Stomping Our Way to Hell...One Grain At A Time

Richter Scales

I find it interesting that seismologists say Seattle Seahawks fans shook the ground under Seattle’s CenturyLink Field as the Seahawks rumbled past the New Orleans Saints, 23-15 last Saturday.

The scientists believe the fans may have jumped and stomped their way to a small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown.  You can see the seismic graph here.

The University of Washington's Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) told The Seattle Times they'll know for sure in a few days.

It's also been true throughout human history that the louder we humans stomp, the greater the chances Mother Earth will say "Yep, I heard you."

At a time when wickedness is great in the world, so too will be the response.

Just ask those who lived during Noah's time.

(By the way, those are some nifty geysers at the 2:00 mark of that preview).

Ioccane Powder

Ironically, sports is not one of my primary mortal "indulgences."  It's watching movies with my family.

One of my favorites is "The Princess Bride."

In it, the "Dread Pirate Roberts" survived drinking a poisoned chalice of wine because he had spent the last few years building up an immunity to "ioccane powder."

(It's been said that "ioccane powder" is actually an anagram for cocaine, a commonly used drug during the time the book/movie were written (1973, 1987 respectively).

The whole practice of protecting oneself against a poison by gradually self-administering non-lethal amounts actually has a name: Mithridatism.  The word derives from Mithridates VI, the King of Pontus, who so feared being poisoned that he regularly ingested small doses, aiming to develop immunity (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithridatism).

It's not fiction.  Among the few practical uses of mithridatism include zoo handlers, researchers and circus artists who deal closely with venomous animals.  It's been successfully used to render immunity to multiple bites of extremely venomous cobras and pit vipers.

Societally, we are no different.  Mankind has shown time and again that it is not only willing, but also eager, to ingest small doses of societal poison in the hopes that it can withstand the ramifications of what's ordinarily sudden toxic shock and death.  "Just a little grain here, and a little grain there, and we'll be OK" is a very common mantra these days.

"And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God-he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God." (2 Nephi 28:8) 

"And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever." (2 Nephi 26:22)

True, Satan will never hook us with the poison chalice right off the bat.  That's ludicrous, because we'd just reject it.  But by giving us just a little grain here, and a little grain there, he's got us.  Right where he wants us.

If you don't believe me, then look for the statements (including newspaper Op-Ed pieces) that essentially say "Just a little grain here, and a little grain there..."