Thursday 23 August 2012
The cost of a Greeting
Having made the mistake of being real ,I lived on a diet of vulnerability and shame for 6 months, because I fell for a scam from one of those dating sites,I later carried on determined not to lose all faith in human nature.
However,since then for some reason hard to explain I fell again ,This time I didn't lose cash , in fact the first time by way of logical explanation to myself I figure I gave my cash away, the second I lost the ingredient that helps you keep your life in balance.That was trust.
Justifying it anyway you wish , still makes you stupid and much as I am trying to change my perspective of myself the process is slow. It was the second time that cost so much I lost something much more precious to me than money, I like anyone else have a certain respect to what makes the world go round ,but I lost my trust in everything and everyone in all the circles of my life and this has hurt others apart from myself as I have misjudged as a consequence.
I am planning to find it and I plan to find it right where I lost it.Stability has always been my strong point throughout my life and now I cannot make a decision.At this moment I know my chances are slim ,but in order for me to regain a healthy attitude and fit all the pieces back together I will continue to try.
In some shape or form not only in the recesses of my mind , I am aware of the hidden forces but its not like backing the wrong horse and its not about fear or being a product of shattered dreams its about the ability to greet the world as I am.My shame has gone but my vulnerability remains and I don't just plan to be a patch on who I was , I have every intention of living a healthy lifestyle and living the remainder of my life with real friends naturally when I figure out who the hell they are .
Wednesday 22 August 2012
Not So Natural... Not So Cool
I found this fab photo ' She has waited to long 'on the Internet and
it shows the serious side of what anyone will do for image. .Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are very prevalent in younger girls.Today's society and lifestyle makes them believe that being thin gives them acceptability, but it's slim that is healthy and a woman has a natural shape. By eating a balanced diet and participating in healthy exercise, teenagers ,who are most at risk should be taught the beauty can come from within .Wearing the latest trend is great if you have the figure to do so, but it is not a patch on a healthy heart.Looking after what lies beneath the skin is a necessity.Stress incurred by these food disorders which are caused by long term dieting or bingeing leads to lack of stability and an inability for the victim to see themselves as they really are.The youth today have enough pressure ,so teach them about what is fit and natural early enough in life ,let them understand that being who they are is really just cool. Figure out my thoughts
Language is a tool we use to communicate but its only one of them.Language to some degree is actually thought dependant . Therefore we now have the question as to whether we can we think without language .
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As far as planning some future event such as thinking about 'What am I going to cook tonight' as I have recently made a promise to myself I will try to adopt a better diet ,this might consist of visual images only, but even if I can't remember some of the more exotic ingredients on the list, in general, I still do have a clear conception .
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Deductive reasoning. however, appears to need language ,that is assuming of course that mathematics or symbolic logic count as 'languages', which I am told they do, so how about music then? Don't composers of the language of melody,rhythm not to mention harmony create tunes that run through our head and don't we also use this as a form of language to fit how we express our emotions.
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In contrast to deductive reasoning, learning to use a language is a form of thought and many times if not most times involves deriving general principles from experiences of a particular nature, it would appear that both laboratory rats and infants manage this without the use of language.
The spoken language remains a powerful tool and it is used to communicate ideas and when used correctly does just that.Unfortunately, regardless of the huge diversity in languages and their use, the world today remains divided. The inability to maintain communication and communicate ideas is not always due to lack of ability but due to the cultural differences in thought,education,religion and political views.
Best explained I suppose, by saying "I am only responsible for what I say and not what you understand'.
Criticism on language use continues and each generation forms its own 'street style'. The basics remain the same,which is the conveying of an idea or principle. Subtle innuendos and alternative methods to deliver messages is something that is done continually between ourselves so as to be seen as politically correct in what we say.Sometimes it is even used as a means to convey the opposite of what we would dearly like to express but lack the necessary conviction to upset the balance by speaking out of turn.
So do we need to make more use of deductive reasoning in order to communicate properly?. Well maybe that applies to my generation only, but I believe language can still be used politely to convey ideas whether they are different or conventional.Personally I would much prefer to be referred to as 'ditsy' and not 'dumb'.Though the language of technology is certainly making me feel the latter.
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As far as planning some future event such as thinking about 'What am I going to cook tonight' as I have recently made a promise to myself I will try to adopt a better diet ,this might consist of visual images only, but even if I can't remember some of the more exotic ingredients on the list, in general, I still do have a clear conception .
Deductive reasoning. however, appears to need language ,that is assuming of course that mathematics or symbolic logic count as 'languages', which I am told they do, so how about music then? Don't composers of the language of melody,rhythm not to mention harmony create tunes that run through our head and don't we also use this as a form of language to fit how we express our emotions..
In contrast to deductive reasoning, learning to use a language is a form of thought and many times if not most times involves deriving general principles from experiences of a particular nature, it would appear that both laboratory rats and infants manage this without the use of language.
The spoken language remains a powerful tool and it is used to communicate ideas and when used correctly does just that.Unfortunately, regardless of the huge diversity in languages and their use, the world today remains divided. The inability to maintain communication and communicate ideas is not always due to lack of ability but due to the cultural differences in thought,education,religion and political views.
Best explained I suppose, by saying "I am only responsible for what I say and not what you understand'.
Criticism on language use continues and each generation forms its own 'street style'. The basics remain the same,which is the conveying of an idea or principle. Subtle innuendos and alternative methods to deliver messages is something that is done continually between ourselves so as to be seen as politically correct in what we say.Sometimes it is even used as a means to convey the opposite of what we would dearly like to express but lack the necessary conviction to upset the balance by speaking out of turn.
So do we need to make more use of deductive reasoning in order to communicate properly?. Well maybe that applies to my generation only, but I believe language can still be used politely to convey ideas whether they are different or conventional.Personally I would much prefer to be referred to as 'ditsy' and not 'dumb'.Though the language of technology is certainly making me feel the latter.
Saturday 18 August 2012
Peas Continued....Nuture vs Nature.
Through experiments done by Gregor Mendal ,who was an Australian monk new adaptations to Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection ironically happened during Darwin's lifetime. Although the monk published his findings the form of a journal it remained obscure and forgotten for many years.
The law of inheritance, based on assumptions that offspring inherit characteristics through a blend of characteristics from the parents was actually achieved by experimenting with generations of pea plants.
Through his results we now know that any one characteristic for example the colour of a flower is in fact inherited from not both but either the female parent or the male parent. The unit that passes on the determining characteristic is called the gene.
In 1953 James Watson an American joined forces with Francis Crick an Englishman to show how genes transmit character .A complex molecule was found to be present in every cell of all living matter, this is unique in such that it contains a sort of code for the form of growth and development which will ensue in a particular individual.This we know as DNA.
If DNA does actually control everything about behavioural patterns in an organism there are other implications to consider. Determining factors in relation to free will and whether there is such a thing as human nature are still politically debated, there are those who align with left thinkers -socialists ,communists and anarchists and it is these that have adopted the stance that a society of order and stability organised in the right way will allow humans to cooperate with each other and achieve happiness in a selfless manner.
Those in the field of Evolutionary psychology believe that behaviour is predetermined however, cognitive psychologists give learning an important role too.Key parts are played by society and culture and overall the consensus seems to be that both genetic inheritance and environmental conditions shape the way we are.
The good news is that I can offer an explanation to my younger offspring about her bad gene pool, short in stature equals father's responsibility,fat arms must be accredited to me as maybe does not always fitting into her denim jeans , questioning her temperament I shall hold my council because as always with science we have yet another theory ,this time the one of chaos.
The law of inheritance, based on assumptions that offspring inherit characteristics through a blend of characteristics from the parents was actually achieved by experimenting with generations of pea plants.
.jpg) |
| Alike as two peas in a pod is often used to refer to twins of an identical nature but the expression is from Mendal's experiments |
 |
| A Patch of Peas |
If DNA does actually control everything about behavioural patterns in an organism there are other implications to consider. Determining factors in relation to free will and whether there is such a thing as human nature are still politically debated, there are those who align with left thinkers -socialists ,communists and anarchists and it is these that have adopted the stance that a society of order and stability organised in the right way will allow humans to cooperate with each other and achieve happiness in a selfless manner.
Those in the field of Evolutionary psychology believe that behaviour is predetermined however, cognitive psychologists give learning an important role too.Key parts are played by society and culture and overall the consensus seems to be that both genetic inheritance and environmental conditions shape the way we are.
The good news is that I can offer an explanation to my younger offspring about her bad gene pool, short in stature equals father's responsibility,fat arms must be accredited to me as maybe does not always fitting into her denim jeans , questioning her temperament I shall hold my council because as always with science we have yet another theory ,this time the one of chaos.
Mathematical though the chaos theory is ,it helps elucidate the hidden order that checks and determines a host of systems which are apparently as the name suggests not balanced but random .It is this that makes prediction very difficult and you will find it at my house.It is there I who nurture,nature as we know it takes care of itself .
Peas Are The Reason
I have pondered on the fact,and concluded that it is not due to the diet but because it is green and being green is fashionable now, albeit ,I do know this has been the practise for at least the norm in our lifestyle for last 55 years.Everywhere I went this summer I had the same thought surely there has been sufficient rain to make the landscape aesthetically pleasing in enough shades of green without having to add any extra portions.
In Greece the pea is actually a main dish and cooked with potatoes to make a tasty meal, In France petit pois are treated to a few extras before being served but still I maintain not a patch on the Greek version. For some reason the people of England have never really come to terms with the versatility of these green pods and their content. This is most amazing since the ancient Egyptians were recorded as having eaten them, therefore would it not be fair to assume that given the time lapse since then and now we would have fathomed what to do with them.
My fondest recollection of peas goes back a few decades to the school dining room.There ,they were a supply of arms with which one could launch an attack.Using the offensive veg as a projectile weapon against annoying peers, could be achieved with a simple flicking of the fingers and a well positioned pea or using a thick straw with which we were supplied to drink our milk, that is before Maggie Thatcher milk snatcher removed the privilege.
The British table manners being what they are also dictated that as a child you had to master the skill of actually getting them to balance on your fork and into your mouth without leaving any form of evidence of where you had sat. Yes I honestly believe that it is the pea that motivates me to stay where I am at least for the time being.
Friday 17 August 2012
Imitation -Mimesis
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| On refection what do you see..... |
The Greek philosopher Aristotle was a pupil of Plato but his approach was indeed hugely different.Whilst Aristotle concerned himself mainly to studying the world as it was and contributing to a wide range of subjects including astronomy,biology,physics,ethics and logic to name a few,Plato maintained that reality of the ultimate kind was in fact well beyond human experience .
Mimesis as used by Aristotle was defined as such to suggest that art improves on nature and art in its selectivity reveals trivialities and incidentals ,structures them and gives them a voice.
As we interpret and view our own world through all kinds of predetermined mental constructions including scientific methodology ,religion or in the form of language, it is art that often provides a lens to enable a clarification to our thinking.
I know nothing of art but I know when I like what I see,however,I remain unsure about what art on the Internet you can rightfully use or what would be considered a 'steal'.Visual art is imagery and has the capability of depicting things. Whereas using words to create or shape a healthy mental picture or evoke sensory experiences such as smell and sound actually needs so many layers , it is often so much clearer when using a picture than lingual expression .
There are as always exceptions........
If a cow and calf are cut in half
And placed in separate casesTo call it art,however smart
Casts doubt on art's whole basis
Anonymous- unattributed in 2003
Art embraces music,dance, design,film, sculpture,photography and literature and these have functions that not only provide stability to a culture but also entertainment,they balance a series of conventions and also stimulate healthy emotions. Although life is not a diet of pleasure alone sometimes these are not only the icing on the cake but the cherry on the icing.
So don't imitate art , live it and enjoy it ....Life was planned for pleasure!!!
Why are you here?
Although British by birth ,I have for all my adult life lived in another place ,and despite the difficulties of it all, I love it .Not the expat life as that's not what I lead but the one where I live with my family and friends in a suburb to the north of the capital city .A city I admit very different from the one I came to nearly 30 years ago.
I still get asked why I stay as my children are grown and the city itself is suffering from an influx of immigrants hoping to find a better place for themselves but changing the lifestyle of the inhabitants.There is also an increase in dereliction in the city due to bad governing ,lack of public funding and of course the economic crisis,which is not only giving Greece a lean and troubled time but also the rest of Europe.
The explanation as to why I am here or here I am.is simple I am home.However,lately I get asked more and more often the question as to why I am here by people who haven't even been alive for as long as the years I have lived here.
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The change in the behaviour of the public cannot be ignored I know the younger generation are having a tough time but I wonder have we now become a discriminatory nation allowing such discriminatory practises.Practises ranging from insulting behaviour and unequal treatment to aggression and violence.I sincerely hope not, although I believe my hopes may well be levelled if not buried.The situation is dire as any is that deals with mankind and its problems.
Unfortunately,this attitude towards immigrants and the attitude they have is fit for the classification of racism.This is not suited to the generally well educated people and I have come to expect more particularly from the younger of the society.
Racism is one very complex and questionable concept. Racism in the past arose due to limitations in the ability to accept a foreigner,usually this was based on irrational fear of the language spoken or an inability to understand the customs and cultural norms of the outsider.In showing lack of ethnicity and ability to adopt to the ways of the community in which they lived the foreigner posed a threat to the stability of the host country..
Throughout the years there have been various pseudo-scientific theories of race divide around the globe, theories in which different 'subspecies' were characterised in accordance with their physical appearance,including skin colour and physiognomy however,these theories are no longer supported by the modern geneticists and haven;t been for some time . Then it was believed in Europe we were supposedly the most 'advanced' and 'evolved' mentally and physically but somehow I think, now we are losing ground
.
The theory,which was taken up by supporters of the 'survival of the fittest' belief was that created by Charles Darwin, whose theory of evolution gave rise to eugenics ,but is now rightly a discredited pseudo-science It maintained the poor of pocket and the underprivileged by circumstance were inferior in form and therefore should not breed in order to maintain the fitness and health of the population.
Negative behavioral traits and tendencies were assigned by eugenicists to these groups of people they regarded as' inferior' to themselves,and stigmatized characters without reason assigning traits such as those connected to crime.In the earlier part of the 20th century eugenicists were given great respectability so there words were well noted. However ,the association with the Hitler regime and the acts of the Nazis under his command leading to the extermination of as many as 14 million people, led to them falling out of favor .As they were thus associated with events that led to the largest genocide in history,but unfortunately not the last.
Although not born in the town of his birth , which is Shrewsbury in the Midlands in the U.K I have family that reside there and I visit yearly .A monument erected to his memory and in honour of his contribution to science is of course the Quantum Leap, which is placed between the Welsh bridge and the Footbridge. Walking past it as I often do I wonder if this 'Scientific Racist' had lived to see the impact his theory has had on the world whether or not he would have continued to develop it. As no other species on earth has any form of selective breeding,why would he assume he could develop at odds with nature.
Regardless of social progress, education,and enlightenment the attitude of 'superiority' that some people maintain for some reason still refuses to die. As no child enters the world a racist or indeed superior in any form, we must therefore assume that superiority and the overwhelming belief they feel they attain by discriminating is something they learn or maybe even something we teach.Its a complex in its truest form.
I still get asked why I stay as my children are grown and the city itself is suffering from an influx of immigrants hoping to find a better place for themselves but changing the lifestyle of the inhabitants.There is also an increase in dereliction in the city due to bad governing ,lack of public funding and of course the economic crisis,which is not only giving Greece a lean and troubled time but also the rest of Europe.
The explanation as to why I am here or here I am.is simple I am home.However,lately I get asked more and more often the question as to why I am here by people who haven't even been alive for as long as the years I have lived here.
.
The change in the behaviour of the public cannot be ignored I know the younger generation are having a tough time but I wonder have we now become a discriminatory nation allowing such discriminatory practises.Practises ranging from insulting behaviour and unequal treatment to aggression and violence.I sincerely hope not, although I believe my hopes may well be levelled if not buried.The situation is dire as any is that deals with mankind and its problems.
Unfortunately,this attitude towards immigrants and the attitude they have is fit for the classification of racism.This is not suited to the generally well educated people and I have come to expect more particularly from the younger of the society.
Racism is one very complex and questionable concept. Racism in the past arose due to limitations in the ability to accept a foreigner,usually this was based on irrational fear of the language spoken or an inability to understand the customs and cultural norms of the outsider.In showing lack of ethnicity and ability to adopt to the ways of the community in which they lived the foreigner posed a threat to the stability of the host country..
Throughout the years there have been various pseudo-scientific theories of race divide around the globe, theories in which different 'subspecies' were characterised in accordance with their physical appearance,including skin colour and physiognomy however,these theories are no longer supported by the modern geneticists and haven;t been for some time . Then it was believed in Europe we were supposedly the most 'advanced' and 'evolved' mentally and physically but somehow I think, now we are losing ground
.
The theory,which was taken up by supporters of the 'survival of the fittest' belief was that created by Charles Darwin, whose theory of evolution gave rise to eugenics ,but is now rightly a discredited pseudo-science It maintained the poor of pocket and the underprivileged by circumstance were inferior in form and therefore should not breed in order to maintain the fitness and health of the population.
Negative behavioral traits and tendencies were assigned by eugenicists to these groups of people they regarded as' inferior' to themselves,and stigmatized characters without reason assigning traits such as those connected to crime.In the earlier part of the 20th century eugenicists were given great respectability so there words were well noted. However ,the association with the Hitler regime and the acts of the Nazis under his command leading to the extermination of as many as 14 million people, led to them falling out of favor .As they were thus associated with events that led to the largest genocide in history,but unfortunately not the last.
Although not born in the town of his birth , which is Shrewsbury in the Midlands in the U.K I have family that reside there and I visit yearly .A monument erected to his memory and in honour of his contribution to science is of course the Quantum Leap, which is placed between the Welsh bridge and the Footbridge. Walking past it as I often do I wonder if this 'Scientific Racist' had lived to see the impact his theory has had on the world whether or not he would have continued to develop it. As no other species on earth has any form of selective breeding,why would he assume he could develop at odds with nature.Regardless of social progress, education,and enlightenment the attitude of 'superiority' that some people maintain for some reason still refuses to die. As no child enters the world a racist or indeed superior in any form, we must therefore assume that superiority and the overwhelming belief they feel they attain by discriminating is something they learn or maybe even something we teach.Its a complex in its truest form.
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