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Showing posts with the label rules

Problem-solving Rules

  Problem-solving Rules. Few of us solve math or engineering problems in our lives. Yet, for almost all of us, problem-solving is a way of life, No matter whether they be problems at home or in the board room, this is what we do most of the time. It is important to know that high-information and low-information problems can be the worst, the former because of the rigor required to solve them, and the second because often assumptions or intuition are needed to proceed.  These rules are for everyday problems outside of science, where the rules are more rigorous, but more straightforward. Everyday problems are usually more difficult, in that multiple solutions are possible.  • Review and assess all information available.  • Always state clearly the problem to be solved. Vagueness is not allowed.  • Use only accepted methods. No “miracles” are permitted.  • Eliminate personal desires and emotions in your analysis, if possible. • Never solve the given problem by creating a new an

How to learn when you can't learn?

Given are two answers. A. Here’s the standard answer to your question. Study hard, learn much, do problems, and then you will understand. Then study harder.  B. Here’s an alternative answer. Do what wisdom does when understanding is delayed. Example. Infinity. It is safe to say no one really understands infinity. BUT, what most of us* do is learn the rules of infinity and work within them. Over and over again. Eventually, you are accustomed to all the rules, and this becomes your understanding. Your alternative is to learn the rules of the subject you have trouble with. Learn to work with them. Review and do dozens upon dozens of problems. By and by, you will be accustomed to them; you will have facility with them, and this will convert to your understanding. I know this sounds a bit cynical, but it does work. Please note, this alternative is not a shortcut. Both take much time and work. This is how most people understand God, who like infinity, is beyond comprehension. ---------------

How We Do It

Not aliens. Not animals. Only us humans.   We do operate at all levels from the primitive to the high intellectual.   All of us, with the same brains, do similar things and in similar ways. But the organization changes are the requirements change.   The early tribes needed some rules to follow, plus many taboos about danger. The great modern civilizations also need rules to be sure but more than that, they need theories and beyond.   We assemble the bunch of them into a hierarchy of organizational traits or operational containers. This outline is not about epistemology or even ontology, topics having precise but different meanings.   This is about doing, assembling, understanding, and realizing. It is about multiple categories that mix up, contradict, conflict, and reject. You can have a taboo but reject and confirm it on the same day. These categories can be individual, yet commonplace, tribal, and societal.   ·         Skills – how to hunt, farm, marry, fish, protect, vigilance,

Bullets for Religions

  Interesting observations and facts about religions - a bullet lecture. ·         They can be accepted, understood, and believed at all intelligence levels. ·         They allow multiple interpretations. ·         They encourage decent relations between people. ·         They posit an answer to the most basic question, “Why we are?” ·         They offer all believers a pathway to eternal peace. ·         They require faith without physical evidence. ·         They allow and suggest miracles have a divine origin. ·         They need the advent of historical prophets. ·         They reject contemporary prophets. ·         They need martyrs. ·         They require or hope for, secular signs.

Do You Have Common Sense?

Common sense is a type of intelligence, not given to the classroom or books.   Common sense is not taught like a subject. It is a generalized set of rules mostly self-learned. It has a feature set that is broad and sweeping. We classify a few of them as abilities – just as our regular senses of sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell.   It is also related to good sense and practical sense, less general terms. Ability to generalize. Example. You’ve learned not to put your hand on the stove. You generalize to other sources of heat. Ability to assess capabilities. You gradually restrict your activities and goals to those achievable. Ability to survive. You sidestep dangers that present directly and indirectly. Ability to discern. You can distinguish between options based on what is overall best for you and perhaps family. You easily chose not to do dumb things. Ability to avoid unnecessary risks. This is not to say risks are not undertaken, but senseless or stupid risks are avoi

Your Systemic World

To understand your world you first need to understand systems. You are a system and you live within other systems. Understanding our systems is akin to a fish comprehending the water in which it lives. It surrounds us; it is constant; it is the background in the face of daily events.   However, your systems are often changing and evolving, giving it dynamics.   That is only the beginning. Human systems evolve through all of at least nine essential features. a.       Rules – logics, quasi logic, intuitions, induction, limits, laws b.       Premises – beliefs, axioms, superstitions, absolutes c.       Leaders – interpreters, guides, directors, dictators d.       Dynamics – changes, cycles, chaos, repair e.       Taboos – impossibles, improbables f.        Hierarchies – ranks, orders, arrangements g.       Infinities – extremes, beyond extremes, imponderables h.       Conformities – rigidity, flexibility, freedoms i.        Human – behavioral, social, moral, ethi