Paradox of "I"

My comment to Ian's Blog: The Nature of the 'I'

A special thanks for your last post Ian. I may have nothing to add but I have thoughts to share.

We are born as a little bit of protoplasm which has been differentiated from the non-living by the definition of a perimeter. That is not much to start with so things rapidly get more complex. Before separation from the mother, the cells have multiplied and organized. The senses which developed in utero begin connecting the newborn with the exterior world even before birth. The sense of being a separate individual, an “I” develops from not having control of ones comfort. Thus the dualism of the “I” and the “not I” is introduced. All sentient beings share development to this stage.

It might be said that the “I” is the awareness of being separated from the amorphous outside which provides data to the senses.

I ask how this “I” bears the image of God. Perhaps the image we bear is of the paradoxical nature of God. The paradox of the “I” is that although each is unique, yet each develops is the same way from the same material. The uniqueness must come from that original breath of life. All that follows is dénouement.

Blake delighted in exploring the paradoxical. That wisdom can come from folly, or that Eternity should find the limitation of time to be of value, impress on us the differences are reconciled by changing perspective. 

MARK RETIREMENT

Some of my closest friends treated me to a celebratory dinner Wednesday. This watercolor was done by Dr Weiling He, whom I recruited many years ago. She is  now associate department head. She meant the painting to evoke the Mississippi River but it also is a memory of when we first met and we sat at a table and showed each other our sketchbooks.

In the center, Dr Bryan Waters, my penultimate doctoral student. To the right, Dr Wei Yan, interim department head, my frequent research collaborator, Berkeley graduate, and a person that I recruited to the faculty 20 years ago. 

I am actually wearing the robes of Dr Jorge Vanegas. He also earned his PhD from Stanford with the same faculty who mentored me but a few years earlier. I recruited him also to Texas A&M. (My regalia is in storage).  

I am the white haired guy seated in the middle while the faculty give me a standing ovation.

John Bullock

 John David Bullock

March 16, 1973 — November 29, 2025

Havelock

John David Bullock, 52, of Havelock, North Carolina, passed away peacefully to his heavenly home after a brave and courageous battle with cancer on November 29, 2025, surrounded by his loving family and friends.
He was born on March 16, 1973, in Honolulu, Hawaii, the son of David and Lynn Bullock. John graduated as Valedictorian from Havelock High School in 1991 and then earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from North Carolina State University in 1996.
John started his career as a civil servant supporting the US Air Force at Edwards Air Force Base in California in 1997 and worked on the C-17 airframe as a flight test engineer and flying qualities representative. He then returned to Havelock/Cherry Point MCAS in 2000 and continued his civil service career for the US Navy on the SH-60B, SH-60F, HH-60H, MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters as vibration and IMDS Lead Engineer. John’s diligence and dedication to his duties resulted in saving many lives and aircraft. His career was not just a job, but a passion to serve the fleet.
John’s defining qualities include his love of family as well as animals, especially his cat Hoosier. He enjoyed building Star Wars LEGO models, reading, and listening to all genres of music. He also devoted his spare time to researching family genealogy reaching all the way back to ancestors in England in the 1600s that owned a lighthouse. John loved to hear his mom play the piano and was even known to help arrange piano pieces for her to play at church. He was known to enjoy playing games with family including Skip-Bo and would give a loud “Ba-gock!” when playing Chicken Foot. His sense of humor was well known amongst his family and colleagues and he often played practical jokes including posting a “No Parking” sign at work with the fine being a dozen donuts.
John is survived by his parents, Patricia Lynn and David Bullock; his sister, Jennifer Hite; his nephews, Jacob, William, and Alex Hite; and his beloved extended family. 
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Jo Anne Suhr, and Austin and Joel Bullock.
Per John’s request, no service is planned. There will be a future musical celebration in honor of John that will share some of his favorite music and his mother playing piano.
John was truly a legend and will be deeply missed and forever remembered. In honor of him, we ask that you make a contribution to Colorectal Cancer Alliance (www.colorectalcancer.org) or the ASPCA (www.ASPCA.org). We also want to share John’s wish with you that everyone have wellness checks and get a colonoscopy as soon as your doctor recommends.

https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2054479571405156781/4003961454877443189

CHARLES WILLIAMS

 https://www.fadedpage.com/sc/williams.php