#better lives

[ourstarman]

Not one part of me ships Remus and Tonks, not a single inch of me, and yet I've written almost 3,000 words for a Remadora oneshot??? Y'all I think the concussion is worse then I initially thought

[pratchettquotes]

"That's not fair, you know. If we knew when we were going to die, people would lead better lives."

IF PEOPLE KNEW WHEN THEY WERE GOING TO DIE, I THINK THEY PROBABLY WOULDN'T LIVE AT ALL.

"Oh, very gnomic. And what do you know about it, Bill Door?"

EVERYTHING.

Terry Pratchett, Reaper Man

[pjlowry]

10 Reasons Atheists Do It Better

Written by Paul Ratner

Although the exact number is hard to pin down, an estimated 13% of the world identifies as atheist. While believing or not believing in a God is a complex personal choice, there is a growing body of evidence that points to certain benefits of being an atheist. Being a theist has its own great advantages, but here are some of the reasons being an atheist could be beneficial (not necessarily in order of importance):

1. HAPPINESS

Scandinavian countries tend to be the least religious countries of the Western world and yet are consistently ranked the highest in the polls that measure a happiness index. Many factors go into such ratings, like economics, life expectancy, healthcare, social safety nets, and the transparency of the government, but it’s hard not to notice a potential correlation between atheism and happiness.

2. INTELLIGENCE

Atheists tend to have higher IQs and have been shown to generally be more intelligent than religious people. Intelligent people also tend to spend more time in school, which in turn leads to greater success professionally.

3. BETTER JOBS

This follows from the previous reason - more intelligent people tend to do better in the workplace. The same studies that have shown higher level of IQs for atheists, also equated that with getting higher-level jobs and higher pay.

4. SELF-ESTEEM & SELF-RELIANCE

These are two sides of the same coin.  Atheists are not being told that they are guilty and sinful, as is the case with many religious teachings. This leads to higher self-esteem and a feeling of control over life’s events. As atheists do not expect a deity to help them solve a problem, they will address it personally and directly. The increased self-reliance can have a positive effect on their own lives, but also on the lives of others. When there’s no wheel of life, reincarnation, heaven or hell, the responsibility for made choices lies with individuals.

5. PROGRESS

Atheists tend to value scientific discovery more and are less likely to stand in the way of scientific progress as has often happened for religious reasons. An atheistic society is more rational and science-oriented.

6. HEALTH

Atheists believe in science and would not stand in the way of medical treatments on religious grounds. While there have been studies that showed the mental and physical health benefits of being a believer, there have also been recent studies that showed no significant difference in the mental health of religious and non-religious people. In fact, it can be argued that having strong self-esteem and better economic status would make atheists more healthy.

7. PEACEFULNESS

Atheists do not start wars or commit acts of terrorism for religious reasons, just to prove their deity is the correct one. On the other hand, Marxist-Leninist atheism at the core of communism has certainly given atheism a bad name, but it's not necessarily an argument that it was atheism itself that led to the repressions and killings. There were complex historical, social and economic reasons for that. Atheists tend to not kill others for the sake of atheism.

8. SCEPTICISM

Atheists are generally skeptical and tend to look at issues from a rational, often scientific standpoint that demands proof. For an atheist, elements of reality are observable and can be tested.

9. SOCIAL ISSUES

Atheists tend to be very involved in social justice issues. They do not believe in some higher power or order that could have pre-ordained a human’s lot in life. Everything is of this material universe and can be improved upon.

10.  BETTER SEX

It wouldn't be a worthwhile list if it didn't talk about sex.  There have been studies that showed atheists having better sex lives than religious people simply due to not feeling guilty about it. Guilt about sex is certainly a strong feature of some of the world's religions and the political discourses they generate (particularly in the US). There are also studies out that show a greater satisfaction with sex among the believers, but as it's also not something they should really focus on and discuss (according to religious tenets), it's hard to know where their responses are coming from.

Do these reasons mean you should abandon your faith?  You make the call. But being an atheist needs not carry any negative stigma in a world still dominated by believers. Professor of psychology Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi profiled a likely atheist to be this person - “We can say that atheists show themselves to be less authoritarian and suggestible, less dogmatic, less prejudiced, more tolerant of others, law-abiding, compassionate, conscientious, and well-educated. They are of high intelligence, and many are committed to the intellectual and scholarly life.”  That sounds like a pretty good person.

Original Source: Big Think

[spidermirror-blog]

Music Review: Better Lives by Feral Conservatives

After I moved to Richmond, VA, I did some online digging on the local music scene. While watching a YouTube video for a band whose name I can't remember, a video image on the sidebar caught my eye...a woman wearing a look of despair and with make up smeared all over her face. I had to see what that was all about. The song that I heard was "Can't Do This" by Feral Conservatives. I have been a fan ever since. 

Fast forward to their recent full-length release, Better Lives (Egghunt Records).

Don't call Better Lives a departure from their "fuzzy folk" roots; this album is more evolution than departure. While Rashie Rosenfarb's vocals and mandolin riffs are still the hook, Better Lives offers the listener a richer sound with baselines by Dan Avant that oftentimes work as dynamic, weaving melodies instead of just holding down the bottom end and the addition of Zach Jones on guitar. Jones brings a sound that previous FeCon releases lacked. His guitar work brings a fullness to each track, adding a complement to what the band already had and providing tight, satisfying riffs and fills. "Chimney Run" stands out as the track that really showcases the way all the parts of Feral Conservatives fit together to make a beautiful whole.

Matt Francis, drums, and Rashie are the primary songwriters, and Better Lives delivers the overt quirkiness and subtle poignancy that I've come to expect from FeCon lyrics. Take "Cat Song," for example. It's a love song to a cat, but it could just as easily be a song about longing for the comforts of home...about missing a loved one. 

The band may also be the champions of the fun promo video. Including spoofs on perfume ads, prescription drug ads, and 8-bit video games. 

Listen to Matt talk about the history of the band and the new album on the Holidays In The Sun Podcast.

[mattofthedial]

New single is now on Spotify

[mattofthedial]

Smell like an unknown indie rock band with our new fragrance line

[iansmithconsulting]

When It Comes To Chores, Just do It

If you have a place to stay that you should keep it looking nice. Keeping your spot up is something you just have to do. It is a necessary e

Keeping your home clean is important,