Sunday, September 14, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The solution to Greed?
Based on information from http://www.archive.org/details/ThePowerOfNightmares
We are all greedy, we all want more, we fail to be satisfied once we've achieved our goals? Why? Greed is natural it is part of being a living entity on this ball we call the earth?
Why do I say this? Have you ever considered the difference between a "living" thing and a "non-living" thing?
Rocks are non-living, they are made up of atoms, they follow the "great laws" of nature. They have but one "desire" to achieve equilibrium. A non-living thing when taken out of a state of
equilibrium will supply effort/energy to get back to an equilibrium state.
Living things (such as you and I) are similar. If you are taken out of your comfort zone, you will work to try and get back to it. However, there is one important difference. A living thing [for whatever reason] once in a state of equilibrium will get 'bored', and will supply effort/energy to move itself out of equilibrium, and thus an ongoing cycle of in/out of equilibrium occurs.
In our brain, this desire can manifest itself as greed. At this point, I must point out that even if greed is natural, and a part of all living things, does not mean it is 'good'. But the first step to the solution is to recognize that we all have it and/or are susepticle to it.
Consider, that most laws in the world are solutions to the symptoms of problems involving greed.
Theft, Murder, Assault, Drugs. We want more, more money, more stuff, more drugs, etc. But these are just symtoms of a bigger problem. We, as individuals, are inherently greedy.
Not all of our problems are caused by greed. Some acts such as sexual assault, or serial killing, do not seem to be related to greed, but to other twisted psychological issues. So solving Greed will not fix everything.
But there is a problem..imposing limits on greed, by many people is considered 'unethical' even 'evil' itself. Limits on greed limits individual liberty, and is considered socialist thinking. For some people the idea of socialists just puts a bad taste in the mouth.
And yet, we continue to prosocute those tho commit crime in the name of greed, and the crime continues. Would it be such a terrible idea to create a socieity that imposes limits on greed, just as we impose limits on things like murder, and theft?
Of course, this is riddled with problems, how does one define what it is to be 'too greedy?'
Another major problem, is that greed seems to be part of our nature, we are never satisfied with the status quo - we always want more. If this is true, we would need to evolve out of this mentatility as a people before we could keep the society functioning. People, would in essence have to be un-corruptable. Is such an idea even possible?
We are all greedy, we all want more, we fail to be satisfied once we've achieved our goals? Why? Greed is natural it is part of being a living entity on this ball we call the earth?
Why do I say this? Have you ever considered the difference between a "living" thing and a "non-living" thing?
Rocks are non-living, they are made up of atoms, they follow the "great laws" of nature. They have but one "desire" to achieve equilibrium. A non-living thing when taken out of a state of
equilibrium will supply effort/energy to get back to an equilibrium state.
Living things (such as you and I) are similar. If you are taken out of your comfort zone, you will work to try and get back to it. However, there is one important difference. A living thing [for whatever reason] once in a state of equilibrium will get 'bored', and will supply effort/energy to move itself out of equilibrium, and thus an ongoing cycle of in/out of equilibrium occurs.
In our brain, this desire can manifest itself as greed. At this point, I must point out that even if greed is natural, and a part of all living things, does not mean it is 'good'. But the first step to the solution is to recognize that we all have it and/or are susepticle to it.
Consider, that most laws in the world are solutions to the symptoms of problems involving greed.
Theft, Murder, Assault, Drugs. We want more, more money, more stuff, more drugs, etc. But these are just symtoms of a bigger problem. We, as individuals, are inherently greedy.
Not all of our problems are caused by greed. Some acts such as sexual assault, or serial killing, do not seem to be related to greed, but to other twisted psychological issues. So solving Greed will not fix everything.
But there is a problem..imposing limits on greed, by many people is considered 'unethical' even 'evil' itself. Limits on greed limits individual liberty, and is considered socialist thinking. For some people the idea of socialists just puts a bad taste in the mouth.
And yet, we continue to prosocute those tho commit crime in the name of greed, and the crime continues. Would it be such a terrible idea to create a socieity that imposes limits on greed, just as we impose limits on things like murder, and theft?
Of course, this is riddled with problems, how does one define what it is to be 'too greedy?'
Another major problem, is that greed seems to be part of our nature, we are never satisfied with the status quo - we always want more. If this is true, we would need to evolve out of this mentatility as a people before we could keep the society functioning. People, would in essence have to be un-corruptable. Is such an idea even possible?
Warning: This is a rather long video (3 parts about 60 minutes each. If you can't sit still you can always bookmark it and check back later, or get this file here and burn it to a DVD.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Would you rather be RIGHT? or be HAPPY?
This phrase keeps echoing through my mind as I try to complete my "normal work". So how do I get rid of it?
Have you ever had a disagreement with a loved one? You're opinion and his/her opinion is different, you both want so bad to convince each other who is right and who is wrong.
Perhaps - it even comes down to low blows and bringing up past things that were said or done.
I remember seeing this presentation one time. A guy on a stage invites someone to come up, and he holds his hand out. The presenter pushes on the man's hand - and what does the man do instantly? - He pushes back
It is, of course, a natural re-action to push back when we feel pushed upon. Though it might always be the best response to the situation.
It also seems to be a "natural" human tendancy to try and bring others to our point of view, to change other people's minds so that they see the world the way we do - again this might not always be the best stratedgy to diffuse a rough situation
So what I hate about the idea of being "happy" over being "right" is the idea that I should just "shut up" and not give my opinion. Being in a situation where my opinion is unwanted or un-needed makes me know less happy then trying to be right.
But as I get older (and maybe wiser?) I start to look at this a bit differently. It comes back again to choosing our response vs our re-action. If you find yourself in a heated situation you can bet you are not choosing your response very wisely. Why? Because a properly choosen response should diffuse the situation and not increase it. I know from experiance this can be hard to accept in the heat of the moment, but we must remember, we cannot change others, we can only change ourself.
So the next time you find yourself in such a situation, STOP - take a minute and think.. am i choosing words that are helping or hindering? Did I start the conversation off in a way that tooks us off track? How can I bring us back ontrack?
Have you ever had a disagreement with a loved one? You're opinion and his/her opinion is different, you both want so bad to convince each other who is right and who is wrong.
Perhaps - it even comes down to low blows and bringing up past things that were said or done.
I remember seeing this presentation one time. A guy on a stage invites someone to come up, and he holds his hand out. The presenter pushes on the man's hand - and what does the man do instantly? - He pushes back
It is, of course, a natural re-action to push back when we feel pushed upon. Though it might always be the best response to the situation.
It also seems to be a "natural" human tendancy to try and bring others to our point of view, to change other people's minds so that they see the world the way we do - again this might not always be the best stratedgy to diffuse a rough situation
So what I hate about the idea of being "happy" over being "right" is the idea that I should just "shut up" and not give my opinion. Being in a situation where my opinion is unwanted or un-needed makes me know less happy then trying to be right.
But as I get older (and maybe wiser?) I start to look at this a bit differently. It comes back again to choosing our response vs our re-action. If you find yourself in a heated situation you can bet you are not choosing your response very wisely. Why? Because a properly choosen response should diffuse the situation and not increase it. I know from experiance this can be hard to accept in the heat of the moment, but we must remember, we cannot change others, we can only change ourself.
So the next time you find yourself in such a situation, STOP - take a minute and think.. am i choosing words that are helping or hindering? Did I start the conversation off in a way that tooks us off track? How can I bring us back ontrack?
Monday, June 30, 2008
An Engineers Guide to Cats
Here's a great video for all us geeks out there thinking of buying cats. I, of course, have 2 cats of my own and I never really considered myself a cat person, but today I don't know how life was without them. Anyway, kinda funny hope you like it
Friday, June 27, 2008
Start your car with your cellphone (Key Fob
Well of course, I never have any really original ideas. But I was thinking the other day, shouldn't it be possible with a bluetooth device, for my other devices to be intelligent and detect my presence?
For example, wouldn't it be nice if as I walk up to my car, the doors automatically unlocked, the car started and it was ready and waiting? [Because pushing a button on my key chain is just way to much work]
Well, the basic idea already exists and the device is called a KeyFob. The KeyFob sends out a wireless transmission to your car, which responds and acknowledges you. It is a small device that you attach to your keychain, and can be used to start your car, sound a horn etc etc. It is also possible to embed the device into the 'key' itself. So if someone copies your key, it still won't start your car because the car will recognize the key as a forgery.
So you can expand on this idea and use existing bluetooth technology. So that your phone, or bluetooth headset is recognized by your car, your office computer, or you home and responds accordingly.
I have set this up myself and will release instructions shortly. It seems to work pretty well. I have it attached to my twitter account so when I leave my home, my status is sent out to twitter, and when I arrive at work, my laptop nicely unlocks itself for me. No bluetooth reciever in my car...yet :-)
You can of course, expand on this idea. Suppose employees just synced their cell phone with the work security system to gain building access, or for parking privileged etc. Your home door could unlock for you when you arrive home, and your lights could turn off automatically when you leave. The possibilities...endless?
For example, wouldn't it be nice if as I walk up to my car, the doors automatically unlocked, the car started and it was ready and waiting? [Because pushing a button on my key chain is just way to much work]
Well, the basic idea already exists and the device is called a KeyFob. The KeyFob sends out a wireless transmission to your car, which responds and acknowledges you. It is a small device that you attach to your keychain, and can be used to start your car, sound a horn etc etc. It is also possible to embed the device into the 'key' itself. So if someone copies your key, it still won't start your car because the car will recognize the key as a forgery.
So you can expand on this idea and use existing bluetooth technology. So that your phone, or bluetooth headset is recognized by your car, your office computer, or you home and responds accordingly.
I have set this up myself and will release instructions shortly. It seems to work pretty well. I have it attached to my twitter account so when I leave my home, my status is sent out to twitter, and when I arrive at work, my laptop nicely unlocks itself for me. No bluetooth reciever in my car...yet :-)
You can of course, expand on this idea. Suppose employees just synced their cell phone with the work security system to gain building access, or for parking privileged etc. Your home door could unlock for you when you arrive home, and your lights could turn off automatically when you leave. The possibilities...endless?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Microsoft Vista - The next generation bloatware
By now, you should all have realized that Microsoft has released it latest operating system "Vista". Orginally codenamed "CE-ME-NT". This latest version promises to deliver more decreased productivity then ever before. An operating system so overblow they've chopped it up into 6 different versions, none of which actually work. At least not until you've spend hundreds of dollars on upgrades to your system to make it run (somewhat) The popular new feature is the arrow cursor, that lets you flow through blue screens, red screens, endless pop-ups ad permission questions all in eye-popping 3D ! Just like in previous versions, Every copy of Vista is covered by Microsoft's Gold Standard - Sinkhole of support. Is it any wonder we ask "Where are we going today?"
Friday, June 13, 2008
Funny Newspaper Headlines
If you've ever been up late at night, you've probably seen Jay Leno's headlines. If not here's a quick preview. Nice for a good Friday Laugh ! BTW - It was a bit hard trying to find a Leno video so I don't know if the video at the link below will continue to work. NBC seems to be taking them down from various sites along the web. So watch it while it lasts !
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