issues to write about regarding trust:
trusting community - rather than buying insurance..
trusting authorities - scientists, agencies, etc..
trusting people --- love? - hitchhiking... learning about others, adventure? safety?
trusting a person - with whom you are in a relationship
trusting - faith?
trusting - ones own judgement, intuition, etc...
trust ones perceptions... ones eyes, ears, etc.... --- the four corners example - plus???
trust some/the system?
etc? OTHER???
Bib/Web-liography:
http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/gentrust.htm - WHO DO YOU TRUST? MEN AND WOMEN ANSWER THAT DIFFERENTLY
http://www.econtentmag.com/Articles/ArticleReader.aspx?ArticleID=7361 -
Who Do You Trust?
By Walt Crawford - December 2004 Issue, Posted Nov 29, 2004
http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/february2007/050207trust.htm - Ed Brown: Who Do You Trust?
Christian Words Monday, February 5, 2007
http://www.usouthal.edu/univlib/sauer/propaganda.html - Adapted from: Bodi, Sonia. "Propaganda or Scholarship: How to Tell the Difference." Empowering Students; Hands-On Library Instruction Activities. Ed. Marilyn P. Whitmore. Pittsburgh: Library Instruction Publications, 1996. 15-20.
above from a search on Google for: "who do you trust" (quotes in place to seek a phrase)
AND FROM PSYCHINFO:
Subject (DE) heading is: trust social behavior - which gives 121 peer reviewed journal/conference articles on that subject... Results sent in email for Endnote...
From SOCIOLOGICAL ABSTRACTS:
Trust is a DE --- and results are
1275 results found for: DE=trust in Sociological Abstracts
Published Works 1275
Scholars 3853 <--- this is Community of Scholars.... INTERESTING!!!! All Publication Types 1275 Journals 1018
Peer-Reviewed Journals 773
Conferences 107
Books 11
IDEA: - in Sociological Abs --- refine to Trust AND health (or medicine... etc)
From PUBMED:
Trust as: MESH --- produces 2175 results
Trust and MajrHeading -- produces: 710 results...
ALL ABOVE -- done on Oct. 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Weight - health.... NOW
I must:
not drink wasted calorie sutff - including diet sodas but certainly alcoholic beverages and juices. - Basically -- DRINK WATER
Cut down on salts... - no more pretzels, chips, olives, AND ALL THAT.... etc...
More veggies - peppers, celery, (not carrots), etc..
some more fruits.
Less carbs.... less bread and pasta and such....
Eat beans... - rice and beans?
Eat less cheese and other milk/fat products
NO EATING OUT.....
MORE EXERCISE:
Walk to work more/a lot
Walk at noon/lunch?
aerobics and weight room visits...
swim???
bike ride?
And Meditate - on calmness, health, diet, food issues....
not drink wasted calorie sutff - including diet sodas but certainly alcoholic beverages and juices. - Basically -- DRINK WATER
Cut down on salts... - no more pretzels, chips, olives, AND ALL THAT.... etc...
More veggies - peppers, celery, (not carrots), etc..
some more fruits.
Less carbs.... less bread and pasta and such....
Eat beans... - rice and beans?
Eat less cheese and other milk/fat products
NO EATING OUT.....
MORE EXERCISE:
Walk to work more/a lot
Walk at noon/lunch?
aerobics and weight room visits...
swim???
bike ride?
And Meditate - on calmness, health, diet, food issues....
Monday, June 11, 2007
normalcy...
Everyone seeks normalcy. What is normal sex? (inspired by watching the film: Kinsey)
We all want to be doing that which is normal. We do not want to be too unique. We do not want to be different. We would like to be part of some larger group.
As for TODAY -- there are SO many people that there are lots of subgroups which have numbers enough to make it possible that almost everyone can find some group to which they will find consorts.... Find some kind of COHORT.....
In earlier times ... when groups of humans were much, much smaller then most people really had to be like ALL others.. because that was all there was..... UNLESS they left and found some other community where others like themselves could be found...
AND --- power being what it is... THE majority could enforce its rule since THE MINORITY might only be one or two persons... and easy to control by force...
We all want to be doing that which is normal. We do not want to be too unique. We do not want to be different. We would like to be part of some larger group.
As for TODAY -- there are SO many people that there are lots of subgroups which have numbers enough to make it possible that almost everyone can find some group to which they will find consorts.... Find some kind of COHORT.....
In earlier times ... when groups of humans were much, much smaller then most people really had to be like ALL others.. because that was all there was..... UNLESS they left and found some other community where others like themselves could be found...
AND --- power being what it is... THE majority could enforce its rule since THE MINORITY might only be one or two persons... and easy to control by force...
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
musings on Infinity
Infinity... when thought about... can move one to begin thinking about the Spirit, creation, G-d, ONE, ALL, etc....
The Infinitely small and the infinitely large...
Einstein had a lot of trouble reconciling his theory of relativity with the large and the small.... Somethings did not work on both levels.
Is one the Devil and the other G-d? Which is which?
Are both the same in some essential way?
A POINT or the WHOLE.
Both are Singularities....!!!!
NOW and ALWAYS (not now and then)
HERE and EVERYWHERE.....
Cannot be added to or subtracted from.... Nothing can be done with Infinity to change it....
CHANGE ..... NOT possible regarding Infinity!?
When considering interacting with Infinity - how can one effect it? To interact would be to change it --- but isn't it really UNCHANGING? If it cannot be added to or divided... etc... - then - it is all that it is... and ever will be... etc.. etc.. --- sounds a lot like how we try to label or discuss G0d!
The Infinitely small and the infinitely large...
Einstein had a lot of trouble reconciling his theory of relativity with the large and the small.... Somethings did not work on both levels.
Is one the Devil and the other G-d? Which is which?
Are both the same in some essential way?
A POINT or the WHOLE.
Both are Singularities....!!!!
NOW and ALWAYS (not now and then)
HERE and EVERYWHERE.....
Cannot be added to or subtracted from.... Nothing can be done with Infinity to change it....
CHANGE ..... NOT possible regarding Infinity!?
When considering interacting with Infinity - how can one effect it? To interact would be to change it --- but isn't it really UNCHANGING? If it cannot be added to or divided... etc... - then - it is all that it is... and ever will be... etc.. etc.. --- sounds a lot like how we try to label or discuss G0d!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
trapped - again and again...
Being trapped is not what I like to feel. I guess one could say one is never trapped if one takes the attitude of total freedom and total lack of ground and connection and solidness.
BUT... I do feel trapped from time to time... when someone asks for something for which the only reasonable response is YES... or whatever.
The person making the request frames the question and the setting so that any response except the one THEY want would be unreasonable and to the point of being wrong. So.. getting setup is cool from one point of view but my feeling trapped into answering in only one way is a bad feeling for me... SO... it might be better if the one questioning does what they truly are doing which is DECLARING THIS IS HOW IT IS GOING TO BE.... Thne for me to DENY them what they want would be as real and as difficult as answering their "request" but we would all be more honest! In fact -- the one questioning might clearly see that they are imposing their will/wants and they might approach the whole thing differently... and I might be able to take it better.
Ah... but it IS ME... and MY EGO... and so I am totally stuck and put upon!
BUT... I do feel trapped from time to time... when someone asks for something for which the only reasonable response is YES... or whatever.
The person making the request frames the question and the setting so that any response except the one THEY want would be unreasonable and to the point of being wrong. So.. getting setup is cool from one point of view but my feeling trapped into answering in only one way is a bad feeling for me... SO... it might be better if the one questioning does what they truly are doing which is DECLARING THIS IS HOW IT IS GOING TO BE.... Thne for me to DENY them what they want would be as real and as difficult as answering their "request" but we would all be more honest! In fact -- the one questioning might clearly see that they are imposing their will/wants and they might approach the whole thing differently... and I might be able to take it better.
Ah... but it IS ME... and MY EGO... and so I am totally stuck and put upon!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
in the middle....
The middle is watching... it may not have a leader but it has points of views... and it see what is happening. Sometimes the right or the left WINS and the middle carries on ok. Sometimes the middle gets mucked up. BUT... the middle which is moderate and all is good in moderation and that which is extreme and immoderate is usually not good... well --- in the Jewish Community there IS -- Right and there is Wrong...
The middle is watching. Do not embarrass yourself in front of the middle.
Is the middle more right than wrong? Is a tyranny of the majority a possibility?
Bashing one point of view... and then trying to silence that bashing... WELL --- there is the rub. Silencing anyone can be done... but really it is only really done by brute force.
I want all discussions to go forward. I would limit who can hear certain discussions... since I would not want those outside our community to think that we are in any way endorsing certain points of view...--- BUT -- if someone in our community wants to talk about some enemy and suggest ways of respecting that enemy and even supporting some of what that "other" may demand -- WELL -- it might be easier for the person in our community to get someone from the other side to talk and make their own case....
Talking is better than killing. I would like to hear directly and unfiltered some of what the Other might have to say. I would like them to hear me directly, too. I would hope that some of that listening might lead to more talking and more listening and less killing and some sort of understanding and accomodation.
ahhh.... wishes.....
The middle is watching. Do not embarrass yourself in front of the middle.
Is the middle more right than wrong? Is a tyranny of the majority a possibility?
Bashing one point of view... and then trying to silence that bashing... WELL --- there is the rub. Silencing anyone can be done... but really it is only really done by brute force.
I want all discussions to go forward. I would limit who can hear certain discussions... since I would not want those outside our community to think that we are in any way endorsing certain points of view...--- BUT -- if someone in our community wants to talk about some enemy and suggest ways of respecting that enemy and even supporting some of what that "other" may demand -- WELL -- it might be easier for the person in our community to get someone from the other side to talk and make their own case....
Talking is better than killing. I would like to hear directly and unfiltered some of what the Other might have to say. I would like them to hear me directly, too. I would hope that some of that listening might lead to more talking and more listening and less killing and some sort of understanding and accomodation.
ahhh.... wishes.....
Monday, April 16, 2007
2007 New Years Resolutions
Updated/checked - today - 4/16/07
Few things done. I have been continuing to check and consider #1 - Tai Chi - and in fact received today information form Ilia. Exercising has been done but sporadically. Eating is not being done very well. The book list is going ok and is significantly done. The gardening is not done but may yet come to be. I had forgotten about the 100 things to do list and the "fix-up" stuff has had some action.
NOTE: the "drink more tea" thing is probably a no-go especially in light of our gifting to ourselves the "fully-automatic coffee center"!
1. Improve health - eat less and better, exercise more, take up Tai Chi (Eugene Tashima - 6-5750 or Sue Chan - 8-1478) (or? - http://www.aikidoinstitutedavis.com/), learn and do mental exercising. Ride bike to work regularly, drink more tea....
2. Begin Gardening - as hobby
3. Fix-up, maintain, etc.. around the house... Get contractors, etc, and stuff done by a handyman, and "temporary" window coverings... Update entertainment and computing equpment. Plan garden/back and front yard.
4. Complete making the list of "100 things to do, see, etc...." and begin doing some.
5. List all books in our house on our computer and label and re-shelve by call numbers.
(originally posted: 1/2/07)
Few things done. I have been continuing to check and consider #1 - Tai Chi - and in fact received today information form Ilia. Exercising has been done but sporadically. Eating is not being done very well. The book list is going ok and is significantly done. The gardening is not done but may yet come to be. I had forgotten about the 100 things to do list and the "fix-up" stuff has had some action.
NOTE: the "drink more tea" thing is probably a no-go especially in light of our gifting to ourselves the "fully-automatic coffee center"!
1. Improve health - eat less and better, exercise more, take up Tai Chi (Eugene Tashima - 6-5750 or Sue Chan - 8-1478) (or? - http://www.aikidoinstitutedavis.com/), learn and do mental exercising. Ride bike to work regularly, drink more tea....
2. Begin Gardening - as hobby
3. Fix-up, maintain, etc.. around the house... Get contractors, etc, and stuff done by a handyman, and "temporary" window coverings... Update entertainment and computing equpment. Plan garden/back and front yard.
4. Complete making the list of "100 things to do, see, etc...." and begin doing some.
5. List all books in our house on our computer and label and re-shelve by call numbers.
(originally posted: 1/2/07)
100 things/places to do/go...
Banff in Canada
Alaska... lots of it....
Antarctic
Autralia - and dive in Great Barrier Reef...
New Zealand
Tahiti
...??? Argentina ???
Brazil - ????
The Falls??? -- in S. America - where three countried come together???
China - The Great Wall, The Forbidden City...
Tokyo and other cities in Japan
Pyramids in Egypt
Israel ... again.... and again...
Iceland and/or Greenland???
Warsaw
Moscow
Paris -- again
Florence - again...
Oslo - again
parts of Africa?????
That list consists of:
(look for written version and add here!)
Alaska... lots of it....
Antarctic
Autralia - and dive in Great Barrier Reef...
New Zealand
Tahiti
...??? Argentina ???
Brazil - ????
The Falls??? -- in S. America - where three countried come together???
China - The Great Wall, The Forbidden City...
Tokyo and other cities in Japan
Pyramids in Egypt
Israel ... again.... and again...
Iceland and/or Greenland???
Warsaw
Moscow
Paris -- again
Florence - again...
Oslo - again
parts of Africa?????
That list consists of:
(look for written version and add here!)
right or wrong?
Where does the idea to follow - a leader or support a country - right or wrong come from and what are its implications?
some sources:
"AUTHOR:
Carl Schurz (1829–1906)
QUOTATION:
The Senator from Wisconsin cannot frighten me by exclaiming, “My country, right or wrong.” In one sense I say so too. My country; and my country is the great American Republic. My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right." (from Respectfully Quoted: A Dictionary of Quotations. 1989. on http://www.bartleby.com/73/1641.html)
The Columbia World of Quotations. 1996.
NUMBER:
12204
QUOTATION:
“My country, right or wrong” is a thing that no patriot would think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying “My mother, drunk or sober.”
ATTRIBUTION:
Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874–1936), British author. The Defendant, “Defence of Patriotism,” (1901). See Decatur.
BIOGRAPHY:
Columbia Encyclopedia.
WORKS:
Chesterton Collection.
(on: http://www.bartleby.com/66/4/12204.html)
Chesterton quote begs the question - what is "a desparate case"? - SO - to read... it...
In any case - Chesterton is an interesting case as he was roundly accused of being an anti-semite, "suggested the formation of a Jewish homeland as a solution, and was later invited to Palestine by Jewish Zionists who saw him as an ally in their goal to achieve just that", and "with the rise of Nazi Germany, denounced the persecution of the Jews.' 'I am quite ready to believe now,' he said, 'that Belloc and I will die defending the last Jew in Europe'.".
Ah... NATIONALISM.... - why and why not?!
some sources:
"AUTHOR:
Carl Schurz (1829–1906)
QUOTATION:
The Senator from Wisconsin cannot frighten me by exclaiming, “My country, right or wrong.” In one sense I say so too. My country; and my country is the great American Republic. My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right." (from Respectfully Quoted: A Dictionary of Quotations. 1989. on http://www.bartleby.com/73/1641.html)
The Columbia World of Quotations. 1996.
NUMBER:
12204
QUOTATION:
“My country, right or wrong” is a thing that no patriot would think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying “My mother, drunk or sober.”
ATTRIBUTION:
Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874–1936), British author. The Defendant, “Defence of Patriotism,” (1901). See Decatur.
BIOGRAPHY:
Columbia Encyclopedia.
WORKS:
Chesterton Collection.
(on: http://www.bartleby.com/66/4/12204.html)
Chesterton quote begs the question - what is "a desparate case"? - SO - to read... it...
In any case - Chesterton is an interesting case as he was roundly accused of being an anti-semite, "suggested the formation of a Jewish homeland as a solution, and was later invited to Palestine by Jewish Zionists who saw him as an ally in their goal to achieve just that", and "with the rise of Nazi Germany, denounced the persecution of the Jews.' 'I am quite ready to believe now,' he said, 'that Belloc and I will die defending the last Jew in Europe'.".
Ah... NATIONALISM.... - why and why not?!
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
hardness and deathness
Death -- big D or little "d's".....
Passover Seders have come and been done this year. The hardening of the heart of the Pharoah was, perhaps, examples of little "d's" and I would suggest that such lead to the big D - real, final, DEATH. In the Bible the big D is visited upon the 1st born of Egypt and then upon the Pharoah's army which obeyed the hard and hardened Pharoah who kept breaking his promises.
Being flexible is where one sees and is most strong. Not hard and brittle but strong and flexible. The ability to really change is difficult but always possible and likely to be always a good thing. While there is a saying - "the more things change the more they stay the same" - "change" is still happening and the direction of the changes are what is significant. The directions may lead to some alteration in the "same". In any event the "changes" will be what we live with now.
WHAT IS "hardeing of the heart"? I think it is stubborness and meaness and negative to the person who is doing it. The person who makes himself stubborn and hard and who does not change and develop is well on the way to the big D since the hardness and stillness of that person is already into the little "d's" and that is something to see and be sorry about but for which each person is personally responsible.
Passover Seders have come and been done this year. The hardening of the heart of the Pharoah was, perhaps, examples of little "d's" and I would suggest that such lead to the big D - real, final, DEATH. In the Bible the big D is visited upon the 1st born of Egypt and then upon the Pharoah's army which obeyed the hard and hardened Pharoah who kept breaking his promises.
Being flexible is where one sees and is most strong. Not hard and brittle but strong and flexible. The ability to really change is difficult but always possible and likely to be always a good thing. While there is a saying - "the more things change the more they stay the same" - "change" is still happening and the direction of the changes are what is significant. The directions may lead to some alteration in the "same". In any event the "changes" will be what we live with now.
WHAT IS "hardeing of the heart"? I think it is stubborness and meaness and negative to the person who is doing it. The person who makes himself stubborn and hard and who does not change and develop is well on the way to the big D since the hardness and stillness of that person is already into the little "d's" and that is something to see and be sorry about but for which each person is personally responsible.
Monday, March 26, 2007
passover - 2007 (people and menu)
For Passover - - with acceptances noted wtih an A and moved to top for keeping count....
--Kenneth L. Firestein, Librarian, klfirestein@ucdavis.edu
Office (530)752-1678; fax (530)752-4718
Univ. of CA, Davis, Carlson Health Sciences Library
Professional web page: http://www.lib.ucdavis.edu/ul/about/directories/profinfo/firestein.php
A personal page: http://home.comcast.net/~kfirestein/
-------------------------------------------------------
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone
deeply gives you courage." - Lao Tzu
Bored stiff? Loosen up...
Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games.
- Linda Kastner - A
- karen - A
- ken - A
- sarah - A
- amy - A
- margot - I??
- saboud - I??
- linda s - A
- ilia - A
- sarah h - I
- susan h - A
- Bruce - A
- Melissa - A
- Greg - A
- Sam - A
- Melissa's dad - A
- Melissa's mom - ?
- Seymore - maybe late??
- Uncle Stu - N
- Devorah - I???
- other?
- other?
- eggs in salt water
- gefilte fish
- matzah ball soup
- Main courses
- brisket
- turkey or chicken
- salad
- kugal? - potato? carrot?
- carrot salad (medditeranian - from Nathan cookbook)
- cooked veggie
- 2nd cooked veggie - ???legume??
- dessert
- cake
- fruit
- macaroons, cookies
- Afikomen
--Kenneth L. Firestein, Librarian, klfirestein@ucdavis.edu
Office (530)752-1678; fax (530)752-4718
Univ. of CA, Davis, Carlson Health Sciences Library
Professional web page: http://www.lib.ucdavis.edu/ul/about/directories/profinfo/firestein.php
A personal page: http://home.comcast.net/~kfirestein/
-------------------------------------------------------
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone
deeply gives you courage." - Lao Tzu
Bored stiff? Loosen up...
Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games.
Monday, February 26, 2007
B.O.O.K. - a New Learning Aid....
Subject: New Learning Aid (AND - also see: http://www.devilducky.com/media/57946/
I would like to pass onto you all the following description of a "new" learning aid.
A new aid to rapid--almost magical--learning has made its appearance. Indications are that if it catches on all the electronic gadgets will be so much junk.
The new device is known as Built-in Orderly Organized Knowledge. The makers generally call it by its initials, BOOK.
Many advantages are claimed over the old-style learning and teaching aids on which most people are brought up nowadays. It has no wires, no electric circuit to break down. No connection is needed to an electricity power point. It is made entirely without mechanical parts to go wrong or need replacement.
Anyone can use BOOK, even children, and it fits comfortably into the hands. It can be conveniently used sitting in an armchair by the fire.
How does this revoluntionary, unbelievably easy invention work? Basically BOOK consists only of a large number of paper sheets. These may run to hundreds where BOOK covers a lengthy programme of informatio n. Each sheet bears a number in sequence, so that the sheets cannot be used in the wrong order.
To make it even easier for the user to keep the sheets in the proper order they are held firmly in place by a special locking device called a "binding".
Each sheet of paper presents the user with an information sequence in the form of symbols, which he absorbs optically for automatic registration on the brain. When one sheet has been assimilated a flick of the finger turns it over and further information is found on the other side.
By using both sides of each sheet in this way a great economy is effected, thus reducing both the size and cost of BOOK. No buttons need to be pressed to move from one sheet to another, to open or close BOOK, or to start it working.
BOOK may be taken up at any time and used by merely opening it. Instantly it is ready for use. Nothing has to be connected up or switched on. The user may turn at will to any sheet, going backwards or forwards as he pleases. A sheet is provided near the beginnning as a location finder for any required information sequence.
A small accessory, available at trifling extra cost, is the BOOKmark. This enables the user to pick up his programme where he left off on the previous learning session. BOOKmark is versatile and may be used in any BOOK.
The initial cost varies with the size and subject matter. Already a vast range of BOOKs is available, covering every conceivable subject and adjusted to different levels of aptitude. One BOOK, small enough to be held in the hands, may contain an entire learning schedule.
Once purchased, BOOK requires no further upkeep cost; no batteries or wires are needed, since the motive power, thanks to an ingenious device patented by the makers, is supplied by the brain of the user.
BOOKs may be stored on handy shelves and for ease of reference the programme schedule is normally indicated on the back of the binding.
Altogether the Built-in Orderly Organized Knowledge seems to have great advantages with no drawbacks. We predict a big future for it.
A Boss' response:
BOOK* does not, in spite of the claims, seem "to have great advantages with no drawbacks". Soon, it probably won't even be legal. Consider:
"It can be conveniently used sitting in an armchair by the fire." Being paper, it might burn in the fire. Probably fire laws in most locations wouldn't allow its use there. Worse, such a device, which encourages close proximity of the user to fire, will be outlawed by OSHA's request.
"Each sheet bears a number in sequence, so that the sheets cannot be used in the wrong order." How quaint; to think that the programmer (author) would be allowed to turn over such an important task to the user! "cannot" is clearly misuse; any user could incorrectly turn to the wrong page. A proper user interface might correct that, of course, such as requiring that each sheet be torn off to expose the next. This is a clear conflict with "The user may turn at will to any sheet, going backwards or forwards as he pleases."
"BOOKs may be stored on handy shelves and for ease of reference". The user interface obviously needs more work before such a system can be practical.
"the motive power -- is supplied by the brain of the user". Clearly, the inventors have not examined recent trends. No serious person would suggest even expecting a "user" to have a brain present, much less to use it so continuously.
I'd suggest the inventors return to their consoles and do a thorough associative search of various data banks, like the rest of us, and forget this nonsense.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 21 May 1996 15:59:20 -0500
From: Stephen Downes
Subject: Re: FW: New learning aid
The new device is known as Built-in Orderly Organized Knowledge. The makers generally call it by its initials, BOOK.
My concern would be, is it compatible with existing operating systems, or will we have to upgrade again to use it? In any case, it will probably require that users take years of training in order to use one properly, much less produce one of their own. ;)
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
This message sent using 100% Recycled Electrons!
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Lawrence B. Coleman
Professor of Physics
University of California, Davis
Davis, California 95616-8677
Phone: (916)752-6258 Fax:(916)752-4717
e-mail: LBColeman@ucdavis.edu -or- coleman@ucdphy.ucdavis.edu
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
I would like to pass onto you all the following description of a "new" learning aid.
A new aid to rapid--almost magical--learning has made its appearance. Indications are that if it catches on all the electronic gadgets will be so much junk.
The new device is known as Built-in Orderly Organized Knowledge. The makers generally call it by its initials, BOOK.
Many advantages are claimed over the old-style learning and teaching aids on which most people are brought up nowadays. It has no wires, no electric circuit to break down. No connection is needed to an electricity power point. It is made entirely without mechanical parts to go wrong or need replacement.
Anyone can use BOOK, even children, and it fits comfortably into the hands. It can be conveniently used sitting in an armchair by the fire.
How does this revoluntionary, unbelievably easy invention work? Basically BOOK consists only of a large number of paper sheets. These may run to hundreds where BOOK covers a lengthy programme of informatio n. Each sheet bears a number in sequence, so that the sheets cannot be used in the wrong order.
To make it even easier for the user to keep the sheets in the proper order they are held firmly in place by a special locking device called a "binding".
Each sheet of paper presents the user with an information sequence in the form of symbols, which he absorbs optically for automatic registration on the brain. When one sheet has been assimilated a flick of the finger turns it over and further information is found on the other side.
By using both sides of each sheet in this way a great economy is effected, thus reducing both the size and cost of BOOK. No buttons need to be pressed to move from one sheet to another, to open or close BOOK, or to start it working.
BOOK may be taken up at any time and used by merely opening it. Instantly it is ready for use. Nothing has to be connected up or switched on. The user may turn at will to any sheet, going backwards or forwards as he pleases. A sheet is provided near the beginnning as a location finder for any required information sequence.
A small accessory, available at trifling extra cost, is the BOOKmark. This enables the user to pick up his programme where he left off on the previous learning session. BOOKmark is versatile and may be used in any BOOK.
The initial cost varies with the size and subject matter. Already a vast range of BOOKs is available, covering every conceivable subject and adjusted to different levels of aptitude. One BOOK, small enough to be held in the hands, may contain an entire learning schedule.
Once purchased, BOOK requires no further upkeep cost; no batteries or wires are needed, since the motive power, thanks to an ingenious device patented by the makers, is supplied by the brain of the user.
BOOKs may be stored on handy shelves and for ease of reference the programme schedule is normally indicated on the back of the binding.
Altogether the Built-in Orderly Organized Knowledge seems to have great advantages with no drawbacks. We predict a big future for it.
A Boss' response:
BOOK* does not, in spite of the claims, seem "to have great advantages with no drawbacks". Soon, it probably won't even be legal. Consider:
"It can be conveniently used sitting in an armchair by the fire." Being paper, it might burn in the fire. Probably fire laws in most locations wouldn't allow its use there. Worse, such a device, which encourages close proximity of the user to fire, will be outlawed by OSHA's request.
"Each sheet bears a number in sequence, so that the sheets cannot be used in the wrong order." How quaint; to think that the programmer (author) would be allowed to turn over such an important task to the user! "cannot" is clearly misuse; any user could incorrectly turn to the wrong page. A proper user interface might correct that, of course, such as requiring that each sheet be torn off to expose the next. This is a clear conflict with "The user may turn at will to any sheet, going backwards or forwards as he pleases."
"BOOKs may be stored on handy shelves and for ease of reference". The user interface obviously needs more work before such a system can be practical.
"the motive power -- is supplied by the brain of the user". Clearly, the inventors have not examined recent trends. No serious person would suggest even expecting a "user" to have a brain present, much less to use it so continuously.
I'd suggest the inventors return to their consoles and do a thorough associative search of various data banks, like the rest of us, and forget this nonsense.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 21 May 1996 15:59:20 -0500
From: Stephen Downes
Subject: Re: FW: New learning aid
The new device is known as Built-in Orderly Organized Knowledge. The makers generally call it by its initials, BOOK.
My concern would be, is it compatible with existing operating systems, or will we have to upgrade again to use it? In any case, it will probably require that users take years of training in order to use one properly, much less produce one of their own. ;)
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This message sent using 100% Recycled Electrons!
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Lawrence B. Coleman
Professor of Physics
University of California, Davis
Davis, California 95616-8677
Phone: (916)752-6258 Fax:(916)752-4717
e-mail: LBColeman@ucdavis.edu -or- coleman@ucdphy.ucdavis.edu
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Thursday, January 25, 2007
Do unto others....
Afraid of the fray... Always... but....
Peace is an important goal. The process or the path or means to peace is also important. SO what instruction may we find in our traditions? I am thinking about the wisdom of our Sages. I am thinking about Rabbi Hillel. Below is one of the wonderful little stories of our People:
"Love of man was considered by Hillel as the kernel of the entire Jewish teaching. When a gentile who wished to become a Jew asked him for a summary of the Jewish religion in the most concise terms ("while standing on one foot"), Hillel said: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow: this is the whole Law; the rest is the explanation; go and learn" (Shab. 31a). With these words Hillel recognized as the fundamental principle of the Jewish moral law the Biblical precept of brotherly love (Lev. xix. 18)." (from wikipedia.com since it was easy to find and copy it into this email.)
This is a most important point, I think and believe. I have long thought that Hillel's restatement of the Torah assertion:
was a wise way of looking at what seems to be the same thing.
The Torah's POSITIVE stating of how to treat your neighbor has a certain poetic attraction. However, love is a very challenging emotion and set of actions. Love not reciprocated can lead to severe and terrible consequences. It can lead to behaviors which are harmful (such as obssessing or becoming overbearing or controlling, etc.) On the other hand --- what harm can happen if we behave without hate? We can know what we do not like and what is therefore hateful to ourselves. Hillel tells us to behave so as to not do such hateful things to others. Hillel is showing us how not to harm anyone. Where there is no hate than there can be love. A prerequisite to love is the absence of hate. A prerequisite to peace is the absence of hate, too. Hillel is sure that there is a lot more to us and our Torah and our Jewishness than simply acting with care and consideration so as to do no harm.... BUT first do no harm and then do the significant work to learn about ourselves and other people and what is hateful and loveable and what is needed and wanted. Study more Torah.
To all this I end with a long and hearfelt SIGH - knowing that some people say that there is nothing better than a heartfelt sigh.
AAAaaaaahhhhhh........
Peace is an important goal. The process or the path or means to peace is also important. SO what instruction may we find in our traditions? I am thinking about the wisdom of our Sages. I am thinking about Rabbi Hillel. Below is one of the wonderful little stories of our People:
"Love of man was considered by Hillel as the kernel of the entire Jewish teaching. When a gentile who wished to become a Jew asked him for a summary of the Jewish religion in the most concise terms ("while standing on one foot"), Hillel said: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow: this is the whole Law; the rest is the explanation; go and learn" (Shab. 31a). With these words Hillel recognized as the fundamental principle of the Jewish moral law the Biblical precept of brotherly love (Lev. xix. 18)." (from wikipedia.com since it was easy to find and copy it into this email.)
This is a most important point, I think and believe. I have long thought that Hillel's restatement of the Torah assertion:
"You must love your neighbor as [you love] yourself. I am God. " |
The Torah's POSITIVE stating of how to treat your neighbor has a certain poetic attraction. However, love is a very challenging emotion and set of actions. Love not reciprocated can lead to severe and terrible consequences. It can lead to behaviors which are harmful (such as obssessing or becoming overbearing or controlling, etc.) On the other hand --- what harm can happen if we behave without hate? We can know what we do not like and what is therefore hateful to ourselves. Hillel tells us to behave so as to not do such hateful things to others. Hillel is showing us how not to harm anyone. Where there is no hate than there can be love. A prerequisite to love is the absence of hate. A prerequisite to peace is the absence of hate, too. Hillel is sure that there is a lot more to us and our Torah and our Jewishness than simply acting with care and consideration so as to do no harm.... BUT first do no harm and then do the significant work to learn about ourselves and other people and what is hateful and loveable and what is needed and wanted. Study more Torah.
To all this I end with a long and hearfelt SIGH - knowing that some people say that there is nothing better than a heartfelt sigh.
AAAaaaaahhhhhh........
Thursday, January 18, 2007
now IS
Now is good. Isn't it? Isn't it always? IF we really, really, really get to NOW. By that I am thinking of being mindful of the moment. Of achieving what is often called Mindfulness. Of being in the PRESENT... and not being influenced by the past or the future. When we thing about what will be and know that the future is always somewhat in doubt OR if we consider the past and its good times and bad times THEN the present is colored by those feelings and while they may be good feelings they may not be AND they certainly are not NOW. On this other hand of "mindfulness" the NOW is focused and limited as I see it. It is a POINT in TIME and for that pointed moment we can be neutral in feelings and notice that for this specific moment all is well. IF there is pain we can seek the moment in between the pain. IF there is joy - we can seek the moment in between the joy. We can get to NOW and the neutrality of NOW which allows us to BE and to be anything or nothing. BE FREE.
Monday, January 08, 2007
black and white and brown all over
Brown? as in shit.... well... anyway:
The orthodox and the fanatic and and the extremist and the intolerant and ??? --- all have something in common and that is they see issues in terms of black and white. Nuances and grays and colors are just ignored as the True Believer goes forth and seeks his/her own way -- for all.
Why are people like this?
Answers:
fear
fear
fear......
What are people, in general, afraid of? People are afraid to be wrong. It is said that people are afraid of the unknown --- and that is a variation on being afraid of being wrong. People are afraid of "the other" and that is a variation on possibly being wrong. People are afraid of being hurt and that can be a variation on being wrong.
Knowledge is power... Information is power... REALLY??? ONLY IF WHAT YOU HAVE IS RIGHT!!!!!
And - what is right? RIGHT IS WHAT IS ACKNOWLEDGED AS RIGHT... At least that seems to be the answer in this late 20th Century/early 21st Century post-modern period. Mostly we see "probabilties". And that is difficult on the psyche of most people.
She probably loves me; my finances will probably work out for my retirement; this road is probably going to get me to where I am going; the prescribed medicine may work; there probably is a G-d; the President probably knows what is best; etc.... etc.... And all these probabilities are simultaneously areas of doubts and confusion and instability. And the more doubts and the more instability then the more things may be this or may be that....
SO --- lets BE SURE. Let us be certain... CERTAINTY is certainly clear! People want clarity. People want to know. People want the power that comes from being right. Those who are wrong ought to be weak. Those who are wrong ought to lose... the war, their children, their jobs, their mates, etc... If someone is wrong and they are successful - well then G-d will finally judge and damn them. But --- basically it is better to be right! Right now. Right later... Not left, liberal, gray.... but right and white and precise.
Shiiiiiitttttt!!!!!!
And remember - in school if you mixed all the colors together you got brown.... and that is, was, and will be shitty.
The orthodox and the fanatic and and the extremist and the intolerant and ??? --- all have something in common and that is they see issues in terms of black and white. Nuances and grays and colors are just ignored as the True Believer goes forth and seeks his/her own way -- for all.
Why are people like this?
Answers:
fear
fear
fear......
What are people, in general, afraid of? People are afraid to be wrong. It is said that people are afraid of the unknown --- and that is a variation on being afraid of being wrong. People are afraid of "the other" and that is a variation on possibly being wrong. People are afraid of being hurt and that can be a variation on being wrong.
Knowledge is power... Information is power... REALLY??? ONLY IF WHAT YOU HAVE IS RIGHT!!!!!
And - what is right? RIGHT IS WHAT IS ACKNOWLEDGED AS RIGHT... At least that seems to be the answer in this late 20th Century/early 21st Century post-modern period. Mostly we see "probabilties". And that is difficult on the psyche of most people.
She probably loves me; my finances will probably work out for my retirement; this road is probably going to get me to where I am going; the prescribed medicine may work; there probably is a G-d; the President probably knows what is best; etc.... etc.... And all these probabilities are simultaneously areas of doubts and confusion and instability. And the more doubts and the more instability then the more things may be this or may be that....
SO --- lets BE SURE. Let us be certain... CERTAINTY is certainly clear! People want clarity. People want to know. People want the power that comes from being right. Those who are wrong ought to be weak. Those who are wrong ought to lose... the war, their children, their jobs, their mates, etc... If someone is wrong and they are successful - well then G-d will finally judge and damn them. But --- basically it is better to be right! Right now. Right later... Not left, liberal, gray.... but right and white and precise.
Shiiiiiitttttt!!!!!!
And remember - in school if you mixed all the colors together you got brown.... and that is, was, and will be shitty.
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