As above, so below.

So sick, so sick of being tired, so tired of being sick.

Just pushing you away into someone else even further.

It’s my choice now.

On the beauty of language.

I admit: I am a lexophile, a lover of words. I am drawn to the way words can express a cluster of mental representations encoded over time, spur numerous images and connotations in various contexts, and most importantly, synthesize to communicate the greatest ideas. Language enriches experience, allows us to assimilate what we are processing, or simply, make sense of our worlds. It further enriches our intuition, classifies our emotions, and offers us the opportunity to brand ourselves.

Without language, it would be more difficult to filter our senses. Our experiences would be reduced to clusters of instinct and unassimilated sensations. Without language, individuals would be unable to share the significance of daily encounters and individuating life experiences. We would be unable to bring what we process implicitly into conscious awareness. Worst, without language, individuals would be reduced to mere assumptions, defying the purpose and exigency of life itself.

I believe in the power of language, such that certain nodes can ease, entertain, and woo other individuals into our lives. I believes individuals are not self-sufficient, and the only way they can reach others to satiate this insufficiency is if they speak. 

However, along these lines, language likewise has the power to manipulate, harm, and disappoint. Sometimes so much to eradicate others from our lives completely. The power of enriched semantics and miscommunications can gradually and even instantaneously destroy others, as seen with the marginals of our community who either retreat or retaliate on behalf of their experiences, tainted by linguistic misuse.

My advice is to use language for the most positive intentions. Expand your lexicon, as it fuels our neural synapses to spark more impactful statements. Most of all, take language as the greatest power, gift, and vehicle to an enriched life.

On another note, I am massively disappointed with the government of California, my home state. I just read an article on the New York Times regarding Amazon’s insistence that California residents should be excluded from paying state tax on items ordered from the online retailer. I’ve an avid fan of Amazon as they often carry what I need with a lower price, great security for card transactions, and best, quick delivery (though the shipment period may differ if you order from a private retailer on their site).

The Californian government is objecting to Amazon’s plea because they argue that the taxed items would fund basic state needs such as education and roads. However, what infuriates me is that Amazon is offering a much-needed deal to the state: two warehouses and 7,000 jobs! WIth a 12 percent unemployment rate in California, this is much, much needed.

The solution to the current state and national economic crisis is simple: create more jobs. My problem with both the state and federal government are its urgencies for the public to spend more to drive the economy. But wIthout personal income, who would shop in the first place?

So independent book stores and smaller companies in California are likewise objecting to Amazon’s offer as the online retailer’s growth threatens their revenue. However, I am certain that the owners of those companies are a smaller portion to the even greater, potential 7,000 individuals Amazon would benefit with their job offer.

Honestly, this is just another selfish manifestation of the American individualist system — let a few people run the damn state (and/or country) at the expense of the greater public. This is why the nation has been so economically stagnant. I am tired of the short-term fix proposals of budget cuts and mass spending. Instill more job opportunities or craft new fields for employment. It is nonetheless a shame that such selfishness from smaller groups and a lack of creativity on behalf of the masses is driving crumbling our system.

Amazon, with tax or not, I will nonetheless resume my purchases with you.