Values was a big operative word a few years ago. Religious leaders pounded on the theme of values as the key to our daily existence. While I agree with the fact that there needs to be a fundamental basis for one's actions, values seem to me the wrong word choice. To me values are transient fads, based on base principles but subject to the on rush of trend, cultural expediency, and the direction of the wind. I believe that principles, while seemingly identical to values, is the better and more permanent word. It implies a dynamic and living yet also implies permanent personal philosophy.
The main difference is that principles are often and necessarily challenged by those who try to live by their principles. Those that can withstand the test of time are principles, values are those that wanders with the onrush of time. All too often, people will stand by their values as if they were principles, the key is that they will cling to the values and not challenge the premise or the underlying belief of the value. This zealotry in homogeneous thought leads to dogmatism and has led the human civilization into intractable wars and ponderous institutions like organized religion and major political parties. As history has shown, zealotry serves no one positively in the long term. it may give some the justification short term for acting selfishly, but it serves humankind adversely in almost all instances.
On the other hand, a nihilistic view of guiding structure and wisdom creates chaos and confusion. Not believing in anything is believing in nothing. While relativism serves a great role in philosophical thought experiemntation, and does reveal a certain amount of truth, a moral system based on constantly changing foundations mean inpermanence and volatility of the moral center.
So it seems that a firm walk down the middle of the extremes would be the wisest and safest route. Yet the adherence to the middle also becomes zealotry and dogma in and of itself.
Whoever said life was easy.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
My education
I have always fancied myself an autodidact, even though I was more efficient when I was taught via the standard lecture pedagogy. Since I have not been on campus in quite a few years, and my focus for my education is much too varied for a degree program. No such thing as a masters in polymath-ology. So, I have taken it upon myself to teach myself what I want to learn. I have been pretty unsuccessful so far, but I have found a way to do this, after my volleyball season had ceased.
The new method is to immerse myself in the readings and do it the slow and gradual way. I go to the coffee shop or Border's and put on the headphones. Then I sit and read, for an hourm two hours, how ever long I can read before I have to go somewhere. It has been fruitful so far.
My standing list right now is kind of varied and probably too big to be very efficient, but I am plugging away.
My list right now:
The Adler and Van Doren book is a revisit of a classic. Just a reminder on how to read effectively.
John Stuart Mill's On Liberty is the key piece of writing for Liberalism.
The Denby book is actually my way of cheating. Denby gives a rather short synopsis of his second time reading the Great Books at Columbia. But he also gives a personal reflection on each book and the place these books have in today's intellectual environment. He also takes on the objections to the list and the emphasis on western, male authors in the list. I am finding it more interesting than I thought.
The book on Montaigne is a new one, which gives us another take on Montaigne's essays, i.e. as it applies to living.
Finally, the book on symmetry is a pretty hard slog. Not being a mathematical slouch, this book really knocks you back a bit and jumps straight into Groups, transformation and representation.
Of course, I am also doing some recreational reading. I have two Inspector Montalbano mysteries, an Inspector Alan Banks mysteries, and the usual magazines waiting for me.
Of course, the volleyball season has to start now.
The new method is to immerse myself in the readings and do it the slow and gradual way. I go to the coffee shop or Border's and put on the headphones. Then I sit and read, for an hourm two hours, how ever long I can read before I have to go somewhere. It has been fruitful so far.
My standing list right now is kind of varied and probably too big to be very efficient, but I am plugging away.
My list right now:
- Hermann Hesse:Pilgrim of Crisis by Ralph Freedman.
- How to read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren.
- On Liberty and Utilitarianism by John Stuart Mill.
- Great Books by David Denby.
- How to Live or a Life of Montaigne by Sarah Bakewell.
- Fearless Symmetry: Exposing the Hidden Patterns of Numbers by Avner Ash and Robert Gross.
The Adler and Van Doren book is a revisit of a classic. Just a reminder on how to read effectively.
John Stuart Mill's On Liberty is the key piece of writing for Liberalism.
The Denby book is actually my way of cheating. Denby gives a rather short synopsis of his second time reading the Great Books at Columbia. But he also gives a personal reflection on each book and the place these books have in today's intellectual environment. He also takes on the objections to the list and the emphasis on western, male authors in the list. I am finding it more interesting than I thought.
The book on Montaigne is a new one, which gives us another take on Montaigne's essays, i.e. as it applies to living.
Finally, the book on symmetry is a pretty hard slog. Not being a mathematical slouch, this book really knocks you back a bit and jumps straight into Groups, transformation and representation.
Of course, I am also doing some recreational reading. I have two Inspector Montalbano mysteries, an Inspector Alan Banks mysteries, and the usual magazines waiting for me.
Of course, the volleyball season has to start now.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Back from Atlanta
Just returned from my yearly geekfest. This year's excursion was different because I was part of the organizing team. I shared duties with Prof. John Shen of University of Central Florida. As it turned out we were a perfect pairing, he is a nervous type A and I was a calm type A. John would worry and I would sleep on it. We were able to get 1262 digests reviewed and formed into a coherent program of 662 papers. I didn't quite believe we were able to pull it off, but we did, and the conference, Energy Conversion Conference and Exposition 2010 went quite smoothly.
This conference has a history of long drunken evenings and early technical sessions. This one was no different. I would be up by 6 AM so that I can get to the author's breakfast by 7, do my schtick and then be in the sessions by 8. Since the conference was in Atlanta, we had to go to some of my old haunts or else the trip would have been anticlimatic.
I have always enjoyed this conference. It all started when I was a mere gradual student, and I attended as a rite of passage, to worship at the feet of my elders and to pay homage to what they had wrought in my chosen profession. Then I came as a technologist seeking ideas for development and confirmation. Now that I am more involved with the IEEE, the conferences have become a blur, whereas I once went to soak up the knowledge and attend sessions, my days are filled with organizational meetings and preparation work. More stressful but also more rewarding. I can see why people would want to get into this line of work, it is very addicting. I am now retired for the enxt two years, but I am to return in 2013. Lookout people, here I come.
This conference has a history of long drunken evenings and early technical sessions. This one was no different. I would be up by 6 AM so that I can get to the author's breakfast by 7, do my schtick and then be in the sessions by 8. Since the conference was in Atlanta, we had to go to some of my old haunts or else the trip would have been anticlimatic.
I have always enjoyed this conference. It all started when I was a mere gradual student, and I attended as a rite of passage, to worship at the feet of my elders and to pay homage to what they had wrought in my chosen profession. Then I came as a technologist seeking ideas for development and confirmation. Now that I am more involved with the IEEE, the conferences have become a blur, whereas I once went to soak up the knowledge and attend sessions, my days are filled with organizational meetings and preparation work. More stressful but also more rewarding. I can see why people would want to get into this line of work, it is very addicting. I am now retired for the enxt two years, but I am to return in 2013. Lookout people, here I come.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
What I did during my Summer, so far.
Holy smokes, its been a while. Since the volleyball season ended a few weeks ago I have been sitting back and enjoying the heat. Well, not so much. Although Ohio doesn't see so bad after Orlando. It wasn't a dry heat.
The volleyball season ended pretty well, we finished tied for 15 out of 44 teams in the Open division at the AAUs. Considering how we started the season, I am pretty happy with the finish. Kind of a strange team for me, I usually get the runts and win by playing D and ball control. This team had height and firepower but was lacking in ball control. We did well enough to win. Nice kids though, not a bad kid in the bunch. More importantly, not a bad parent in the bunch.
A life transforming experience. Someone I went to high school with died a horrible and painful death from leukemia. We were classmates throughout junior high and high school but were never close. Didn't keep up with her throughout the intervening years. Got back in touch with her on Facebook of all things while the class was working on the class reunion. Never got to see or talk to her in person, just through Facebook and emails. But the finality of her passing really hit home hard. it brings home the fact of our own mortality. The fragility life is something that we all keep in the back of our minds yet the day to day and the mundane crowds our minds so much that the idea of dying seldom enters into our minds until something catastrophic happens, such as my friends passing. Not sure if this will make me more religious - not likely- or more reflective.
It always happens this way. The volleyball, which is a stalwart part of my being and a huge part of my happiness intrudes every November through June. I therefore neglect everything else, including my effort to become a polymath. Once again I have neglected my plan for becoming the biggest egghead in the world. Back in the saddle again.
I have many books started: The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Wings of the Sphyinx by Andrea Camilleri in the Inspector Montalbano series, Einstein's God by Krista Tippett, The Shallows by Michael Carr, The Big Short by Michael Lewis. And about fifty more stacked up on my To Be Read stack. Way too ambitious yes.
In addition, there is the role of the mathematical dilettante, the fun stuff like Go and origami, as well as getting my lard butt in shape. So much to do, so little time.
As always, there are philosophical and metaphysical questions right and left, as well as many things to be understood. So, I am off to do that. But, Ill be back.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Ah, to be alive now that summer's here
Of course, it would be nice if I can breathe. It seems the allergies are hitting me hard this season. The incessant coughs and congestion is annoying if not down right dispiriting.
My last post was in January, amazing how the time has flown. There have been numerous issues and events which have garnered my attention. It seems that my brain is dormant through the winter too.
As with most years, my intellectual pursuit is given short shrift and becomes lower in myto do list as I am consumed with work and volleyball. This year is worse because I bit off a huge task, help organize a technical conference in September. As it is now the bulk of the work is over and I am finally getting back to my pursuit of polymath-hood. The volleyball has been challenging, especially with fifteens. They seem like world beaters on moment and little girls the next. Such is the way with the yutes.
My last post was in January, amazing how the time has flown. There have been numerous issues and events which have garnered my attention. It seems that my brain is dormant through the winter too.
As with most years, my intellectual pursuit is given short shrift and becomes lower in myto do list as I am consumed with work and volleyball. This year is worse because I bit off a huge task, help organize a technical conference in September. As it is now the bulk of the work is over and I am finally getting back to my pursuit of polymath-hood. The volleyball has been challenging, especially with fifteens. They seem like world beaters on moment and little girls the next. Such is the way with the yutes.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Politics and Such
It was an inspirational year. The pageantry of an inaugural is always uplifting and fills everyone’s
emotions with pride and hope. The inauguration of the first African-American president in our history also
elicits a pride from all, blue or red, because this presidential inauguration sets a precedent for all in the world
to follow and to marvel. It sets the bar higher for other democracies and it makes our visions of ourselves
loftier. For the very briefest time, it rekindles the idealism from our youth that is still alive, it makes us feel
younger, less cynical, and much more hopeful than before.
Pragmatism is the sole philosophy which we can claim as a purely American philosophy; it is a
philosophical movement that is predicated upon the assumption that an ideology or proposition is true if it
works satisfactorily, that the meaning of a proposition is to be found in the practical consequences of accepting
it, and that unpractical ideas are to be rejected. Pragmatism began in the late nineteenth century with Charles
Sanders Peirce and through the early twentieth-century by William James and John Dewey. In politics and
diplomacy terms, it is often termed realpolitik, an idea that politics should focus on considerations of power,
not ideals, morals, or principles. The concept has often been attributed to Otto von Bismarck. Our president is
a pragmatist. I am not sure if I would term his burgeoning presidential policies as being overtly realpolitik, but
I would say that this administration is definitely less idealistic and much more pragmatic than the previous.
Is this good or bad? At this point, it is premature to judge after eleven months, since we have thirty-seven
months to go, but we now know that the president is closer to Bill Clinton in vision than he is to FDR.
Funny thing about pragmatism and dogmatism, the two systems of thought tend to co-exist in
opposite corners. Where once the liberals are the prevailing dogmatists: purveyors of naive and untested
theories coupled with the zeal of true prosletizers, the mantle has been usurped by the conservatives. Whereas
conservatives, who have been stereotyped as hard nosed and money grubbing realists, it is now the liberals
who are political realists and money grubbing.
And there is the Nobel Prize thing. On the one hand, it is a remarkable recognition of a man who,
admittedly, has done nothing of note to deserve the recognition, which he acknowledges. One the other hand,
it is an undisguised slap at the previous occupant of the White House for his antagonism towards anyone who
did not agree with him or send him a campaign check. Diplomacy in principle was an anesthema to him and
his cabal. The collective shock of the announcement was deliciousin what it revealed, the initial bumbling
retorts were classic for their lack of content, reason, or form. Both the right and the left then reverted to form
and resorted to the usual buffoonery and blusteriness. The right blaming the President for being GIVEN the
prize, ignoring the fact that he did not solicit nor campaign for the honor. The implication was that he was
guilty just for being himself. The left, tried mightily to skew their responses along the same line, trying to
justify the award with the thinnest line of logic and culling for accomplishment from the first few months of
a presidency. It is all great fun for a cynic, and particularly pathetic. But I must admit: it is pretty cool to
have a president be given a Nobel Prize.
The passing of Senator Edward Kennedy marks the end of a the patrician politican era in American
politics. A time when noblesse oblige was looked upon as a duty for the haves rather than as a good publicity
move. The man was flawed, but the man was also passionate about public service. He was a natural mentor to
the present president because there was no man more pragmatic, he understood the need to work with those
scross the aisle, and no slight was personal, no dogma was tolerated. To wit, Ted Kennedy’s best legislative
partner was Orrin Hatch, wound as tight as Kennedy was loose. I fear the last chance for partisanship may
have died with Ted Kennedy.
emotions with pride and hope. The inauguration of the first African-American president in our history also
elicits a pride from all, blue or red, because this presidential inauguration sets a precedent for all in the world
to follow and to marvel. It sets the bar higher for other democracies and it makes our visions of ourselves
loftier. For the very briefest time, it rekindles the idealism from our youth that is still alive, it makes us feel
younger, less cynical, and much more hopeful than before.
Pragmatism is the sole philosophy which we can claim as a purely American philosophy; it is a
philosophical movement that is predicated upon the assumption that an ideology or proposition is true if it
works satisfactorily, that the meaning of a proposition is to be found in the practical consequences of accepting
it, and that unpractical ideas are to be rejected. Pragmatism began in the late nineteenth century with Charles
Sanders Peirce and through the early twentieth-century by William James and John Dewey. In politics and
diplomacy terms, it is often termed realpolitik, an idea that politics should focus on considerations of power,
not ideals, morals, or principles. The concept has often been attributed to Otto von Bismarck. Our president is
a pragmatist. I am not sure if I would term his burgeoning presidential policies as being overtly realpolitik, but
I would say that this administration is definitely less idealistic and much more pragmatic than the previous.
Is this good or bad? At this point, it is premature to judge after eleven months, since we have thirty-seven
months to go, but we now know that the president is closer to Bill Clinton in vision than he is to FDR.
Funny thing about pragmatism and dogmatism, the two systems of thought tend to co-exist in
opposite corners. Where once the liberals are the prevailing dogmatists: purveyors of naive and untested
theories coupled with the zeal of true prosletizers, the mantle has been usurped by the conservatives. Whereas
conservatives, who have been stereotyped as hard nosed and money grubbing realists, it is now the liberals
who are political realists and money grubbing.
And there is the Nobel Prize thing. On the one hand, it is a remarkable recognition of a man who,
admittedly, has done nothing of note to deserve the recognition, which he acknowledges. One the other hand,
it is an undisguised slap at the previous occupant of the White House for his antagonism towards anyone who
did not agree with him or send him a campaign check. Diplomacy in principle was an anesthema to him and
his cabal. The collective shock of the announcement was deliciousin what it revealed, the initial bumbling
retorts were classic for their lack of content, reason, or form. Both the right and the left then reverted to form
and resorted to the usual buffoonery and blusteriness. The right blaming the President for being GIVEN the
prize, ignoring the fact that he did not solicit nor campaign for the honor. The implication was that he was
guilty just for being himself. The left, tried mightily to skew their responses along the same line, trying to
justify the award with the thinnest line of logic and culling for accomplishment from the first few months of
a presidency. It is all great fun for a cynic, and particularly pathetic. But I must admit: it is pretty cool to
have a president be given a Nobel Prize.
The passing of Senator Edward Kennedy marks the end of a the patrician politican era in American
politics. A time when noblesse oblige was looked upon as a duty for the haves rather than as a good publicity
move. The man was flawed, but the man was also passionate about public service. He was a natural mentor to
the present president because there was no man more pragmatic, he understood the need to work with those
scross the aisle, and no slight was personal, no dogma was tolerated. To wit, Ted Kennedy’s best legislative
partner was Orrin Hatch, wound as tight as Kennedy was loose. I fear the last chance for partisanship may
have died with Ted Kennedy.
Walking the Walk versus Talking the Talk:
It is much easier to talk the talk than walk the
walk. It is always easier to criticize and kibbitz than it is to take action and do what is right. The thought
has long been a pet peeve, but this year truly brought the thought home. One November eleventh of this
year, our nation was “celebrating” Veterans Day, or Armistice Day, a far more meaningful name. Blustery
politicans perform their dutiful pantomime and recite long memorized homilies of patriotism and appreciation.
Businesses have their obligatory Veteran’s Day sale, trying mightily to reinforce the tenuous lie that saving
mega bucks on that large screen HD television is a meaningful way to memorialize the war dead. Everyone
went to bed happy that night because they spent one 24 hour period paying lip service to compassion and
memorializing those that gave their lives. But, on December 2, a short article was published stating that
veteran suicide rates have risen dramatically in the years since the Afghanistan and Iraq theaters opened. Yet, the article clearly missed the opportunity window. None of the politicians who had so eagerly jumped on the
patriotism bandwagon a few days before were around to press the issue. The general public had shifted their
short term attention to the Thanskgiving Day sales. That is just one example.
This lack of commitment to what is real and full throated commitment to what makes the individual
feel good and look good is not new, it has permeated society for ever. Ever since religion placed emphasis on
good work, the human mind has twisted that bit of altruism into a badge of vanity. Thanksgiving became
about pre-Christmas sales and gluttony. Christmas became about living beyond your means and showing off.
Charity giving became about star filled mega-concerts and black tie dinners. The idea of doing right by doing
right is too obscure and simple, it fell out of favor.
It is time for the obscure to rise up and be observed. Time to walk the walk. Doing what is right
is better than proslytizing and self-promotion. Quiet is better than loud. Doing is better than talking about
doing. Just a thought.
walk. It is always easier to criticize and kibbitz than it is to take action and do what is right. The thought
has long been a pet peeve, but this year truly brought the thought home. One November eleventh of this
year, our nation was “celebrating” Veterans Day, or Armistice Day, a far more meaningful name. Blustery
politicans perform their dutiful pantomime and recite long memorized homilies of patriotism and appreciation.
Businesses have their obligatory Veteran’s Day sale, trying mightily to reinforce the tenuous lie that saving
mega bucks on that large screen HD television is a meaningful way to memorialize the war dead. Everyone
went to bed happy that night because they spent one 24 hour period paying lip service to compassion and
memorializing those that gave their lives. But, on December 2, a short article was published stating that
veteran suicide rates have risen dramatically in the years since the Afghanistan and Iraq theaters opened. Yet, the article clearly missed the opportunity window. None of the politicians who had so eagerly jumped on the
patriotism bandwagon a few days before were around to press the issue. The general public had shifted their
short term attention to the Thanskgiving Day sales. That is just one example.
This lack of commitment to what is real and full throated commitment to what makes the individual
feel good and look good is not new, it has permeated society for ever. Ever since religion placed emphasis on
good work, the human mind has twisted that bit of altruism into a badge of vanity. Thanksgiving became
about pre-Christmas sales and gluttony. Christmas became about living beyond your means and showing off.
Charity giving became about star filled mega-concerts and black tie dinners. The idea of doing right by doing
right is too obscure and simple, it fell out of favor.
It is time for the obscure to rise up and be observed. Time to walk the walk. Doing what is right
is better than proslytizing and self-promotion. Quiet is better than loud. Doing is better than talking about
doing. Just a thought.
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