Heavy.
September 25th, 2007
I love heavy..
mindfeed.org is a way of exploring, developing, and sharing thought-provoking ideas. The ideas that intrigue me the most involve the “heavier” aspects of life. In fact, the heavier the subject, the more interest it holds for me. The deeper the idea — the more complex, paradoxical, and controversial — the better. I just can’t get enough of open-minded discussion concerning heavy topics. Seriously. I live in a small town, with many simple, lovable people, living beautifully ordinary, everyday lives. Unfortunately, although I have learned to live and even thrive in such an environment, I find it nearly impossible to share, discuss, and explore the ideas presented here at mindfeed.org. Like a giant mental vacuum, it really sucks. Day to day, in the brain-dead routine that people get sucked into, it is an extremely rare individual who is genuinely interested in exploring anything beyond the mundane, everyday nonsense that most people refer to as “small talk.” Certainly, small talk has its place in societal affairs, but when served in place of more thoughtful or interpersonal communication, it becomes painfully tiring. Too many people have simply given up on sincere, open conversation about the deeper things in life, opting instead for that irritating sitcom banter, trading subtle insults and one-upping the next guy by calculating a witty comeback rather than actually listening and contributing to the conversation. I see it every day. I guess for some people it’s just easier to get through the day when deeper thinking isn’t required and the rate of change is kept at an absolute minimum. It is easier to ignore, insult, and avoid potential conflict than it is to embrace change, open up, and dive in..
So, as time marches on, I am ultimately faced with two options: go with the flow or stand and fight. Of course, it is so much easier to simply disengage from mental growth, build the wall, and hope for the best. This is the mainstream approach because it is so much easier to “not care” and forget about everyone else. Just do your own thing, live to be happy, serve yourself, and screw everybody else, right? Such cynicism is highly prevalent in today’s society. Rather than seek change, explore ideas, and pursue wisdom, many people would rather mock and dismiss anything beyond their mental reach or personal influence. Giving in to mental apathy is the wide gate through which a majority of people waste their lives. Conversely, mental improvement is so unpopular because it requires too much work. Caring about others means you have to listen to their ideas, needs, and concerns. Listening then requires action, which may require money, time, and sacrifice. Keeping an open mind requires a desire to learn, grow, and change. Such change is uncomfortable and requires letting go and taking risks. Change is scary, especially without faith. A desire to change, grow and learn is a rare thing indeed. The path is narrow because it isn’t popular. Maintaining and nurturing a strong mental disposition requires focus and determination. You have to want it before you can fight for it..
Faced with these two choices, there is no way that I am going to fold up shop and become like everyone else. I want to learn and advance my thinking until the day I die. I want to embrace change, accept responsibility, and live life to the fullest. In the process, I would like to inspire others and share my experiences along the way. Sounds like a great idea for a new site to me. The web is desperately lacking in the “original substance” department. My intention is to fill the growing vacuum that is sucking the life out of the blogosphere. There is too much empty garbage out there on the Web today. Too many people trying to get rich quick on the Internet. Too many people regurgitating what everybody else is hearing in the echo chamber. Too many people who have absolutely nothing to say or contribute to anything of significant relevance. Too many top-ten lists, how-to articles, and product reviews. Too much nonsense and people who are not taking the time to actually stop, think, and produce meaningful content. Too much quantity and not nearly enough quality. In fact, based on the current state of online activity, mindfeed.org is like the “anti-blog” of the blogosphere.
The focus of mindfeed.org is easily summarized by scanning the site’s subject categories. Although the listed topics are not exhaustive, they definitely convey a sense of overall purpose. As you consider the topical offerings, please keep in mind that putting this all into words is a bit new for me. I have been thinking about this stuff since time immemorial, and it definitely constitutes my very being, but this is my first attempt at actually communicating the material in an effective, organized, consistent manner. Eventually, as time unfolds, mindfeed.org will be published as a book and used to help put my two children through college. Until then, I need to pay the bills, and so advertising will slowly be introduced in the most minimalistic and tasteful form possible. Thus, if you find the content here at mindfeed.org helpful, please help me out by clicking on a few ad links. Or better yet, get in touch and advertise here yourself. I much prefer dealing with people over businesses any day, and will bend over backward to see that everything goes right. In either case, I hope you find the format usable and the functionality accessible. If there is any way that you feel the site could be made better or operate in a more clear manner, please let me know. mindfeed.org is here for you, and your thoughts are very important to me and others, as they possibly may improve the overall quality of the site.
Beyond the site itself, I desire that you get involved with the content. The commenting process has been made as simple as possible to encourage people to share their thoughts and respond to posts, comments, and other content. As you get involved here and share your wisdom, criticism, and ideas, please keep in mind that the very nature of the topics discussed here at mindfeed.org involves extremely personal opinions and feelings. People feel very protective about their opinions and may get very defensive about their ideas. Fortunately, there are also many people online who get the whole “open forum” nature of blog comments, and dish great deals of temperance, patience, and understanding to those who may not “get it.” It is my desire that people with understanding help and encourage wayward commentators rather than persecute or ridicule them. As we all know, there is plenty negativity and attitude elsewhere on the Web; here, let’s work instead to help and educate others while sharing and discussing the topics that are quickly becoming “forbidden” or “taboo” in everyday life. Therefore, comment generously and try not to freak out completely when someone explains an alternate, differing, or — gasp! — offending point of view.
Having said all that, I hope to see you in the comments of the articles presented here at mindfeed.org. I also look forward to delivering insightful and intriguing content to your favorite RSS reader or email inbox. I encourage open, honest, and direct exchange of ideas. If there is anything on your mind that you would like to keep private, please contact Jeff at this domain and rest assured that it will be treated with the utmost of privacy. Okay, now that the “About” page has been written, it’s time to get on with the mindfeed..
Note: I am absolutely amazed and inspired that people have already begun subscribing to the mindfeed. This is most fascinating to me, as the site is currently blocked via htaccess to everyone except myself and feedburner. So, if you have already subscribed, thank you kindly — your interest helps drive the completion of this site, which is planned for the end of October. Until then, you will be enjoying a “sneak-peak” to the site’s content, which may involve a great deal of test posts until the site goes live.. ;)