16 APR 2018 by ideonexus
Pianos Make Music Accessible Like Computers Make Math Acc...
Though it has become a naturalized part of music-making since the first one was built in 1710, the pianoforte (its name means "soft-loud") was a technical marvel for its time, a machine that changed music in ways that are hard to imagine. Computer pioneer Alan Kay once observed that any technological advance is "technology only for people who are born before it was invented,' and in the case of the piano, this applies to no one alive today. Seymour Papert, the MIT researcher, concluded, "That...
1 20 MAR 2018 by ideonexus
The Bible of Civilization
But to begin with perhaps I may meet an objection that is likely to arise. I have called this hypothetical book of ours the Bible of Civilization, and it may be that someone will say: Yes, but you have a sufficient book of that sort already; you have the Bible itself and that is all you need. Well, I am taking the Bible as my model. I am taking it because twice in history—first as the Old Testament and then again as the Old and New Testament together—it has formed a culture, and unified a...Folksonomies: civilization idealism
Folksonomies: civilization idealism
1 
notes
notesAn example of Wells idealism. He envisions a single, unifying book, but his bible is the sum of human literature, and the true story is constantly under revision, but written authoritatively in nature for us to read. He sees a book describing ethical conduct, but again our laws are such a book and we are constantly debating them in the courts and revising them in our legislatures.
12 DEC 2017 by ideonexus
Two Kinds of Science-Fiction Innovations
Most common are the fictions that begin with Jules Verne, and concern the single artifact—a submarine, flying machine, or death ray—and its consquence for all of humanity. These extraordinary voyages—to use Verne's term—play along the fault line between what we think we are and what we can do. Nemo is no accident, or a tragic figure, but the natural consequence of the intersection between present-day humanity and extraordinary technology. Even 2001: A Space Odyssey plays on the same t...Folksonomies: futurism science fiction
Folksonomies: futurism science fiction
1 notes
notes07 NOV 2017 by ideonexus
Scientists in New Atlantis
"These are (my son) the riches of Salomon's House.
"For the several employments and offices of our fellows; we have twelve that sail into foreign countries, under the names of other nations, (for our own we conceal); who bring us the books, and abstracts, and patterns of experiments of all other parts. These we call Merchants of Light.
"We have three that collect the experiments which are in all books. These we call Depredators.
"We have three that collect the experiments of all mechanical...
1 21 JUN 2014 by ideonexus
Four kinds of intrinsic rewards
First and foremost, we crave satisfying work, every single day. The
exact nature of this “satisfying work” is different from person to
person, but for everyone it means being immersed in clearly defined,
demanding activities that allow us to see the direct impact
of our efforts.
Second, we crave the experience, or at least the hope, of being
successful. We want to feel powerful in our own lives and show
off to others what we’re good at. We want to be optimistic about
our own chances fo...Folksonomies: happiness
Folksonomies: happiness
1 notes
notes30 DEC 2013 by ideonexus
Lord Bacon's Apology for Atheism
Atheism leaves a man to sense, to philosophy, to natural piety, to laws, to reputation: all which may be guides to an outward moral virtue, though religion were not; but superstition dismounts all these, and createth an absolute monarchy in the minds of men: therefore Atheism did never perturb states; for it makes men wary of themselves, as looking no farther, and we see the times inclined to Atheism (as the time of Augustus Cæsar) were civil times: but superstition hath been the confusion o...Folksonomies: atheism spirituality
Folksonomies: atheism spirituality
1 notes
notesHe makes the case that the source of Atheists' inspiration informs their virtues and moral conduct.
08 JUN 2012 by ideonexus
Characteristics of a Good Surgeon
It is necessary that a surgeon should have a temperate and moderate disposition. That he should have well-formed hands, long slender fingers, a strong body, not inclined to tremble and with all his members trained to the capable fulfilment of the wishes of his mind. He should be of deep intelligence and of a simple, humble, brave, but not audacious disposition. He should be well grounded in natural science, and should know not only medicine but every part of philosophy; should know logic well...Folksonomies: virtue
Folksonomies: virtue
1 notes
notesA list of talents and virtues.
29 MAY 2012 by ideonexus
Geology is a Healthy Science
Apart from its healthful mental training as a branch of ordinary education, geology as an open-air pursuit affords an admirable training in habits of observation, furnishes a delightful relief from the cares and routine of everyday life, takes us into the open fields and the free fresh face of nature, leads us into all manner of sequestered nooks, whither hardly any other occupation or interest would be likely to send us, sets before us problems of the highest interest regarding the history o...Folksonomies: geology
Folksonomies: geology
1 notes
notesIt gets you out in the open air and trains you in virtues of observation.
28 MAR 2012 by ideonexus
Humanist Values in Parenting
Sure, God isn’t watching us—but our children certainly are!
We believe that the best foundation for respecting others is respect for oneself. Once the girls value themselves, it’s easier to teach them to respect their possessions, family, friends, and the world around them. We want our daughters to have compassion, courage, and creativity, but to do that the girls need to develop a fourth C—confidence.
The Ancient Greeks taught that pride was a virtue; indeed, Aristotle said it was ... 1 notes
notesCritical-Thinking skills, instilling self-confidence, praise, and encouraging potential.
10 JUN 2011 by ideonexus
A Response to Leopold's Description
The passage shows how different aspects of
virtue connect. Patience is part intellectual virtue, part
moral virtue and part physical virtue, as it is portrayed
here. The humility which allows Leopold to lie down
in the muck unselfconsciously is a moral virtue, but
humble recognition of our own ignorance is also a key
intellectual virtue, as Socrates so often reminds us
(see also William Beebe’s description of the ideal
naturalist quoted earlier). Humility also makes
possible Leopold’s aes...Cafaro sees a great deal of virtue in a naturalist's description of getting muddy to witness nature and appreciate it.
