What is Perfection?

[Iacchus]

I took a look at your book Iacchus, it shows that you are a person of great sensitivity, if you were French and lived in France you would be nominated for the Nobel Award, I bet on that.

Really? Wow! Maybe that's an idea. Maybe I should try to approach a French publisher about it? Hmm ... maybe I will. Thanks!

Your case remains a problem to me though. I cannot tune to your random thoughts. But it's ok. We are all fruits.

Am not sure what you mean?

 

[Esther]

Really? Wow! Maybe that's an idea. Maybe I should try to approach a French publisher about it? Hmm ... maybe I will. Thanks!

Trying for the best for your book is always a good idea but I was trying to make a joke here. Americans might find your book absurd but in other places they appreciate this kind of writing style.

Am not sure what you mean?

I mean that you see that you are constantly moving the goal posts so it is almost impossible for somebody to debate you unless you are not interested in that but in a discussion of a general nature.

 

[Iacchus]

Trying for the best for your book is always a good idea but I was trying to make a joke here. Americans might find your book absurd but in other places they appreciate this kind of writing style.

Exactly! "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house." ~ Matthew 13:57

I mean that you see that you are constantly moving the goal posts so it is almost impossible for somebody to debate you unless you are not interested in that but in a discussion of a general nature.

I suppose ... While I certainly don't approach it from the same point of view.

 

[Piscivore]

Exactly! "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house." ~ Matthew 13:57

He is a prophet now. Gee, with all the hats he has to wear (or at least he's implied he wears)- Mystic, Scholar, Sophist, Zen Master, Martyr, and now Prophet- it's no wonder our man Iacchus has such a big head.

 

[Iacchus]

Well, at least you get the general idea.

Hey, just pretend like I was never here (because this is the last place I really want to be) and you and I will get along just fine ...

 

[Z]

And, as usual, Iacchus simply fails to respond to my post - Seems the notion of true perfection is waaaaay over his head, folks.

 

[Maledict]

And, as usual, Iacchus simply fails to respond to my post - Seems the notion of true perfection is waaaaay over his head, folks.

Yup, that's his usual Modus - Which is why I amuse myself with him by posting somewhat frivolously - Any attemps to try to discuss anything with him are useless.

 

[Piscivore]

(because this is the last place I really want to be)

Liar.

 

[Iacchus]

And, as usual, Iacchus simply fails to respond to my post - Seems the notion of true perfection is waaaaay over his head, folks.

Eh ... what do I know?

 

[Iacchus]

Liar.

Actually I was referring to existence in general.

 

[Mercutio]

If what "happens to you"? Having a child die? It did happen to me, fool.

I'm so sorry, man.



*****

Iacchus, you allude to time in a mental ward. I have seen enough of this to say that, if you refer to yourself (no need to confirm or deny), then I will accept that you have suffered, and apologise if I offended you. As Esther says, we cannot compare the suffering of a personal hell with that of a lost child or lover. I do still count myself as extraordinarily fortunate.

 

[Piscivore]

Suffering is very subjective and none can really claims that he or she has experienced the ultimate suffering. I have met people who lost kids, others who lost relatives from cancer and I have seen the pain of people that suffer mental illnesses and they are aware of it.

You are correct, of course. Many people have suffered far worse than I; my wife, for one. I over-reacted, and for that I apologise; to Iacchus, and the board. It's a bit of a raw nerve, especially as the anniversary of my daughter's death just passed within this very month.

Thanks for your sympathies, Mercutio.

 

[Esther]

I am sorry Piscivore.There are no words to describe your loss and our sympathy.

Mr. Iacchus seems a very nice guy so I am sure he won't take deep offense with your words.

Hey Iacchus, you know how to upset people,don't you? I hope you don't do it on purpose, I mean I,too, enjoy teasing others in a playful manner but it's not nice to get on other people's nerves on purpose.

 

[Iacchus]

Hey Iacchus, you know how to upset people,don't you? I hope you don't do it on purpose, I mean I,too, enjoy teasing others in a playful manner but it's not nice to get on other people's nerves on purpose.

No, this guy's been hounding me ever since I allowed him to pick my brains, and now he comes across as the expert you see (not that he didn't in the first place -- my mistake ) and, I don't particularly care for that.

 

[Piscivore]

I am sorry Piscivore.There are no words to describe your loss and our sympathy.

Thanks.

Mr. Iacchus seems a very nice guy so I am sure he won't take deep offense with your words.

Hey Iacchus, you know how to upset people,don't you? I hope you don't do it on purpose, I mean I,too, enjoy teasing others in a playful manner but it's not nice to get on other people's nerves on purpose.

I'm sure he had no intention of so offending me- how should he have known? And as I said, it wasn't proper for me to go off like that.

 

[Piscivore]

No, this guy's been hounding me ever since I allowed him to pick my brains, and now he comes across as the expert you see (not that he didn't in the first place -- my mistake ) and, I don't particularly care for that.

I'm not an expert of any kind- I've begged you to correct me. You tendanswer all questions with misdirection and vauge generalities, however.

 

[Iacchus]

I'm not an expert of any kind- I've begged you to correct me. You tendanswer all questions with misdirection and vauge generalities, however.

Would you have me be specific first, without first giving a general outline by which to keep things in bounds? If we can't at least do that much then there would be no spirit for us to catch. Anyway, I can't be as specific inasmuch as I can try and point you in the right direction. And if you were to ask me how to get to San Francisco I would say, "There's the freeway, follow the signs." Hmm ... sounds kind of Zen.

 

[Piscivore]

Would you have me be specific first, without first giving a general outline by which to keep things in bounds? If we can't at least do that much then there would be no spirit for us to catch. Anyway, I can't be as specific inasmuch as I can try and point you in the right direction. And if you were to ask me how to get to San Francisco I would say, "There's the freeway, follow the signs." Hmm ... sounds kind of Zen.

No- but you've given us scads of "general outline" so now we want specifics;

"In bounds" as in "nothing outside your own beliefs"?;

I thought you couldn't "pin down" the spirit;

If you cannot be specific then why should we care about your generalities- generalities we've heard from others that can go into specifics (correct or not);

If you have no specific information, how are you sure that it is the "right direction" and not some pretty primrose path into an abattoir?;

Signs can be wrong, signs can be confusing. Driving to Mesa from Phoenix you have to get on a freeway that says "South" to take you East. Why should I listen to you when I can talk to a guy that will give me exact directions, to every turn and landmark?;

No, it doesn't.

 

[Iacchus]

Well, I'm really not sure I'm qualified to say, in the sense that I am unable answer it to yours or, anyone else's satisfaction. In other words it's not for me to tell you who God is.

 

[Radrook]

Hey Iacchus, you know how to upset people,don't you? I hope you don't do it on purpose, I mean I,too, enjoy teasing others in a playful manner but it's not nice to get on other people's nerves on purpose.

EXACTLY!

Here! Here!