c]e [f]or u[s]---we’re o[ff]ended at his [p]overty. I’ve ex[p]erien[c]ed [m]ore [m]ali[c]e [d]i[r]e[c]ted at bums in the [p]a[s]t [d]e[c]ade tha[n] a[n]y [p][r][e]v[i]ous [d]e[c]ade I [c]an [r]e[c]all, the mali[c]e toward bums [s][ee]ms to b[e] in[c][r][ea][s]ing in this [c]ountry [a]t [a]n alm[o]st exp[o]nential [r]ate.

15--- 553:720 .768
They [v]iew it as a [s]e[v]ere aff[r]ont to [th]eir [l]i[b]erty [th]at a [b]um---who [s][l][ee][p]s in a[l]l[ey]s and [r]emains [p]ar[k]ed e[ss]ential[l][y] at [d]eath’s [d]oor [d]ay and night---should a[s][k] them for [s][p]are change. Our [s]o[c]iet[y] ab[j]ect[l][y] fails [p]eo[p]le, and [p]eo[p]le [w]ith a[l]leged moral [s]tanding [w]ithin our [s]o[c]iet[y] can hard[l][y] [b][e] [b]othered to [e]ven [w]itne[ss] a [b]um, to gaze at a [b]um [f]or a [b][r]ie[f] pe[r]iod of time, i[f] they’re [f]or[c]ed to [e]ven [m]i[n]i[m]al[l][y] i[n]te[r][a][c]t with a [b]um they [v]iew it [a]s a [s]ort of [s][a][c][r]i[l]ege. [V]iewing a [p]er[s]on [s]ans a [d]omi[c]ile is [c]on[s]i[d]ered an aff[r]ont to good [t]a[s]te. [B]ut who wouldn't [t]os[s] a [c]ou[p]le ex[t]ra [b]a[ck] if they [n][o] longer [h]ad a [h][o]me? There’s [n][o] doubt that [t]o [s]ome ex[t]ent we---all of u[s]---have failed th[e]se [p][eo][p]le in [s]ome way that’s [p]ro[b]a[b]l[y] mate[r][i]al. It’[s] one thing to [b]e [d][ow]n and [ou]t---[b]ut to [b]e on the [s]t[r]eet [d][r]in[k]ing a hal[f]-[f]illed [C][o][c][a]-[C][o][l][a] [b]ottle [f][i]lled w[i]th [i][l]l[i][c][i]t [s]u[b][s]tan[c]es, a[s]king [s]t[r]angers for mon[ey], [c][l]ear[l][y] on[l][y] partia[ll][y] a[w]a[r]e of [w]he[r]e you are, that [sh]ould, [f][r]an[k][l][y], be [sh]ame[f]ul [f]or all of us. Any[o]ne [c]an be[c][o]me a [c][r][a][ck] [a]ddi[c]t. [I]f the h[i][s]to[r]y of [c][r]a[ck] in this [c]ount[r]y has taught u[s] [a]nything it's that [a]ny[o]ne [c]an be[c][o]me a [c][r]a[ck]head. We’re all [c]a[p]a[b]le of [b]e[c]oming [c][r]a[ck]heads, given the a[pp][r]o[p][r]iate [c]ir[c]um[s]tan[c]es. The whites of [A][m]e[r]i[c]a [l][a]ughed [a]t the b[l][a][ck]s of [A][m]e[r]i[c]a du[r]ing the [c][r][a][ck] e[r]a, as the U[n]ited States govern[m]ent [p]um[p]ed [c][r][a][ck] into [b][l][a][ck] [n]eigh[b]orhoods, on[l]y to, [d]e[c]a[d]es [l]ater, f[i]nd ent[i]re [l]ower-[c][l]a[s]s white [c]o[m]mu[n]it[ie]s [t]urned in[t]o jun[k][ie]s, [b]a[ck]ed [b]y the U[n]ited [S]tates govern[m]ent, [b]a[ck]ed [b]y the phar[m]a[c]euti[c]al [c]ompanies, who [i]nd[i][s][c][r][i][m][i][n]ate[l]y to[ss]ed he[r]oin e[q]uiva[l]ents at any [l]ower-[c][l]a[ss] [w]hite [w]ith a [s]p[r]ained an[k]le that [w]ent [t]o their ph[y]s[i]c[i]an. A[n] e[n][t]ire ge[n]e[r]ation of white junkies e[m]erged s[ee][m]ing[l][y] overn[i]gh[t], the [l]aughter of wh[i][t]es [c][a][ck][l]ing at [c][r][a][ck] [c]o[c]aine un[d]oubted[l][y] [r]esoun[d][i]ng [i]n the [b][a][ck]g[r]ound. Yet just as the [b][l]a[ck] [p]o[p]u[l]ation of Ame[r]i[c]a e[ss]ential[l]y had no choi[c]e [b]ut to [b]e[c]ome [b][l][a][ck] [c][r][a][ck]heads, the white [p]o[p]u[l]ation of A[m]eri[c]a has si[m]i[l]ar[l][y] invo[l]un[t]ari[l][y] [t]ran[s][f]ormed in[t]o white jun[k]ies. [Ph]arma[c]euti[c]al [c]om[p]an[ie]s have a[t]tained [m]ul[t][i]-billion dol[l]ar [m]ar[k]et [c]a[p]s al[m]o[s]t ex[c][l]usive[l]y by [t]urning [p]oor [w]h[i]tes in[t]o [w]h[i]te jun[k]ies. Yet no [o]ne [w]ants to [d]eal [w]ith [w]h[i]te jun[k]ies [w]h[i]le they’re [d]rin[k]ing [w][i]ne [a]nd h[a]ving [a]p[p]e[t]izers. The [s]e[r]ve[r]s and the [c]u[s][t]ome[r]s [c]onve[r][s]e about what [s]te[p]s the [c]ity should [t]a[k]e [t]o [c]oun[t]e[r][a][c]t the white jun[k]ies and the b[l][a][ck] [c][r][a][ck]heads who invade the [l][i]nes of s[i]ght of [p]eo[p]le who've [d][r]iven tens of miles to [s][t]u[ff] their [f]a[c]es with [c]a[l]a[m]a[r]i and [m]ozza[r]e[ll]a [s][t]i[ck]s and ja[l]a[p]eno [p]o[pp]ers, to [d][r]ink [c][r]aft beers and [s]u[ck] [d]own wine [s][p][r]itzers. Th[e]se [p][eo][p]le just [c]an’t get enou[gh] t[r][a]ns [f][a]t, and they hate [b]ums. Th[e]se [p][e]o[p]le [s][p]end hours a day exam[i]n[i]ng the [i]nt[r]i[c]a[c]ies of [c][r]aft [b]eer [b]ut [c]om[p][l][e]te[l][y] [l]a[ck] the teme[r]it[y] to [e]ven [s][p][ea][k] with a [b]um.

16--- 516:676 .763
It never occurs to any of th[e]se [p][eo][p]le [th]at [th]eir own [l]atent ma[l][i][c]e [i]s [d]i[r]ect[l]y [r]e[s]pon[s]ible [f]or the [d]i[l]a[p]i[d][a]ted [s]t[a]te of their [f]el[l]ow [c][i]t[i]zens, [th]at [th]eir [c]om[p][l][i][c][i]t[y], their myo[p]i[c] and en[d]u[r]ing i[d]io[c][y] has [d]ire[c]t[l][y] [r]esulted in a [s]tate that’s shame[l]e[ss][l][y] [p][r]o[d]u[c]ed white jun[k]ies [a]nd b[l][a][ck] [c][r][a][ck]heads at a[l]arming [r]ates. It’s a shame [th]at [th]e c[i]ty [i]sn't [d]oing more, th[e]se [p][eo][p]le [s][ay] without a [t][r][a][c]e of i[r]ony, and [th]en [th]ey [d]i[s][c]u[ss] the [t]ange[r]ine a[f]ter[t]a[s]te in an over[p][r]i[c]ed [c][r]a[f]t [b]eer. Do you [t]aste [t]ange[r]ine at all?---No, I was getting [a] [b]it of [a] [B]artlett [p]ear a[f]ter[t]a[s]te! The [p]eo[p]le who [d][r]ink c[r]a[f]t [b]eer, it [s][ee][m]s to [m][e], [d]e[s][p]ite their a[d]van[t]ageou[s] and [c]al[c]u[l]ated [p]oses of [l]ibe[r]a[l]ism, are the [m]o[s]t una[p]o[l]ogeti[c]a[ll]y [c]a[p]ita[l]i[s]t [c][r][i][m][i]nals we have [i]n th[i][s] [c]ount[r]y. I’ve never heard a [c][r]a[f]t [b]eer enthusia[s]t a[p]o[l]ogize [f]or the idio[c]y of his [c]al[c]u[l]ated [l]i[b]eral [p]oses. The [c][r]a[f]t [b]eer d[r]in[k]ers instead m[ai]nt[ai]n a t[r]ans[p]a[r]ent [p]ose of [b]enign [l]i[b]e[r]a[l]ism, y[e]t [s][p][e]nd all of their [t][i]me [t][r][y]ing [t]o de[t]e[c]t the [s][l]ighte[s]t [t][r]a[c]e of Bart[l]ett [p]ear [i]n [a] [C]o[c]onut [I]ndi[a] [P][a]le [A]le---as o[pp]osed [t]o [e]ve[n] [a][t]tem[p]ting to [h]el[p] any of their fellow [h]uman b[e]i[n]gs. Th[e]se [p][eo][p]le who su[pp]ort [c][r]aft [b]eer ch[oo]se t[o] [b]uy [b][r]ands that a[l]l[e]g[e][d][l]y [d]o[n]ate to Good [C]auses, they [p][o][s]t to [s][o]cial [p][l]atforms to make [p]eo[p]le they d[o]n't k[n][ow] aware [th]at [th]ey [b]uy The [S][o]cially Re[s][p]on[s]i[b]le [B]eers, k[n][o]wing [e]ntire[l][y] well that all of these d[o][n]ations are [e][s]sentia[ll][y] cri[m]i[n]al, that [n][o]ne of thi[s] [m][o][n]ey ever [r][ea]ches the [p][eo][p]le it [n][ee]ds to [r][ea]ch, wh[i]ch [i]s [r]ea[d]ily a[p]pa[r]ent, [b]e[c]ause when they [s]it [d]own to or[d]er [s]aid [c][r]aft [b]eer all they [s]ee are [b]ums. [O]nly a [c][r]a[f]t beer d[r]in[k]er would [c]on[c][l]ude the [m][o]st e[ff]icient way of [h][e]lping [h]is [f][e][l]low [h]u[m]an [b][e]ing is [b]uying [m]ore [c][r]a[f]t [b][ee]r. The [r]ea[l]ity is [n]one of us k[n][o]w [w]hat t[o] d[o] [w]ith [b]ums, [w]e’re [p][r]ivy to [n][o] [b]um [s]o[l]utions, [n][o] [s]o[l]ution to our [b]um [p][r]o[b][l]ems, yet we k[n]ow all of these [b]ums are e[ss]entia[ll]y Ang[l]o. The white jun[k]ie and [b][l][a][ck] [c]r[a][ck]head are [b][o]th at [b]ottom entire[l]y Ang[l][o]. We k[n][o]w how to [p][r]o[d][u]ce [b][u]ms, [b][u]t we have [n][o] i[d]ea [w]hat t[o] [d][o] [w]ith these [b][u]ms [o]nce [w]e've [p][r]o[d]uced them. We [p][r]o[d]u[c]e [b]ums shame[l]e[ss][l][y], and then even more [sh]ame[l]e[ss][l][y] w[e] [sh][u]n th[e]se [b][u]ms from a[cc]epta[b]le [s]o[c]iety. Yo[u]'ll never meet [a] [p]er[s]on at [a] [r]estau[r]ant d[ow]nt[ow]n who [u]sed to [b]e a [b]um. It's im[p]o[ss]i[b]le for [b]ums to [r]e-en[t]er in[t]o [s]o[c]iety, there's a [w]all, an in[s]urmounta[b]le [w]all that’s [c]on[s]t[r]u[c]ted a[r]ound eve[r][y] [b][u]m [i]n th[i]s [c][ou]nt[r][y], betw[ee]n the st[r][ee]ts of a [d][ow]nt[ow]n and the [r]estau[r]ants of a [d][ow]nt[ow]n. A [r]estau[r]ant-[g]oer [c]an [b]e[c]o[m]e a [b][u]m, [b][u]t a [b][u]m will never a[g]ain [b]e[c]ome a [r]estau[r]ant-[g]oer.

17--- 500:689 .726
The harsh rea[l]ity is [th]at [th]ere’s [l]ittle we can [d]o [f]or our [f]e[ll]ow [c][i]t[i]zens who’ve reached [s]uch [d]i[l]a[p]i[d][a]ted [s]t[a]tes more [th]an [s]im[p][l]y talking to [th]em, and th[i]s [i]s [s]omething anyone who's [b]een in a [d]i[l]a[p]i[d][a]ted [s]t[a]te knows to [b]e [p][r]o[f]ound[l]y [t][r]ue. The e[n][t]ire i[n]du[s]t[r]y of [s]t[r]i[pp]ers and w[h]ores, in [f]act, should [b]e [r]e[h]a[b]i[l]it[a]ted [b][a]sed on this [p]oint a[l][o]ne, because n[o] one in our [s]o[c]iety gives the [d]i[l]a[p]i[d][a]ted [p]er[s]on more [t]ime of [d][ay] [th]an [th]e exo[t]ic [d]an[c]er. It's un[d]oubte[d][l]y true [th]at, [th]i[s] [c]e[n]tur[y], the exoti[c] [d]an[c]ing [c]om[m]u[n]it[y] has [d]one [m]ore for the [d][i]la[p]i[d]ated [p]er[s]on [c]o[m]mu[n]it[y] than the [C]atho[l]i[c] [ch]ur[ch] [c]o[m]mu[n]it[y]. Be[c]ause [s]tri[pp]ers and whores [i]nnate[l]y g[i]ve the [d]i[l]a[p]i[d][a]ted [p]er[s]on the time of [d][ay], any [s]tri[pp]er worth her [s]alt [i]n[s]t[i]n[c]t[i]ve[l]y kn[ow]s how to [s][p]ea[k] to the [d]i[l]a[p]i[d]ated [s][ou]l, the [d]i[l]a[p]i[d]ated [p]er[s]on ju[s]t needs [s]omeone to [l]i[s]ten to a [s]ob [s]tory for a [s]e[c]ond of time, [f]or [s]omeone to [c]are [f]or [a] [f][r]a[c]tio[n] of a[n] iot[a] of their day, to p[r]e[t]end [t]o [c]are in a way that's not g[r]oss[l]y [c]on[d]e[s]cen[d]ing in the [c][l][a][ss]i[c] bu[r]eau[c][r][a]ti[c] [m][a]nner. Yet [th]ere's [th]i[s] [m]i[s]guided n[o]tion [th]at [th]e [s]t[r]ipper [o]n[l][y] [t]al[k]s [t]o [c]u[s]to[m]ers, whe[n] i[n] [f]a[c]t the [s]tri[pp]er [s][p]ea[k]s to [i]n[f][i]nite[l][y] [m]ore [p]otential [c]u[s]to[m]ers th[a]n [a][c]tual [c]u[s]to[m]ers---the [s]u[cc]e[ss][f]ul [s]tri[pp]er, in [f]a[c]t, has no [m]ore than a [s][m]all hand[f]ul of [c]u[s]tomers that [p]ay her [b]ills---and, [b]y [c]ontra[s]t, it’[s] th[e]se [p]otential [c]u[s]to[m]ers who are [i]nf[i]n[i]te[l][y] [m]ore [l]i[k]e[l][y] to be [d]i[l]a[p]i[d]ated. The a[c]tual [c]u[s]to[m]er is [m]ore [l]i[k]e[l]y to be o[p]u[l]ent and jovial, un[r]e[s]t[r]ained and [d]e[c]a[d]ent, while the [p]otential [c]u[s]to[m]er is [a][l][m]ost [a][l]ways entire[l]y [d]i[l]a[p]i[d]ated. G[i]v[i]ng th[i][s] [p]o[t]ential cu[s]tomer the [t]ime of day is [a]lmo[s]t [a] [r]e[l][i]g[i]ous act on [th]e [p]arts of [th]e [s]t[r]i[pp]ers and whores. And it’s for [p][r]e[c]i[s]el[y] thi[s] [r][ea]son I have [s]o [m]uch [m]ore [r]e[s][p]ect for [s]t[r]i[pp]ers and whores than I [d]o [f]or the [m][e][d][i]an [c][r]a[f]t [b]eer [d][r]in[k]er. W[e] [b]e[l][ie]ve [c][r]a[f]t [b]eer [d][r]in[k]ers are [l]au[d]a[b]le mem[b]ers of our [s]o[c]iety, [w]hile [w]e [d]e[n]ig[r]ate [s]t[r]i[p]pers and whores, [b]ut I a[c]tual[l]y find [s]t[r]i[p]pers and whores to [b]e [l]au[d]a[b]le mem[b]ers of our [s]o[c]iety, wh[i]le [I] [d]e[n]ig[r]ate [c][r]aft beer [d][r]in[k]ers. There's [o]n[l]y [s][o] much you [c]an do for a guy who's [b]e[c]o[m]e a [b]u[m] on the [s]t[r]eet, one [p]arti[c]u[l]ar [b]um a[pp][r]oached me on a [s]e[c]o[n]d [d][a]te i[n] a[n] a[l]leyw[ay] a[n]d [r]e[f]erred to the [g]irl I [w]as [w]ith as my [w]i[f]e, and I [g]ave him ten [d]ol[l]ars, but even that [t]en [d]o[l]lars wasn't [s]in[c]ere, that [t]en [d]o[l]lars was a [d]i[s]ingenuou[s] [t]en [d]ol[l]ars, it was obviou[s][l]y [f]or the be[n]e[f]it of the girl I [w]as [w]ith. You [n][ee]d to [s][p][ea]k to [p][eo][p]le in [d][i]la[p]i[d][a]ted [s]t[a]tes, [l]arge[l]y [b]e[c]ause it's the on[l]y thing you [c]an [d]o that will, [a]t [b]ottom, h[a]ve a [p][a]l[p]a[b]le effe[c]t.

18--- 506:657 .770
What hap[p]ens to them will [l]arge[l]y [b]e [f]ata[l]i[s]ti[c], it will [b]e a matter of [f]ate [s]tat[i][s]t[i][c]ally [s][p]ea[k]ing, [b]ut it’[s] j[u][s]t [u]tter [c][r]uel[t]y [t]o ignore them, [t]o [t][r][ea]t them as [p][eo][p]le who [d]on’t [d]eserve the [t]ime of [d]ay, [n]ot eve[n] [a][n] iota of your [a]fter[n]oon, to [c]om[p][l][ai]n to your [w][ai]ter [b]e[c]ause a [w]hite jun[k]ie in your [l][i]ne of s[i]ght is ruining the [B]art[l]ett [p]ear after[t][a]ste of your [t]en do[l]lar I[P][A]. [B]ut th[i][s] [i]s what’[s] happened to [s][o] many [d][ow]nt[ow]ns, these [s]ame [d][ow]nt[ow]ns I [s]till g[o] to, these [d][ow]nt[ow]ns th[a]t h[a]ve [m]y [m]e[m]ories [f]ol[d]ed into them, [m]aybe a [d]e[c]a[d]e or [m]ore [f]ol[d]ed into [th]em---[th]ey’ve [b]e[c]ome i[n]un[d]ated with [c][r]aft [b]eer [d][r]in[k]ers. It’s [n]ot [th]e [b]ums who o[ff]end me, [n]o, it’s the [c][r]a[f]t [b]eer [d][r]in[k]ers who o[ff]end me. It’s the [p]eo[p]le who [b]e[l][ie]ve twelve [d]o[l]lars for a [b]eer is an a[pp][r]o[p][r]iate [p][r]ice to [p]ay for a [b]eve[r]age. It’[s] the [p]eo[p]le who thin[k] [d]i[s][c]u[ss]ing the afterta[s]te of ho[p]s is an a[pp][r]o[p][r]iate [c]onver[s]ation to have in [p]ub[l]i[c]. It’[s] the [p]eo[p]le who be[l][ie]ve [s]t[r]i[pp]ers and whores are [p]eo[p]le we should [l]ook down u[p]on a [p][r]io[r][i]---it’[s] the [p]eo[p]le who [m][ai]n[t][ai]n all the [s][o]cia[l]l[y] a[pp][r][o][p][r][i]ate o[p]inions but [d]i[s][p][l]ay all of the [m][o][s]t [c]oward[l][y] [t]e[n][d]e[n][c]ies. Our [d][ow]nt[ow]ns are [b]eing [r]uined [b]y th[e]se [p][eo][p]le, w[h]o [h]ave the [c]o[r]re[c]t o[p][i]n[i]ons on eve[r]y issue---at [b]ottom all th[e]se [p][eo][p]le [c]are a[b]out is m[ai]nt[ai]ning the [c]or[r]e[c]t o[p][i]n[i]on on any issue [a]t h[a]nd. Our d[ow]nt[ow]ns [w]ere [o]n[c]e [g][r][ea]]t [p][l][a][c]es to [g][r]ab a [s][l]i[c]e of [p]izza---f[i]lled w[i]th bums and [s]t[r]i[pp]ers and whores---[b]ut [n][ow] our [d][ow]nt[ow]ns are i[n]un[d]ated with [c][r]a[f]t [b]eer [d][r]in[k]ers and [f][r]ied [c][a][l][a][m]a[r]i and [m]ozza[r]el[l]a [s]ti[ck]s and j[a][l][a][p]eno [p]o[pp]ers and [p]eo[p]le who have [s]ocial[l][y] a[cc][e][p]table o[p][i]n[i]ons on [e]ve[r]ything. [I]t’[s] d[i][s]gu[s]ting [r]ea[l]l[y]. [B][u]t [o]f course a[ll] [r]ationa[l][i]sm [i]s [l]ittle more than a[b][s]ur[d]i[s]t [p][r]o[p]agan[d]a. It’s on[l][y] via [r]ationa[l]ism, [a]n [e][ss]entia[ll][y] Ang[l]o con[c]ept, that we find our[s]elves [w][i]th[i]n a [p][r][i]sm [w]here eve[r]yth[i]ng [i]s Ang[l]o, [w]h[e]re [e]ve[r]y [w]hite jun[k]ie and b[l][a][ck] [c][r][a][ck]head are [e][q]ua[ll][y] Ang[l][o]. It's [o]n[l][y] [w]he[n] [w]e atte[n]d the [f]une[r]als of c[l][o]se [f][r]ie[n]ds who die ab[s]urd[l]y young that w[e] [r][ea][l]ize [th]i[s], [th][a]t all [r][a]tiona[l][i]sm [i]s [l]ittle more than [l]u[r][i]d absu[r][d][i]st [p][r]o[p]agan[d]a. On[l][y] [p][eo][p]le who attend these [f]une[r]als under[s]tand thi[s] [f][r]om ex[p]e[r]ien[c]e. We [r]ealize not ju[s]t the a[b][s]urdit[y] of th[e]se [c]onver[s]ations [b]ut the a[b][s]urdit[y] of our[s]elves---A[n]d eve[n] i[n] my [c]ase, it was on[l][y] a [f]ew years [a][g]o when [a] [g]ood [f]riend of m[i]ne [f][i]nal[l][y], a[f]ter years of [s][ee]ming[l][y] [c][ea][s]e[l]e[ss] [s]u[ff]e[r]ing, g[a]ve in to [l][a]te [s]t[a]ge b[r][ai]n [c]an[c]er. The entire ord[ea]l was [c][r]i[m]i[n]al, and to [b]e [c][l][ea]r I was p[r]o[b]a[b][l]y one of the [m]ost [c][r]i[m]i[n]al.

19--- 434:601 .722
[M]y social [c][r][i][m][i][n]a[l][i]ty h[a]s [p]erh[a][p]s [n]ever been [m]ore a[c]ute than [d]u[r]ing this [p]e[r]iod of [m][y] [l][i]fe. [M][y] [f][r]iend was [d]iag[n]o[s]ed with [l][a]te [s]t[a]ge [b][r][ai]n [c]an[c]e[r] and moved [b]a[ck] in [w][i]th h[i]s pa[r]ents [w]here, [n]ot [l]ong a[f]ter, h[e] [s]u[ff]ered a [s]eizure wh[i]le [d][r][i]ving, [t]otaled his car, and was [f][r]om then on [f]orbi[dd]en [t]o [d][r]ive. [S]o n[a]tu[r]a[ll][y], [b]eing a good [f][r]iend, [b]eing [a]ctua[ll][y] a [b]etter [f][r]iend to him than even a [f]ew of the [f][r]iends [h]e'd [h]ad [f]or [d]e[c]a[d]es, a [b]etter [f][r]iend at lea[s]t in [t]erms of [t]ime [s][p]ent, I [t]oo[k] it u[p]on [m]y[s]el[f] to [d][r][i]ve [t]o his [p]a[r]ents’ house [m]ul[t]i[p]le [t][i]mes [p]er [w]ee[k], after [w]or[k], [w]here I alrea[d]y had a [d]ecent [c]om[m]ute, [w]hich [w]asn't a[n] i[n]s[i]gn[i]f[i][c]ant [d][r]ive, to his [p]a[r]ents’ [h]ouse, to [h]ang out w[i]th h[i]m, to [p][i]ck h[i]m u[p] and then d[r]ive him to other [p]laces [w]here [w][e]'d hang [ou]t [f]or a [r][ea]sonable am[ou]nt of time, [w]here a[f]ter[w]ard [I]'d [d][r][i]ve [h]im back to [h]is pa[r]ents' [h]ou[s]e. Th[i][s] was a [d][i][ff][i][c]ult or[d]eal [f]or my [f][r]iend [a]s you [c]an im[a]gine, and there were va[r]ious [s]e[r]ies [o]f [u]p[s] and [d]owns---had I [b]een [b]orn into [w]ealth I’d have [d]one [w]hatever he a[s]ked, [b]ut [b]ein[g] a wor[k]in[g] [s]tiff there was [o]nly [s][o] much that I [c]ould do, there [w]ere [t]imes he [w]an[t]ed [t]o get an ice [c][r]eam [c]one and I, unfortunate[l][y], had to [d]o [l]aun[d][r][y]. A young man with [l][a]te [s]t[a]ge [b][r][ai]n [c]an[c]er, e[ss]ential[l][y] a [d]eath [s]enten[c]e, [w]anted to [b]uy [m]e a [m]int [ch]o[c]o[l]ate [ch]i[p] [w]affle [c]one, [b]ut I had to [p]ol[i]te[l][y] [d]e[c][l][i]ne [b]e[c]ause [I] nee[d]ed to wash my [b]oxer [b][r]ie[f]s. I[n] a[n]y [c]a[s]e his girl[f][r]iend, who was [y]ounger [th]an [th]e two of u[s] [y]et [s]till [y][ou]ng, [d][u]mped him not long a[f]ter, and [f][r]om this we [c]on[c][l]u[d]ed that ap[p]a[r]ent[l]y [w]aiting [f]or him [t]o [d]ie [w]as [t]oo much of a bu[r]den [f]or her, wh[i]ch [i]n [r]et[r]o[s][p]ect I [s]u[pp]ose is [f]air [e][n]ou[gh], [n]ot [e]ve[r]y[o]ne has the [p][a]tien[c]e to [w][ai]t [f]or [s][o]me[o]ne to die, a [t]erm[i][n][a]l [i]ll[n]e[ss], for [s]ome [p][eo][p]le, [c]an just [b][e] a [b]it [t]oo in[c]onvenient, a [t]ad [t]oo [c]um[b]er[s]ome. At the [t]ime, I d[i]dn't th[i]nk [m]uch of it, [m]y [f]riend was [f]air[l]y [t]orn [u]p [a][b]out it, and who could [b][l]ame him?---[b]ut, again, with the ex[c]e[p]tion of [c]on[s]o[l]ing a [p]er[s]on in a mo[r]e o[r] [l]e[ss] gene[r]i[c] [w]ay there's not much [w]e [c]an [r]ea[l]i[s]ti[c]a[ll]y do. We [c]an [t]ell our [d]ying [f][r]iend that his ex-girl[f][r]iend is a [t]e[r]ri[b]le person, a [t]aw[d][r]y whore, that he [d]eserves [b]etter, [b]ut the [r]ea[l][i]t[y] [i]s there's [n]ear[l][y] [n]othing [y]ou [c]an tell a [y]oung per[s]on who, in all [l]i[k]e[l]ihood, will [d]ie a [s][l]ow [d]eath, there’s [n]ext to [n]othing you [c]an tell [h]im that will [c]om[f]ort [h]im when [h]is att[r]a[c]tive girl[f][r]iend [r]uth[l]ess[l][y] [l][ea]ves him.

20--- 483:709 .681
It’[s] g[r][ea]t to [s][ay], it's an [a]ppealing i[d]e[a] to [th]in[k] [th]at we [c]an [a][r]r[i]ve at the [d]oor of a [d][y]ing young man and [a]lter his li[f]e [f]or the [b]etter, [b]ut [i]t’[s] [s][i]gn[i][f][i][c]antly [m]ore d[i][ff][i][c]ult [th]an you [m]ight [th]in[k], in [p]ra[c]ti[c]e it’[s] [m]o[r]e o[r] [l]e[ss] an [i][m][p]o[ss][i]b[i][l][i]t[y]. You [i][m][a]gine [a]t [th]e time [th]at you're [s]aying [s]omething un[i]que[l][y] en[l]ighte[n]i[n]g whe[n] i[n] rea[l]it[y] you're ju[s]t mind[l]e[ss][l][y] [s]pewing ge[n]e[r]i[c] [c]on[d]o[l]en[c]e[s]---ge[n]e[r]i[c] [c]on[d]o[l]en[c]e[s] that a[r]e [h]a[r]d[l]y of any [h]e[l]p at a[ll]. [H]aving [s]aid that, [d]u[r]ing my [d]ay-to-[d]ay [r]outi[n]e I [th]ought almo[s]t no[th]i[n]g of his ex-girl[f][r]iend, I le[f]t it [a]t [th][a]t, I [th]ought she was t[a]king the easy w[ay] out, there's [n]o [d][ou]bt a[b][ou]t that, [b]ut I [d]i[d]n't [n]e[c]e[ss]ari[l]y cu[r][s]e her [n]ame in m[y] pe[r][s]onal t[i]me, I [f]elt [l]ike it was her decision, and ulti[m]ate[l]y i[f] she [f]elt as though my [f]riend wasn't the pe[r][s]on she [w]anted to [w]ait [f]or, in a te[r][m]inal [s]e[n][s]e, then I re[s][p]e[c]ted th[a]t [a]s her [d]e[c]ision, [th]at [th]ere was little any of u[s] [c]ould [d]o [b]es[i][d]es re[s][p]e[c]t her [d]e[c]ision and [s][p]ea[k] [p]oorly of her [b]eh[i]nd her [b]a[ck]. I d[i]dn't th[i]n[k] m[u]ch [o]f it at all a[c]tua[l]l[y] un[t]il the [f]o[ll]o[w]ing [w][e]e[k]end [w]hen I [w]as at [a] bar [a][r]ound [c][l]osing [t]ime with a [c][l]ose [f][r]iend, and I [f]elt a tap on my sh[ou]l[d]er, [o]n[l]y to [f][i][n]d this ex-girl[f][r]iend of my [d][y]i[n]g [f][r]iend. [Sh]e said [sh]e ju[s]t wanted to [s]ay hi, and [s]ub[s]e[q]uent[l][y] I [s]aid h[e][ll]o, y[e]t [o]n[l][y] a few [m][o][m]ents [l]ater I [r]e[c]eived yet a [s]e[c]ond tap on the shoulder. Now this ex-girl[f][r]iend's [f][r]iend, who a[cc]om[p]anied her to the l[o][c]ale, was [s]tanding in [f][r]ont of my [p]er[s]on, and she [p][r][o][c]eeded to in[f]orm me that I was [q]u[o]te-un[q]u[o]te “[k]ind of [r]ude” to m[y] [d][y]ing [f][r]iend's ex-girl[f][ri]end, that I [c]ould [h]ave said [h]e[ll]o just a [l]ittle more [c]ordia[ll][y], this [f][r]iend of m[y] d[y]ing [f][r]iend's ex-girl[f][r]iend [a]ctua[l]l[y] h[a][d] the au[d][a][c]it[y] to [s]t[a]nd there and with in a [s]tate of [s]in[c]erity [s][p]ea[k] th[e]se exa[c]t words to m[e], to [p]ro[c][l]aim that it was a[c]tual[l][y] m[e], [th]at I [w]as [th]e [p]erson w[h]o [w]as [c]ommitting the faux [p]as [h]ere, that [I] [w]as the [o]ne just a [l]ittle out of [l][i]ne, that my [l]e[ss] than enthusia[s]tic [h]e[ll]o was the [t]rue a[f]f[r]ont to good [t]aste [h]ere. Given the [c]ir[c]um[s][t]an[c]es, [m]y [t]e[n]de[n][c]y [t]oward the i[n][t]empe[r]ate [t]oo[k] hold of me, and I in[f]ormed them [b]oth of [m]y [f]ee[l]ings on the [m][a]tte[r], that I [p]erha[p]s in[f]ormed them of [m]y [f]ee[l]ings i[n] a[n] acer[b]ic [m][a]nne[r], in [p]erha[p]s the [m]o[s]t a[c]erbi[c] [m][a]nner I [c]ould i[m][a]gine [a]t the time. I let them k[n][ow] in [n][o] unce[r]tain [t]e[r]ms who I [b]e[l]ieved was [c]o[m]mitting the [t]rue f[aux] p[a]s at this [b][a]r, [l]ate [i][n] the [e]vening, [w]here [w]e [w]ere all [i][n][e][b][r][i]ated. [I][n] a[n]y [c]a[s]e, ju[s]t [m][o][m]ents later I [r]e[c]eived an a[dd][i]t[i]o[n]al ta[p] on my sh[ou][l][d]er. The [b]oun[c]er of the [b]ar [s]tood in [f][r]ont of me, [r][a]ther [a][p]athetic, and in[f]ormed [m][e] th[a]t I n[ee]ded to l[ea]ve the [p]re[m]ises be[c]ause “the girl [o]ver there,” [q]u[o]te-un[q]u[o]te, was [c][l]aiming I ph[y]s[i][c]a[l]ly [h]it [h]er.

21--- 596:752 .793
A girl who j[u][s]t [d][u]mped m[y] [d][y]ing [f]riend [s]aid [h]e[l]lo to me then [h]ad [h]er [f]riend ver[b]a[ll][y] [a][s]sault m[e] for [a][ll]eged[l][y] not [b]eing [e]nthusias[t]ic [e]nou[gh] when I [r]eturned [h]er [r]ep[r]ehen[s]i[b]le [h]e[ll]o, then I [s]u[b][s]e[q]uent[l][y] ver[b]a[ll][y] a[ss]aulted [b]oth [h]er and [h]er [f][r]iend [f]or [c]on[c]erning [th]em[s]elves with en[th]usia[s]ti[c] g[r]eet[i]ngs as o[pp]osed to [p]eo[p]le [d]y[i]ng arduou[s] [d]eaths, then sh[e] [f]al[s]e[l][y] a[cc]used m[e] of [ph][y]s[i][c]a[ll][y] [h]itting [h]er in a [p]ub[l]i[c] [p][l]a[c]e. [L][u][c]ki[l][y] en[ou][gh] [f]or m[e], [th]i[s] notion [th]at a [p]er[s]on [p]unched a [f]emale in a venue [d]en[s]e[l][y] [p][a][c]ked [a]t th[a]t [c]a[p][a][c]ity, yet m[a]naged to [l][a]nd a [p]unch [s]o [c][l]an[d]e[s]tine[l][y] [n][o] one in the venue [n][o]ti[c]ed, that [n][o] eye [w][i]t[n][e][ss]es [e]me[r]ged [w]as ab[s]u[r]d to all [p]arties in[v]olved, yet I [s]till [v]igorou[s][l][y] [p][l][e]ad my [c]a[s]e, be[c]ause I’d ne[v]er [p][l]ead guilty whe[n] i[nn]o[c]ent, [s]o I vigo[r]ou[s]l[y] [d]e[f]en[d]ed my [n]ame against what I [c]o[r]re[c]t[l][y] in[t]er[p][r]eted [t]o be a [t]otal [d]e[f][a][m]ation of [m]y [c]hara[c]ter, [a]gainst thi[s] t[a][s]te[l]e[ss] [c]hara[c]ter a[ss]a[ss]in[a]tion, a [l]eg[i]t[i]mate a[ss]a[ss]in[a]tion [a][tt]empt, all---un[b]e[l][ie]va[b]le as it may [s][ee]m---as a [s]u[b][s]e[q]ue[n]t [r]e[s]ult of me [r]efu[s]ing to [r]eturn a[n] e[n]thu[s]ia[s]ti[c] he[l]lo. A[n] une[n]thusiastic he[ll]o near[l][y] [t]urned m[e] in[t]o an [s]eriou[s][l][y] a[ll][e]g[e]d [f][e][l]on, and as I’m de[f]ending my[s]el[f] [v]igo[r]ou[s][l][y], [p]erha[p]s [e]ven [e][x][c]e[ss]ive[l][y] [v]igo[r]ou[s][l][y], the [e][x]-girl[f][r]ie[n]d [a]m[b]les over with her [d]ege[n]e[r]ate [f][r]ie[n]d [a]nd [a]dmits that her [c][l][ai]m was entire[l][y] [f]a[b][r]i[c][a]ted, th[a]t it h[a]d [a][b][s]o[l]ute[l][y] no [b]a[s]i[s] in [r]ea[l]it[y]---a[n]d the[n] the [e]x-[g]irl[f]rie[n]d a[n]d her [d]ege[n]e[r]ate [f][r]ie[n]d, the t[r]ue [N]azi of [e]nthusiastic [g][r]eetings, [d][r][i]ve [r][igh]t off, ad[m]itting in [s]o [m]any [w]ords [th]at [th]ey [w]ere in the busine[ss] of a[ss]a[ss]inating the [c]ha[r]a[c]ter of anyone who [f][ai]led to [s][ay] he[l]lo to [th]em en[th]usia[s]ti[c]a[l]ly, [th]at [th][ey] e[q][ua]ted a [l]e[ss] [th]an en[th]usia[s]ti[c] g[r][e]eting w[i]th [ph][y]s[i][c]al vio[l]en[c]e. The next morning I [r]e[c][e]ived a [c]all [f][r]om my [s]i[ck] [f][r]iend, [a]nd [a]s he add[r]e[ss]ed the [s]ituation [f]rom the p[r][e]v[i]ou[s] night, it [b]e[c]ame [r]e[l]ative[l][y] [c][l]ear to m[e] that h[e] was, [f]or [l]a[ck] of a [b]etter [ph][r][a]se, t[a][k]ing her [s]ide. In [m][y] [m][i]nd at the t[i]me thi[s] de[f]en[s]e of thi[s] per[s]on was [s][y][n]o[n][y][m]ou[s] w[i]th ta[k]ing her [s]ide, which, [a]s you [c][a]n i[m][a]gine, [l]ed to a [b]it of a [f]a[l]ling out [b]etween u[s], as [h]e [f]ound [h]im[s][e]l[f] a[tt][e]mp[t]ing [t]o [w]or[k] [th]ings out [w]i[th] a girl w[h]o now [h]at[e]d [e]ve[r]y a[s]pe[c]t of my [b]eing and [v]i[c]e [v]er[s]a. It was [a] [b]it [o]f an im[b][r][o]gli[o], [b]e[c]ause n[ow] I [f][ou]nd my[s]el[f] e[ss]entially a[b]an[d]onin[g] m[y] [d][y]in[g] [f][r]iend as well. I [g]ave his [e][x]-[g]irl[f][r]i[e]nd [a]n [e][x]ten[d]ed ha[r]angue [r]e[g]ar[d]ing her [r]uth[l]ess aban[d]on[m]ent of [m][y] [d][y]ing [f][r]iend, then just [d][ay]s [l][a]ter I [f]ound my[s]el[f] [a]l[s]o [r]uth[l]e[ss][l]y [a]ban[d]on[i]ng h[i]m. Eventual[l][y] w[e]’d [s][ee] [ea]ch other again, [m][y] d[y]ing frie[n]d a[n]d [I], we'd [s][p]end [l][i][m][i][t]ed [t]ime [t]ogether here and there, of [c]our[s]e, our [f]riendshi[p] [d]i[d]n’t [c][ea][s]e [c]om[p][l][e]te[l][y], and it was [f]ine, there was no [b]itter[n]e[ss] [p]er [s]e, [b]ut our [f][r]iendshi[p], [f][r]ank[l][y], was obviou[s][l][y] [n]ever the [s]ame.

22--- 522:679 .769
His ex-[g]irl[f]ri[e]nd [a][b]andoned him, then she [f]elt as th[ough] I [g]ave her an [i][n][s][i][n][c]ere hel[l][o] at [a] [b]ar, then I [d]i[s][c][l][o]sed my t[r]ue thoughts on her [c]ha[r]a[c]ter, her [d]e[s]pi[c]a[b]le [c]hara[c]ter, her [r]uth[l]e[ss] a[b]an[d]on[m]ent of [m][y] [d][y]ing f[r]iend, then ju[s]t [d][ay]s [l][a]ter I [a]l[s]o [r]uth[l]e[ss][l]y [a]ban[d]oned m[y] [d][y]ing f[r]iend. It [t]oo[k] [q]u[i]te a [l]ong [t][i]me for him to [d][i]e---he [l]o[s]t [h]is [s]ight, and [h]e was almo[s]t ent[i]re[l]y b[l][i]nd, [h]e was admi[tt]ed to [h]o[s]pitals i[n] a [t]er[m]i[n]a[l]ly [i][n][t]er[m][i]tte[n]t fashion, v[i]s[i]t[i]ng w[i]th h[igh]-[p]r[i][c]ed [s][p]ecia[l]i[s]ts that brought [n][o][th]ing [o][th]e[r] [th]an [u]tte[r] [f]i[n][a]ncial [r]uin to his [f][a]mi[l]y, and [e]ventual[l][y] h[e] was [e][n]c[l]osed i[n] his bed[r]oom f[r][o]m [s][u]n[s]et [t]o [d]awn [t]o [d]inner, in [h]is pa[r]ents’ [h]ouse, an only child, a[b]an[d]oned [b]y [b]oth his [g]irl[f][r]iend and his [g]ood [f][r]iend. [F]our years [l][a]ter I [h]eard that [h]e’d entered [h]o[s]pi[c]e, that [h]e [l][ai]d on [h]is [d]eathbed, and I arr[a]nged to p[ay] h[i]m a v[i]s[i]t the [s]u[b][s]e[q]uent [m]orning with [m]y [c][ou]sin, [b][u]t he [d]ied over[n]ight. [D][ay]s l[a]ter, his [m]other [n]oted t[o] a [m][u]t[u]al [f][r]iend that she’d [p][r]e[f]er h[i]s [i]m[p]en[d]ing [f]une[r]al to be a [s][m]all [c]e[r]e[m]ony, that she [d]i[d]n't want it to [b]e a [b]ig [c][r]owd, a[n]d I [c]o[n][s]idered not atten[d]ing [b][e][f]ore [b][e]ing ulti[m]ately [c]o[n]vin[c]ed [b]y a [m]utual [f]rie[n]d [t]o [a][tt]e[n]d. [A]gai[n]st [m]y better judg[m]ent I [a]tte[n][d]ed the [f]uneral, y[e]t the [s][e][c]ond I [s]aw my [d][ea]d [f]ri[e]nd’s made-up [c]or[p][s]e in the [c]o[ff]in, the [s][e][c]ond [I] [s]t[e]p[p]ed in [s][igh]t of the [c]offi[n], a bout of i[n]t[e]nse [r]eg[r][e]t [c]ame over me, and [I] [r]eal[i]zed [I] had no [b]usine[ss] [a]tten[d]ing thi[s] [f]une[r]al, that I [a][b]an[d]oned m[y] [d][y]ing [f][r]iend, a[n]d the[n] I h[a][d] the au[d][a][c]it[y] to [a]ttend his [f]une[r]al, [e][ss]e[n]tia[ll][y] agai[n][s]t his own [m]other's [w][i]sh[e]s---not ex[p][l][i]c[i]t[l][y] again[s]t his [m]other's [w][i]sh[e]s but [i]m[p][l][i]c[i]t[l][y] again[s]t his [m]other's [w][i]sh[e]s. There was [n][o] [d]oubt his [m]other [m][o][s]t [l]ike[l][y] would have [p][r]eferred I [n]ot attend. There was [n]o [d]oubt, if [p][r]e[ss]ed, she would have [a]t [l][ea][s]t bee[n] [a]gn[o][s]ti[c] [v][i]s-[a]-[v][i]s my [a]tte[n][d]an[c]e, wh[i]ch, [c]on[s][i]dering her [p]re[f]eren[c]e was a [s][m]all [c]ere[m]ony, is [t]an[t]a[m]ount to [p][r]e[f]e[r]ring my ab[s]en[c]e. V[i]a the [p][r]o[c]ession [l][i]ne, it was [c][l]ear his [p]a[r]ents [c][l]ear[l][y] [ei]ther [d]i[d]n’t re[m]e[m][b]er [m]e or [d]e[l]i[b]erate[l][y] forgot m[e]. In my [s][ea]t I [c][ea][s]e[l]e[ss][l][y] [s]pe[c]u[l]ated whether they [d]i[d]n’t re[m]e[m][b]er me or [d]e[l]i[b]erate[l][y] for[g]ot m[e]. Me---the [g]uy who used to always [g]o [p]i[c]k u[p] their son, what a [g]reat [g]uy, I u[s]ed to go [p]i[ck] their [s]on u[p] more [f][r]e[q]uentl[y] than [e]ven his childhood [f][r]iends, [I] was such a n[i]ce g[uy], yet eventually of [c]our[s]e I [s]to[p]ped [c]o[m]ing [a]round, I [a][b]an[d]oned their [d]ying son [l]i[k]e we [a]ll eventua[ll][y] [a][b]an[d]on the ter[m]ina[ll][y] ill, and [s]u[b][s]e[q]uent[l][y] his pa[r]ents [f]orgot a[b]out m[e], and [r]ight[f]u[ll][y] [s]o. It would h[a]ve [a][c]tua[l]l[y] [b]een di[s]ta[s]te[f]ul [f]or the[m] to [r]e[m]e[m][b]er [m]e.

23--- 549:733 .749
The [m]o[m]ent I w[i]tn[e]ssed, [i]n [m][y] [d]ead [f]riend's [f]ather's e[y]es, that h[e] [ei]ther [i][n[t][e][n]t[i]ona[ll][y] or un[i][n][t][e][n]t[i]ona[ll][y] [f]or[g]ot m[y] [i][d]e[n]tit[y] I k[n]ew a[t]te[n][d]ing thi[s] [f]u[n]e[r]al was a [g][r][a]ve mi[s]t[a]ke. I s[a]t [b][a][ck] down in my [b][l][a][ck] [f]old out chair and [s]aid to my[s]el[f] Th[i]s [i]s the [l][a][s]t [f]u[n]eral I’ll attend, because [a]ttending a [f]u[n]eral is [a]lw[ay]s [a] [m]i[s]t[a]ke, it’[s] the [m]o[s]t [i]n[s][i]p[i]d [m][i][s]t[a][k]e we [c]an [m][a][k]e. [A][t]ten[d]ing a we[dd]ing [m]ay [b]e [a] [f]aux paus [b]ut [a][t]ten[d]ing a [f]uneral is [a]lw[ay]s a[n] i[n][a]ne [m]ist[a]ke. We [a]ll [g]ather [a][r]ound, [a]ll [f][r]iends and [f]ami[l][y], to [g]aze [i]d[i]oti[c]al[l][y] at a [s]ti[f]f [c]orp[s]e, then we [g][o] eat at a [l][o][c]al [r]e[s]tau[r]ant---we all [m]ind[l]e[ss][l][y] [s]tare at a [d]ea[d] bo[d][y], then we have a [n]i[c]e [m]eal. There’s [n]othing [m]ore [d]i[s]ingenuou[s] than a [f]u[n]eral, and the [m][o][s]t [d]i[s]ingenuou[s] [f]u[n]erals are th[o]se held [f]or the young. An esse[n]tially i[n]ter[m]i[n]a[b]le [d]isease, [b]ut the [m]e[d]i[c]al [p][r]o[f]essional [m]ade a [s][i]g[n][i][f][i][c]ant [f]ortune in the [p][r]o[c]e[s]s. A [c]a[r]eer’s [w]o[r]th for the [w]o[r][k]ing [c]lass, no [d]oubt. They exten[d]ed his [s]u[ff]e[r]ing, the [s]u[ff]e[r]ing of his [f]ami[l]y, the [s]u[ff]e[r]ing of eve[r]yone [a]round [h]im, then [a][l]lowed [h]im to [d]ie. [H]ow [m]a[n]y [h]un[d]re[d]s of thousands of [d]o[l]lars, [i]f [n]ot [m][i]ll[i]ons of [d]o[l]lars, were [s][p]e[n]t, only to exte[n]d a [m]an’s [s]uffe[r]ing and [s]till a[ll]ow him to [p]e[r]ish [p][r]e[m]ature[l]y? [B]ut of [c]our[s]e they [s]till a[cc]e[p]ted [p]ay[m]ent, [b]e[c]ause you never get [a]n A [f]or [e][ff]ort in this [c]ount[r]y, un[l][e][ss] you’re a m[e]di[c]al [p][r]o[f][e]ssional. It's on[l]y [d]o[c]tors who h[a]ve the au[d][a][c]ity to extend a [s][o]n’s [s][u][f]fe[r]ing, watch him [d]ie, and [s]ti[ll] [r]uin the [f][a]mi[l][y] [f]in[a]ncia[ll][y]. We think [s]o high[l][y] of [d]o[c]tors in this [c]ount[r][y], yet it [s][ee][m]s to [m]e that [d]o[c]tors are g[r]eater charlatans now [th]an [th]ey've ever [b]een. [B]ut of [c]our[s]e I atten[d]ed the [r]e[c]eption as [w][e]ll, [w]h[e]re the [d][i][s][i]ngenuous nature of the [e][n]tire [e]ve[n]t [r]eal[l][y] [c]ame into fo[c]u[s]. The [d][i][s][i]ngenuous [n][a]ture of the [e]ntire or[d]eal [n]atural[l][y] [r][ea]ched its [a][p]ex at the [r]e[c]e[p]tion, as it [b]ec[a]me ju[s]t a[n]other [s]ocial [e]vent. [I]t’[s] [i]m[p]o[ss]i[b]le to have an iot[a] of [r]e[s][p]ect [f]or your[s]el[f] or the [s]o[c]iety you [p]arti[c]i[p]ate in a[f]ter [a][tt]ending a[n] eve[n]t of th[a]t m[a]gni[t]ude. [S][i]tt[i]ng [i]n th[a]t b[l][a][ck] [f]old-out chair, [s]ta[r]ing at my d[ea]d [f][r][ie]nd's heavi[l]y [m][a]de u[p] [c]or[p][s]e, it [f][ai]led [t]o o[cc]ur [t]o [m]e then---I was t[oo] [c]on[s][u]med with di[s]gu[s]t [f]or my[s]el[f]---but in [r]et[r]o[s]pe[c]t my on[l]y [c]on[c][l][u]sion [f]rom that [d]ay is ju[s]t th[a]t, th[a]t [r][a]tiona[l][i]sm [i]s no[th]ing [m]o[r]e [th]an [th]e [m]o[s]t [l]u[r]id [f]o[r]m of ab[s]ur[d]i[s]t [p][r]o[p]agan[d]a. We’ve [c]o[n][s]t[r]u[c]ted a [r][a]tiona[l]i[s]t [A]ng[l]o world that h[a]sn’t [c]o[n][s]umed everything---not [q]uite yet---[b]ut that [s]till [r]e[m]ains e[ss][e]ntial[l]y o[b]j[e][c]tiona[b]le, ju[s]t as the [m][y][s]t[i][c] [B][y]z[a]ntine world, it’s natural oppos[i]te, was, [i]n [i]t[s] [e][ss]en[c]e, al[s]o [e]ntire[l]y o[b]j[e]ctiona[b]le. And the [d]o[c]tors who t[r]eat our [d][ea]d [f][r][ie]nds, [p][r]o[l]onging their [s]u[ff]e[r]ing and buying [h]omes in the [H]am[p]tons w[i]th the [c][r][i]m[i]nal [p][r]o[c]eeds, they're o[b]j[e]ctiona[b]le in [e]ve[r]y way.

24--- 368:499 .737
And the [p]eo[p]le who [a][ss][a][ss]i[n]ate our [c]ha[r]a[c]ters [b]e[c]ause [th]ey [f]eel as [th]ough we’re [n]ot [e][n][th]usia[s]ti[c] [e][n]ou[gh] [w]hen [w]e [s]ay hello to them at [b]ars, they’re [c][r][i][m][i]nals of the highest [m]agnitude. [B]ut we our[s]elves are ju[s]t as o[b]je[c]tio[n]a[b]le [a]s any of these [a][c]tors, we’re al[s]o [c][r][i][m][i][n]als of the highe[s]t [m]ag[n]itude, we're [p]erha[p]s the [m]o[s]t o[b]jectio[n]a[b]le. We a[s]tutely [r]e[c]og[n]ize [o]ur [o][pp]os[i]tes as [c][r][i][m][i][n]al be[c]ause we exi[s]t as [p]arts of the [s]ame [c][r][i][m][i][n]al wh[o]le. We [d][o][n]'t k[n][o]w how to [d]eal with [d]eath any[m]ore. We thin[k] our [s]cienti[s]ts and our do[c]tors are p[r]og[r]e[ss]ing, [th]at [th]ey’ll eventually p[r]og[r]e[ss] [t]o a [s][t]ate [w]here they’ll [o]n[c]e and [f]or all un[d]er[s]tand [d]eath, on[c]e and [f]or all when the [s]ad [r][e][a][l]ity is we [r][e][m][ai]n at the [a][p]ex of the [p][r][i][m][i]t[i]ve with [r]egards to [q]u[o]te-un[q]u[o]te [d]ea[l]ing with [d]eath. We're e[ss]e[n]tia[l]ly a[n] i[n][d]ige[n]ou[s] [p]o[p]u[l]ation when it [c]omes to in[t]e[r]a[c][t]ing with [d]eath. We’re z[ea]lot[s] of [p][r]og[r][e][ss], and as [s]uch we're [i]ll-e[q]u[i][pp]ed to [i]nte[r]a[c]t w[i]th any [s]ort of [p][r]ofun[d]ity, be[c]ause we're [s]u[s][p]en[d]ed in [p][r]og[r]e[ss], [w]e’re [s][t]u[ck] [w]aiting for our [s]cien[t]i[s]ts and [d]o[c]tors to give u[s] the [w]ord, to [g]ive u[s] the word [th]at [th]ey've finally [g][o][tt]en to the [s]o-called b[o][tt]om of [d]eath. [P][r][e]v[i]ou[s] [g]ene[r]a[ti]ons [s][p]o[k]e [p][r]o[f]ound[l]y in the [f]a[c]e of [d]eath, while our [g]e[n]e[r]a[ti]on [s]erves [c]ole [s][l]aw and chi[ck]en [p]armigi[a][n][a] at [f]u[n]e[r]al [r]e[c]e[p][ti]ons, the [i]m[a][g]es of [c]or[p][s]es [s]t[i]ll [f][r]esh in our mind. [P][r][e]v[i]ou[s] [g]e[n]e[r]ations un[d]er[s]tood [d]eath in a [p][r]o[f]ound[l][y] [g]e[n]e[r]al [s]en[s]e i[f] hard[l][y] at all in a [s][p]e[c]i[f]ic [s]en[s]e. We [c]on[s]u[m]e [m]ozza[r]e[l]la [s]ti[ck]s in the [f]a[c]e of [d]eath, we eat j[a][l][a][p]eno [p]o[pp]ers in the [f]a[c]e of [d]eath, we [d][r]in[k] [c][r]a[f]t beer with i[d]ioti[c] [t]ange[r]ine a[f]ter[t][a][s]tes in the [f][a][c]e of [d]eath. It’s, [f][r]an[k][l][y], [o]n[l][y] the h[o]me[l]e[s]s of ou[r] e[r]a wh[o] t[r][u][l][y] [r]e[c]og[n]ize the ills of the p[r]ivate [s]phere---‘[b]y exami[n]ing the [n]ature of [s]en[s]i[b]le [th]ings, [th]ese [p]eo[p]le have arrived at a [c]ertain [c]on[c]ept of God, but not at a [c]on[c]eption trul[y] worth[y] of Him.’