,
be sure to include a clear subject line. If you emailed me at my previous onebox
account in the last few months I probably did not recieve it.My name is Michael, I was born in 1976 in CT, I lived in Washington state for a few years and then back in CT for the rest. I went to R.E. Fitch High school in Groton and was not significantly important there. Since then my interests have developed widely and I have been on an intellectual and spiritual persuit to better myself as a person. I actively study philosophy, philosophy of science, ethics, science, physics, politics, history, and pretty much anything that is intellectually stimulating. I am also currently building a custom motorcycle, I also do free lance 3D artwork and rendering on the side.
I read almost exclsively non fiction works, and some of my favorite authors and intellectual inspirations are, in no particular order, are Carl Sagan, Matt Ridley, Richard Dawkins, Michael Shermer, James Randi, Eric Drexler, Freeman Dyson, Richard Feynman, Isaac Asimov, Ayn Rand, Aristotle, Paul Davies...I consider myself a skeptic (not to be confused with a cynic) and do not believe in God, paranormal phenomena, pyschic powers, astrology, witchcraft, demons, dragons, or the tooth fairy. I do, however, believe that humans are wonderfull beautifull amazing creatures, that our lives, our cultures, our art and music, are some of the most fascinating and wonderfull things out there. I am a humanist above all, I have faith in people and thier drive to overcome challenges.
I do not drink or smoke although I have no fundamental problems with people who do either, I just choose not to. In fact, I align myself closely to the libertarian party, which is founded on a principle of individual freedom, I definately support the right to choose to smoke or do drugs, but I choose not to take part in it, because, to paraphrase Richard Feynman, I do not want to mess with the physiological mechamisms that make me me. Seperating an individual choice from one that is enforced on other seems to be something too many people have difficulty with.
I enjoy meeting new people, if you are so inclined email me at ,
be sure to include a clear subject line. If you emailed me at my previous onebox
account in the last few months I probably did not recieve it.
I am Interested in philosophy, science, physics, politics, ethics, inventing, motorcycles, aircraft... 3D Animation, Movies and music, nearly any genre, art, poetry, living life to its fullest.
I am hesistant to call myself a subscriber of particular 'isms' or groups, but some that I share much of my idealogies with include:
Libertarianism: In the most classical liberal sense, I respect and value peoples choices to do whatever they want as long as they do not hurt anyone. Personally though, some might consider me socially conservative as I do not drink or use any drugs and do little to advertise my personality externally, but upon further investigation youll find out I am a staunch atheist and humanist and I am content living a rich full life through studying, learning, reading, and most importantly doing things which make life worthwhile.
Ayn Rand: Very influenced by Rand in her views on personal empowerment and valuation, her staunch moral stances which are reconciled so beautifully with secular humanism and rationality. I also found her views on sex, love, and emotions to be the most valuable yet made in the world.
Minarchist: Some form of government must exist, in its most basic form, to protect people from foreign threats, establish rule of law, and be the final arbiter in disputes. But thats about all it should do.
Anti-communist: If there is one group that has not received the condemnation it has earned it is the communists. While 'Nazi' invokes a vile disgust in every reasonable person, few think much of Communism, yet soviet communism has killed 170 million people this century, almost 10 times as many people as Nazism, and every communist country has been nothing less than a brutal dictatorial hell hole. While communism is mostly defeated, countries still remain and millions of people still live in their brutal oppression.
Athiest: More accurately a weak atheist, in that there is no evidence suggesting as a simplest explanation that the universe was created by an intelligent being and no such being routinely interacts in our personal lives. We are alone with ourselves and must make our own purpose in life.
Extropian: Extropians embrace the opposite of entropy. If entropy is random decay into disorder, extropy is directed movement toward more order. Extropians embrace the use of technology to better ourselves, to extend our lives, to expand our freedoms, and to conquer aging, disease, and death in general.
Eudaemonist: Aristotlean Eudaemonist, started a web group based on Aristotle's wonderful concept of Eudaemonism, which is to embrace and nourish all the things that make being alive and human wonderful and worthwhile.
Scientist: First and foremost I denounce mysticism. Objective reality exists and science is the progressive effort to create an ever more accurate description of it. Our technology and formulas create ever better devices and predict ever more accurately the way the universe works.
Optimist: The world is not about to end, we are not all on the verge of starvation and environmental self destruction. Population growth rates continue to decline in every developed nation as women are giving more freedoms and standards of living increase. All across the world there are more people living in free representative countries than ever before, fewer people starving to death, and more people living longer, healthier lives than ever before. This pace is not as fast as it could or should be, but it is getting better.
On the informal side, I own my own house and do 3D animation work from home. I am also currently designing and building a motorcycle and perpetually reading anything related to the topics above. I like watching movies, but only ones I rent or own typically. I enjoy taking motorcycle rides, traveling, I hope to move to Las Vegas in the near future (or New Hampshire...) Writing articles, debating on forums, challenging my own ideas and growing and developing them and myself in general. I enjoy eating out, going to shows, drawing, designing and hanging out with my friends or family often.
Michael Dickey
See also - MySpace Profile - http://profiles.myspace.com/users/1406587
Pictures of friends and I
updated 083104