The Human Toll of History

COLLISION OF CULTURES
By Alex Ness
July 26, 2026

Humanity has come into a sort of maturity, somehow, it has never learned to temper its violent edge. People will say well I am personally not violent, but they live in a system that measures out resources as a consequence of violence. A system that entertains with violence, however much the equipment used in the sport is modernized. Male children, particularly, play as if using guns, swords, and killing one another. And, importance on a world stage is financially determined in large part, by the nation's investment in weapons of mass destruction. War is a legitimate tool of diplomacy, as it is held in reserve as a means of achieving an end.

While people can promise to others to be non-violent, they cannot end up stateless and somehow advocate for themselves. They will need to be attached to a state to have rights, and every state maintains the monopoly upon violence. No matter the outlook, few states ever exist without a means to defend one's self. Examples of states without an armed force are few, more so, those they desire to be seen as without a military are often depending upon their neighbors for defense. I am not suggesting they should or shouldn't do that. It just isn't what they profess to be what it is that they follow.

It is rare the number of wars we've fought that clearly had no other way to solve the diplomatic issue. But they do exist.  As a result of some authentic events that required the use of force, some people assume, every situation expect of unjust wars, violence is a legitimate tool of diplomacy. Know Hitler and various others have plagued the world, I understand the fear they have wrought. But not every dictator or military leader is evil, or even pretend to be so. And still, violence as a tool is not removed from the list of options.

The power of the military in our world appeals to the weak minded. It appeals to those who need and want order. A powerful military gives shows what people value, in that the GDP of countries who spend on the tools of war, often create economic cultures based upon improving the ability to kill. The Military Industrial Complex when analyzed suggests that weapons cause war, so we need weapons to fight against war. And that, in my mind, is a load of crap.

While I am at it, think about the Cold War for a moment, weapons of mass destruction faced off, where simple use would end up destroying the humans and their dwellings on the entire planet. The Cold War also featured humans spending tons of money on alternative means of killing many, and those countries too poor to advance were left with very little assistance and the people were used in proxy wars to fight when those far away watched the results.

MODERN WAR

MEDIEVAL WAR

ANCIENT WAR

LINKS:

MY POETRY: AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com 
MEDIA:  Poplitiko.Blogspot.Com 
PROSE THOUGHTS: AlexNessWritesv1.blogspot.com
My Published Works: HERE

Social Media
https://bsky.app/profile/alexanderness63.bsky.social 
https://x.com/alexnesspoetry

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One set available (click to enlarge).

LIFE IS LEARNING

TIME IS SPENT DRINKING IN CULTURE
By Alex Ness

My time grieving has been spent in mostly solitary activities. Reading Camus, Kafka and watching a bazillion documentaries, all helped give me perspective.

I watched some films that I didn't enjoy, but felt them to be well made and likely enjoyed by others. I have watched Reservoir Dogs, and thought it good but hard to watch. Mostly everything else I began but couldn't get through them. Especially as I think Quentin Tarantino is a fine director, screenwriter... He is bright, able, understands the works that have been made prior and more. But, having said all that, his qualities being elite, I've only an appreciation for his work, rather than love. I look forward to his release of a film I am moved by.  I didn't dislike Inglorious Bastards for the same reason as the others. He gets the very best acting from his chosen actors and actresses, he has perfect director's eye, and is fearless. But Inglorious Bastards is a fairy tale, and one that the unfortunately less aware will be fooled by. Yes I do believe that.

I love Ridley Scott's film work, all of it that I have seen. There is one film I need to see, Robin Hood. I liked the work of Kevin Costner as Robin and thought his Robin Hood a fun watch, but didn't love it. I absolutely love the Adventures of Robin Hood. But I avoided Ridley's Robin Hood, as I thought it was the first of a series and wanted to go slow, for fear of seeing something about a subject I love fail. I have been told it is great, but have been told by others, nah, not great, good maybe. 
 
I mention this as I've seen works recently that shook my foundations. Perhaps because of my recent losses, my being is especially sensitive. But Kingdom Of Heaven, is glorious, it is a work that shows imperfect beings trying to live under rules of a perfect God. Such films might fail, but this film moved me so deeply, I cried at every thought of the message of the film. I am surely imperfect. I have made sooooo many errors, so many sins, so many flaws hard born. I am a flawed man and my failures are deep, lavish, and horrific. Despite my flaws, I aspire to know God, perhaps as the knights and kings, commanders and warriors were shown to also attempt.

Sometimes you are learning about movies but you are reading a book. This image shares numerous books that are about the manifestation of Godzilla across the globe, in serious thought, fiction and fandom. It is worth the investment of time, but it isn't altogether important. It is just fun.

In the present, we have war in the Middle East, war in the Crimea and Ukraine, and dozens of states and non state actors preparing for an eventual invasion of Taiwan. Japan, South Korea, US Naval Pacific Forces, and many others are uniting in efforts to coordinate their efforts. Some people with my degree areas (History of various areas of the globe, and Political Science in International Relations) are deeply involved in trying to predict, know, consider, understand the upcoming events in these and many other regions. I find interest in such events and situations, and but I more than books, cable tv and internet, I have a number of internet friends who know much more than I do about such situations and want to know my opinion. It is because of my degrees and discussion about such important situations that they are curious. They are bright. I like most of them. If I want to be "entertained by fiction" rather than horrified by the world I am finding myself living within, I read. If I am interesting to those asking the questions, I understand that why they would ask. But for me, I read, write and research. When reading for pleasure or entertainment, my preference is non fiction, but in the event of reading about wars, the enclosed image shows three fine writers.

I will someday be back and interested in the world around me. But until I stop grieving, it isn't really worth the effort. I can't escape the pain of memory and loss.

May you all be well.

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Me me me me

The Choices I've Made
By Alex Ness

THIS LIFE

I didn't go through Hell growing up. I went through Heck. People reading my words often think I'm saying that I had it the worst of all humanity. I had some good life portions. Having perfectionist parents, physical punishments, and bullies, added to a number of horrible accidents that led to concussions, a broken leg, with three particular fracture lines, that my father made me walk off, I was left with scars. My parents both meant well, but my personality, mind, outlook were all carved from the soul of thoughtful, dreamer, and introvert. An introvert who is so introverted, conformity to a life where you do things because "its the way it has always been done" is vile shit.

That still sounds like I am complaining. If you see it as that you might be demanding I conform to your definition of complaining, when I am trying to explain. And that you demand I conform to the lives and societal perceptions of other. If so, you might have a suggestion to read no further. It won't get better in that regard the further we go.

I chafed at the demand I smile for pics. My eyes were always sensitive to light so it even happens when I smiled my eyes were tearing up. The eye doctor said, yeah, it is natural and real thing unrelated to emotions, so it is not ideal. I was told over the years I cried over everything. And now, I do cry, I am not crying from sorrow or pain, I cry as often over joy as I do sorrow. But life doesn't let you choose your emotional response. You are responding.

Attachment for me once I trust someone is an easy thing. Sometimes, especially in this internet life, I find people I've attached to aren't similarly so to me. Some other people think that is groovy so they get you to give them money, or books or love. I tend to be generous with friends, or I did when I could drive and mail things easily. My memory loss and such makes that far less easy. I get lost now so easily, a route 25 years known to me gets me lost.

I was asked by someone I like very much, if growing up I thought of being a historian and pol science guy. I liked dinosaurs and history, but didn't know how that would work out. Most of the friends I had who got good grades, and ended up with great careers, weren't altogether, while growing up, my best of friends. My best friends were like me, had knowledge and intuition, but testing by memorization and false measures of ability didn't necessarily display good grades. One teacher I had mocked me for my ideals, for my first name, for my family, and for not being a "Packers" fan. I still liked them, but my like list is rather crowded.  I heard in private he was kind and well thought of, but not by me. I had, at a time, decided to use my paper route money, having had a route for 7 years, to pay for a visit after I graduated high school to Europe. I thought, I might not be good enough at art, but maybe I could teach it so others might appreciate it. That never happened and I am grateful for that, I get more enjoyment from writing poetry than I do drawing guys fighting monsters.

Writing gave me solace, but I don't think I know now, let alone then, what my path and purpose were supposed to mean.  I love my wife and son, I've great friends, none near me, still I love reading tons of books. Some day I'll create a list of the most important books in my human development. A quick look would be The Little Prince, Beowulf, The Cost of Discipleship, Alexander of Macedon, The Battle That Stopped Rome: Emperor Augustus, Arminius, and the Slaughter of the Legions in the Teutoburg Forest. I am happy to have read fiction and non fiction, comics and poetry, and huge, lush encyclopedias.  Life is better when you grow the brain you are born with.

LINKS:

MY POETRY: AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com 
MEDIA:  Poplitiko.Blogspot.Com 
PROSE THOUGHTS: AlexNessWritesv1.blogspot.com
My Published Works: HERE

Social Media
https://bsky.app/profile/alexanderness63.bsky.social 
https://x.com/alexnesspoetry

All works shown and/or considered are copyright the respective owners, fair use is the sole means of use asserted.

Does Time Lead to Better Humans?

As a species do we struggle between humans with societal traits versus traits of a hunter or warrior? ADD is said by some to be a primal trait that makes intake of sensory information able to perceive sensory information quicker and with deeper engagement. Charisma, however, doesn't help a hunter, even good looking ones. It does allow a societal trait of dealing with others, even if not being altogether different in intellect, wisdom or decision making wisdom. It allows someone to be a leader of others. 

Why is this a thought right now? I wonder if certain people will follow into war the leaders who are not of higher intelligence, but lead with either charisma or a gift to lie with efficiency. It is a dangerous time when mistakes might lead to a confrontation. Confrontations that occur with weapons fought with many levels higher of intellect to build and levels higher of consequence than the leader can perceive. I have issues found in the present, this is true. It seems clear that the decay of morality and empathy will debase the firm stance of world peace, and lead to global war. If we acknowledge there is a likelihood that we are violent as a common trait of humans, this isn't a new phenomenon.

I'm an old man compared to most of the people I engage. For me the consequences of a nuclear exchange or drawn out conflict, aren't as fear inducing to me. But I do fear, for the young, the hopeful, the true living breath of culture. I fear for my son, and everyone who has life to pursue, families to build, hopes to build and children to raise, war, of any nature is a possible species killer. However, I don't suggest any US political party is more responsible for the disaster. I vote 3rd party, but if you demand that I vote for one of the two major parties, I won't be doing that.

In time we learn wisdom, but the more life is difficult, I question the frequency of people overcoming their more base instincts. And if you believe we are all good and kind, then why do nations have to have a military? Libertarians often argued against the need for "nation states" and that government taxes are in essence stealing your money, since you have no way to say no to taxes. I am many things, but likely not a libertarian. In most areas I'd say if society over regulates your existence, that is a nanny state. If it under regulates your society, you are likely to be giving up safety in exchange for freedom. I prefer freedom, and I still want safety. Who knows what I am trying to say?

I have hope. But hope isn't enough. I vote for change, but change from what to what? Change itself isn't enough.

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LINKS:

MY POETRY AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com 
HERE: Poplitiko.Blogspot.Com 
MY PUBLISHED WORKS 

Social Media
https://bsky.app/profile/alexanderness63.bsky.social 
https://x.com/alexnesspoetry