Et Capital Culture

There are two quotes of Confucius that will acquaint you with the purpose of this site and why I bother to populate it:

 

The Master said, "Exemplary persons (junzi) are distressed by their own lack of ability. Not by the failure of others to acknowledge them." (The Analects of Confucius, 15.19)

 

The Master said, "I would like to bring peace and contentment to the aged, to share relationships of trust and confidence with my friends, and to love and protect the young." (The Analects of Confucius, 5.26)

 

The first quote encapsulates my desire to grow, rather than to be known. I have no desire to force myself upon a stage for which I am not yet ready. I have every desire to learn from others, to embody the wisdom passed down over millennia, and to remain forever humble throughout the process. 

 

The second quote reflects my disposition. I cannot express it enough how much I want to live up to that quote; how much I want to bring peace and contentment to myself and others, to share in relationships of trust, to love and protect everyone: the aged, the middle-aged, and the youth. I know this is only a website and nothing more, but as testament to my intentions, I declare it here, in plain language, that this is where my heart lies.

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Minimally, I may say that this little pursuit of mine is fulfilling all on its own. In this feeling of satisfaction, I agree with one of my favorite writers, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who in the preface of his first major work, "Discourse on the Sciences and the Arts" writes: 

 

“To this motive that heartens me is joined another that determines me, nearly that, having upheld, according to my natural light, the side of truth, whatever my success, there is a prize that I cannot fail to receive; I will find it within the depths of my heart.”

 

So it is in this resignation to passion that I assign myself an unbreakable satisfaction. And since I am my own most indomitable critic, no one shall undermine this passion with their own critique. I do, however, enjoy a helpful critique. 

 

Despite my self-centered appreciation for my own pursuit, it is also true that I would like to bring about a kind of satisfaction in you, my dear reader. But not always will I be successful in this. So again I agree with the Great Rousseau, who in a letter to his dear Republic of Geneva, supplicates: 

 

“If I were unfortunate enough to be guilty of some indiscreet rapture in this lively effusion of my heart, I beg you to pardon it as the tender affection of a true patriot, and as the ardent and legitimate zeal of a man who envisages no greater happiness for himself than of seeing all of you happy.”

 

If nothing else, I would like to make you happy. 

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In the best case scenario, I also succeed in provoking an interest in topics that do not normally cross your mind. Or if they are normal topics of interest to you, I hope to provide a fresh perspective that, when possible, is empirically founded.  I hope for my work as Dr. Noam Chomsky does for his: 

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"My hope is that it will stimulate people to try to ask questions about the world and find their answers. I have what I think are my answers, but I think if people have a broader range of analysis and information available to them then they're in a position to come up with better insight and better understanding... so I hope." [1]

 

My optimistic outlook is that even a smile can change a person's day for better or worse. Perhaps someday I will muster a smile out of you, or maybe if the stars align, an expression of curiosity. Know that I am earnest, but laugh at some of the things I write. I hope that this project is a two-way street to better insight and better understanding, for both you and for me. 

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Lastly, I am self-taught in the fields of economics, philosophy, and data analytics/data science. The internet is a wondrous library of lectures, books, articles, databases and manuals.

 

Now then, as I work through my ideas in history, economics, foreign affairs, and philosophy, please pardon what may be elementary concepts and formulae. It is my goal to be advanced in the study of history, economics and philosophy, but for now I must work through the fundamentals. It is also my hope that I answer interesting questions while perfecting my understanding of the fundamentals (See Theses page).

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Here is to growth, health and happiness. 

 

Cheers,

 

Jason

 

1) Noam Chomsky, "North American Free Trade Agreement." C-Span. December 10, 1993. https://www.c-span.org/video/?52905-1/north-american-free-trade-agreement

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P.S. I apologize for what may seem to be a highly superfluous use of words. I very well could have said: "I like history, economics and philosophy. I post my thoughts here. I hope you enjoy reading my articles as much as I enjoy writing them. Please comment if you have one." But I have been reading quite a lot Romantic Era literature lately and I suppose my inner monologue has temporarily grown a cyst which leaks in a transatlantic accent and mutters, "hm, yes."

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Hm, yes. 

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Cheers,

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Jason