| Born in New Mexico, 1962, the third
child of an eventual four. My father was in the Air Force at the time of my birth. By the time I was two, he had an experience which convinced him God was calling him. He gave up drinking and smoking, packed up the family, moved to New York, and became a Salvation Army officer. (Many people don't realize that the Salvation Army is a church, albeit a rather stripped-down one. My parents are Protestant ministers.) |
|
 |
I was perhaps eight or nine when it
occurred to me that there was no such thing as God. I
remember thinking that it must be like the Santa Claus
thing: that you shouldn't tell the other kids because it
would ruin it for them. I saw that, while the God thing
wasn't literally true, there was some sort of metaphor or
mythology there that was (socially) important to respect.
Thus began a life of seeking after the truth, but not feeling too obligated to share it with others; truth is not always socially appropriate. I read a lot on my own. I still have a strong distaste for Christianity. Interests in psychology, sociology and, of course, philosophy. Degree in mathematics, 1985; ACAS, March 2000. Last twelve years spent working in the insurance industry as an actuary, living out scenes from The Peter Principle and Dilbert. I have been able to avoid marriage and any children, but have had a variety of long term relationships. |
| I currently live in a suburb of Dallas,
Texas, but the magic eight ball indicates that I will not
be here for long. Before Dallas I lived in Manhattan for
about ten years; I've also lived in Pennsylvania,
Massachusetts, Connecticut and Ohio. Current goals: to drastically change my lifestyle - to live more wisely, more in tune with the natural world. To live how I want to live, rather than fulfilling other people's expectations - but first, to figure out exactly what that means: to figure out what the right way to live is, for me. To live more deliberately, more thoughtfully, rather than just doing what is easy and obvious. Also, to gain greater understanding of reality and existence at the most basic level. Until recently I would have described myself as a very hard materialist. Of late I've realized that it's just as true to say mind creates matter as to say matter creates mind. Non-philosphical interests and pursuits: motorcycles and music. I have a 1998 Honda Nighthawk 750 motorcycle, which I use for daily commuting, occasional camping trips, and just riding around. I play bass with a hard rock band that is currently looking for a vocalist and a name. I previously played bass for Mad Factory (progressive hard rock band; music available on MP3.com, or ask me for a CD). |
|
