The seventeenth-century philosopher Thomas Hobbes said, “I put forth a general inclination of all mankind, a perpetual and restless desire for power after power, that ceaseth only in death.”  This view of human nature led Hobbes to favor any kind of government, however authoritarian, that would keep the peace by blocking what he thought was the natural inclination of people to do violence to one another.  He talked about “the dissolute condition of masterless men” that required “a coercive power to tie their hands from rapine and revenge.”

Beliefs about human nature thus become self-fulfilling prophecies.  If you believe human beings are naturally violent and bad, you may be persuaded to think (although not required to think) that it is “realistic” to be that way yourself.  But is it indeed realistic (meaning, “I regret this, but it’s a fact ….”) to blame war on human nature.

- Howard Zinn – Declarations of Independence

Wondering what has changed? Read about it here.

Inspired by a compliment on previous post about why I do some of the things I do.  I read, I ride, I take pictures.  That’s about it.

I tilt-shift I took while exploring the West Bottoms on my motorcycle.  The 12th Street viaduct has been closed for repairs for the last couple months, but a little skillful riding can get you ‘into’ it.

You really have to look both ways when you’re in the vicinity of the Broadway Cafe, that place is jam packed with bicycle-riding d-bags.  I’d say that I knew a bunch of them, but in the hipster community, it’s not considered cool to remember people that you meet.