Buddhist Thought

Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. - Buddha

"A Toned Deaf Singer"

"A Toned Deaf Singer"

                    

      In the September 1999 issue of the New York Times Magazine, Peter Singer exposed the American consumer to his views with "The Singer Solution to World Poverty". Singer, an Australian philosopher and bio-ethicist, starts this narrow minded essay off with a fictional person in order to make his point about the spending habits of the average American family. Singer uses this criminally minded character in a way that might cause an insulted American reader to put off buying anything new.  He finishes this color blind article by saying that American citizens should give away all unneeded income to help those in need.

    

    Singer leaves no doubt whose shameful actions deserve the most scrutiny. Readers of the New York Times were the original target audience; a left-leaning American college student may find Singer's socialist views relevant today. Singer seems to think that Americans are overindulgent when spending. In this essay, there is also the idea that those who spend money earned honestly are similar to those whose income is earned dishonestly. Singer asks, "...what is the ethical distinction between a Brazilian who sells a homeless child to organ peddler, and an American who already has a television set and upgrades to a new one?"  This hypothetical question is asked and answered in "The Singer Solution to World Poverty". There is little doubt that Singer's essay "The Singer Solution to World Poverty" does a poor job of persuading Americans to donate more of their resources to help those in need.

    

    The first piece of proof that "The Singer Solution to World Poverty" misses its mark, is by the lack of donations that this writer or his fellow classmates gave to Unicef or Oxfam when reading Singer's essay in class. Singer listed both numbers in his essay, yet not one student called either when the article was read aloud in class. Despite all his calls to action within this essay, not one cent was raised by it. Singer seems to suggest that everyone in the US should drop what they are doing and immediately pick up the phone, wallet, and donate. Singer forgets that most Americans live check to check or on fixed incomes therefor extra monies are hard to find and use as donations. Despite this fact, Americans donate top other nation year in and year out! In the March 2008 issue of The Journal of American Enterprise Institute, Arthur Brooks writes that the American people had given close to 300 billion in 2006.

                      

    Singer sees the problem of world poverty through the eyes of a utilitarian philosopher. This vantage point allows only two positions: right or wrong. Such a simplistic philosophy can not be applied so easily here. Let us try to imagine what would happen if every single American consumer stopped spending? First, industry would grind to a halt, causing the U.S. stock market to crash. Companies large and small would cease to exist, and company after company would die. Natural resources would soon become nonexistent. It would not be long until war enveloped every nation. Is this what Singer wishes for this planet or its people? Singer’s argument takes a narrow minded  stance and does not account for the nuances of a global economy.

      

    The illogical and hypothetical example Singer uses to start this essay is most distasteful. Singer introduces us to the Brazilian movie Central Station by the character Dora. Once a school teacher, Dora partakes in the kidnapping of a child in order to pay for a television. Equating her criminal act with American spending habits is like saying murder and prostitution are the same. These are two completely different things, thus, the ethical dilemmas he presents are just as different. Singer seeks to coral support for his position by suggesting Americans are criminal in the way that they lead their lives. This idea is wrong and at the very least, mean in spirit.

    

    This essay seeks to browbeat the American reader into changing their ways. Judging from the lukewarm reaction to this piece by the class, it is obvious Singer has failed; the utter lack of impact in class was clearly visible. Therefore, we must question the overall impact it had. The fact that world poverty still exists is obvious, but American spending habits should not be held up as an example of moral misconduct. The fact that Americans lead the world in donating proves the country is doing its part. If there is one place Singer is successful, then maybe it is by showing how complex issues cannot be shaped or understood so easily from a philosopher and bio-ethicist. This is an issue that cannot be understood so easily. Therefore, Singer's solution is no solution at all. Finally, Singer comes off sounding like a tone-deaf vocalist who falls short of hitting the right note in "The Singer Solution to World Poverty".

Buddhist Thought

To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. - Buddha

Buddhist Thought

It is fairly obvious that most of us are confused intellectually. We see that the so-called leaders in all departments of life have no complete answer to our various questions and problems. - J. Krishnamurti

Photos I've taken of recent note

Buddhist Thought

His Holiness the Dalai Lama:

"Nirvana may be the final object of attainment, but at the moment it is difficult to reach. Thus the practical and realistic aim is compassion, a warm heart, serving other people, helping others, respecting others, being less selfish. By practising these, you can gain benefit and happiness that remain longer. If you investigate the purpose of life and, with the motivation that results from this inquiry, develop a good heart - compassion and love. Using your whole life this way, each day will become useful and meaningful."

"Every human being has the same potential for compassion; the only question is whether we really take any care of that potential, and develop and implement it in our daily life. My hope is that more and more people will realise the value of compassion, and so follow the path of altruism. As for myself, ever since I became a Buddhist monk, that has been my real destiny - for usually I think of myself as just one simple Buddhist monk, no more and no less."

Buddhist Thought

The human being may be no more real than is a cinematograph film. When the projected light is switched off all that remains is a blank screen. That which has been projected by light was a series of 'stills'. Such also is what is being projected by 'life'. The more you consider the analogy the more perfect it seems to be: it could help us to understand. - Wei Wu Wei..

Buddhist Thought

Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. - Buddha

Buddhist Thought

Until a radical change takes place and we wipe out all nationalities, all ideologies, all religious divisions, and establish a global relationship - psychologically first, inwardly before organizing the outer - we shall go on with wars. - J. Krishnamurti

new Fucking photos -click on photo for full ver-

Buddhist Thought

Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence. - Buddha ...

Alien Attack Photo's!!!

A

Buddhist Thought

Be wise, disciplined and non-violent and you will find peace. Be aware both night and day, continue your practice, and you will attain Nirvana. - Buddha

Buddhist Thought

Lead a righteous life; lead not a base life. The righteous live happily both in this world and the next. - Buddha

Buddhist thought

Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. - Buddha

Again, we need an essay on: What you have been doing since HS and how that has prepared you for college.

Simply put: During the last 18 years (I gasp as I type this number!) the most important thing I've done is mature as I worked towards understanding my artistic/ musical side. In other words, I've taken a long while to make up my mind about what I wanted and who I wanted to be when I "grew-up"!!  

Eighteen years is a long time while I've travelled the globe searching for myself. After high school and until my late 20's I worked odd-jobs during the day while promoting events, DJ's and clubs in the Philadelphia, New York and San Francisco at night. 

Another field of interest has always been physical education and weight training. From 1999-2001 I was coach of a youth basketball team and all my time was spent in the  gym coaching my team. 

During the the years of 1999-2002 all my attention was focused on starting my 1st business.  (THC records) This experience taught me a great deal and despite closing the store after 9-11 I did the best I could.

During the autumn of 2001 I started producing my own music with a fellow DJ and I decided to start a house music Record label. But after my Grandmother passed away durning the spring of 2002 I moved back to Philadelphia to help my Mom cope after losing her Mother.

The move lasted three years and I continued to work as a DJ/promoter. To top it all off, these few years have found me working in my own studio thus creating over 250 tracks. I have also taken up photography and amassed over 20,000 photos.

All of these experiences have taught me that life is long and that it's OK to not know everything. When I get frustrated and want to quite; I'll know that as long as I keep trying it's OK not knowing ...As long as I keep learning.  

Check out my myspace artist page to hear a sample of my music.

http://myspace.com/damonjohnburns

http://damonjohnburns.blogspot.com

Thanks for your time. Take care..

Truly..

dB

Buddhist Thought

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
Dalai Lama 

Career Goals

My career goals fall into two major categories; short term and long term. My short -term goal is to complete the Audio Arts Program at the Art Institute (A.I.) where I hope to cultivate my love and natural talent for audio production into a legitimate and lucrative recording career.  My long-term goals include but are not limited to, being employed as an Executive Producer for a major recording label or as a composer for motion picture sound tracks.  

I expect my education to be the strong core. This core shall support my creative abilities thus, allowing me to compete in future job markets.  I look to the Art Institute’s comprehensive curriculum to hone my craft while allowing me to meet or exceed my peer’s abilities as I enter the sound industry.  In other words I want to turn my talent into real strength. 

My education shall utilize cutting edge technology and continued learning therefore ensuring my professional growth. The formula for success I will follow will be to attend class, completion of all assignments, participating in class discussions, utilizing the faculty and facilities to they’re fullest advantage. 

I hope that my time at the Art Institute fulfills all my fore mentioned dreams and aspirations while turning an eager and talented student into a phenomenal professional. 

Ass Furtoes

 

Buddhist Thought

Spontaneity is being present in the present. Spontaneity by-passes the processes of the conceptual (aspect of) mind. Re-integration with Nature, which we are, is the recovery of spontaneity. - Why Lazurus Laughed by Wei Wu Wei

Buddhist Thought

Ambition and anger will disappear when you stop concerning yourself with the fruit of your actions. - Buddha

For Eight Months

The last eight months I've been homeless.

I've had to stay with friends. I've stayed in two hotels for three weeks each time. A homeless shelter was even home for three or four weeks this past August and September.

The last two months I've stayed on a friends couch at 15th and Noe Streets!!

Thanks Dan!!

But coming this Wednesday a new place is where I'll be calling home for the foreseeable future!

In other words:

For 8 months I've been homeless but I found out today that I am not any longer. Today I found a home to call my own!!

A place for my dog, dreams and to be...

Me!!

Buddhist Thought

Does your mind wander when it wants to? Exercise discipline and control it, as a elephant keeper controls the elephant. - Buddha
**In other words- Keep control**
-damonBurns

Early November Photo's

Photo's of Clouds and Things