I've been revisiting some of my scanner photography lately.
It's been interesting to look at parts of the images.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Friday, June 08, 2007
Creating a readership and attracting a publisher through podcasting
I wrote this little summary for a friend who is trying to get published. I thought I'd share it with my blogging audience (all two of you!)
A growing number of authors, frustrated by the difficulty of getting publishers to even look at their work are turning to podcasting to develop a reader base that then ultimately attracts publishers.
Here's the website of an author (Scott Sigler) who has achieved what I mentioned. If you look to the bottom of the page, you see that his book "Earthcore" is now available in paperback at Amazon.com.
http://www.scottsigler.net/index.html
A growing number of authors, frustrated by the difficulty of getting publishers to even look at their work are turning to podcasting to develop a reader base that then ultimately attracts publishers.
Here's the website of an author (Scott Sigler) who has achieved what I mentioned. If you look to the bottom of the page, you see that his book "Earthcore" is now available in paperback at Amazon.com.
http://www.scottsigler.net/index.html
(By the way, Earthcore is terrific!)
I think his approach is pretty sound:
His own website that acts as a marketing vehicle for his work.
Distribution of the podcast is done through podiobooks.com, which also allows it to be visible through itunes, the most popular podcast feed source.
Also, though the main gameplan is to get a readerbase to convince a publisher, podiobooks also takes donations (guiltware?) and the author gets 75% which is in fact a pretty good percentage. Of course not every listener donates and they don't regulate how much (so it could be $.75)
There are other examples, here are a few that I have personally listened to:
Cory Doctorow
Mur Lafferty
J.C. Hutchins
There's also an article on the New York Times website that covers the movement pretty well: (requires free registration)
Link to the article
Podiobooks main page:
http://www.podiobooks.com/index.php
Example of a book page on podiobooks.com
http://www.podiobooks.com/podiobooks/book.php?ID=85
Podiobooks has a submission guidelines page that also includes pointers to very good basic information about podcasting
(what kind of recording equipment, etc., tips, etc.)
http://www.podiobooks.com/authors.php
Once you start developing an audience, it is very important to keep up a regular frequency. Listeners are happiest with weekly, but monthly is the outside limit. It's probably better to crunch and build up a back log of several chapters, take a break and then do some more, etc.
If you have your own feed in addition to the podiobooks feed, you can release a modified version of your installments that includes a talk introduction if you want, responding to readers questions, making excuses why you missed last week etc. Some people go way to far with this.
Also no matter where your podcast feed is, if you prove that you have produced regular podcasts for more than three episodes, you can get linked into the itunes music store at apple. Another venue for exposure.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
The Walk for Hunger
Charlotte, Mason, Joyce and I did Project Bread's walk for hunger today. It's a 20 mile walk, but most families with kids just do part of it. We walked from Park Street Station in downtown Boston to Newton Center (around 7.5 miles)
We raised almost $600 to feed the hungry in Massachusetts. Their web site made soliciting and collecting pledges effortless. I hope my friends didn't mind a little spam from me, as it was for a good cause.
Charlotte and Mason complained a bit in the last mile, but mostly they were terrific! I think they were proud of their accomplishment.
If you'd like to donate, visit our walk page at:
http://www.projectbread.org/goto/osborn-pollock
We raised almost $600 to feed the hungry in Massachusetts. Their web site made soliciting and collecting pledges effortless. I hope my friends didn't mind a little spam from me, as it was for a good cause.
Charlotte and Mason complained a bit in the last mile, but mostly they were terrific! I think they were proud of their accomplishment.
If you'd like to donate, visit our walk page at:
http://www.projectbread.org/goto/osborn-pollock
Saturday, May 05, 2007
MCAS Dragon
I meant to document the construction, but got carried away and in a hurry. The "skull" or frame is made from pink foam insulation board, stuffed with newspapers and plastic bags. The skin is duct tape, and the eyes are big super balls, that I drilled holes into and placed bright color changing LEDs, making them internally illuminated and changeable.
I hope to develop it into a full costume. I'm thinking about applying foam insulation to the surface for texture, installing a fan and silk flames in the mouth.I also want to build a frame to wear it on and big puppet claws. Wings would be way cool, but probably out of my time budget! Maybe in 3 years!
I meant to document the construction, but got carried away and in a hurry. The "skull" or frame is made from pink foam insulation board, stuffed with newspapers and plastic bags. The skin is duct tape, and the eyes are big super balls, that I drilled holes into and placed bright color changing LEDs, making them internally illuminated and changeable.
I hope to develop it into a full costume. I'm thinking about applying foam insulation to the surface for texture, installing a fan and silk flames in the mouth.I also want to build a frame to wear it on and big puppet claws. Wings would be way cool, but probably out of my time budget! Maybe in 3 years!
I hope to develop it into a full costume. I'm thinking about applying foam insulation to the surface for texture, installing a fan and silk flames in the mouth.I also want to build a frame to wear it on and big puppet claws. Wings would be way cool, but probably out of my time budget! Maybe in 3 years!
I meant to document the construction, but got carried away and in a hurry. The "skull" or frame is made from pink foam insulation board, stuffed with newspapers and plastic bags. The skin is duct tape, and the eyes are big super balls, that I drilled holes into and placed bright color changing LEDs, making them internally illuminated and changeable.
I hope to develop it into a full costume. I'm thinking about applying foam insulation to the surface for texture, installing a fan and silk flames in the mouth.I also want to build a frame to wear it on and big puppet claws. Wings would be way cool, but probably out of my time budget! Maybe in 3 years!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Mindful Management: Sovereignty
I've been reading Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting
where the authors talk about the importance of the concept of sovereignty.
While it may seem patronizing to compare engineering management to parenting, I believe the concept is very useful in running a happier, more productive organization of any size.
What is Sovereignty?
Most of the dictionary definitions of sovereignty talk about absolute control, free from external influence, like the power of an absolute monarch. Both in terms of real sovereigns (like the Queen of Great Britain, as seen in The Queen.) and the way I'm using it here, sovereignty has many practical limits. The independence and power of a true leader can only continue as long as she serves the best interests of the group she leads.
Good engineers, marketing people, managers, and executives all have an abiding interest in their trade, and ultimately get satisfaction from doing their job well. Unfortunately, many managers, and leaders in organizations hold a notion of how the other people outside their organization should do their jobs, robbing them of sovereignty. Much better is managing in a way that respects people for their ability to create value for the organization. This allows everyone to operate at peak potential.
The rest of this essay will center around the role of the engineering manager and how a mindful engineering manager can facilitate the best result from his or her own team as well as facilitating interactions with other teams such as marketing, quality, customer service and executives. The same concepts can easily be applied to the other job titles.
Managing Engineers
Micromanaging engineers is never a good idea, even if the engineer is inexperienced. Experienced engineers resent it, and can often find better ways than the way they are told. Inexperienced engineers just experience stress and frustration and won't have the opportunity to learn to manage themselves.
Obviously, letting everyone do whatever they want isn't a good idea either.
How then, is a mindful manager to lead his or her team?
Working with other teams and functions
Marketing and Product Management
It's the engineering manager's job to represent and help communicate the marketing team's vision and interests in the shape, design and requirements of the product.
Sometimes this requires marketing to geek translation skills, but often it is just demonstrating that you respect the value of the marketing and product management team. This means actively working with the product management team to understand the requirements and help (with the aid of the engineering team) translate that into a set of technical requirements that can be implemented. When tradeoffs need to be made, the solution the engineering team choses must meet the underlying business need, and the manager should get the marketing manager to sign off based on that common understanding.
Architects
When architects are separate from the engineering team, their needs for sovereignty also need to be respected. Common understanding and respect must also be established. Sometimes the architect's vision cannot be fully realized in a single version. Here the architect should be respectfully approached to help work out a roadmap that reflects the priorities of the details of his or her vision.
Superiors
Directors, VP's and second level managers have a great deal of responsibility for the financial success of a product. As such, their sovereignty concerns often deal with whether or not the product will meet business needs. This includes: marketability, features, quality, and time to market. The mindful engineering manager should focus on these attributes in communicating status, and raising issues that cannot be resolved without executive escalation. Acknowledging the underlying business problem of a particular engineering problem, and inviting the executive's perspective on acceptable solutions is a good way to use the executive's strength and acknowledge his or her sovereignty.
Conclusion
This seems like a lot to juggle, and one might come to a conclusion that no such super-manager can exist. I think, however, that just one manager behaving this way can inspire others to step up, in recognition of their own sovereignty and value. As more people step up and embody this kind of mindfulness, the communications between teams becomes more clear, and conflicts and miscommunication reduced. As the culture of mindfulness grows, morale, self-esteem and the esteem of colleagues is bound to grow as well. Consider this when managing your team.
where the authors While it may seem patronizing to compare engineering management to parenting, I believe the concept is very useful in running a happier, more productive organization of any size.
What is Sovereignty?
Most of the dictionary definitions of sovereignty talk about absolute control, free from external influence, like the power of an absolute monarch. Both in terms of real sovereigns (like the Queen of Great Britain, as seen in The Queen.) and the way I'm using it here, sovereignty has many practical limits. The independence and power of a true leader can only continue as long as she serves the best interests of the group she leads.
Good engineers, marketing people, managers, and executives all have an abiding interest in their trade, and ultimately get satisfaction from doing their job well. Unfortunately, many managers, and leaders in organizations hold a notion of how the other people outside their organization should do their jobs, robbing them of sovereignty. Much better is managing in a way that respects people for their ability to create value for the organization. This allows everyone to operate at peak potential.
The rest of this essay will center around the role of the engineering manager and how a mindful engineering manager can facilitate the best result from his or her own team as well as facilitating interactions with other teams such as marketing, quality, customer service and executives. The same concepts can easily be applied to the other job titles.
Managing Engineers
Micromanaging engineers is never a good idea, even if the engineer is inexperienced. Experienced engineers resent it, and can often find better ways than the way they are told. Inexperienced engineers just experience stress and frustration and won't have the opportunity to learn to manage themselves.
Obviously, letting everyone do whatever they want isn't a good idea either.
How then, is a mindful manager to lead his or her team?
Know your people. What motivates them,? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What are their interests? What is the level of their skill? - Give responsibility. Assignments should be broad enough to give the individual engineers enough room to innovate, design and create solutions. Responsibility for larger areas, or when things need to be done in parallel for time's sake should be assigned to small groups of people.
- Interdependence. The team's practices should include opportunities to work together, this includes pairs and small teams, as well as cooperative practices such as code reviews and brainstorming sessions.
- Being clear about what is important. Time, specific functionality, usability. It's also important not to tell them things are important when they are not. This boxes in their thinking.
- Be firm about what is important, but flexible about how you get it.
- Listen. Be a sounding board, give feedback, offer to help or get help when needed. Take their good suggestions and evangelize them.
- Give them credit for the good ideas.
Working with other teams and functions
Marketing and Product Management
It's the engineering manager's job to represent and help communicate the marketing team's vision and interests in the shape, design and requirements of the product.
Sometimes this requires marketing to geek translation skills, but often it is just demonstrating that you respect the value of the marketing and product management team. This means actively working with the product management team to understand the requirements and help (with the aid of the engineering team) translate that into a set of technical requirements that can be implemented. When tradeoffs need to be made, the solution the engineering team choses must meet the underlying business need, and the manager should get the marketing manager to sign off based on that common understanding.
Architects
When architects are separate from the engineering team, their needs for sovereignty also need to be respected. Common understanding and respect must also be established. Sometimes the architect's vision cannot be fully realized in a single version. Here the architect should be respectfully approached to help work out a roadmap that reflects the priorities of the details of his or her vision.
Superiors
Directors, VP's and second level managers have a great deal of responsibility for the financial success of a product. As such, their sovereignty concerns often deal with whether or not the product will meet business needs. This includes: marketability, features, quality, and time to market. The mindful engineering manager should focus on these attributes in communicating status, and raising issues that cannot be resolved without executive escalation. Acknowledging the underlying business problem of a particular engineering problem, and inviting the executive's perspective on acceptable solutions is a good way to use the executive's strength and acknowledge his or her sovereignty.
Conclusion
This seems like a lot to juggle, and one might come to a conclusion that no such super-manager can exist. I think, however, that just one manager behaving this way can inspire others to step up, in recognition of their own sovereignty and value. As more people step up and embody this kind of mindfulness, the communications between teams becomes more clear, and conflicts and miscommunication reduced. As the culture of mindfulness grows, morale, self-esteem and the esteem of colleagues is bound to grow as well. Consider this when managing your team.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Day 15: shifting priorities
toothpastefordinner.com
Well, I've missed 2 days of the 15. But in general I feel I've kept the commitment. I do feel that my entries haven't always been the highest quality. I don't know if anyone is reading this crap (no comments for a while!) I think it would be easier if I had a definite theme or "idiom" to stick to.
I could write about tech stuff, particularly making things, but my priorities are definitely shifting. Anyone who knows me knows that I am passionate about many things, sometimes serially, some things always. My photography has been shelved the last month, and I let the deadline for the PRC member show pass by. I still haven't quite figured out how to fit more of my art into my life, but I do know it is still important to me. I feel, however, that it is less important for me to go for shows, recognition, etc. but more important to get out there and do it. It will become important again to share it, but the exact nature of that sharing will probably be different, probably something more "open source"
Stay tuned. In the meantime, head on over to Toothpaste for Dinner
and Drew's excellent (not positive) review of second life (I pretty much agree with his opinion, though he's much funnier than me...). While you are there, check out his comics, they are twisted!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Unintended (?) Education
My youngest (the twins, age 6) are attending a "camp" run by the aftercare program at our elementary school this week (February vacation.) While my daughter loves school, both of them are more than enthusiastic about going to this program. Enough so that the getting out of the house on time isn't much of a problem this week.
Sure, you say, it's because they are playing all day. Well that's true, but the people who run this program have set up some brilliant activities with no pressure that I think can teach more than regular school can at times. Today they had a construction day, where they did domino runs, knex towers, and marshmallow/toothpick structures. They built a tower that reached their gym's ceiling (and that took some engineering) and had to use a lot of logic to build a domino run over 200 feet long. Even their marshmallow structures had a distinctly geodesic flair. No pressure, lots of fun, and guess what? Learning definitely took place. It's true that their going bowling tomorrow, but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't learn a little physics. The teachers would deny any ulterior motive of education, of course, but the fact that they are passionate, caring and fun makes the learning effortless.
A tip of the hat to those creative, engaged people!
Sure, you say, it's because they are playing all day. Well that's true, but the people who run this program have set up some brilliant activities with no pressure that I think can teach more than regular school can at times. Today they had a construction day, where they did domino runs, knex towers, and marshmallow/toothpick structures. They built a tower that reached their gym's ceiling (and that took some engineering) and had to use a lot of logic to build a domino run over 200 feet long. Even their marshmallow structures had a distinctly geodesic flair. No pressure, lots of fun, and guess what? Learning definitely took place. It's true that their going bowling tomorrow, but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't learn a little physics. The teachers would deny any ulterior motive of education, of course, but the fact that they are passionate, caring and fun makes the learning effortless.
A tip of the hat to those creative, engaged people!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Meta
The last resort of a scoundrel blogger: Meta blogging. What have I learned so far from my experiment of daily blogging in the last 13 days:
1. There's lots of stuff I'd like to blog about but am afraid to. Personal feelings and discoveries are great in the blogs of spiritual leaders, and others whose business it is to be open, but that's not exactly my situation. (geez. that will probably be misinterpreted...)
2. I like writing, but probably shouldn't put it off till so late at night.
3. The commitment has definitely gotten me to write more, and some of it on topics I like.
I have to figure out a way to balance the drive (commitment) with good content.
I wouldn't want to bore all three of you.....
1. There's lots of stuff I'd like to blog about but am afraid to. Personal feelings and discoveries are great in the blogs of spiritual leaders, and others whose business it is to be open, but that's not exactly my situation. (geez. that will probably be misinterpreted...)
2. I like writing, but probably shouldn't put it off till so late at night.
3. The commitment has definitely gotten me to write more, and some of it on topics I like.
I have to figure out a way to balance the drive (commitment) with good content.
I wouldn't want to bore all three of you.....
Monday, February 19, 2007
Humility/Guilt/Intention
I found myself distracted during meditation today by guilt over blogging about helping a woman with her broken arm. I tend to over analyze these things, but I do know that I tend to seek acknowledgment. I was praised much as a child by my parents, and this unfortunately interferes with my self esteem. I'm aware of this tendency and I often feel guilty if I recount a good deed, even if my intention was to illustrate something else, as I think was the case yesterday.
I think it's important to be of service whenever we can. I think it is also important to encourage others to do the same. I think, though, that it is important to do service to do service, not to serve some need to prove "I am a good person."
I learned tonight of "Taking the Precepts," kind of a pledge that you do when becoming a Zen Buddhist. This led me to this dharma talk on the precepts by Sensei Robert Aitkin. In it he discusses the 7th precept: I take up the way of not praising myself while abusing others.
He gives the reason for this precept:
"The reason I praise myself and abuse others is that I seek to justify and defend myself as a certain kind of rather superior being."
And the appropriate understanding:
"Actually, I am not superior or inferior. My actions and words are appropriate or inappropriate to the needs of people, animals, plants and things, including myself. If I am authoritarian and put myself up and others down, then I am not meeting their need to grow and mature or my own to listen and learn. The Buddha Dharma is obscured. The world suffers."
This is my intention and my labor.
Another aspect of this that I still haven't figured out is how to avoid visiting this behavior on my children. Children do need encouragement, but too much praise is poisonous. It would be best to instill in them their own motivation to right action and passionate living. If anyone has good techniques here, I'd love to hear them.
I think it's important to be of service whenever we can. I think it is also important to encourage others to do the same. I think, though, that it is important to do service to do service, not to serve some need to prove "I am a good person."
I learned tonight of "Taking the Precepts," kind of a pledge that you do when becoming a Zen Buddhist. This led me to this dharma talk on the precepts by Sensei Robert Aitkin. In it he discusses the 7th precept: I take up the way of not praising myself while abusing others.
He gives the reason for this precept:
"The reason I praise myself and abuse others is that I seek to justify and defend myself as a certain kind of rather superior being."
And the appropriate understanding:
"Actually, I am not superior or inferior. My actions and words are appropriate or inappropriate to the needs of people, animals, plants and things, including myself. If I am authoritarian and put myself up and others down, then I am not meeting their need to grow and mature or my own to listen and learn. The Buddha Dharma is obscured. The world suffers."
This is my intention and my labor.
Another aspect of this that I still haven't figured out is how to avoid visiting this behavior on my children. Children do need encouragement, but too much praise is poisonous. It would be best to instill in them their own motivation to right action and passionate living. If anyone has good techniques here, I'd love to hear them.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
A little excitement.
Well I missed a day again, but I've been having a lot of fun with the kids. Went sledding yesterday, and everything was ice, so it was very fast. I laughed a lot watching the the kids light up with the thrill.
We went ice skating today, and the twins hooked up with a girl Charlotte had in her class last year. I met her mother and we chatted. I was taking a few turns around when I saw the girl's mother on the ice, with a couple of people standing over her. She had fallen and broken her arm. I helped her get her skates off, and offered to have her daughter stay with us. I offered to drive too, but the rink manager had called an ambulance. She was in a lot of pain and looked like she was going into shock and it took more than 30 min. and the ambulance still hadn't arrived. I told the rink manager that I thought I should take her to the hospital, and at first they didn't want me to because the ambulance was coming, but they decided to let us go.
She insisted I just drop her at the emergency room, and I took the kids back to our house, where they had a fabulous playdate, with more laughter. While they knew her before, I think they are now friends.
We went ice skating today, and the twins hooked up with a girl Charlotte had in her class last year. I met her mother and we chatted. I was taking a few turns around when I saw the girl's mother on the ice, with a couple of people standing over her. She had fallen and broken her arm. I helped her get her skates off, and offered to have her daughter stay with us. I offered to drive too, but the rink manager had called an ambulance. She was in a lot of pain and looked like she was going into shock and it took more than 30 min. and the ambulance still hadn't arrived. I told the rink manager that I thought I should take her to the hospital, and at first they didn't want me to because the ambulance was coming, but they decided to let us go.
She insisted I just drop her at the emergency room, and I took the kids back to our house, where they had a fabulous playdate, with more laughter. While they knew her before, I think they are now friends.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Random
Complaining
I was complaining tonight about daily blogging. My 6 year old son said (laughing), "Why don't you just press a bunch of keys, like the alphabet."
My 6 year old daughter said, "Make sure you press the space key every so often."
djfha djkdhsf ads8f8di hvndvkj9ewy9 d fgjkdashfidf9 hdjfh 98d fdasjhf akdsjf9
djkfh akdsjf 8id fkha dsfjka dsfjkh adsfh ad faksdhfkja ds9
Hey, that was a lot easier, and it'll probably get past the spam filters.
Reality
Who says we don't create our own reality. I was walking in the woods, and I stopped to look at a frozen stream. I was soon lost in a fantasy about "trying" the ice. Just as I was imagining myself falling and telling myself it would be a stupid thing to "try" the ice. I slipped on the path.
I was complaining tonight about daily blogging. My 6 year old son said (laughing), "Why don't you just press a bunch of keys, like the alphabet."
My 6 year old daughter said, "Make sure you press the space key every so often."
djfha djkdhsf ads8f8di hvndvkj9ewy9 d fgjkdashfidf9 hdjfh 98d fdasjhf akdsjf9
djkfh akdsjf 8id fkha dsfjka dsfjkh adsfh ad faksdhfkja ds9
Hey, that was a lot easier, and it'll probably get past the spam filters.
Reality
Who says we don't create our own reality. I was walking in the woods, and I stopped to look at a frozen stream. I was soon lost in a fantasy about "trying" the ice. Just as I was imagining myself falling and telling myself it would be a stupid thing to "try" the ice. I slipped on the path.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Flickring family history.
Family pictures, snapshots, old formal portraits are a great way to pull out stories and family history from the older generations. The trouble is, whenever this would happen with my mother, or grandparents, I never wrote any of it down. I've long wanted to know more about my family history, but never had time to do the whole genealogy thing. I did briefly try some genealogy software, but it only helps you to record the data.
My mom loves pictures, and on one of my trips to visit her, I asked her if she wanted the negatives. I was interested in scanning them to save them digitally "for the future." Of course the negatives would probably outlast any computer media I would put them on, but honestly I coveted the photos. I took them home and eventually started scanning them and putting them up on flickr.
When I emailed my mom to show her, she started commenting (on flickr) on the photos making corrections to my titles, and dates, etc. Now flickr isn't really designed as a genealogy collab site, but it was a nice comfortable way for my mom and I to interact. I've thought of using the flickr API to build just such a genealogical collab site, but the nice thing about using photo commenting on a photo commenting site is that it's simple, and that's especially important if you can't train your distant (she lives in Kansas) mother in some specialized software.
Not that I've given up on the idea however. I think using flickr to capture the data is key, and there may be a few minor enhancements that could be made with greasemonkey scripts. It would also be cool to do a mashup that allows you to display a family tree and click on the nodes to bring up pictures of those people. Flickr did a cool thing recently that I only recently accepted as a good thing: hiding "machine tags." Tags with a certain syntax, like geolat:147.222 are hidden, but still available from the api. I think this is key for developing applications like this, as any metadata you would like to define for this mashup wouldn't clutter the flickr interface, but be available to your program. Guess I'd better get busy....
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Smile
In Blink, Malcolm Gladwell recounts some research about how assuming a facial expression such as a smile actually triggers the brain to experience pleasure and happiness. This has been verifed by imaging, and other techniques, but I like his story about the researcher who was cataloging human expressions and found he was depressed after frowning all day and happy after smiling.
Thich Nhat Hanh calls this "Mouth yoga" in "Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life
." I haven't finished it yet, but almost every little chapter really touches me.
He includes this poem by Marion Tripp:
I have lost my smile, but have found it again in the faces of my children, my wife, in the sound of my breath.
Thich Nhat Hanh calls this "Mouth yoga" in "Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life
." I haven't finished it yet, but almost every little chapter really touches me.He includes this poem by Marion Tripp:
I have lost my smile
but don't worry
the dandelion has it.
but don't worry
the dandelion has it.
I have lost my smile, but have found it again in the faces of my children, my wife, in the sound of my breath.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Teacher as machinist
Ok, maybe this is a little far fetched but as I was describing what I liked about "The Celestine Prophecies" to a friend, several thoughts occurred:
1. The story is pretty hokey.
2. Still the idea of "coincidences" really grabbed me.
So here's my little epiphany:
A good teacher knows how to present knowledge to a student or group of students. In the case of simple information, they use terms and metaphors that are pretty universal.
In some cases though, people have a hard time learning some things, either through their particular neuro-psychological profile, or their prejudices from their experiences. In this case, the educator must shape the knowledge to fit the "shape" of the receptive part of the student's mind.
In some cases this happens in little bits, and the fitting of the "keys" actually change the "shape" of the mind, making it more receptive to more of the concept being taught. The shaping can be individual, based on what the teacher knows about the student's background, how they learn etc. or it can be based on the "shaping" formed by common cultural experience. When this is the case, I believe this is what creates a Meme.
James Redfield even talks about our culture leading us to our receptivity for his "prophecies". I think his particular genius is in constructing the story in such a way to work on our minds conditioned by the confusion and dissatisfaction engendered by our modern society.
Even though I don't buy the story, I like the ideas, and I really respect his construction (note I didn't say his writing, it's not that good.)
1. The story is pretty hokey.
2. Still the idea of "coincidences" really grabbed me.
So here's my little epiphany:
A good teacher knows how to present knowledge to a student or group of students. In the case of simple information, they use terms and metaphors that are pretty universal.
In some cases though, people have a hard time learning some things, either through their particular neuro-psychological profile, or their prejudices from their experiences. In this case, the educator must shape the knowledge to fit the "shape" of the receptive part of the student's mind.
In some cases this happens in little bits, and the fitting of the "keys" actually change the "shape" of the mind, making it more receptive to more of the concept being taught. The shaping can be individual, based on what the teacher knows about the student's background, how they learn etc. or it can be based on the "shaping" formed by common cultural experience. When this is the case, I believe this is what creates a Meme.
James Redfield even talks about our culture leading us to our receptivity for his "prophecies". I think his particular genius is in constructing the story in such a way to work on our minds conditioned by the confusion and dissatisfaction engendered by our modern society.
Even though I don't buy the story, I like the ideas, and I really respect his construction (note I didn't say his writing, it's not that good.)
Monday, February 12, 2007
Zen Sit
I did my first Zen sit tonight at the First Unitarian Church in Newton. Like my free personal training session I'm doing tomorrow, this is something I've put off for a long time. It was difficult, but it also felt very familiar to me, and frankly I enjoyed a couple hours of quiet. There appears to be an active, though far flung Buddhist community here in the northeast, and I'm lucky to have a local group led by our minister James Ford, whose blog Monkey Mind just got nominated for a blogsiattva (who knew!) award.
He always has interesting things to say so please take a look.
He always has interesting things to say so please take a look.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Idiocracy
Well, checking to see if anyone is still reading... My son picked out a movie tonight that I was sure was going to be crap. He generally has good tastes, but sometimes likes stuff because it's "counter." I'm still giving him shit about making me see "Smoking Aces" (Argh, what a terrible movie.)
He picked Idiocracy because it starred Luke Wilson (Owen Wilson's smarter brother..)
What we both didn't realize was that it was written and directed by Mike Judge (Office Space, King of the Hill, Beavis and Butthead.)
While not perfect, it as very entertaining, and not a bad premise about evolution no longer selecting or the smartest or fittest. There are a set of very funny interviews in the beginning with a hi-Q couple talking about how it's not the right time to bring a child into the world, while a lo-Q "gentleman" ends up with hundreds of descendants.
Most of the movie takes place 500 years in the future (I'll try not to spoil too much) and the President is a hoot, driving around on a giant tricked out chopper trike with his cabinet, and his wresslin' garb as his presidential uniform!
While not as brilliant and well executed as Office Space, it's definitely worth a look.
He picked Idiocracy because it starred Luke Wilson (Owen Wilson's smarter brother..)
What we both didn't realize was that it was written and directed by Mike Judge (Office Space, King of the Hill, Beavis and Butthead.)
While not perfect, it as very entertaining, and not a bad premise about evolution no longer selecting or the smartest or fittest. There are a set of very funny interviews in the beginning with a hi-Q couple talking about how it's not the right time to bring a child into the world, while a lo-Q "gentleman" ends up with hundreds of descendants.
Most of the movie takes place 500 years in the future (I'll try not to spoil too much) and the President is a hoot, driving around on a giant tricked out chopper trike with his cabinet, and his wresslin' garb as his presidential uniform!
While not as brilliant and well executed as Office Space, it's definitely worth a look.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Day 5: oops..
Missed a day yesterday. Well, soldier on, the whole point is to make a habit and if I give up now....
Went to a "coffee house/talent show" at Sudbury Valley School tonight. Grant didn't want to come, but we wanted to go to get more of a feel for the place he spends his days. Most of their philosophy revolves around the kids making decisions for themselves, so parental involvement isn't always welcome. There were people singing off key, silly skits by the younger kids and some phenomenal musicians and singers. The wonderful thing about the event was the kids in the audience cheered just as loudly for the off key singers as the superstars.
Incredible energy. It's got to be good for them to be there.
Finished a minty boost kit tonight (charging an Ipod from AA batteries, fits in an altoids gum can.)
went pretty smoothly and it didn't blow up my ipod, though it was already fully charged. More testing tomorrow.
Went to a "coffee house/talent show" at Sudbury Valley School tonight. Grant didn't want to come, but we wanted to go to get more of a feel for the place he spends his days. Most of their philosophy revolves around the kids making decisions for themselves, so parental involvement isn't always welcome. There were people singing off key, silly skits by the younger kids and some phenomenal musicians and singers. The wonderful thing about the event was the kids in the audience cheered just as loudly for the off key singers as the superstars.
Incredible energy. It's got to be good for them to be there.
Finished a minty boost kit tonight (charging an Ipod from AA batteries, fits in an altoids gum can.)
went pretty smoothly and it didn't blow up my ipod, though it was already fully charged. More testing tomorrow.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Day 3: Buddha machine, ennui
I probably don't have any readers left after my long hiatus between posts, and I hope I don't bore searching for things to write in my current 15 day goal. There's a lot on my mind, especially the travesty around the Boston Lite Brite scare. I find it's still really hard to be articulate around this, but the fact that the city continues to call the silly hack advertising boards "hoax devices" and that Turner caved and gave Boston 2 million really upsets me. I would be fine if they paid someone to educate the first responders as to the difference between a lite brite and a bomb....
On the bright side, I ordered and received an FM3 Buddha machine.
It's a little hard to explain why this thing appeals to me, but it's like an infinite album. I like working in the basement with it in my pocket playing it's endless drone loops through it's scratchy little speaker. I wish it shuffled instead of having to push the button on the side to play tracks, but it really is a new media release. Not CD, not DVD, but a true mass market interactive device, for about the price of a double album...
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Hacking away.
Had a fantastic Interview yesterday, however it resolves, I will share about it here when I'm able to.
Having a little time, I've finally gotten back to my electronics hobby. I bought this little electronic dice kit to practice soldering (it's been years).
I felt a little bad because I really wasn't that interested in dice, and would have another thing around that i wouldn't use but couldn't throw away, but it was really cheap (<$5).
Turns out, my kids were entranced. We now use it to focus the kids for bed. They push the button, and how ever many dots are lighted, that's how many things they have to do to get ready for bed.
Roll 3: Remove three pieces of clothing
Roll 2: Put pajama tops and bottoms on.
Roll 4: Get toothbrush, put toothpaste on, brush, spit.
They love playing games (and we used to do this with regular dice but they got bored.) and the tech nature is also interesting them in electronics. They are starting to use snapcircuits and are really learning a lot.
Having a little time, I've finally gotten back to my electronics hobby. I bought this little electronic dice kit to practice soldering (it's been years).
I felt a little bad because I really wasn't that interested in dice, and would have another thing around that i wouldn't use but couldn't throw away, but it was really cheap (<$5).
Turns out, my kids were entranced. We now use it to focus the kids for bed. They push the button, and how ever many dots are lighted, that's how many things they have to do to get ready for bed.
Roll 3: Remove three pieces of clothing
Roll 2: Put pajama tops and bottoms on.
Roll 4: Get toothbrush, put toothpaste on, brush, spit.
They love playing games (and we used to do this with regular dice but they got bored.) and the tech nature is also interesting them in electronics. They are starting to use snapcircuits and are really learning a lot.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Meta Resolve
I don't really like New Years resolutions, as I hate to make promises I might not keep. As you can tell from this late date still thinking about resolutions, I have been guilty about something that I'm now ready to make at least a small commitment. I haven't been writing very often, and I now commit to blogging at least once a day for 15 days. I figure that's long enough that I may actually develop the habit.
Since new years I've been thinking about my favorite things in 2006 and I'll be writing more about them in the days to come. Here are a few of the things I've discovered, or enjoyed in 2006:
1. Podcasts, particularly Escape Pod and Pseudopod as well as the Sciam podcasts
2. Netvibes. Convinced me to use RSS. It's my homeapage now.
3. Make Magazine and their wonderful blog http://makezine.com/blog
4. Rediscovering electronics hacking, music, etc.
5. I don't know if I started at flickr last year, but it really dominated. Lots of supportive friends, inspiring images, and lots and lots of babble.
6. Moo cards. At last personal calling cards I can be proud of!
I'll write more on these and more in the coming days.
Since new years I've been thinking about my favorite things in 2006 and I'll be writing more about them in the days to come. Here are a few of the things I've discovered, or enjoyed in 2006:
1. Podcasts, particularly Escape Pod and Pseudopod as well as the Sciam podcasts
2. Netvibes. Convinced me to use RSS. It's my homeapage now.
3. Make Magazine and their wonderful blog http://makezine.com/blog
4. Rediscovering electronics hacking, music, etc.
5. I don't know if I started at flickr last year, but it really dominated. Lots of supportive friends, inspiring images, and lots and lots of babble.
6. Moo cards. At last personal calling cards I can be proud of!
I'll write more on these and more in the coming days.
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