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rePost:Mind – How Nonsense Sharpens the Intellect – NYTimes.com

I think Umberto Eco tackled this in Foacolt’s Pendulum.

In a series of new papers, Dr. Proulx and Steven J. Heine, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, argue that these findings are variations on the same process: maintaining meaning, or coherence. The brain evolved to predict, and it does so by identifying patterns.When those patterns break down — as when a hiker stumbles across an easy chair sitting deep in the woods, as if dropped from the sky — the brain gropes for something, anything that makes sense. It may retreat to a familiar ritual, like checking equipment. But it may also turn its attention outward, the researchers argue, and notice, say, a pattern in animal tracks that was previously hidden. The urge to find a coherent pattern makes it more likely that the brain will find one.
via Mind – How Nonsense Sharpens the Intellect – NYTimes.com.

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rePost::Why I Slept with 1300 Women | OPEN Magazine

I strangely agree with him. I see this a lot of lying to get into a woman’s pants and in a way it reinforces the age old adage that men are arseholes. The people who are not assholes get lumped with the bad and in the end the good people suffer.

The problem with normal sex is that it leads to kissing and pretty soon you’ve got to talk to them. Once you know someone well the last thing you want to do is screw them. I like to give, never to receive; to have the power of the host, not the obligation of the guest. I can stop writing this and within two minutes I can be chained, in the arms of a whore. I know I am going to score and I know they don’t really want me. And within 10 minutes I am back writing. What I hate are meaningless and heartless one-night stands where you tell all sorts of lies to get into bed with a woman you don’t care for. The worst things in life are free. Value seems to need a price tag. How can we respect a woman who doesn’t value herself? When I was young I used to think it wasn’t who you wanted to have sex with that was important, but who you were comfortable with socially and spiritually. Now I know that’s rubbish. It’s who you want to have sex with that’s important. In the past I have deceived the women I have been with. You lie to two peo
via Why I Slept with 1300 Women | OPEN Magazine.

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rePost::Liberty, Self-Esteem and Self-Governance – Wendy Kaminer

This is both funny and scary in almost equal doses. Who watches the watchmen? Who determines what is not anti social. This is Fucked, In a world where things like women’s rights, minority rights, LGTB right’s were once considered non-sensical we have to go against things such as the one I quoted !

This is not harmless official maternalism: a government that concerns itself with the happiness or psychological well-being of its citizens is a government that will prohibit conduct or speech deemed psychologically harmful, or simply not conducive to happiness. Also known as a government actively hostile to liberty. In Britain, as Reason magazine reported two years ago, you can be served with an “Antisocial Behavior Order (ASBO) for engaging in conduct considered likely to cause others alarm or distress. This past year a woman subject to an ASBO was arrested for indulging in noisy, consensual sex in what is apparently no longer the privacy of her own home. I suppose you could call ASBO’s a form of democratization: what was once the prerogative of kings–the power to secure the arrest of people who irritated or “distressed” them–is now extended to peevish citizens who can invoke it against each other.
via Liberty, Self-Esteem and Self-Governance – Wendy Kaminer.

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rePost:It's common sense, stupid: Why Software is Expensive

Trying to find freelance work I can vouch for what he says here, people have really unrealistic expectations.

Why Software is Expensive
I hate to write this post, but my recent conversation with my IT-illiterate friend prompted me to do this.
My friend wanted to build a CMS website, “to earn a nice part time income”. Given that he trusted me quite a lot, he asked me for an estimation of the cost. He mentioned that he wanted a CMS solution, with some mix-match of static-dynamic content. Also, he wanted some distinct flavors in the theme.
Given that he is quite a detailed guy ( read: loves to fuss over minor detail) and quite fickle mind, I told him that probably USD 200 is a minimum. We are living in Malaysia, so that works out to RM 700.
He was startled.
“What? How come it costs so much? I thought the underlying CMS framework such as Drupal or Joomla is free and open source?! A Windows Vista Home Edition is only costing RM 400!”
My friend is by no means the only one who grossly misprices the true cost and value of software. There was a client who asked us to implement a spreadsheet component because “Excel has it” at zero price. Yes, you hear it right. Zero . The reason? Because “Excel has it and so it must not be so difficult to implement”.

.

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rePost::Why Dumb Toys Make Kids Smarter – Page 2 – The Daily Beast

My previous book, What Should I Do With My Life?, was a portrait of a generation that had spent the first two decades of life ignoring their intrinsic motivations. They were bright and talented, but had spent so many years doing what was expected of them, and studying what society told them they should study, that they were no longer in touch with their natural desires. They’d been praised endlessly, told they were smart, and had no internal compass when it came to making career decisions. Learning to recognize their own passions was incredibly difficult and stunted. It had been drilled out of them as children.
It’s important to underscore that this isn’t a philosophical argument—it’s a neurological argument. Motivation is experienced in the brain as the release of dopamine. It’s not released like other neurotransmitters into the synapses; instead, it’s sort of spritzed into large areas of the brain, which enhances the signaling of neurons. The motivated brain, literally, operates better, signals faster. Kids learn better.
via Why Dumb Toys Make Kids Smarter – Page 2 – The Daily Beast.

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Confessions of an IT pro: My nine biggest professional blunders

Nice list although I am really against no 9 certifications are for losers!

#9: Not taking advantage of free training and certification opportunities. Each time I have updated my resume in preparation for seeking a new job, I’ve regretted not having formal certifications to accompany my experience. This has been particularly irritating when the company I am trying to leave has a policy of paying for any classes the employees want to take, whether they’re relevant to the business or not. It’s kept me from applying to several jobs I was otherwise qualified for simply because they required possession of particular certifications.
Lessons learned? Take advantage of all free training opportunities, even if they have to be pursued out of business hours.
via Confessions of an IT pro: My nine biggest professional blunders.

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rePost:Rands In Repose: The Crisis and the Creative

Please Get A Life So You Don’t Have Enough Time To Screw Up Another

The Creative
The panic junkie is the person who is addicted to Crisis and, in the absence of it, will manufacture drama in order to create additional Crisis. Their intent was originally good; they wanted to get stuff done quickly and discovered that the umbrella of a Crisis removed traditional organizational roadblocks. Problem is, they’ve becoming addicted to the power and momentum granted to them by driving the crisis. As soon as the current Crisis appears to have passed, they deflate, thinking, “Blah, back to the normal,” and immediately start looking for another Crisis. If they don’t find one, they create it.
via Rands In Repose: The Crisis and the Creative.

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rePost::ALA | Top ten most frequently challenged books of 2008

pointer from MR:

Top ten most frequently challenged books of 2008
Out of 513 challenges as reported to the Office for Intellectual Freedom
1. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Reasons: anti-ethnic, anti-family, homosexuality, religious viewpoint, and unsuited to age group
2. His Dark Materials trilogy, by Philip Pullman
Reasons: political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, and violence
3. TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
4. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
Reasons: occult/satanism, religious viewpoint, and violence
5. Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya
Reasons: occult/satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, and violence
6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: drugs, homosexuality, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, suicide, and unsuited to age group
7. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
8. Uncle Bobby’s Wedding, by Sarah S. Brannen
Reasons: homosexuality and unsuited to age group
9. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
10. Flashcards of My Life, by Charise Mericle Harper
Reasons: sexually explicit and unsuited to age group
via ALA | Top ten most frequently challenged books of 2008.

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Thank You:Aid from int’l community reaches over P.5B – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Thank You!

Aid from int’l community reaches over P.5B
By Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 21:33:00 10/02/2009 Filed Under: Foreign Aid, Foreign affairs & international relations, Ondoy, Weather
MANILA, Philippines—Donations for the relief and recovery assistance in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ondoy” from the international community has reached over half a billion pesos, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo reported to President Macapagal-Arroyo that donations from various governments have reached P566 million as of Oct. 2.
The National Disaster Coordinating Council, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine National Red Cross and other agencies have been authorized to receive the donations, which will greatly complement the government’s efforts.
“The Philippine Government is deeply appreciative of our international partners’ swift response to our call for aid. The DFA will work with the NDCC, DSWD, PNRC and other agencies to ensure that these donations reach our distressed kababayans as soon as possible,” Secretary Romulo said.
Ondoy, which whipped Manila Saturday, caused severe flooding in the metropolis and nearby provinces.
The government said nearly 300 people died from the disaster, which also displaced hundreds of thousands of Filipinos.
The European Commission in the Philippines has allotted 2 million euros (P138 million) in urgent relief funding, the DFA reported.
The Embassy of Spain in the Philippines has ordered the release of 150,000 euros (approximately P10 million) for food aid, while Spanish organization Accion Contra el Hambre donated 250,000 euros (approximately P17 million).
The Swiss government also issued CHF250,000 (approximately P11 million) to support emergency related operation which will be funded by the Swiss Red Cross to the Philippine National Red Cross.
The French Foreign Ministry has earmarked initial 10,000 euros (P690,000) to the Philippine National Red Cross as its initial contribution.
Germany is providing 500,000 euros (roughly P35 million) in emergency humanitarian aid for the victims, which will be placed at the disposal of German humanitarian aid organizations
The combined European aid reached P254 million.
Aside from the European partners, other countries like the US and Canada sent financial assistance to the victims. The US government donated US$100,000 for relief efforts, while Canada pledged Canadian $5 million (approximately US$4.7 million).
China pitched in US$100,000 check donation; US$10,000 to the PNRC; while Chinese firm Huawei donated US$30,000. Singapore raised US$30,000 and a further US$20,000 in seed money to jumpstart a donations drive by the Singapore Red Cross.
The Republic of Korea has donated emergency relief assistance in the form of rice, tents, medical supplies and other essential items worth $300,000 coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development. A Korean company, OCI Company Ltd., also donated $50,000 through the Philippine National Red Cross.
The Japanese government is sending $220,000 worth of relief goods to the Philippines. Australia pledged Australian $1 million (approximately US$879,000) to support response and recovery activities.
The UN World Health Organization has launched earlier a $42,000 relief fund.
The UN World Food Programme has also stepped up its efforts to provide immediate relief to the typhoon victims.
Basic necessities such as food, clean water, shelter, clothes, and medicines were in short supply in many communities and evacuation center.
A delegation of UN workers is set to arrive in Manila on Saturday to help in the relief and rehabilitation operations.
UN WFP executive director Josette Sheeran said the organization will have a three-month emergency operation to bring food and other assistance to people affected by Ondoy.
via Aid from int’l community reaches over P.5B – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos.

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rePost::Pagasa belies reports Pepeng will hit Metro Manila Friday night – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Please remember the people who text you nonsense and unverified reports so you know which person deserves a dose of skepticism whenever you are told anything by them!

Pagasa belies reports Pepeng will hit Metro Manila Friday night
By Katherine Evangelista
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 20:02:00 10/02/2009
Filed Under: Weather, Disasters (general)
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has denied reports typhoon Pepeng (international codename: Parma) will hit Metro Manila Friday night.
“Definitely that will not happen,” said Pagasa director Prisco Nilo, referring to text messages saying that Pepeng will bear down on disaster-struck Metro Manila at 9 p.m.
But he advised residents to prepare as the typhoon was forecast to dump more rains.
As of 4 p.m., Pepeng was seen over 150 kilometers north northeast of Virac, Catanduanes packing maximum sustained winds of up to 195 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 230 kph.
It was forecast to move west northwest at 13 kph headed for northern Luzon.
via Pagasa belies reports Pepeng will hit Metro Manila Friday night – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos.

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