Definitions

I'm always compelled to start blogs, but I suppose it's another thing to maintain them. I'm trying to be more committed to scheduling my time as the number of my hobbies increase.

I suppose you're asking, "Why Ontological Robot?"

A generally unhelpful definition of ontology can be found at Dictionary.com.

Ontology, noun
the branch of metaphysics that studies the nature of existence or being as such.

For a better definition of terms philosophical, I usually go to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. It's a better explanation, but let's just say I'm trying to work out my ontological commitment by blogging.

Robots, of course, are easy to explain. Even if people don't always like or trust robots, they are undoubtedly cool and an easy hook.

I've always thought that the appeal to Isaac Asimov's three laws of robotics was overdone, but I think in this case the third law resonates with me. The three laws, as published in his short story "Runaround"(1942), are as follows:

1) A robot may not injure a human being, or through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2) A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

To protect one's own existence while wrestling with the concept of one's existence may be fairly ambitious to start, but I suppose one must start somewhere.

I'm Back Again

I'm kicking the can again. Does anyone even know what that means anymore? I remember playing a game called Kick the Can. I'm foggy on the details. It was a long time ago, and I'm never very good with remembering the rules to games.

I'm Back

I've decided to try this personal blogging again. I feel conflicted. I don't know how to get past my cynicism. How is it that so many people in this world feel that what they are writing is worth reading?

I saw this performance artist on cable. She was so bad. She wore body paint and recited really awful poetry. I can't begin to describe how terrible it was. I'm kinda fascinated by her though. She isn't remotely talented, attractive or interesting. Yet she puts herself out there. One might say she's courageous.

I guess my biggest fear is being the blogging equivalent of some insane hippy with body paint on cable.

Domino

Last night I went to the UC and watched Domino.

My favorite bad movie has always been Showgirls. And though part of me wanted to make Domino my new favorite bad movie, I decided it didn't make the cut. Mainly it's because Keira Knightley's lap dance is WEAK. Elizabeth Berkley definitely does the best movie lap dance in history. I suppose I'm not really an expert.

But to give a synopsis of Domino... imagine if Quentin Tarantino and Guy Richie had a schizophrenic love child who was addicted to Mescaline and day time trailer trash TV. That is all.

Cheating

 In my quest to practice the craft of writing, I've begun this blog. I think blogging becomes cheating in a way. Who else gets to write and have immediate publication? Sometimes I really hate the whole idea of a blog. And sometimes I just give into the self-deluded self-indulgence.

Prince of Ketchup

My first celebrity sighting in Pittsburgh occurred right before the Warhol Bridge. I saw Chris Heinz, Prince of Ketchup, standing on the corner in a navy blazer with a bunch of older gentlemen who were also similarly dressed. I'm almost certain it was him, not that I stalk him or anything. I should post it on Craigslist Missing Connections, because I'm absolutely sure he saw me too and was into me. *smirk*

Yous Come Back Now

Apparently Yinzers(Pittsburghers) have this thing about bridges and tunnels. They don't like to cross them or go through them. As a result, they end up spending most of their time only in their neighbourhood. Since I'm a cultural chameleon, I was understandably trepidatious when A* wanted to hang out in the Southside.

I live in North Oakland, which is apparently distinct from Oakland. I'm not entirely sure how it works, other than being north of Oakland proper.

A* is not from Pittsburgh. A* cuts her own hair, which is fairly impressive considering how good her hair looks.

So at any rate, I don't know A* very well, but I met her outside the museum(Carnegie Museum of Natural History). She actually works inside the museum, as indicated by her ID badge. I just wanted to be clear that I don't randomly approach complete strangers, just because they happen to be standing outside museums.