My fellow Americans.
As none of you may know, I have, in anticipation of a recall election, decided to run for the highest office in the land – I want to be your next mayor of San Gabriel. While Mr. Hwang reinforces existing negative stereotypes about Asians’ singleminded focus on money and dangerous driving, I promise to give you completely new reasons to regard us with scorn and horror.
Some voices in my head have asked, “Ryan, why would you want to run for mayor?” To answer this, let me tell you a story. A few years ago, I was a lowly graduate student in an obscure school, studying something involving very high things. A guest, Dr. Janna Levin, had a pizza lunch with me and my fellow peons. One particularly interesting question asked was, “If you could be anything except an astronomer, what would you be?” I recall that my answer was “local public official, because it combines the best combination of power and lack of accountability”.
It was then that I realized that in four years, after I grew tired of mooching off my parents, I would embark upon this glorious crusade to ensure an absolute lack of change in how things are done.
This election, we have heard candidates from the left and the right promise change, bemoan the status quo, and spend so much money on television advertisements that I’m actually starting to miss the stupid Geico crying pig commercials.
I am here to reassure you that, as mayor, I won’t change a damn thing. All these candidates who promise change never ask you, the voter, you, the ATM machine, whether you really want change. We (weeeeeeeeeeee!) do not ask ourselves that question enough – though my personal record is 834 times in a day.
If things changed for the better, what would we complain about? Who would be blame for our own failings? Most importantly, who would we feel smarter than? We need our current dysfunctional state of government because it salves our ego, absolves us of personal responsibility, and provides an economic stimulus to the nationally vital late night comedian industry.
And, of course, things could always change for the worse. We could have zombies roaming the streets, the result of an experiment involving so-called “health care”. We could have translucent golems prowling our neighborhoods, scaring our children, the result of so-called “recycling plastic bottles”. We could realize that we are bankrupt, thanks to so-called “transparency” and “standard accounting practices”, rather than live in the only mildly uncomfortable state of suspecting, but not knowing, that we’re all going to have to work until we’re dead.
Remember that it can always get worse. Remember that, and let it infect your dreams. Let it dominate your waking thoughts. For this is what these “change” people offer.
Friends, Bro-mans, and Country Chickeners, lend me your fears!
I promise to reinforce the status quo as vigorously as any 19th century Austrian diplomat. I promise that local government will continue to muck around, displaying no initiative or creativity. I definitely will guarantee no attempts to improve schools – after all, children are the cheap labor of the future, and you can’t have their heads filled with arithmetic, or questions, or, God forbid, ANSWERS. It’s how the Greatest Generation dealt with the Boomers, and it’s how we’ll maintain an 18th century standard of living.
In closing, let me just say that, as mayor, I will be exactly what you expect from local officials – corrupt, incompetent, and crazy. (Shut up.) Who’s talking during my speech? (You are, idiot.) No you’re an idiot.
Anyway, vote for me. Remember – a vote for me isn’t a vote against hope; it’s a vote for fear.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
The Last Dream
This is actually taken from a dream I had last night. Not "Kublai Khan", but it was vivid enough that I thought I'd try to recreate it.
“David.”
I wanted to tell him that, growing up together, he had always inspired me with his confidence, his athleticism, how effortlessly he had made friends and moved between disparate groups.
I wanted to tell him how much it hurt to see him playing the part of a broken man, and the terror I felt at the thought that it was not an act, an annoying personality quirk that sought recognition through pity, but that it was actually true – that he believed, truly, that he was a worthless has-been, powered only by bitterness and inertia.
So much that could’ve been said. Perhaps some magic combination of words would inspire him to fight, to rise, however slowly, from a tar pit of self-loathing, to save himself, and, because we who lived with him knew he was once the best of us, save all of us.
But all I could say was
“David. My father is dying.”
If he had transformed into a sympathetic, older brother figure of ancient days, I would’ve wept, fallen to my knees, and prayed to God.
If he had grown angry, violent even, and become the noble maelstrom that had dominated the football fields and filled us with such awe and fear with his ferocity, his grace, and his miraculous one-man plays, I would’ve welcomed the hail of abuse and rage, pleaded for mercy, and followed him without question into whatever war he would wage against the wretched world.
But he sat there, unchanged, somewhere between frustration, impotence, and death.
I left him there in his metal folding chair. If I needed him, I knew he would still be on his throne of mediocrity.
I picked up a wind-beaten stick. I breathed the desert air, acrid and heavy. I moved the stick above my head, around, an ancient, unknown ritual, forgotten a hundred generations ago, but invoked now to summon the last of the power of ancient gods to return our champion to us.
In the distance, a muezzin called, singing in a high, plaintive voice. It sounded as if he was telling us that the day had expired, and the sun would never again return.
“David.”
I wanted to tell him that, growing up together, he had always inspired me with his confidence, his athleticism, how effortlessly he had made friends and moved between disparate groups.
I wanted to tell him how much it hurt to see him playing the part of a broken man, and the terror I felt at the thought that it was not an act, an annoying personality quirk that sought recognition through pity, but that it was actually true – that he believed, truly, that he was a worthless has-been, powered only by bitterness and inertia.
So much that could’ve been said. Perhaps some magic combination of words would inspire him to fight, to rise, however slowly, from a tar pit of self-loathing, to save himself, and, because we who lived with him knew he was once the best of us, save all of us.
But all I could say was
“David. My father is dying.”
If he had transformed into a sympathetic, older brother figure of ancient days, I would’ve wept, fallen to my knees, and prayed to God.
If he had grown angry, violent even, and become the noble maelstrom that had dominated the football fields and filled us with such awe and fear with his ferocity, his grace, and his miraculous one-man plays, I would’ve welcomed the hail of abuse and rage, pleaded for mercy, and followed him without question into whatever war he would wage against the wretched world.
But he sat there, unchanged, somewhere between frustration, impotence, and death.
I left him there in his metal folding chair. If I needed him, I knew he would still be on his throne of mediocrity.
I picked up a wind-beaten stick. I breathed the desert air, acrid and heavy. I moved the stick above my head, around, an ancient, unknown ritual, forgotten a hundred generations ago, but invoked now to summon the last of the power of ancient gods to return our champion to us.
In the distance, a muezzin called, singing in a high, plaintive voice. It sounded as if he was telling us that the day had expired, and the sun would never again return.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Sample question from a student, and my reply
Looking for feedback on whether I'm providing good help to my students via email. A sample (in fact, to this point, the only) email exchange for precalc.
How are you today? I am a student in your pre-calculus class.I have some questions on my homework.Could you please give me some help?
1.How to find out real zeros from all possible rational zeros of a function?(I have read the samples in the texrbook ,but I can't understand.Please give me a specific sample like page 160 :11)I know how to find all possible rational zeros ,but real zeros ,I can't.
2.Page 160:In exrcise 25-28 ,I have no idea to sketch the graph of f so that some of the possible zeros in part (a) can be disregarded)
Thank you for your help!Have a nice weekend.
My reply:
Hope you're enjoying your weekend so far!
1.How to find out real zeros from all possible rational zeros of a function?(I have read the samples in the texrbook ,but I can't understand.Please give me a specific sample like page 160 :11)I know how to find all possible rational zeros ,but real zeros ,I can't.
So the first thing to do is to use the rational zero test.
Remember that the rational zero test can be used on functions of the form
f(x) = an*x^n + a(n-1)*x^(n-1)+... + a1*x + a0.
where an is the coefficient of the term of order n (x^n).
We find the rational zeroes by taking the factors of the a0 term (the constant, which is -6) divided by the coefficient on the highest order term. In this case, the function is of order 3. The coefficient for x^3, a3, is 1.
If a0 is -6, the factors of a0 are {-6, -3, -2, -1, +1, +2, +3, +6}.
and the factors of a3 are {-1, 1}.
So, dividing the factors of a0 by the factors of a3 give us the possible rational zeroes:
a0/a3 = {-6, -3, -2, -1, 1, 2, 3, 6}.
I picked one root to try, +1. I substitute x = 1 into the function.
f(1) = (1)^3 - 6(1)^2 + 11(1) -6
= 0.
I got lucky! So I know that x = 1 is a rational root of f(x).
Now, there are two things I can do at this point.
1. Keep trying the other rational roots.
If you do this, you try the other possible rational roots (factors of a0 / factors of a3) and see if any of them are a zero.
2. Divide by x-1 to get a quadratic equation, which I will solve either by guessing or by using the quadratic formula.
Remember that if x = 1 is a root of f(x), (x - 1) is a factor of f(x), and we can divide f(x) by the factor to find the other roots.
This is the approach I used, because I didn't want to waste time in case there are no other rational roots. If x = 1 is the only rational root, then the quadratic formula will give us the real (or complex) roots, guranteed!
So, using long division,
(x^3 - 6x^2 + 11x - 6)/(x-1) = x^2 - 5x + 6
Now, I can guess the factors - it looks like x = 2 and x = 3 will work. Sure enough,
x^2 - 5x + 6 = (x - 2)*(x - 3)
which means the real roots of f(x) are x = {1, 2, 3}.
But it's a good idea to solve it using the quadratic formula, in case we can't factor it easily.
The quadratic formula can be used for any equation of the form
ax^2 + bx + c = 0
where a, b, and c are real numbers.
The solutions are found using this formula
roots = (- b +/- sqrt(b^2 - 4ac)/(2a)
where sqrt("something") equals the square root of "something".
For
x^2 - 5x + 6
a = 1, b = -5, and c = 6.
Using the formula,
roots = (- (-5) +/- sqrt((-5)^2 - 4*1*6))/(2*1)
= (5 +/- sqrt(25-24))/2
= (5 +/- 1)/2
= {2, 3}.
So we see that the solutions are x = 2 and x = 3.
In summary, for a polynomial function, you do the following steps:
1. Use the rational root test to find possible roots.
2. Try the roots and see if any of them work.
3. For every root that works, divide the function by its factor. For example, if the rational root is x = 4, you divide the function by the factor (x - 4).
4. After dividing, see if the function is of order 2 (looks like ax^2 + bx +c). If so, you can use the quadratic formula. This is how you get real roots that are irrational, and also complex roots.
2.Page 160:In exrcise 25-28 ,I have no idea to sketch the graph of f so that some of the possible zeros in part (a) can be disregarded)
The easiest way to graph it is to use your calculator. But if you don't have that, then the easiest way to graph is to find out what f(x) equals for a number of x values.
For example, on problem 25, f(x) = x^3 + x^2 - 4x - 4
Using the rational zero test, the possible rational roots are
x = {-4, -2, -1, 1, 2, 4}.
So I need to graph it at least over the domain of x:[-4, 4] (everywhere from x = -4 to x = 4).
I would write two columns like this
x f(x)
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
And calculate what f(x) is for each x.
x f(x)
-4 -36
-3 -10
-2 0
-1 0
0 -4
1 -6
2 0
3 20
4 60
If you draw the points and connect them, they look something like the picture I've attached in this email.
Note that from this picture, it's easy to eliminate -4, 1, and 4 as possible roots, but -2, 1, and 2 look like rational roots of f(x).
This is an easy example, but sometimes you'll get a function that is more complicated. That's why it's a good idea to graph it, especially in cases where you have a lot of possible rational roots to test.
Good luck! And thanks for asking good questions!
How are you today? I am a student in your pre-calculus class.I have some questions on my homework.Could you please give me some help?
1.How to find out real zeros from all possible rational zeros of a function?(I have read the samples in the texrbook ,but I can't understand.Please give me a specific sample like page 160 :11)I know how to find all possible rational zeros ,but real zeros ,I can't.
2.Page 160:In exrcise 25-28 ,I have no idea to sketch the graph of f so that some of the possible zeros in part (a) can be disregarded)
Thank you for your help!Have a nice weekend.
My reply:
Hope you're enjoying your weekend so far!
1.How to find out real zeros from all possible rational zeros of a function?(I have read the samples in the texrbook ,but I can't understand.Please give me a specific sample like page 160 :11)I know how to find all possible rational zeros ,but real zeros ,I can't.
So the first thing to do is to use the rational zero test.
Remember that the rational zero test can be used on functions of the form
f(x) = an*x^n + a(n-1)*x^(n-1)+... + a1*x + a0.
where an is the coefficient of the term of order n (x^n).
We find the rational zeroes by taking the factors of the a0 term (the constant, which is -6) divided by the coefficient on the highest order term. In this case, the function is of order 3. The coefficient for x^3, a3, is 1.
If a0 is -6, the factors of a0 are {-6, -3, -2, -1, +1, +2, +3, +6}.
and the factors of a3 are {-1, 1}.
So, dividing the factors of a0 by the factors of a3 give us the possible rational zeroes:
a0/a3 = {-6, -3, -2, -1, 1, 2, 3, 6}.
I picked one root to try, +1. I substitute x = 1 into the function.
f(1) = (1)^3 - 6(1)^2 + 11(1) -6
= 0.
I got lucky! So I know that x = 1 is a rational root of f(x).
Now, there are two things I can do at this point.
1. Keep trying the other rational roots.
If you do this, you try the other possible rational roots (factors of a0 / factors of a3) and see if any of them are a zero.
2. Divide by x-1 to get a quadratic equation, which I will solve either by guessing or by using the quadratic formula.
Remember that if x = 1 is a root of f(x), (x - 1) is a factor of f(x), and we can divide f(x) by the factor to find the other roots.
This is the approach I used, because I didn't want to waste time in case there are no other rational roots. If x = 1 is the only rational root, then the quadratic formula will give us the real (or complex) roots, guranteed!
So, using long division,
(x^3 - 6x^2 + 11x - 6)/(x-1) = x^2 - 5x + 6
Now, I can guess the factors - it looks like x = 2 and x = 3 will work. Sure enough,
x^2 - 5x + 6 = (x - 2)*(x - 3)
which means the real roots of f(x) are x = {1, 2, 3}.
But it's a good idea to solve it using the quadratic formula, in case we can't factor it easily.
The quadratic formula can be used for any equation of the form
ax^2 + bx + c = 0
where a, b, and c are real numbers.
The solutions are found using this formula
roots = (- b +/- sqrt(b^2 - 4ac)/(2a)
where sqrt("something") equals the square root of "something".
For
x^2 - 5x + 6
a = 1, b = -5, and c = 6.
Using the formula,
roots = (- (-5) +/- sqrt((-5)^2 - 4*1*6))/(2*1)
= (5 +/- sqrt(25-24))/2
= (5 +/- 1)/2
= {2, 3}.
So we see that the solutions are x = 2 and x = 3.
In summary, for a polynomial function, you do the following steps:
1. Use the rational root test to find possible roots.
2. Try the roots and see if any of them work.
3. For every root that works, divide the function by its factor. For example, if the rational root is x = 4, you divide the function by the factor (x - 4).
4. After dividing, see if the function is of order 2 (looks like ax^2 + bx +c). If so, you can use the quadratic formula. This is how you get real roots that are irrational, and also complex roots.
2.Page 160:In exrcise 25-28 ,I have no idea to sketch the graph of f so that some of the possible zeros in part (a) can be disregarded)
The easiest way to graph it is to use your calculator. But if you don't have that, then the easiest way to graph is to find out what f(x) equals for a number of x values.
For example, on problem 25, f(x) = x^3 + x^2 - 4x - 4
Using the rational zero test, the possible rational roots are
x = {-4, -2, -1, 1, 2, 4}.
So I need to graph it at least over the domain of x:[-4, 4] (everywhere from x = -4 to x = 4).
I would write two columns like this
x f(x)
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
And calculate what f(x) is for each x.
x f(x)
-4 -36
-3 -10
-2 0
-1 0
0 -4
1 -6
2 0
3 20
4 60
If you draw the points and connect them, they look something like the picture I've attached in this email.
Note that from this picture, it's easy to eliminate -4, 1, and 4 as possible roots, but -2, 1, and 2 look like rational roots of f(x).
This is an easy example, but sometimes you'll get a function that is more complicated. That's why it's a good idea to graph it, especially in cases where you have a lot of possible rational roots to test.
Good luck! And thanks for asking good questions!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
I got a job
I’ve just been hired by Excelsior school, a private boarding school in Pasadena, CA that serves about 60-70 predominately international students from East Asia and Russia. I will be teaching six subjects: pre-calculus, calculus, physics, chemistry, Algebra 2, and SAT math. I will be teaching five days a week, about six hours a day. Pay is $24/hr. Health benefits typically aren’t offered until one has worked there for a year, though I’ve got a verbal promise that I will be given them after one semester.
I don’t have a teaching credential. But, as the interviewer mentioned, he tends to view those credentials as secondary to skills involving classroom management, subject area knowledge, and organizational skills. He said, three times, over the job offer call that he has great confidence that I’ll be able to do the job. It might be something that is said to every new hire, but it made me feel better.
I expect this will be a pretty grueling job. I’m expected to take over from the current teacher within the course of about three days. At least they have textbooks and, I’ve been promised, clear guidelines from the principal about what are the objectives for each class over the course of a year.
I’m not completely sure what I’ve gotten myself into. But at least I’ll have a reason to be in Pasadena after school hours, and will tutor AP courses at another nearby location.
I’ll save celebration for when I’ve survived a few weeks. In the meantime, I will be soliciting everyone I know who is/was a physics/math/chem teacher for advice, materials, websites, and general psychological preparation. (Help me get the “Charge of the Light Brigade” out of my head whenever I think about this job.)
I don’t have a teaching credential. But, as the interviewer mentioned, he tends to view those credentials as secondary to skills involving classroom management, subject area knowledge, and organizational skills. He said, three times, over the job offer call that he has great confidence that I’ll be able to do the job. It might be something that is said to every new hire, but it made me feel better.
I expect this will be a pretty grueling job. I’m expected to take over from the current teacher within the course of about three days. At least they have textbooks and, I’ve been promised, clear guidelines from the principal about what are the objectives for each class over the course of a year.
I’m not completely sure what I’ve gotten myself into. But at least I’ll have a reason to be in Pasadena after school hours, and will tutor AP courses at another nearby location.
I’ll save celebration for when I’ve survived a few weeks. In the meantime, I will be soliciting everyone I know who is/was a physics/math/chem teacher for advice, materials, websites, and general psychological preparation. (Help me get the “Charge of the Light Brigade” out of my head whenever I think about this job.)
Learning some humility from a technical interview
I had a brutal interview today for a tutoring job. Writing it up as a lesson to myself and others about under-preparation and overconfidence going into an interview with a test component.
It started nicely enough –resume questions from the president, who is an econ major, and some jovial joking with a Caltech engineering major who had worked at JPL. I bedazzled with my complicated one-sentence statement of my previous research and my more understandable explanation of what “non-redundant aperture masking with adaptive optics” really meant. I displayed a comfort level with the subjects I’d be expected to tutor (biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, pre-calculus) and even tied in my behavioral econ knowledge to indicate how I can relate to individuals from different disciplines and career aspirations.
I was anticipating a diagnostic test, which I had prepared for by taking a sample Physics B AP test. I did reasonably well, missing a couple questions concerning induction and the lensmaker equation (apparently I forgot the sign convention for the focal length, where it is positive if the lens is convex and negative if it is concave).
Just as I’m about to be asked some qualitative physics questions from a high school physics textbook, another tutor arrives. He is apparently a Caltech senior physics major, currently applying to grad schools. His engineering colleague, seeing the physicist arrive, decides to have him ask me some questions.
It started nicely enough –resume questions from the president, who is an econ major, and some jovial joking with a Caltech engineering major who had worked at JPL. I bedazzled with my complicated one-sentence statement of my previous research and my more understandable explanation of what “non-redundant aperture masking with adaptive optics” really meant. I displayed a comfort level with the subjects I’d be expected to tutor (biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, pre-calculus) and even tied in my behavioral econ knowledge to indicate how I can relate to individuals from different disciplines and career aspirations.
I was anticipating a diagnostic test, which I had prepared for by taking a sample Physics B AP test. I did reasonably well, missing a couple questions concerning induction and the lensmaker equation (apparently I forgot the sign convention for the focal length, where it is positive if the lens is convex and negative if it is concave).
Just as I’m about to be asked some qualitative physics questions from a high school physics textbook, another tutor arrives. He is apparently a Caltech senior physics major, currently applying to grad schools. His engineering colleague, seeing the physicist arrive, decides to have him ask me some questions.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Hale's invitation
If you find yourself wandering and lost,
stop by
my corningware oubliette.
Bring me a touch
and I will share with you the loveliness,
the loneliness
of eternal sky
stop by
my corningware oubliette.
Bring me a touch
and I will share with you the loveliness,
the loneliness
of eternal sky
My favorite astropolitik story
Louis XI (1423-1483), the great Spider King of France, had a weakness for astrology. He kept a court astrologer whom he admired, until one day the man predicted that a lady of the court would die within eight days. When the prophecy came true, Louis was terrified, thinking that either the man had murdered the woman to prove his accuracy or that he was so versed in his science that his powers threatened Louis himself. In either case he had to be killed.
One evening Louis summoned the astrologer to his room, high in the castle. Before the man had arrived, the king told his servants that when he gave the signal they were to pick the astrologer up, carry him to the window, and hurl him to the ground, hundreds of feet below.
The astrologer soon arrived, but before giving the signal, Louis decided to ask him one last question: “You claim to understand astrology and to know the fate of others, so tell me what your fate will be and how long you have to live.”
“I shall die just three days before Your Majesty,” the astrologer replied. The king’s signal was never given. The man’s life was spared. The Spider King not only protected his astrologer for as long as he was alive, he lavished him with gifts and had him tended by the finest court doctors.
The astrologer survived Louis by several years, disproving his power of prophecy but proving his mastery of power.
-Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
One evening Louis summoned the astrologer to his room, high in the castle. Before the man had arrived, the king told his servants that when he gave the signal they were to pick the astrologer up, carry him to the window, and hurl him to the ground, hundreds of feet below.
The astrologer soon arrived, but before giving the signal, Louis decided to ask him one last question: “You claim to understand astrology and to know the fate of others, so tell me what your fate will be and how long you have to live.”
“I shall die just three days before Your Majesty,” the astrologer replied. The king’s signal was never given. The man’s life was spared. The Spider King not only protected his astrologer for as long as he was alive, he lavished him with gifts and had him tended by the finest court doctors.
The astrologer survived Louis by several years, disproving his power of prophecy but proving his mastery of power.
-Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
United Methodist Sermon on gay rights
(This is a sermon I have not yet given before a congregation. But I present it here, with the hope it may be of value to the congregation of friends, religious or not, I am privileged to know. -R)
The Lord be with you. (And also with you.)
Today’s story comes from the headline news. On Monday night, Anderson Cooper interviewed Andrew Shirvell, who is an assistant attorney general for the state of Michigan. Mr. Shirvell has created a blog, in which he singles out and attacks the student body president of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, a 21-year old openly gay man named Chris Armstrong. On his blog, titled “Chris Armstrong Watch”, Shirvell has called him a “radical homosexual activist”, a “racist, elitist, and liar”, and “Nazi-like”. Shirvell has also called him “Satan’s representative on the Student Assembly”, and depicted him with a multicolored peace flag on which appears a Nazi swastika. He attacked the reputation of Armstrong’s friends and family, and protested outside of his residence.
The Lord be with you. (And also with you.)
Today’s story comes from the headline news. On Monday night, Anderson Cooper interviewed Andrew Shirvell, who is an assistant attorney general for the state of Michigan. Mr. Shirvell has created a blog, in which he singles out and attacks the student body president of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, a 21-year old openly gay man named Chris Armstrong. On his blog, titled “Chris Armstrong Watch”, Shirvell has called him a “radical homosexual activist”, a “racist, elitist, and liar”, and “Nazi-like”. Shirvell has also called him “Satan’s representative on the Student Assembly”, and depicted him with a multicolored peace flag on which appears a Nazi swastika. He attacked the reputation of Armstrong’s friends and family, and protested outside of his residence.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Kitchen table discussion on the drug cartels in Mexico
Today I had a kitchen table discussion with Mom and Roy about immigration. Lately, I’ve been trying to avoid these, mostly because I feel like there’s not much actual exchange of information and insight, but tons of entrenched positions. This discussion, however, was reasonably good and provided some interesting thoughts.
Some highlights:
I think one of the reasons why immigration has gotten A LOT harder to talk about is because it has been conflated with national security. Specifically, Americans are scared of the drug violence in Mexico. So I think that needs ot be tackled before immigration policy becomes politically tractable.
Some highlights:
I think one of the reasons why immigration has gotten A LOT harder to talk about is because it has been conflated with national security. Specifically, Americans are scared of the drug violence in Mexico. So I think that needs ot be tackled before immigration policy becomes politically tractable.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Why I wouldn't exist without anti-immigration laws
So I haven’t written about SB 1070 or really any other immigration policy. But I would like to highlight one case where anti-immigration laws were helpful, if you believe, as I do, that my existence is a Good Thing.
My grandfather, Masao, initially wanted to be a literature professor at the University of Tokyo. Throughout his life, he became a fairly accomplished haiku poet of some regard, and was a favored student of Kyoshi Takahama. A picture of him and Takahama appears in this post.
But his father, who was apparently aware of the prevailing sentiment in California politics, encouraged Masao to join him in the US while it was still permitted. So grandpa took a slow boat to California and became a farm laborer. My grandfather, Masao, was living in Pasadena, CA and, like many lonely bachelors, sought female companionship. So, he had his family in Japan find him a picture bride.
My grandfather, Masao, initially wanted to be a literature professor at the University of Tokyo. Throughout his life, he became a fairly accomplished haiku poet of some regard, and was a favored student of Kyoshi Takahama. A picture of him and Takahama appears in this post.
But his father, who was apparently aware of the prevailing sentiment in California politics, encouraged Masao to join him in the US while it was still permitted. So grandpa took a slow boat to California and became a farm laborer. My grandfather, Masao, was living in Pasadena, CA and, like many lonely bachelors, sought female companionship. So, he had his family in Japan find him a picture bride.
Monday, August 30, 2010
An email from myself, four years ago
I received an unusual email today. It was from me, four years ago. I’d completely forgotten I signed up for, or used, Futureme.org. I had apparently written it on August 29, 2006, just at the end of my first year of graduate school.
Dear FutureMe,
Hi, this is me in grad school. Remember grad school? Yeah
Remember to laugh and love.
Remember how awesome Ann and Ryan and Dave and Suniti are.
Remember to be true to yourself, and to never give up.
You've been given a lot, so make the best of it!
-Ryan
Dear FutureMe,
Hi, this is me in grad school. Remember grad school? Yeah
Remember to laugh and love.
Remember how awesome Ann and Ryan and Dave and Suniti are.
Remember to be true to yourself, and to never give up.
You've been given a lot, so make the best of it!
-Ryan
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Nerds: Who They Are and Why We Need More of Them - Introduction
David Anderegg is a psychologist affiliated with Bennington University in Vermont. In addition, he runs a private practice specializing in psychotherapy for children. He has written a fascinating book about nerds. Yes, nerds. In case it’s not obvious, I do have a bit of interest in this topic, if for no other reason than an obsession with fruitless self-examination.
I came across Nerds: Who They Are and Why We Need More of Them by accident. I was looking for Bowling Alone at Borders. But the tantalizing title drew me in. I also take it as a sign from God that the shelf had “fuck vegitarians” [sic] on it, underscoring the decline of spelling skills among America’s young vandal community.
He had sold me at “Why Ashton Kutcher is your kids’ worst nightmare” (part of the title of the introductory chapter).
I came across Nerds: Who They Are and Why We Need More of Them by accident. I was looking for Bowling Alone at Borders. But the tantalizing title drew me in. I also take it as a sign from God that the shelf had “fuck vegitarians” [sic] on it, underscoring the decline of spelling skills among America’s young vandal community.
He had sold me at “Why Ashton Kutcher is your kids’ worst nightmare” (part of the title of the introductory chapter).
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Help for a friend seeking entrance into USMC Officer Candidate Program
Today I am appealing to you to help me find a way for a friend to successfully join the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate Program.
I knew James in elementary school. He’d always been athletic, and a leader. From what I’ve learned about his cross-fit training, he’s continued that today. He’s come a long way from the guy who busted my chops because of lackluster performance on the flag football field. :) He’s lost a lot of weight, gotten fit, and helped inspire and train a lot of his friends. I believe he enjoys the respect and admiration of his colleagues and clients, and that both are well deserved.
I knew James in elementary school. He’d always been athletic, and a leader. From what I’ve learned about his cross-fit training, he’s continued that today. He’s come a long way from the guy who busted my chops because of lackluster performance on the flag football field. :) He’s lost a lot of weight, gotten fit, and helped inspire and train a lot of his friends. I believe he enjoys the respect and admiration of his colleagues and clients, and that both are well deserved.
Friday, August 20, 2010
What Cordoba really means to me
Olbermann's comments about Park 51:"There is no 'Ground Zero Mosque'"
Until now, I never really read much Olbermann or had reason to quote him. But he's right about this.
I can confirm, from my memories of Medieval History class, that the characterization of "Cordoba" by Newt Gingrich misses the point.
"Cordoba" is, in part, a microcosm of the history of Islam - it's bloody civil wars, its rise under relative prosperity, the stagnation that accompanies a large and diverse empire, and the collapse when the previous regime is seen as decadent, to be replaced by progressively more extreme and reactionary forms of governance. It’s a fascinating history – if nothing else, the journey of Abd ar-Rahman I, the last surviving member of the Umayyad dynasty fleeing Damascus in the face of revolt and murder and flight to Al-Andalus, as the region was known under Muslim rule, is worth reading just for its drama.
Until now, I never really read much Olbermann or had reason to quote him. But he's right about this.
I can confirm, from my memories of Medieval History class, that the characterization of "Cordoba" by Newt Gingrich misses the point.
"Cordoba" is, in part, a microcosm of the history of Islam - it's bloody civil wars, its rise under relative prosperity, the stagnation that accompanies a large and diverse empire, and the collapse when the previous regime is seen as decadent, to be replaced by progressively more extreme and reactionary forms of governance. It’s a fascinating history – if nothing else, the journey of Abd ar-Rahman I, the last surviving member of the Umayyad dynasty fleeing Damascus in the face of revolt and murder and flight to Al-Andalus, as the region was known under Muslim rule, is worth reading just for its drama.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Thoughts while listening to Philip Glass
From half-remembered moments,
from half a lifetime ago
dendrites strain like monstrous hands
To strangle and elevate a connection.
To leave conviction stranded in the realm of truth.
The terror, the absolute terror of losing all,
waking one distant day to un-discover
a lifetime spent in a fugue state.
from half a lifetime ago
dendrites strain like monstrous hands
To strangle and elevate a connection.
To leave conviction stranded in the realm of truth.
The terror, the absolute terror of losing all,
waking one distant day to un-discover
a lifetime spent in a fugue state.
Proof that there is such a thing as a "bad poem"
I see a little kitty
Now isn't she pretty
A little kitty cat
Now how about that.
- an actual poem I wrote in 8th grade to try to fill space in an end-of-year project
Now isn't she pretty
A little kitty cat
Now how about that.
- an actual poem I wrote in 8th grade to try to fill space in an end-of-year project
Sharing a secret - hopefully funny, likely creepy, and definitely weird
Breaking News: I’m an odd guy.
I’m about to share a secret I’ve never told a soul. But it illustrates a quirk that, I suspect, is either quite common, or will certify me as completely insane.
Once upon a time, I was part of a performing church dance group called Inochi. I participated for much of my childhood until about fifth grade. It was filled with tons of wonderful, intelligent, and attractive teenagers and twentysomethings that I admired.
For a completely unknown reason, whenever I saw one young woman in her early 20s, I always thought the following phrase: "fucking (her last name)".
To clarify, “fucking” in this case was used as an adjective and an insult, not a verb with possibly somewhat flattering connotations.
I’m about to share a secret I’ve never told a soul. But it illustrates a quirk that, I suspect, is either quite common, or will certify me as completely insane.
Once upon a time, I was part of a performing church dance group called Inochi. I participated for much of my childhood until about fifth grade. It was filled with tons of wonderful, intelligent, and attractive teenagers and twentysomethings that I admired.
For a completely unknown reason, whenever I saw one young woman in her early 20s, I always thought the following phrase: "fucking (her last name)".
To clarify, “fucking” in this case was used as an adjective and an insult, not a verb with possibly somewhat flattering connotations.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
How to calculate your 10,000th day on Earth
As usual, whenever I try to take a nap I think of something to keep me awake. This time, it was my 10,000th day of life.
It’s pretty straightforward to calculate, though one needs to exercise some caution when converting it into a memorable format (for example, October 15, 2010).
To convert into years, multiply the following factors
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(Note: Throughout this post, I multiply conversion factors instead of simply dividing 10000 by 365 because experience has taught me that division without understanding units can be very, very confusing in the end.)
Whoopty doo. I'm sure you'll be able to impress girls at a bar with this knowledge.
However, it’s more fun to know the specific date of your 10,000th day of life on Earth. This will require us to calculate more carefully. I’ve deliberately used a lengthy approach to highlight the steps, and make sure it’s understood why each correction factor is applied.
It’s pretty straightforward to calculate, though one needs to exercise some caution when converting it into a memorable format (for example, October 15, 2010).
To convert into years, multiply the following factors
.gif)
(Note: Throughout this post, I multiply conversion factors instead of simply dividing 10000 by 365 because experience has taught me that division without understanding units can be very, very confusing in the end.)
Whoopty doo. I'm sure you'll be able to impress girls at a bar with this knowledge.
However, it’s more fun to know the specific date of your 10,000th day of life on Earth. This will require us to calculate more carefully. I’ve deliberately used a lengthy approach to highlight the steps, and make sure it’s understood why each correction factor is applied.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
On growing up "nerdy" and nerdiness at Harvey Mudd College
I started thinking about the extent of my self-identification as a “nerd” after reading David Anderegg’s book, Nerds: Who They Are and Why We Need More of Them. A later post (or posts) will include a summary and analysis of his arguments. For now, as a starting point, I’ll stick with a brief, rough definition he offers. To paraphrase:
Nerds are characterized vaguely by a combination of school success, interest in precision, unself-consciousness, closeness to adults, and interest in fantasy. They are often pejoratively associated with asexuality, poor personal hygiene, sycophantic obedience to authority, ugliness, social awkwardness, and lack of athletic ability.
Growing up, I think I never really thought of myself as a nerd. Yes, I would “geek” out by focusing on areas of interest – one year it was presidential history, another year for mountains and volcanoes of the world, another for US states. I read a great deal, and spent a lot of time playing video games. But these were as much the product of being an only child of a single working parent as anything else. I was small for my age, and remained so for my entire academic life. (I’m born in May, which probably has something to do with it.)
Nerds are characterized vaguely by a combination of school success, interest in precision, unself-consciousness, closeness to adults, and interest in fantasy. They are often pejoratively associated with asexuality, poor personal hygiene, sycophantic obedience to authority, ugliness, social awkwardness, and lack of athletic ability.
Growing up, I think I never really thought of myself as a nerd. Yes, I would “geek” out by focusing on areas of interest – one year it was presidential history, another year for mountains and volcanoes of the world, another for US states. I read a great deal, and spent a lot of time playing video games. But these were as much the product of being an only child of a single working parent as anything else. I was small for my age, and remained so for my entire academic life. (I’m born in May, which probably has something to do with it.)
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
From "Ulysses" by Tennyson
Though much is taken, much abides; and though We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Moving White House AIM conversations to a new blog
Hi all,
Given the whimsical nature of the AIMconversations, and given its stark contrast to the moody and often downright depressing content of the typical post here, I've decided to move the AIM conversations to a new blog, White House AIM Conversations. I've also created a Twitter account for the AIM conversations (@WhiteHouseAim). Hopefully, this will prevent emotional whiplash, and preserve somewhat the semi-privacy that should exist between my personal life drama and political humor.
- Ryan
Given the whimsical nature of the AIMconversations, and given its stark contrast to the moody and often downright depressing content of the typical post here, I've decided to move the AIM conversations to a new blog, White House AIM Conversations. I've also created a Twitter account for the AIM conversations (@WhiteHouseAim). Hopefully, this will prevent emotional whiplash, and preserve somewhat the semi-privacy that should exist between my personal life drama and political humor.
- Ryan
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Repeat after me
I will not allow isolated communications from members of my family to sabotage my self-confidence.
I will not allow others' attempts to guilt me into behavior be a prime motivator for changing behavior.
I will rise above and beyond the expectations and norms set for me by those lacking imagination and courage.
I will define my relationship with my father, and not allow, through inaction or confusion, it to be the other way around.
I will be myself, by myself if need be, but ultimately with other individuals I respect, admire, and love.
I will affirm my right to be happy until it becomes axiomatic.
I will not be permitted to be consumed by the chaos and grasping of individuals who preach but do not practice emotional maturity.
Finally, I will affirm that I am the best son that I can possibly be, and work conscientiously and consistently to make that affirmation as close to truth as possible.
(repeat in the morning, in the evening, and as often as you face difficult interactions with family)
I will not allow others' attempts to guilt me into behavior be a prime motivator for changing behavior.
I will rise above and beyond the expectations and norms set for me by those lacking imagination and courage.
I will define my relationship with my father, and not allow, through inaction or confusion, it to be the other way around.
I will be myself, by myself if need be, but ultimately with other individuals I respect, admire, and love.
I will affirm my right to be happy until it becomes axiomatic.
I will not be permitted to be consumed by the chaos and grasping of individuals who preach but do not practice emotional maturity.
Finally, I will affirm that I am the best son that I can possibly be, and work conscientiously and consistently to make that affirmation as close to truth as possible.
(repeat in the morning, in the evening, and as often as you face difficult interactions with family)
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
CA-29 election flyer targets Asian-Americans
Updated 14:22 PDT: I uploaded low-resolution copies of the entire flyer. Some of the text is illegible. But given that there's nothing especially controversial in the flyer, I think the low-res images still convey the interesting approach taken in these political direct mailings. Let me know if you want high-resolution copies.
Interesting - Adam Schiff (D-CA 29th) just sent an update that contained Chinese characters and stated that he was "proud to represent such a large and vibrant Asian community". It also shows Schiff standing with an Asian-American winner of an art competition.
I wonder if the 34% of Whites and 26% of Hispanics (both larger fractions of the population, according to 2000 Census/Wikipedia) received the same flier.
Interesting - Adam Schiff (D-CA 29th) just sent an update that contained Chinese characters and stated that he was "proud to represent such a large and vibrant Asian community". It also shows Schiff standing with an Asian-American winner of an art competition.
I wonder if the 34% of Whites and 26% of Hispanics (both larger fractions of the population, according to 2000 Census/Wikipedia) received the same flier.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
3000
Yet another threshold – I have had 3,000 visitors to my blog.
The last three months of posts works out to about 43 pages in Word. I typed 15,609 words, or 75,478 characters, excluding spaces. It’s 91,234, if you include spaces. Text density, as well as content, must be on the light side. The secret? Short words. Also, I know there’s at least one “I” in narcissism. Too busy being a god among men to bother counting.
It took over three years to hit 1,000. I didn’t do a retrospective post for 2,000, because that was achieved in about a week, thanks to one post that launched a thousand clicks: "New Facebook Virus: Redhot sexy girl in thong dancing."
It's awesome to know I have readers (read: people seeking treatment for an electronic version of gonorrhea) from countries like Jordan, Russia, and Malaysia.
The last three months of posts works out to about 43 pages in Word. I typed 15,609 words, or 75,478 characters, excluding spaces. It’s 91,234, if you include spaces. Text density, as well as content, must be on the light side. The secret? Short words. Also, I know there’s at least one “I” in narcissism. Too busy being a god among men to bother counting.
It took over three years to hit 1,000. I didn’t do a retrospective post for 2,000, because that was achieved in about a week, thanks to one post that launched a thousand clicks: "New Facebook Virus: Redhot sexy girl in thong dancing."
It's awesome to know I have readers (read: people seeking treatment for an electronic version of gonorrhea) from countries like Jordan, Russia, and Malaysia.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Shirley Sherrod Part 2: Telling the Story
This was going to be an analysis of the politics, the decision trees, the steps that led to the present debacle, and the possible options going forward for the players in the Shirley Sherrod saga. Then, I realized that the internet will be filled with that tomorrow. How will it play in November? Can Obama afford to hire her back? Can he afford not to? The talking heads that charged headlong into a wrongheaded conclusion will continue to charge, unabated, without my help, and in spite of my protest. I may return to these thoughts, but not now.
There’s a story here that has to be told, and, I fear, won’t be, at least not broadly. I’ll do my best here, and hope that others notice it, too.
There’s a story here that has to be told, and, I fear, won’t be, at least not broadly. I’ll do my best here, and hope that others notice it, too.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Shirley Sherrod, Part 1: Summary of the controversy, and notes on full speech
Note: Timestamp embedding doesn't work for the CNN clips because of the advertising code. To view the clip from that time, you will have to manually move the playback control to the referenced timestamp.
CNN summarizes the main issues and timeline of the Shirley Sherrod controversy.
Briefly, Shirley Sherrod, the Georgia director of rural development for the USDA, was forced to resign on Monday because of controversy stemming from a 38-second clip from a 2009 talk at a NAACP chapter in southern Georgia. During that clip, she mentions that she decided to limit her help to a white farmer, Roger Spooner, who came to her for help. The NAACP and USDA condemned her immediately. Subsequent investigation indicates she was instrumental in helping save that family's farm. The NAACP has recanted its original condemnation. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has maintained that USDA has a zero tolerance policy on racism. It is also reported that he is fully supported by the White House.
CNN summarizes the main issues and timeline of the Shirley Sherrod controversy.
Briefly, Shirley Sherrod, the Georgia director of rural development for the USDA, was forced to resign on Monday because of controversy stemming from a 38-second clip from a 2009 talk at a NAACP chapter in southern Georgia. During that clip, she mentions that she decided to limit her help to a white farmer, Roger Spooner, who came to her for help. The NAACP and USDA condemned her immediately. Subsequent investigation indicates she was instrumental in helping save that family's farm. The NAACP has recanted its original condemnation. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has maintained that USDA has a zero tolerance policy on racism. It is also reported that he is fully supported by the White House.
My OKCupid Profile
We are an overexposed society. Continuing with a trend of TMI, here is my OkCupid profile. Take a number, ladies!
http://www.okcupid.com/profile/resplendention
http://www.okcupid.com/profile/resplendention
Resurrected Facebook Post 5: True Story
True story:
I went with my cousin Renee to the mall. While she was trying on some clothes, I decided to try my hand at being French.
As you may know, I had originally intended to be French for Halloween. My costume was to consist of a horizontally striped shirt, a beret, and a cigarette (and possibly some French bread). I would also have a delightfully crappy French accent, and say only one phrase - "Life eees sheeet".
That ended up not happening. At the time, I worked with a French postdoc, Frantz, whom I adored. (He's also 6'10" and an expert in Aikido.)
I don't know where I am.
I went with my cousin Renee to the mall. While she was trying on some clothes, I decided to try my hand at being French.
As you may know, I had originally intended to be French for Halloween. My costume was to consist of a horizontally striped shirt, a beret, and a cigarette (and possibly some French bread). I would also have a delightfully crappy French accent, and say only one phrase - "Life eees sheeet".
That ended up not happening. At the time, I worked with a French postdoc, Frantz, whom I adored. (He's also 6'10" and an expert in Aikido.)
Your pretty, I'm desperate
An OkCupid study looked at response rates for messages containing certain phrases.
(via Sociological Images: http://contexts.org/socimages/2009/09/28
Lesson: knowing the proper use of "your" vs. "you're" is helpful, but "your pretty" is still better than proper use of the adverb "very", as in "very pretty". Does this mean that high praise tends to be viewed as excessive? Is it viewed as symptomatic of a value system overweight the physical? Or is it a good leading indicator of desperation or clinginess? The former is more likely, but I'm more amused by the latter possibility.
In other words, it's still bad to compliment a woman's looks vs. her personality as revealed by her profile. But if "your" going to do it anyway, and you have to choose between sounding like a moron and broadcasting even a whiff of desperation, go with moron.
The Tea Party' sCreed
(CNN:Palin Likens Self to Shakespeare)
Oh, Queen of the North, flower of Wasila!
Her plaintive tears make the mockingbirds cheep
Sweet tweets on how the world doesn’t getcha,
Stalked by a neighboring, muckraking creep.
Athene and Helen of the GOP,
Pit bull stylist, polymath performer,
Return us to glory! Please, make us free
From fascists, communists and conformers!
You possess the will; we have the cash.
To give to our patriot-for-a-price;
Save us from life under Obama’s lash!
Deliver us from the “learned” and “wise”!
Messiah mom, hear our supplication,
Masses, yearning for deregulation!
Oh, Queen of the North, flower of Wasila!
Her plaintive tears make the mockingbirds cheep
Sweet tweets on how the world doesn’t getcha,
Stalked by a neighboring, muckraking creep.
Athene and Helen of the GOP,
Pit bull stylist, polymath performer,
Return us to glory! Please, make us free
From fascists, communists and conformers!
You possess the will; we have the cash.
To give to our patriot-for-a-price;
Save us from life under Obama’s lash!
Deliver us from the “learned” and “wise”!
Messiah mom, hear our supplication,
Masses, yearning for deregulation!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Thought Experiment: Warfare in a warm, energy-starved world
Continuing the theme of "ultra-heavy Sunday", I'm considering a grim possible future outcome of the energy crisis. This, I admit, is inspired by the Discovery Channel special on global energy consumption: Powering the Future. This is going to be a lazy, "for-fun" analysis - don't expect numbers or a lot of research.
Imagine a world where energy costs have become a high, and possibly primary, cost of input. Imagine further that the economic and environmental stresses have led to shooting wars over remaining energy resources in the Middle East, the Arctic Ocean, the East China Sea, and the Niger delta. The conflict has also made deployment of a number of large-scale solar power arrays (photovoltaic or concentrated solar) and wind farms prohibitive, as their geographic and technical requirements mean they are particularly vulnerable to attack.
Imagine a world where energy costs have become a high, and possibly primary, cost of input. Imagine further that the economic and environmental stresses have led to shooting wars over remaining energy resources in the Middle East, the Arctic Ocean, the East China Sea, and the Niger delta. The conflict has also made deployment of a number of large-scale solar power arrays (photovoltaic or concentrated solar) and wind farms prohibitive, as their geographic and technical requirements mean they are particularly vulnerable to attack.
Gender norms, advocacy, medicine, and the law - Cornell case study
When I first read that a friend had joined a group called "End Female Genital Mutation at Cornell", I braced myself for a report of an international student's child being subjected to mutilation according to their culture of origin. What I found was a different story that is currently taxing my vocabulary for appropriate descriptors.
I'm very bothered by this group and what it discusses on many levels. This is the kind of thing I would ordinarily ignore or otherwise not speak about - I really don't know how others, or even I, will respond to this.
But that's precisely why I am writing about it. It's a frontier I hadn't considered, with some pretty substantial stakes. And even though I am pretty damn far from an expert on gender/identity issues, I decided it was important for me to share this, and solicit opinions from my bright friends.
I'm very bothered by this group and what it discusses on many levels. This is the kind of thing I would ordinarily ignore or otherwise not speak about - I really don't know how others, or even I, will respond to this.
But that's precisely why I am writing about it. It's a frontier I hadn't considered, with some pretty substantial stakes. And even though I am pretty damn far from an expert on gender/identity issues, I decided it was important for me to share this, and solicit opinions from my bright friends.
Working through some thoughts on faith and purpose
"Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones." - Phillips Brooks
I’ve been thinking about the words of Phillips Brooks for some time. It’s amazing how an Episcopalian minister from 19th century Massachusetts can still touch lost seekers.
There is nothing I have found from science that compares. Science can provide drama, mystery, and grandeur, but it, and its practitioners, neither acknowledge nor touch the soul.
I love my former colleagues, more than they will ever know. That is why it breaks my heart when I consider the cynicism, the hate, and the fundamental fear that stems from the denigration of faith in general, and Christianity in particular, that I witnessed. And that is why I found comfort on Sundays at church.
I’ve been thinking about the words of Phillips Brooks for some time. It’s amazing how an Episcopalian minister from 19th century Massachusetts can still touch lost seekers.
There is nothing I have found from science that compares. Science can provide drama, mystery, and grandeur, but it, and its practitioners, neither acknowledge nor touch the soul.
I love my former colleagues, more than they will ever know. That is why it breaks my heart when I consider the cynicism, the hate, and the fundamental fear that stems from the denigration of faith in general, and Christianity in particular, that I witnessed. And that is why I found comfort on Sundays at church.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Text problems on blog appear fixed for now
Just noticed some problems with earlier posts. I believe it may have been a problem with displaying web pages on my computer that led to some sloppy cut-and-pasting earlier. It appears fixed now.
Advice on recruiting volunteers for community service projects
This is taken from my correspondence with a friend seeking to recruit volunteers to work with at-risk kids in the Greater Los Angeles area. From what I could tell, this project was early in the planning stages. Some of it may be helpful to me or someone else, despite the fact that I'm too lazy to tighten the structure and organize the points better. If there's interest, I may do so -- however, most of these things are self-evident after a bit of thought and reflection, and are probably treated better elsewhere.
I wrote up something on the lessons learned recruiting volunteers in college, linked here. However, it's only somewhat relevant to your cause, since (1) I assume you're trying to recruit people who are out of school, and (2) the type of events might be geared toward a more long-term, regular commitment than one-off events. Still perhaps helpful as a testimonial for things that worked and didn’t within an institutional setting.
I wrote up something on the lessons learned recruiting volunteers in college, linked here. However, it's only somewhat relevant to your cause, since (1) I assume you're trying to recruit people who are out of school, and (2) the type of events might be geared toward a more long-term, regular commitment than one-off events. Still perhaps helpful as a testimonial for things that worked and didn’t within an institutional setting.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Goodbye Facebook
UPDATE: I have been advised to NOT leave Facebook until I manage an alternative structure taht provides social connections. With some reservations, I've decided to cancel, or delay, my departure from here until further notice. Sorry if it seems like I was yanking your chain - I really was going to delete this profile Tuesday. - R
There are good reasons for leaving. For me, it has become a substitute for genuine friendship and social interaction. And it’s not good for me to use it as both livejournal and Truman Show. Life is much more than that, and my life needs to be more than that right now. I am deleting this profile (and the other vestigal one) in seven days.
There are good reasons for leaving. For me, it has become a substitute for genuine friendship and social interaction. And it’s not good for me to use it as both livejournal and Truman Show. Life is much more than that, and my life needs to be more than that right now. I am deleting this profile (and the other vestigal one) in seven days.
Friday, July 9, 2010
The next -gate scandals
Apple-gate: Controversy surrounds Apple’s new iPad, which, in a move to support the troops, comes with a pre-installed racy background of Christina Applegate . She is depicted making out with the Mac guy on the top of a bunk bed, with the PC guy tearfully peeking from under the covers on the bottom bed. [1]
Gates’ gate-gate: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is forced to resign for inappropriate use of Pentagon funds, specifically to finance a renovation of a house in the Hamptons, complete with a $5 million front gate modeled on the Arc de Triomphe.
Goldman-gate: Goldman Sachs is found to have deliberately sold bad assets to its clients, while taking short positions on the same assets.
The absurdity continued when it was made into a musical starring Golden Girls star Betty White, complete with a “Goldman-gate bridge” and including an acoustic modification on the classic fail sound effect from “The Price is Right ”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzfuqbOEqnU&NR=1. It was later revealed that Goldman had shorted this musical as well. This led some to call the subsequent scandal Goldman-Golden-gate-bridge-gate. [2]
Gates’ gate-gate: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is forced to resign for inappropriate use of Pentagon funds, specifically to finance a renovation of a house in the Hamptons, complete with a $5 million front gate modeled on the Arc de Triomphe.
Goldman-gate: Goldman Sachs is found to have deliberately sold bad assets to its clients, while taking short positions on the same assets.
The absurdity continued when it was made into a musical starring Golden Girls star Betty White, complete with a “Goldman-gate bridge” and including an acoustic modification on the classic fail sound effect from “
Some brief thoughts on climate change, prompted by the Economist
The following comments were in response to an Economist article, "Science behind closed doors", concerning climate change science. This is perhaps the first time I've publicly communicated my thoughts on the ongoing discussions of global warming and climate change. I would appreciate your input.
Vitriol surrounding climate change appears to conflate a few separate topics that have to be discussed in turn:
(1) The science of the greenhouse effect
(2) How much of it is caused by human activities (anthropogenic, in IPCC-speak)
(3) The effect of increased CO2 on temperatures, crop yields, disease, etc. on a regional basis
(4) Scientists’ roles as analysts/messengers/advocates
(5) How much governments, industry, and individuals should do to prevent it
Vitriol surrounding climate change appears to conflate a few separate topics that have to be discussed in turn:
(1) The science of the greenhouse effect
(2) How much of it is caused by human activities (anthropogenic, in IPCC-speak)
(3) The effect of increased CO2 on temperatures, crop yields, disease, etc. on a regional basis
(4) Scientists’ roles as analysts/messengers/advocates
(5) How much governments, industry, and individuals should do to prevent it
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Atlantic: "Societal Forces and 'The Daily Show' "
An interesting article from the Atlantic on gender and the Daily Show. It brings up a point or three about women in comedy. But I still have a feeling that I'm pretty (but not completely) sure isn't grounded in sexism that tells me that Olivia Munn's delivery isn't meshing well with what I enjoy about The Daily Show.
In college, I once felt guilty for being annoyed by a Jewish guy in my department. But I eventually came to terms that I disliked him not because he was Jewish, but because he was annoying, insensitive, kind of arrogant, and not a really effective person to work with.
If we can't distinguish that race/gender is one (albeit very important) of many components of identity, then progressivism is doomed. I think it'll be a good day when people can hate on, say, Obama or Pelosi or Sarah Palin without it either being intended as racist/sexist, or being perceived as racist/sexist. But it'll be a long, long time before that happens. And I question whether that should even be the goal. So a question for all of you: how do YOU reconcile the need to acknowledge and correct for institutional and personal discrimination without losing your ability to make reasonable critiques of a person?
In college, I once felt guilty for being annoyed by a Jewish guy in my department. But I eventually came to terms that I disliked him not because he was Jewish, but because he was annoying, insensitive, kind of arrogant, and not a really effective person to work with.
If we can't distinguish that race/gender is one (albeit very important) of many components of identity, then progressivism is doomed. I think it'll be a good day when people can hate on, say, Obama or Pelosi or Sarah Palin without it either being intended as racist/sexist, or being perceived as racist/sexist. But it'll be a long, long time before that happens. And I question whether that should even be the goal. So a question for all of you: how do YOU reconcile the need to acknowledge and correct for institutional and personal discrimination without losing your ability to make reasonable critiques of a person?
Ms. K is still teaching
For the last few months/years, I have had a low enough opinion of my life and abilities that I do not do much to make my life better – it is the life of someone waiting for death, yet too cowardly to actively seek it out.
It is with some surprise, then, that I find myself feeling somewhat hopeful today. I attribute this to talking with one of my mom’s close teacher friends, whom I'll call Ms. K. (The original article had her name, which my mom rightly criticized as inappropriate to publish in its entirety, without permission.)
It is with some surprise, then, that I find myself feeling somewhat hopeful today. I attribute this to talking with one of my mom’s close teacher friends, whom I'll call Ms. K. (The original article had her name, which my mom rightly criticized as inappropriate to publish in its entirety, without permission.)
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Some advice for nurses in dealing with hospice care, hopefully (but probably not) more funny than bitter.
Couldn’t sleep, so I decided to write. Trying to be funny and angry is hard. But it feels good. I’ll leave it to the pros, and go back to being existentially mopey tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll be back to a normal depressive state for a therapist appointment by noon – I’d hate to make a good first impression. - ed.
Background
As you may know, my father has failing kidneys, caused by a long life filled with antipsychotic medication, which was preceded by the excesses that come with being a satellite engineer during the 1960s and 1970s. In short, he did a lot of coke, and even some PCP, in his day. Hell, he gave me two pages, double-column, of all the drugs he’s taken.
Background
As you may know, my father has failing kidneys, caused by a long life filled with antipsychotic medication, which was preceded by the excesses that come with being a satellite engineer during the 1960s and 1970s. In short, he did a lot of coke, and even some PCP, in his day. Hell, he gave me two pages, double-column, of all the drugs he’s taken.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Do not go gentle into that good night
I just came back from a birthday dinner for my dad. It was a pleasant experience. It was also a bit surreal.
My dad is old, much older than his 61 years. He lived hard when he was independent, and two decades of supervised living has slowly eroded his autonomy and independence.
About a week ago, my aunt and I had a conversation with him about his kidney health - he has stage 4 renal disease, and will soon need dialysis. I had broken the news to him a couple days before, and was surprised how much it had affected him and his girlfriend.
My dad is old, much older than his 61 years. He lived hard when he was independent, and two decades of supervised living has slowly eroded his autonomy and independence.
About a week ago, my aunt and I had a conversation with him about his kidney health - he has stage 4 renal disease, and will soon need dialysis. I had broken the news to him a couple days before, and was surprised how much it had affected him and his girlfriend.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Revanchism
Still not a fan of soccer or imperialism. But I do love opportunistic bandwagoning and latent nationalist identity.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Killing the wunderkind
It’s occurred to me that the farther I am from grad school, the more I’ve been relying on academic achievements to shore up my shoddy self-esteem. It’s been sickening is how much I’ve clung to this anachronistic self-ideation. It’s as if I haven’t developed my non-intellectual identity at all. I still hang onto that damn NSF as if it’s some sort of validation of whatever preconceived notions and expectations, even though, at some level, I feel like a failure at best, and possibly even a fraud.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Never try to pick up a woman at a differently-abled Barnes and Noble.
Just got back from my differently-abled Barnes and Noble (no bathroom, no cafe, no tables). Got a passive-aggressive hint over loudspeaker that I'm not allowed to sit on the floor, and should take my practice CBEST test in the most uncomfortable wooden chairs.
But things could be worse. I saw what may have been a pretty attractive woman in a black dress eviscerate this poor guy trying to make small talk. Not exactly sure what she said in reply, but it was clear from his sigh and rapid exit that it was bad. He wasn't bad looking, or poorly dressed. But it's clear that she sensed weakness, and wouldn't tolerate it. Social Darwinism FTW!
But things could be worse. I saw what may have been a pretty attractive woman in a black dress eviscerate this poor guy trying to make small talk. Not exactly sure what she said in reply, but it was clear from his sigh and rapid exit that it was bad. He wasn't bad looking, or poorly dressed. But it's clear that she sensed weakness, and wouldn't tolerate it. Social Darwinism FTW!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Piano Lessons
I touched a piano for the first time in ages - my old, decrepit upright Steinway – but it is mine, in a way that only an old, decrepit, but upright heart could know. It was purchased at a good price from my church, and to this day I believe the church organist covets it.
The pedals don’t work properly – it’s a bit too loud. But it’s tuned reasonably well. Once in an engineering lecture I was able to identify a single tone to within about six hertz. So I guess I have some measure of absolute pitch.
I almost never play the piano in a good mood. When I did, it was to imitate – to copy Tom Hulce in Amadeus, playing the piano upside-down, or to play a couple hymns, or try my hand at a new, interesting, not-too-complicated piece.
When I am in a bad mood, I don’t play set pieces. I improvise – or I continue a composition of sorts I started senior year in college, on the piano in the Platt Center. Like this Piano, I hardly ever touched it when I was happy.
The pedals don’t work properly – it’s a bit too loud. But it’s tuned reasonably well. Once in an engineering lecture I was able to identify a single tone to within about six hertz. So I guess I have some measure of absolute pitch.
I almost never play the piano in a good mood. When I did, it was to imitate – to copy Tom Hulce in Amadeus, playing the piano upside-down, or to play a couple hymns, or try my hand at a new, interesting, not-too-complicated piece.
When I am in a bad mood, I don’t play set pieces. I improvise – or I continue a composition of sorts I started senior year in college, on the piano in the Platt Center. Like this Piano, I hardly ever touched it when I was happy.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Andrea del Sarto
But do not let us quarrel any more,
No, my Lucrezia; bear with me for once:
Sit down and all shall happen as you wish.
You turn your face, but does it bring your heart?
I'll work then for your friend's friend, never fear,
Treat his own subject after his own way,
Fix his own time, accept too his own price,
And shut the money into this small hand
When next it takes mine. Will it? tenderly?
Oh, I'll content him,--but to-morrow, Love!
I often am much wearier than you think,
This evening more than usual, and it seems
As if--forgive now--should you let me sit
Here by the window with your hand in mine
And look a half-hour forth on Fiesole,
Both of one mind, as married people use,
Quietly, quietly the evening through,
I might get up to-morrow to my work
Cheerful and fresh as ever. Let us try.
No, my Lucrezia; bear with me for once:
Sit down and all shall happen as you wish.
You turn your face, but does it bring your heart?
I'll work then for your friend's friend, never fear,
Treat his own subject after his own way,
Fix his own time, accept too his own price,
And shut the money into this small hand
When next it takes mine. Will it? tenderly?
Oh, I'll content him,--but to-morrow, Love!
I often am much wearier than you think,
This evening more than usual, and it seems
As if--forgive now--should you let me sit
Here by the window with your hand in mine
And look a half-hour forth on Fiesole,
Both of one mind, as married people use,
Quietly, quietly the evening through,
I might get up to-morrow to my work
Cheerful and fresh as ever. Let us try.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Disappointment
When someone very close to you disappoints you greatly, it can blindside you. It can shock and enrage. It can tempt you into trivializing their transgression, or offering immature promises. It can do many things. What it does, with absolute certainty, is provide an opportunity to observe the world more clearly.
I am currently whether I've got the stomach to take off rose-colored glasses.
I am currently whether I've got the stomach to take off rose-colored glasses.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Character is Destiny
Character is destiny. Not genetics. Not personal history. Character is destiny. It's the story of Lincoln, of every great American, of every great person who rose from nothing to shape themselves, and to shape their world. It is a terrifying, unforgiving truth, affording no room for excuses. Yet, if we embrace it, it will carry us to where we must go.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
New Facebook Virus: "Redhot sexy girl in thong dancing [HQ]"
Update 4 - probably the last (11:27) Daniel Aguilar recommends Antivir Personal, a free antivirus software from filehippo.com. Link is here: http://www.filehippo.com/download_antivir/
Update 3 (10:14): This hubpages page (http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Remove-Koobface-Virus) links to free anti-spyware software that received good reviews from CNET (though they warn that some settings can lead to slower performance, story here: http://download.cnet.com/Spyware-Terminator/3000-8022_4-10741021.html). Also, it lists the registry files you need to change, if you should feel like removing it manually.
Update 3 (10:14): This hubpages page (http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Remove-Koobface-Virus) links to free anti-spyware software that received good reviews from CNET (though they warn that some settings can lead to slower performance, story here: http://download.cnet.com/Spyware-Terminator/3000-8022_4-10741021.html). Also, it lists the registry files you need to change, if you should feel like removing it manually.
Death in Tehran
The title does not refer to the current state of Iranian politics. Rather, it’s the title of a story. Here’s the version that appears in Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning:
A rich and mighty Persian once walked in his garden with one of his servants. The servant cried that he had just encountered Death, who had threatened him. He begged his master to give him his fastest horse so that he could make haste and flee to Teheran, which he could reach that same evening. The master consented and the servant galloped off on the horse. On returning to his house the master himself met Death, and questioned him, “Why did you terrify and threaten my servant?” “I did not threaten him; I only showed surprise in still finding him here when I planned to meet him tonight in Teheran,” said Death.
A rich and mighty Persian once walked in his garden with one of his servants. The servant cried that he had just encountered Death, who had threatened him. He begged his master to give him his fastest horse so that he could make haste and flee to Teheran, which he could reach that same evening. The master consented and the servant galloped off on the horse. On returning to his house the master himself met Death, and questioned him, “Why did you terrify and threaten my servant?” “I did not threaten him; I only showed surprise in still finding him here when I planned to meet him tonight in Teheran,” said Death.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Why is California cutting Adult Education in the middle of a recession/jobless recovery?
It’s sad, but it’s possible that the most important thing I took away from today’s job fair was a news story. The Bassett Adult School rep – incredibly knowledgeable and competent, especially compared to a lot of other reps – informed me that California adult education programs are being cut across the state. Orders aren’t coming from Sacramento – instead, K-12 districts are making the choice.
Previously, adult education was a “categorical program” – a program funded separately from a district’s general fund. This system made sense, especially if some of that money came from the Feds with specific provisions.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
1000
Thanks to the readers, occasional and frequent, that helped me reach 1,000 hits. I hope you've found something worthwhile.
Some stats - eliminating pictures, I've written 241 12-font MS Word pages of text on this blog. 12,707 words. My God - this is where all the time went.
I decided to try something and do a Wordle cloud for each year to note some changes. No time right now to comment on it, but even a cursory glance indicates some interesting shifts.
Some stats - eliminating pictures, I've written 241 12-font MS Word pages of text on this blog. 12,707 words. My God - this is where all the time went.
I decided to try something and do a Wordle cloud for each year to note some changes. No time right now to comment on it, but even a cursory glance indicates some interesting shifts.
2007
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Only Nixon Could go to China - Sunday service at a UCC church on the conversion of St. Paul
Today’s sermon was, as usual, a masterpiece by Pastor Mitch. He piqued the historian in me when he discussed The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, a 1978 book by Michael H. Hart. Mitch asked all of us to pick our top three, then solicited our responses. (I chose, somewhat incoherently and with buyer’s remorse, “Jesus, Genghis Khan, and Abraham Lincoln”.) He then went through Hart’s top ten, with Muhammad listed as number one, Isaac Newton at two, Jesus Christ at three, and so on.
He said that one name that surprises a lot of people was St. Paul, at number six, just below Confucius and above Cai Lun (the inventor of paper). Mitch points out that without St. Paul, Christianity could have remained a localized sect, one of many “mystery religions”, to borrow a term from a Roman history class.
He said that one name that surprises a lot of people was St. Paul, at number six, just below Confucius and above Cai Lun (the inventor of paper). Mitch points out that without St. Paul, Christianity could have remained a localized sect, one of many “mystery religions”, to borrow a term from a Roman history class.
Summary of DWP research findings
Might not write that report on DWP after all, since I focus too much on unpaid work. Suffice it to say the following:
(1) the Mayor's opponents will attack his leadership of Solar LA - this will have an unknown impact on Villaraigosa's plans for higher office
(2) Controller Greuel's audit, due in a couple months, will either be buried or blown out of proportion. I suspect it will indicate that Solar LA is too ambitious at current levels of revenue, and recommend either a rate hike, scaling back of solar projects, and/or divestment of some "green energy" projects.
(3) if LA eventually takes over DWP, and LA eventually files bankruptcy, Roy's pension will possibly be toast given McManus's rulings on Vallejo, which filed for bankruptcy in 2008. Vallejo ended up not touching pension terms with currently retired individuals, but did change terms for new hires.
(4) a smart private company will scoop up the inevitable solar divestment by DWP, provided they receive tax credits/incentives. If Edison International or Pacific Gas & Electric aren't looking into this, they should be. I will bring it up in a hiring interview if it comes to that.
(5) Board of Water and Power commissioners serve at the pleasure of the City Council, and especially the Mayor. The last 20-30 years has seen a steady erosion in their independence, reflecting a trend toward accountability and away from autonomy. Don't expect independent oversight. Do expect continued unanimous decisions.
(6) Related to (5) - the DWP was a political punching bag, and willingly took one for the team. This will, unfortunately, help let the mayor and the city council off the hook. You can criticize DWP for a lot of things, but they appear to have been deliberately made the villain. After all, they are the only ones not facing elections.
(1) the Mayor's opponents will attack his leadership of Solar LA - this will have an unknown impact on Villaraigosa's plans for higher office
(2) Controller Greuel's audit, due in a couple months, will either be buried or blown out of proportion. I suspect it will indicate that Solar LA is too ambitious at current levels of revenue, and recommend either a rate hike, scaling back of solar projects, and/or divestment of some "green energy" projects.
(3) if LA eventually takes over DWP, and LA eventually files bankruptcy, Roy's pension will possibly be toast given McManus's rulings on Vallejo, which filed for bankruptcy in 2008. Vallejo ended up not touching pension terms with currently retired individuals, but did change terms for new hires.
(4) a smart private company will scoop up the inevitable solar divestment by DWP, provided they receive tax credits/incentives. If Edison International or Pacific Gas & Electric aren't looking into this, they should be. I will bring it up in a hiring interview if it comes to that.
(5) Board of Water and Power commissioners serve at the pleasure of the City Council, and especially the Mayor. The last 20-30 years has seen a steady erosion in their independence, reflecting a trend toward accountability and away from autonomy. Don't expect independent oversight. Do expect continued unanimous decisions.
(6) Related to (5) - the DWP was a political punching bag, and willingly took one for the team. This will, unfortunately, help let the mayor and the city council off the hook. You can criticize DWP for a lot of things, but they appear to have been deliberately made the villain. After all, they are the only ones not facing elections.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Quick comparison between Obama's space policy speech on Thursday and Kennedy's Moon speech
Counting words in a speech isn't the same as analyzing content. However, it does provide some quick and interesting clues, especially when contrasted with speeches of similar scope and ambition. That's why I love Wordle. Here's a quick comparison between Obama's space policy address at Kennedy Space Center on Thursday, April 15 and Kennedy's "Moon" speech at Rice University.
Obama's Address on Thursday
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Preliminary thoughts on the Power Politics at LA DWP/City Council
1. I still hate the general style and substance of LA Times articles, but they are good for highlighting specific points that might otherwise be missed. For example, the LA Times reminds us that the Mayor's office sent out a memo (later leaked) that made the transfer to the general fund contingent on a rate increase.
2. With his personal life, I don't know how Antonio Villaraigosa stays awake, much less effective. Oh, and his Wikipedia entry details lots of less than stellar qualities. Anybody fail the bar four times?
2a. I will being using a litmus test consisting of (1) homeliness, (2) presence of a homely companion, and (3) happily, boringly married. Not sure it would've avoided Sanford, but it would've helped for a long list of names.
3. There are serious governance and accountability issues that stem from the relationships and responsibilities of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, the Mayor's office, the City Council, and the District Attorney. These problems are chronic and systemic, but there is no easy fix - they represent a trend that reflected a set of preferences regarding accountability and independence.
4. RAND continues to put out good reports, but I'm itching to get a copy of the PA Consulting report. There's a Youtube video that appears to be a presentation to DWP on the report, but I want to get the actual document.
5. It seems that the green energy agenda will not survive the results of the audit. It was a nice sentiment, and Villaraigosa appeared to have staked a significant portion of his political capital on it, but DWP isn't, and maybe ought not, be an R&D outfit/first adopter of these technologies.
6. Wendy Greuel's Wikipedia entry does read like a political advert. I'll need to dig into the archives to see whether her relatively nuanced and careful position as of late is calculated or actually an indication of good temperament and sound judgment. (She was previously a member of City Council, where, no doubt, she had more political leeway to be a bit more aggressive.)
7. This looks like a battle between the Mayor and City Council. However, I'm open to the possibility that Freeman and others at DWP have something to gain from this.
Time to nap and/or chug more Theraflu. Just scratching the surface of this dirty drama.
2. With his personal life, I don't know how Antonio Villaraigosa stays awake, much less effective. Oh, and his Wikipedia entry details lots of less than stellar qualities. Anybody fail the bar four times?
2a. I will being using a litmus test consisting of (1) homeliness, (2) presence of a homely companion, and (3) happily, boringly married. Not sure it would've avoided Sanford, but it would've helped for a long list of names.
3. There are serious governance and accountability issues that stem from the relationships and responsibilities of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, the Mayor's office, the City Council, and the District Attorney. These problems are chronic and systemic, but there is no easy fix - they represent a trend that reflected a set of preferences regarding accountability and independence.
4. RAND continues to put out good reports, but I'm itching to get a copy of the PA Consulting report. There's a Youtube video that appears to be a presentation to DWP on the report, but I want to get the actual document.
5. It seems that the green energy agenda will not survive the results of the audit. It was a nice sentiment, and Villaraigosa appeared to have staked a significant portion of his political capital on it, but DWP isn't, and maybe ought not, be an R&D outfit/first adopter of these technologies.
6. Wendy Greuel's Wikipedia entry does read like a political advert. I'll need to dig into the archives to see whether her relatively nuanced and careful position as of late is calculated or actually an indication of good temperament and sound judgment. (She was previously a member of City Council, where, no doubt, she had more political leeway to be a bit more aggressive.)
7. This looks like a battle between the Mayor and City Council. However, I'm open to the possibility that Freeman and others at DWP have something to gain from this.
Time to nap and/or chug more Theraflu. Just scratching the surface of this dirty drama.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Suspicious phone call from ADT security representative
I just received a rather strange call from an "ADT representative", who had the homeowner's name and our street address, inviting us to a vague "event" this weekend, which, when pressed, sounded like a door-to-door sales pitch. But it really, really irked me that the representative could not provide an 800 number. I declined to tell him when the owner would typically be home.
This stinks of at best, horrible salesmanship. (He made a lame pitch about just getting one for his mom and his sister.) At worst, I suspect someone is trying to figure out when the house is unoccupied. Be careful out there.
This stinks of at best, horrible salesmanship. (He made a lame pitch about just getting one for his mom and his sister.) At worst, I suspect someone is trying to figure out when the house is unoccupied. Be careful out there.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
The Taliban are Very, Very Smart
NYTimes article on new Taliban tactics
This is very, very smart. As Stephen Biddle at CFR noted in 2008, the Anbar Awakening happened, in part, because the local tribal leaders were fed up with Al-Qaeda in Iraq interfering with their traditional system of patronage.
This approach -- using existing systems of patronage -- appears to be harder in Afghanistan, in part, because those preexisting systems might involve the drug trade. Setting up a new system can work, but it's more vulnerable, especially to the tactics described in the article (intimidation and misappropriation).
This is very, very smart. As Stephen Biddle at CFR noted in 2008, the Anbar Awakening happened, in part, because the local tribal leaders were fed up with Al-Qaeda in Iraq interfering with their traditional system of patronage.
This approach -- using existing systems of patronage -- appears to be harder in Afghanistan, in part, because those preexisting systems might involve the drug trade. Setting up a new system can work, but it's more vulnerable, especially to the tactics described in the article (intimidation and misappropriation).
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Resurrected Facebook Post No. 4: Thoughts on the 40th Anniversary of Assassination of RFK
(Originally posted Thursday, June 5, 2008; updated March 30, 2010 with info on a new documentary commemorating RFK's Indianapolis speech.)
1968 is considered by many historians as an amazing year. It seems a moment in which people felt a decade's worth of emotion in a single year. Revolutions in France and Czechoslovakia. The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Race riots in America. Vietnam.
Today marks the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy.
1968 is considered by many historians as an amazing year. It seems a moment in which people felt a decade's worth of emotion in a single year. Revolutions in France and Czechoslovakia. The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Race riots in America. Vietnam.
Today marks the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Resurrected Facebook Post No. 3: In Memoriam, Ed Salpeter
I created this group to commemorate the passing of one of the senior statesmen of astrophysics, Edwin (Ed) Ernest Salpeter, who passed away today.
I'm hoping everyone will take a bit of time to post your memories or thoughts about Ed on this group.
Resurrected Facebook Post No. 2: 25 Things About Me
Originally posted Feb. 6, 2009
Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
1. My childhood hero was Scrooge McDuck. And yes, once, when I was six, I took my meager cash possessions, and attempted to swim in a bunch of dirty dimes in my grandparents' living room.
2. One of my first memories is of a Gumby episode where he goes to space. If I remember correctly, he gets sick because there is no oxygen on the Moon. (I watched a lot of TV growing up.)
3. I play Monopoly to win, by any means necessary. During one game, I took advantage of my grandma's poor command of the English language to discourage her from buying Boardwalk. ("No grandma. No buy!")
Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
1. My childhood hero was Scrooge McDuck. And yes, once, when I was six, I took my meager cash possessions, and attempted to swim in a bunch of dirty dimes in my grandparents' living room.
2. One of my first memories is of a Gumby episode where he goes to space. If I remember correctly, he gets sick because there is no oxygen on the Moon. (I watched a lot of TV growing up.)
3. I play Monopoly to win, by any means necessary. During one game, I took advantage of my grandma's poor command of the English language to discourage her from buying Boardwalk. ("No grandma. No buy!")
Sunday, March 21, 2010
NYTimes -- Well:Talk Deeply, Be Happy?
NYTimes -- Well:Talk Deeply, Be Happy?
Three notes does not make a dies mirabilis, but I couldn't resist posting a link to a NYTimes article on the value of deep conversations. The researchers seem to think along similar lines to Frankl, that, for humans, meaning is a "primary motivation in his life and not a secondary rationalization of instinctual drives." (Man's Search for Meaning, 99).
From the Times article, it's not clear whether the can conclude definitively that substantive conversations make one happy -- it could be only that frivolous conversations makes one unhappy. An unquantified and vague anecdote with obvious confounding variables (my life) indicates that my unhappiness grew along with my attempts to get better at "networking" in the Ivy League.
(Then again, Data has a good time schmoozing with "Hutch" until aliens start shooting people.)
I don't believe brevity is not equivalent to vacuousness; after all, I am the grandson of a haiku poet. But I've seen precious little to coax me back to Twitter.
Three notes does not make a dies mirabilis, but I couldn't resist posting a link to a NYTimes article on the value of deep conversations. The researchers seem to think along similar lines to Frankl, that, for humans, meaning is a "primary motivation in his life and not a secondary rationalization of instinctual drives." (Man's Search for Meaning, 99).
From the Times article, it's not clear whether the can conclude definitively that substantive conversations make one happy -- it could be only that frivolous conversations makes one unhappy. An unquantified and vague anecdote with obvious confounding variables (my life) indicates that my unhappiness grew along with my attempts to get better at "networking" in the Ivy League.
(Then again, Data has a good time schmoozing with "Hutch" until aliens start shooting people.)
I don't believe brevity is not equivalent to vacuousness; after all, I am the grandson of a haiku poet. But I've seen precious little to coax me back to Twitter.
Does anyone know an astronomer at Griffith Park Observatory?
I'm trying to set up a tour of GPO for my cousin Nathan. My cousin Sally mentioned at the concert tonight that little Nathan loves Star Wars. I thought it would be exciting for him to be exposed to some real astronomy.
I'm hoping that one of the wonderful astronomers I've been privileged to meet, and whom I might even presume to call "friend", could help me get in touch with someone at GPO.
You might be able to say no to me, but I'm pretty sure you'll find it hard to say no to this guy:
I'm hoping that one of the wonderful astronomers I've been privileged to meet, and whom I might even presume to call "friend", could help me get in touch with someone at GPO.
You might be able to say no to me, but I'm pretty sure you'll find it hard to say no to this guy:
Truth or Consequences, Healthcare Edition
I'm curious what, if any, retaliatory action will be taken against Democrats who voted no on health care. I'm thinking back to heavy primary challenges of moderate Republicans over the last few years -- think senators Arlen Specter and Lincoln Chafee", who both ended up leaving the party, and Florida governor Charlie Crist, who, despite being quite popular among his constituents, has come under attack from his own party. This process, of course, hit a new high of sorts with the heavily contested, closely watched three-ring circus that was the NY-23 Congressional special election.
If there were particularly ruthless and cunning individuals holding the positions of whip, majority leader, or Speaker of the House, I could envision some sort of Godfather/Elizabeth movie denounement that involved the political "execution" of the unloyal and unfaithful. But I'm not sure Pelosi's leadership is that secure, or Hoyer has that type of temperament. I know less about Jim Clyburn, but a quick search did not reveal anything indicating a particularly vindictive or ruthless streak. I'm not sure Howard Dean would take that approach, either.
Maybe the Democratic party will remain a big tent. Maybe a lot of these reps are toast in 2010 without help from Rahmbo. I do not know whether to hope for a leaner, meaner party and its unintended consequences or not. I'll watch, and maybe learn.
If there were particularly ruthless and cunning individuals holding the positions of whip, majority leader, or Speaker of the House, I could envision some sort of Godfather/Elizabeth movie denounement that involved the political "execution" of the unloyal and unfaithful. But I'm not sure Pelosi's leadership is that secure, or Hoyer has that type of temperament. I know less about Jim Clyburn, but a quick search did not reveal anything indicating a particularly vindictive or ruthless streak. I'm not sure Howard Dean would take that approach, either.
Maybe the Democratic party will remain a big tent. Maybe a lot of these reps are toast in 2010 without help from Rahmbo. I do not know whether to hope for a leaner, meaner party and its unintended consequences or not. I'll watch, and maybe learn.
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