First Blog

“There is no problem the mind of man can set that the mind of man cannot solve.” ― Samuel Johnson If you recall this quote, it may be from the 1946 Sherlock Holmes movie, “Dressed to Kill” starring Basil Rathbone.   It does make you think, but it also gives you hope. It gives hope we can solve anything we come across.   It gives hope we can ultimately answer every question – though some may take more time than others. Unfortunately, Dr. Johnson was wrong.  The problem here is that from the work of mathematicians, particularly Kurt Gödel (1906-1978), we see there are true propositions that cannot be proved, and can never be proved, true. Many have already been discovered.   It seems almost paradoxical that we can prove them unprovable, but cannot not prove them.   The implication is that problem can be set and then found can never be proved. Such problems are beyond unknown unknowns, they are undecidable.   In other language, we can with a slight linguistic stretc

Biggest Existential Threats .   Every day our leaders warn us, scare us, and threaten us about existential threats.   These hint at caution: “Do something now or we will cease to exist.”    What are they? For politicians: anything that will scare you into voting for them.   For scientists: anything they believe may be risky. For religions: anything disabusing the scriptures. For the people: anything they believe to be dangerous in at the moment.   There is much theory involved, projections into many decades ahead, life-style changes, political expediency, and more. Politicians love these things as they generate huge campaign war chests.   Here’s the shortlist: Climate change, Pandemics, Artificial Intelligence, Drones, War, and Black Swans. Climate change – includes global warming, changing animal habitats, enlarged deserts, increased carbon dioxide, eventual degradation of livable area, an increase of disease, rising temperatures, arctic melting, etc. Pandemics – usually hig

For general happiness, research shows that regular, or even occasional, exercise is more important than money*.  Works for me. The Yin and Yang of our lives is the conflict between chaos and order**. Which dominates your life? Today is National Hug Day. Hug somebody! For politicians, now mostly semi-literate, talking points is the preferred literary form. Just listen to political campaigns - all of them. Do you have a favorite President?  And why?*** * https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/02/well/move/even-a-little-exercise-might-make-us-happier.html ** Jordan Peterson, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos  (A great book) The (symbolic) rules are 1.     Stand up straight with your shoulders back 2.     Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping 3.     Make friends with people who want the best for you 4.     Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today 5.     Do not let your children do anything that makes you dis

Here’s what you’ve been waiting for.  Real fake meat or fake real meat!  This is not meat faked by vegetable proteins, like we see everywhere now.  This is actual meat, grown from biological meat cells. These cells can be obtained by animal biopsy’s or from animals destined for slaughter.  It is grown in tanks with life-giving nutrients. So far, chicken, beef, and pork versions have been grown. First class animal protein from the lab. The company is Memphis Meats. Big investors include Branson, and Gates (yes, that Gates). They see the future and they think money. As well, many big-time meat companies such as Tyson have invested. Consider the problems this will create?   Such will require a new definition of kosher, or a challenge to the “vegan” concept.  It could possibly deliver high quality protein to countries where quality protein is difficult and expensive to obtain.  Imagine China, the world’s largest pork consumer with their favorite and tasty protein produced in a factor

All cruise ships have the same common properties of affluent high population states, meaning unlimited eating, luxuries aplenty, laundry services, entertainment, ports of call for shopping and touring, lounging, shows, Internet, more eating, and on and on. An idyllic life is on board, and the prices range from very high down to high.   You pay the fare to get to the port of entry.   Want to go around the world?   Then you spend all your dough. (You know lifetime cruise ships have been proposed and designed where you buy-in for a life-time residence.)   A beautiful world it is.   No work, no effort, all comfort, and leisure to the max.    This is the promise of the cruise line and mostly the promise of world globalism . We will all prosper on our global ship of the line, where we save the planet, we enjoy luxuries together, we manufacture everything needed, and all are happy onboard – forever. What could go wrong? Just to note, according to quora.com, in 2016 there were 1.5

In the olden days, like only twenty years ago, there was organic chemistry - the study of the chemistry of living organisms.   Biology was the quintessential organic science.   These days, the term “organic” is applied to almost everything.   We have ·        Organic crops – promised vegetables grown with only approved pesticides and fertilizers, and “certified.” ·        Organic growth in business – meaning a business is grown from within as a dynamical organizational process; mergers and acquisitions are considered inorganic. ·        Organic organization – referring to a flexible management style readily adaptable to changes, as opposed to the mechanistic , or top-down management system. ·        Organic military – often meaning a n  organic  (military) unit that is a permanent part of a larger unit with a specialized capability to that parent unit. ·        Organic education – basically meaning that children are born to learn and they want to learn, and educators must f

Martin Luther King viewed racism as a problem to be addressed, repaired, and fixed. He was correct. It is or was a problem.  In all too many cases, modern black and other American leaders see  racism  as a  solution  to be exploited to personal advantage.  The problem therefore defines a stance, not to be solved but to be used.  This dissembles the remarkable achievements of the Rev. King. It is important to realize King was able to see beyond political or personal advantage, understanding the humanity of his goals. His place could be put almost as a prophet of our modern times.  When any problem is interpreted as the solution, the portends a permanent decline of knowledge, advance, civility, or even science.  

The stock market is going up and up both in the USA and the world, despite impeachment, Iran, climate, swine flu, nuclear bomb production, taxes, and everything else you might think should mitigate the market.   With so much negativity you must have thoughts of impending doom. I do. Yet economic data are encouraging. People are spending money like crazy. Housing starts are up 16%.   The 10-year rate is strong. Unemployment is down. The new NAFTA and China deals are set. So, what do we fear besides fear itself? (Homage to FDR.)   Maybe Dengue fever?   Well, scientists have genetically modified mosquitos to fix that.   Is all this fear washed away?   Not quite.   The national barometer of fiscal confidence is the NYSE, the New York Stock Exchange. Here’s the latest assessment from that group of money grubbers The greatest fear on the floor of the stock market exchange is the fear of no bad news. This is singularly remarkable, that of discussing the fear of fear. So, what fear d

One problem with wisdom is that it compels you to make decisions you'd rather not make. On the other hand, without wisdom, you have more freedom to choose and therefore more free will. ---------------------- The same can be said about education and knowledge. The more you have the better you are able to solve problems, the less choices you have to select solutions even though more solutions can be offered, the less free will you have to make choices.  So, education works against free will.   -------------------- The seeds of knowledge combined together with with the seeds of experience, when cold-pressed, render droplets of wisdom. The residue is called textbooks.

"Hate is not a good political advisor." Generals are advised not to plan battles while angry. CEOs are advised not to face competition through hate. Lawyers are advised not to argue from the passion of hatred. Married folks are advised not to exude hate in family disputes. Professional fighters are advised to keep their cool. So, why are so many politicians fueled by hatred?  

Happy New Year, 2020, to all.  Make one easy resolution.  Do at least one good deed. Save a bunch of money. Appreciate yourself. Love your family. Make a friend. Make some memories. Write a letter to your future self.  

All of life is political. • Tribalism is the local form of politics. • Dictatorship is the smelly form of politics. • Kingship is the absolute form of politics. • Communism is the destructive form of politics. • Socialism is the nosiy form of politics. • Capitalism is the economic form of politics. • Democracy is the messy* form of politics. *You may like it; I may like it. Yet is is so difficult, so messy, and so easy to attack.