In the simplest of terms, ideology is the study of ideas.

In the previous philosophical series, Developmental Theology 089, we talked about very basic ideas that can help develop an open mind, and teach us how to create our own philosophical views, overlooking prior prejudices. You can read the entire Developmental Theology series in this PDF.

With the foundation built in Developmental Theology, my hope is to extend this learning with my Basic Ideology lessons. These lessons haven’t seen the kind of popularity as the former lessons. I think this is because the ideas and concepts are more complex. I’ve struggled with making the subject itself more accessible to the everyday person, with no prior knowledge of philosophical concepts. I’m beginning to think this is the mistake. It has been suggested that to better understand the current lessons, one should have read the prior lessons.

Which leads us to this lesson. I’ve provided a back link, so those who are behind, but would like to catch up, can. I’ll be working on better ways to do this as we continue these lessons.

Back to the question at hand: What is ideology?

Well, it is indeed the study of ideas, but it is also much more personal than that. Every person adheres to an ideology, whether they realize it or not. It is the sum total of one’s beliefs concerning right and wrong, and the degree to which things are right and wrong. Further it includes a person’s concepts of justice, punishment, reward, and how to deal with our own actions, as well as the actions of others.

Sometimes these ideologies have names, such as Humanism, which we talked about in the last two lessons, or a religious grouping. More often, one’s ideology is very personal, and crosses over many identified ideologies, as well as those without a name. It is influenced by events in life, and their effects, the things children are taught by their parents and other authority figures, books read, and things studied. Personal ideologies are constantly changing and evolving as new ideas and experiences are introduced.

I believe that by talking about these ideas, we can shift our focus and purposely evolve our own concepts. And in this sharing, we might find that we are not so different, despite our personal ideologies. Helping to build the community of man is the most important thing to which a person can aspire. And it’s what I aspire to here, and I hope at least some of my readers are with me on this cause.

Jack
I Listen.

Basic Ideology 101
Lesson #25
The Battle of Focus

I took most of this week off in an effort to finish the final publishing details for Loki Listens Volume 1.  I think the effort went pretty well.    You can now purchase my first book for download directly to your Amazon Kindle!  I’ll have details on the print release soon.  It’s in the final approval process.  I’m also working on a release for mobile readers.  More details on that soon.  Also, please remember the book is available in eBook(PDF) format for free on the ‘Classroom’ tab at the top of this page!

As many of you know, I am a regular guest on the podcast, Something Kinda Techy.  There is a new one up now.  You can listen to all of these podcasts from here.

In personal life, I’ve had some bad dental problems this week, but I believe they are now resolved.

With all of that out of the way, I think we are ready to head into Part 2 of The Cost of Magic.  Look for it tomorrow.

Jack
I Listen.

Monday Update
February 23, 2009

Had a job interview over the phone that I think went pretty well. Second interview is Thursday.

The Developmental Theology eBook can now be found under the ‘Classroom’ tab at the top of all pages. It is 100% free, please feel free to pass it along to your friends.

I get to go see the eye doctor for new glasses on Saturday. woo. Can you tell I’m excited? :p

I feel a bit like the blind leading the naked today. I’ve got Tom Waits on the jukebox, and a head that is moving too slowly for much creativity. But who knows.

I do have some pretty cool stuff coming up this week, just for you. The Cost of Magic is just about to get really interesting. Basic Ideology will continue in the efforts to help you think outside of the box. Also, check out the new Granadas tab above. It contains post from my tumblr account, Tear Gas and Hand Grenades.

Jack.
You guys and gals know I listen, right?

Monday Update
January 12, 2009

On my new phone I’ve been keeping track of where I’m going and such with GPSed.

Still have the Early Bird Edition of Loki Listens Volume 1: Developmental Theology. Download the PDF here.

Lots of cool stuff coming up this week, as I am back on my regular writing schedule.

Jack
I Listen

Monday Update
January 5, 2009

Haven’t really accomplished much this week at all with all of the crazy Christmas business. It’s time to get back in gear though. Gonna get back to daily posts again this week. Try to push the envelope even further with more pieces to The Cost of Magic and Basic Ideology 101. It’s going to be a good week. Trust me.

And, I do have a bit of a surprise for you tonight! It’s finally here! Loki Listens Volume 1: Developmental Theology eBook! This is an early edition. We’ll see a second version at the time of print release with an introduction and some additional thoughts by our old friend Scarab.

Download your copy now!

Jack
I Listen.

Monday Update
December 29, 2008

This week we are going to see more updates to The Cost of Magic and the Basic Ideology series.  I’m going to introduce you to my first completed eBook, and a couple of new Squidoo lenses.I’ve got an article on teaching styles, and an article on two relatively new technologies that seem to keep butting heads.

I’ve got a lot planned, and as long as no one slips me anymore Vicodin, it should come out pretty cool.

Jack
I Listen.
Monday Update
December 15, 2008

We had another full week, with posts every day. I’m gonna try to keep making this happen.

My friend, Pete, turned me on to this great acoustic solo act, Matt Nathanson. Check his site out. Freakin’ awesome.

The novel that I am serializing here at Loki Listens, started on Saturday. Check out the first section.

Twitter. I am apparently back in business. Check out my tweetstats.

After several recommendations, I moved from Pidgin to Digsby for my Instant Messaging client. Main thing is that digsby takes care of my email, myspace, and facebook.  It also crashes less than Pidgin.

With that said, let’s talk about Squidoo. I reached my target of 10 Lenses. With that target goal, I will not make another lens until I believe these 10 are very, very good. Check them out.

• Seth Godin’s Tribes
• Loki Listens to You
• Who is Jack Lhasa
• Jack Lhasa’s Lensography
• Richard Bach’s Illusions
• Fable 2 Review
• Saint’s Row Review
• Xbox 360 Review and Hub
• Herbal Remedies: Echinacea
• Herbal Remedies: Ginkgo Biloba

And lastly, I’d like to talk about Daily Mugshot. Come and join in on this fun.  I have set a goal to wear a different hat every day.  Or atleast wear it in a way that I have not before.  Check it out below.

Jack.
I Listen.
Monday Updates
December 8, 2008

Loki Listens Volume 1 is almost ready to print. I’m hoping you’ll be seeing it within the next couple of weeks.

We started a few new things here. A series of true stories called Fragments. And an upcoming fiction series called The Cost of Magic.

Also got a lot done over at squidoo. You can see all the fresh flavor here.

Jack
I Listen.

Update
12.1.08

This week in Jack-News!

• 3 New Squidoo Lenses:  Saint’s Row, Ginkgo Biloba, The Xbox 360
• First draft of Developmental Theology 089 finished.  Working with some collaborators now.
• Mailed out 5 postcards.  More to come.
• Broke out Tiger Wood regalia, because it is cold.
• Began a workout regimen.
• Actively recording 12seconds videos.
• Added a few thousands words to my short story, The Cost of Magic.

I think that about covers it for the week.  I’ve got some really cool stuff coming up, so visit often!

Jack.
I Listen.

“And who is left?” asked Brother Raven.