Esmé-Dancer

Here's Esmé bounding at her second-grade ballet "final":

Love this girl.

Milemarker: Interesting Twitter Conversations, 8/3-9/30

Here are my favorite conversations from Twitter during August-September 2013. Thanks to all for making it so interesting!

Values, society, morality:

• "Rats and roaches live…under the laws of supply and demand; it is the privilege of human beings to live under the laws of justice and mercy." (@aghastjan @dougiepen @MeierMac) 9/17/13
• "'We exist in a bizarre combination of Stone Age emotions, medieval beliefs, and god-like technology.' — Edward O. Wilson" (@cantata21 @linaolight) 9/16/13
• "For most Americans, life expectancy continues to rise—but not for uneducated white women. No one knows why." (@SuSmithJosephy @dianefischler @keishadarling) 9/5/13
• "Something to think about this #LaborDay: Why a medieval peasant got more vacation time than you" (@Comanchegyrl @phunphunphun @nitpickette01 @MmedeSevigne @On_Point_Prg @wisermann @maddie273) 9/2/13 *
• "We seem to be developing a culture in which we are fascinated by people with zero self-respect. #twerk #RealityTV" (@rdHunter7 @BombeRouge @JulesAboutTown @bollbar @_NIKD_ @RDeanCutting) 8/29/13 *
• "These superb #maps detail the racial #segregation in America's cities" (@MatthewStuart20 @boris3324 @CleanHouse2014 @DariMD) 8/27/13
• "'I pity the man who wants a coat so cheap that the man or woman who produces the cloth will starve in the process.' —Benjamin Harrison" (@TheGistOf @AuntieMEK @shereedre10 @nyzap @Dena_K_ @ddsnorth @bicchinella @bettyaberlin @ConsiderThis1) 8/27/13 *
• "You cannot separate spirit from science, art from finance." (@mmdoty) 8/24/13
• "Consciousness is the ‘hard problem’, the mystery that confounds scientists and philosophers." (@cantata21 @jaglister) 8/22/13 *
• "Unbelievable that people like this still exist" (@CriminySTFU @fleurdelivres @picklestfc) 8/9/13
• "If I teach my daughter to be smart about how she dresses, not to go overboard with selfies, etc…am I encouraging a #VictimShaming attitude?" (@tinacapalbo @ShivaKap @AuntieMEK @mpanutsos @luckylindy31 @fleurdelivres @ElizabMcCormack @Bill_McL @picklestfc @cantata21) 8/7/13
• "Sad reality…and likely not the only place this is happening: Suicides rise by 40% as Italy's economy slumps" (@MiekeInc @cantata21 @AuntieMEK @jaglister @RandyAW @Comanchegyrl) 8/4/13

Politics:

• "Are Republicans afraid that heath care reform may prove popular? (Answer: Yes)" (@AuntieMEK @donthebear @Barr16Linda) 9/28/13
• "What can we do to speed this along? RT @GlenHess: Texas Official Is Preparing for Secession" (@GlenHess @_NIKD_ @Bdreamer7Helene @luckylindy31 @dhvibe @cantata21 @Editright @fabianaugustus @Joycecurrier2 @Iservedrinks) 9/14/13
• "If verified, I'm pissed: RT @SarahBurris: Staffer from Koch-backed group indicates @Yelp has become a corporate member of #ALEC." (@SarahBurris @ArtByAlida @BerinSzoka @KagroX @sowsearsoup) 8/13/13

Religion:

• "Celebrate the day of rest with this: One-Third of Americans Under 30 Have No #Religion. That's a bright future." (@homesweetyeg @McCarmee) 9/22/13
• "The stupid is strong: #OneMillionMoms (really not a million), is trying to distribute a new anti- #evolution video" (@Britonomics) 8/18/13

Psychology

• "I can't decide whether it's better to have goals or goats." (@bch11 @KSPbama @DincusMincus @vote_out_haters @LennyTheGoat @TheWanjiru @AdamOICU) 9/20/13
• "Having a moment of clarity: I don't doubt that I'll achieve my earthly goals within 10± years. So I wonder, are my aspirations high enough?" (@cantata21 @bombidil @fleurdelivres) 9/17/13
• "I'm 40 and don't rule the world yet, thus I'm a failure. #HowMyMindWorks" (@billraia @IronicHeathen @swirlOsquirrel) 9/7/13
• "The 'wisdom' of crowds and the fallacy of #CommonSense." (@fleurdelivres @docrocktex26) 9/7/13
• "My goal is to buy a #Porsche before I look like the creepy old guy driving a Porsche. #materialism" (@rwrabbit @billraia @fleurdelivres @Comanchegyrl @CrookedKitty) 8/20/13
• "OK, this is really, really interesting: 'Meaning Is Healthier Than Happiness'" (@picklestfc @ColdDimSum) 8/3/13

Arts & language:

• "File under: Strange musical instruments - MT @billraia: Guitar-harp from 1910." (@Resoguitar @billraia) 9/29/13
• "Wow, this is amazing: Secret Paintings in Early 19th Century Books" (@beebearninja @SingnPlay) 9/10/13
• "Wow, check out this old hulk of a steam locomotive" (@josephstokesbar @Renonys @Stanmatthias @DavidJCole1948 @ozigeekette @juniber) 9/3/13
• "As we continue to observe the death of the English language - Oxford dictionary adds 'twerk', 'derp', 'selfie', more" (@CriminySTFU @SimonRowe6 @JBucknoff @VegasJessie @Whatawhich) 8/28/13
• "Dumb-asses have killed English a little bit more: In the dictionary, 'literally' now also means 'figuratively'" (@OverQuill @Jeanine_OConnor @G_times) 8/26/13
• "Dolly Parton's original recording of 'Jolene' slowed down by 25% is surprisingly awesome" (@ArtByAlida @TobyMeadows @allovus @G_times @TaylorCarman @distributedcog @keith_wilson) 8/17/13
• "Beautiful: An abandoned fishing boat, Point Reyes, California" (@G_times @allovus @Stanmatthias @driver_bob) 8/16/13

Non sequitur:

• "I'm always surprised at the level of response to my midnight tweets. What the hell are you people doing up?" (@tinacapalbo @ArtByAlida @allovus @Pamduckling @fleurdelivres) 9/14/13
• "Mind-blowing how many people are in the world, each interesting in some way. Wish I was a god; wish I had the time to get to know each one." (@BrightEyedDyer @DeputyDriscoll @taminespr) 9/2/13
• "Just passing this along: Plastic surgeon falls in love with woman after performing designer vagina surgery on her" (@sailorboyj @liberalboxer @YEGlifer @RichHeelan @Pamduckling) 8/28/13
• "I'm surprised it took so long: The adult-sized #BigWheel" (@Renonys @mmwlawtaos) 8/6/13

Social Media:

• "The problem with #SocialMedia is it makes everyone believe that their every thought should be publicized." (@YEGlifer @Comanchegyrl @Resoguitar @MGBazemoreJr) 8/19/13
• "Unlike some people, I don't freak out when interlopers engage me on Twitter. Remember, everyone: This is PUBLIC!" (@albertaadvocate @oMG_ITS_HER2 @AlphaNano @ArtByAlida @MGBazemoreJr @allovus) 8/14/13
• "Sign me up, too - RT @ModernSauce: 'As soon as there's an interpretive dance version of Twitter I'll be ON it!'" (@theflutterbee @ModernSauce @oMG_ITS_HER2) 8/13/13
• "I wish all my friends on Twitter would change their avatars to their real faces…maybe just for a day. Why the anonymity?" (@ShivaKap @proudliberalmom @BrightEyedDyer @renshaw_emma @TaliaFarrow @Sasa2455) 8/13/13
• "I'm surprised at how many active Twitter users seem to have no VOICE; they just post links all day with little opinion or interaction." (@ModernSauce @Dianora_1 @kaneguindreamz @thecookiebatch @Steve_SR_ @tinacapalbo @Comanchegyrl @notcreative388 @homesweetyeg) 8/9/13

Hiromi Arrives!

Hiromi, whom we met five years ago in Japan, is staying with us for three months while she studies English at Case Western University. We are excited to host—looking forward to learning from her, and showing her our corner of the world!

Fortune Favors Chaos

When I think of the Earth as something created by God, it is not impressive. Although it is beautiful, it is full of pain, suffering, destruction, defects. What god would allow such flaws?

However, when I think of the Earth as something that evolved by chance, it is an amazing, serendipitous place. Although it still contains pain and suffering, these are merely the result of an indifferent universe. And when I consider that the tremendous beauty of the world has largely come from chaos, that is when I realize how profoundly fortunate I am to be alive, to be a part of all of this.

Interesting Twitter Conversations (6/21 - 8/2)

Conversations I want to remember from my Twitter timeline from the past couple months:

Philosophy:

• "On the precipice of the period where we 'evolve' into a more cooperative species than we are now. I'll hold onto that." (@jaglister) 6/21/13

Politics:

• "'Should I give to the poor?' - 'No,' says #RepublicanJesus. 'They should get a job like everyone else!'" (@Dena_K_) 6/20/13
   
• "Republicans seem intent on downgrading America's middle class to 'peasant class'." (@IndigoSky @sailorboyj @LindaWildes @Lvci_frr @smartboyohboy) 6/21/13
   
• "Not making this up: Ted Nugent 'I have 9 children from 7 women, and I'm running for president'" (@padresteve @creditease @RustiResta @ChristiAnne67 @Yecora51 @mmdoty @Dena_K_ @CriminySTFU @BrianBuchbinder @taminespr) 7/5/13
   
• "I'm initiating a #Kickstarter to buy Texas and Florida, and then auction them off to some other country." (@nitpickette01 @MiekeInc @caracabe @picklestfc) 8/1/13

Morality and values:

• "Anti-abortionists aren't 'pro-life', they're 'pro-birth'—no concern for the development of the child's actual life." Part 2 (@CleveNole @AMFKNole @NoleFan86) 6/23/13
   
• "Truth is stranger than fiction: 'Gay cure' ministry closes down after its leader admits he's attracted to men." (@SingnPlay @thomasatmyporch) 6/23/13
   
• "Chief Justice Roberts says, 'Our country has changed.' Yes, it has. Racists have become much more adept at obfuscating their racism. #VRA" (@ModernSauce @kokobyrd @AaronWorthing @Teddyshouse2II @GregPiperMP @Edzones @Matthew_Barlow @ShivaKap @NerdKing52 @geo_love1 @jstines3 @JetNo) 6/26/13
   
• "Every morning, hundreds of thousands of workers show up for jobs that are unseen, uncertain & underpaid." (@Dena_K_ @EdDarrell @pfontes95) 7/2/13
   
• "This does NOT speak well of the profession: Court OKs Barring High IQs for Cops" (@Siiiimonsays @GodlessAndHappy @BombeRouge @vditucci @Green_fille) 7/15/13
   
• "Well. Doesn't Juror #B37 sound like a real class act."(@NANDEE218 @fgsweetdog @Bdreamer7Helene @mmboucher8 @SharonGibson3 @geekchicohio @mdrfl @mary73534 @lsalander13) 7/16/13
   
• "…aware of any study that correlates retailer locations by racial makeup?" (@thestile1972 @schmangee @lynnphares) 7/18/13
   
• "I work in #RealEstate, can confirm this: "Retail Redlining"—One of the Most Pervasive Forms of Racism Left in America" (@ShivaKap @jben1129 @alakshya2) 7/19/13
   
• "Most psychopaths don't become criminals they become CEOs & politicians" (@pfontes95 @SuSmithJosephy @cantata21) 7/25/13
   
• "'Crack baby' study finds #poverty is worse for child development than exposure to drug in womb" (@G_times @NicoleBonnet1 @nyzap) 7/25/13 

Non sequitur:

• "How to pretend you're Canadian when you #travel." (@De8or4h @SuSmithJosephy @tinacapalbo) 7/1/13
   
• "The unstoppable stupid: After Spending $11,000, Woman Sues Psychic For Not Lifting Curse On Her Love Life" (@tinacapalbo @G_times) 7/12/13
   
• "Behold the ineffable cosmos within the forest's cathedral" (@SisterBhugto @pjsirrah) 7/27/13

Health:

• "Quackery: About 50% of Americans use "alternative" medicine, and 10% use it on their children." (@tinacapalbo @RayChatie) 6/20/13
   
• "Study: Skipping Breakfast Could Increase Risk Of Heart Attack" (@ledfist) 7/25/13
   
• "I endorse this research 110%: Harvard study finds #coffee drinking tied to lower risk of suicide" (@Rebecca_Raphael @tinacapalbo @G_times @bombidil) 7/27/13
   
• "Inspiring: New #Alzheimer's blood test is 93% accurate in clinical trials" (@JRChristenson @MikeConundrum @ladyotomoofsaka ) 7/30/13

Religion:

• "Christian poll finds #atheists commit fewer crimes, divorce less, are better educated than Christians" (@amorYvida62 @joeman42 @gatheiststl @Lee123Sue @mksinsa) 7/3/13
   
• "I keep seeing these #Christian women on Twitter who are constantly posting semi-provacative #selfies with Bible quotes. Beyond weird." (@ShivaKap @Promethus_ @RayChatie @Dena_K_ @HollyTheNurse1 @Ms_PriyaS @BrightEyedDyer @MizMelly) 7/4/13
   
• "Ugh: Russia makes it illegal to insult the 'feelings of religious believers'" (@nais1998 @RedScareBot @Bonnieinchgo @pfontes95) 7/21/13
   
• "If we eliminated #religion & started from scratch, it would be different. If we rediscovered all scientific knowledge, it would be the same." (@ShivaKap @JonDrobny @SisterBhugto @HuntWithThimble @Resoguitar @ArtisanTheory @homesweetyeg) 7/24/13

Economics:

• "A goddamn sad state of affairs: #WalMart is the largest U.S. employer…and second? #KellyServices, a temp agency." (@YEGlifer @mierzwei @DesautelsLuc @pbtrue1 @GrainOfSands @Juicexlx @TheDavidMcGuire) 7/9/13
   
• "Now this is a damn good idea: Oklahoma City hospital posts surgery prices online; creates bidding war" (@taminespr @thomasatmyporch @RayChatie @CriminySTFU @bollbar) 7/11/13
   
• "Technology has boosted productivity without spurring job growth." (@milo9) 7/18/13
   
• "Due to low wages & employee reliance on government subsidies, a typical #WalMart costs taxpayers $904,542 per year." (@Princesswikki @diamondave13 @lfredsson @YEGlifer) 8/2/13

Media:

• "The illusion of choice: 6 companies control 90% of the #media in the U.S." (@Resoguitar @magda196 @Bdreamer7Helene @RanyhynRider) 7/14/13

Sustainability:

• "Trendy, pathetic, 'extreme' tourism: Mount Everest Is Now Covered in Litter and Human Poop" (@nitpickette01 @WilliamBDevittI) 7/25/13
   
• "Adaptive re-use: An abandoned #WalMart has become the largest single-floor public library in the United States" (@homesweetyeg @CriminySTFU @MindFreeZone @phunphunphun @YEGlifer @realtmo) 8/2/13

Social media:

• "I don't really have a schtick. Should I develop one? Twitter seems to like that. #SM" (@jlturpen) 7/24/13
   
• "I wish more people would use their real name & face on Twitter. Hiding behind anonymity gives a sort of 'hollowness' to one's voice." (@SingnPlay @YEGlifer @billraia @albertaadvocate @ElizabMcCormack @Truthseeker_013 @RedAnneBolynn @kma916) 7/28/13

A strange dream

Last night I had a strange dream: My family and I attended some sort of non-denominational morning church service. There was a forgettable message, at the end of which a large screen slid down into the stage opening. We spent the last part of the service watching a film of various nature scenes, accompanied by symphonic music. It was a bit like Roth’s “going home” scene in Soylent Green. I whispered to my wife, “Well, this minister is taking a few shortcuts, isn’t he?” Another member of the congregation turned around and attempted to explain the purpose of the film, but his voice was drowned out by the music. Near what I thought might be the conclusion, the theater became disconnected from its moorings: the entire room tilted toward the stage, to about an angle of 60 degrees. Everyone held onto their seats to stop from sliding and falling. No one seemed particularly bothered by this.

Links 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Birthday Kids

Max just hit the double-digits, and Esmé is now seven. Where does the time go? 

Signpost: Interesting Twitter conversations, 4/28 - 6/18

I continue to enjoy the varied and deep conversations I have with people on Twitter.

Philosophy, Spirituality & Religion:

• "…man is a moderately gregarious, not a completely social animal—a creature more like a wolf, let us say, or an elephant, than like a bee or an ant." (@jaglister @mmwlawtaos)

• "I'm sick to my stomach: 'Faith-Healing Churches Linked to 2 Dozen Child Deaths'" (@LC_of_LA @GameBreakersCan @Ibti @jaglister @NabilAbuAmirah @The_Ben2832 @ledfist @OldIgby)

• "I wonder if there is an alternate universe where there's no suffering?" (@MizMelly @Bailey649 @darwinsbulldog)

• "What do you do when your religion is losing influence? Have more kids & indoctrinate them from birth! #QuiverFull" (@donkeyception @Socknitster @TheSurlyShirley @kerriet11)

• "How about we start with a discussion of the harmonic nature of cortical neural function? Those suckers are always firing." (@jaglister)

• "Today I learned about something—apparently real—that bothers me quite a bit: The Voluntary Human Extinction Movement" (@capelessT @allovus @alexa_v @laNitpickette @kropotsky17)

• "Dear Christians: Please read Matthew 26 carefully, and then let me know if you think Jesus would approve of your owning an assault rifle." (@JoeG2001 @geraldpeterson4 @ShivaKap @ASH_auldshaman @tillytoogood)

Urban Planning:

• "Is the [Cleveland] Opportunity Corridor a civil rights issue?" (@schmangee @jaglister)

Politics & Economics:

• "Bye-bye middle class: The share of national income going to workers continues to fall." (@tinacapalbo @BombeRouge @ShivaKap)

• "Ridiculous: Since 2011, Republicans have spent no less than 15% of their time trying to repeal Obamacare." (@jxjs12 @sweetsmithie01 @hrhsar @1Dad2Four @hausdorff80 @ScrewFoxNews @Didikatz)

• "A question about this #IRS thing; What if the supposed targets of the IRS were targeted because they were trying to avoid paying taxes?" (@FranchiseKing @mdrache @ftdatl)

• "I just realized that 'Fox & Friends' is almost exactly like a children's show. It's got the rhythm & content structure of Sesame Street." (@ASH_auldshaman @JoeG2001 @tillytoogood @BevinsElizabeth)

• "Politics aside, let's just appreciate this: #Crime is diminishing across the developed world (but no one knows why)." (@JoeG4Freedom @geekchicohio)

Privacy:

• "James Clapper says the @guardian's leak of #NSA data collection is 'reprehensible'. And the people of the world say: 'thank-you'. #privacy" (@ShivaKap @vickijee) 

Infrastructure:

• "Something NEEDS to be done - American Society of Civil Engineers grades U.S. bridge condition 'C+'" (@joecimperman @Dena_K_ @sjf1 @TheeMattMarquis @Matthew_Barlow @TheGistOf @Another_Wench @ODOT_Cleveland @TeacherReality)

Photography:

• "The canal near Shirakawa-Minami-dori, in the Gion district. #Kyoto #Japan" (@picklestfc)

Science & Technology:

• "Did you know that NASA is *actually* working on faster than light travel? This is not #SciFi." (@LisaToddSutton @TheGistOf @johnpocalypse)

Non sequitur:

• "Slow and steady wins the race. But I'm a little goddamn tired of slow and steady right now." (@BrightEyedDyer @TinaMorphis @mrbabypants @mbattistella @mmdoty @Tehelmin)

• "Last night I dreamt of a wonderful street fair, on a wonderful street that actually exists. The problem is, said street fair does not exist." (@MonasLists @allovus)

• "For better or for worse, I've learned that sometimes the optimal decision has nothing to do with being rational." (@SingnPlay) 

Closing of "Space-Time" photography-video exhibition

"Space-Time" features photography from Jason Robert Carroll and a video installation from Elena Harvey Collins.

"Jason Carroll and Elena Collins explore the complexities of space, both physically and conceptually, taking long looks at some of our most abandoned, mundane, and subliminal spaces."

Closing: Friday, May 17, 2012, 5-11 PM
Location: Survival Kit Gallery - 1305 W. 80th Suite 303, Third Floor (Located in the W.78th St. Studios Bldg.), Cleveland, Ohio 44102

Click here for the event page on Facebook.

Interesting conversations, through 4/28/13

Memorable thoughts & conversations on Twitter over the past couple weeks:

Non-sequitur:

• "Decided to start a campaign to eliminate the abomination-word 'webinar' from the lexicon. Anyone with me?" (@BeKind2Other @mrbabypants @Gary_R_Walker @allovus @tree_hug_r @ShivaChimp @CriminySTFU)
  


• "Putting cheese after most words will make said word sound unpleasant. Foot cheese, scalp cheese, tree cheese, mustache cheese." (@FalconPiss911 @Another_Wench @PerturbSecular @ObservantLynn)

Economics, etc.:

• "Hmmm… Inside India's 'No-Frills' Hospitals, Where Heart Surgery Costs Just $800" (@ledfist @MattTaylor)
  
• "The level of stupidity here is profound: Sustainable Development could be outlawed in Kansas" (@Uppity1 @De8or4h @treehuggeruk)
  
• "Could we consider weather tweets to act similarly to bads in that they artificially inflate GDP?" (@CavsFangelo)

Religion:

• "Read God's laws in Leviticus14. Explain how it differs to voodoo. - Voodoo has dancing." (@ratminer @dawkinsassange)

• "Heartbreaking new poll: a third of Americans want Christianity as the state religion" (@CriminySTFU @drcreek @mariarfin @kahrviacree)

Psychology:

• "I present as an extrovert, but I also have very high social control, strong empathy and I recharge alone." (@picklestfc @DEATHxBLACKHOLE @susancain)
• "What you say and what you do represents who you are. Your intent means nothing. Your effect is everything. Take responsibility." (@picklestfc @indieKari @MiekeInc)

Gun control: "We need to dismantle the #NRA, and apparently also this Congress. Let's dismantle both, then re-build a new Congress." (@JoeG4Freedom @th3v0t4ry @osPatriot @Zionistchuck @demsforprogress @yulianagarcia @forgottentq @usernamenuse @BridgetteJohns2 @unclemiseryguts @ledfist @CriminySTFU)

The Internet: "A little help: there was an article circulating a while back about how viral internet stuff isn't really viral." (@kayaoakes @ChurchSnobTEC @malawijay @adamgurri)

"Space-Time" photography-video installation featuring Jason Carroll & Elena Collins opens April 19, 2013

"Space-Time" features photography from Jason Robert Carroll and a video installation from Elena Harvey Collins.

"Jason Carroll and Elena Collins explore the complexities of space, both physically and conceptually, taking long looks at some of our most abandoned, mundane, and subliminal spaces."

Opening: Friday, April 19, 2012, 5-11 PM
Location: Survival Kit Gallery - 1305 W. 80th Suite 303, Third Floor (Located in the W.78th St. Studios Bldg.), Cleveland, Ohio 44102

Click here for the event page on Facebook.

"With their intent gaze visually manifested through multiple exposures, and exhaustive film shots, they implore us to think twice about our assumed surroundings, digging past their immediate appearance and assigning them heightened significance. We are forced to consider our personal relationships with these spaces, as well as the histories of others there before us."

Interesting conversations for the week ending 4/6/13

You'd think that 140 characters would limit one's ability to carry on interesting discussion. Apparently not…read on.

Urban planning: "In Cleveland, philanthropic foundations, for christ's sake, help fund highway projects…Unbelievable." (@schmangee @thestile1972 @CLEstreetcar @thisismycle @chezrebellion @theGreaterMarin @lynnphares @danmoulthrop)

Religion:

• "'Why do you have to go after religion? It gives people comfort; it doesn't hurt anything.' Oh, really?" (@jaglister @Bailey649 @SimonOkill @homesweetyeg) 

• "'You can safely assume you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.' - Anne Lamott" (@BevinsElizabeth @homesweetyeg) 

• "Can God create a future event of which he has no foreknowledge? If 'no', he's not omnipotent. If 'yes', he's not omniscient." (@jdvanlaningham @homesweetyeg @thestile1972) 

• "And this is why people keep laughing at Christians - Woman sees God in her goldfish cracker." (@homesweetyeg @JansensDickSays @Jessica_Effect)

Gun control:

• "Interesting idea - Democrats propose $10,000 fine for gun owners who don't have insurance" (@JoeG4Freedom @SarahSecord @ledfist @mariarfin) 

• "RIGHT. WING. NUT. JOB. - Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) links popular gun safety measure to bestiality" (@cheerbear34 @JoeG2001 @JoeG4Freedom)

Photography: "Dilemma…trying to decide if I should print one of my photos on aluminum for my upcoming show. 90% chance of awesome…10% chance of big waste." (@RudyHellzapop @cheerbear34 @thomasatmyporch)

Health: "Why has Obama approved a law giving immunity to the production and sale of genetically modified food in the US?" (@2008Cornish @Bailey649 @DemsChgTheTalk)

Drugs: "The war on #drugs is far more immoral than most drug use" (@Maddog_Squid @Bailey649)

This week's interesting conversations, ending 3/30/13

• Urban Planning: "…who wins the land use lottery in Cleveland? Not the people." (@schmangee @thestile1972)

• Religion: "What a horrible story Passover is…the killing of your enemy's first-born children by a 'just' God? Not telling my children this nightmare." (@G_times @Ibex67 @ShivaChimp @TeriInk @BombeRouge) - "What aspects of religion should atheists (respectfully) adopt?" (@G_times @mmdoty @alaindebotton)

• Social Media: "You scared avatar cartoon c---s. You egg c---s. Who are you f-----g Toons anyway?" (@FalconPiss911 @bustermante @Little___Sister @qx) - "Today I had a thought, and decided to keep that thought to myself. Because sometimes it's better that way." (@JoeG2001 @indieKari) - "Why must people always bicker on here. I mean really?!? Everyone just has to comment, just has to make a fuss! It's frustrating!" (@Skeptical_Lady @JenniferZenda) - "We are in the midst of a 'narcissism epidemic', enabled by the Internet. Enough selfies, people!" (@MiekeInc @mkhajdin)

• Politics: "PDX is considered one of the friendliest cities in the US and we need a politeness campaign? How could that backfire? Let’s count the ways." (@picklestfc) - "LOL: So-called 'small-government' conservatives in Idaho want to forbid any reference to premarital sex on television" (@JoeG2001 @JPHaukkavaara) - "Help me figure this one out (#GOPbubble): 'Fox News Calls Obama 'Enemy Of Israel' As Israel Gives Him Highest Award'" (@CriminySTFU @JohnWallace30 @JenniferKWarden)

• Economics: "'Trickle-down consumption' puts the middle-class in debt & leads to bankruptcies, divorce, longer commutes." (@ledfist @wcgirl1) - "Americans need only work 1/3 the time they did in 1975 to afford a common bundle of household goods." (@ledfist @thomasatmyporch)

• Futurism: "In 'Mining the Sky', planetary scientist John Lewis argues that our solar system can support 10 quadrillion people." (@ArtisanTheory)

• Non-sequitur: "Found in one of the dressers. [a small animal skeleton]" (@CriminySTFU @BombeRouge)

• Tech Security: "So I've been shopping 4 dresses because I'm going 2 Vegas show Sat. Google noticed, now every site I go to is advertising dresses." (@chellegaylor24 @Da_Philosopher)

• The Weather: "Everyone in #CLE is complaining about the snow today…but it's absolutely beautiful. Thankful to see this one last time before it warms." (@cheerbear34 @forgottentq)

• Personal: "Nobody is ever really "too busy". If it's important to them, they'll make time." (@LadyGirlPerson) - "Trying to be cool is…a sickness. Being cool means being aloof. It means that you don't get excited about life…you don't get it." (@Stanmatthias @tinacapalbo) - "My subconsciousness has been actively rewiring the neural networks in my head. True story." (@JoblessJeri)

Turner

I don't think I'll ever tire of the beautiful drama in J. M. W. Turner's paintings. 

Interesting conversations, week-ending 3/23/13

• Politics: "'I'm a libertarian' invariably means 'I don't give shit about anybody but me and mine.'" (@SarahSecord, @QrysBinThynkn, @Jason89, @leight75, @qx, @picklestfc, @PeacefulConserv, @ledfist) 

• Economics: "Elizabeth Warren: Why isn’t #MinimumWage keeping up with productivity? It should be $22 per hour." (@MitchNutter) - "Copyright wasn't meant to be near-permanent. Culture should be recycled to make more culture." (@G_times, @beebearninja) - "Why an MRI costs $1,080 in America and $280 in France" (@Maddog_Squid, @DrLearnALot)

• Gun Control: "N.R.A. Can’t Believe How Well National Conversation About Guns Is Going" (@cheerbear34, @forgottentq, @FranchiseKing) - "A global arms trade treaty would keep weapons out of the hands of war criminals. Of course, the #NRA is objecting." (@BraveBrewer57)

• Science & Technology: "The concept of #QuantumComputing blows my mind. It BLOWS. MY. MIND." (@HovellingHermit, @allovus) - "Don't fool yourselves, all those 'white collar jobs' are just people emailing each other all day." (@joshwalsh, @mtheoryx) - "Why do #Mac users never seem to use their apps full-screen? Don't they have a 'maximize' button? They're always squinting. #tech" (@MiekeInc)

• Non sequitur: "Liquid lunch..." (@jlqiv, @badmouthblonde) - "One of my favorite hobbies is doing nothing." (@Guri02, @johnpocalypse, @fgsweetdog)

• Health: "He should have had the quadruple bypass burger, he would have survived!" (@MadameRamotswe, @RainerPerlitz) - "I'm envious of your target. But call that a calorie spike? When doing 4HB we hit 5000+ on cheat day ;)" (@qx, @thelittlepecan)

• Social: "I'm going to present at @TEDxCLE next year about the benefits of hosting @TEDxCLE at a venue that doesn't sell out in 10 minutes." (@JoeG2001, @lzone) 

Antidesign

Antidesign is an inquiry into 'that which is not designed'—recognizing that design can sometimes obstruct or detract from function and beauty. It examines human constructions (and sometimes natural occurrences) that have zero focus on aesthetics.

Interesting conversations, week ending 3/16/13

• Genetic modification, neo-feudalism & patents: "I got Monsanto to genetically modify me so that I produce my own caffeine." (link)

• Non sequitur: "Suburban moms are worse. Throw SUVs at them." (link) - "I just made a regression of my relationships. In chronological order vs. length of relationship and the results are very very depressing." (link)

• Racism, morality: "Albert Einstein called racism 'a disease of white people.'" (link) - "A liberal Muslim homosexual ACLU lawyer professor and abortion doctor was teaching a class on Karl Marx…" (link) - "If you lack empathy, then you are evil. It's just that simple." (link) - "properly implemented (ie no bias) eugenics is fully functional" (link)

• Economics: "Free markets are excellent at allocating resources in the short term. But they fail miserably at steering society in beneficial directions." (link) - "Perfect example of why capitalism doesn't always work: Male baldness research gets more funding than malaria." (link)

• Religion: "Francis totally needs to get laid // Preferably with an adult." (link) - "Right…Wing…Nut…Job…ALERT! - 'Society Never Gave Single People The Right To Engage In Sexual Intercourse'" (link)

Welcome, cats.

Introducing Hades (front) and Jiji, the newest members of our family.

Lin Yutang Quote #1

"The world I believe is far too serious, and being far too serious, is it has need of a wise and merry philosophy."

From The Importance of Living (1937)

Thoughts on RISK as one gets older

I just turned 40, and there is something I've been thinking a lot about recently: RISK. But perhaps not in the sense you might suspect. …

… I've been thinking about risk in the sense of 'opportunity cost'—one of the few useful philosophical constructs from business school. …

…At some point in one's life, it becomes more 'risky' NOT to take a risk, than to take a risk, start a business, pursue a passion, whatever…

… At some point, the opportunity cost of waiting around, forgoing your passion, overwhelms the potential risk from the venture itself.

Assembled from several of my posts to Twitter (1, 2, 3, 4)

Interesting Twitter conversation round-up, week ending 3/9/13

• Life: "… At some point, the opportunity cost of waiting around, forgoing your passion, overwhelms the potential risk from the venture itself." (link 1, link 2)

• The Beautify of the World: "'I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.' - Michelangelo Buonarroti" (link) — "I found the National Trust for Historic Preservation Barn Again.program. Texas has the most old barns!" (link) — "The…object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a foreign land. - G.K. Chesterton" (link)

• Religion: "Question for Christians: Does God deserve credit for creating HIV as punishment for homosexuality, or credit for the cure being developed?" (link) — "Why does God miraculously heal cancer sometimes, but never, ever, ever amputees?" (link) — "The Bible story of Job teaches us that God wants followers so mindless & utterly servile that they will praise him even as he tortures them." (link) — "Mental illness - 'Jesus is watching you vote!'" (link) — "Growing up Baptist, I can report that the parties hosted by preacher's kids were always the wildest." (link)

• Social Media: "Even though Twitter is public, people sometimes don't seem to like being challenged in their views. Seem to prefer the echo-chamber. Not me." (link)

• Economics: "I love this - 'Warren Buffett to American CEOs: Please Stop Complaining About Uncertainty'" (link) — "Wealth in an age of corporate personhood…why should it exist at all?" (link)

• Politics: "Racism: Israel introduces 'Palestinian only' bus lines, following complaints from Jewish settlers" (link) — "Most experts believe North Korea's latest rhetoric is just the usual propaganda engine cranked up to 11." (link)

• Gun Control: "Gun nuts talk about 'a second American revolution', call themselves 'patriots'…they're really just terrorists by a different name." (link) — "So stupid, it must be true: 'NRA Official Barred From Carrying Guns Because Of Domestic Violence'" (link)

Michelangelo's Unfinished Slaves

From the Accademia in Firenze:

Twitter roundup, week ending 3/2/13

So many (too many?) great conversations on Twitter this week:

• The best one was about, of all things…MILK! "Headed out to milk the cows, milk leaves my farm driveway in pure whole form." - @NYFarmer (link) 
• More on CATS: "OMG…and just like that we have cats…" (link) — "By the end of today, two black #cats will have taken up residence with us. We're almost as nervous about this as we were about having kids." (link)
• More on GUN CONTROL: "Owning a gun for anything other than hunting is a signal that you do not believe in our ability to maintain a civil society." (link) — "#Facepalm: Walmart Customer Shoots at Shoplifter to "Mark" Him for Police" (link) — "One year after fatal Chardon High School shooting, superintendent isn't interested in having teachers carry guns" (link) — "MIT campus on lockdown after reports of armed gunman wearing body armor" (link)
• On MEDIA: "Last night I watched the entire Oscars. I truly hope I never have to do that again." (link) — "Considering how intertwined 'real' life is with 'digital' life, I believe that all of existence is becoming a sort of #AugmentedReality." (link) — "My brain is starting to function in 140-character bursts. #SocialMedia" (link)
• On PHILOSOPHY: "'God sees murder and homosexuality as the same level of sin.' Sure He does, Sweetie!" (link) — "'I learn by going where I have to go.' - Theodore Roethke" (link) 
• On URBANISM: "I love being a tourist in my own town." (link) — "Rankning the happiness of cities by tweets: #CLE is 329/373 (bottom quartile). Buck up people!" (link) — "Well said - RT @schmangee: "'In NE Ohio, we treat land with the same respect we treat toilet paper.' And the reason is: Land is cheap here." (link) 

Great conversations on Twitter, week ending 2/23/13

• Dear Twitter counsel: Our household is thinking of acquiring two 6-month old black #cats. Making a huge mistake? They are fixed, healthy. (link)
• Religion requires faith; you're never really sure if it's 'working'. Science can be checked, confirmed. (link)
• What is 'community' in the connected world of 2013? I'm thinking a lot about this lately. (link) 
• If you’re white, you can be oblivious, passively accepting the status quo, and reap the rewards. (link) 
• Is it of any utility at all for an atheist or agnostic to pray…perhaps in a meditative sense? Currently pondering this. (link)
• When I hear people home school their kids, my first reaction is why? Inside voice, of course. (link) 

Observations on the social media ecosystem

Physical reality: connection by proximity. Facebook: connection by propinquity. Twitter: connection by predilection and proclivity.

On The Condition of Being Highly Receptive to Stimuli

A consolidated post containing a series of thoughts I posted to Twitter in late 2012:

I believe that most people have pretty heavy filters through which they see the world. Some people perceive the world without these filters.


When certain people perceive the world without the protective filters that most have, these people are called 'sensitive'.


'Sensitive' people often have a very high-bandwidth pipeline of stimuli coming into their brains. This can be hard to handle at times.


People who are highly receptive to stimuli can often get distracted by the smallest things; their mood can change at the sight of a color.


Those who are sensitive, who are highly observant, can be hypnotized by emotionally resonant art, architecture. Literally stunned by it.


As a sensitive, highly observant person, it can be tough living in a world with so many stimuli. But it's also incredibly rewarding.


Highly sensitive people do not need drugs, alcohol to get high. These things can be dangerous to them. All they need is a walk in the woods.


With so much beauty in the world, those lucky enough to be highly sensitive have the ability to be 'high', so to speak, just by living.

Via @JasonRobertC (me) on Twitter.

I Love Specs—Upgrade Time!

We purchased our ‘main’ desktop computer on February 1, 2007, from a reputable local computer shop (AVA Direct). Since then, I’ve upgraded most of the PC’s major components, including, most recently, the motherboard and CPU (which basically makes it a new computer). It’s interesting to think that if you buy a good physical case (in this case, a Thermaltake Lanbox), you can basically upgrade forever within the same physical frame. If you’re interested, here’s the evolution chart:

Processor	1. Intel Core2 Duo (2-Core) E6600 2.4 GHz (original to system 2/1/07) 2. Intel Core2 Quad (4-Core) Q6600 2.4 GHz (upgrade 9/13/11) 3. AMD FX 8350 (8-Core; 2 logical x 4 physical) 4.0 GHz (upgrade 12/29/12); upgraded stock CPU cooler to Zalman CNPS8900 on 12/27/13
Memory	1. 2 GB (2x 1 GB) OCZ Gold DDR2-800 SDRAM 2. 4 GB (4x 1 GB) OCZ Gold DDR2-800 SDRAM (upgrade 1/7/09) 3. 16 24 GB (3x 8 GB) Crucial Ballistix Sport DDR3-1333 SDRAM (upgrade to 16 GB 12/29/12, to 24 GB 1/19/14)
Graphics	1. Sapphire Radeon X1950XT 256 MB  2. Sapphire Radeon HD 4830 512 MB (upgrade 12/26/08) 3. MSi Radeon HD 7870 2 GB (upgrade 3/31/13) - card went bad 4. XFX Radeon R9 380 2GB (upgrade 8/13/15)
Hard Disk	1. 1.0 TB: 2x Maxtor 500 GB, 3.0 Gb/s, 7,200-RPM, 16 MB cache (now repurposed as external media & backup drives) 2. 6.75 TB: Seagate Barracuda 2.0 TB Toshiba DT01ACA300 3TB + Hitachi Deskstar 1.5 TB, 6.0 Gb/s, 7,200 RPM, 64 MB Cache + 64 256 GB Samsung (2011) Sandisk (2014) Solid State Boot Drive + 2x Toshiba 1TB external media & backup drives
Optical	1. Lite-On 20x DVD±RW Dual-Layer, LightScribe 2. LG 12x Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Burner, LightScribe (upgrade 10/12/11)
Motherboard	1. Asus P5B-VM Intel LGA775 2. Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 AMD AM3+ (upgrade 12/29/12)
Networking	802.11n + Ethernet
Display	1. 2x Sony SDM-S73 17" SXGA (1280x1024) 16 ms TN panel LCDs, 2.6 MP  2. 2x HP LP2465 24" WUXGA (1920x1200) 6 ms S-PVA panel LCDs, 4.6 MP (upgrade 01/13/10)
Case/PSU	1. Thermaltake Lanbox with 550W Rosewill PSU 2. Upgraded PSU to Thermaltake 850W (12/29/12)
OS	1. Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit  2. Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (upgrade 01/09/10) 3. Windows 8 Professional 64-bit (upgrade 12/29/12) 4. Windows 10 (upgrade 6/2015)
Input	1. Logitech wireless keyboard, mouse 2. Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Keyboard, Razer Naga Epic Mouse (upgrade 1/3/11) 3. Razer BlackWidow Chroma, Razer Naga Chroma (upgrade 11/24/2016)