Video of the day

Give that guy a cookie. Awesome reflexes to be sure.

He didn't get a cookie, but he did get free drinks from the bar owner whose window he saved, which is arguably better.

Dragatus wrote:

He didn't get a cookie, but he did get free drinks from the bar owner whose window he saved, which is arguably better.

That's a liquid cookie, no?

https://9gag.com/gag/a7rzN1w

Related:

Khajit Love Parade anyone?

https://img-9gag-fun.9cache.com/photo/a0b26rn_460sv.mp4

That was just obnoxious...

Feral wrote:

*screams in german*

ThatwasveryusefulandeducationalbutHEY

HAVE SOME DARK SIDE

Epic. Powah!

Much wow... Those were impressive.

I'm more of a Gray Jedi myself.

Yeah, there's something seriously wrong with the jedi code.

The "no emotion" principle is terribly unrealistic.

Although the idea of self-sacrifice and denial as a way for spiritual growth and morality would be present in a large number of human religions, aspects of Buddhism and stoicism can be seen more stronglyin Jedi philosophy , and maybe even platonic thoughts.

From buddhism we have the almost complete negation of emotions and biological drives as "illusions" to be discarded and surpassed. A common thread in all buddhist schools is the claim that a person is able to free itself from suffering by eliminating desire (Four Noble Truths). All of the aspects of the material world are merely illusions (Maya) that continuosly trap a person in the endless cycle of reincarnation, Samsara. In order to free oneself from the cycle and the illusions, one must live an ascetic life. Later forms of buddhism would incorporate the idea of the boddhisatva, which, contrary to the Therevada, traditional ideal of enlightnment, would return to help others achieve their own enlightnment.

To the stoic or platonic, these emotions and drives would not be illusions per se but it would be against Reason. Platonics divided the soul in three parts, Reason, Courage and Desire. Desire was the lowest and most base of the parts of the soul, concerning itself with lust, fear and hunger. Courage was a strong part of the soul that, if untrained, would lead to anger outbursts and rage, but trained correctly, would be the part of the soul that obeys Reason and keeps Desire in check (a chariot with two horses was used as an metaphor. One of the horses was wild and unruly, the other was needed to keep the wild one in check, the charioteer was Reason)
Both schools would consider the control and starvation of these desires and emotions the pathway for spiritual growth and/or happiness.

The stoics also believed that the universe was in truth a harmonious and peaceful place, that nature was a bening force that sought harmony and peace. Problems came, to the stoics, not from the natural world in itself but rather due to human beings acting against their nature (that is to say, their Reason).

The reason the Jedi philosophy looks so strange to us it is because their extreme acts of self sacrifice and denial can only make sense when one accepts their metaphysical explanations of how the universe, life and death works. Most of us would never consider meaningful to spend our lifes locked up in a monastery doing nothing but praying and reading theology, for much the same reasons. We do not accept the metaphysical explanations of the world that gives purpose to such actions.

The Sith philosophy, on the other hand, is far more realistic in it's views, one could almost say scientific. Struggle is the law of the universe: groups, species, individuals and civilizations alike fight against one another for power and survival, but not necessarily in bloody ways. To channel one's subconcious impulses, desires and emotions is the pathway to success in the struggle, for the apathy that moralistic self-sacrifice brings is not conducive to success.

Another form of seeing these two is comparing the Slave Morality (Jedi) and Master Morality (Sith) of Nietzsche. But I tire of writing now so more on that later.

Actually, it means the Jedi are the Inconnu of Star Wars, while the Sith are the Sabbat. Sith following Via Beastie... Who would have thought.

You ask me, both are way off. The Jedi are too bottled up and self-righteous, the Sith are too impulsive and backstabby. I'm with Drag; if I had to pick one I'd go Grey Jedi.

and now for something completely 'Murica!

@Feral: Who paid for it all and how?

@Murican: I wouldn't like it like that. I need a side for my meat (but that's just me). Also, who eats that mess in their car?

Jad.3 wrote:

@Feral: Who paid for it all and how?

First mostly the Church, then the share of wealthy merchants and artisans started growing, for artists landed nobility were also patrons since the times of Charlemagne. It was believed, than if God allowed you to make a good business, you owed Him back. So wealthy people financed churches, hospices, road and bridge building, walls for cities, invested in industry (bradclotch, beer, wine, salt, windmills). Investment in industry was seen as making the life of a community better, so a along the lines of Corporal Works of Mercy.
As for patronage over the artists... Wouldn't you like to be sung about and immortalized on a fresco or stained glass window?

Jad.3 wrote:

@Murican: I wouldn't like it like that. I need a side for my meat (but that's just me). Also, who eats that mess in their car?

Absolutely Murican, but funny.

Where did the Church get the money?

Jad.3 wrote:

Where did the Church get the money?

Landed estates, taxes, tolls on roads protected by Church troops, donations, last wills...
Usually, a church or abbey were enoffed with some land for upkeep at funding.