Scatological Sensibilities

Life is Fun!

2011-08-24T16:03:00.000-04:00

Shit hits the fan.

So.  The car keeps breaking, had tons of family drama, my mom tried to killer her self, and now my little brother is living with me and my wife. Welfare snafus and disabled people FTW.
When it rains it pours.
I haven't had much time to write anything I'd be willing to post online. It's too bad, because I've been reading all sorts of awesome books. I've also had decent progress on a startup I've been making with a friend.
I spit in the face of chronic depression. Spit filled with St. John's Wort.

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

You know, for family you are kinda ignorant.

2011-01-07T17:23:00.000-05:00

I do cry. I care about you and your well being. and I cry when you make stupid decisions. It's not your fault, its all that crap in your head, polluting it. I get depressed when you are around because all I see is the plague in your mind.

"You know for family your kinda ignorant."

Ignorant because I'm not falling for every conspiracy that walks my way because of some deep seated opinions and assumptions... just like a mind-washed sheep? Sounds good to me.

Just saying...

I deal with logic for my life. I know when it fails, because my computer programs don't work. My programs tend to work. 3000 line of c++ heavily abstracted, ran on the first compile, 5th c++ program I'd ever written. I'm pretty observant. I also study inductive reasoning religiously, its a passion of mine.

I've read 20+ books in the last year on human though, human cognition, game theory, learning, childhood development, physics, and "why people believe strange things".
I've also read books on astrology, fung-shui, homeopathy, ghost hunting, paranormal research, out of body experiences, anti-evolution, etc. In fact, I've likely read at least one small sized book on nearly all the major pseudo-science beliefs in common practice today.

I've spent my life questioning authority, questioning preconceived notions, and following it up with research.

I’VE SPENT HALF MY LIFE realizing how stupid people are, and the other half I've dedicated to trying to figure out how to guide people away from their ignorance. And it hurts me that nearly my entire family is stuck in such a mind-numbing haze. It makes me sad and angry. Feeling hopeless as my aunt wastes 150 on some anal-cleansing unit that has no clinical trials, and has toxin levels in it that are dangerous levels.

The world is out to dupe you. And I cry when I see the abuse and unnecessary tragedies that result.

You are right, I’m ignorant. I've only just woken up from this stupor that our cultures have put us in. I've only just started rethinking my entire belief system. Questioning every philosophical decision I've ever made.

I hope I'm ignorant for the rest of my life.

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

Ode to TED and Inspiration

2010-06-13T13:19:00.001-04:00

Link Poetry (hint: hover and click on stanzas!)
- On the makings of utopias.

Start Simple

We should cherish our perspectives,our cultures,
while accepting our shortcomingsAs part ofwho we are.

Also, we should be optimistic,even inspired
because we are going in the right direction.

This not a pipe dream!
We are meant to work togetherand we can develop compassion.

But in order to succeedwe need to defeat irrationality,
magical thinking,and other frauds.


Because these are the last mile problems
that prevent us from thinking critically.


We will face hard decisions,
even perhaps letting go of god(but not letting go of good)
and helping others do the same.

Being united in this is importantbecause ideas are dangerous
If not handled intelligently.

We must to change how we think,
expand who we care about,
and what we value.
Because we are all connected,Literally.

I know we can rise up,
It doesn't take much to change the worldfor the better.
Plus if we use the right motivationand work together
We can do some pretty amazing things
Even under questionable conditions.

Start a Movement

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

Why I am Intolerant

2010-06-13T12:09:00.000-04:00

Why I care

Speaking of standing on common ground, I'm interested in finding support in what I feel. But I find myself being too aggressive, and perhaps attacking the wrong parties, or going about it the wrong way. Maybe you could help me develop my thoughts into something that is less socially destructive.

I believe that there are good, honest and kind hearted people in every walks of life.  People like you, who are well reasoned, understanding, and otherwise compassionate. But they see what I'm trying to say, and become appalled, because they attribute their ways to their religion. 

And I have a beef with religion.

Well, really, I have a beef with irrationality, let me explain:

My issue is that I can't seem to separate the root cause of the irrationality and religion.  In my mind religion is the cause of (most of) the irrationality we see today.  This is what is so off turning about where I stand.  It makes it seem like I am out to get the well meaning and good inclined people of religion. 

I'm never going to get anywhere on this problem of irrationality if I can't show those people how its not about them.

Let me illustrate the problem of irrationality and religion:

I  am curious how this strikes you:
George w. bush consulted his pastor/god/prayer more often than his military advisors when considering/questioning/concerning the war in iraq.   To the point where he would make critical decisions on the direction of the war on little to no "real world knowledge". 

Now, assuming this is true, What does that make you think?

In my view, I see it as him as divining the way through prayer. It is tantamount performing divination by reading chicken-bones. And so by the signs in the bones he is  deciding the fate of the war. A war in which he ultimately sends our fellow American troops to potentially die.

I am not against personal beliefs, and feel strongly for all aspects of the first amendment.  But when religious sentiments impose their will on others in such a strong way, I am troubled. Our troops should not be dying because of some idiot in power decided that god spoke to him.

True or not, my point lies on this:
On questioning someone like bush on why they would do such a thing, they can hide behind many facades that religion uses to shield itself from reason. Things like "its a sin to question god's will". Or "I'm exercising my freedom of religion". Or "Faith is a virtue".  Worse, they can even call me intolerant and accuse me of trying to squash his religious freedoms. Religion becomes a safe-haven for irrational thoughts and acts as a shield to those who commit them.

I am outraged when this happens. I mean, he is the president of the  USA, and of all people he is the one who should be using sound thinking skills. And yet, I am the one being ridiculed for pointing this out. For some reason, pointing out bad judgment is "wrong" to do if that judgment stems from any religious sentiment.

So maybe I am intolerant: I am intolerant of anything that can make a man of such power believe such detrimental things. 

This is where I can't make the distinction between irrationality and religion: I don't see it as him being misguided in his faith.  I see it as faith misguiding him.

In my mind, nothing is more strongly influencing to the human mind than faith itself.  It gives the mind an ability to believe in the absurd and to justify the unjustifiable.  People rally around their faith, and support their fellow believers even in the most illogical of situations.

I see religion as an enabler for this troublesome aspect of our existence. I see those who follow it, even the good hearted and well meaning ones, as perpetuating a system that creates this situation. I see them being deluded by their own faith.

The problem I run into is that many of the thought patterns deeply ingrained in religious ritual are against change.  There are ideas in place that make religion very resistant to change, and even reasoning itself:
"
By acknowledging the fallibility of humanity, science always remains open to new information, new discoveries, and new ideas. The problems in religion can generally be traced back to the fact that they rely so much on ideas and opinions established centuries or millennia in the past; the success of science can be traced to the fact that new information forces scientists to revise what they are doing.

Religions don't have hypotheses, theories, or even facts -- religions just have dogmas which are presented as if they were absolute truths regardless of what new information might come along. This is why religion never created new medical treatments, a radio, an airplane, or anything remotely close. Science isn't perfect, but scientists know this and that's precisely what makes it so useful, so successful, and so much better than the alternatives.

" (source http://atheism.about.com/b/2010/04/02/daniel-sherrell-blind-faith-ignoring-evidence-are-christian-virtues.htm )

So, with all that said, this is what I need your help on:
How does one attack the irrationality that is shielded by and stems from religion, while keeping the underlining structure of religion and all the good things it does give to society? Without attacking the people, just the bad ideas.

The only thing I can come up with is to supplant a surrogate for these feelings - "the teachings of Christ" - and take the religiousness out of it. Doing good for goodness sake, and not simply because the bible says it should be so.     

My hope is that by doing this, the socially sound ideas can be given to anyone, not just those of a particular faith.  And then we won't need the shields that religion has created, and irrationality will have no bastion within faith.  IF this came to pass, I would no longer hold such a grudge against religion.

But canceling out the negative mentalities and malformed thought patterns may require the abolishment of religion itself.  I fear I may never be able to make the distinction between the irrational and religious considering how deeply ingrained they are. This means the good intentioned and kind hearted will fight me the whole time, instead of being on my side.

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

Interview Retrospective

2010-04-25T04:24:00.001-04:00

I was told once that china would take over the world... India, it seems, didn't get the message.

I had an interview with some guy who's name I can't pronounce. I wish I could have, I like it when people use my name and recognize me in that way.

I was asked a number of things to show my experience with SQL development. The position/opportunity involves some 6 weeks worth of training on SQL server, a Microsoft product that uses a proprietary language dubbed T-SQL, or transact(ion) SQL. They are going to be providing furnished accommodations, and even a 500 a month stipend to live on during the training! The training will be in some advanced subjects, so they wanted to be sure I had basic understanding of databases. I think they were looking for SQL server experience directly, but were willing to take someone who had worked with other database offerings. SQL itself is a generic language on which T-SQL is based upon. The overlap is enough that experience with one makes it easy to work with another.  

I believe that the company is a "Certified Minority Small Business". While I disagree with concepts like that and see it as a sort of reverse-racism (government-sanctioned racism even), I don't hold it against someone taking advantage of it. Working with someone from a different background is always a learning experience, and as long as everyone is respectful of each other I can't see it being a problem. I suspect my interviewer was Indian (like the country) in origin, because his speech patterns reminded me of my step-sister's husband who is from India. If anything, I welcome it, especially after watching all the ted.com talks held under the banner o "ted India".  

Back to the interview: I feel I demonstrated experience and knowledge in the area.  I'm not sure if I gave the answers they were looking for, but showed that I had the right type of thinking to do well in a development environment. I used examples where I could, noting experiences I've had with coursework and personal projects. 

At first I was nervous and those few moments where I was trying to collect my thoughts felt like forever. What helped me was that I remembered a tactic. I took a conscious action to repeat the questions, which gave me time to think. It was helpful because at the same time the interviewer's accent was difficult to decipher over the poor quality of the phone.

I was also honest when I didn't know an answer, but gave them insight into how I could get that for them, or that I at least knew what they were talking about. For instance, I wasn't able to list off the names of the types of joins, mostly because I drew a blank from being anxious. Instead I discussed how joins are used (and related to set theory), and what they were for. I felt it was a good attempt at turning a failed answer into a successful one.

The fact I don't have direct experience with SQL server may be my downfall. But if nothing else, I hope I've at least gave any other competitors a challenge. If nothing else, such an situation, even if a failure, is great practice toward the future. 

In the end, I'm rather suspicious as to why they waited so long to contact me; the training is coming up soon after all (even with it being pushed back for some reason). I suspect that their previous applicants weren't up to par.

Wish me luck, I'll know by Tuesday.

Kudos to monster.com if I get the position, since that’s how my resume got to this company to begin with.  All that spam from universities and salesman (through them) now kind of seems worth it.

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

Today, on Car Talk

2010-04-13T11:36:00.000-04:00

I finally got my GF to wear her seatbelt.

As a member of Vermont Technical College's Computer Club [VTC^3]'s mailing list, I was introduced to an article on the number of lines of code inside a modern car.

This reminded of how a while back I was listening to an NPR op-ed that discussed the software and technology that goes into cars. People make it out to be this horrible thing. In my opinion, comparing a car system to something like a PC is misguided at best and agenda-motivated deceit at it's worst.

The gist of the story, from my point of view, is that yes there is software inside of a car, but the trend is that this software is making safer cars, and the statistics show a correlation with increased technology and less crashes.

Out of a 8million Toyota recalls, only a small fraction actually had issues. How many of those 8 million cars saved people's live due to things like stability control or even anti-lock breaks? Even if only 1% saved their owners lives, thats easily 100x more than had issues with these same computer systems. That's a fair trade off in my mind.

Its like saying "I don't wear seat-belts because 0.01% of people die because of them"... neglecting the fact that mortality rates have decreased measurable when wearing seat-belts.

But people on the news spout "software", and I bet the viewers think of how many times their windows 98 computer BSOD'd.. a comparison apples and orange rocks imho.

Think of how many times you've seen some talking head spout this rubbish on tv; If an author of an article hasn't been introduced to any embedded and real-time systems, I don't think they would be a good authority to talk to on the subject of reliable systems. The sheer level of accountability that goes into car and avionic systems is astonishing. Check out the ISO 9000 standards and related software development practices, shit's draconian in scope.

The american motor industry would love to tarnish toyota's reputation, don't let their puppeteering deceive you. Get the facts and be confident in your car. Cooperate terrorism is still terrorism.

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

Misguided Truth Seeking

2010-04-09T03:32:00.000-04:00

Its scat. Scat all the way down.

I was looking through your page over at http://truthscape.yolasite.com and was happily assulted by a cat.  But then I noticed the movie about 911 conspiracies, "loose change".  It is a very convincing movie.

I'm against the "war" in iraq, and I do believe that the 911 attacks was used as a catalyst for an illegal/expensive/fruitless war that I feel we should get out of ASAP.  But I disagree with loose change on a moral level.

I notice that right off the bat the movie is taking quotes out of context and structuring it as if they were a real conversation during the beginning sequence.  With the author choosing this tactic right from the start, doesn't it raise your suspicions? 

You do notice that it never says that we were aware of a plane attack... We were most assuradly aware of terrorist attacks, as that is what Donald rumsfeld is talking about when he is misconstrued to be contesting Condoleezza.  There is a strong implied connection because of how the author choose to present the quotes, but those quotes are talking about two entirely different things.  Convenient? With trickery and sly moves like that, the author might as well be lying.

This is then followed by a barrage of news clippings and quotes from declassified documents, also equally cherry picked. It strikes me that it is trying to create a believable story to play off of later in the documentary.  It might as well be just like how they make reality tv shows, taking unrelated segments but playing them back as if they were related and connected some how, used to put impressions in the viewer.

Surely you notice that aspect of the documentary; how things are being brought up quickly, one after another (even sounding all official with dates), but he leaves it up to the audience to make conclusions.  Does he really expect us to make conclusions on the spot with such little material?... did you fall for this not-so-subtle tactic?

To claim we caused it is surely a stretch of the creator's imagination and vision. One that it seems he desperately wants to instill in us as the audience, even at the cost of truth.

The whole rest of the documentary is riddled with misconstrued facts, cherry picking of points, juxtaposition of scenes that make them feel like they are connected even though they aren't.  It goes from "raising doubt" to "damning evidence", but all based on these rather fallacious reasoning points that might as well be fabricated.  The best lie is a half truth after-all.

How can you fall for this stuff so hook-line-un-sinker?

It might be that the whole documentary, and the whole of the 911 conspiriacy theories, play on the mentality of "us vs them". They are blatantly polarizing the issues and putting everything in black and white terms.  The saying goes, don't trust a wolf in sheep clothing... but there is nothing that says there can't be two competing wolves involved.

Like wolves, the voratious leaders of the 911 "truthers" are trying to trick you. They rally your emotions, and misdirect sensible thought down dark paths.  The government isn't the only one that generates propaganda.  Decietfful documentaries like that are what people make when they have an agenda.

Are you blind to this?  I know I am not a sheep, I refuse to let anyone swindle me. It upsets me to see them do the same to others who only have good intentions at heart. I see this brand of crap as the reason why americans can't focus on the real issues that plauge us. Belonging to change.org you must see the value of a clear vision and accurate picture of the world and it's problems. Don't let a couple of nuts hopped up on their own lies distract you from our real problems. The devil has a wicked toungue.

I challenge you to read the documents he refrences in full context, and look up the quotes he posts, only in consider their origin.  Heck, check out his "credible sources" and "experts" and their backgrounds. I think what you'll find is very suspicious. I know I did, and I call bullshit.

Even the author says he's full of it: "
when challenged about the glaring factual mistakes in his film, replied, "We know there are errors in the documentary, and we've actually left them in there so that people discredit us and do the research for themselves."
Convenient.

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them"
Mathew 7:15-20

You have a fire behind you, and a strength that guides you to do good for humannity, don't let snake-oil sales men sap your vigor for thieir own deluded enjoyment. Don't let them fool you as they have fooled themselves.

If you are interested in more of this topic, have a listen to NPR, and take a gander at the snipit down further on that page.  It is a good start at finding the light in the darkness that is bullshit, and lies.

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

Eleven Mottos

2010-03-17T06:11:00.001-04:00

A motto (Italian for pledge, sentence; plural: motti) is a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or intention of a social group
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motto

I have 11 mottos, they are to me like virtues, except more specific.  They are driving forces in my life, and many of my philosophical stances are based on at least one of them.  Even though I may not meet them, they are what I strive for. 

I plan on writing on each of them in turn as I develop enough content about them.

Uncompromising Empathy
Decisive Vision
Lasting Quality
Eternal Vigilance
Continuous Improvement
Perpetual Strength
Relentless Conviction
Unlimited Resolve
Timeless Sensibility
Everlasting Composure
Unyielding Equilibrium

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

Uncompromising Empathy.

2010-03-17T05:58:00.000-04:00

By taking care of the weaker ones in the herd, herbivores give the predators a distraction. Remember, you don’t have to outrun the bear, only your friends.

Reciprocity is not just the best way to play the game, its also the most enjoyable.

Having compassion for your neighbor is more than just a well-meaning idea.  You don't need a god to experience the highs of kinship. And you don't need religion to connect with your fellow man. Compassion is a universally accessible drug.

"None of us is as dumb strong as all of us"

Fostering a team-oriented mentality and encouraging a self-less attitude actually lights up a part of the brain that is connected to a major pleasure center. Having only recently been observed, it is the yin to the yang of self-interest. This area in our brain is a sort of evolutionary imperative to keep us working together. It is not merely an illusion when we feel good from helping others. The mentality of group, and the feelings of community are all but hard-wired into each of us. Take advantage of this fact to focus those around you into thinking of community. Doing so makes each of us feel connected, and can lead to a much stronger commitment to mutually beneficial endeavors.

If just a simple smile can lighten someone's day, imagine what going the extra mile could do. Taking those few extra moments to hold the door for someone encumbered, or taking the time to empathies with their condition, could mean the difference between a bad day and a good one. This also means going beyond the normal trivialities we perform, and taking a genuine interest in those around us.  Over time performing these little nothings can add up to a feeling of well being and purpose for both those you help as well as yourself. Human beings have a natural drive to belong; possessing a feeling of community means we don't feel like we are on our own against the struggles that life throws at us.

"The idea of the corporate ladder is not only outdated, it is misguided too."

The world is not a zero-sum game; by helping each other we can more aptly acquire our own goals. A good team player understands how interacting with others is the most effective way we can get ahead.  While competition is a powerful driving force, cooperation allows a group to leverage/maximize individual talents and strengths while at the same time subjugating/minimizing flaws and shortcomings.

This idea holds true not only in our work lives, but in personal ones too. Companionship with another human can take this feeling of joy to the next level. Falling in love is said to release chemicals that are akin to Oxycotin.  One literally become addicted to their significant other.  Like-wise being away from each other is like going through withdrawal. 

"None of us is as strong dumb as all of us"

Evolutionary imperatives have side effects. The way we our species fight malaria is by developing sickle-cell anemia. The way our body prevents cancer is also the primary reason we age. The human mind rewards us for doing things that further our survival, but the same systems also reward us for over-eating and other ill-productive behavior. Natural selection does not care about the negatives if a trait is continues genetic line, it is blind to consequence; it is a blind watchmaker.

The problem is that this pleasure center, mentioned earlier, doesn't differentiate between productive mutual goals among a community with those belonging to a ravaging bloodthirsty mob. Nor does it recognize goals that involves falling in love and getting addicted to an imaginary friend from the sky. Under the right conditions, what would otherwise be a good thing backfires and can produce destructive symptoms.

Many describe finding religion as a joyful experience, and that becoming "one with god" allows them to feel "god's love".  It is described as "having a relationship with jesus", and as "needing him". These chemicals can be so strong that there are even accounts of nuns having orgasms during prayer over their "love of god".

I have no doubt that they feel these strong feelings. Connecting with a community toward a mutual goal is doubtlessly the best way to incite that pleasure center.

Religion is not just a parasitic idea, it also one of most widely used sources of the most addicting drugs the human body can produce. 

The extremely religious aren't merely deluded by their faith, they are addicted to it. Awakening someone from these delusions is not simply a matter of logic; for those "truly devout", it is like trying to take a crack addict away from their habit.  The best way to stop an addict from using, is to give them something less (mentally) destructive to get addicted to.  

So much misguided compassion. For the love of god...

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

Excommunicato

2010-03-17T05:38:00.003-04:00

What a funny watch! It tells the day of the month, and it doesn't tell what o'clock it is!

We hafta get on! We hafta get on! We have so much time, and so little to do!
A memorable quoting of Willy Wonka.

Alas, time is fleeting, and there is never enough. Of course this is largely because of how cut off from the world I am. Without the internet, and without a phone, I am all but ex-communicated.  And does it suck. And How.

To get any aspect of the inter-web, I have to stay up late at my mother's in-between shifts, and thats only if I have laundry to do at her house.  Otherwise I have to find a few minutes here or there and happen to be at a hotspot with free wifi. Thank god for Borders!

Oh, I also manged to get a Moleskin/Piccadilly and great pen for only 1.89$ at Borders (thats cheaper than a cheap memo pad at wal-mart btw).  Also working at a grocery store means I can get all the great sales and can pick coupons up off the floor.  It's not all bad.

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

Phobias are irrational fears...

2010-02-18T17:48:00.001-05:00

Ignorance will be the death of us all.

You all need to get your facts straight. Stop spreading mis-information and ignorance.

Actually, it turns out that aggressive handsanatizing and washing hands causes germ strains to evolve into much more passive strains. The less aggressive viruses are, the less people bother to wash their hands, so the less dangerous strains are more likely to survive.

Also, don't confuse anti-bacterial and hand-sanitizer with drug-risistance... virus don't get immune to alcohol. 

"Good germs" don't protect you from the bad ones. Most good germs are on the inside of your body anyway and have to deal with digestion.

Immunity is to a specific strain of germ, not a blanket system that your body produces. AND this immunity is only really developed while <5 years old.  Stop talking shit about what you don't know.

-----
Orange juice only helps your immune system if you have white bloodcells that have the correct antibodies to fight the infection. In the case of H1N1, you don't, so it won't help.  Some of the logic of orange juice is true.. if your body is lacking nutrients, it can't produce the things it needs to fight off or regenerate after an attack.

Also, scurvy (lack of vitamin c), is a known problem. But don't get these confused with "curing" colds.  The idea that high doses of vitamin C prevent colds is basically a myth. The only effect high doses have is a coincidental antihistamine effect. Your noes is less runny, but that doesn't actually prevent or cure the cause of the problem any faster.  Like many myths, there is a basis in reality. But like most myth, the reality aspect of it is so far off that it might as well be a lie.
-----
Bacteria and virus are infectious well before they show symptoms, especially ones that cause coughing or diarrhea.   Anyone with a weak immune system has the potential of dieing due to their body giving out.

In the case of coughing related diseases, due to their bodies basically drowning them to death. The flu doesn't kill people directly, its the bodies reaction and the pnumonia afterwards that does. The body basically drowns in it's own mucus.  Similarly, diarehia is so deadly because of it's intense dehydration effect.

Worse if you have an acute strain of vomit and diarrhea. These are so infectious that they can rampage through nursing homes and dorms like wildfire. if someone is showing symptoms, you've probably already got it. Especially if they dont wash their hands after taking a shit.
-----
I've personally seen people die because of infections that can easily be avoided by proper hand washing and sanitation. The sad part is that the biggest spreading, and the biggest threats to elderly and other susceptible people, are also the easiest to prevent the spread of.

 My mother is one of these people who could die if she got sick on some if this bullshit. She is practically bed-ridden as it is.  For my sake, and for those whom you care about.

Use the damn sanitizer.

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

Anti-Ism...

2010-02-18T12:00:00.000-05:00

Blowback loosely denotes every consequence of every aspect of a secret attack operation, thus, it is synonymous with consequence - wikipedia

You must understand.

Its not anti-community, and it is not anti-country. I'm not a terrorist.

I'm just against extremes. Nationalism gets out of hand and makes terrorists due to their strong personal beliefs held in their Nation.

I'm just against extremes. Ethnocentrisism gets out of hand and makes terrorists due to their strong personal beliefs held in their Ethnicity.

I'm just against extremes. Religiosity gets out of hand and makes terrorists due to their strong personal beliefs held in their Faith.

I'm just against extremes. -ity's and ism's get out of hand.

Rigor'd balance and thoughtful action are better.

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

Faith and Ignorance

2010-02-18T11:51:00.000-05:00

Caution, the following is intended to offend a little.
Thats about as much pomp and circumstance you'll get out of me.

Religion:
The most timeless of human endeavors; one where the belief in figments of imagination is considered the highest of virtues.  Propped up on the ideas of faith and using the aggregation of mis-guided hope, it is a self-perpetuating system that discourages independent thought and otherwise critical thinking. There is a reason why many describe it as "waking up" when removing their minds from it.

Following a religion is an admittance of ignorance.  You are saying that "I don't understand the world around me, and all but refuse to even attempt to understand it in a methodical way", further you claim that "this group of people, with their scant and often fallacious/circular reasoning (and all their hand waving), still have a better view on the world than my own… I am ok with believing whatever they sell me!"

Believing in imaginary friends may make you happy, but ignoring the real world for the sake of your happiness is at best futile, and at worse down-right destructive.  If your imaginary friend told you to jump off a bridge, would you?  Maybe with a bit more faith in him...

Faith:
An infectious idea that allows the human mind to ignore fact and take as truth the unverifiable. A virtue to many, this concept allows humans to have confidence in spite of grave ignorance in the world around them. Having faith often leads to a fool-hardy level of perseverance, expecting "god" or "angels" or some other unearthly-power to save them (from what amounts to be themselves).  Other times this faith can give them confidence to even end their own life for the sake of some "gift" that awaits after they die (with little more proof than that someone told them it was so).  

The phrase "take it on faith" is tantamount to saying that "I have no proof behind my assertions besides hearsay and an assumption that all these other people, who have been deluded in to believing my hand waving, are a valid claim of evidence."

With most people when it comes to faith, reasoning simply goes out the window: "why did that happen?"... "god did it"... "oh, ok, it must be true!"

Having faith simply means you wear ignorance as a badge of honor.

Most people when confronted with a swindler can see through the guise. But when the swindler believes/has faith in his own snake oil… you get religion.

Ignorance:
Ignorance is a term used to describe the activity of ignoring ideas and facts that would otherwise be believed on their own merits, but don't jive with the current set of beliefs held within.  The human mind is really good at inventing ways to circumvent and otherwise extinguish what would otherwise be true, simply because it doesn't fit within it's own deeply ingrained world view.

This is opposed to the disbelief in an idea based on logic and sound reasoning.  There are many ideas that can be outright disproved, and can be thrown away as easily as they come about.  Removing these ideas from your mind is not a bad thing, and shouldn't be confused with ignorance.  Remember, having an open mind doesn't meant you are accepting of everything, only that you consider everything. Don't let your mind be so "open" that any junk can fill it up.

For some, ignorance takes the form of faith, filling in the gaps in their world with the idea that some being outside of ourselves is holding the world up on the backs of tortoises. Faith becomes a blinder, giving them a crutch to only see what they want to see, leaving the rest "up to god/nature".

Others lambast ideas claiming they are "sinful" or "wrong".  Often this is simply because a pastor or some other trusted friend said so. They label it as sinful in their minds and become unable to even consider the other point of view… Although it may only be an idea of man's that they are following, they become unwilling to concede or even consider that it may be so. Just considering the idea not to be a sin becomes a sin in their mind because it would be going against their "god's" wishes regardless of how mistaken this belief may be.

Whatever the case, ignorance is one of the largest detriments among modern society. Don't take pride in your stupidity. Don’t let ignorance become a shameful badge of honor...

Cure:
A cure is something that removes an otherwise negative aspect of one's self, whether it be a physical disease, or a mental one...

As a culture we are raised to respect our elders, and are conditioned to believe that they know better and are looking out for our well-being. But this mentality of "elder is always right" has a major flaw: what if the elder is wrong?  Time and time again we are shown how mis-guided our parents and grandparents are. We are shown how urban-legends are false, how old wives tales are exaggerated, and even some "great pearls of wisdom" are completely un-true. Respect is not an unyielding acceptance of everything they say; you can respectfully decline someone after all.

And yet religion has the mentality that it can't be wrong; we are trained not to question these beliefs because they are "holy" or that doing so would be "sacrilegious".  So what if it is? How else can you remove stains from the fabric of society? In clothing most stains need bleach, but in the real world these religious stains need Resolve™ in the face of the cries that "you are going to hell".

Many ideas are vital for our survival as young and un-informed children, and I would be the last person to tell you to ignore good ideas.  Many morals and similar ideas are likewise vital to the survival of our society and essential to our interactions in our day to day lives.  Even godless monkeys keep social structures tame and do what they think is "right".  I fear the man who's only reason for "being good" is a faith in what amounts to be Santa Clause's presents under the Christmas tree after you die.

Removing religion does not remove one's sense of good and evil; only sociopaths lack the ability to empathize. This is not a call for a hedonistic revolt, nor is it a rallying cry to the amoral despots among us. This is a reasoned rebuke to those among us who still have relatively uninfected brains and can still heed the logic behind anti-religious sentiment.  If you take this pill of enlightenment and think you have no reason to act as a responsible and ethical human being, you are an idiot.

Also, remember that you can inform the ignorant, but you can't argue against the illogical.

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

Seriously!

2010-02-18T11:49:00.000-05:00

I challenge you: To speak with conviction.
To say what you believe in a manner that bespeaks
the determination with which you believe it. - Taylor Mali

I love you: Funny things these three little words, they can mean so much and yet say so little.  From a practical standpoint, our words are cheap, they only cost us breath which we would breathe in anyway.  The value instead come from the meaning we place in them, the emotion and feelings that give rise to their utterance and those feelings that are risen within others.  

Being so, I find myself doubting the ability of others to take my words with the seriousness I place within them.   I feel that they are hearing them with the same incantations of a small child who's own sense of the world is lost and unguided.  That their perceptions of me doesn't allow for my words to affect them as I intend, as they would need to be for their meaning to sink in.  I feel that what I have to say, all the value I place within my own words, comes to nothing, and ultimately this creates in me the concept that I am nothing.  

I make it my virtue to say things with this meaning. Being a quiet individual, opting not to say much at all, I choose to observe instead.  I make it my virtue to say things that I am certain of, to say things with power, with this deeper meaning.  Feeling inside that since I don't talk as often, my words will appear more unique, more justified, more reliable, if only in the eyes of the other.  Granted, I might falter, babble on about nothingness for a while, but when I am sane, myself, I make it my purpose to say things with this thruth and consideration.  

There exists in my mind things which I would never say unknowingly, thoughts and ideas which I am all but unable to express without said consideration.  My inner most desires, feelings, longings, wishes, and the like, they are only expressed in these ways.  Sure, I have surface, there is a part of me which is seen the most, the shield of feelings that have bubbled up and come to express themseleves more readily, those which we would see from mere passing conversation.  But my true priorities, my real feelings, the motivations and guiding forces behind my psyché, they are not expressed as frivolously, or openly.  

This is not to say my inner feelings are complicated or hard to express.  The way I feel deep inside is very simple, almost ludicrously so, as each can be summed up in only a few words.  The problem I have lies in feeling that when I express them, those who would listen are able to understand and take me seriously.  When I say that I am serious, that I am being truthful and honest, when I tell you that I mean it, you don't have to worry or doubt me.  I hope when I say "I love you", you take it to heart.

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

In The Name of Security

2010-02-18T11:41:00.000-05:00

Can there be a Godwin's law on masturbation?

Wow, and to think I thought I was talking to a patriot... 
god fucking damn, that has got to be the most un-american thing I've ever heard anybody say.
To willingly go around spouting and infecting people with that brainwashing bullshit,
you must be the biggest supporter of communism, facisim I've ever seen!
I mean, I bet that is what hitler said to the people's of germany:  "if your not a jew, you've got nothing to hide!"

... I hope you rethink that statement of yours.

The idea that "if you've done nothing wrong, you have nothing to worry about"
assumes that the government is full of good people that would not abuse their power, ever.
Even if this were true now, we cannot be sure it'll be true in the future.
Our entire goverment was founded on the idea of limiting power to prevent corupption from within,
and now you are telling me that we should abolish the very thing that keeps us secure?

Mother Fuck'n Genius!

You're right, the government would never make trouble for an innocent person.
I'm just going to call the Department of Homeland Security and tell them that you're a terrorist,
one who plans to blow up the White House, okay?
I'm sure it'll only take a few minutes to clear up the misunderstanding...

Nothing to hide, nothing to fear, right?  wrong!

...

Think about it this way:

There are some things you would show to your friends, but never your parents, and especially not your enemies (Because they would show it to your parents, or black-mail or worse).

Privacy and Secrecy are two different things... Take the following 
ridiculous statements as an example.

Masturbation in privacy is "ok".
Masturbation in secrecy may or may not be.

If one masturbates beneath a table during lunch in the 
cafeteria, they are performing an act in secret, but not in private.

While masturbation in privacy has a certain amount of secrecy involved, 
masturbation in secret does not always have a similar effect in terms of 
privacy.

These are not mutually exclusive.

...

Hiding something does not imply that it is an illegal something.

Just because you show something to a few people, doesn't mean you want it shown to the general public. The term "level of secrecy" is there for a reason.

We have a natural desire to manipulate other people's opinions, weither it be individuals or entire social groups.

If you truly believe in the rhetoric of "nothing to hide nothing to fear" then I'm' not going around any tables with you sitting at them.  Thats just gross. Patriot? more like pervert.

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

Frogs Jumping From Water

2010-02-18T11:24:00.000-05:00

Turn on the heat slow enough, and maybe they won't notice?

You asked me before how I might judge someones intelligence based on a few simple questions. To me, it doesn't matter the question, that is not whats important. To me, it is the answer, or rather the reasoning behind, that shows intelligence.

Those who answer along the lines of "just because" or "thats just the way it is done" or "because god...", and those who furthermore become upset when it is discussed furher; those are whom I consider to be unintelegent. The quintisential ignorant masses.

These are the people I feel lack the abbility to reason. They are the ones that follow like sheep, mindless and drowning on spoonfed ideas, never being brave enough to venture out on their own. Accepting socitie's traditions as ultimate truth inspite of or in lack of proof. Unwilling or unable to percive the world "beyond the length of their noses".

To me, you are either "englightened", or "ignorant"... to differentiate further in terms of intelegence seems foolish.

--------
According to Jonathan Marks,

By the 1970s, it had become clear that (1)most human differences were cultural; (2) what was not cultural was principally polymorphic - that is to say, found in diverse groups of people at different frequencies; (3) what was not cultural or polymorphic was principlally clinal - that is to say, gradually variable over geography; and (4) what was left - the component of human diversity that was not cultural, polymorphic, or clinal - was very small. 
A consensus consequently developed among anthropologists and geneticisms that race as the previous generation had known it - as largely discrete, geographically distinct, gene pools - did not exist. 

(via wikipedia )

--------

It scares me to think that so many people in the world consider their abbilites and potentials to be predetermined by superfical and largerly inconsiquential matters. Things like "race", "gender", "IQ", "family", "bloodlines", "tradition", "respect", "elders", "ethnicity", "nationality" and any number of other categorical ignorances seem to be infecting many people's minds.

The individual defines the group, not the other way around... each individual has their own will, and their own personal set of skills. To believe that the traits of an individual is determined by the traits of the group is ignorant of the fact that the group was originally defined as being of the individuals. As more individuals become part of the group, it is the group that changes. 

What is important to undestand is that our socities define us, our culture defines us, not the skin color on our bodies or the blood running through our veins. Take someone out of culture, and they change. Like accents, the longer you are around a diffrent way of doing things, the more you pick up on them yourself. Everyone around you affects you, and you affect everyone around. 

Your ancestry only affects you, if you let it. The first step is in realizing that you are not your father. You are not your bloodline. Your ancesters have less affect on you than your choice toothpaste. The only way they can reach out, is through the collective thoughts of the culture around.

Our thoughts and ideas mingle on the local and global scale, along with all the levels inbetween. Fads wax and wane, religions rise and fall, kingdoms surge and sunder, our very lives change day by day. Taking snapshots throughout the time span of anything, and you will see complete diffrences. The tadpole turns to the frog, and back again in a constant change, even though we don't see it that way at first. 

Take a picture of a tadpole, an compaire it to a frog and you might come to the conclusion that they are diffrent animals entirely. But take more pictures, at closer and closer grainularities, and you soon see that life is in constant flux. Don't let your perceptsions of yourself, or those around you, be ignorant because of two pictures of far apart things that have been shown to you. Realize that between us all it is only a matter of the degrees of seperation, and our current society doesn't seem to understand that.

"The Power of Gradual works because, quite simply, little things add up to a big thing if you have enough little things. Given enough time, the steady drip-drop of water becomes an ocean. Given enough time, small regular deposits become a small fortune."
- zenhabits : the power of gradual

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

Breath

2010-02-18T11:11:00.000-05:00

Talking to the air, listening to the echoes.

We must create our own happiness and must consciously avoid suffrage.  We can not expect it to fall into our laps without trying. Ultimately, we can not be sad if there is nothing to make us sad. If we let situations and feelings roll off our shoulders, and accept that life is unavoidable, we come to see that everything will be ok. it is easy to say, "don't worry, be happy", but attaining such a mental state takes both hadrwork, and understanding, and perhaps a litle bit of compasion. 

I find myself sometimes falling into the trap of self-loathing and self-hatred, coming to feel that there is something wrong with me, and ultimately something I should be controlling that I'm not. It becomes a never ending spiral of dispare that leads me to become so depressed and angry inside that I get to the point where even breathing seems like a waste of time. 
I must realize, before I travle down such paths, that I am only human, and that we are living in an imperfect world. I must realize that my wants and desires might be comptely unnatainable. I must accept these truths, and be ok with myself and my imperfections. I must learn to be ok with the thought that my deepest desires might never be filled. For only then can I assuredly avoid the futile battles against impossible odds. Only then can true happienss ever really be in reach. 

I don't attempt to fathom what hardships make your messages so distraugth, or your demenor so outwardly upset from time to time. I am however, concerned for anyone who has such symtoms of suffering. I know full well the depths of feeling, and strengths of hurt that suffering can cause, and I'd wish no one to have to live through it, or worse die because of it. Life, as they say, is too short.

When I am in low states of mind, I find that such help is meaningless if it is not wanted, so please try not to take my words as attacks on your charater, or as hurtful ones in any respect. I don't claim I know how to fix you, or even the extent of what is wrong with you (if anysuch thing be wrong at all). Each person is unique, and each problem has its own special solution. I'm just trying to allow you to see my point of view, as these are the things that helped me get throug the toughest times in my own life.

Seeing others suffer reminds me of how much I need others to tell me these things as I have said. To remind me that life will go on, and that it is ok to be sad. Hearing these words, these thoughts, allows me to approch some carthisitic center in myself, and to regain balance. I only hope that they might do the same for you.

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

You've got me all wrong.

2010-02-18T11:05:00.000-05:00

The unwitting rogue.

I do not “rebel” against tradition for the sake of rebelling.
I am not against those certain bits of society for the sake of being different or "cool".
It is not as if I’m trying to follow some fad or crowd.
I don’t feel this way to impress people.
I’m not trying to put on an image of disobedience.
It’s not fun, and in all retrospect, I’d rather not have to feel this way about things.
If Ignorance is bliss.

I do not follow social norms or normal opinions of things for a simple reason: because they do not fit. 
I find many of them illogical, unreasonable, and sometimes downright silly.
I would consider many things I do not follow not much more than a superstitious belief.

If you call me rude, I’d call you petty. Being stuck up with superficial and ridiculous social customs is not my cup of tea.

I am not fit with maintaining the status quo on simply on faith. 
I am not fit on accepting tradition as infallible truth. 
I question all things, am critical of them, because I am unwilling to fit in some “proverbial” mold. One size doesn’t fit all.

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

GTD & Archaisms

2010-02-18T08:12:00.010-05:00

Where The digital is flexible, GTD is more so.

I've spent the past month doing GTD.  It really isn't that hard... I didn't know much more about the method besides the idea of contexts lists. So when I bought the book, it was quite the eye opener. 

A recent blog entry over at lazymeter.com asks is GTD out of date? The post starts out with a good explanation covering most of Getting Things Done, and further describes the "life management problem" that it attempts to solve. 

But I have to disagree with it being out of date.

Ultimately, The idea of logging what you are waiting on, what you should do next, and keeping track of other commitments/projects you've vested time into is going to be a truism as long as human beings still have any sense of purpose and cooperation in our day to day lives.  

The base concepts and the organizational principles are still valid and quite useful in today's technological world. I'd argue that we all have papers that need to be filed, and having an efficient system for doing that is always a good thing. Not to mention that even with swapping paper/snail mail out for pdf/email and brochures/books with websites/Wikipedia, you'd still need an effective approach to process it all. This information overload that the digital aspect has given us is exactly what the GTD method was designed to combat. The GTD system is being revived with a new vigor precisely because it still applies today, if more so.

I believe the blog entry misses or at least has an incomplete view of the GTD methodology's mainstay: to organize these things with a definite purpose.  The book goes on at great length on how all this collecting and processing breaks down if the results aren't properly organized.  And I don't mean just sorting them into the right files or under the right projects, but to also sort them into the various contexts of life.  The next action list is a little more complicated than one simple exit point from the flow chart.

Sorting actions by contexts grants the ability to act on commitments when most beneficial, and not to have them merely flounder for a few moments when the mind decides to remember them at the most inconvenient times.  This idea still as applicable now as ever, except perhaps that these contexts have changed to things like @twitter and @blog.  

The book is also very adamant that the methodology should be approached with whatever way works best for the individual. The coaching, courses and direct physical processes as described in the book are only really examples and guidelines for the participant... If they don't understand the basic principles behind it, there would be no doubt in my mind that it would fail for them.  

You see, Ellen, as described in the blog entry, should have had an @computer/blog context, and maybe even a "Report on GTD experience" project. Then she could easily have made the next action "draft blog entry to report on initial training  @computer", instead of being left wondering how it should all fit together.  Why she would pay 6000$ for coaching in a system she didn't understand to begin with? It's silly.  You don’t higher an Olympic level triathlon coach for a toddler just learning how to walk.

I think that David is saying that b/c she isn't doing a weekly review, she's missing the efficiency aspect of it.  While the main goal is to review the organizational aspects of projects and next actions, its also a perfect time to polish the rough points and to personalize/tailor the system to fit the user. Its not just about recapturing any loose ends that may have came free.

There are so many ways to do the GTD method, and the paper route is just one system of implementing it. Understanding the principles behind the methodology allows for a large number divergent systems to be used. Personally I've been using a nearly completely digital system, the only missing piece is a pda with handwriting support so I can have a completely ubiquitous capture and be also 100% digital. Right now I simply keep a memopad with my all the time.

Why would I spend an hour each day rewriting my contexts lists based on what ever is in my inbox?  I just pop what ever comes in my head either directly into OneNote, or on a memeopad to be put into OneNote... and tag everything as I go (@home, @work, !project, !process/in).  

Anything that does pile up in my physical inbox gets shot into OneNote, and if it's worth keeping, filed away physically in my archive.  If possible, most paperwork is scanned into the computer to be put into one-note.  

I even use OneNote/Outlook combo for keeping a digital tickler file of sorts, having tasks pop up next week or next month using an easy access outlook tag is a cinch.

For me the weekly review is essential to make sure that my projects are all in order and that they have actions tagged for them, and that I haven't accidentally duplicated a project b/c I forgot or wrote it down with a different point of view. But even that takes at most 10-15 minutes w/ a computer's drag a drop and tag-searching abilities.  I just ask the computer to list all my !project tags, and see if they are similar, occasional clicking on one to view the notes surrounding the tag, or to move it where it actually belonged.

If I had to rewrite everything and shuffle through a notebook/set of papers trying to find whatever I'm looking for, I could definitely see it being a pain in the butt and overwhelming. If the GTD method limited me to these archaic and inefficient systems, I would likewise label it as out of date. 

But the GTD method doesn’t limit us to archaisms, so how can it be out of date?

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.

Hello World!

2010-02-18T05:15:00.012-05:00

I was half tempted to title this one "first post!!!1!"

A long time ago, I stumbled upon a set of blog posts that changed my life.

I was having trouble keeping track of all the different responsibilities that resonate around a budding adult's life and college studies. I stumbled upon these postings while researching productivity habits. Not only was Building a smarter to do list just what I was looking for, it introduced me to something that I didn't know I was missing out on: the Getting Things Done® System by David Allen.  

Zenhabits describes the system very effectively in it's well written and surprisingly complete FAQ on GTD.  They boil it down well, and the following requote explains down to the letter why I have fallen in love with gtd:

GTD embodies an easy, step-by-step and highly efficient method for achieving this relaxed, productive state. It includes:

Capturing anything and everything that has your attention
Defining actionable things discretely into outcomes and concrete next steps
Organizing reminders and information in the most streamlined way, in appropriate categories, based on how and when you need to access them
Keeping current and "on your game" with appropriately frequent reviews of the six horizons of your commitments (purpose, vision, goals, areas of focus, projects, and actions)

Implementing GTD alleviates the feeling of overwhelm, instills confidence, and releases a flood of creative energy. It provides structure without constraint, managing details with maximum flexibility.

Now out of college, I finally hunkered down and started implementing the entire system.  After spending a day reading the book (woo, borders sales rock!), my first step involved the initial gathering phase. David recommended spending a good 6-12 hours simply collecting 100% of the "open loops" in my life.

Using a nifty Triggers List provided in the book, I gathered nearly everything I wanted or needed to do into one massive list on a folio-pad.  It was exhilarating to consider all of the things that I wanted work on, running a mental shake down of everything that was bothering and perturbed me. I would come up with one thing, and it would remind me of another, and another and another, until I had a good 200 different things that I wanted to do something about.  And this is without homework!  I can't imagine how big the list would have been if I was still taking classes.

I'd been so busy maintaining my ubiquitous capturing, that I was neglecting the main reason I was capturing it.  That all changed when I read about GTD with OneNote and literally overnight my organization and context lists blossomed.  

A significant goal with this blog is to mirror 7breath's set up of describing the gritty details of how my system works. I hope that my entries here will be both a log, and a roadmap for others to follow for setting up their own killer gtd setup.

Want to learn more about GTD? Check out Wired Magazine's insignful article, maybe you'll be inspired to take up gtd as a more central part of your life too!

Scatological Sensibilities is a collection of thoughts and ideas from the aspiring programmer who goes by the name Ape-Iñago.