Idea Generation: How To Enhance Your Creativity Flow For Business Growth
This is not the kind of thing I usually read.
I have been taken in too many times already, by people and their promises. But these people sound right. And they look right, they are not wearing a business suit.
I can only repeat what they claim to be:
The Leading Source Of Insights On Digital Entrepreneurship And Business Model Strategy
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
The American Way of Life was a Failure
My parents were an exmple of this.
They made money in the boom that followed WWII, but after that they lost money.
The RLDS church they identified with gradually disappeared.
This has happened many times before. The Mighty and Powerful are replaced by the Unknown from Nowhere.
They made money in the boom that followed WWII, but after that they lost money.
The RLDS church they identified with gradually disappeared.
This has happened many times before. The Mighty and Powerful are replaced by the Unknown from Nowhere.
Using without Understanding
This has become normal behavior in the Era of Computers, that we live in now.
Everyone has their Phone, that they consult frequently. It has become who they are, and part of their social life.
Do they understnd how it works? They do not, and they do not want to. That is forbidden behavoir, something they must not do.
Let me repeat that: they can use their Phone, but must not understand how it works.
Everyone has their Phone, that they consult frequently. It has become who they are, and part of their social life.
Do they understnd how it works? They do not, and they do not want to. That is forbidden behavoir, something they must not do.
Let me repeat that: they can use their Phone, but must not understand how it works.
People must Be Something
This seems obvious to me, but not to most people, who are nothing, and greatly enjoy being this way.
This is one of the dominant drives in their lives. The strong urge to be nothing, because that way they cannot be hurt.
And they are right about one thing - the world is full of hate, that easily can be ditected against them.
When I am dealing with these people, I have to constantly remind myself that what I am dealing with is not there. They seem to be there, their body is functioning normally, but what they are doing is not normal at all.
They are afraid of being hurt. And will do anything to prevent that. Their life is devoted to not being, instead of being.
This is one of the dominant drives in their lives. The strong urge to be nothing, because that way they cannot be hurt.
And they are right about one thing - the world is full of hate, that easily can be ditected against them.
When I am dealing with these people, I have to constantly remind myself that what I am dealing with is not there. They seem to be there, their body is functioning normally, but what they are doing is not normal at all.
They are afraid of being hurt. And will do anything to prevent that. Their life is devoted to not being, instead of being.
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Living Higher in the Value Chain
Most people do not know this exists, but it certainly does. And some people live higher in it than others.
A value chain can be considered analogous to a food chain, an idea that has been around for a while. Organisms higher in the food chain eat more valuable food.
This does not mean organisms lower in the food chain (such as Plants) are not valuable. In the last analysis, everything depends on them.
They change sunlight into food that grows more plants.
Software changes human ideas into more Software.
every
A value chain can be considered analogous to a food chain, an idea that has been around for a while. Organisms higher in the food chain eat more valuable food.
This does not mean organisms lower in the food chain (such as Plants) are not valuable. In the last analysis, everything depends on them.
They change sunlight into food that grows more plants.
Software changes human ideas into more Software.
every
Self Destruction
How common this is! And how much human behavior it explains!
People are deliberately reducing their capability to do anything. They are destroying themselves and greatly enjoy doing this.
We must start with the enjoyment they feel. They really like doing this.
This makes no sense, but that does not matter. This is the way they are. And we have to expect them to continue this way.
Since I am not this way, I have figure how to get along with them. The first rule of thumb is simple: do not expect them to accomplish very much. Keep it simple, and expect them to be stupid.
You have to be smart to deal with their stupidity, and not be surprised by it. You have to remember this is the way they want to be, and they are not going to change.
Since I also am learning software, as a hobby, I am also around some very smart people and projects. The contrast can make me dizzy (give me Vertigo).
I am going to use Twitter, the perfect app for stupid people and smart people.
People are deliberately reducing their capability to do anything. They are destroying themselves and greatly enjoy doing this.
We must start with the enjoyment they feel. They really like doing this.
This makes no sense, but that does not matter. This is the way they are. And we have to expect them to continue this way.
Since I am not this way, I have figure how to get along with them. The first rule of thumb is simple: do not expect them to accomplish very much. Keep it simple, and expect them to be stupid.
You have to be smart to deal with their stupidity, and not be surprised by it. You have to remember this is the way they want to be, and they are not going to change.
Since I also am learning software, as a hobby, I am also around some very smart people and projects. The contrast can make me dizzy (give me Vertigo).
I am going to use Twitter, the perfect app for stupid people and smart people.
Monday, July 29, 2019
No Social Awareness, but Vast Social Destruction
How long has this been going on? Certainly, as long as I can remember, which would be most of the 20th Century. And as far as I can tell, most of the 19th Century.
This has been going on for centuries and is still going on. But we seem to have more social awareness, now that the Computer has entered our lives.
The Computer and its networks has changed our lives, mostly for the better. But this will take some explaining.
I worked in the Computer industry for 20 years (1980-2000), and this was not a pleasant experience. Computer company after company was destroyed. Now there are only four left: Apple. Amazon. Google, and Microsoft.
All this destruction created huge advances in Software. But to make Software work (and to make today's world work) people have to be skilled at working together. They have to be socially aware.
To use a mixture of software terminology, and social terminology - they have to function, instead of being dysfunctional.
Back in the Fifties (if you can remembet that far back) we were cursed with the dysfunctional family. That seemed to be everywhere. If we lived in an affluent country (such as the US) we had plenty of things, but no people!
People from countries where there were still people could not live in the US, and had to go back. Once I got used to living in Costa Rica, and went back to visit a cousin, I had to go back also.
To continue this mix of Software and Sociology, software experts are asking themselves if Object Oriented Progeamming (OOP) was not a big mistake!
Bsck in the Nineties, in Silicon Valley, such questioning was impossible. People were objects and objects were people, and no deviation from this theology was allowed!
This has been going on for centuries and is still going on. But we seem to have more social awareness, now that the Computer has entered our lives.
The Computer and its networks has changed our lives, mostly for the better. But this will take some explaining.
I worked in the Computer industry for 20 years (1980-2000), and this was not a pleasant experience. Computer company after company was destroyed. Now there are only four left: Apple. Amazon. Google, and Microsoft.
All this destruction created huge advances in Software. But to make Software work (and to make today's world work) people have to be skilled at working together. They have to be socially aware.
To use a mixture of software terminology, and social terminology - they have to function, instead of being dysfunctional.
Back in the Fifties (if you can remembet that far back) we were cursed with the dysfunctional family. That seemed to be everywhere. If we lived in an affluent country (such as the US) we had plenty of things, but no people!
People from countries where there were still people could not live in the US, and had to go back. Once I got used to living in Costa Rica, and went back to visit a cousin, I had to go back also.
To continue this mix of Software and Sociology, software experts are asking themselves if Object Oriented Progeamming (OOP) was not a big mistake!
Bsck in the Nineties, in Silicon Valley, such questioning was impossible. People were objects and objects were people, and no deviation from this theology was allowed!
Sunday, July 28, 2019
Being Turned Off
This is a serious, but common condition that is unknown to most people.
They have ceased to exist, and consider that the proper way to be.
To put this another way, they are destructive instead of constructive.
Quite a list of traits, all of them negative!
Which leaves me with the question "Where are these people?" They must be another reality, unknown to me. with its own set of rules, that can only be discovered by observing their actions.
This is my personal project: discovering this unknown reality.
Whose primary trait is that it does not exist!
They have ceased to exist, and consider that the proper way to be.
To put this another way, they are destructive instead of constructive.
Quite a list of traits, all of them negative!
Which leaves me with the question "Where are these people?" They must be another reality, unknown to me. with its own set of rules, that can only be discovered by observing their actions.
This is my personal project: discovering this unknown reality.
Whose primary trait is that it does not exist!
What happened to the RLDS church?
I grew up in the Church but left when I graduated from the U of Illinois, in 1959. I was the only person in my family to do so.
Fifty years later, I starting asking my family "What happened to the Church?" And could get no answers that satisfied me. This posting attempts to answer that question.
Basically it self-destructed, as churches often do. And was replced by another organization called the Community of Christ, with a different leadership. RLDS members and RLDS property were automatically transfered to the Community of Christ church.
This church did not clarify whether or not it was a Mormon church. And a number of members left because of this (and some other reasons) and formed their own churches.
I will not go into the details of this self-destruction. but it did happen.
And left the LDS church in a much stronger position.
Fifty years later, I starting asking my family "What happened to the Church?" And could get no answers that satisfied me. This posting attempts to answer that question.
Basically it self-destructed, as churches often do. And was replced by another organization called the Community of Christ, with a different leadership. RLDS members and RLDS property were automatically transfered to the Community of Christ church.
This church did not clarify whether or not it was a Mormon church. And a number of members left because of this (and some other reasons) and formed their own churches.
I will not go into the details of this self-destruction. but it did happen.
And left the LDS church in a much stronger position.
Welcome to Boris Johnson’s government of all the lobbyists
Open Democracy
This is Corruption on a global scale! Being documented right where anyone can read it. that wants to.
Most people, however, do not want to read it. They prefer being ruled by the rich and powerful and do not want to embarrass them.
This is Corruption on a global scale! Being documented right where anyone can read it. that wants to.
Most people, however, do not want to read it. They prefer being ruled by the rich and powerful and do not want to embarrass them.
Saturday, July 27, 2019
Working with Idiots and Geniuses
We all have to do this all the time. And it is not easy to tell which kind we are working with. Blends are common.
It is safest to assume they are idiots, at least to begin with. If you are wrong about this, they will not be offended but will proceed to work with you easily as equals.
It is also common for someone to be an expert on some things and know nothing about other things that seem related. You will have to walk carefully here, to not step on any landmines.
It is safest to assume they are idiots, at least to begin with. If you are wrong about this, they will not be offended but will proceed to work with you easily as equals.
It is also common for someone to be an expert on some things and know nothing about other things that seem related. You will have to walk carefully here, to not step on any landmines.
Sending Packages between Countries
This is regulated by international treaties.
It is easy to send a package from Costa Rica to the US. But not easy to send a package from the US to Costa Rica. Why I do not know, but these are the facts, strange as they seem.
Mail is handled differently, and more reasonably. It can be sent to any address down here, such as a Post Office Box, which is convenient, because home addresses are long, and occupy many lines.
Companies such as Aeropost have addresses in the US that you can send your packages to. They then fly them to Costa Rica, run them through Customs, deliver them to a local address, and charge you a hefty sum for doing all this.
countriea
Shame
This is one of our strongest feelings, right now. We are ashamed of what we have become, as a species.
We are the richest ever, but also worthless. And deep in our hearts, we know this.
Superficially, we are content with our situation. But below this thin layer of confidence, we know what we are really worth.
The lifestyles we have developed to compensate for this are amazing, They amount to some bizarre religions and rituals. Such as watching the News frequently.
We have codified all this into that amazing institution, the Office. The most repressive arrangement, ever.
Is there Hope at the end of the Tunnel of Dispair? Maybe. There is the ourside chance that we might finally wake up.
But don't bet on it.
We are the richest ever, but also worthless. And deep in our hearts, we know this.
Superficially, we are content with our situation. But below this thin layer of confidence, we know what we are really worth.
The lifestyles we have developed to compensate for this are amazing, They amount to some bizarre religions and rituals. Such as watching the News frequently.
We have codified all this into that amazing institution, the Office. The most repressive arrangement, ever.
Is there Hope at the end of the Tunnel of Dispair? Maybe. There is the ourside chance that we might finally wake up.
But don't bet on it.
Friday, July 26, 2019
The Assassin Next Door
New Yorker
The author grew up next to James Earl Ray, the assassin of MLK, in East Hollywood, in LA.
Héctor Tobar is now a professor of English and Latino studies at the University of California, Irvine.
The author grew up next to James Earl Ray, the assassin of MLK, in East Hollywood, in LA.
Héctor Tobar is now a professor of English and Latino studies at the University of California, Irvine.
Joe Biden Wants to Take America Back to a Time Before Trump
NY Tines Magazine
The Times has provided a number of articles about the Democratic candidates for the Presidency. This one is fairly long, and takes some careful reading.
It wants to make the context this for complicated race clear.
The Times has provided a number of articles about the Democratic candidates for the Presidency. This one is fairly long, and takes some careful reading.
It wants to make the context this for complicated race clear.
People cannot Cope with the Latest Developments
Thus has been true for thousands of years. Ever since we became Civilized, and started living in Empires. And this situation is getting worse, not better.
Because it is a problem that conceals itself. The worse it gets the more invisible it is.
We have never admitted the possibility of such a problem. We have always thought the worse the problem was, the more visible it was.
But with People, this is not only possible, it is likely. They do not want to know how incompetent they are at getting along with other people.
They are not stupid, they are politically incompetent.
They will vote for someone who covers up this problem even more.
Because it is a problem that conceals itself. The worse it gets the more invisible it is.
We have never admitted the possibility of such a problem. We have always thought the worse the problem was, the more visible it was.
But with People, this is not only possible, it is likely. They do not want to know how incompetent they are at getting along with other people.
They are not stupid, they are politically incompetent.
They will vote for someone who covers up this problem even more.
Thursday, July 25, 2019
The Economy in Orosi
This can be stated simply: it is in bad shape. It tried to be an Adventure location (really!) but failed at that.
Its economy is tied directly to that of Cartago, which is in bad shape also. And to Costa Rica as a whole. Which is having trouble fittimg into the World economy.
It benefitted greatly from its Revolution of 1947, that most Ticos have forgotten in their rush to embrace Evangelicalism.
Its legislature adopted the latest Trade agreement (sponsored by the US).eagerly, without giving it much thought. Its purpose was to make the Rich richer, and to ignore everyone else.
They should ba asking themselves "What skills do we have to offer to the World economy?" The traditional answer Coffee and Bananas is not good enough.
Amazon has opened an office in Costa Rica, its slogan was on a Tee Shirt worn by an attractive young woman "Your Work is Important" (in English). It is expanding its Online retail business to Latin America, and Costa Rica looks like a good place to start.
This is one area where Costa Rica could join the World economy: Computers. But it does not seem aware of this opportunity. It would not have to start big, it could pick a school district, give it computers, show them how to code, and provide scholarships, so some students could study in the US, learn English. and bring back its expertise.
But there is not the slightest sign that this is happening. It is not aware of the most fundamental change that is happening to the Global economy!
It needs to be smart, but it is stupid.
Its economy is tied directly to that of Cartago, which is in bad shape also. And to Costa Rica as a whole. Which is having trouble fittimg into the World economy.
It benefitted greatly from its Revolution of 1947, that most Ticos have forgotten in their rush to embrace Evangelicalism.
Its legislature adopted the latest Trade agreement (sponsored by the US).eagerly, without giving it much thought. Its purpose was to make the Rich richer, and to ignore everyone else.
They should ba asking themselves "What skills do we have to offer to the World economy?" The traditional answer Coffee and Bananas is not good enough.
Amazon has opened an office in Costa Rica, its slogan was on a Tee Shirt worn by an attractive young woman "Your Work is Important" (in English). It is expanding its Online retail business to Latin America, and Costa Rica looks like a good place to start.
This is one area where Costa Rica could join the World economy: Computers. But it does not seem aware of this opportunity. It would not have to start big, it could pick a school district, give it computers, show them how to code, and provide scholarships, so some students could study in the US, learn English. and bring back its expertise.
But there is not the slightest sign that this is happening. It is not aware of the most fundamental change that is happening to the Global economy!
It needs to be smart, but it is stupid.
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
The Korean War
I looked this up on Wikipedia and was amazed by what I read.
This war accomplished nothing but killed pleny of American solders and Koreans also.
This war accomplished nothing but killed pleny of American solders and Koreans also.
Max Weber Diagnosed His Time and Ours
Foreign Affairs
This article deserves a 5 Star rating.
I wish I could have been there when he delivered these speeches (in German) to a packed crowd.
This article deserves a 5 Star rating.
I wish I could have been there when he delivered these speeches (in German) to a packed crowd.
Seizures
You do not want to have these, believe me. They are the worst.
You lose consciosness, fall down, bruise whatever hits the ground, bleed copiously, and cannot get up. You are a complete mess.
They will put you in an ambulance, take you to a hospital, put you in a wheelchair., and ask you a bunch of questions. And then tell you, you have had a seizure.
This makes the doctors feel better, but tells you nothing about reducing the risk of having another one. Which will happen again.
I have learned how not to have them, by paying careful attention to how my body feels.
I am now subject to Vertigo attacks instead, which I can avoid by slowing down whenever I start to feel dizzy.
I now have to walk slowly, and for short distnces. Riding a bicycle is out of the question.
You lose consciosness, fall down, bruise whatever hits the ground, bleed copiously, and cannot get up. You are a complete mess.
They will put you in an ambulance, take you to a hospital, put you in a wheelchair., and ask you a bunch of questions. And then tell you, you have had a seizure.
This makes the doctors feel better, but tells you nothing about reducing the risk of having another one. Which will happen again.
I have learned how not to have them, by paying careful attention to how my body feels.
I am now subject to Vertigo attacks instead, which I can avoid by slowing down whenever I start to feel dizzy.
I now have to walk slowly, and for short distnces. Riding a bicycle is out of the question.
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Software is Eating the World, and the People in It
Software people invented the first part of this phrase Software is eating the world, and they are fond of repeating it.
But the part about eating people they are not so fond of.
But as an observer of this scene, I can see it is certainly true. It sucks them in, eats their most valuable components, and spits out the rest.
But the part about eating people they are not so fond of.
But as an observer of this scene, I can see it is certainly true. It sucks them in, eats their most valuable components, and spits out the rest.
Burnout Is Costing You And Your Business
Forbes
This word has been added to our working vocabulary.
The emphasis is on money here, not on human values, which have been forgotten.
This word has been added to our working vocabulary.
The emphasis is on money here, not on human values, which have been forgotten.
We are all Products of Dysfunctional Families
This is the basic assumption we all should start with, but few do.
I just looked up Dysfunctional Family on Wikipedia, and approved of its description.
In fact, I would enlarge on the social groups it applies to and say it applies to entire cultures.
In the last therapy group I was in, in Silicon in the Nineties, we all were comfortable talking about our dysfunctional families. but not in talking about how dysfunctional Silicon Valley was. This was how we made our money, and we did not want to endanger that.
Software Developers have applied this notion to Software, and have found it useful in a number of ways. A module of software can either function, or not.
I have recenty been the victim of an upgrade to Windows 10. After I installed this, many apps on my Laptop stopped working correctly, and I lost a lot of information.
This was the equivalent of Murder on a large scale - or War, in our time.
I just looked up Dysfunctional Family on Wikipedia, and approved of its description.
In fact, I would enlarge on the social groups it applies to and say it applies to entire cultures.
In the last therapy group I was in, in Silicon in the Nineties, we all were comfortable talking about our dysfunctional families. but not in talking about how dysfunctional Silicon Valley was. This was how we made our money, and we did not want to endanger that.
Software Developers have applied this notion to Software, and have found it useful in a number of ways. A module of software can either function, or not.
I have recenty been the victim of an upgrade to Windows 10. After I installed this, many apps on my Laptop stopped working correctly, and I lost a lot of information.
This was the equivalent of Murder on a large scale - or War, in our time.
Monday, July 22, 2019
How Illinois Became an Abortion-Rights Haven
New Yorker
The election of Donald Trump and his nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court triggered a strong wave of abortion-related legislation. The vast majority of media attention has focussed on Missouri, Ohio, Georgia, and Alabama, where Republicans have passed strict new laws, in some cases all but eliminating legal abortion. Less noticed is the move in the other direction by Democratic legislators and activists, in Illinois and elsewhere, including New York, Vermont, and Rhode Island, who are racing to strengthen access and protect against future Supreme Court rulings.
I am from Illinios myself (I graduated from the U of Illinois in 1959). At the time, it was one of the most conservative and corrupt states in rhe country. The only freedoms they were interested in was the right to drink as much as they pleased.
The town marshal in my hometown of Nauvoo, Illinois, once shot his pistol through a TV set, and then through the plate-glass window in front of it. No one thought this was unusual.
The election of Donald Trump and his nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court triggered a strong wave of abortion-related legislation. The vast majority of media attention has focussed on Missouri, Ohio, Georgia, and Alabama, where Republicans have passed strict new laws, in some cases all but eliminating legal abortion. Less noticed is the move in the other direction by Democratic legislators and activists, in Illinois and elsewhere, including New York, Vermont, and Rhode Island, who are racing to strengthen access and protect against future Supreme Court rulings.
I am from Illinios myself (I graduated from the U of Illinois in 1959). At the time, it was one of the most conservative and corrupt states in rhe country. The only freedoms they were interested in was the right to drink as much as they pleased.
The town marshal in my hometown of Nauvoo, Illinois, once shot his pistol through a TV set, and then through the plate-glass window in front of it. No one thought this was unusual.
Babies want to be Close to their Adults
And Adults want to be close to their Babies.
It is not unusual, down here, to see a woman holding a baby (or a young child) in her arms, while walking down a road, or taking care of her household duties.
In Primates, our close relatives, babies ride on the backs of their mothers, holding tightly to her fur.
Human babies have retained the ability to clutch anything put into their hands. And can be lifted by their arms when changing diapers.
It is not unusual, down here, to see a woman holding a baby (or a young child) in her arms, while walking down a road, or taking care of her household duties.
In Primates, our close relatives, babies ride on the backs of their mothers, holding tightly to her fur.
Human babies have retained the ability to clutch anything put into their hands. And can be lifted by their arms when changing diapers.
Today's WorldView
Washington Post
This was especially good today. I couldn't stop reading it. I had to know what was going on everywhere in the world.
Or the lies being told everywhere in the world.
The lead story about Pakistan, really laid it on me:
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will call on President Trump at the White House on Monday during his first trip to the United States as Pakistan’s leader.
It’s a meeting of two celebrity gadflies turned rabble-rousing, nationalist politicians. Not unlike Trump, Khan, a wildly popular former captain of the Pakistani cricket team, entered politics with a reputation as a playboy but won an election in the guise of a patriotic savior. And, not unlike Trump, Khan rose to power by railing against his country’s alleged corrupt political elites. He commands the support of an energized and fanatical base that thinks he will make Pakistan great again. On Sunday, Khan appeared at a rally before thousands of cheering overseas Pakstanis at a packed Capital One Arena in Washington, vowing to tackle graft and redeem the nation.
This was especially good today. I couldn't stop reading it. I had to know what was going on everywhere in the world.
Or the lies being told everywhere in the world.
The lead story about Pakistan, really laid it on me:
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will call on President Trump at the White House on Monday during his first trip to the United States as Pakistan’s leader.
It’s a meeting of two celebrity gadflies turned rabble-rousing, nationalist politicians. Not unlike Trump, Khan, a wildly popular former captain of the Pakistani cricket team, entered politics with a reputation as a playboy but won an election in the guise of a patriotic savior. And, not unlike Trump, Khan rose to power by railing against his country’s alleged corrupt political elites. He commands the support of an energized and fanatical base that thinks he will make Pakistan great again. On Sunday, Khan appeared at a rally before thousands of cheering overseas Pakstanis at a packed Capital One Arena in Washington, vowing to tackle graft and redeem the nation.
Do I Like Things, the way they Are?
For most of my life, the answer to this question would have been No, and I would have good reasons fot feeling that way. Everything (almost everthing, especially my parents) was treating me badly.
Any therapist I had (and I had a few) should have started by asking me this question. None of them did.
This was a blind spot for our culture, and the only way out of it, for me, was to switch cultutes. I moved to Costa Rica. But this did not solve my problem because most of it was in me!
What did solve my problem? I wish I knew, but I can say honestly that it has been solved whenever I put my mind to it, and concentrate on my body, that is good.
And at the same time, be aware that much of the world outside of my body is not good.
I have to remind myself that I am not like it (or them).
Any therapist I had (and I had a few) should have started by asking me this question. None of them did.
This was a blind spot for our culture, and the only way out of it, for me, was to switch cultutes. I moved to Costa Rica. But this did not solve my problem because most of it was in me!
What did solve my problem? I wish I knew, but I can say honestly that it has been solved whenever I put my mind to it, and concentrate on my body, that is good.
And at the same time, be aware that much of the world outside of my body is not good.
I have to remind myself that I am not like it (or them).
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Software Companies want to Show Off Their Software
Just as a small boy wants to show his mom how well he can ride his bicycle "Look Ma, no hands!"
This why Facebook wants to develop its Libra cyber currency. To show how clever they are (and how stupid Congress is). Congress and the banks are happy to oblige them - without even trying to.
This why Facebook wants to develop its Libra cyber currency. To show how clever they are (and how stupid Congress is). Congress and the banks are happy to oblige them - without even trying to.
The DevOps Trinity
Cloud NativeDevOps withKubernetes
They are people and culture, process and practice, and tools and technology. People and culture being the most important.
This in a book about the cloud!
They are people and culture, process and practice, and tools and technology. People and culture being the most important.
This in a book about the cloud!
Github is a Very Big Deal
Microsoft has bought it and is making it better at a furious pace.
The Wikipedia entry for it would be enough to teach an advanced class with.
If you want to become computer literate you must know some of this also.
The Wikipedia entry for it would be enough to teach an advanced class with.
If you want to become computer literate you must know some of this also.
The Chrome Browser just Screwed me Over
I have been using this Browser and had many tabs saved on it, each containing valuable information.
This morning I opened it again, and all my tabs were gone. I went to its Help and found many people with the same problem, and all of them mad as hell!
I am switching to the Firefox browser, I hope Grammarly works on it too.
This morning I opened it again, and all my tabs were gone. I went to its Help and found many people with the same problem, and all of them mad as hell!
I am switching to the Firefox browser, I hope Grammarly works on it too.
Saturday, July 20, 2019
I Like to Think I am a Software Developer
And instructions such as Cloud NativeDevOps withKubernetes, that I got for free. makes it easy to feel this way.
Developers do not care who they share their secrets with, as long as they get used and spread around.
This has never been true before, expertise has always been something carefully guarded, something other people had to pay for.
The first maps, for example, were state secrets, the result of expensive voyages into unknown territory.
Now satellites show us everything, I just brought up Google Maps and was surprised by the info it showed me.
Developers do not care who they share their secrets with, as long as they get used and spread around.
This has never been true before, expertise has always been something carefully guarded, something other people had to pay for.
The first maps, for example, were state secrets, the result of expensive voyages into unknown territory.
Now satellites show us everything, I just brought up Google Maps and was surprised by the info it showed me.
A Game of Tankers: Multiple ships seized as situation in Middle East edges toward conflict
Daily Kos
This situation is developing rapidly and comes on the heels of a series of clashes between the U.S. amphibious landing ship Boxer and smaller Iranian craft, that included several close passes from helicopters and ended with the apparent shooting down of an Iranian drone. Tensions in the region remain very high, and the possibility of a military strike on Iran from the U.S., the U.K., or both would appear to be increasing.
The photo is apparently taken from the deck of the Boxer and shows some of its attack helicopters. These must be worth a large chunk of the American military budget.
This situation is developing rapidly and comes on the heels of a series of clashes between the U.S. amphibious landing ship Boxer and smaller Iranian craft, that included several close passes from helicopters and ended with the apparent shooting down of an Iranian drone. Tensions in the region remain very high, and the possibility of a military strike on Iran from the U.S., the U.K., or both would appear to be increasing.
The photo is apparently taken from the deck of the Boxer and shows some of its attack helicopters. These must be worth a large chunk of the American military budget.
Vertigo
I am still having Vertico attacks, where I get dizzy and fall down.
I have to be careful about how I maneuver in close quarters. And be careful about how I move my head particularly.
I no longer have the drop attacks that sent me to the hospital. Now I just walk carefully, and not too little and not too much.
I have to be careful about how I maneuver in close quarters. And be careful about how I move my head particularly.
I no longer have the drop attacks that sent me to the hospital. Now I just walk carefully, and not too little and not too much.
Grammarly
I use Grammarly with Windows 10 and all of Google's distributed apps, such as Blogger that I am using to write this.
It shows up when I write an email in Gmail, or anytime I am writing text, which I do frequently.
It shows up when I write an email in Gmail, or anytime I am writing text, which I do frequently.
The proper way to handle complaints
When a complaint is received, it should be assigned a number to be used for all correspondence concerning it. If you do not get a number, you know the organization you are dealing with is defective.
Everyone in the organization should have an email address where they can be contacted directly. This done routinely in any of the computer companies now existing. These are staffed by real people, and they want to keep it that way.
A complaint should be sent to the department that handles complaints, who sends it to the people who can take care of it. The whole point here is to establish a procedure for dealing with complaints of any kind. And people responsible for following this procedure.
This procedure must be documented and placed where any employee can view it.
Everyone in the organization should have an email address where they can be contacted directly. This done routinely in any of the computer companies now existing. These are staffed by real people, and they want to keep it that way.
A complaint should be sent to the department that handles complaints, who sends it to the people who can take care of it. The whole point here is to establish a procedure for dealing with complaints of any kind. And people responsible for following this procedure.
This procedure must be documented and placed where any employee can view it.
Friday, July 19, 2019
I Know why Mass Shootings Happen
And so do you. Someone gets mad out of their mind.
This is not a complete answer, of course, we also have to say why he (and they are always men) acted this way. What drove him to it?
Asking why does not condone any violent action, and does not explain any benevolent action. But as thinking beings, we need to ask this vital question, why?
The usual answer is "I don't know," which is fair enough if we do not follow it with "And I don't want to know!"
Which implies that we really know, but don't want to admit it.
This hidden answer is that life is frustrating. Needlessly so.
And this is a very common experience.
This is not a complete answer, of course, we also have to say why he (and they are always men) acted this way. What drove him to it?
Asking why does not condone any violent action, and does not explain any benevolent action. But as thinking beings, we need to ask this vital question, why?
The usual answer is "I don't know," which is fair enough if we do not follow it with "And I don't want to know!"
Which implies that we really know, but don't want to admit it.
This hidden answer is that life is frustrating. Needlessly so.
And this is a very common experience.
Thursday, July 18, 2019
What I Told Wells Fargo
I have had a lot of problems with Wells Fargo. Their Customer Support software is defective, and they do not know this.
I want them to cancel my Debit card, and replace it with a new one. I am getting many charges on it that I made long ago, and no longer want.
They have a way to contact them by email, a regular Computer form that you fill out, and send to them. all nice and secure.
But it does not work, and there is no way I can make it work. I was a computer programmer once, and I can see what is wrong with it.
The Customer Service reps at WF have no way of fixing it either, and they keep telling me this.
So I am telling them "You got to tell your programmers about this problem." They will thank you for telling them about their problem! And they will fix it, promptly."
This was the plan, and I got on Ray's phone to make it happen. I got put on Hold and then lost them entirely. Ray had left, and I could not dial them up again, using his phone, that is a complicated Internet device.
I want them to cancel my Debit card, and replace it with a new one. I am getting many charges on it that I made long ago, and no longer want.
They have a way to contact them by email, a regular Computer form that you fill out, and send to them. all nice and secure.
But it does not work, and there is no way I can make it work. I was a computer programmer once, and I can see what is wrong with it.
The Customer Service reps at WF have no way of fixing it either, and they keep telling me this.
So I am telling them "You got to tell your programmers about this problem." They will thank you for telling them about their problem! And they will fix it, promptly."
This was the plan, and I got on Ray's phone to make it happen. I got put on Hold and then lost them entirely. Ray had left, and I could not dial them up again, using his phone, that is a complicated Internet device.
Painkillers
These are being manufactured and consumed legally in large quantities and contribute to the Opioid Overdose Crisis. And to the profit margins of the Pharmaceutical Companies.
This is not remarkable, it's Capitalism at work, which has always produced suicides, and other forms of violence. Some people do not want to live here, and so they get out.
Some people, such as Neitzche, lose their minds. Another form of suicide.
I have a Sister who has six Doctors working to keep her alive. And she is keeping them busy.
One of them is her pain Doctor. This is an interesting specialty, and I am sure this includes some kind of medication.
This is mixed in with all her other medication, so it is impossible to separate her pain treatments from her other treatments.
Every bit of this is paid for by her health insurance. Which helps to make medical costs in the US, the highest in the world.
This is not remarkable, it's Capitalism at work, which has always produced suicides, and other forms of violence. Some people do not want to live here, and so they get out.
Some people, such as Neitzche, lose their minds. Another form of suicide.
I have a Sister who has six Doctors working to keep her alive. And she is keeping them busy.
One of them is her pain Doctor. This is an interesting specialty, and I am sure this includes some kind of medication.
This is mixed in with all her other medication, so it is impossible to separate her pain treatments from her other treatments.
Every bit of this is paid for by her health insurance. Which helps to make medical costs in the US, the highest in the world.
Mechanical vs Emotional
I continue to comment on today's world, using what I have in my mind. This includes reasoning abilities and emotional responses.
I seem to have fairly high emotional intelligence. Which has helped me understand my culture, but has not made me one cent.
I have a theory of how we have developed. This began with a social event we refer to as Industrialization or the Market economy. Or what I think of as the dominance of the Machine.
The Machine had a huge impact on us. It showed us a different way of being, a mechanical way of being, that we could not resist since it made us feel more powerful when we actually became weaker. We became servants of the machine.
One of the earliest machines built the pyramids of Egypt, that we still marvel at.
The machines of the 19th Century were the Steam Engine, powered by Coal. These were too heavy to be used by airplanes but were ideal for Railroads and Steamships.
This was followed, in the 20th Century, by the Internal Combustion engine. powered by Oil. That now powers everything on land, sea, and air.
We now have missiles, that have taken Man to the Moon. And are also used in ground-to-air combat, air-to-air combat, and any combat you can name.
The latest machine is the Computer, which is still being developed but has had the biggest impact of all.
I seem to have fairly high emotional intelligence. Which has helped me understand my culture, but has not made me one cent.
I have a theory of how we have developed. This began with a social event we refer to as Industrialization or the Market economy. Or what I think of as the dominance of the Machine.
The Machine had a huge impact on us. It showed us a different way of being, a mechanical way of being, that we could not resist since it made us feel more powerful when we actually became weaker. We became servants of the machine.
One of the earliest machines built the pyramids of Egypt, that we still marvel at.
The machines of the 19th Century were the Steam Engine, powered by Coal. These were too heavy to be used by airplanes but were ideal for Railroads and Steamships.
This was followed, in the 20th Century, by the Internal Combustion engine. powered by Oil. That now powers everything on land, sea, and air.
We now have missiles, that have taken Man to the Moon. And are also used in ground-to-air combat, air-to-air combat, and any combat you can name.
The latest machine is the Computer, which is still being developed but has had the biggest impact of all.
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Do We Need Ethereum?
I have been asking myself this foolish question. It all depends on who We are.
For me, sitting in my pajamas in front of my laptop, the answer is clearly No.
Large companies with some high-paid Software developers on their staff, who have access to Microsoft's cloud, can play around with it. For them it has possibilities.
Microsoft is explicit about this. "You can play in our sandbox!"
There are probably other people who drift in and out of this scene, enjoying the scenery.
For me, sitting in my pajamas in front of my laptop, the answer is clearly No.
Large companies with some high-paid Software developers on their staff, who have access to Microsoft's cloud, can play around with it. For them it has possibilities.
Microsoft is explicit about this. "You can play in our sandbox!"
There are probably other people who drift in and out of this scene, enjoying the scenery.
Your visit to Costa Rica
My laptop has lost our conversation about this.
But you now want to include a visit to Turrialba in your itinerary.
This town has a strange attraction for Americans. They seem to feel they have discovered a bargain in paradise!
In fact, it was once a Railroad town, before an earthquake destroyed the Railroad in 1992. And it has never completely recovered from this economic collapse. It does manufacture baseballs in a Rawlings factory, and a lot of cheese is produced in mountains in the area.
Its main attraction now is Rafting, and there are many Rafting companies. This is an expensive sport because a vehicle has to transport the rafts and riders to the put-in point. and then bring them back from the take-out point.
You want to include a visit to Guayabo de Turrialba. You will need an English-speaking guide to appreciate this minor archeological attraction.
But you now want to include a visit to Turrialba in your itinerary.
This town has a strange attraction for Americans. They seem to feel they have discovered a bargain in paradise!
In fact, it was once a Railroad town, before an earthquake destroyed the Railroad in 1992. And it has never completely recovered from this economic collapse. It does manufacture baseballs in a Rawlings factory, and a lot of cheese is produced in mountains in the area.
Its main attraction now is Rafting, and there are many Rafting companies. This is an expensive sport because a vehicle has to transport the rafts and riders to the put-in point. and then bring them back from the take-out point.
You want to include a visit to Guayabo de Turrialba. You will need an English-speaking guide to appreciate this minor archeological attraction.
Tasting Coffee
Coffee is a beverage that provides many sensual benefits. Unusual tastes and smells. As well as caffeine, a stimulant also provided by tea.
In either case, people can either take their time and taste their beverage or just drink it. Most prefer the later.
Once they stop to feel what their world is like, they are afraid of the conclusions they might draw. They might conclude that their world is not good for them!
When I lived in Sri Lanka, a tea-producing center, in the Seventies. I could sit on the porch of our house, and enjoy my cups of tea, sweetened by a local sugar, produced by a tree right over my head.
Those were the days! And we had every reason to believe they would last forever.
In either case, people can either take their time and taste their beverage or just drink it. Most prefer the later.
Once they stop to feel what their world is like, they are afraid of the conclusions they might draw. They might conclude that their world is not good for them!
When I lived in Sri Lanka, a tea-producing center, in the Seventies. I could sit on the porch of our house, and enjoy my cups of tea, sweetened by a local sugar, produced by a tree right over my head.
Those were the days! And we had every reason to believe they would last forever.
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
The Bright Side of Coding
This is well shown in the new book Coders. That I highly recommend.
The does not describe the dark side of coding, that also exists. This posting attempts to remedy that.
Allow me to state my qualifications for writing this.
I got into Computers in the Eighties, when I owned the first transportable computer, the Kay Pro, It had a tiny screen, two 5 inch floppy drives, and a keyboard. It ran the CPM operating system. When you folded up the keyboard, it had a handle you could carry it with. It was a heavy monster.
I was a technical writer at the time. I wrote my manuals on my Kay Pro. saved them to a floppy drive, and took the drive to our word-processing gals, that had their own computer. This saved them a lot of time, because they did not have to read the hand-written text provided by the other writers.
I also had a dot-matrix printer, the latest thing at the time. It printed each character is a matrix of dots. It was slow and noisy. but could print everything - text and images.
It was obvious that software was running all this, so I started learning the C programming language, and got pretty good at it.
I was working in the same room with the programmers, and showing them my stuff. They hired me as a programmer, right off the bat!
They had a minicomputer that lived in its own room, but provided terminals for each programmer to work on. This was the beginning of networking.
This was a great start, but the company soon went out of business!
To make a long story short, I worked in every county in Southern California. Ventura county, Las Angeles county. Orange county, and San Diego. The traffic kept getting worse, so I moved to Silicon Valley, just when the Internet was born.
I was right into another boom, this time a huge one! This was follow by a bust, just as bad.
I got out, and moved to Costa Rica, where I still live.
I will describe the Dark Side of Coding in another posting.
The does not describe the dark side of coding, that also exists. This posting attempts to remedy that.
Allow me to state my qualifications for writing this.
I got into Computers in the Eighties, when I owned the first transportable computer, the Kay Pro, It had a tiny screen, two 5 inch floppy drives, and a keyboard. It ran the CPM operating system. When you folded up the keyboard, it had a handle you could carry it with. It was a heavy monster.
I was a technical writer at the time. I wrote my manuals on my Kay Pro. saved them to a floppy drive, and took the drive to our word-processing gals, that had their own computer. This saved them a lot of time, because they did not have to read the hand-written text provided by the other writers.
I also had a dot-matrix printer, the latest thing at the time. It printed each character is a matrix of dots. It was slow and noisy. but could print everything - text and images.
It was obvious that software was running all this, so I started learning the C programming language, and got pretty good at it.
I was working in the same room with the programmers, and showing them my stuff. They hired me as a programmer, right off the bat!
They had a minicomputer that lived in its own room, but provided terminals for each programmer to work on. This was the beginning of networking.
This was a great start, but the company soon went out of business!
To make a long story short, I worked in every county in Southern California. Ventura county, Las Angeles county. Orange county, and San Diego. The traffic kept getting worse, so I moved to Silicon Valley, just when the Internet was born.
I was right into another boom, this time a huge one! This was follow by a bust, just as bad.
I got out, and moved to Costa Rica, where I still live.
I will describe the Dark Side of Coding in another posting.
How Picasso’s Muse Became a Master
New Yorker
I have this book, in the Kindle version, and I can recommend it. It was written in the English, and didn't need to be translated from the French. I did not know it was written with another person.
This review makes it clear that Picasso was a monster, who destroyed everyone around him, except for her.
He stayed in Paris during the German occupation because he wanted to protect his image that was always better than his artistic accomplishments, in my opinion.
I have this book, in the Kindle version, and I can recommend it. It was written in the English, and didn't need to be translated from the French. I did not know it was written with another person.
This review makes it clear that Picasso was a monster, who destroyed everyone around him, except for her.
He stayed in Paris during the German occupation because he wanted to protect his image that was always better than his artistic accomplishments, in my opinion.
Monday, July 15, 2019
The Secrets to a Successful AI Strategy
Medium
Leverage AI to create an advantage specific to your industry sector - Andrew Ng
Leverage AI to create an advantage specific to your industry sector - Andrew Ng
I used to wonder how to pronounce his name but decided to pronounce just it as it is spelled. He must have a Chinese name also since his parents came from China, but he never uses that.
He is content with being the most important person in AI, a position no one disputes.
He includes a link for more information - something very common in today's technical documentation.
That is pouring forth, as in a flood.
What I want Wells Fargo to do
My situation is complicated by one basic fact, I live in Costa Rica, not in the US.
I have a mailing address in Miami, and all my packages and mail get sent there and then flown to Costa Rica by Aeropost, who also makes any duty payments for me. This process takes about a week.
I use my Wells Fargo debit card to make all my international purchases, mainly from Amazon. I also use it, at ATMs, to get the cash I need, in Colonies, for my spending here. I use Colonies, for example, to pay for my health insurance, with the Costa Rica public health service. And for any groceries.
This all very convenient, but also convenient for many companies that keep using my debit card, for services I ordered long ago, I have forgotten about and no longer want.
I want this debit card canceled, so these charges will be stopped.
I also want another debit card for the purchases I want to continue.
My brother, Steve Smith, who also owns this account, has been notified of these changes.
I have a mailing address in Miami, and all my packages and mail get sent there and then flown to Costa Rica by Aeropost, who also makes any duty payments for me. This process takes about a week.
I use my Wells Fargo debit card to make all my international purchases, mainly from Amazon. I also use it, at ATMs, to get the cash I need, in Colonies, for my spending here. I use Colonies, for example, to pay for my health insurance, with the Costa Rica public health service. And for any groceries.
This all very convenient, but also convenient for many companies that keep using my debit card, for services I ordered long ago, I have forgotten about and no longer want.
I want this debit card canceled, so these charges will be stopped.
I also want another debit card for the purchases I want to continue.
My brother, Steve Smith, who also owns this account, has been notified of these changes.
Thay have Destroyed Themselves, and can see Nothing Wrong with Destroying Everything else, as well,
What a cheerful thought! But at least it is realistic and helps me understand my world, which is in a destructive mode.
The concept of different modes of being is something I got from Software Development, where it is used frequently. I find it useful in understanding people as well.
Put simply, is states that people will behave differently, depending on their circumstances. They do not have one way of behaving, regardless of the circumstances.
People are now in a destructive mode, in the many ways they behave. This is so shocking, they do their best to cover this up. Which they cannot do very well.
Americans are fortunate, their circumstances are not as bad as those of the people of Syria, for example, who have been forced to become refugees, with no homes at all!
Americans view this with alarm. Other people are coming to take their things from them!
This even applies to Costa Rica, where I live now. Ticos have become hugely influenced by the Evangelicals, who are worried that their morals are being taken from them, by things such as same-sex marriage!.
The concept of different modes of being is something I got from Software Development, where it is used frequently. I find it useful in understanding people as well.
Put simply, is states that people will behave differently, depending on their circumstances. They do not have one way of behaving, regardless of the circumstances.
People are now in a destructive mode, in the many ways they behave. This is so shocking, they do their best to cover this up. Which they cannot do very well.
Americans are fortunate, their circumstances are not as bad as those of the people of Syria, for example, who have been forced to become refugees, with no homes at all!
Americans view this with alarm. Other people are coming to take their things from them!
This even applies to Costa Rica, where I live now. Ticos have become hugely influenced by the Evangelicals, who are worried that their morals are being taken from them, by things such as same-sex marriage!.
Sunday, July 14, 2019
Mayor Pete
Pete Buttigieg has written a book: Shortest Way Home: One Mayor’s Challenge and a Model for America’s Future
He makes himself look good while being exceedingly modest.
And he almost succeeds in this.
Software companies vs Software Developers
If you spend anytime at all in the computer world, you will notice this brutal contrast.
Software Companies want to make money, as fast as possible, and as much as possible. Software Developers simply want to make better Software.
I have worked for both and have noticed that companies who make better software, make more money.
You have to convince the Developers (and the Users) that you are on their side.
Ethereum Blockchain as a Service is now on Azure. Microsoft is making a serious attempt to straddle that fence And they may succeed.
Software Companies want to make money, as fast as possible, and as much as possible. Software Developers simply want to make better Software.
I have worked for both and have noticed that companies who make better software, make more money.
You have to convince the Developers (and the Users) that you are on their side.
Ethereum Blockchain as a Service is now on Azure. Microsoft is making a serious attempt to straddle that fence And they may succeed.
The Church is Full of Lies
This has been true for hundreds of years, and for hundreds of \churches.
This was behind the separation between the Catholic and the Protestant churches. Protests about the corruption in the Church.
I just asked my Brother about the authenticity of a portrait of the founder of the Mormon church, Joseph Smith. He has conducted tours of the Church's historic properties, and this portrait is on prominent display here. It is an imposing portrait of a man, but we do not know who this man was!
This was behind the separation between the Catholic and the Protestant churches. Protests about the corruption in the Church.
I just asked my Brother about the authenticity of a portrait of the founder of the Mormon church, Joseph Smith. He has conducted tours of the Church's historic properties, and this portrait is on prominent display here. It is an imposing portrait of a man, but we do not know who this man was!
Why Trump welcomed Iran’s good neighbour Qatar – and we should be glad of it
Open Democracy
They are investing very heavily in our country. They’re creating lots of jobs. They’re buying tremendous amounts of military equipment, including planes.
They are investing very heavily in our country. They’re creating lots of jobs. They’re buying tremendous amounts of military equipment, including planes.
But. as always, the Devil is in the Details - that is complicated enough to suit anyone.
It made me look up Gas Carriers on Wikipedia.
Saturday, July 13, 2019
The Portraits of Moroni
DelanceyPlace |
When I saw this email, I was amazed because I immediately thought of the Book of Mormon, where one of its characters is named Moroni.
The Mormons could have known of this painter of the Italian Rennaisance, They had no interest in Art of any kind.
The only portrait we have of the Founder of Mormonism, Joseph Smith, was by an unknown artist, who no doubt painted a flattering portrait, collected his money, and was never seen again.
Britain's Gunboat Diplomacy
Great Britain has been doing this for a long time.
Once it grew large quantities of Opium in Burma, that it imported into China. Fighting two Opium Wars to force China to let it continue this highly lucrative trade. See Wikipedia for an explanation of these wars,
Recently, it has escorted British oil tankers through the Tonkin Gulf. Iran sent its own gunboats to force the tanker into moving closer to the Iranian coast. But the British gunboat had a much larger gun that could have sunk the Iranian boats easily, and the Iranian boats withdrew immediately.
Once it grew large quantities of Opium in Burma, that it imported into China. Fighting two Opium Wars to force China to let it continue this highly lucrative trade. See Wikipedia for an explanation of these wars,
Recently, it has escorted British oil tankers through the Tonkin Gulf. Iran sent its own gunboats to force the tanker into moving closer to the Iranian coast. But the British gunboat had a much larger gun that could have sunk the Iranian boats easily, and the Iranian boats withdrew immediately.
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present
You will be interested in this from your work with the Navaho.
The forced assimilation of their children at government-run boarding schools incubated a unifying Native identity. Conscription in the US military and the pull of urban life brought Indians into the mainstream and modern times, even as it steered the emerging shape of self-rule and spawned a new generation of resistance. The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee is the essential, intimate story of a resilient people in a transformative era.
The forced assimilation of their children at government-run boarding schools incubated a unifying Native identity. Conscription in the US military and the pull of urban life brought Indians into the mainstream and modern times, even as it steered the emerging shape of self-rule and spawned a new generation of resistance. The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee is the essential, intimate story of a resilient people in a transformative era.
You can download the Kindle version easily from Amazon.
People have been badly Damaged Socially, without there Knowing It
And much of that damage has been done by Television, that people have become addicted to.
We speak freely of opioid addiction, but hardly at all of television addiction, Because this addiction is subtle, and not fatal. Even though it is slowly destroying us.
How? It destroys our ability to think for ourselves. The Tube does our thinking for us.
This, in itself, might not be a problem, I watch classes on YouTube frequently. And learn a lot from them.
In the back of my mind, however, I am can be critical of what I am watching. This is hard work, and most people do not want to bother with it.
If it feels good for them. it must be good for everyone.
We speak freely of opioid addiction, but hardly at all of television addiction, Because this addiction is subtle, and not fatal. Even though it is slowly destroying us.
How? It destroys our ability to think for ourselves. The Tube does our thinking for us.
This, in itself, might not be a problem, I watch classes on YouTube frequently. And learn a lot from them.
In the back of my mind, however, I am can be critical of what I am watching. This is hard work, and most people do not want to bother with it.
If it feels good for them. it must be good for everyone.
Friday, July 12, 2019
Facing the Future
OneZero
Medium now has the two online publishing outlets - GEN and OneZero.
It has seen the future, and is grabbing space in it.
"Yes," You will say "But the future is not making much money. Let me know when I can make some money off of it, not more than a week from now!"
This will not work, you have to walk boldly where others fear to tread. A land mine detector would be a big help also.
Medium now has the two online publishing outlets - GEN and OneZero.
It has seen the future, and is grabbing space in it.
"Yes," You will say "But the future is not making much money. Let me know when I can make some money off of it, not more than a week from now!"
This will not work, you have to walk boldly where others fear to tread. A land mine detector would be a big help also.
My 9 Months on the Road With Fan Bingbing, China’s Biggest Movie Star
GEN
I read all of this, it was so well-written.
GEN is a new online publisher that understands the basics - make it good, and make it free.
He is an American writer working in China, that has managed to stay out of jail - so far.
You can help by making him an American presence also.
I read all of this, it was so well-written.
GEN is a new online publisher that understands the basics - make it good, and make it free.
He is an American writer working in China, that has managed to stay out of jail - so far.
You can help by making him an American presence also.
The Struggle to do the Impossible
The Impossible is what seemed possible a few hundred years ago during the Enlightenment - making a better world. We now have to say this is impossible.
Making a better world involved making better people. But people do not want to be made better, they want to be made worse.
We now have to ask ourselves "What is the nature of this trend toward making things worse?"
There is no easy answer to this question. But it seems to have been one effect of Industrialization. A very complicated process few have tried to analyze, and is probably impossible to analyse.
But it has made inferior people, One has to begin with that, and try to analyse how we have been made inferior.
Fortunately, we have a laboratory built into our world that we can refer to. The difference between North America and Latin America. North America is Industrialized and Latin America is not.
I have made this switch myself, moving from Silicon Valley, in California, to Costa Rica, in Central America.
One can say, easily enough, that Latinos are friendlier. But one also has to say, they are not better at doing anything. Americans are better at making money, but worse at liking people.
This is a crucial point, the difference between being and doing. As humans we have both skills, but in affluent countries we are now better at doing.
Affluent countries have bigger guns, and they can call the shots.
Making a better world involved making better people. But people do not want to be made better, they want to be made worse.
We now have to ask ourselves "What is the nature of this trend toward making things worse?"
There is no easy answer to this question. But it seems to have been one effect of Industrialization. A very complicated process few have tried to analyze, and is probably impossible to analyse.
But it has made inferior people, One has to begin with that, and try to analyse how we have been made inferior.
Fortunately, we have a laboratory built into our world that we can refer to. The difference between North America and Latin America. North America is Industrialized and Latin America is not.
I have made this switch myself, moving from Silicon Valley, in California, to Costa Rica, in Central America.
One can say, easily enough, that Latinos are friendlier. But one also has to say, they are not better at doing anything. Americans are better at making money, but worse at liking people.
This is a crucial point, the difference between being and doing. As humans we have both skills, but in affluent countries we are now better at doing.
Affluent countries have bigger guns, and they can call the shots.
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Rudyard Kipling in America
New Yorker
This is about the book If: The Untold Story of Kipling's American Years.
I can recommend it if you are the bookish type. It's an easy read.
The Great Reversal
This has happened, I am sure, and it makes me ask when and how it happened.
It must have happened soon after WWII. When the world was readjusting itself after that conflict. And large, multinational corporations became common. Something we call Globalization.
When the emphasis was on making it bigger, and not on the people involved in this bigness.
For the people who accepted this trend, and assisted it, it was a thrilling time, because they were in power!. For those who were its, victims, it was a tragedy. And I was one of those.
It was a reversal of values, which included an inability to notice this, a lack of Social Awareness.
We can no longer ask ourselves "What are we doing to people?" Because people have disappeared.
It must have happened soon after WWII. When the world was readjusting itself after that conflict. And large, multinational corporations became common. Something we call Globalization.
When the emphasis was on making it bigger, and not on the people involved in this bigness.
For the people who accepted this trend, and assisted it, it was a thrilling time, because they were in power!. For those who were its, victims, it was a tragedy. And I was one of those.
It was a reversal of values, which included an inability to notice this, a lack of Social Awareness.
We can no longer ask ourselves "What are we doing to people?" Because people have disappeared.
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Life in a Make-Believe World
I have noticed a lack of interest by most people many things.
Now that I have written that sentence, I realize how lame it is. I need to define who most people are, and what many things are.
But I have had considerable help here, by the people who developed Mass Production (a core concept of Industrialization) and writers who developed the concept of the Masses, to go along with this. Prominent among these was the Industrialist Henry Ford (who is well-known) and Ortega y Gasset (who is not so well-known).
I could also include many people who are usually lumped together as Communists or Fascists (or more recently, Terrorists).
Industrialization created an intolerable work environment, that workers relieved with a variety of interests, religions, and entertainments. Including the Movies, that had a big effect on its viewers.
The main effect was an interest in artificial realities that were more interesting than the ordinary realities that preceded them.
This process was greatly accelerated by Television in the Fifties. That had a huge effect on its viewers, who was anyone who had access to Electricity.
This was followed by the Computer, that created another reality, called Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The impact of this is not fully known, because it is still going on.
Now that I have written that sentence, I realize how lame it is. I need to define who most people are, and what many things are.
But I have had considerable help here, by the people who developed Mass Production (a core concept of Industrialization) and writers who developed the concept of the Masses, to go along with this. Prominent among these was the Industrialist Henry Ford (who is well-known) and Ortega y Gasset (who is not so well-known).
I could also include many people who are usually lumped together as Communists or Fascists (or more recently, Terrorists).
Industrialization created an intolerable work environment, that workers relieved with a variety of interests, religions, and entertainments. Including the Movies, that had a big effect on its viewers.
The main effect was an interest in artificial realities that were more interesting than the ordinary realities that preceded them.
This process was greatly accelerated by Television in the Fifties. That had a huge effect on its viewers, who was anyone who had access to Electricity.
This was followed by the Computer, that created another reality, called Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The impact of this is not fully known, because it is still going on.
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Americans did not Like the Mormons
This was true in the 19th Century, that saw Mormon Wars in Missouri and Illinois. And the arrest, imprisonment, and deaths of the Mormon leaders.
The Mormons got the message and got away from the US as far as they could. Clear across the Rocky Mountains, They were pursued by the Ameican Army. and the Mormons attacked their supply lines, which slowed them down but only temporarily.
The relationship between the Mormons and the Americans was complicated. They didn't want them in their country, and they didn't want them out of it!
Eventually, they made them part of the State of Utah, a free state that did not have slavery.
They were Americans, whether they wanted to be or not, When the elected their Senators and Representatives to the National Government, they refused to seat them!
This provided an opportunity for the RLDS church. who presented themselves as the good Mormons (without polygamy). And allowed them to claim the Kirtland Temple, that had been abandoned earlier.
The Mormons then disowned polygamy and became perfect law-abiding citizens. They were better Americans than the Americans were, and were favorites for the American security agencies.
The Mormons got the message and got away from the US as far as they could. Clear across the Rocky Mountains, They were pursued by the Ameican Army. and the Mormons attacked their supply lines, which slowed them down but only temporarily.
The relationship between the Mormons and the Americans was complicated. They didn't want them in their country, and they didn't want them out of it!
Eventually, they made them part of the State of Utah, a free state that did not have slavery.
They were Americans, whether they wanted to be or not, When the elected their Senators and Representatives to the National Government, they refused to seat them!
This provided an opportunity for the RLDS church. who presented themselves as the good Mormons (without polygamy). And allowed them to claim the Kirtland Temple, that had been abandoned earlier.
The Mormons then disowned polygamy and became perfect law-abiding citizens. They were better Americans than the Americans were, and were favorites for the American security agencies.
Monday, July 8, 2019
The Few and the Many
I have noticed (and many others have noticed also) that any population of People can be easily divided into those that are retarded and those that are advanced,
I noticed this when I worked in a Gold Mining camp in Nome, Alaska one summer.
Most of the dormitories were for Eskimos, who were clearly retarded and drunk much of the time. By contrast, we had an Eskimo who worked in our office, and whose brother was the first Eskimo to graduate from the U of Alaska.
But one building was reserved for the Whites and the Advanced Eskimos. Our Advanced Eskimo was Meesha Charles (he kepi his Eskimo name), He was the Blacksmith for our camp, and could read and write English.
We worked 9 hours a day 7 days a week. The hourly rate was not much, but the hours made up for it.
When I went back to college (I studied Electronic Engineering at the U of Illinois) I didn't have to work part-time all year.
I noticed this when I worked in a Gold Mining camp in Nome, Alaska one summer.
Most of the dormitories were for Eskimos, who were clearly retarded and drunk much of the time. By contrast, we had an Eskimo who worked in our office, and whose brother was the first Eskimo to graduate from the U of Alaska.
But one building was reserved for the Whites and the Advanced Eskimos. Our Advanced Eskimo was Meesha Charles (he kepi his Eskimo name), He was the Blacksmith for our camp, and could read and write English.
We worked 9 hours a day 7 days a week. The hourly rate was not much, but the hours made up for it.
When I went back to college (I studied Electronic Engineering at the U of Illinois) I didn't have to work part-time all year.
They Live in a World controlled by Programs, but Know Nothing about Programming
Note the spelling here. Program uses American spelling. while Programming uses English spelling. Both are verbs, denoting an activity.
Because Computers were invented in England, and Programming them was invented by Ada Lovelace (who had a programming language named after her).
Computer Scientists moved to America after WWII as part of the brain drain then. And after that Computers were developed there (especially Software) - at an incredibly rapid pace. The spelling became American also.
Britain (and the British Empire) was forgotten.
Because Computers were invented in England, and Programming them was invented by Ada Lovelace (who had a programming language named after her).
Computer Scientists moved to America after WWII as part of the brain drain then. And after that Computers were developed there (especially Software) - at an incredibly rapid pace. The spelling became American also.
Britain (and the British Empire) was forgotten.
Amazon's Impending Invasion Of Banking
Forbes
When I first saw this title, I thought they had gotten their wires crossed, and really wanted to talk about Facebook's Libra cryptocurrency.
But he makes a solid case for another invasion of Finance by the Computer.
Something most people will miss out on because they cannot read carefully, or learn anything new.
When I first saw this title, I thought they had gotten their wires crossed, and really wanted to talk about Facebook's Libra cryptocurrency.
But he makes a solid case for another invasion of Finance by the Computer.
Something most people will miss out on because they cannot read carefully, or learn anything new.
The America I did not Understand, and have Forgotten About
I am reading The Fifties which happened when I was a teenager.
But, as this title implies, I am reading about something we did not understand at the time and have conveniently forgotten since then.
This was the period after WWII when Americans saw a Red under every Bed. A period that lasted until we saw Terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq.
But, as this title implies, I am reading about something we did not understand at the time and have conveniently forgotten since then.
This was the period after WWII when Americans saw a Red under every Bed. A period that lasted until we saw Terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Sunday, July 7, 2019
Scott Ourth is supporting Kamala Harris
How Iowans Greeted Kamala Harris After Her Debate Breakthrough
Kamala is standing on the porch of Scott's house in these photos. Scott's wife, a pharmacist for a Vets Hospital, is not mentioned.
But the heat and humidity caused a person to faint.
But the heat and humidity caused a person to faint.
Rage
This is one of the dominant emotions of our era and affects many of us personally - including myself.
When I get into a Rage Stage, it affects me so powerfully I can hardly walk. And I may even collapse in a seizure.
All because I am very mad!
Because I have been treated very badly.
When I get into a Rage Stage, it affects me so powerfully I can hardly walk. And I may even collapse in a seizure.
All because I am very mad!
Because I have been treated very badly.
The Contrast between Political Developments and Software Developments
As I sit down in front of my laptop this morning, I first scan through the political developments on Open Democracy, which has the usual depressing news, no progress there.
I then look at the software developments in my inbox and am astonished by what is happening there. Things are racing ahead so fast there I cannot keep up with them.
In the Software world, things are moving rapidly forward. In the rest of the world, things are a mess, and going nowhere.
Software people have to be aware, but people elsewhere are living in illusions, and have no idea what is really going on.
It's too bad the two worlds cannot talk to each other.
I then look at the software developments in my inbox and am astonished by what is happening there. Things are racing ahead so fast there I cannot keep up with them.
In the Software world, things are moving rapidly forward. In the rest of the world, things are a mess, and going nowhere.
Software people have to be aware, but people elsewhere are living in illusions, and have no idea what is really going on.
It's too bad the two worlds cannot talk to each other.
Saturday, July 6, 2019
Helpful writings that are Not Helpful
These are the curse of our times because the Computer has made so many of them. And many of them are about the Computer itself, how to understand the thing.
I just got the Beginner’s guide to Task Manager. And it is doing its best to confuse me.
I have to ask myself "Why not tell the truth, how it actually works?"
Bur from my years working as a Tech Writer, I know the answer - they do not want the User to know the Truth. That would give him too much power, that he would use against my employer.
The User must be kept Helpless.
The Big Picture and the Small Picture
I am writing this because of the strange behavior of people that I know.
They behave perfectly some of the time (when they are in the Little Picture) but the opposite way (when they are in the Big Picture). And they can switch between these modes instantly, and with no awareness that they are switching.
I have assumed that two people were involved, but I now believe two modes (or pictures) are involved. The Big Picture always takes over, in stressful times.
If a person is aware of this switching, Vertigo can result, or in extreme cases, Seizures that result in a total collapse.
No one wants either one and will do almost anything to stay away from this crisis.
They behave perfectly some of the time (when they are in the Little Picture) but the opposite way (when they are in the Big Picture). And they can switch between these modes instantly, and with no awareness that they are switching.
I have assumed that two people were involved, but I now believe two modes (or pictures) are involved. The Big Picture always takes over, in stressful times.
If a person is aware of this switching, Vertigo can result, or in extreme cases, Seizures that result in a total collapse.
No one wants either one and will do almost anything to stay away from this crisis.
We are an Extinct Species
This is not true, for the simple reason I will describe below:
People can say they still exist, the same as they always have. Physically they are the same animals they always were, including their ability to reproduce.
There are more of us than ever before. And this makes us secure in our minds. There are now more of us, and we consume more.
We do not ask ourselves, however, if we can think better. Because it is obvious that we do not. Our ability to think has been severely compromised. And this is threatening our future as a species.
And the future of our planet.
People can say they still exist, the same as they always have. Physically they are the same animals they always were, including their ability to reproduce.
There are more of us than ever before. And this makes us secure in our minds. There are now more of us, and we consume more.
We do not ask ourselves, however, if we can think better. Because it is obvious that we do not. Our ability to think has been severely compromised. And this is threatening our future as a species.
And the future of our planet.
Friday, July 5, 2019
Being Aware of Computers
Has not helped me be aware of myself. Which is a primary objective for me at the moment.
They are two different realities. Expertise in one does not increase your expertise in the other.
They are two different realities. Expertise in one does not increase your expertise in the other.
BullShit Jobs
I just got this book, in the Kindle version.
I probably won't read it much, because it merely confirms my personal job experiences.
I have had plenty of these jobs myself and wondered why more people were not complaining about them.
They were not complaining about them, because they were so common. And people know better than bitch about them, for reasons you and I know instinctively.
But I want to add to his analysis, that did not include the Computer industry where I toiled for 20 years (1980-2000). This industry not only created useless jobs no one had imagined before.
It destroyed computer companies in numbers never imagined before. This was not bullshit (that came out of the rear end of a cow) it was a slaughterhouse where the entire bull was consumed, for no apparent reason.
I probably won't read it much, because it merely confirms my personal job experiences.
I have had plenty of these jobs myself and wondered why more people were not complaining about them.
They were not complaining about them, because they were so common. And people know better than bitch about them, for reasons you and I know instinctively.
But I want to add to his analysis, that did not include the Computer industry where I toiled for 20 years (1980-2000). This industry not only created useless jobs no one had imagined before.
It destroyed computer companies in numbers never imagined before. This was not bullshit (that came out of the rear end of a cow) it was a slaughterhouse where the entire bull was consumed, for no apparent reason.
Pintico
A nice lady was selling this in the aisle at the Walmart store yesterday.
A favorite food here is GalloPinto (spotted rooster) that is rice and beans. It is now manufactured locally and packaged in cans.
You can also buy this locally at any Soda (the local fast-food outlets) or make it yourself.
This product is for lazy people like me.
A favorite food here is GalloPinto (spotted rooster) that is rice and beans. It is now manufactured locally and packaged in cans.
You can also buy this locally at any Soda (the local fast-food outlets) or make it yourself.
This product is for lazy people like me.
Thursday, July 4, 2019
Dead Tired in Cartago
Today I did my weekly shopping in Cartago, as always.
I thought I had rested up from a spell of Vertigo, but I hadn't rested enough.
I gradually got more and more tired. And by the time I got home, I could barely walk.
I know I should treat my old body and mind more considerately, but I keep forgetting.
I thought I had rested up from a spell of Vertigo, but I hadn't rested enough.
I gradually got more and more tired. And by the time I got home, I could barely walk.
I know I should treat my old body and mind more considerately, but I keep forgetting.
The Church
My family has not coped very well with the changes in our family's church.
This began as the LDS church early in the 19th Century. After the death of the founder, Joseph Smith, in 1844, in Illinois, they were led by Brigham Young, on a long journey across the Rocky Mountains and established an irrigated agriculture economy on the shores of the Great Salt Lake. This became the largest Mormon church, by far.
Meanwhile, another church, the RLDS church, was formed back in Illinois, led by Joseph Smith's son, Joseph Smith III. This eventually moved its headquarters to Independence, Missouri, and became the second-largest Mormon church. Under his leadership, it grew rapidly in terms of membership and financing
After his death, it did not grow so rapidly, and eventually became the Community of Christ, and a number of other churches. My family did not want to admit this, but it was losing its importance.
Their children were not interested in it at all.
This began as the LDS church early in the 19th Century. After the death of the founder, Joseph Smith, in 1844, in Illinois, they were led by Brigham Young, on a long journey across the Rocky Mountains and established an irrigated agriculture economy on the shores of the Great Salt Lake. This became the largest Mormon church, by far.
Meanwhile, another church, the RLDS church, was formed back in Illinois, led by Joseph Smith's son, Joseph Smith III. This eventually moved its headquarters to Independence, Missouri, and became the second-largest Mormon church. Under his leadership, it grew rapidly in terms of membership and financing
After his death, it did not grow so rapidly, and eventually became the Community of Christ, and a number of other churches. My family did not want to admit this, but it was losing its importance.
Their children were not interested in it at all.
The Importance of Being Aware
We should be aware that we are not aware, but this is impossible.
There must be a historical reason for this, but would be long and complicated. Because in five hundred years we have changed so much.
We have to be satisfied with observing how we are (a demanding task) and how most people cannot do this,
The struggle to do this creates a crisis in many people's lives and is a cause for our high rate of suicide. People are trying to find meaning in their lives but failing.
I am reading The Updated ACM Code of Ethics, that carefully overlooks this. Computer people are concerned with ethics, but their concern only goes so far.
There must be a historical reason for this, but would be long and complicated. Because in five hundred years we have changed so much.
We have to be satisfied with observing how we are (a demanding task) and how most people cannot do this,
The struggle to do this creates a crisis in many people's lives and is a cause for our high rate of suicide. People are trying to find meaning in their lives but failing.
I am reading The Updated ACM Code of Ethics, that carefully overlooks this. Computer people are concerned with ethics, but their concern only goes so far.
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
More Thoughts on Libra
US lawmakers tell Facebook to halt the launch of its Libra cryptocurrency
This request was made by the House Financial Services Committee, led by Democrat Maxine Waters,.who is no doubt beholden financially to American banks, who do not want to be put out of business.
They want to keep things the way they are, But Facebook and its many allies want things to move on.
The smart thing to do is establish a new branch of the Federal government (like the FDA) that would regulate this new kind of money.
Which is going to happen, one way or the other.
The Parents are Normal, Their Children are Failures
They can't be entirely normal if their children are failures, so it might be more useful to say the children are the result of hidden deficiencies in the parents. That on closer inspection, are not so hidden.
Parenting is a difficult business, and that is why I have no children. But most people feel they must have children, and they have them, even if that involves a terrific struggle. Once they have them, they feel they are superior people and are entitled to a large share of the world's goods.
And in the last half of the 20th Century in America, this is what happened. They had a baby boom and a corresponding boom in housing and cars.
Now, this is over, they are desperate and will follow anyone who promises to bring the Good Times back.
Parenting is a difficult business, and that is why I have no children. But most people feel they must have children, and they have them, even if that involves a terrific struggle. Once they have them, they feel they are superior people and are entitled to a large share of the world's goods.
And in the last half of the 20th Century in America, this is what happened. They had a baby boom and a corresponding boom in housing and cars.
Now, this is over, they are desperate and will follow anyone who promises to bring the Good Times back.
A world good for Things, but Not Good for People
Things have crowded us off the stage.
I made coffee first thing this morning, as usual. I took the time to look at the plastic bag it came in, and marvel ar its construction. A real work of art, that was used and then thrown in the garbage, just to make me feel better temporarily!
This benefited the coffee industry and the hundreds of people who made it.
Although it could also be said, more realistically, that this was just a tiny part of our economy's insane obsession to make more and more of everything. And to move the entire world into the garbage dump.
I made coffee first thing this morning, as usual. I took the time to look at the plastic bag it came in, and marvel ar its construction. A real work of art, that was used and then thrown in the garbage, just to make me feel better temporarily!
This benefited the coffee industry and the hundreds of people who made it.
Although it could also be said, more realistically, that this was just a tiny part of our economy's insane obsession to make more and more of everything. And to move the entire world into the garbage dump.
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Sentiment Analysis
Some strange things end up in my inbox and this one of them, courtesy of O'Reilly, the Computer Publisher.
A young man behind a Laptop is speaking in a video in a frame on the right, while a summary of what he is saying is shown in the wide center column. A scrolling outline is shown in the left column,.An innovative format that takes some getting used to.
If you like learning (and most people do not) this is will help you understand Computers and their Software. That is now running the world.
A young man behind a Laptop is speaking in a video in a frame on the right, while a summary of what he is saying is shown in the wide center column. A scrolling outline is shown in the left column,.An innovative format that takes some getting used to.
If you like learning (and most people do not) this is will help you understand Computers and their Software. That is now running the world.
Everything Depends on what we Think of Each Other
What are we, really?
We live in a world created by Science. that is everywhere under attack.
Science assumes the world can be understood. And the people in that world can be understood also. And has done a good job of that, much to people's consternation. They are saying "We are not that way!: When they clearly are.
What way are they upset about? The dominance of Greed in their culture.
They will readily acknowledge the importance of this, but also say "We are not really this way!" And expect us to understand what that means.
They are saying they are composed of two parts: the natural and the supernatural. And the supernatural is what they should be judged by. And if we have a hard time seeing this, they will be glad to help us out.
We are talking about a defense of Capitalism. Which certainly needs defending. It has given us huge benefits, but also huge problems. And these need straitening out.
You will probably agree, but be extremely nervous about doing this. Everything is working so well, you hate to touch it, for fear of total collapse.
We now have two dominant emotions: Greed and Fear. Which will a subject for a future posting!
We live in a world created by Science. that is everywhere under attack.
Science assumes the world can be understood. And the people in that world can be understood also. And has done a good job of that, much to people's consternation. They are saying "We are not that way!: When they clearly are.
What way are they upset about? The dominance of Greed in their culture.
They will readily acknowledge the importance of this, but also say "We are not really this way!" And expect us to understand what that means.
They are saying they are composed of two parts: the natural and the supernatural. And the supernatural is what they should be judged by. And if we have a hard time seeing this, they will be glad to help us out.
We are talking about a defense of Capitalism. Which certainly needs defending. It has given us huge benefits, but also huge problems. And these need straitening out.
You will probably agree, but be extremely nervous about doing this. Everything is working so well, you hate to touch it, for fear of total collapse.
We now have two dominant emotions: Greed and Fear. Which will a subject for a future posting!
Monday, July 1, 2019
American English
This is now the Language used everywhere, especially on the Web.
I have heard young Ticos with their iPhones in hand, correcting each other's pronunciation. They know when to speak Spanish, and when to speak English.
American popular culture is its most valuable export, and one finds it everywhere.
If you want to put down a Mexican-American (and there ate plenty of those in America) all you have to say is that he (or she) is acting like a lower-class Mexican.
Upper-class Mexicans fit in easily (are bilingual) and are more advanced, in some ways than Americans are.
I have heard young Ticos with their iPhones in hand, correcting each other's pronunciation. They know when to speak Spanish, and when to speak English.
American popular culture is its most valuable export, and one finds it everywhere.
If you want to put down a Mexican-American (and there ate plenty of those in America) all you have to say is that he (or she) is acting like a lower-class Mexican.
Upper-class Mexicans fit in easily (are bilingual) and are more advanced, in some ways than Americans are.
Mormonism and Jacksonian Democracy
A gentleman should not seek public Office
This subject has been written about before, by scholars of American history and Religion.
Mormonism was an American religion, although most of its early converts came from the English Industrial Heartland. They read The Book of Mormon and concluded that the author was a Prophet of God - a role new to hin, but one he quickly adopted himself.
Mormonism was an American religion, although most of its early converts came from the English Industrial Heartland. They read The Book of Mormon and concluded that the author was a Prophet of God - a role new to hin, but one he quickly adopted himself.
This article in DelancyPlace summarizes the election of 1824 nicely. And the huge decline in public morals that accompanied it. It describes the social forces behind the success of Mormonism and the rise of Joseph Smith, a scoundrel if ever was one, like Andrew Jackson.
I can also see a parallel to the election of Trump, in our time.
I can also see a parallel to the election of Trump, in our time.
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