In my explorations of how to live, I've discovered three fundamental truths, each of which reveals a route to happiness:
1. The self is an illusion. The child in that old photo, taken almost forever ago, isn't "me" in any meaningful sense... different atoms, different beliefs, different everything. Happiness can be achieved through the complete dissolution of the ego.
2. Materialism is destructive. We are designed to want things, and that puts us on a hedonistic treadmill that serves evolution's ends but not ours. Happiness can be achieved through detachment from the physical world and freedom from material desires.
3. Defining or measuring yourself in relation to others is counterproductive, as is seeking their approval. Fame is a food that dead men eat. Happiness can be achieved by focusing on what you think of yourself, not on what others think of you.
By always remembering and living by these truths, a lifetime of happiness is virtually assured.
By the way, one quick programming note. I won't be able to post again until the new year. I need to go to Dubai to supervise the me-shaped island I'm having built... I told the developers I wanted a solid platinum belly-button helipad, but apparently the one they're constructing is merely platinum plated.

I recently decided to learn to play the guitar. I got a very nice nylon string acoustic guitar as a gift several years ago, but it's been gathering dust until now. I've been consuming music all my life, and I decided it was time to start producing some. I expect that it'll also heighten my enjoyment as a consumer too, both by appreciating music more and by appreciating the artistry of certain musicians more. Also, while at work I spend a lot more time using skills I already have than developing new skills, and learning something new and difficult is a good way to get out of my expertise comfort zone. I'm pretty optimistic about my chances of getting good at it: I tend to eventually get good at things I stick with, I tend to stick with things that aren't too frustrating to be a beginner at, and my first few tries at playing it have been fun rather than frustrating. I'll post again when I'm looking for someone to jam with. I'm thinking Mediterranean Sundance might be a good starting point... I'll play Al di Meola's part and you can play Paco de Lucia's. Or if that's not your style, we could play Dragonforce's Through the Fire and Flames...

Over the weekend I went to see What Would Jesus Buy?, a documentary about one man's crusade to show how corporate America has hijacked Christmas. Since I get the same enjoyment from documentaries on a small screen as on a big screen I typically wait and rent them on DVD, but the movie's main character was scheduled to appear at the theater for Q&A after the movie so I decided to go. I could immediately see that the audience wasn't your average group of theatergoers. The first clue was that no one in the theater had a corporate logo of any kind on their clothing, but logos for causes such as Code Pink were common. The second clue came during the commercials before the movie, when a four-minute music video ad for the coast guard started. Or maybe it was for the army... I can't say for sure because as soon as it began, the audience shouted to block out the sound and one person stood in front of the projector to cover the screen. An angry mob of pacifists may not be an oxymoron, but it's something I don't see every day. The Q&A afterwards was the best part. It was refreshing to be surrounded by people who care about something other than themselves and who are willing to give up a substantial amount of their time (i.e. a substantial part of their lives) to try to make the world better. On the other hand, I think the fact that the small theater wasn't sold out on opening weekend, even with the movie's main character in attendance, is a sign that the anti-consumerism message faces an uphill battle. The movie itself was good but not quite as good as I had hoped. I tend to like documentaries because I am drawn to the truth and I seek out the information "They" don't want us to know. But this movie was more entertainment than information, closer to The Yes Men than The Corporation. There wasn't really anything new or surprising in it... if you're a regular reader of my blog you probably already know that corporations spread the "spending is the only way to show your love" meme, and you'll probably enjoy the movie but aren't likely to learn anything from it. Like most documentaries, the people who would benefit most from What Would Jesus Buy? are the ones least likely to watch it.