Facebook kind of sucks. For one reason in particular.
I have had a Facebook page for our Aikido dojo for like a year or two now. I'm on the Board of Directors for this dojo, which is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization (and so all donations are tax deductible).
I haven't been able to get on my page there all week. I couldn't figure out what the problem was. I went through the usual process of being locked out. I emailed Facebook support; they were unusually unresponsive. I started reading through all the online help today, then I gathered what had happened.
At that point, I felt a blog coming on...so....
Apparently, they killed it because you cannot have two pages. If you create it properly like a business (which I admit, I didn't, I didn't even know about that), then you cannot also have a personal page. You cannot also have a personal page? How freaking stupid is that? Plus, only one person can admin your biz page.
How stupid is THAT? This is ridiculous.
The more I think about this the more it annoys me. Why?
Because, Facebook is saying that you cannot run two pages at a time? So, no one has a business AND a personal life? Really? If you run a business then you aren't allowed a personal life on Facebook?
Honestly, I don't get it. Especially, for my situation. First I don't know how they found out, though I wasn't trying to hide anything. It wouldn't let me use my normal email account so I had to use another, but I didn't know why, though it seemed to make sense of some sort at the time.
But if you are a good enough person (no consideration here for my esteemed self, mind you), to run a page out of the goodness of your heart for an organization that has the best in mind for its community, then I'm not allowed to have a personal page? I don't even get that in the least, how its bad having that situation.
Also, if you have a professional side, you can't have a personal page for your personal friends and family, like Facebook professes to be so much about; and have a separate page for your professional connections and perhaps, fans, as it might be?
OK, I'm still not absorbing this philosophy. I see this online all the time. It would also have been very nice if they had tried to contact me to work it out (professionally) and try to get me to understand, and fix what the issue might be.
So now the dojo is going to suffer for this, and really, I didn't do anything. Regardless of their "rules". IF they had reviewed the dojo page, nothing was being done underhanded and they could have just set it as a business page of some sort, or perhaps, in a community minded thought, they could have special pages for non-profits.
Gee, there's a thought.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Veridian Dynamics - The future of "The Big Corporate"
Visit one of the most advanced companies in the history of the world, Veridian Dynamics (For more see, "Better Off Ted").
If they only had stock, you should buy it!
But then they'd have to shoot you.
Their ONLY possible competitor, would be, Massive Dynamics (For more see, "Fringe").
From the MD website:
"The Information Age is over... but the Integration Age has only just begun. Computing is woven into the fabric of our lives, as vital to our civilization as food, shelter, and clothing. Already, MD Quantum-Digital Networking plays a vital role in the intelligence centers of our world, streamlining the operations of governments, firms, households, and recreational zones."
Check them both out, then crawl, under your bed.
If they only had stock, you should buy it!
But then they'd have to shoot you.
Their ONLY possible competitor, would be, Massive Dynamics (For more see, "Fringe").
From the MD website:
"The Information Age is over... but the Integration Age has only just begun. Computing is woven into the fabric of our lives, as vital to our civilization as food, shelter, and clothing. Already, MD Quantum-Digital Networking plays a vital role in the intelligence centers of our world, streamlining the operations of governments, firms, households, and recreational zones."
Check them both out, then crawl, under your bed.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Defining the undefinable, winning the unwinnable
Ever tried to define, what cannot be defined?
Ever tried to win an argument and can't be won?
How in the world does one do those things?
My answer to this typically, has been that you need to go into another medium. First you have to verify that you have a clear path, clear and appropriate words and logic.
In using words, try instead using something non-verbal. Or non-spoken, such as song or even, just melody.
Perhaps, visuals would be better. When you are trying to explain something in physics and you hit a wall, try going into a metaphor, then pull back once again, into the hard science lexicon. Sometimes you just need to get someone in the general realm of what you are trying to show them, in order for them to see, what you are saying.
Things go by context, in general. Ever seen someone in a new location, and not recognized them, because you've never seen them outside, say, your dentist office? If they walked up and said, hi, I'm your dentist, you'd recognize them immediately. But if you stand off to the side and see them, you wonder, where do I know them from? You just need a small clue, and bang, you have their identity nailed down.
What IS the purpose of Art? The visual, the musical, or other forms. I think it is exactly that at times, to define the undefinable.
Consider Robert M. Pirsig's Classical and Romantic dichotomy from his Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, a book that has affected probably, millions over the years since its original 1974 publish date. I have taken that book on motorcycle rides several times, reading it to completion before returning home a few days later. Its a journey into your mind and life through that of a very interesting character, based upon Pirsig's own life.
When ever I run into a topic I have trouble defining or explaining to someone, I try to find a quantifiable separation in the idiom, or the topic, genre, or what have you, at the time. Like the classical vs romantic notion, or specific and general which is a great one. I find that many disagreements seem to spawn from one person taking one orientation and another, taking an opposing orientation, without either realizing it.
Have you ever been in an argument with someone, only to find, perhaps hours or days later, that you were both arguing on the same side of some point or another? Frustrating, yes? But, hopefully, perhaps, you both did learn something out if it and so it wasn't a total waste of time.
I took a Logic class during my University days and my Professor said he was going to teach us something we'd find very useful and cathartic; wherein, we would never have to lose certain arguments, ever again. And he was right.
He asked if we had ever lost an argument with someone, and not a bickering fight, but a discussion, where each party takes an opposing view and both submit their points of view until a rational meeting of the minds is achieved, and although you KNEW you were right, you just couldn't see where you lost your case along the way?
I had that happen with my mother so many times I can't count, and I never could figure out how she could be so wrong, but I couldn't convince her of it, nor could I see where I had failed in winning a winning argument.
The Professor's explanation was that somewhere along the line, the other person had simply switched or jumped the forms of logic they were using, and therefore, it became an unwinnable argument for you; since basically, you were arguing against well, insanity.
Once you realize that can happen, the next time you had an argument with that person, and they tried it again, through their lack of understanding, when they jumped the forms of logic they were using, you simply need to have them back up and point that out to them. Once they see the mistake, you can literally watch their argument crumble before their eyes. And you walk away, the winner, with your argument being fully supported and rational.
Of course, you have to start with a rational argument to begin with, otherwise, you have two insane people arguing over an unwinnable point and you still won't win that argument.
My point in all this is, when you have trouble defining the undefinable, or you cannot win, the winable, you need to pay attention to what is going on. Sometimes, you have to either switch your tact, or see where the inconsistency is. Then, you should be able to find a way to your goal.
Just remember that "winning" an argument, is not a goal one should really bother about. So much of the troubles in life are about just that, competition in areas where there should be no actual competition, but a team effort at finding the "truth" in an argument. Something positive for both or all involved, for that is the only truly important element in communication.
Sometimes, we forget that, and then everyone is the loser.
Ever tried to win an argument and can't be won?
How in the world does one do those things?
My answer to this typically, has been that you need to go into another medium. First you have to verify that you have a clear path, clear and appropriate words and logic.
In using words, try instead using something non-verbal. Or non-spoken, such as song or even, just melody.
Perhaps, visuals would be better. When you are trying to explain something in physics and you hit a wall, try going into a metaphor, then pull back once again, into the hard science lexicon. Sometimes you just need to get someone in the general realm of what you are trying to show them, in order for them to see, what you are saying.
Things go by context, in general. Ever seen someone in a new location, and not recognized them, because you've never seen them outside, say, your dentist office? If they walked up and said, hi, I'm your dentist, you'd recognize them immediately. But if you stand off to the side and see them, you wonder, where do I know them from? You just need a small clue, and bang, you have their identity nailed down.
What IS the purpose of Art? The visual, the musical, or other forms. I think it is exactly that at times, to define the undefinable.
Consider Robert M. Pirsig's Classical and Romantic dichotomy from his Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, a book that has affected probably, millions over the years since its original 1974 publish date. I have taken that book on motorcycle rides several times, reading it to completion before returning home a few days later. Its a journey into your mind and life through that of a very interesting character, based upon Pirsig's own life.
When ever I run into a topic I have trouble defining or explaining to someone, I try to find a quantifiable separation in the idiom, or the topic, genre, or what have you, at the time. Like the classical vs romantic notion, or specific and general which is a great one. I find that many disagreements seem to spawn from one person taking one orientation and another, taking an opposing orientation, without either realizing it.
Have you ever been in an argument with someone, only to find, perhaps hours or days later, that you were both arguing on the same side of some point or another? Frustrating, yes? But, hopefully, perhaps, you both did learn something out if it and so it wasn't a total waste of time.
I took a Logic class during my University days and my Professor said he was going to teach us something we'd find very useful and cathartic; wherein, we would never have to lose certain arguments, ever again. And he was right.
He asked if we had ever lost an argument with someone, and not a bickering fight, but a discussion, where each party takes an opposing view and both submit their points of view until a rational meeting of the minds is achieved, and although you KNEW you were right, you just couldn't see where you lost your case along the way?
I had that happen with my mother so many times I can't count, and I never could figure out how she could be so wrong, but I couldn't convince her of it, nor could I see where I had failed in winning a winning argument.
The Professor's explanation was that somewhere along the line, the other person had simply switched or jumped the forms of logic they were using, and therefore, it became an unwinnable argument for you; since basically, you were arguing against well, insanity.
Once you realize that can happen, the next time you had an argument with that person, and they tried it again, through their lack of understanding, when they jumped the forms of logic they were using, you simply need to have them back up and point that out to them. Once they see the mistake, you can literally watch their argument crumble before their eyes. And you walk away, the winner, with your argument being fully supported and rational.
Of course, you have to start with a rational argument to begin with, otherwise, you have two insane people arguing over an unwinnable point and you still won't win that argument.
My point in all this is, when you have trouble defining the undefinable, or you cannot win, the winable, you need to pay attention to what is going on. Sometimes, you have to either switch your tact, or see where the inconsistency is. Then, you should be able to find a way to your goal.
Just remember that "winning" an argument, is not a goal one should really bother about. So much of the troubles in life are about just that, competition in areas where there should be no actual competition, but a team effort at finding the "truth" in an argument. Something positive for both or all involved, for that is the only truly important element in communication.
Sometimes, we forget that, and then everyone is the loser.
Funny
Funny. Just what, the hell is that?
I think, once you find that out, you can make a lot of money. Comedians strive all their lives to achieve funny. Politicians achieve it all too frequently, but sadly, because of what their job is all about, it really isn't so funny in the end.
There are many things, for instance, that now, I think are very funny. Several were beatings I took in grade school, not so funny at the time. A parachute (near) accident where my chute wouldn't open and I just wouldn't pop the reserve because I didn't have $2.50 for the repack fee (I beat the hell out of that partially opened chute and luckily, it eventually opened, but almost gave a few heart attacks to those other jumpers watching on the ground).
One of several car wrecks I was in as a passenger in a delivery van, where I had on no seat belt (oh, I wear them now), with my feet on the dash with a huge window in front, watching as a Camaro out of control careened into us, head on, and I was basically watching a crash happen, down below and between my legs. Then there were plenty of "crash and burns" during the dating years (which, God, please, let those years be over!).
Actually, I don't "date" anymore. I prefer, just to get to know someone and go from there (OK, maybe the same thing, but seems like so much less pressure now than before, of course, my orientation and speed of relationship advancement was geared at a much higher pace in previous and mostly much younger, years). I've always had the nervous habit of laughing at danger. The more nervous or scared I get, the more I think its funny. That's gotten me in trouble more than once, mostly with teachers during my K-12 school years.
So, funny, is relative. That's why comedians have to adjust their humor to the crowd in front of them. And if its about something that has happened to you, and people can laugh at (with) you, then all the better. I learned that readily, in dealing with bullies while growing up. If you could make them laugh at you (or with you even better, but that wasn't always an option), then you were gold (and still alive). Sometimes, you had to find humor in laughing AT them, possibly later (much later) and possibly, from a (great) distance.
So in the end, I don't really know what funny actually is. I just know, that when it happens, its enjoyable, and typically it happens later, after whatever it is, has happened. Though, it is nice when it is happening right now and you have enough time to laugh it off; especially if someone is there to acknowledge your brave, cavalier attitude.
I think, once you find that out, you can make a lot of money. Comedians strive all their lives to achieve funny. Politicians achieve it all too frequently, but sadly, because of what their job is all about, it really isn't so funny in the end.
There are many things, for instance, that now, I think are very funny. Several were beatings I took in grade school, not so funny at the time. A parachute (near) accident where my chute wouldn't open and I just wouldn't pop the reserve because I didn't have $2.50 for the repack fee (I beat the hell out of that partially opened chute and luckily, it eventually opened, but almost gave a few heart attacks to those other jumpers watching on the ground).
One of several car wrecks I was in as a passenger in a delivery van, where I had on no seat belt (oh, I wear them now), with my feet on the dash with a huge window in front, watching as a Camaro out of control careened into us, head on, and I was basically watching a crash happen, down below and between my legs. Then there were plenty of "crash and burns" during the dating years (which, God, please, let those years be over!).
Actually, I don't "date" anymore. I prefer, just to get to know someone and go from there (OK, maybe the same thing, but seems like so much less pressure now than before, of course, my orientation and speed of relationship advancement was geared at a much higher pace in previous and mostly much younger, years). I've always had the nervous habit of laughing at danger. The more nervous or scared I get, the more I think its funny. That's gotten me in trouble more than once, mostly with teachers during my K-12 school years.
So, funny, is relative. That's why comedians have to adjust their humor to the crowd in front of them. And if its about something that has happened to you, and people can laugh at (with) you, then all the better. I learned that readily, in dealing with bullies while growing up. If you could make them laugh at you (or with you even better, but that wasn't always an option), then you were gold (and still alive). Sometimes, you had to find humor in laughing AT them, possibly later (much later) and possibly, from a (great) distance.
So in the end, I don't really know what funny actually is. I just know, that when it happens, its enjoyable, and typically it happens later, after whatever it is, has happened. Though, it is nice when it is happening right now and you have enough time to laugh it off; especially if someone is there to acknowledge your brave, cavalier attitude.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
On Having Class
I grew up liking the early James Bond movies. There was one thing I took away from them that remains with me to this day and that I've passed on to any students I've had in martial arts, and to my kids.
Be cool. And don't just act cool, but be cool. You either are or you aren't, but you can't fake it or force it. And, even if you can, don't.
Always be a gentle-man (person? I have a daughter you know). That is, have class. And at all times if possible. My son once asked: "What about if someone is trying to kill you?"
Well, do your best. But be cool, have class. And remember, dummy, movies, are just that, movies, fiction. Don't live your life by them in a way to be cool. Too often they don't show being cool. They show power, in violent actions, whether physical or emotional.
Although some of my attitude in fighting came from Aikido (Japanese), some of it comes from my younger days in Isshinryu Karate (Okinawan). Point in case, a street fight years ago. I threw the guy backward to the ground and he was going to hit his head on the concrete so I grabbed him to slow his fall which shocked and surprised the guy. He asked why I did that. I said, "you were going to the hospital if I didn't, if you were lucky." He said, "thanks", and that ended the fight. So, even if someone is trying to kill you, you can have class in seeking his demise (death). If you do save your life and end another's, you can always make them comfortable in their last moments, if at all possible.
This goes into capital punishment even. In killing a person, we are not and should not seek revenge on them, but simply end their life. Giving them compassion, perhaps in a way they never gave to their own victims, really means we are expressing our own compassion, not showing them compassion, that is merely a by product of our actions. We would have decided this person needs no longer live, as he won't stop the undesired behavior, and therefore we end the possibility of his (or her) ever repeating their destructive actions upon society again.
I don't see a real reason for giving life sentences, either.
So getting back to the point, having class, is typically showing compassion in some way. And, when you ever break from that, it can appear even more intense than not. This is like showing a happy scene just before a sad scene in a movie. Although you shouldn't LIVE your life by movies, you can gleam interesting concepts from them; screenwriters do frequently try to send out a message, hopefully a positive one, useful in life.
Class is positive. Lack of class isn't neutral, its negative. Positive attracts. Some people think its "cool" to attract by negativity. It is good there are places for people like that, so they can be with their own, but they frequently add to society's costs of maintenance and security, as these tend to be the people that are the criminals in a society, be it blue collar or white collar. The drug dealer, the gang member, the Enron exec, etc
Well, that's about it. a not well put together set of thoughts, but something to chew on. I figure, you'll either agree somewhat or you will be angry with me, in which case, you are one of the negative ones. So sorry. Hang in there, some life changing event may yet turn you around. :)
Be positive.
Be cool.
Have some class.
Be cool. And don't just act cool, but be cool. You either are or you aren't, but you can't fake it or force it. And, even if you can, don't.
Always be a gentle-man (person? I have a daughter you know). That is, have class. And at all times if possible. My son once asked: "What about if someone is trying to kill you?"
Well, do your best. But be cool, have class. And remember, dummy, movies, are just that, movies, fiction. Don't live your life by them in a way to be cool. Too often they don't show being cool. They show power, in violent actions, whether physical or emotional.
Although some of my attitude in fighting came from Aikido (Japanese), some of it comes from my younger days in Isshinryu Karate (Okinawan). Point in case, a street fight years ago. I threw the guy backward to the ground and he was going to hit his head on the concrete so I grabbed him to slow his fall which shocked and surprised the guy. He asked why I did that. I said, "you were going to the hospital if I didn't, if you were lucky." He said, "thanks", and that ended the fight. So, even if someone is trying to kill you, you can have class in seeking his demise (death). If you do save your life and end another's, you can always make them comfortable in their last moments, if at all possible.
This goes into capital punishment even. In killing a person, we are not and should not seek revenge on them, but simply end their life. Giving them compassion, perhaps in a way they never gave to their own victims, really means we are expressing our own compassion, not showing them compassion, that is merely a by product of our actions. We would have decided this person needs no longer live, as he won't stop the undesired behavior, and therefore we end the possibility of his (or her) ever repeating their destructive actions upon society again.
I don't see a real reason for giving life sentences, either.
So getting back to the point, having class, is typically showing compassion in some way. And, when you ever break from that, it can appear even more intense than not. This is like showing a happy scene just before a sad scene in a movie. Although you shouldn't LIVE your life by movies, you can gleam interesting concepts from them; screenwriters do frequently try to send out a message, hopefully a positive one, useful in life.
Class is positive. Lack of class isn't neutral, its negative. Positive attracts. Some people think its "cool" to attract by negativity. It is good there are places for people like that, so they can be with their own, but they frequently add to society's costs of maintenance and security, as these tend to be the people that are the criminals in a society, be it blue collar or white collar. The drug dealer, the gang member, the Enron exec, etc
Well, that's about it. a not well put together set of thoughts, but something to chew on. I figure, you'll either agree somewhat or you will be angry with me, in which case, you are one of the negative ones. So sorry. Hang in there, some life changing event may yet turn you around. :)
Be positive.
Be cool.
Have some class.
Announcing my Horror anthology
I'm not announcing it coming out, I'm just announcing its going soon to the publisher. I just thought I might use this chance to mention that I am working on finishing it up and sending it off to the publisher.
It is tentatively called, "Why, Fade?" and is possibly, the most epic Horror anthology book written.
This anthology of short horror stories, starts before the Earth is even created, continuing up to present times. Its all about misconceptions in life and how universal they are.
It will include stories about an official Witch Hunter during the Inquisition, a foolish Lord of the Middle Ages, a team of special forces in Afghanistan, a tale of an ex IRA terrorist hiding from his own self inflicted horrors, a horror comedy about a man waking up and finding that he looks exactly like a world class monster, and much more.
Stay tuned for more information on it as I will post here before things happen.
Cheers!
It is tentatively called, "Why, Fade?" and is possibly, the most epic Horror anthology book written.
This anthology of short horror stories, starts before the Earth is even created, continuing up to present times. Its all about misconceptions in life and how universal they are.
It will include stories about an official Witch Hunter during the Inquisition, a foolish Lord of the Middle Ages, a team of special forces in Afghanistan, a tale of an ex IRA terrorist hiding from his own self inflicted horrors, a horror comedy about a man waking up and finding that he looks exactly like a world class monster, and much more.
Stay tuned for more information on it as I will post here before things happen.
Cheers!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Labor Day Holiday
Today, is Labor Day in the US. But, what exactly IS Labor Day?
Well, Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September. From Wikipedia:
"The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City. It became a federal holiday in 1894, when, following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with the labor movement as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. The September date was chosen as Cleveland was concerned that aligning an American labor holiday with existing international May Day celebrations would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair. All 50 U.S. states have made Labor Day a state holiday."
Founder of Labor Day (from the US Department Of Labor web site)
More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.
Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."
But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.
Well, Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September. From Wikipedia:
"The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City. It became a federal holiday in 1894, when, following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with the labor movement as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. The September date was chosen as Cleveland was concerned that aligning an American labor holiday with existing international May Day celebrations would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair. All 50 U.S. states have made Labor Day a state holiday."
Founder of Labor Day (from the US Department Of Labor web site)
More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.
Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."
But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.
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