Penguin Feather

Life is but a walking shadow…

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:51:00 +0000

Recently I encountered the Ark, which is an animated short film about a man and his struggle with the meaninglessness of life. It’s a rather great animated film if you as me and was what sparked these thoughts…

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
-William Shakespeare

An interpretation might be that life is meaningless, however the more we look at nature the more its reiterated that there is no inherent meaning designed into it, at least none that is put there for human beings. Which harks the old saying “it is what it is,” but that doesn't mean life is meaningless. A basketball game has no inherent meaning. Its just a game, but to the players, coaches, and fans it has an infinite variety of meanings.

As soon as you come to grips with the fact that you are a part of nature and not above it, you can accept that life is not there to provide meaning. Meaning will present itself. Modern society is not at a loss for meaning. Modern society is actually sick with meaning. That's why so many people complain about the news and the lack of straight reporting. We're always being fed someone else's idea of significance. The existential crisis gets much less critical when you find something you love to do and focus on it. Meaning then revolves around what you consider important and exists for each of us to find individually.

jump – The Ark Film & Website

Tainted Understanding

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:57:00 +0000

There is an art of listening. To be able to really listen, one should abandon or put aside all prejudices, preformulations and daily activities... But unfortunately most of us listen through a screen of resistance. We are screened with prejudices, whether religious or spiritual, psychological or scientific; or with our daily worries, desires, and fears. And with these for a screen, we listen. Therefore, we listen really to our own noise, to our own sound, not to what is being said. It is extremely difficult to put aside our training, our prejudices, our inclination, our resistance, and reaching beyond the verbal expression, to listen so that we understand instantaneously. -Jiddu Krishnamurti

In order for one to practice the art of listening as it should be, one needs to take a step back from themselves. As no one shares the same conscience, it is futile to let your preconceived thoughts taint your understanding. All our experiences are unique and are in fact what builds individuality, but by listening to another through a screen of our accomplished prejudices, we lose the true meaning of what the other is saying in a mix of our interpretations.

Sitting here I am beginning to think this is less an art form and more a way of thought. Although, it's possible that the comprehension of this doctrine can be understood as a philosophy and its execution, an art form. However you look at it, listening is a product of perpetual understanding. One cannot be taught to think this way or that, just as one cannot be taught to appreciate the setting sun, it's a matter of understanding the beauty of what the situation possess. It is that of learned situations that makes this philosophy difficult to practice. We each step through life learning from different situations and thus building our psyche around what we like and dislike, and it is that, that makes the art of listening so hard. In order to really listen we need to, as I said, take a step back from ourselves, meaning we need to deconstruct of any learned preconceptions. From there we are able to really listen.

Jiddu Krishnamurti (May 11, 1895–February 17, 1986) was a well known writer and speaker on philosophical and spiritual subjects. His subject matter included: the purpose of meditation, human relationships, the nature of the mind, and how to enact positive change in global society.(viaWikipedia)

Moving Millions...

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:16:00 +0000

PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA: If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

Its the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.

Its the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

Its the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

Its been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and hes fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nations promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nations next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy thats coming with us to the White House. And while shes no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what youve sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didnt start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.

It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generations apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.

I know you didnt do this just to win an election and I know you didnt do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how theyll make the mortgage, or pay their doctors bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who wont agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government cant solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way its been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, its that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if Americas beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.

For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one thats on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. Shes a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldnt vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that shes seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we cant, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when womens voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that We Shall Overcome. Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we cant, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

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You might not like his politics but you have to admire his message.

Bigger Than Hip-Hop...

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0000

There is no doubt that the presidential nomination for Barak Obama is historic for breaking racial boundaries but it is detrimental for people to hold this as the singular remarkable aspect. Lost in the praise for his color are the extraordinary feats that he as a person has been able to accomplish. Aside from being the first black president he is one of the first men to transcend all creed, color, and class, and inspire not only a nation but much of the world as well. His powerful voice has broken down walls of indifference, whether it be racial, political or social and centered on bringing all people together for a cause that has been somewhat lost in this country for many years: Hope and togetherness.

Our country may be the best in the world but it is far from perfect and Obama's message of hope has stirred a considerably apathetic country of white, black, yellow, brown, red, blue, green and best of all mixed people to become involved and concede the fact that change is necessary in order to advance our nation. He has done this through his endless approach of speaking bluntly to an American people, with all our diversity we must stand together and become a united people, because we all serve under the same American flag.

Barak Obama has imposed unanimity upon the divergent with his message of Hope, and I think that we, in talking about his success plainly as a racial triumph are doing not only him but people in general a disservice. He is bigger than Hip Hop as transcends any racial classification. It is amazing to me to become inspired by someone so different and become so familiar with someone so far. It has nothing to do with his color or mixture thereof but his overall message that makes me want to be a better person. In the times ahead we need someone to believe in, we need a reason to look forward to and a hope to hold on to.

"He who has a why to live can bear almost any how." –Friedrich Nietzsche

A People's History of American Empire by Howard Zinn

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:31:00 +0000

Words to Live By

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:31:00 +0000

The following are The Fourteen Precepts of Engaged Buddhism taken from the book Interbeing by Thich Nhat Hanh. Take them in with care.

1. Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth.

2. Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow minded and bound to present views. Learn and practice nonattachment from views in order to be open to receive others' viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout your entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times.

3. Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialog, help others renounce fanaticism and narrow-mindedness.

4. Do not avoid suffering or close your eyes before suffering. Do not lose awareness of the existence of suffering in the life of the world. Find ways to be with those who are suffering, including personal contact, visits, images and sounds. By such means, awaken yourself and others to the reality of suffering in the world.

5. Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Do not take as the aim of your life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure. Live simply and share time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need.

6. Do not maintain anger or hatred. Learn to penetrate and transform them when they are still seeds in your consciousness. As soon as they arise, turn your attention to your breath in order to see and understand the nature of your hatred.

7. Do not lose yourself in dispersion and in your surroundings. Practice mindful breathing to come back to what is happening in the present moment. Be in touch with what is wondrous, refreshing, and healing both inside and around you. Plant seeds of joy, peace, and understanding in yourself in order to facilitate the work of transformation in the depths of your consciousness.

8. Do not utter words that can create discord and cause the community to break. Make every effort to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.

9. Do not say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people. Do not utter words that cause division and hatred. Do not spread news that you do not know to be certain. Do not criticize or condemn things of which you are not sure. Always speak truthfully and constructively. Have the courage to speak out about situations of injustice, even when doing so may threaten your own safety.

10. Do not use the Buddhist community for personal gain or profit, or transform your community into a political party. A religious community, however, should take a clear stand against oppression and injustice and should strive to change the situation without engaging in partisan conflicts.

11. Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive others of their chance to live. Select a vocation that helps realize your ideal of compassion.

12. Do not kill. Do not let others kill. Find whatever means possible to protect life and prevent war.

13. Possess nothing that should belong to others. Respect the property of others, but prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other species on Earth.

14. Do not mistreat your body. Learn to handle it with respect. Do not look on your body as only an instrument. Preserve vital energies (sexual, breath, spirit) for the realisation of the Way. (For brothers and sisters who are not monks and nuns:) Sexual expression should not take place without love and commitment. In sexual relations, be aware of future suffering that may be caused. To preserve the happiness of others, respect the rights and commitments of others. Be fully aware of the responsibility of bringing new lives into the world. Meditate on the world into which you are bringing new beings.

After reading this comes the inevitable thought; if these Precepts, however improbable, were understood by the worlds population, the world would become a more attractive, open and unique society than is presently so. It bothers me that people have become so close-minded that they fail to see any other opinion or view as valid. I would imagine that narrowmindedness is somewhat contagious in todays propagandiose society. It seems that people are to involved in the outcome of 24 to recognize that knowledge in this world, such as these fourteen Precepts, is not finite.

Now I must admit I am guilty for not allowing myself to follow these precepts, as I would imagine the same result for most people. However I feel that as long as I can recognize my faults I can work on making them better. These Fourteen Precepts are something I think everyone should at least take the time out to consider if not utilize.

Jump - The Fourteen Precepts of Engaged Buddhism
Image Credit - David Lanham

No One Wants to be Alone

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:15:00 +0000

"It's not good to be alone..." because life itself is nothing if lived unequaled. Aside from the procreative need for companionship, it is the compassion and acceptance we receive from others that allows us to thrive. Our interactions establish relationships and consequently form memories for times when we find ourselves alone. However, there are some things that might not be worth remembering as is such in this narrative called Space Alone by ilias sounas.

If the bond of friendship suddenly became intangible would you surrender your memories with the hopes to ease the pain?

Disgust...

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:18:00 +0000

Maybe that is the key; to goof around, explore new things and not let society dictate what it is that you should be doing with your time. After all it is your time and while society has a way of shaping the world you see it can never tell you how to think.

Do You Know Where It Is?

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:00:00 +0000

There is a great probability that you don't know where it is, have never been close and are never going to find the "edge", which in effect renders it a true statement. Some may be content in not knowing, for that is where their safety lies. However for some, and as it should be for all, this concept of the "edge" should be explored, built upon and extended. Being scared of and creating boundaries around ways in which your mind works is extremely detrimental as for the most part your imagination should be limitless.

Creationism | Evolution

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 03:51:00 +0000

Man has long searched for an answer to the questions; who, what, why, when, how and where do we come from? Lines have been drawn in the sand to which people have inevitably chosen sides. Speaking subjectively there is no right answer and as much as I would like to persuade you in my direction I can't because it all comes down to the individual belief.

For a quite compelling take on this subject check out the videos, or for a unique side by side comparison checkout Duelity.

Do You Measure Up - Universcale

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:27:00 +0000

"Without a meaningful, believable story that explains the world we actually live in, people have no idea how to think about the big picture. And without a big picture, we are very small people. A human without a cosmology is like a pebble lying near the top of a great mountain, in contact with its little indentation in the dirt and pebbles immediately surrounding it, but oblivious to its stupendous view." - The View from the Center of the Universe, 2006

In affect we are the pebble, and the mountain the universe. Our comfort lies in the tangibility of the world around us, what we can see, hear, feel; we can understand. When we lose these general sensations we become frightened at the aspect of the unknown. Devoid of any physical explanation, we as humans have assigned the concept of size in place of our insecurities. Thus allowing for a universal, relatable scale for comprehension.

Size for you and I, hopefully, is nothing new. However Nikon has take this concept and created the Universcale. Travel from the edge of the universe to the innards of an atom, all on the basic measurements that we can all comprehend.

Do You Measure Up - Universcale

What They Saved From the Fire

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:59:00 +0000

With the onslaught of fires in California it seems only fitting to wonder what few possessions one would save for themselves. If the fire was quickly approaching and there was only enough time to gather a few items, what would they be? Family pictures, important documents, a college degree might be the first thing to cross your mind but what about actual material possessions like jewelery, books, clothes or maybe a toothbrush and a pillow. It seems a rather daunting task to have to decide between belongings one might cherish and the things one will actually need. Personally I would take my computer, my journal, the book my Grandfather wrote and my iPod.

In any event and in my opinion, no one really wants to be faced with such a choice. We build our lives around the items that we have gathered; family photos, art, music collection, and books. And when it comes down to discriminating between them in order to find the items that hold the most meaning, it most likely could be overwhelming.

Time.com has just created a photo essay documenting the possessions people have chosen to take with them in their time of displacement.

Link - What They Saved From the Fire

Thats Life

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 03:05:00 +0000

Thats life... a continuation of thoughts and ideas constantly building upon one another to reveal and/or construct an individual aesthetic experience.

Doesn't that sound about right? How would you define life?

Whats the Worst Thing to Lose?

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 03:28:00 +0000

I'm not one for admiring advertisements, however when I came across these I felt they would be fitting to share:

It was curiosity that killed the cat, which makes a good point as to why so many people seem to lose that mindset as they get further along in life. It might seem in ones best interest to lose that curiosity and go with the flow of things but honestly whats the fun in that; who really wants to stop discovering and asking questions? Now besides the obvious intent behind this series of ads, there is an underlying message that, I think, should be heralded. That being... Live curiously and always ask questions. Study different perspectives in order to evolve your own. And legitimize yourself by seeking your own path. Now I am not a professional philosopher (yet) but I do feel strongly about my observation.

Karma

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:29:00 +0000

What Goes Around, Comes Around

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

"I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."

"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer.

At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel.

"Is that your son?" the nobleman asked.

"Yes," the farmer replied proudly.

"I'll make you a deal. Let me take him and give him a good education. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll grow to a man you can be proud of."

And that he did. In time, Farmer Fleming's son graduated from St.Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known. Throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the nobleman's son was stricken with pneumonia. What saved him? Penicillin.

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.

Someone once said: What goes around comes around.

Link - Opey

Define Life Your Own Way

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 14:54:00 +0000

Life: Explained

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.

"Not very long," answered the Mexican.

"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American.

The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs. I have a full life."

The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."

"And after that?" asked the Mexican.

"With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.

"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American.

"And after that?"

"Afterwards? Well my friend, that's when it gets really interesting," answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start buying and selling stocks and make millions!"

"Millions? Really? And after that?" asked the Mexican.

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends."

And the moral of this story is: ......... Know where you're going in life... you may already be there.

Link - Life: Explained

I Do Not Care

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 14:40:00 +0000

I Don't Want to Tell You How to Think but Maybe You Should Consider This

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:32:00 +0000

The following is an interesting story with an important moral, so please enjoy.

Some time ago I received a call from a colleague. He was about to give a student a zero for his answer to a physics question, while the student claimed a perfect score. The instructor and the student agreed to an impartial arbiter, and I was selected.

I read the examination question: "SHOW HOW IT IS POSSIBLE TO DETERMINE THE HEIGHT OF A TALL BUILDING WITH THE AID OF A BAROMETER." The student had answered, "Take the barometer to the top of the building, attach a long rope to it, lower it to the street, and then bring it up, measuring the length of the rope. The length of the rope is the height of the building."

The student really had a strong case for full credit since he had really answered the question completely and correctly! On the other hand, if full credit were given, it could well contribute to a high grade in his physics course and to certify competence in physics, but the answer did not confirm this. I suggested that the student have another try. I gave the student six minutes to answer the question with the warning that the answer should show some knowledge of physics.

At the end of five minutes, he had not written anything. I asked if he wished to give up, but he said he had many answers to this problem; he was just thinking of the best one. I excused myself for interrupting him and asked him to please go on.

In the next minute, he dashed off his answer which read: "Take the barometer to the top of the building and lean over the edge of the roof. Drop the barometer, timing its fall with a stopwatch.Then, using the formula x=0.5*a*t^^2, calculate the height of the building." At this point, I asked my colleague if he would give up. He conceded,and gave the student almost full credit.

While leaving my colleague's office, I recalled that the student had said that he had other answers to the problem, so I asked him what they were. "Well," said the student, "there are many ways of getting the height of a tall building with the aid of a barometer. For example, you could take the barometer out on a sunny day and measure the height of the barometer, the length of its shadow, and the length of the shadow of the building,and by the use of simple proportion, determine the height of the building."

"Fine," I said, "and others?" "Yes," said the student, "there is a very basic measurement method you will like. In this method, you take the barometer and begin to walk up the stairs. As you climb the stairs, you mark off the length of the barometer along the wall. You then count the number of marks, and this will give you the height of the building in barometer units." "A very direct method." "Of course. If you want a more sophisticated method, you can tie the barometer to the end of a string, swing it as a pendulum, and determine the value of g at the street level and at the top of the building. From the difference between the two values of g, the height of the building,in principle, can be calculated."

"On this same tact, you could take the barometer to the top of the building, attach a long rope to it, lower it to just above the street, and then swing it as a pendulum. You could then calculate the height of the building by the period of the precession". "Finally," he concluded, "there are many other ways of solving the problem. Probably the best," he said, "is to take the barometer to the basement and knock on the superintendent's door. When the superintendent answers, you speak to him as follows: 'Mr. Superintendent, here is a fine barometer. If you will tell me the height of the building, I will give you this barometer." At this point, I asked the student if he really did not know the conventional answer to this question. He admitted that he did, but said that he was fed up with high school and college instructors trying to teach him how to think. The student was Neils Bohr.

Link - Slashdot

Famous Last Words...

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:49:00 +0000

Click on the image for a close up.

When Your Hero Falls...

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:34:00 +0000

"When Ure Hero Falls"

when your hero falls from grace
all fairy tales r uncovered
myths exposed and pain magnified
the greatest pain discovered
u taught me 2 be strong
but im confused 2 c u so weak
u said never 2 give up
and it hurts 2 c u welcome defeat

when ure hero falls so do the stars
and so does the perception of tomorrow
without my hero there is only
me alone 2 deal with my sorrow
your heart ceases 2 work
and your soul is not happy at all
what r u expected 2 do
when ure only hero falls

The message in the poem is as simple as it was delivered; what do you do when your hero falls Most everyone has heard of the author but probably no one has ever experience anything he has had to say for the reason of general misconceptions. Many will describe his genre as delinquent. And some will say that his message is delivered in such as way that isn't worthy of attention. Regardless of where his recognition might be derived and what you think or how you feel great minds will prevail. I would like to introduce Tupac Shakur.

I never had a hero at least I didn't think I did, but as I look back I always admired my grandfather. Not because of his status, his awards, or his popularity but because he was the smartest man I ever knew and him being a rocket scientist had nothing to do with it. He told me one time that "philosophy is for the people that have nothing else to do," although that was my major reasoning behind my talks with him. I wanted his philosophy on life and to discover his perception on the world. However, our talks never evolved into that deep discussion I had wanted so badly. For that I blame myself for not being able to compose my thoughts well enough in order to ask him what I really wanted to know. In the end, I guess I could say that my hero did fall but I do not look at the future in disdain for I take what I had learned in the moments that we shared and I start to build myself again. Thank you Scott Crossfield.

Try, Try, Try Again

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:18:00 +0000

Have you ever failed at something? Ever wanted to give up? Chances are you have failed and I know that I've wanted to give up many times. But just think of how the world would be if all the important figures throughout history would have given up after their first failure. We wouldn't have many great things like Democracy or Google. So it isn't how many times you fail, it is how you pick yourself up. So let that resonate in your mind as you take a look at this list I have found of famous people and the trials they endured in order to reach their individual purpose.

This is just a snip of a larger list, that if you wish to see you will need to follow the link at the bottom.

As a young man, Abraham Lincoln went to war a captain and returned a private. Afterwards, he was a failure as a businessman. As a lawyer in Springfield, he was too impractical and temperamental to be a success. He turned to politics and was defeated in his first try for the legislature, again defeated in his first attempt to be nominated for congress, defeated in his application to be commissioner of the General Land Office, defeated in the senatorial election of 1854, defeated in his efforts for the vice-presidency in 1856, and defeated in the senatorial election of 1858. At about that time, he wrote in a letter to a friend, "I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were equally distributed to the whole human family, there would not be one cheerful face on the earth."
Winston Churchill failed sixth grade. He was subsequently defeated in every election for public office until he became Prime Minister at the age of 62. He later wrote, "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never, Never, Never, Never give up." (his capitals, mind you)
Socrates was called "an immoral corrupter of youth" and continued to corrupt even after a sentence of death was imposed on him. He drank the hemlock and died corrupting.
Sigmund Freud was booed from the podium when he first presented his ideas to the scientific community of Europe. He returned to his office and kept on writing.
Robert Sternberg received a C in his first college introductory-psychology class. His teacher commented that "there was a famous Sternberg in psychology and it was obvious there would not be another." Three years later Sternberg graduated with honors from Stanford University with exceptional distinction in psychology, summa cum laude, and Phi Beta Kappa. In 2002, he became President of the American Psychological Association.
Charles Darwin gave up a medical career and was told by his father, "You care for nothing but shooting, dogs and rat catching." In his autobiography, Darwin wrote, "I was considered by all my masters and my father, a very ordinary boy, rather below the common standard of intellect." Clearly, he evolved.
Thomas Edison's teachers said he was "too stupid to learn anything." He was fired from his first two jobs for being "non-productive." As an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When a reporter asked, "How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?" Edison replied, "I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps."

Jump - They Did Not Give Up

"America Hater"

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 03:46:00 +0000

"America Hater," the title of my post came from what my father called me earlier today. Let me start for the record that I do not hate America. In fact I am a huge supporter of Capitalism and to show my support I spend money frivolously. Seriously though, I do support my country and I would go to war if I was able to discover an honest reason not touted with political stink.

But on to my story... I asked my father if he was interested in what the Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was going to talk about if and when he visits Columbia University. His rather unsurprising response sounded like this:

No, why would I want to hear what 'ak-ma-dina-nut-job' has to say. He wouldn't give us the same respect in his country, in fact he would probably have our nuts chopped off. America is a Saint compared to the rest of the world. Did you know he is responsible for more American deaths than Osama bin Laden? He is an evil person and only wants to be our friend long enough so that he can build a bomb and kill us all. No, I don't want to hear him talk and if you think he should be allowed then maybe we should invite bin Laden too and have a fucking tea party. Only a fool would trust an evil person like that. He denies the Holocaust and apparently he had something to do with the Iran hostage Crisis during the Carter years.

Being the fair and balanced Fox News disciple that he is, I remained unsurprised by the remarks, as I knew what I was getting into. I retorted in stressing the fact of making his own opinions about the matter versus one that is spoon fed to you by Bill O'Reily. Although apparently Bill O'Reily is off limits as it is God reincarnated and knows no wrong because after I pushing him to gather his own opinions he got mad, exclaiming Ahmadinejad as a liar and a murderer.

Again I stress the importance on forming an individual and subjective opinion about the matter rather than wholly accepting someone else view. It seems like, at that point, I was approaching borderline blasphemy which is not acceptable and with undeniable resistance he called me a "America Hater" for the simple fact that I didn't accept ~~his belief~~ the truth on the subject.

Let the record show that I am not a supporter for Ahmadinejad in anyway, but I am incessantly interested in what he has to say. Not from the stand point of idolization or anything, but to see what this person is about and how he can deny such travesties, which I think would be the point of a forum at Columbia. To question this guy to find out what he is really about so that we can each form our own opinion.

If you hate me like my father so be it, I just want everyone to form their own opinion individually without any "help" from others. Thanks.

Carl Sagan - Pale Blue Dot

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 03:41:00 +0000

"To live in the hearts we leave behind is to never die"

We have one chance to make it work, to make it right, to make it worth while, to cherish, to love, to feel, to touch, to experience, to discover and one chance to live. I don't like to entertain the fact of our demise but our fate is guaranteed. What we do in between those flashes of light is what defines our very existence.

"What a Famous Thing to Say: 6 Quotable Lines and How to Use ‘Em"

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 03:06:00 +0000

"I don't like quotes, tell me what you know." - Emerson

I know that many people like to use quotes, but most don't know the origin of their material. Neatorama has taking a few literary sayings the have reverberated through the years and managed to find the story behind the words.

Below is the list...

1. "Rule a large country as you’d cook a small fish" - Lao-Tzu, The Way of the Tao

2. "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here!" - Dante, The Inferno

3. "Now is the winter of our discontent." - William Shakespeare, first line of Richard III

4. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." - Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities.

5. "Things fall apart; the center cannot hold." - William Butler Yeats, "The Second Coming"

6. "Never laugh at live dragons." - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Make the Jump for the explanation - Neatorama

Art In Motion

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan) — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 04:37:00 +0000

"The dominant idea about art in our culture, ever since the idea of 'art' itself arose in the eighteenth century, has been that it is superfluous -- an ornament or enhancement, pleasant enough but hardly necessary"

I feel that Art any form, is necessary. Artistic expression drives the world whether people can identify with that or not. Without such a thing this place would be rather stagnate, boring and even a little Orwellian. Art is more than just a picture on a wall, it is an expression of emotion, it is more than just a sculpture, it is reproduction of movement. Art is defined as "the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance." This can be explored in many more avenues than a picture on a wall or a sculpture in a yard, anything and everything involving creativity can be seen as art or at least an art form. Let me say that art is necessary and often underestimated in its provocative nature. Art is all around and should not be generalized as it was classically as it is an integral part of our society. Learn to appreciate or at least accept it for what it is and you will be rewarded with a most unique view on life.