22 NOV 2017 by ideonexus
Removing Prepositions in Defining Thought
Having turned my back on propositions, I thought, what am I going to do about this? The area where it really comes up is when you start looking at the contents of consciousness, which is my number one topic. I like to quote Maynard Keynes on this. He was once asked, “Do you think in words or pictures?” to which he responded, “I think in thoughts.” It was a wonderful answer, but also wonderfully uninformative. What the hell’s a thought then? How does it carry information? Is it like ... 1 
notes
notes05 FEB 2016 by ideonexus
Ways to Tackle a Problem
If a problem seems familiar, try reasoning by Analogy. If you solved a similar one in the past, and can adapt to thedifferences, you may be able to re-use that solution.
If the problem still seems too hard, divide it into several parts. Every difference you recognize may suggest a separate subproblem to solve.
If it seems unfamiliar, change how you’re describing it. Find a different description that highlights more relevant information.
If you get too many ideas, then focus on ...Folksonomies: problem solving
Folksonomies: problem solving
1 notes
notes08 MAR 2015 by ideonexus
Debt Makes College a Risky Investment
Our findings, especially those that examine household decision-making, emphasize that while the return
to higher education is high, it is not a safe investment for many households. The deterrent effect of risk
survives the ability of agents to feasibly debt finance college with student loans. The main force here is that
debt makes higher education riskier for student borrowers, suggesting that alternatives that are mindful of
risk may be more effective. In turn, the focus of the policy experi...
1 24 JAN 2015 by ideonexus
Humanity is Not the Purpose of the Universe, It is Humani...
Another phrase which occurs frequently in the propaganda of Christian fundamentalists is "scientific humanism." Scientific humanism is supposed to be a philosophy standing in opposition to Christian faith. Fundamentalists like to pretend that we have only two alternatives, either scientific humanism or their version of Christianity. But scientific humanism has as many different meanings as scientific materialism. Roughly speaking, a scientific humanist is somebody who believes in science and ...Folksonomies: humanism
Folksonomies: humanism
1 notes
notes01 JUN 2013 by mxplx
problem is not technology but your lack of will to adapt
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970416/quotesFolksonomies: immortality prescience
Folksonomies: immortality prescience
Prof.Barnhardt: There must be alternatives. You must have some technology that could solve our problem.
Klaatu: Your problem is not technology. The problem is you. You lack the will to change.
Prof. Barnhardt: Then help us change.
Klaatu: I cannot change your nature. You treat the world as you treat each other.
Prof.Barnhardt: But every civilization reaches a crisis point eventually.
Klaatu: Most of them don't make it.
Prof. Barnhardt: Yours did. How?
Klaatu: Our sun was dying. We had to evolve in order to survive.
Prof.Barnhardt: So it was only when your world was threated with destruction that you became what you are now.
Klaatu: Yes.
Prof.Barnhardt: Well that's where we are. You say we're on the brink of destruction and you're right. But it's only on the brink that people find the will to change. Only at the precipice do we evolve. This is our moment. Don't take it from us, we are close to an answer.
22 MAR 2012 by ideonexus
The Need to Get Off Foreign Oil
New technologies are advancing to the marketplace. but consumers can be wary of change. If they unequivocally demand alternatives to gasoline, for example, the marketplace will be activated, but ±ere is plenty of resistance to overcome. Recently, the president of Shell Oil, John Hoffmeister, expressed his views on world demand for energy and business opportunities ahead. Shell Oil's position, as Hoffmeister explained it, is ±at America will always need foreign oil even as it aggressively de...Folksonomies: environmentalism alternative energy
Folksonomies: environmentalism alternative energy
1 notes
notesGingrich argues that we cannot have an intelligent conversation on alternative energies and oil production unless we agree on this principle.
02 FEB 2012 by ideonexus
Nuclear Power Forces Man to Greatness
It is hard to think of fissionable materials when fashioned into bombs as being a source of happiness. However this may be, if with such destructive weapons men are to survive, they must grow rapidly in human greatness. A new level of human understanding is needed. The reward for using the atom's power towards man's welfare is great and sure. The punishment for its misuse would seem to be death and the destruction of the civilization that has been growing for a thousand years. These are the a...Folksonomies: atomic power nuclear power
Folksonomies: atomic power nuclear power
1 notes
notesBecause the alternative is self-destruction.
03 JAN 2011 by ideonexus
Leave Room for Uncertainty
What then is the meaning of the whole world? We do not know what the meaning of existence is. We say, as the result of studying all of the views that we have had before, we find that we do not know the meaning of existence; but in saying that we do knot know the meaning of existence, we have probably found the open channel--if we will allow only that, as we progress, we leave open opportunities for alternatives , that we do not become enthusiastic for the fact, the knowledge, the absolute tru...Science doesn't have the meaning of life, but we are muddling through it and that's a good thing.
03 JAN 2011 by ideonexus
Knowing VS Speculation
One day I'll be convinced there's a certain type of symmetry that everybody believes in, the next day I'll try to figure out the consequences if it's not, and everybody's crazy but me. But the thing that's unusual about good scientists is that while they're doing whatever they're doing, they're not so sure of themselves as others usually are. They can live with steady doubt, think "maybe it's so" and act on that, al lthe time knowing it's only "maybe." Many people find that difficult; they th...Folksonomies: science speculation
Folksonomies: science speculation
1 notes
notesThere is a warmness in doubting things, considering alternatives.
