Skip to main content

The Vikings

Are you watching "The Vikings"  television series on the History Channel?  It takes place in Scandinavia, probably what is now Sweden.  It features slaughter and ritual as a way of life.  Moreover, it is totally violent; it has intrigue; it show fidelity and infidelity;  it shows intelligence without and without learning; it demonstrates conflicts of belief; it supports a life of fate depending on gods. It is anything but post modern.  Yet, it is attractive, entertaining, fascinating, and even horrifying.

Among the gods it features Thor, the master, and Loki, the belligerent trickster - but with not innocent tricks.  BTW, many religions feature these two conflicting forces in life, including the bushmen of southern Africa. It involves priests, and seers, all culminating with important political decisions made in the wake of their assessments.

It titillates us all in our highly antiseptic world of political correctness, high secularism, social equality, fair share economics, and safe social landing nets.   It is a world where obeisance is dominant, where strength is prized, and where personal abilities dominate.  It shows the progression from simplicity to complexity to command.

If you have made the transition to our new world order, this series must be revolting, or at least illustrating how far we have come.  If you haven't quite made it, there remains a more primitive world that has a definite attraction, appeal, and affirmation toward a simpler but a horribly more violent past.

If you haven't seen this series, check it out.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

UNCERTAINTY IS CERTAIN

  Uncertainty is Certain G. Donald Allen 12/12/2024 1.       Introduction . This short essay is about uncertainty in people from both secular and nonsecular viewpoints. One point that will emerge is that randomly based uncertainty can be a driver for religious structure. Many groups facing uncertainty about their future are deeply religious or rely on faith as a source of comfort, resilience, and guidance. The intersection of uncertainty and religiosity often stems from the human need to find meaning, hope, and stability in the face of unpredictable or challenging circumstances. We first take up the connections of uncertainty to religion for the first real profession, farming, noting that hunting has many similar uncertainties. Below are groups that commonly lean on religious beliefs amidst uncertainty.   This short essay is a follow-up to a previous piece on certainty (https://used-ideas.blogspot.com/2024/12/certainty-is-also-emotion.html). U...

Problem Solving? Then Find Those Gaps

  Problem Solving - Finding Gaps 12/28/2024 Introduction. Solving complex problems often arises from the presence of gaps in knowledge, resources, understanding, or perspectives. These gaps introduce uncertainty, ambiguity, or constraints, making solutions difficult to achieve. Below, we explore the primary types of gaps that complicate problem-solving and their implications. Many are of the technical, informational, theoretical, and social nature. You may discover some of these gaps are also sources of uncertainty in problem-solving, in that they supply us with another list of things that can go wrong based on something missing. Gaps also form a type of impossible problem, that will be discussed in a later chapter. Finally, this essay is about all problems and solutions, not just those of science. Contents Comprehension Gaps Consistency Gaps Solution-Type Gaps Invisible Gaps   Knowledge and Evidence Gaps   Methodological and Technological Gaps Ethical and Cult...

CERTAINTY IS ALSO AN EMOTION

  Certainty is also a Feeling Certainty is often viewed as a mental state tied to knowledge and confidence, but it also functions as a feeling with distinct emotional and physiological components. While it arises from cognitive processes, certainty also has a subjective and emotional quality that makes it more than just a rational judgment. It provides a sense of assurance and security that shapes human experience in profound ways. Emotional Dimension . At its core, certainty evokes emotions that influence how we perceive and interact with the world. When someone feels certain, they often experience relief, comfort, or empowerment. These emotions are particularly strong when uncertainty or doubt is resolved, offering a sense of closure. For example, solving a complex problem or having a belief validated by evidence brings not just intellectual satisfaction but also emotional reassurance. Subjectivity. Certainty is inherently personal and subjective. It depends on individual...