As noted in my top ten sci-fi books, David Brin's Startide rising was one of my pics. Now that I have finished The Uplift War (spoilers in link) I wonder why I didn't read this series earlier in my life.
The wonderful characters, both good/bad/indifferent, are written with a deep knowledge of the human condition that I wonder why other sci-fi authors I have read have missed this detail. The plot is grand yet does not miss the little journeys the multitude of characters go through. He also writes arcs where everyone does not get what they want but get what they deserve.
Highly recommended starting with Startide Rising first.
Travel, Food, History and Life around Victoria BC, Canada.
Friday, 27 February 2015
Wednesday, 25 February 2015
Postcard of the Interwebs - 25 February 2015
Sharpest Image of the Andromeda Galaxy: Looks awesome eh. Now move your mouse wheel and be amazed at the clarity.
The AI Revolution: Part one and part two. Very well worded articles on the rapid rate of computer intelligence and the potential hazards/benefits it may pose to life on Earth. Its equally optimistic and pessimistic.
Monsters of the Mind: A good way to portray debilitating mental illnesses.
How to Get Rid of Stress: A well worded video.
Professor's Way of Getting a Class Interested: Using video game or roleplaying analogies, this teacher has quite a way of invigorating students.
Seven different kinds of Immortality: Interesting synopsis of the ways humanity can achieve immortality.
ALT Codes: Lots of ALT codes to spice up your documents.
The AI Revolution: Part one and part two. Very well worded articles on the rapid rate of computer intelligence and the potential hazards/benefits it may pose to life on Earth. Its equally optimistic and pessimistic.
Monsters of the Mind: A good way to portray debilitating mental illnesses.
How to Get Rid of Stress: A well worded video.
Professor's Way of Getting a Class Interested: Using video game or roleplaying analogies, this teacher has quite a way of invigorating students.
Seven different kinds of Immortality: Interesting synopsis of the ways humanity can achieve immortality.
ALT Codes: Lots of ALT codes to spice up your documents.
Friday, 20 February 2015
Silverside Winery - Wild Blackberry Wine
Friday, 13 February 2015
Wisdom without Zealotry - Definitions
I have many viewpoints and philosophies about universal truths as well as the role zealotry does not have in seeking these truths. Occasionally I will be making a post about this topic. Feel free to chime in with constructive comments.
Zealot, in the Oxford dictionary (1951), is defined as: an uncompromising or extreme partisan, fanatic
Compromise, in the Oxford dictionary (1951), is defined as: settlement of dispute by mutual concession; adjustment of or between conflicting opinions, courses, etc, by modification of each. Therefore uncompromising would be: denoting action contrary to or annulling that to which is mentioned above.
Fanatic, in the Oxford dictionary (1951), is defined as: a person filled with excessive and mistaken enthusiasm, especially in religion.
Wisdom, also as defined in the same Oxford dictionary, is defined as:
1. Being wise, (possession of) experience and knowledge together with the power of applying them critically or practically.
2. Sagacity (exceptionally intelligent. seeming to reason or deliberate)
3. Prudence (sagacious, discreet, worldy-wise)
4. Common Sense.
Under these definitions, using broad terms, zealotry seems static and unyielding and wisdom seems to be fluid and continuously learning. I say seems because there are many whose belief in a thing is separate from what they reason. They believe in a thing because it feels good to believe it, which is separate from reasoning something because of the presence of observable and repeatable facts. Zealotry then has an emotional connection to the person. It is a feeling. A belief.
Belief, defined in the same Oxford dictionary, is:
1. Trust or confidence.
2. Acceptance of the Christian theology.
3. Acceptance as true or existing.
4. Thing believed.
5. Religion.
6. Opinion.
7. Intuition.
Belief, like zealotry, requires no critical analysis of facts. It is a certain way because it feels like it should be so. It is the easy path and never changes.
Wisdom, on the other hand, is harder. Not only does it require getting the facts to determine truth, but one has to reason the result. It also requires one to change the result based on new facts. One must be humble in order to be truly wise.
Am I saying that people who are zealous cannot be wise? No. What I'm saying is that if ones zealotry stops a person or group from applying critical thought, especially about topics ones own zealotry is dogmatic about, it keeps you from having true wisdom.
Zealot, in the Oxford dictionary (1951), is defined as: an uncompromising or extreme partisan, fanatic
Compromise, in the Oxford dictionary (1951), is defined as: settlement of dispute by mutual concession; adjustment of or between conflicting opinions, courses, etc, by modification of each. Therefore uncompromising would be: denoting action contrary to or annulling that to which is mentioned above.
Fanatic, in the Oxford dictionary (1951), is defined as: a person filled with excessive and mistaken enthusiasm, especially in religion.
Wisdom, also as defined in the same Oxford dictionary, is defined as:
1. Being wise, (possession of) experience and knowledge together with the power of applying them critically or practically.
2. Sagacity (exceptionally intelligent. seeming to reason or deliberate)
3. Prudence (sagacious, discreet, worldy-wise)
4. Common Sense.
Under these definitions, using broad terms, zealotry seems static and unyielding and wisdom seems to be fluid and continuously learning. I say seems because there are many whose belief in a thing is separate from what they reason. They believe in a thing because it feels good to believe it, which is separate from reasoning something because of the presence of observable and repeatable facts. Zealotry then has an emotional connection to the person. It is a feeling. A belief.
Belief, defined in the same Oxford dictionary, is:
1. Trust or confidence.
2. Acceptance of the Christian theology.
3. Acceptance as true or existing.
4. Thing believed.
5. Religion.
6. Opinion.
7. Intuition.
Belief, like zealotry, requires no critical analysis of facts. It is a certain way because it feels like it should be so. It is the easy path and never changes.
Wisdom, on the other hand, is harder. Not only does it require getting the facts to determine truth, but one has to reason the result. It also requires one to change the result based on new facts. One must be humble in order to be truly wise.
Am I saying that people who are zealous cannot be wise? No. What I'm saying is that if ones zealotry stops a person or group from applying critical thought, especially about topics ones own zealotry is dogmatic about, it keeps you from having true wisdom.
Wednesday, 11 February 2015
Postcard of the Interwebs - 11 February 2015
People Power
From Descartes to Kant: This short explanation summarizes the philosophic thoughts on existence from the time including and between these two people.
How to Draw Tutorials: Very good overview!
PLOS One: A site for people to post their thesis, for a fee, and have it read and peer reviewed by others without cost to the reader. I'll probably be heading here often for thoughtful reading on a multitude of subjects.
Saving his Wife's Sight with a 3D Printer: A great story of a man with no medical background but a love for 3D printers and his wife, is contributing to better analysis and treatment of conditions.
Pathos, Ethos and Logos: Great definitions and uses of these viewpoints in making arguments and conversation.
To Fall In Love With Anyone, Do This: A very interesting article on what is love and how we can get our brains in that state.
How to Draw Tutorials: Very good overview!
PLOS One: A site for people to post their thesis, for a fee, and have it read and peer reviewed by others without cost to the reader. I'll probably be heading here often for thoughtful reading on a multitude of subjects.
Saving his Wife's Sight with a 3D Printer: A great story of a man with no medical background but a love for 3D printers and his wife, is contributing to better analysis and treatment of conditions.
Pathos, Ethos and Logos: Great definitions and uses of these viewpoints in making arguments and conversation.
To Fall In Love With Anyone, Do This: A very interesting article on what is love and how we can get our brains in that state.
Friday, 6 February 2015
Kelp Stout - Tofino Brewing Company
The only type of beer that I like are stouts. Not just any stout but a low alcohol hearty stout, between 4 and 6% alcohol. Guinness has always been my go to stout but I recently saw this one in a local establishment. The Kelp Stout from the Tofino Brewing Company.
At 6% its on the high end of what I like but its very flavorful and smooth. Almost a refined taste. The side of the bottle has the following paragraph:
If there's one sentiment that's constantly repeated among craft beer drinkers it is "This beer is good but it needs more seaweed!" If we've heard it once, we've heard it a thousand times. Well folks, message received. Tofno Brewing Company presents to you the Kelp Stout. A dark, rich, "full-bodied ale brewed with locally harvested kelp, giving a unique umami-type quality to this complex beer.
I agree and would buy this again.
If there's one sentiment that's constantly repeated among craft beer drinkers it is "This beer is good but it needs more seaweed!" If we've heard it once, we've heard it a thousand times. Well folks, message received. Tofno Brewing Company presents to you the Kelp Stout. A dark, rich, "full-bodied ale brewed with locally harvested kelp, giving a unique umami-type quality to this complex beer.
I agree and would buy this again.
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