Wednesday, May 28, 2008

page 9

Do you think the edge of hearing is the beginning of thought? I do.

Here's an exercise in game theory. Two people in separate vehicles are hauling, one behind the other, and they pass a speed trap. Now, the cop pulls out, and he's definitely going to pull one of them over. Obviously, the first one to pull over at this point gets a ticket. However, if they both accelerate, they're running from the cop, and the first one to stop gets an even bigger ticket if not jail time. What's the winning strategy if the cop is all alone? I know if I were on a sportbike and the other guy were in a truck, I'd downshift and burn outta there right away. But that's not the only possibility...

I wonder which of us is more earnest. I'd like to think I'm as earnest as it gets, but I'm betting it's you.. And I think I'll have to admit that you're more pure. Yeah, you're probably more earnest and pure than I am.

I don't make the art anymore. You remember? Yeah, I quit, eventually. Just...suddenly, the light left my hands. Hurt to watch it go, just as much as it hurt to watch you go. Yes, they're the same thing.

"Sinbad here finished the relation of his seventh and last voyage,
and then addressing himself to Hindbad, "Well, friend," said he,
"did you ever hear of any person that suffered so much as I have
done, or of any mortal that has gone through so many
vicissitudes? Is it not reasonable that, after all this I should
enjoy a quiet and pleasant life?" As he said this, Hindbad drew
near to him, and kissing his hand, said, "I must acknowledge,
sir, that you have gone through many imminent dangers; my
troubles are not comparable to yours: if they afflict me for a
time, I comfort myself with the thoughts of the profit I get by
them. You not only deserve a quiet life, but are worthy of all
the riches you enjoy, because you make of them such a good and
generous use. May you therefore continue to live in happiness and
joy till the day of your death!" Sinbad gave him one hundred
sequins more, received him into the number of his friends,
desired him to quit his porter's employment, and come and dine
every day with him, that he might have reason to remember Sinbad
the voyager."
-A Thousand and One Nights

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