Peace Talks

[peacetalks]

Just a reminder to help in keeping our arguments valid: PROOFS belong to the field of mathematics. The scientific method, on the other hand, is a means of testing hypotheses, which are either "rejected" or "not rejected" during data analysis; science, strictly applied, is used to disprove statements of reality, never to prove them. The null hypothesis is a statement of what is generally believed to be true, but when it is NOT rejected in favor of an alternative hypothesis, there is always still room to test the probability of its accuracy against other, future alternative hypotheses. It is always incorrect to refer to "scientific proof" in the positive. One can correctly say, "there is no scientific proof", but this just fills a space better left empty with a meaningless statement that is ALWAYS true.

To many people, granted, this is all obvious, but science is important to people from other professions and walks of life as well. It is one of our greatest powers as a species when we use it correctly, but its results can also be used incorrectly to great detriment, if we do not pay careful attention to logic, our wording, and to the appropriate use of the tools at our disposal.

[peacetalks]

Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel offshore Humboldt, California, USA, 15 August 2025.

[peacetalks]

[peacetalks]

Life Starts when Driving Stops

Gas prices: we don't need lower gas prices; driving is so bad for our country and our health. We could be far more efficient and physically healthy if public transportation, walking, and jogging dominated instead of traffic. Traffic brings ugliness to our daily lives at a large scale. Being in our own cars makes us feel safe and comfortable, but it actually isolates us from the vividness of life in the long term.

[peacetalks]

يتمتع جميع الناس تقريبًا بالقدرة على حل المشكلات الاجتماعية المعقدة، ودافع قوي لحماية الأشخاص والإبداعات والأفكار التي يعتزون بها، والقدرة على الاحترام العميق للأشخاص الطيبين وجهودهم لإحداث تغيير إيجابي. على مدار حياتنا، نواجه جميعًا تقريبًا صراعًا شديدًا وخسارة وألمًا.

أريد من جميع الناس أن يحترموا بعضهم البعض وأن يجدوا طرقًا لحل خلافاتهم سلميًا. على شبكة الإنترنت، وفي الأدب، وفي السياسة والدبلوماسية، وفي التاريخ، نجد تشابكًا هائلاً من الكلمات. إن تعقيد القضايا التي تؤدي إلى تفاقم الصراعات يمكن أن يربكنا عندما نسعى إلى أسسها.

هناك مستقبل محتمل لشعب الأرض يتجاوز كل الحروب والعنف. يمكن لكل واحد منا أن يأخذ وقتًا لتقييم أخطائه، والتوبة الصادقة عن أخطائنا التي تسببت في الصراع أو الألم، وتقييم المفاهيم الخاطئة المحتملة في أنظمة معتقداتنا، وتحسين أفعالنا، والنظر في المصاعب والضغوط التي يواجهها الآخرون، ثم النظر والعمل نحو مستقبل نتعلم فيه جميعًا أن نكون أشخاصًا أفضل وأكثر احترامًا.

أحبكم يا سكان كوكب الأرض، وأسامح كل واحد منكم الذي سبب لي الألم. أعتذر بكل تواضع لكل شخص أهنته أو أذيته أو أحبطته عندما كنت تبذل قصارى جهدك لفعل الخير.

[peacetalks]

כמעט לכל האנשים יש את היכולת לפתור בעיות חברתיות מורכבות, דחף חזק להגן על האנשים, היצירות והרעיונות שהם יקרים להם, ויכולת כבוד עמוק לאנשים טובים ולמאמציהם להביא לשינוי חיובי. במהלך החיים, כמעט כולנו מתמודדים עם סכסוכים עזים, אובדן וכאב.

אני רוצה שכל האנשים יכבדו זה את זה וימצאו דרכים לפתור את המחלוקות ביניהם בדרכי שלום. באינטרנט, בספרות, בפוליטיקה ובדיפלומטיה ובהיסטוריה, אנו מוצאים סבך עצום של מילים. המורכבות של הנושאים המובילים לקונפליקטים מוגברים יכולה להציף אותנו כשאנו מחפשים את היסודות שלהם.

יש עתיד פוטנציאלי לאנשי כדור הארץ מעבר לכל מלחמה ואלימות. כל אחד ואחת מאיתנו יכולים להקדיש זמן להעריך את הטעויות שלנו, להתחרט בלב שלם על הטעויות שלנו שגרמו למחלוקת או כאב, להעריך את התפיסות השגויות הפוטנציאליות במערכות האמונות שלנו, לשפר את מעשינו, לשקול את הקשיים והלחצים איתם מתמודדים אחרים, ואז להסתכל ולעבוד לקראת עתיד שבו כולנו למדנו להיות אנשים טובים יותר ומכבדים יותר.

אני אוהב אתכם, אנשי כדור הארץ, ואני סולח לכל אחד ואחד מכם שאי פעם גרם לי כאב. אני מתנצל בענווה בפני כל מי שאי פעם העלבתי, פגעתי או ייאשתי כשניסית כמיטב יכולתך לעשות טוב.

[peacetalks]

Nearly all people have the ability to solve complex social problems, a strong drive to protect the people, creations, and ideas that they hold dear, and a capacity for deep respect of good people and their efforts to bring about positive change. Over the course of life, nearly all of us face intense strife, loss, and pain.

I want all people to respect one another and find ways to resolve their differences peacefully. On the internet, in the literature, in politics and diplomacy, and in history, we find a massive tangle of words. The complexity of the issues leading to heightened conflicts can overwhelm us as we seek their foundations.

There is a potential future for the people of Earth beyond all war and violence. Each and every one of us can take time to assess our errors, wholeheartedly repent for our mistakes that caused strife or pain, assess the potential misconceptions in our belief systems, improve our actions, consider the hardships and pressures faced by others, and then look and work toward a future in which ALL of us have learned to be better and more respectful people.

I love you, people of Planet Earth, and I forgive each and every one of you that has ever caused me pain. I humbly apologize to everyone that I have ever insulted, hurt, or discouraged when you were trying your best to do good.

--Albert T. McKee

[peacetalks]

[peacetalks]

A gooseberry, which is a _Ribes_ (in the same genus as the currants but with bristles), in Arcata, CA, USA, a few days ago.

[peacetalks]

Unredundant, intense, and beautiful, Brahms' Violin Concerto in D Major is healing to the mind and soul. It is lifting my depression in the manner of great classic rock, some of which surely sprung from the influence of this composition. Thank you, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, for a rad rendition.

Brahms‘ Violinkonzert in D-Dur ist intensiv, schön und ohne Redundanz und heilt Geist und Seele. Es hebt meine Depression auf die Art und Weise wie großartiger klassischer Rock, von dem einige sicherlich dem Einfluss dieser Komposition entsprungen sind. Vielen Dank, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, für eine tolle Interpretation.

Vielen Dank, google, für die Hilfe bei der Übersetzung.

[peacetalks]

For some weeks, we contributed to the overall conciseness by not belaboring any point. The ugliness of miscommunication and strife began to fall away as the songs of the people rose; the dreary haze began to part, and peace again became known to our spirits.

Ku ringana mavhiki yo karhi, hi hoxe xandla eka ku koma ka mbulavulo hi ku angarhela hi ku ka hi nga tshikileri ngopfu yinhla yihi na yihi eka mbulavurisano. Ku biha ka ku vulavurisana loku nga riki kunene ni ku holova swi sungule ku wa loko tinsimu ta vanhu ti ri karhi ti tlakuka; xivungu lexi nga tsakisiki xi sungule ku hambana, naswona ku rhula ku tlhele ku tiviwa hi mimoya ya hina.

Airson beagan sheachdainean, stiùir sinn a ’chòmhradh a dh’ ionnsaigh pongail le bhith gun a bhith a ’brùthadh ro chruaidh air puing sam bith. Thòisich gràinealachd a' mhì-chonaltraidh 's a' chòmhstri ri tuiteam air falbh mar a dh'èirich òrain nan daoine; thòisich an ceò dùmhail air briseadh, agus dh'aithnich ar n-anaman sìth a rìs.

幾個星期以來，我們在任何一點上都沒有過分強調，從而放慢並簡化了對話。 隨著人們歌唱，溝通不暢和衝突的醜陋開始逐漸消失； 沉悶的陰霾開始散去，我們的心再次感到平靜。

[peacetalks]

Thank you, troops.

I salute y'all with utmost gratefulness. Tomorrow is day one of the other eleven thankfulness-for-the-troops months in my book.

[peacetalks]

Government Websites of Earth; 地球上的政府網站；Sitios web gubernamentales en la Tierra

Here's my progress so far in compiling a listing of the websites of the governments of Earth's countries.

到目前為止，這是我在編制地球上政府網站列表方面取得的進展

Aquí está mi progreso hasta ahora en la compilación de una lista de sitios web gubernamentales de los paises de la Tierra.

Government Websites of Earth’s Countries - Laman Web Kerajaan Negara Bumi المواقع الحكومية لبلدان الأرض - حکومییەکانی گەلانی زەوی - पृथ्वी क

Here are some random front pages to show the rich variety:

[peacetalks]

Music and Peace

Music profoundly influences peacemaking. Tonight I thought, "let us all find peace on Earth by listening to one another's cultural traditions in music." I learned quite a bit, but youtube is not what it used to be. The preponderance of music in all my searches was up-tempo and sort of happy-go-lucky, rather than seeped in the ancient magic of the cultures. I suppose the more powerful music has been tucked away in recent years. This is one of the problems that has led to so much recent strife on Earth.

I also listened to quite a few National Anthems and was struck by how European they sound in many parts of Earth, rather than reflecting traditional native sounds. I suppose this is because nationalism reflects many largely European projects. On behalf of my ancestors, I apologise for this overbearing influence.

This tanbur improvisation by Samaei Maqam was among the exceptions--it has ancient magic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyEMNQB9Ju8

So did this tanbur ensemble:

To those of you who are skilled at making music: you amaze me, and I thank you. So much of the future of our cultural well-being is in your hands. Never think the difficulty and the brilliance of keeping music alive is taken for granted.

[peacetalks]

You're all better than this; Olet sydämeltäsi parempi kuin tämä; คุณดีกว่านี้ทั้งหมด

Thank you for helping with a Finnish and Thai translation, google:

Väkivalta leimahtaa maan päällä. LOPETA, ihmiset. Olemme tunteva, älykäs laji, joka kykenee täydellisesti ratkaisemaan kiistamme vuoropuhelun avulla. Olemme parempia kuin nykyinen yhteiskunnan tila antaa ymmärtää. Emme tarvitse enempää tätä painajaista. Astu eteenpäin: puolusta väkivallattomuutta ja erimielisyyksiemme järkevää ratkaisua.

ความรุนแรงกำลังปะทุขึ้นบนโลก หยุดมันผู้คน เราเป็นเผ่าพันธุ์ที่ฉลาดและไหวพริบสามารถแก้ไขข้อขัดแย้งของเราได้อย่างสมบูรณ์แบบผ่านการสนทนา เราดีกว่าที่สภาพสังคมปัจจุบันแนะนำ เราไม่ต้องการฝันร้ายนี้อีกแล้ว ก้าวขึ้น: ยืนหยัดเพื่อความไม่รุนแรงและการแก้ไขอย่างมีเหตุผลของความแตกต่างของเรา

Violence is flaring on Earth. STOP IT, people. We are a sentient, intelligent species perfectly capable of resolving our disputes through dialogue. We're better than the current state of society suggests. We don't need any more of this nightmare. Step up: stand for non-violence and rational resolution of our differences.

--me, calm now despite all odds.

[peacetalks]

Plan to combat de-volution

Just a couple of years ago, people were making a pilgrimage to Arcata, and people were out walking and jogging in droves, getting healthy, greeting one another kindly, and then bringing their positively adjusted lives home and leading the people to a brighter, healthier state of life all over Earth. This was inspired by the way the troops inspired a stronger state of mind. Then we got bogged down again. We can lead to better health again. We were rising against a tendency of de-volution--too much time behind desks and steering wheels, too little time exercising and getting sunshine, too much time arguing. Now the news is full of tragedy again, mental health is waning, violence is all too prevalent. We can pull ourselves up by the bootstraps again, all together as a society, It's hard work to motivate sometimes, but it is so worth it, when we see people getting healthy and smiling at one another. We can do this. Exercise and good nature are so much more powerful than any other medicines. Winds and storms and good music and dreams are powerful, too. Personally, I went from having all sorts of ailments to having none at all and being able to jog 20 miles or so at a time (e.g., around the whole North Humboldt Bay) without food or water, in my flip-flops. We can do it again. Get outside. Be strong and positive. Know that the nightmarish times will pass as better health sets in everywhere.

[peacetalks]

Government: a cool thank you.

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/Transcripts/FloorDebate/r1day3.pdf

"Transcript Prepared by Clerk of the Legislature Transcribers Office

Floor Debate January 6, 2023

Rough Draft

KELLY: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the George W. Norris Legislative Chamber for the third day of the One Hundred Eighth, First Session. Our chaplain today is Senator Aguilar. Please rise.

AGUILAR: Please join me in an attitude of prayer. Dear Father, thank you for the gift of human government. We pray for our President, Governor and legislators. Grant us all with humility and wisdom through righteousness, integrity, patience and love as we lead and protect the people of the great state and the nation. Teach us to honor them in ways that honor you. Teach us to live as free people and never use our freedom as an excuse to do evil. Teach us to honor our rulers with respect, even when they are unjust. And thank you, Lord, for this time that we have together as a leg-- as a legislative body. In Jesus's name, Amen.

KELLY: I recognize Senator Arch, Speaker Arch, for the Pledge of Allegiance.

ARCH: Please join me. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

And it balances the biblical sentiment in my last post from Ephesians.