Intelligence at the core of humanism
A while ago a comment on Baseline Scenario jumped off the screen at me. I was intrigued because the author of this comment used words with power and insightfulness. That author was Patrice Ayme. It’s a nom de plume. [NB. Not it isn’t, see comments below] The sub-heading at the top of this Post is from his Blog. Here’s an extract from the About section of that Blog.
This is a site that tries to find out what is really happening, and what is not, what is right and what is wrong, on many important questions, and in all sorts of ways. In other words thinking is applied relentlessly, the way evolution made it, as the ultimate instrument of domination of anything in sight (be it domination of oneself, of one’s own ideas and emotions, or domination of the universe). Thinking evolved to predict effectively and ambitiously, not to cower in a corner, modest and dazed. Prometheus’ punishment was a regrettable misunderstanding: we did not steal fire from someone, we created our mastery of fire, and fire made us what we are, as we wished. Mastering fire was not a sin, the Greco-Romans were wrong on that one. Fire was part of what we have evolved to be; masters of the universe, for better or worse.
To my mind, Patrice is an intellectual giant. Someone who understands that thinking is all we have. I wrote him asking if Learning from Dogs could link to his websites. I asked if he might explain his background. Patrice replied,
I deliberately do not provide you with a bio. I am motivated by thinking, and the product of my thoughts ought to stand on their own, even if I am small and ridiculous, green with yellow spots, hermaphrodite, young, old, of Aztec descent, or a Tagalong speaker… I am tired, and I would like other people to be tired, from the nationalism, religionism, sexism, ageism, etc.
Difficult to argue with that!
Jon and I are motivated by integrity. As Patrice said in his email, “I am also very motivated by, let’s say, truth (one needs integrity to get there).”
Behaviours are the key to integrity because how we behave says so much about us, influences those around us, as in a steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code; a definition of integrity. Integrity does then lead to truth.
Mankind may well be approaching a watershed, a realisation that our ‘progress’ over the last 50 years, built on technology, wealth (for some) and ever-increasing standards of living (again, for some) can only ever be for a small majority of the billions who breath the air of this planet. Our democratic systems (that a few of us enjoy) seem to be stalling, our financial structures are broken and corrupt; see footnote. Where is the fair and just society that has been promised for so long?
For too long we have expected others to deliver what we yearn for. The watershed that seems to be in the air may be the dawning of a realisation: only each and every one of us can deliver a truly better world for our future generations.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step“
By Paul Handover
Footnote: Robert Benmosche, AIG’s new chief executive, will receive annual pay of $7m in cash and shares and be in line for a bonus of $3.5m a year, the government-controlled insurer announced on Monday. Source: Financial Times, August 17th.
Learning from Dogs 
Patrice Ayme is not a “nom de plume”. It is his actual name (and yes, he is male.)
“Friend O’Patrice” is a nom de plume, but not for Patrice. I’m just someone who has known him for several decades.
Cheers.
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Dear Friend,
That’s very helpful and I shall modify the text of the Post accordingly in a few minutes. His support for this Blog has been very highly appreciated.
Paul
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This so called “Friend O’Patrice” is obviously no such thing. If “Patrice Ayme” is a nom de plume, “Friend Of Patrice” does not know what he is talking about. If “Patrice Ayme” is NOT a nom de plume, clearly “Friend O’Patrice” does not have to reveal personal private information about age, gender, etc. about “Patrice Ayme”.
One ought not to judge people by age, gender, or presumed national or religious origin. One ought to learn NOT to do so.
If “Patrice Ayme” is 20 year old Iranian girl, so be it. Who cares? Well, sexist, ageist, nationalist, and more of that ilk, do care… Do we want to care about those, and encourage them?
Curious, nearly an antinomy, BTW, that PA would not be a nom de plume, whereas FOP would not be so… As certified by FOP.
Anonymous “friends” divulgating would be private information are no friends. That, Patrice Ayme certifies.
Considering PA’s sober assessment of the Qur’an, it would seem that clearly, “Patrice Ayme” ought to be a nom de plume, and, by certifying otherwise, FOP puts some people in danger (there are some would be “Patrice Ayme” on the Internet).
PA
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Thank you for that clarification.
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