A Good Life
16:02 Saturday, 19 July 2025
Current Wx: Temp: 83.66°F Pressure: 1015hPa Humidity: 57% Wind: 7.11mph
Words: 928
Recently, a certain amount of angst, or public introspection, has made its way into my feeds regarding Apple and its products. Mainly because, I think, for very many years Apple had enjoyed a reputation for being one of the "good" corporations. I'm not going to rehash all the reasons why that came about; if you're reading the marmot I trust you're at least somewhat acquainted with Apple's history.
And, Apple's descent into darkness didn't just happen recently. It began during the second reign of Steve, but his illness and early death kind of obscured the darker aspects of his competitive nature. Suffice to say, this is not something recent, it's been there all along. Apple benefited from being surrounded by larger villains like Microsoft and Google.
Until Apple grew larger in so many dimensions, and began throwing its weight around in ways that invited public scrutiny and criticism.
Here are three posts from three different blogs that speak to this issue from somewhat varying perspectives.
First is from Denny at Beardy Guy Musings, who represents what may be a somewhat extreme view. He reduces the issue to a binary choice, which I think is the hallmark of most extremist positions.
I like Denny, I enjoy his blog and I understand his passion. But still:
You can agree to your own subjugation, that’s your choice. It may seem more convenient. It may seem comfortable. It may even seem pleasurable and safe. But in the end, you’re handing over your own fate.
To quote the noted philosopher Jodi Ernst, "Well, we are all going to die."
Except Kurzweil maybe. Anyone checked on him lately? Has he uploaded yet?
More recently, Manuel Morales. While not exactly an extreme view, it did prompt this post, The cost of selfishness, from Ricardo Mori that seems to locate itself somewhere in between the views expressed by Denny and Manuel.
Denny has a pretty good view of the larger picture, which is clear in his archives. Manuel and Ricardo have had less to say about the broader landscape. No judgement implied, just acknowledging that Denny has framed the discussion in a larger context, which is helpful.
Record scratch...
While Mitzi's daughter and son-in-law were here, we visited a farm animal sanctuary called, er, Farm Sanctuary. It was an interesting visit, and I'm sympathetic to many of its views, but it's another binary thing. They tried to kind of "meet people where they are," by encouraging them to maybe "consume less" meat, poultry, dairy and eggs. But any effort to engage with them eventually devolved to the binary view.
Very nice people. Well run facility. They do wonderful things, but it is strictly within their own context. (Ethics?)
For instance, the animals aren't "free." They don't have any agency of their own. Most particularly, they are not allowed to reproduce. This, after telling us how much cows suffer when separated from their calves. (They have PTSD.) So presumably a "fulfilling" life for an animal includes reproduction and raising offspring, but that's not part of their program. They're allowed to live out their days in relative comfort until they die, as confined creatures exploited to promote a certain agenda.
The hens they "rescue" still lay eggs, but they compost the eggs. I guess it's better for some vegans that some humans go hungry than an egg go to feed them.
Humans. We're such funny creatures.
But, back to Apple. And ethics.
Huge topic. Larger than I can address in a marmot post. ("So why even bother, Rogers?" So I don't have to do any of the other things I know I ought to be doing right now.)
Nobody gets to choose their parents. We find ourselves where we are, in this place and time, and we do the best that we can. There are forces, dynamics and trends, cultural practices, social customs and constructs, economic systems that we have to somehow navigate and maintain some sense of self-worth, or upright morality. And we do all that in this fishbowl we call the "internet."
Look, I think mindfulness is a good thing. I think it requires effort, because the first thing it requires is your attention, and well, everyone wants that. Attention is a finite resource. It's also has a fairly narrow aperture. That is to say, well, if your immortal soul, or your freedom from, you know, subjugation, depends on what you're giving your attention to... Well, like the lady said, "We are all going to die."
Yes, our choices matter. But we lack the capacity to be fully cognizant of the consequences of all of our choices. We lack the cognitive ability to make conscious choices at every moment that they may possible. Nearly all of our behavior is habituated.
Unconscious.
So, you know, be kind. Even to the folks who eat animals. Or use commercial software. Or vote for demagogues. (You don't have to be kind to demagogues, though it's unlikely you'll ever be in a position to really extend kindness to them. They generally don't like to be, you know, "among the people.")
"Do unto others..." And so on.
Yes, choices matter. I don't go on "cruises." I don't fly internationally anymore. I try to make choices that are congruent with how I wish to be in the world. I often don't get it right. I try to do my best.
There's a better world where the marmot doesn't exist, doesn't consume resources, doesn't consume others' attention.
But here I am.
By the grace of God, perhaps?
The beat goes on...
✍️ Reply by emailLast Night's Sky 7-18-25
Current Wx: Temp: 53.19°F Pressure: 1020hPa Humidity: 90% Wind: 4.54mphWords: 154
Stayed up late last night (to 2300!) and stuck the OM-1 on a tripod out on the porch. Sky was clear, so I wanted to see what I could see. Posted a couple of "test" shots, (Live Composite, but only two frames) on Flickr, along with this one. Moved the tripod between the test shots and the star trails.
The Milky Way was visible to the naked eye, which was something seldom experienced where we lived in Florida. I saw it once out in Macclenny, Florida at my friend's little farm, but never in Ponte Vedra. Might have had some luck down in the preserve, or in Guana, but was never really there at night.
I'll try and make a more "serious" effort as the opportunity presents itself. It was just a spur of the moment thing, since the sky was cloudless and the moon wasn't going to be up until after midnight.
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