Most of the people I know, indicate that they just can't get into the show Fringe. The story is really simple, but in typical JJ Abrams fashion, is a series that poses questions that the answers to those questions are answered several episodes later, while new ones are posed. The thing I like about this series is the researching behind it. There are some very deep pseudo-science theories in life, the show implements in it's plot.
These concepts get my mind spinning in many different ways. The one I've been focusing on recently is the concept of group mind, and group unconsciousness. These concepts are that human beings, in their individuality, are composed as and have group thoughts. This is something that has been on the for-front of many people, but not something science can really prove beyond a shadow of doubt.
Most people belong to two different camps when discussing unexplained events, either scientific or religious camps. Most unexplained things are written off as religious, or if science can't explain it, it simply didn't happen. This is a human condition that I don't fully understand, i.e. Group Mind and Group Consciousness. Take, for example, cases of anthropology. We have uncovered evidence of early man using cutting tools in Africa and in Malaysia. The fossil record indicates that Homo Habilis evolved in Africa, but in Malaysia Homo Floresiensis evolved half the world away, but came up with the same concepts of tools. How can two different forms of early man, come up with the same tool concepts? This has given rise and caused scientists to re-formulate how we view early man and how humans came to being. This is where Group Mind and Group Consciousness come into play.
This is all more evident when you talk about the early origins of Algebra. Indian, Greek, and Chinese all came up with primitive origins of the math. All these cultures didn't have any scientific sharing or any way to share these revolutionary concepts, but they all seemed to evolve at the same time.
This is where Group Mind and Group Think come into play. There are some evaluational concepts that are just present in the human mind. Many people can explain this phenomenon by resorting to religion or other alternative lifestyle concepts. There is nothing that can truly explain it though. This is just one of the mysteries of life that always fascinate me and cause me to wonder, what will be the next step for us as humans. What overall thoughts and concepts will we come up with next? What will God or whatever you believe in, want us to overcome next? These are the things that cause my mind to keep me awake for hours on end.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The Research Project.
Quite a while ago, I asked several women about their fears or concerns. I was originally going to use this info if I needed to give a talk. Seeing as to how I'm a wandering church member, I don't know when that should be. Mostly I wanted to center on a couple of simple questions.
1) What do you Fear or worry about?
2) Do you think this is more a Biological concern or need, or Spiritual?
3) If you could change any 1 thing, what would it be?
Now, I was given quite a bit of flak on the questions. Overall, I wanted to see how many of these fears concerns, would be completely selfish, and how many are focused on others. The same is especially true about the 3rd question. It took me a while to get a sampling of 100 people, but this is what I came down with.
Out of 100 people, 35 were LDS. The others were unaffiliated with the major religion in the valley. Out of those polled, 70 were Women. Thirty of those were LDS. Out of the 30 men that were polled, 10 were LDS.
When asked about the first question, 15 of those (all women) expressed concerns about being alone or not being loved. 5 of the responses had to deal with Death or a fear of getting old. 5 of those responded with answers of being a bad parent. 27 of those responses dealt with failure or feelings of inadequacy. 18 had phobia fears of animals (spiders, snakes, sharks, etc). 17 of those polled (one a male), feared instances of rape. 8 of those polled were concerned with losing their job or lifestyle. 3 of those polled were concerned about incarcerated either in a mental intuition or jail. The other 2 responses were thrown out because they were pretty much incoherent babble.
The responses to the 2nd question surprised me, almost all of them (2/3rds) were admittedly Biological concerns. Even to the fear of dying, or being alone 1/2 of the people admitted that it was their biology and not spirituality that was driving it.
The responses to the 3rd question were as follows:
- 6 x Would change/want a worth while relationships
- 6 x Helping Children (ie Social Work, Big brothers/big sisters, etc)
- 9 x Loss of loved ones or the closeness of their family
- 6 x Would like to change Human Nature or Humanity.
- 5 x change their level of Intelligence or Mental Capacity
- 7 x would change their life span or the time they have on this earth.
- 7 x would like to change their families relationship with religious organizations.
- 7 x would like to change their self image.
- 10 x would not change anything or couldn't decide.
- 5 x would like to change Communication within Society.
- 5 x would change the perception of how others see them.
- 7 x would like to change their profession.
- 5 x would like to change their outlook on things.
- 5 x would change their health concerns or alleviate health problems.
- 9 x would like to be more social.
Now, out of all of those motives, I could only find 19 people who in effect are choosing something that they would change that would benefit others. The rest are those that choose something that only affects themselves. Yes, the questions are simplistic. That's the way it's supposed to be designed. I was also surprised how many people said they "couldn't decide anything". This is all just food for thought. We should be more concerned about how, what, and why we do the things to others that we do, and much less about our own needs and wants. The other piece of the puzzle is acceptance. Many of these concerns or fears have to deal with problems that they have no control over. Whether it be your health, your family members, or your own future. Many of those things you can't even control, so why worry about them? To tell the truth, most of them are pretty trivial by nature.
I was amazed at how many LDS people worried about their families relationship to their own religion. That's an aspect of humanity that I just do not understand. Most religions of the world preach that there is an afterlife. As long as someone is a good person, we'll typically be a good situation, so why does it matter. To automatically think that every family member has to think or do the same things that we do, makes for some pretty boring lives. The only thing I can think of relates to my father. My father is always proclaiming how much that I am "like him". When the truth of the matter, is that we are nothing alike. When something occurs that isn't remotely the same thing he would do, he gets upset, judgmental, and has an irrational anger that occurs in him. The only thing that occurs to me is this incessant human need to leave a little replica of ourselves for the world to continue on with. When, all it takes is to realize that this world is a big and complex place. There is no reason that we should be compelled to have copies of ourselves left for the next generation. Those kind of compulsions are just genetic throw backs. There are almost close to 6 billion human beings. The survivability of our species is almost assured in many cases. Many people just need to get out of their own human programming and just deal with the facts of life.
1) What do you Fear or worry about?
2) Do you think this is more a Biological concern or need, or Spiritual?
3) If you could change any 1 thing, what would it be?
Now, I was given quite a bit of flak on the questions. Overall, I wanted to see how many of these fears concerns, would be completely selfish, and how many are focused on others. The same is especially true about the 3rd question. It took me a while to get a sampling of 100 people, but this is what I came down with.
Out of 100 people, 35 were LDS. The others were unaffiliated with the major religion in the valley. Out of those polled, 70 were Women. Thirty of those were LDS. Out of the 30 men that were polled, 10 were LDS.
When asked about the first question, 15 of those (all women) expressed concerns about being alone or not being loved. 5 of the responses had to deal with Death or a fear of getting old. 5 of those responded with answers of being a bad parent. 27 of those responses dealt with failure or feelings of inadequacy. 18 had phobia fears of animals (spiders, snakes, sharks, etc). 17 of those polled (one a male), feared instances of rape. 8 of those polled were concerned with losing their job or lifestyle. 3 of those polled were concerned about incarcerated either in a mental intuition or jail. The other 2 responses were thrown out because they were pretty much incoherent babble.
The responses to the 2nd question surprised me, almost all of them (2/3rds) were admittedly Biological concerns. Even to the fear of dying, or being alone 1/2 of the people admitted that it was their biology and not spirituality that was driving it.
The responses to the 3rd question were as follows:
- 6 x Would change/want a worth while relationships
- 6 x Helping Children (ie Social Work, Big brothers/big sisters, etc)
- 9 x Loss of loved ones or the closeness of their family
- 6 x Would like to change Human Nature or Humanity.
- 5 x change their level of Intelligence or Mental Capacity
- 7 x would change their life span or the time they have on this earth.
- 7 x would like to change their families relationship with religious organizations.
- 7 x would like to change their self image.
- 10 x would not change anything or couldn't decide.
- 5 x would like to change Communication within Society.
- 5 x would change the perception of how others see them.
- 7 x would like to change their profession.
- 5 x would like to change their outlook on things.
- 5 x would change their health concerns or alleviate health problems.
- 9 x would like to be more social.
Now, out of all of those motives, I could only find 19 people who in effect are choosing something that they would change that would benefit others. The rest are those that choose something that only affects themselves. Yes, the questions are simplistic. That's the way it's supposed to be designed. I was also surprised how many people said they "couldn't decide anything". This is all just food for thought. We should be more concerned about how, what, and why we do the things to others that we do, and much less about our own needs and wants. The other piece of the puzzle is acceptance. Many of these concerns or fears have to deal with problems that they have no control over. Whether it be your health, your family members, or your own future. Many of those things you can't even control, so why worry about them? To tell the truth, most of them are pretty trivial by nature.
I was amazed at how many LDS people worried about their families relationship to their own religion. That's an aspect of humanity that I just do not understand. Most religions of the world preach that there is an afterlife. As long as someone is a good person, we'll typically be a good situation, so why does it matter. To automatically think that every family member has to think or do the same things that we do, makes for some pretty boring lives. The only thing I can think of relates to my father. My father is always proclaiming how much that I am "like him". When the truth of the matter, is that we are nothing alike. When something occurs that isn't remotely the same thing he would do, he gets upset, judgmental, and has an irrational anger that occurs in him. The only thing that occurs to me is this incessant human need to leave a little replica of ourselves for the world to continue on with. When, all it takes is to realize that this world is a big and complex place. There is no reason that we should be compelled to have copies of ourselves left for the next generation. Those kind of compulsions are just genetic throw backs. There are almost close to 6 billion human beings. The survivability of our species is almost assured in many cases. Many people just need to get out of their own human programming and just deal with the facts of life.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Surprise, surprise from the BCS.
I am admittedly a BCS hater, but there's something that I have to give them props on. The Mountain West is getting their props. For those of you who don't know, the high money games to be in the BCS, you have to be in the top 8 at the end of the season. Currently Utah is ranked #8 in the BCS poll. Which means, that if they do go undefeated and provided they get some losses from those ahead of them, they could get in the championship. It's a real remote chance, but it's possible (Penn State has had many seasons where they've been undefeated and still get snubbed for a championship game).
Right now, the Mountain West conference has the same number of teams (3) in the top 15, than the beloved and over rated SEC. This indicates that their computer formulas are some what working. The mountain west has creamed the Pac 10 this year, and the Mountain West has been elevated in the standings because of it. This should go to prove to athletic directors 1 thing. You need to schedule some more decent non-conference games to even crack the current ratings. There is absolutely NO REASON to schedule crappy teams that are in state! I am looking at you Weber St and Utah St. There is no reason to play these other teams. The nature of sports now days is turning to a "who you beat" and not solely on how many wins you have. This is the case with Basketball, Football, or pretty much any NCAA sport.
Admittedly, it will change because Utah or TCS will get knocked out of the top 15 tomorrow when they play against one another. However, most of this season, the conference as a whole, has been earning their stripes.
So, I will admit, as much as it pains me too... The BCS has been getting it better. I mean, it's still a shame that a team on it's own is penalized for the performance of the conference, but it's going to work to benefit of some other teams this season. The Utes, for example, play teams both ranked in the top 15 the last 2 weeks. The same statistic that media darling Texas Tech, done as well.
I'll hold out my final statement to see how it all shakes out. However, if the Utes were going to make a run for national championship, It had better be this year.
Right now, the Mountain West conference has the same number of teams (3) in the top 15, than the beloved and over rated SEC. This indicates that their computer formulas are some what working. The mountain west has creamed the Pac 10 this year, and the Mountain West has been elevated in the standings because of it. This should go to prove to athletic directors 1 thing. You need to schedule some more decent non-conference games to even crack the current ratings. There is absolutely NO REASON to schedule crappy teams that are in state! I am looking at you Weber St and Utah St. There is no reason to play these other teams. The nature of sports now days is turning to a "who you beat" and not solely on how many wins you have. This is the case with Basketball, Football, or pretty much any NCAA sport.
Admittedly, it will change because Utah or TCS will get knocked out of the top 15 tomorrow when they play against one another. However, most of this season, the conference as a whole, has been earning their stripes.
So, I will admit, as much as it pains me too... The BCS has been getting it better. I mean, it's still a shame that a team on it's own is penalized for the performance of the conference, but it's going to work to benefit of some other teams this season. The Utes, for example, play teams both ranked in the top 15 the last 2 weeks. The same statistic that media darling Texas Tech, done as well.
I'll hold out my final statement to see how it all shakes out. However, if the Utes were going to make a run for national championship, It had better be this year.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Math, solving life's issues!
I have a simple way to view the world. The world of mathematics you get one simple equation.
X + Y = Z
You have the first variable (x) + 2nd variable or action (y) and it equals a result, (z). This is a basic formula for determining several statistics. It's also a pattern for the scientific process. However, most statistics and things people claim as science, aren't directly cause and effect. The example I attempted to use last night, when referring to drunk driving, and the causality with it, doesn't work when applying this model. So, statistics that MADD and everything they state an argument for prevention laws are flawed. Take this science fact.
When you apply this science fact Potassium when combined with water explodes. That's science fact. You have X, the potassium. Plus Y, adding to water. Equals chemical reaction.
Or you can look at it this way. Plugging a fork in a light socket. You have X, the fork and or tool. You have the action of jamming it in a light socket, Y. Equals, Z, you get electrocuted. It is reproducible the same way, every time. So, equate it to a statistic about electrocution you have to know how many people stick forks in light sockets and how many get electrocuted.
This same model doesn't apply to drinking and driving, so it cannot be treated as fact. You have the number of people while drinking, X. Plus the action of driving a car, Y. Equals Z, mortality. Does drinking and driving cause the death of someone every time, no. So, you cannot say that it is reproducible result every time. Now, according to many of my friends, even the fact that mortality (Z), occurs that it needs to be as close to 0 as it can get. Now, 0 will never happen in regards to drinking and driving fatalities, that's a fact. So, you can express the equations like this:
You have the first variable (x) + 2nd variable or action (y) and it equals a result, (z). This is a basic formula for determining several statistics. It's also a pattern for the scientific process. However, most statistics and things people claim as science, aren't directly cause and effect. The example I attempted to use last night, when referring to drunk driving, and the causality with it, doesn't work when applying this model. So, statistics that MADD and everything they state an argument for prevention laws are flawed. Take this science fact.
When you apply this science fact Potassium when combined with water explodes. That's science fact. You have X, the potassium. Plus Y, adding to water. Equals chemical reaction.
Or you can look at it this way. Plugging a fork in a light socket. You have X, the fork and or tool. You have the action of jamming it in a light socket, Y. Equals, Z, you get electrocuted. It is reproducible the same way, every time. So, equate it to a statistic about electrocution you have to know how many people stick forks in light sockets and how many get electrocuted.
This same model doesn't apply to drinking and driving, so it cannot be treated as fact. You have the number of people while drinking, X. Plus the action of driving a car, Y. Equals Z, mortality. Does drinking and driving cause the death of someone every time, no. So, you cannot say that it is reproducible result every time. Now, according to many of my friends, even the fact that mortality (Z), occurs that it needs to be as close to 0 as it can get. Now, 0 will never happen in regards to drinking and driving fatalities, that's a fact. So, you can express the equations like this:
Z cannot = 0
So, the only way Z can approach 0 is eliminate or delimit x or y.
So, the only way Z can approach 0 is eliminate or delimit x or y.
Which, according this model, you have eliminate people drinking (x) or driving (y). However, our whole society states that everyone has the right to drink (x) or drive (y). As it's stated though, just because one drinks, doesn't cause mortality. Just because one drives, doesn't cause mortality. Basically:
X doesn't = Z
Y doesn't = Z
Z can = X
Z can = Y
Why people have actively enabled prevention laws, because they say that x + y = z, but that's not the case. It's a flawed argument mathematically. If you apply that kind of logic to drinking and driving, then the same should be applied across the board. So, structural integrity failures kill several people a year. Do we then have to have inspectors check a house for exactly a certain amount of nails, at random times? Why don't we hold to or apply that method prevention to other things? You've created a false causality. Even if you believe that we should eliminate and get Z (mortality) as close to zero as humanly possible. We should apply that to everything, but we don't. The reason why, is one thing $. We find it far easier to prosecute a person saying "you did this thing wrong" and leaving it to police officers. The problem is two fold. A, you have have complete faith in the Law Enforcement, which I do not. B, You have to believe that those powers will never be abused, and it removes your personal responsibility.
So, Mathematical formulas can be applied to many things in life. Most of the things that explain us can be broken down into simple equations. It's a little different way to look at the world, but it is still a very effective way of thinking, and cuts through all the linguistical pitfalls that politicians and sales people will try and get you hung up on.
Y doesn't = Z
Z can = X
Z can = Y
Why people have actively enabled prevention laws, because they say that x + y = z, but that's not the case. It's a flawed argument mathematically. If you apply that kind of logic to drinking and driving, then the same should be applied across the board. So, structural integrity failures kill several people a year. Do we then have to have inspectors check a house for exactly a certain amount of nails, at random times? Why don't we hold to or apply that method prevention to other things? You've created a false causality. Even if you believe that we should eliminate and get Z (mortality) as close to zero as humanly possible. We should apply that to everything, but we don't. The reason why, is one thing $. We find it far easier to prosecute a person saying "you did this thing wrong" and leaving it to police officers. The problem is two fold. A, you have have complete faith in the Law Enforcement, which I do not. B, You have to believe that those powers will never be abused, and it removes your personal responsibility.
So, Mathematical formulas can be applied to many things in life. Most of the things that explain us can be broken down into simple equations. It's a little different way to look at the world, but it is still a very effective way of thinking, and cuts through all the linguistical pitfalls that politicians and sales people will try and get you hung up on.
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