On April 27th, 2007, a book named the 4-hour work week was published by Tim Ferriss. This was during the time when the Dow Jones Industrial Averages were still above 13,000 and everyone was working. The book was very well received but most people had difficulty applying it.
That same year, renewed printings were circulated by mass email and links posted on the internet on the following critical view about today's human society (link). The original work began in 1995 from Dr. Bob Moorehead's collection of prayers, homilies and sermons used in his sermons and ministry, "The Paradox of Our Age" in Words Aptly Spoken:
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years to life not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less.
We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait.
We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality,
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years to life not life to years.
One night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete. Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
On March 6th, 2009, when the global financial system came to a stop, many wondered if the sun would come up again the next day. Today, small business owners struggle, harmful microbes get increasingly stronger, unemployment is high ... US Congress is in discussions about healthcare reform and globally we are concerned about reforming pollution levels at Copenhagen.
So if you brought up the concept, 'Cheers, Chill out, or Relax and Don't Worry' -it is unlikely to be well received by many.
So should we relax and think about how short life is? Or should we work 7 days a week and dig ourselves out of this mess before we lose out on the opportunity to have retirement?
As a Christian scientist and writer, I've been asked to do a discussion on "How To Balance" for Christians. I've posted a modified version here for all secular and non-secular readers. It is separated into 3 parts. Part 1 is whether or not relaxation and rest is necessary and defined in the Bible? Part 2 analyzes disorders of the brain and asks whether or not relaxation or balance is possible? Part 3 looks into the technological solutions because as a society we have failed to be able to accomplish Part 1. We may want to think about what, why and how it has happened but also how do we come out of the darkness?
Part I: Balance and Rest as found in the Holy Bible
The Sabbath was instituted by God's own example:
" And on the seventh day God ended his work which He had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made" (Genesis 2:2-3).
The very God of the universe chose to cease from His labor. He did this not because He was tired (Isaiah 40:28), but because He wanted to set an example for all of humankind. He specifically blessed and made holy the seventh day as a Sabbath, a day of ceasing, greater than two millennia before the time of Moses and the Old Covenant. Exodus 20:11 gives testimony to this fact:
"For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: Therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it."
Jesus Himself, during His earthly ministry, declared that the Sabbath was made for man (that is, humankind), not just for the Hebrews (Mark 2:27). The Sabbath was not a mere Mosaic statute (Definition: Of or relating to Moses or the laws and writings attributed to him) given only to Israel under the Old Covenant. It was set apart at the beginning, as a memorial of God's creative power. The "Day of Rest" - it was ordained by God's own example as a blessing for all mankind. This reason alone should be sufficient for those who seek to do God's will.
Part II: Disorders of the Brain, can we be balanced?
Many examples of pathological disease of the brain leading to a mental disorder can be found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. To psychiatrists, psychologists and medical practitioners it is better known as the DSM IV.
The following disorders have become well known due to media and film:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) -DSM IV Code: 314.01
Autism -DSM IV Code: 299.00 (less known subtype Asperger syndrome)
Narcolespy -DSM IV Code: 347.00 (characterized by chronic daytime sleepiness)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) -DSM IV Code: 309.81 (characterized as a severe anxiety disorder)
but clearly there are many more examples that are not found in the DSM-IV:
If you watch a C-SPAN discussion on Holocaust Denial Syndromes, you'll also see a discussion where both the listener and the speaker are not communicating. The answers and the questions become mixed and the commentator attempts to moderate.
Road rage is a commonly seen example on the highways.
Video:
Relationships ranging from domestic violence to publications on relationship enhancing approaches have crept up in bookstores, film and even youtube.
Video:
Given the depth of destructive behavior that is wide ranging and the lack of individuals willing to agree upon a combined purpose helps to explain the numerous social media, religions and other ways of life that look to solutions.
Part III: The Answers Are Within Us (We just need to take a peek inside):
Homosapiens have a very destructive pattern of behavior. Researchers are finding that the answers lie within our minds. The brain which is supposed to protect us from fear and hurt is the same brain that has become diseased due to our societal advancements.
We have come a long way as a society and now we can "live happily ever after" with DSM IV and non DSM IV type problems because our brains don't work that way. The Holy Bible talks about a day of rest and we all understand have understood the importance of balance.
Yet we cannot achieve it because we no longer know what rest is.
Is it a day of sleeping? Sleep too much and you have a disorder.
Is it trying different relationships until you meet the right one?
Is it trying different jobs until you find the right job?
What if it is the right one, the perfect match and we don't even know because we don't realize it?!
Example:
You touch hand onto a hot stove and burn your finger.
The brain receives the dangerous input and then creates a reaction that pulls the hand back from the pain to reduce the trauma and damage.
Your hand still hurts and you anguish in pain.
For some people under pain, they desire comfort.
For others under pain, they desire to be left alone.
Some who experience pain will want to substitute with more pain.
And still others who experience pain will want to inflict and deflect the pain to another victim.
What is the right answer? Are these simply survival skills? Should we for the sake of freedom of choice, let all the DSM-IV individuals, road ragers and others loose on the streets?
Research on artificial intelligence is finding that certain parameters outside of normal is unsafe. These parameters when left unchecked and further damaged can create dangerous behaviors that build upon itself. Aggression has been known to be additive and can even be trained.
Society has generally been accepting of disorders because freedom has been a greater desire. However, as dangers become technically advanced and an increasing level of threat where it can bring irreparable damages, governments and the people will be looking to limiting the chance of great catastrophe.
The era of enforcement has arrived and the tools and technology that allow detection of outliers is now possible. Researchers are finding that individuals like a Bernie Madoff and suicide bombers have a certain correlated patterns of thinking that can be destructive.
Neuroscience has removed the fiction from science fiction into actual science of brain scanning. The following video from 60 Minutes is a real story on some earlier breakthroughs.
DNA testing has been allowed.
Hair sampling has been allowed.
Brain scanning will eventually become a courtcase ruling that will indicate it has not violated human rights.
In the meantime, you can start imagining if the brain pattern for "kindness, love and affection" can be measured how much you have, you could self improve or self-limit such actions.
The painful hand could be cured by seeing which areas contributed to pain inside the brain and essentially be turned off using therapy or medicines. Imagine that?
On your select day of resting, you could even check to "see" inside your own head if you're relaxing or fooling yourself into and have underlying stresses about work, relationships etc.
In the next five years, brain chemistry, scanning and solutions will become as known as Google, Microsoft or Hewlett Packard at the business level. And within the next decade, it "could" become commonplace for laypersons.
Some people will feel disturbed by this article and others will embrace it. Feel free to express your thoughts. It is a greater decision that we as a human race must make as a whole and to consider the consequences, risks and rewards.
Showing posts with label a beautiful mind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a beautiful mind. Show all posts
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Those Who Entered Fock Space (Benefits from being Fock'd Владимир Фoк)
The beginning
During the summer of 1993, I got a chance to qualify for the Howard Hughes Medical Fellowship. Like most undergraduates, you work hard because this could be the big break you're looking for and you give it your all! Although scholarships pay for tuition and books, your tummy knows that feeling of hunger. You take on lots of jobs (beyond studying) that are related to what you're good at: math and chemistry so you can build your profile and increase your earnings.
Hunger pangs lead to opportunities
I got noticed by several faculty for doing well academically, motivation and working hard in the laboratories. I was invited to take graduate level classes. They told me the course I was going to be enrolled in would change my life. I would see things differently -forever.
Amongst friends
The name sounded awfully familiar to Group Therapy and my high school friends used joke about me taking this almost 5000 level course in Group Therapy (*smiling and laughing loudly), you'll most certainly solve your middle-age crisis!! One friend Angela (who studied Journalism) said "Hey Gord, sounds interesting remember to tell us what you learned ... I was never really good at studying math or chemistry ..."
Defined: Group therapy can legitimately refer to any form of psychotherapy when delivered in a group format and is explicitly utilised as a mechanism of change by developing, exploring and examining interpersonal relationships within the group.
A class of five
Well, it was January of 1994, second semester of sophomore year and the course was titled Group Theory. The class consisted of five students ages 52, 47, 43, 39 and myself at 19 years old. It was like learning a whole other kind of language with very few speakers. At first, homework would put me to sleep. Then the sleep patterns normalized but the strangest recurring dreams about particles being waves and waves being particles happened (*not too bad because that was just the Schrödinger's cat acting up probably from 1. trying to stay on the Dean's List 2. living in a fraternity as a cook and often times smelling the *second-hand pot* that was burning in the rooms below).
Classes continued and we were deep into the semester.
Defined: Group Theory is one of the most powerful mathematical tools in abstract algebra, combinatorial, matroid theory, Cayley graphs and have led to powerful ideas, concepts and breakthroughs in numerous industries. Abstract mathematics when applied to economics have evolved into Game Theory. The 1944 publication of the book, Theory of Games and Economic Behavior is widely considered the groundbreaking text that created the interdisciplinary research field of Game Theory. The Nash equilibrium (an application of Game Theory) became publicly known after the screensplay "A Beautiful Mind" produced by Akiva Goldsman on the life of John Forbes Nash Jr was released in 2001.
Getting fock'd
Eventually, we were told that we were getting Fock'd. Everyone still had a straight face. Our professor looked at us and agreed the material was sinking in and we had truly gained an appreciation for Fock Space (Fock pdf).
Well youtube did not exist then and even if it did, I didn't have a camera. In doing this piece, we are fortunately able to get a glimpse of a reaction that was similar to Angela's reaction with her friends. I am sure they tried to restrain themselves but I learned that public humor for this topic would be inevitable. Youtube "Who Fock'd the Focker"
If I could see the future 15 years later
Soon it was over and I had been exposed to profound and powerful methods that could change the way drugs could be discovered, solve extremely difficult problems in chemistry, biology, medicine. Later experiences in the life would allow applications in making safer, effective, earth friendly and kind products in beauty, cosmetics, foods, personal care etc. But it all started here at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1994.
Immediate benefits of getting fock'd
This would become a story passed amongst friends for eternity. And friendly remarks that following Fock led me to Pfizer (get it F-> F *friends laughing: birds of a feather flock together?) Another funny comment was I had benefited from being fock'd. But it was true, I had benefited from the mathematics and chemistry background which landed the position at Pfizer. The discoveries and accompishments at Pfizer led to the publication four years later with Tetrahedron Letters (1998). One time during a client dinner, a nearby table's a kid asked his Mommy, "Is Tetrahedron a dinosaur?"
Business World: Internet & Finance
It often appeared to me that the finance world knew alot about "four letter words" for stocks listed on the Nasdaq exchange but they were never heard of this four letter word "fock". This starts to show why pay-per-click, search engine optimization and marketing/financial strategies fail. They don't consider enough key variables. In fact, solutions labeled diversification are provided but the general system becomes non-diversifiable due to large populations doing the same thing.
We started to be able to help companies see the benefits of this principle towards optimization parameters and another four letter word was selected that described the overview of the system: Directed Combinatorial Algorithmic Library (aka DCAL). It contains a modified form of the fock matrix in addition to powerful algorithmic library generation that incorporates business, economic and mathematical principles.
Algorithm F
The proper data collection needs to be verified in equilibrium with an initial hypothesis and direction. In laymen's term is if you're going to look for a needle in a haystack, you should at least know you're looking for a needle. Unless you have unlimited time and an unlimited budget. Then you use the Fock Matrix. In the design, we've come up with a unique version 2.0 to create Fock'd data to enter into DCAL for businesses rather than chemistry.
Capability of DCAL (Directed Combinatorial Algorithmic Library) -examples
Utilizing abstract mathematics including algorithm F, the needle in the haystack or directional principles can be determined to match what the customer will want.
Directed Combinatorial Algorithmic Libraries (DCALs): This is a novel science-mathematics-business hybrid methodology that allows rapid and low cost creation of high returns for the client. DCAL will impact numerous industries (i.e. entertainment, financial, insurance, property, retail etc) by impacting the development cycle by increasing the rate and return of revenue by finding potentially useful channels of loyal customers (hits). As hits are modulated to improve their loyalty, purchase and confidence patterns, DCAL can speed up this process through rapid analoging. Better choices among loyal purchasers can prevent commitment to sub-optimal customers that have less regard for the brand. At the same time, companies can establish a broader proprietary position with a secure customer base including a secondary loyal user market that retains much of the valuation (i.e. Louis Vuitton Used IT bag market, GameStop Used Games market). Competitive me-too products would not be able to compete against a DCAL based organization that invests early in distinguishing, building and broadening of its loyal customer base.
GY-DCAL Competitive Advantage:
Companies with underdeveloped marketing/sales divisions would suffer dramatic losses in their revenues against a DCAL system based opponent. SEO/SEM/PPC/CPC function on the online space whereas DCAL is operative in both the online and offline spaces.Furthermore, DCAL has a matrix approach and chooses only multiplicative expansion of hit profiles whereas all other methodologies don't use a lattice structure and are essentially random and non-repeatable. While many large corporations stand to benefit, smaller businesses will also see a rapid increased return. They will be able to track at an early stage their improvements, determine and select variables that correlate with positive outcomes. In addition, they will effectively reduce distractor variables that lead to negative outcomes. Competitors of all sizes who do not utilize DCAL will experience a growth and development bottle neck. Ultimately, this will lead to valuable time loss, profit loss and inaccurate data generation leading management towards high overhead, low margins, decimated volume and wrong customer profiles.
Владимир Александрович Фoк
During the summer of 1993, I got a chance to qualify for the Howard Hughes Medical Fellowship. Like most undergraduates, you work hard because this could be the big break you're looking for and you give it your all! Although scholarships pay for tuition and books, your tummy knows that feeling of hunger. You take on lots of jobs (beyond studying) that are related to what you're good at: math and chemistry so you can build your profile and increase your earnings.
Hunger pangs lead to opportunities
I got noticed by several faculty for doing well academically, motivation and working hard in the laboratories. I was invited to take graduate level classes. They told me the course I was going to be enrolled in would change my life. I would see things differently -forever.
Amongst friends
The name sounded awfully familiar to Group Therapy and my high school friends used joke about me taking this almost 5000 level course in Group Therapy (*smiling and laughing loudly), you'll most certainly solve your middle-age crisis!! One friend Angela (who studied Journalism) said "Hey Gord, sounds interesting remember to tell us what you learned ... I was never really good at studying math or chemistry ..."
Defined: Group therapy can legitimately refer to any form of psychotherapy when delivered in a group format and is explicitly utilised as a mechanism of change by developing, exploring and examining interpersonal relationships within the group.
A class of five
Well, it was January of 1994, second semester of sophomore year and the course was titled Group Theory. The class consisted of five students ages 52, 47, 43, 39 and myself at 19 years old. It was like learning a whole other kind of language with very few speakers. At first, homework would put me to sleep. Then the sleep patterns normalized but the strangest recurring dreams about particles being waves and waves being particles happened (*not too bad because that was just the Schrödinger's cat acting up probably from 1. trying to stay on the Dean's List 2. living in a fraternity as a cook and often times smelling the *second-hand pot* that was burning in the rooms below).
Classes continued and we were deep into the semester.
Defined: Group Theory is one of the most powerful mathematical tools in abstract algebra, combinatorial, matroid theory, Cayley graphs and have led to powerful ideas, concepts and breakthroughs in numerous industries. Abstract mathematics when applied to economics have evolved into Game Theory. The 1944 publication of the book, Theory of Games and Economic Behavior is widely considered the groundbreaking text that created the interdisciplinary research field of Game Theory. The Nash equilibrium (an application of Game Theory) became publicly known after the screensplay "A Beautiful Mind" produced by Akiva Goldsman on the life of John Forbes Nash Jr was released in 2001.
Getting fock'd
Eventually, we were told that we were getting Fock'd. Everyone still had a straight face. Our professor looked at us and agreed the material was sinking in and we had truly gained an appreciation for Fock Space (Fock pdf).
Well youtube did not exist then and even if it did, I didn't have a camera. In doing this piece, we are fortunately able to get a glimpse of a reaction that was similar to Angela's reaction with her friends. I am sure they tried to restrain themselves but I learned that public humor for this topic would be inevitable. Youtube "Who Fock'd the Focker"
If I could see the future 15 years later
Soon it was over and I had been exposed to profound and powerful methods that could change the way drugs could be discovered, solve extremely difficult problems in chemistry, biology, medicine. Later experiences in the life would allow applications in making safer, effective, earth friendly and kind products in beauty, cosmetics, foods, personal care etc. But it all started here at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1994.
Immediate benefits of getting fock'd
This would become a story passed amongst friends for eternity. And friendly remarks that following Fock led me to Pfizer (get it F-> F *friends laughing: birds of a feather flock together?) Another funny comment was I had benefited from being fock'd. But it was true, I had benefited from the mathematics and chemistry background which landed the position at Pfizer. The discoveries and accompishments at Pfizer led to the publication four years later with Tetrahedron Letters (1998). One time during a client dinner, a nearby table's a kid asked his Mommy, "Is Tetrahedron a dinosaur?"
Business World: Internet & Finance
It often appeared to me that the finance world knew alot about "four letter words" for stocks listed on the Nasdaq exchange but they were never heard of this four letter word "fock". This starts to show why pay-per-click, search engine optimization and marketing/financial strategies fail. They don't consider enough key variables. In fact, solutions labeled diversification are provided but the general system becomes non-diversifiable due to large populations doing the same thing.
We started to be able to help companies see the benefits of this principle towards optimization parameters and another four letter word was selected that described the overview of the system: Directed Combinatorial Algorithmic Library (aka DCAL). It contains a modified form of the fock matrix in addition to powerful algorithmic library generation that incorporates business, economic and mathematical principles.
Algorithm F
The proper data collection needs to be verified in equilibrium with an initial hypothesis and direction. In laymen's term is if you're going to look for a needle in a haystack, you should at least know you're looking for a needle. Unless you have unlimited time and an unlimited budget. Then you use the Fock Matrix. In the design, we've come up with a unique version 2.0 to create Fock'd data to enter into DCAL for businesses rather than chemistry.
Capability of DCAL (Directed Combinatorial Algorithmic Library) -examples
Utilizing abstract mathematics including algorithm F, the needle in the haystack or directional principles can be determined to match what the customer will want.
Directed Combinatorial Algorithmic Libraries (DCALs): This is a novel science-mathematics-business hybrid methodology that allows rapid and low cost creation of high returns for the client. DCAL will impact numerous industries (i.e. entertainment, financial, insurance, property, retail etc) by impacting the development cycle by increasing the rate and return of revenue by finding potentially useful channels of loyal customers (hits). As hits are modulated to improve their loyalty, purchase and confidence patterns, DCAL can speed up this process through rapid analoging. Better choices among loyal purchasers can prevent commitment to sub-optimal customers that have less regard for the brand. At the same time, companies can establish a broader proprietary position with a secure customer base including a secondary loyal user market that retains much of the valuation (i.e. Louis Vuitton Used IT bag market, GameStop Used Games market). Competitive me-too products would not be able to compete against a DCAL based organization that invests early in distinguishing, building and broadening of its loyal customer base.
GY-DCAL Competitive Advantage:
Companies with underdeveloped marketing/sales divisions would suffer dramatic losses in their revenues against a DCAL system based opponent. SEO/SEM/PPC/CPC function on the online space whereas DCAL is operative in both the online and offline spaces.Furthermore, DCAL has a matrix approach and chooses only multiplicative expansion of hit profiles whereas all other methodologies don't use a lattice structure and are essentially random and non-repeatable. While many large corporations stand to benefit, smaller businesses will also see a rapid increased return. They will be able to track at an early stage their improvements, determine and select variables that correlate with positive outcomes. In addition, they will effectively reduce distractor variables that lead to negative outcomes. Competitors of all sizes who do not utilize DCAL will experience a growth and development bottle neck. Ultimately, this will lead to valuable time loss, profit loss and inaccurate data generation leading management towards high overhead, low margins, decimated volume and wrong customer profiles.
Владимир Александрович Фoк
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