I have a splitting migraine on top of a bad stomachache today so I do not feel like doing any other blogs but i did plan to do this.
This is a post just to give credit where credit is due. A list of people that inspire and motivate me. The people that were it not for I wouldn’t be entirely who I am so here I go: (i may come back and add more from time to time)
Professors (Philosophy)
Roger Ireson: who has lived the life I want, taught me so much, and encouraged me to keep with philosophy. Your classes were so inspiring, I was never late or missed a class and because of you, I went above and beyond for your final papers. Thank you so much for keeping my on my path.
Susanne Claxton: who gave me my first glimpse of philosophy at college, introduced me to some great existential films, deep meaning music, art, and is one of the individuals who helped brainwash me into more of an environmentalist and the super liberal I am today.
Shirley Oskamp: You are not technically a philosophy professor but you are in my book and you showed me that I am a true storyteller and helped me discover, focus, and embrace that in me.
Paul Nnodim: who encouraged, like the other two but really emphasized, true learning, not the cramming and regurgitating of facts that will only give one a good GPS but won't leave one with anything they can take with them Roger and Susanne, you are both also guilty of this wonderful learning style but Paul really hit it home.
Dave Johnson: who is mainly responsible for this blog in the first place. You push your students to learn, encourage them to succeed, are there when they need you, and are a really cool guy.
Were it not for these five professors, i would be nothing but a guy with ideas. The five of you gave me the tools to accentuate those ideas and formulate reasoning behind them, furthered the ideas, and inspired new ones. It is because of you all that I am more of a liberal than I was, against eating pigs, am now a Aristotelian and a Heideggerian, have a love for ethical and moral theory, have a fuller appreciation for the arts, and a passion for writing. Thank you all. If i ever publish a book in philosophy (which I desperately want to do) you will all be credited in the acknowledgements page.
Friends:
Collin O'Keefe: For strengthening and restoring my faith when I needed it the most and being a friend and a brother when I felt so alone. You encouraged me and helped to pull me out of my funk and I hope I was able to return that favor. You are a true friend indeed.
Allison Leno: For always being there not just for me but also for anyone who has ever needed anyone. For being the poster-child for love. You embody this more than most of the people I know. Your wisdom and council have been greatly appreciated and without you, I would have lost myself several times.
Allie Pettit: For teaching me about vegans and animal rights and opening my mind to further philosophies. For being one of the greatest friends ever and one of my inspirations for several papers. I have not eaten a pig since i met you, not that i ever did, but i am adamant about it and profess our stories of piggy friendship to all who will listen
Raanan Sarid-Segal: Although we may not share the same opinions and beliefs on several things, we agree on the issues that truly matter. You are a great person, a wonderful friend and provide me with a fountain of knowledge when I need a bit more insight on something that is troubling me.
Jenni Weiler: For pushing me and pushing me, for making me truly step back and think about my life, taking me down a few pegs off my once high horse, really introducing me into the world of art, showing me i could love again after i was heartbroken, and giving me faith that there are good people out there. For helping me with my reflection and being partially responsible for the person, I am today.
Kalyn Davis: For all the times we had together for loving me for me, falling for me for my early philosophic talk, encouraging and inspiring me to keep going. Though we had bad times and we did not last, we had plenty of good times and I am glad for them. You taught me about love, life, and more of the darker side of society and made me more determined to help those in need and to right the injustices in this world however cynical that my sound.
Sam Schniderman: You may be crazy but i love you and you encourage me to stick to my goals. You gave me several mediums to play out my anxieties and speak out against social issues including this blog and the radio show. And thru it all, at least thus far, you have been by my side.
Fallon Patty: For being a protective badass with a heart of gold.
People of fame/in history
Rod Serling: for showing me that a philosopher can do more than just teach, publish papers, or sell one's dignity to a company.
John Cleese: for reminding me that practically anything can be made satirical or done sarcastically, esp. socio-political issues and that philosophy can be hidden in the most silly of mediums.
Mister Fred Rogers: for telling all of use as children that we are who we are, for teaching liberal ideals in a Christian way, accepting everyone no matter what their race, gender, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, class, or anything else. For helping so many children and adults, for getting me to college technically, for being a true hero and one of the few real human beings I have ever known.
Voltaire: for proving that life is dark but not bad, that things are morbid but not sad. For speaking out against intolerance, being a great, loving, and badass father, helping people to realize who they are, and showing me that it is ok to be dark, morbid and complain a lot.
Hunter "Patch" Adams: for truly caring about all people, for seeing a broken system and going out and improving it against all the odds and those against you. For inspiring and really helping one of my ex-girlfriends accept the bad things and all the hope that you gave her. Thank you.
Morgan Spurlock: with your wit and sarcasm, fighting social injustices in your own ways, giving people perspective, enlightening, and opening the once closed minds of people everywhere.
Peter Segal/Ira Glass: your humor and political satire tickles me every weekend, your deep stories of people inspire me to want to help, and your views I share.
Douglas Adams: your words helped me in my time of confusion, you inspired me to write and to continue my pursuit in philosophy, and your cult following will never die, the philosophy hidden in your works is not hidden to me. You truly were a wonderful man.
Larry Blamire: teaching me more about film and satire, being an eccentric man in a serious world, giving laughter to those who appreciate film.
Glenn Miller: for pushing boundaries and triumphing against tremendous pressure, for giving us a cross between the classical music that predated you and the fun entertaining dance music that would precede you. Your music is full of feeling and fun.
Brain Setzer: growing up in a time most say was the death of music, bringing back the music of your parents and reworking it for the punk era, you resurrected rockabilly and continue to play delightfully old-fashioned tunes in a world of synthesizer, no talent, auto-tune, noise.
Norman Rockwell: though there are artists many would say are greater, I commend you, sir. Critics may say you helped spew the American propaganda of the American dream but you really focused on the simple sweet American rare truths about people and places. Your work is more allegorical than is given credit for.
Vincent Van Gogh: I loved you before Doctor who put out that episode but now, after that, and doing my own research truly you were a great man. You used the pain and torment of your tortured mind to create beauty and pleasure for all. Your altered perception of reality brought to life the truth about existence and you continued your craft regardless of the ridicule, criticism, the fact no one thought you had talent. You did what you loved and lived a prime example of a life of contemplation.
Ralph Waldo Emerson: you brought me my first taste of philosophy in 11th grade English. Your Self-Reliance essay helped me with a lot of stuff I was going thru and is one of the main reasons I am a philosopher.
Fictional Characters:
The Doctor: For giving me a true hero to look up to again. For giving me someone with a moral and ethical code, I can get behind. For being a master of your morality but also being a stone. Fighting villainy everywhere, helping the weak, the innocent, and the hurt, protecting everyone. Teaching all you come across about life, the universe and everything.
This is a post just to give credit where credit is due. A list of people that inspire and motivate me. The people that were it not for I wouldn’t be entirely who I am so here I go: (i may come back and add more from time to time)
Professors (Philosophy)
Roger Ireson: who has lived the life I want, taught me so much, and encouraged me to keep with philosophy. Your classes were so inspiring, I was never late or missed a class and because of you, I went above and beyond for your final papers. Thank you so much for keeping my on my path.
Susanne Claxton: who gave me my first glimpse of philosophy at college, introduced me to some great existential films, deep meaning music, art, and is one of the individuals who helped brainwash me into more of an environmentalist and the super liberal I am today.
Shirley Oskamp: You are not technically a philosophy professor but you are in my book and you showed me that I am a true storyteller and helped me discover, focus, and embrace that in me.
Paul Nnodim: who encouraged, like the other two but really emphasized, true learning, not the cramming and regurgitating of facts that will only give one a good GPS but won't leave one with anything they can take with them Roger and Susanne, you are both also guilty of this wonderful learning style but Paul really hit it home.
Dave Johnson: who is mainly responsible for this blog in the first place. You push your students to learn, encourage them to succeed, are there when they need you, and are a really cool guy.
Were it not for these five professors, i would be nothing but a guy with ideas. The five of you gave me the tools to accentuate those ideas and formulate reasoning behind them, furthered the ideas, and inspired new ones. It is because of you all that I am more of a liberal than I was, against eating pigs, am now a Aristotelian and a Heideggerian, have a love for ethical and moral theory, have a fuller appreciation for the arts, and a passion for writing. Thank you all. If i ever publish a book in philosophy (which I desperately want to do) you will all be credited in the acknowledgements page.
Friends:
Collin O'Keefe: For strengthening and restoring my faith when I needed it the most and being a friend and a brother when I felt so alone. You encouraged me and helped to pull me out of my funk and I hope I was able to return that favor. You are a true friend indeed.
Allison Leno: For always being there not just for me but also for anyone who has ever needed anyone. For being the poster-child for love. You embody this more than most of the people I know. Your wisdom and council have been greatly appreciated and without you, I would have lost myself several times.
Allie Pettit: For teaching me about vegans and animal rights and opening my mind to further philosophies. For being one of the greatest friends ever and one of my inspirations for several papers. I have not eaten a pig since i met you, not that i ever did, but i am adamant about it and profess our stories of piggy friendship to all who will listen
Raanan Sarid-Segal: Although we may not share the same opinions and beliefs on several things, we agree on the issues that truly matter. You are a great person, a wonderful friend and provide me with a fountain of knowledge when I need a bit more insight on something that is troubling me.
Jenni Weiler: For pushing me and pushing me, for making me truly step back and think about my life, taking me down a few pegs off my once high horse, really introducing me into the world of art, showing me i could love again after i was heartbroken, and giving me faith that there are good people out there. For helping me with my reflection and being partially responsible for the person, I am today.
Kalyn Davis: For all the times we had together for loving me for me, falling for me for my early philosophic talk, encouraging and inspiring me to keep going. Though we had bad times and we did not last, we had plenty of good times and I am glad for them. You taught me about love, life, and more of the darker side of society and made me more determined to help those in need and to right the injustices in this world however cynical that my sound.
Sam Schniderman: You may be crazy but i love you and you encourage me to stick to my goals. You gave me several mediums to play out my anxieties and speak out against social issues including this blog and the radio show. And thru it all, at least thus far, you have been by my side.
Fallon Patty: For being a protective badass with a heart of gold.
People of fame/in history
Rod Serling: for showing me that a philosopher can do more than just teach, publish papers, or sell one's dignity to a company.
John Cleese: for reminding me that practically anything can be made satirical or done sarcastically, esp. socio-political issues and that philosophy can be hidden in the most silly of mediums.
Mister Fred Rogers: for telling all of use as children that we are who we are, for teaching liberal ideals in a Christian way, accepting everyone no matter what their race, gender, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, class, or anything else. For helping so many children and adults, for getting me to college technically, for being a true hero and one of the few real human beings I have ever known.
Voltaire: for proving that life is dark but not bad, that things are morbid but not sad. For speaking out against intolerance, being a great, loving, and badass father, helping people to realize who they are, and showing me that it is ok to be dark, morbid and complain a lot.
Hunter "Patch" Adams: for truly caring about all people, for seeing a broken system and going out and improving it against all the odds and those against you. For inspiring and really helping one of my ex-girlfriends accept the bad things and all the hope that you gave her. Thank you.
Morgan Spurlock: with your wit and sarcasm, fighting social injustices in your own ways, giving people perspective, enlightening, and opening the once closed minds of people everywhere.
Peter Segal/Ira Glass: your humor and political satire tickles me every weekend, your deep stories of people inspire me to want to help, and your views I share.
Douglas Adams: your words helped me in my time of confusion, you inspired me to write and to continue my pursuit in philosophy, and your cult following will never die, the philosophy hidden in your works is not hidden to me. You truly were a wonderful man.
Larry Blamire: teaching me more about film and satire, being an eccentric man in a serious world, giving laughter to those who appreciate film.
Glenn Miller: for pushing boundaries and triumphing against tremendous pressure, for giving us a cross between the classical music that predated you and the fun entertaining dance music that would precede you. Your music is full of feeling and fun.
Brain Setzer: growing up in a time most say was the death of music, bringing back the music of your parents and reworking it for the punk era, you resurrected rockabilly and continue to play delightfully old-fashioned tunes in a world of synthesizer, no talent, auto-tune, noise.
Norman Rockwell: though there are artists many would say are greater, I commend you, sir. Critics may say you helped spew the American propaganda of the American dream but you really focused on the simple sweet American rare truths about people and places. Your work is more allegorical than is given credit for.
Vincent Van Gogh: I loved you before Doctor who put out that episode but now, after that, and doing my own research truly you were a great man. You used the pain and torment of your tortured mind to create beauty and pleasure for all. Your altered perception of reality brought to life the truth about existence and you continued your craft regardless of the ridicule, criticism, the fact no one thought you had talent. You did what you loved and lived a prime example of a life of contemplation.
Ralph Waldo Emerson: you brought me my first taste of philosophy in 11th grade English. Your Self-Reliance essay helped me with a lot of stuff I was going thru and is one of the main reasons I am a philosopher.
Fictional Characters:
The Doctor: For giving me a true hero to look up to again. For giving me someone with a moral and ethical code, I can get behind. For being a master of your morality but also being a stone. Fighting villainy everywhere, helping the weak, the innocent, and the hurt, protecting everyone. Teaching all you come across about life, the universe and everything.
