First Blog

 More specifically, why are sciences (physics, chemistry, engineering, et al) so well-trusted while other subjects (sociology, economics, politics) tend to be less trusted?   What is asked would require a book chapter or even an entire book. What I’ll give is an answer furnished by the philosophers, but rarely applies to philosophy itself. It is the notion of Justified True Belief ,* or JTB. This means you can justify your assertion (i.e. prove it based on accepted knowledge and logic), you establish it is true (thus not refutable), and you believe it. This is not quite how it is discussed in philosophy discussions. In most, one begins with the belief, then proves it’s true by some justification, which has a broad interpretation. What we have presented is how JTB works in the classroom. There we are presented with the truth (e.g. proposition), followed by its justification (e.g. proof, experiment), and finally, the student believes it. In scientific research, the process often begins

Currently, professional writers and actor guilds are on strike against the Hollywood studios. Among the many issues are those concerning Artificial Intelligence (AI). The writers argue that the Studios should not be permitted to use AI to write or revise scripts. AI can do it in minutes, or less. This pushes writers out of employment. Their creative force is diminished. So, it becomes a contest as to who will use AI, the writers before the fact or the Studios replacing the writers. This is not the chicken and egg paradox. It is which chicken gets to eat the egg.   Another AI problem is that it can now use images of actors in animated/realistic presentations. Another John Wayne movie? Bogie, maybe. The actors want to prevent this, as well they should. On the other hand, AI   could write a new Mozart concerto or a Beethoven symphony. That could be welcome. Let’s see how that works. Of course, many other issues are on the table in this strike.

 I love Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, stuffing, cranberries and all. I love stuffing. But only on holidays? And so much work? And so many dishes? So, we reinvent the wheel, Thanksgiving style, with this recipe.  Thanksgiving Dinner in 20 Minutes 1 box stove top stuffing or any kind. 1 corn on the cob. Slice off the cob. Fresh corn is best. 1 or 2 chicken breasts - cooked and cubed. Or a turkey breast, cooked and cubed. Boil corn for a few minutes and set aside. :Prepare stuffing by directions on the box. Combine all three into a bowl and season to taste.  Alternatively place in a casserole and bake for 10-15 minutes.  (Add in a  cooked and  cubed potato or two - additionally.) Sides include gravy and cranberries, and anything else you want. Total time: < 25 minutes. Makes a lot of food. Inexpensive.

 In this chapter, we take up the character of the problem-solver. Their task is not a simple one. First, we look at 11 traits of the problem-solver, from being analytic to decisive, from being resilient to open-minded, and so on. (Section 2.)  Yet, the story is not as simple as that. There are pitfalls and risks owing to bias and other forms of subjectivity. (Section 4.) Remarkably, some of these are new on the scene in both psychology and philosophy. Even the way the problem is presented can affect the outcome and solution. In between we take up the paradox of incompetence – a massive problem we live with day after day, year after year. Introduction Characteristics of the Problem-Solver The Problem-Solving Paradox What Can Go Wrong? Conclusions. Link. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/g-donald-allen-420b0315_characteristics-and-pitfalls-of-the-problem-solver-activity-7081938526518317056-QzGm?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

 Super Power and Super Forces + Violence Did you know that 99% of all top-grossing American movies use special effects of some kind.  About 14% of all American movies feature super heroes. An extra 5% of American movies feature super powers of some sort. Thus 19% (or 1 in 5) of all American movies exhibit super-something as one of their key components.  About 94% of the top-grossing movies in the United States from 1985 to 2014 featured at least one violent scene. Of those movies, half involved a gun. Just for the record 73% of the top 100 grossing movies in 2017 contained at least one instance of foul language. Of them 43% used the F* word. Other percentages?  sh*t (33%), a**hole (26%), and damn (25%).