The Paradox of the Porky Pontificator

[Mark Joyner]

Don't blame me, I'm just the messenger:

http://www.markjoyner.name/testmt/lo...ntificator.php

[melpace]

Well, if you strictly look at your cartoon, it must be all the junk she's constantly stuffing into her face! But if I might be so bold as to offer another possibility, here goes... Perhaps she went through a painful divorce, had a profound spiritual awakening and went through a period of extended fasting and prayer which kicked her metabolism down to nothing and when she finally returned to normal eating patterns, she gained a ton of weight which only compounded when she had a child late in life and spent 5 of the 9 months on doctor imposed bedrest in order not to lose the child! Hmmm...sometimes things aren't as simple as they initially appear. Perhaps a little compassion and or understanding would be in order?

I am someone who has worked out over 2 hrs a day, 6 days a week for the past 11 months and has toned up alot but as far as losing massive pounds, it just has not happened. However, I am perfectly healthy, not on any drugs and can swim circles around many of the "skinny" counterparts in deep water aerobics classes not to mention outlift many of the men in the wellness center weight room. So for your information, there's a book called Big Fat Lies by Dr. Glenn A. Gaesser, Ph.D. that tells the TRUTH about your weight and your health. I am also in the health and wellness industry and can tell you that skinny is no indication of one's health condition. Many of the people I have helped get off of countless prescriptions were skinny and sick as dogs...literally starving nutritionally but full of drugs that kept them disoriented in their minds and sick to their stomachs. I hope this helps someone out there to understand that prejudice isn't always black and white!

[juancamilobuitrago]

The problem is that she keeps taking weakening decisions, she just don't act according to what she's reading.

Somebody can read a lot of books but if you don't apply what you learn is worst than not reading them (at least you didn't lose your time).

I think this also teaches a lesson for us about one thing, we can sell people information about how to do things or solve problems even if they don't use it or act upon it. Most of the people that buy your book will feel great because they found a solution to a problem even if they don't use the knowledge adquired to solve it.

[russgu3]

Hey all,

I guess this is another fine example of how people fail to use their natural ability to reason, to really think things out.

In this case, while Porky is reading a diet book, she continues with the same diet that made her Porky in the first place, instead of making the changes the book is surely telling her to.

Assumptions I think we can logically make:

• She knows she needs to lose weight
• She acquired a book to help her lose weight
• She read the entire book over a period of months
• She doesn't change her eating habits while reading the book
• She doesn't increase her energy expenditure to burn more calories
• She doesn't lose any weight during the entire time she is reading the book

I guess she fits the neo-classic definition of insanity - to keep doing the things you always did, but to expect different results.

The variable here is the book, which is the center of this paradox.

This just goes to further show how utterly oblivious most of us (people in general) are to how other people see us and how often a major disparity exists between our view and theirs.

My favorite example of this is the show American Idol (and other country's versions as well) during the audition phase.

I guess I've always been fascinated by psychology, because I just sit in awe and disbelief when I watch those auditions.

What I mean is, some of those people are so tone deaf, I could bring out fresh milk while they are singing and end up with cottage cheese at the end of the song!

They're totally clueless they have no earthly talent in the vocal department whatsoever.

Then I can't help but wonder who all had done them the disservice of not telling them the truth all those years. Their friends and families come with them and support them and trash talk about how good they are - before, during and after the audition.

But they never just told them the truth - they can't sing to save their lives.

American Inventor is a different tilt on the same psychology experiment.

Both shows are very enlightening to me...

And I appreciate that, because they help me to really look at myself and do a diagnostic evaluation of how I think about myself - and whether what I think is an accurate depiction of what other people see and think.

And this cartoon helps to demonstrate that you can read all the books in the library of congress and still not have a guarantee of a specific definite outcome.

“Action is the real measure of intelligence.”
Napoleon Hill

I went looking for another quote I had heard somewhere (something like action alone is king) and ended up finding hundreds and hundreds of quotes on action but the one I was looking for.

No matter, because Napoleon Hill is well respected enough among the hundreds of other quoters of varying levels of fame and legend to say it - action rules the world.

Enough rambling for now.

Be well,

Russ

[bill_manzullo]

To me this clearly demonstrates the insidious nature of addictions. Since the foods she is eating ore obviously inconsistent with her objective (which we can assume to be skinny based on the title of the book she is reading) we can assume that she is addicted to the sugar and fat in the foods she is eating and will continue to go on eating these thingns until her addiction is broken (something that a book - on its own - would be hard pressed to accomplish)

On a more personal note I'd like to admit a new addiction I uncovered about myself yesterday (and since admission is the first step in recovery I suppose I may be on the road to recovery) Having gone to my email inbox at least half a dozen times specifically looking for Mark's latest blog entry (and continuing to not find it) it became apparent to me that in the short time Mark has been doing this blog, I have already developed a healthy addiction to it. (Well done Mark - you're right up there with heroin & cocaine)

Further - as an addict I am feeling much better now that Mark has put in his new entry and Ifeel more equipped to go on with my day.

So in honor of Mark's blog entry, I will now go and do my daily 30 minute walk which is the action that is consistent with my own personal objective of being fit and energetic because as was quoted by Napoleon Hill earlier in this thread, "Action is the real measure of intelligence."

All the best to all of Mark's loyal fans (and addicts)

[ravensong9]

Hi Mark,

I was wondering...wow, who is doing the artwork for these cartoons! It's great.

And then someone mentioned that it is you! Well done!

(what medium are you using? pen/ink?)

Cheers
Nancy

[changinglives10]

I think she will do something after she is finished the book. She needs to take her time and digest all the information. Much like starting your diet on "Monday"


Kathy

[ravensong9]

In response to some of the posts re: over eating (or any other sabotaging action). Here is another perspective on this issue. Sometimes, in spite of will power that is exercised, a saboteur lurks in the psyche...this is often because of previous trauma that causes a protection mechanism to come into being. While it worked then to keep a person safe, it often doesn't work in the "now", but it is important to have compassion with this and not stand in judgement. Certain traumas can form a belief that it is not safe to be attractive... Awareness of this creates a place for integrity, flow, action, growth and change.

As Mark mentioned in a previous post, it is great to see such a polite/respectful exchange of ideas....I appreciate that too.

Nancy

[bill_manzullo]

Thank you Nancy for your well made point as well as reminding us to demonstrate compassion versus standing in judgement.

Your words are "right on" and I just wanted to post a quick acknowledgement to you.

All the best,

Bill

[wendy_s]

Motivation moves many people. Obviously, even though she was reading this book, she was only 'minorly' interested in losing weight. Nothing has motivated her extremely to take action. She is not 'REALLY' ready to lose the weight. She probably thinks it would be 'nice' if she could. Some people need a SHOCK of some type to motivate them and get them to stop coming up with excuses.

For instance... A person who smokes nearly their entire life, knows that smoking isn't good for them. They still do it. It is a habit they feel they can stop at any time when they wish to. Then one day, they are diagnosed with cancer. If they don't stop smoking, they are surely sealing their doom. Most people then try to change their habits and make an extreme change. Few others simply can't do it, due to lack of motivation. It is just a shame that it takes something life-threatening for some people to change their bad habits.

Bad habits don't appear overnight. The habit is formed over a period of time. A good habit to replace the bad habit must be formed and it takes time. Too many people want a quick fix.

Mark, I love the cartoons! Keep up the great work.