One of the things about being something of a "polymath wannabe" is that your mind is free to wander among all your interests and see what is new or strikes your fancy at the moment. Sometimes you happen upon a truly engrossing and fascinating item about one of those areas. This TED Talk by Suzana Herculano-Houzel is one of those.
Of all the sciences, I am probably less attracted to the 'green squishy sciences' like biology, zoology, etc. but there is one area in which I do maintain a fascination and that is the human brain. It is in many ways still the most unexplored, unknown part of the human experience and it is easy to see how we might begin to feel it is 'special'. There is no denying that humans have accomplished some astonishing things (like surviving) for a long time, going into space, questioning their own origins and those of the universe, etc. which I am pretty sure the average dog or lab rat does not.
Suzana's talk addresses this, in a very informative (and scientific) way, and I found it fascinating, humbling, and thought-provoking all at the same time. Happy thinking!!!
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
A Tale of Two Institutions
If you have read some of my other posts, you might be able to infer that I have very little tolerance/respect for some of our "institutions". Political parties would have to be first and foremost -- I cannot for the life of me think why any self-respecting, thinking, rational human being would get within a country mile of one.
Another is "organized religion" -- or any religion with a name on it. Again many of my reasons are the same as political parties, it is a very humanity-denying and somewhat abasing thing to commit to a religion...particularly if you were not even given a choice in the matter but were "born" into it. However, with religions I am a bit more tolerant in terms of respect. I understand and appreciate that they can serve a useful purpose (thousands of different ones it seems), and are a key part of many people's lives.
I saw something today though that made me think of this again. The pope has announced that he is willing to discuss moving some of the Catholic church's powers away from the Vatican, and to redefine some of the powers of the papacy.
What struck me is that this is the second major institution to get things completely "ass-backwards". Churches (particularly the Catholics, but others as well) have this tradition of semi-divine central authority commanding a worldwide religion. Yet I think that of all the endeavors, religion is best practiced "close to home" (locally) within perhaps some broad guidance.
Now, the second institution is so messed up it takes two levels of government to do it -- the US Government and the state's governments...or more particularly the "states rights" folks. The Constitution basically says "anything the Feds do not or will not do, is the responsibility of the states". Unfortunately, our states have massively f***d up their part of the bargain in at least two important areas: education and health care. They have given us the worst health care "system" in the first world with untold riches for CEOs of the death panel/insurance companies, but costs four to six times other countries and medical results that are in the bottom half of the pack.
And the (until recently) completely state-run US education system is an unmitigated, long running disaster. We rank at the bottom of most first-world countries, and yet people howl when they can't use their local school boards to teach "creationism" or to rewrite history so that slavery never occurred.
Another is "organized religion" -- or any religion with a name on it. Again many of my reasons are the same as political parties, it is a very humanity-denying and somewhat abasing thing to commit to a religion...particularly if you were not even given a choice in the matter but were "born" into it. However, with religions I am a bit more tolerant in terms of respect. I understand and appreciate that they can serve a useful purpose (thousands of different ones it seems), and are a key part of many people's lives.
I saw something today though that made me think of this again. The pope has announced that he is willing to discuss moving some of the Catholic church's powers away from the Vatican, and to redefine some of the powers of the papacy.
What struck me is that this is the second major institution to get things completely "ass-backwards". Churches (particularly the Catholics, but others as well) have this tradition of semi-divine central authority commanding a worldwide religion. Yet I think that of all the endeavors, religion is best practiced "close to home" (locally) within perhaps some broad guidance.
Now, the second institution is so messed up it takes two levels of government to do it -- the US Government and the state's governments...or more particularly the "states rights" folks. The Constitution basically says "anything the Feds do not or will not do, is the responsibility of the states". Unfortunately, our states have massively f***d up their part of the bargain in at least two important areas: education and health care. They have given us the worst health care "system" in the first world with untold riches for CEOs of the death panel/insurance companies, but costs four to six times other countries and medical results that are in the bottom half of the pack.
And the (until recently) completely state-run US education system is an unmitigated, long running disaster. We rank at the bottom of most first-world countries, and yet people howl when they can't use their local school boards to teach "creationism" or to rewrite history so that slavery never occurred.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Technology That Matters
It seems like those of us who work in the technology sector only hear about the bad side of our labors. NSA, identity theft, anonymous bullying, distracted driving, Facebook lies, Twitter bulimia, etc..
Every once in awhile it is nice to realize that yes, technology has and does move our lives forward in a positive way.
Every once in awhile it is nice to realize that yes, technology has and does move our lives forward in a positive way.
They Canceled Your Health Policy? CELEBRATE!
Amazing how many of the wailing, "they canceled my insurance" stories turn out to be way different than they are presented.
I personally know of at least one person and have heard reliable stories of about half a dozen more....and all are much better off once they stop the teeth-gnashing and rending of clothes and actually find out what the ACA is all about!
They are finding that 1) their old policies weren't worth doo-doo; 2) they were paying way too much for them; and they can do much better covering the essentials they need under the ACA because the death panels (err...health insurance companies) can no longer use them as a funding source for yachts and third homes.
I personally know of at least one person and have heard reliable stories of about half a dozen more....and all are much better off once they stop the teeth-gnashing and rending of clothes and actually find out what the ACA is all about!
They are finding that 1) their old policies weren't worth doo-doo; 2) they were paying way too much for them; and they can do much better covering the essentials they need under the ACA because the death panels (err...health insurance companies) can no longer use them as a funding source for yachts and third homes.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
The Folly of the Filibuster
I disagree with David Brooks on this one - I don't think the presence of the filibuster helps in any way the reputation, "comity", or certainly the effectiveness of the Senate. The filibuster is not mentioned in any fashion in the Constitution, instead it is a pure invention of evil political parties to try and subvert the process to their own ends.
Indeed, I think the filibuster is an abject admission of failure:
"My ideas or standing are so poorly reasoned out or just plain indefensible that I cannot persuade anyone to move to my side, or even compromise. Therefore I will basically throw a second-grader's schoolyard fit until my face turns blue (or I keel over), then you will be sorry!!!".
Friday, November 22, 2013
Kudos to the LA Times
Finally, a respectable news organization is calling an end to the climate-change denier bunk that is published not only in letters to the editor, but all over the Internet (always 'anonymously' of course) as "comments" whenever climate change is mentioned.
If you haven't been following the science (or just paying attention to the mindless drivel of cable news channels) you might not know that there is no real controversy left among actual practicing scientists that have knowledge of climatology....and you know that other science stuff.
Unlike the "impressive" list of "distinguished scientists" that Senator James Inhofe (Oklahoma) waved in front of a hearing. Hmm...seems to be a lot of Doctorates on here...of English, Philosophy, Mathematics....and oh yes, a bunch of TV "weather personalities" we will say to be kind.
The LA Times recently declared:
Saying "there's no sign humans have caused climate change" is not stating an opinion, it's asserting a factual inaccuracy.
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-climate-change-letters-20131008,0,871615.story#ixzz2lQn2ukyp
If you haven't been following the science (or just paying attention to the mindless drivel of cable news channels) you might not know that there is no real controversy left among actual practicing scientists that have knowledge of climatology....and you know that other science stuff.
Unlike the "impressive" list of "distinguished scientists" that Senator James Inhofe (Oklahoma) waved in front of a hearing. Hmm...seems to be a lot of Doctorates on here...of English, Philosophy, Mathematics....and oh yes, a bunch of TV "weather personalities" we will say to be kind.
The LA Times recently declared:
Saying "there's no sign humans have caused climate change" is not stating an opinion, it's asserting a factual inaccuracy.
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-climate-change-letters-20131008,0,871615.story#ixzz2lQn2ukyp
Monday, November 18, 2013
Pentagon Waste - Carrying on a Proud Tradition
I have written elsewhere in this blog about the proudly un-auditable Pentagon waste machine that shreds (or just plain loses) taxpayer dollars each and every day and seems very unconcerned about it. (Of course, all they have to do is ask the Repubs for more I guess).
Reuters is now taking its own look at it, putting a very human face on some of the very real victims -- US service men and women. Then in the second part they outline how the Pentagon literally cannot keep track of anything...not just money.
Reuters is now taking its own look at it, putting a very human face on some of the very real victims -- US service men and women. Then in the second part they outline how the Pentagon literally cannot keep track of anything...not just money.
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