[time-nuts] Beginner's time reference

[Mike Feher]

This discussion started off interestingly enough, but has deteriorated to a
point where it reminds me of a tale told to me by one of my mentors well
over 40 years ago. At the time, I was very interested in existential
philosophy myself and studied it and thought about it ad infinitum. 

It goes something like this: A young physicist/philosopher becomes
shipwrecked on some island. He is the only survivor. Besides food items, he
is able to retrieve from the ship cases of paper and lots of pencils. At the
time he does not know what to do with them, but saves them regardless. Of
course he expects to be saved any time soon. Well, days become weeks and
then months and so on, and, no rescue. He is becoming bored and does not
know what to do. He decides he is going to attempt to figure out the meaning
of life and document it. So, he starts thinking and writing and as years go
by his document grows and after about 10 or so years he has the meaning of
life figured out and documented. Now what to do? Well, he decides to go over
the document and expand/clarify various sections and after about 10 more
years he has one he is satisfied with and is now about a foot thick. Still,
no rescue. Rather disappointed that he has it all figured out and cannot
share it, he contemplates some more as to how to occupy himself. He decides
to condense the manuscript making sure he does not lose the significant
premise. Again, years go by and after about 40 years total, he is rescued.
He is weak, dehydrated, can barely talk. He keeps on pointing to his pocket
for the rescuers to see. Finally, one rescuer reaches into his pocket and
pulls out a piece of paper with the single word on it "bullshit". 


Regards - Mike

Mike B. Feher, N4FS
89 Arnold Blvd.
Howell, NJ 07731
732-886-5960