Monday, February 23, 2009
Save English words
I came across this site, which asks you to use a long forgotten English word so that it will not be lost for good. I got this word: apanthropinization. Even the spellchecker in Firefox thinks it's a misspelled word. It means: withdrawal from human concerns or the human world. Perhaps this word is suitable to describe itself? :-)
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Weekly Summary: Uncertainty
The past two weeks have been very busy for both D and I. They were so busy that we barely had time to anything, including the weekly update of last week, which has been turned to weekly thought (actually, two thoughts). As a result our lives are dull. We don't do much that isn't directly related to work/studies, and both of us are nervous, stressed out, and basically fed up with this situation. We are looking forward to the end of the quarter and to the (too short) spring break, which will come in about a month from now. The plans are basic: get away from Cincinnati for a short while, probably to the Chicago area. Chicago is the "big city" around here, and when I say around I mean it in the broadest possible meaning; it's about 500 Km from here.
The stress, long hours, work, and studies have a great toll on D. She has been feeling unwell for the entire quarter so far, with two waves of the flu, and a stomach bug. I think that the basic problem is that she doesn't have enough time to rest and relax and so get stronger. Naturally, the continuous deteriorated health, accompanied by the stress of studies and work, and the short light hours of a northern latitude, have all combined to bring down her mood, and mine as well (though I am not ill). The previous Friday was a breaking moment for both of us, as both of us feel that we don't get a benefit equal to our efforts here (specifically the mental). This was the first time we talked about it, and I think that both of us agree that Cincinnati is not meeting our needs at the moment. The question is: what now? D's studies are short relative to mine, and her internship in the summer may prove to be a change in the entire atmosphere (certainly, less stress). We decided to wait for the fall before making further decisions. In any case, I will not abandon my position here before the summer. D's studies will end a quarter after the internship, so if we decide in the fall to leave here, we will be here until the spring, which probably makes it next summer (i.e. a year and a half from now). This is how the train will continue rolling, and, anyway, we still don't know what to do next. Shall we return to Israel? Shall we try our luck somewhere else? And if so, where? Seattle? Boston? The Bay Area?
My studies feel a bit strange to me at the moment. I can't attend the lessons themselves, because I teach at the same time. I am left to study from the posted lectures and the book. So far, my grades have been good, but I fear that they might drop sharply from now on, as there are some concepts that I don't quite understand, or rather: don't have a feeling for. This means that I can't crosscheck my work using "common sense". Next quarter I will not take any classes, as I can't find something that really interests me and coincides with my time. Instead, I will concentrate on research (while still teaching the same two courses I teach this quarter). It should be a much easier time, with less stress for me (and still a lot of work and stress for D). Will my studies really get me anywhere? I have a suspicion that if I choose to transfer to another university in the States, it will probably not accept a course done in the University of Cincinnati.
The heavy toll on our life starts to burden our bodies as well. Both of us have been gaining weight due to the lack of exercise and bad nutrition. The latter is also a result of trying to eat fast and comfort food. This, too, contributes to the bad feeling in various ways: lower self-esteem, less stamina and poorer concentration due to less oxygen entering the brain. We should get back in shape ASAP, but when is P exactly? Next year?
On a happier note: I can listen to "Fitter Happier" with only a negligible amount of clouding in my eyes. Yay. A few months ago it used to shatter me to pieces.
The stress, long hours, work, and studies have a great toll on D. She has been feeling unwell for the entire quarter so far, with two waves of the flu, and a stomach bug. I think that the basic problem is that she doesn't have enough time to rest and relax and so get stronger. Naturally, the continuous deteriorated health, accompanied by the stress of studies and work, and the short light hours of a northern latitude, have all combined to bring down her mood, and mine as well (though I am not ill). The previous Friday was a breaking moment for both of us, as both of us feel that we don't get a benefit equal to our efforts here (specifically the mental). This was the first time we talked about it, and I think that both of us agree that Cincinnati is not meeting our needs at the moment. The question is: what now? D's studies are short relative to mine, and her internship in the summer may prove to be a change in the entire atmosphere (certainly, less stress). We decided to wait for the fall before making further decisions. In any case, I will not abandon my position here before the summer. D's studies will end a quarter after the internship, so if we decide in the fall to leave here, we will be here until the spring, which probably makes it next summer (i.e. a year and a half from now). This is how the train will continue rolling, and, anyway, we still don't know what to do next. Shall we return to Israel? Shall we try our luck somewhere else? And if so, where? Seattle? Boston? The Bay Area?
My studies feel a bit strange to me at the moment. I can't attend the lessons themselves, because I teach at the same time. I am left to study from the posted lectures and the book. So far, my grades have been good, but I fear that they might drop sharply from now on, as there are some concepts that I don't quite understand, or rather: don't have a feeling for. This means that I can't crosscheck my work using "common sense". Next quarter I will not take any classes, as I can't find something that really interests me and coincides with my time. Instead, I will concentrate on research (while still teaching the same two courses I teach this quarter). It should be a much easier time, with less stress for me (and still a lot of work and stress for D). Will my studies really get me anywhere? I have a suspicion that if I choose to transfer to another university in the States, it will probably not accept a course done in the University of Cincinnati.
The heavy toll on our life starts to burden our bodies as well. Both of us have been gaining weight due to the lack of exercise and bad nutrition. The latter is also a result of trying to eat fast and comfort food. This, too, contributes to the bad feeling in various ways: lower self-esteem, less stamina and poorer concentration due to less oxygen entering the brain. We should get back in shape ASAP, but when is P exactly? Next year?
On a happier note: I can listen to "Fitter Happier" with only a negligible amount of clouding in my eyes. Yay. A few months ago it used to shatter me to pieces.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Another thought: liberty and counter-terrorism
It has been argued in the past that in order to defeat terrorism a nation has to gather information about the intents of its enemies, both domestic and foreign. In the wake of the atrocious 9-11 attacks on the United States, the horrific attacks in Madrid on March-11 2004, and the terrorist attacks on London's tube on July 7, 2005, it seems that governments are bent towards the use of more invasive measures to generate information. However, while their intent is undeniably good, it seems that they (and us) have forgotten to stop and think: isn't it just what the terrorists want? To undermine and perhaps even shutter the foundations of Western Civilizations, namely: human rights and liberties.
Here in the United States there is a growing debate regarding the measures used to investigate terrorists and those suspected of being terrorists. President Obama has repeatedly said in his campaign that he will either accuse or release the prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay, but will not keep them in custody without end. The issue is not that simple, though. For example what do you do with someone who you know is a terrorist, but you cannot disclose your sources. Should you risk the life of your source, hence risk the chance of getting new information about terrorist organizations? Or is it better to let this obvious danger be loose.
In the United Kingdom this debate has intensified over the endless measures taken by the British government to collect data over the subjects of the union. One must remember that in the UK, as well as in the USA, there are no "itentity cards". This comes from a history of long tradition, where every citizen (or subject) of the state shall not limit his or her liberties due to the use of identity cards. However, the UK is now approaching a state that monitors every subject including all his or her phone calls, cellular location, emails and messages. For the average Briton this is as radical a move as it would be for an Islamist terrorist to repent his deeds and become Catholic Christian. Unsurprisingly, this was too much not just for the ordinary person on the street, but also for one of the most prestigious counter-terrorism agents in the world, Dame Stella Rimington, the former Director General of the British MI5. The Dame has said in an interview for a Spanish journal that the measures taken and proposed by the government are too much, or in her words: "It would be better that the Government recognised that there are risks, rather than frightening people in order to be able to pass laws which restrict civil liberties, precisely one of the objects of terrorism: that we live in fear and under a police state". Naturally, the Home Office in Great Britain has come up with a response saying that she is "Wrong to suggest that had all the things we planned been passed we'd have been a police state, and wrong to suggest we have somehow stumbled towards a police state."
Again, there is no solution to the problem I state. However, one must always check and see whether the measures taken on behalf of society in order to counter terrorism are not somehow undermining the most important foundations of that same society. I think that some signs of fear over this dangerous trend towards a modern police-state already start to show.
Here in the United States there is a growing debate regarding the measures used to investigate terrorists and those suspected of being terrorists. President Obama has repeatedly said in his campaign that he will either accuse or release the prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay, but will not keep them in custody without end. The issue is not that simple, though. For example what do you do with someone who you know is a terrorist, but you cannot disclose your sources. Should you risk the life of your source, hence risk the chance of getting new information about terrorist organizations? Or is it better to let this obvious danger be loose.
In the United Kingdom this debate has intensified over the endless measures taken by the British government to collect data over the subjects of the union. One must remember that in the UK, as well as in the USA, there are no "itentity cards". This comes from a history of long tradition, where every citizen (or subject) of the state shall not limit his or her liberties due to the use of identity cards. However, the UK is now approaching a state that monitors every subject including all his or her phone calls, cellular location, emails and messages. For the average Briton this is as radical a move as it would be for an Islamist terrorist to repent his deeds and become Catholic Christian. Unsurprisingly, this was too much not just for the ordinary person on the street, but also for one of the most prestigious counter-terrorism agents in the world, Dame Stella Rimington, the former Director General of the British MI5. The Dame has said in an interview for a Spanish journal that the measures taken and proposed by the government are too much, or in her words: "It would be better that the Government recognised that there are risks, rather than frightening people in order to be able to pass laws which restrict civil liberties, precisely one of the objects of terrorism: that we live in fear and under a police state". Naturally, the Home Office in Great Britain has come up with a response saying that she is "Wrong to suggest that had all the things we planned been passed we'd have been a police state, and wrong to suggest we have somehow stumbled towards a police state."
Again, there is no solution to the problem I state. However, one must always check and see whether the measures taken on behalf of society in order to counter terrorism are not somehow undermining the most important foundations of that same society. I think that some signs of fear over this dangerous trend towards a modern police-state already start to show.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Weekly thought: is democracy the right policy?
I didn't update about our lives in the previous week, because I was simply too busy to do that. For the same reason, you can also assume that our lives are as boring as can be, and I will not bore you with the minutiae that surround them. The only interesting thing that happened this week were the recurrent Tornado sirens that were sounded all around our area. It appears that whenever there is a thunderstorm in the area these sirens go off, and they sound exactly like air raid sirens. Of course, the alarms were false, and as I understand they usually are. My students and I have concluded that they are another form of the story about the boy who cried "wolf". Instead of a weekly summary you're all invited to share my "weekly thought".
Thus, the only interesting thing about the previous two weeks were the Israeli elections. My views on the success of Israeli democracy have long been known, even before the outcome of this elections, which is again: total stagnation to the point that no one even knows who won. In general, I think that a democracy that generates 5 elections in 10 years (1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, and 2009) is spinning out of control. Moreover, the rate at which elections are held is increasing, as in the previous two decade only 5 were held (1981, 1984, 1988, 1992, and 1996). Respectively, the size of the biggest party in the elections is gradually shrinking, from only once below 40 seats (34 in 1996, 44 in 1992, 40 in 1988, 44 in 1984, and 48 in 1981) to only once above 30 seats (28 in 2009, 29 in 2006, 38 in 2003, 2001 elections were for the prime-minister office alone, and 26 in 1999), leaving the Knesset to be ever more divided between factions. Furthermore, the winning side, namely the side that formed the government, has changed in all but one of the last 5 elections (right in 1996, left in 1999, right in 2001 (only PM), right in 2003, center-left in 2006, and right again in 2009) whereas the government was formed by the same side between 1977 and 1999 (with the exception of national unity government led jointly by Likud and Maarach in 1984). In conclusion, the political system in Israel is all but stable, which makes it impossible to generate any kind of movement in any direction, and I don't just relate to Peace vs. War. Think, for example, about the number of national projects done in the first 2-3 decades of the country, and how many national projects have been started and finished since. It's easy: none were started in the last decade or two. I think that the last national project (although controversial one) was the Lavie. In conclusion, I think that the Israeli democratic system has failed, caused us nothing but painful and pricey stagnation, cost us much factionalism and self-hatred, and should be changed. The question is "change to what?" or "do you have another idea?".
Well, I don't. I think that democracy cannot work in any case, but I can neither prove it nor suggest a better way. I can only offer the words of one of my favorite authors, Robert A. Heinlein, who wrote in the book "Glory Road" the following paragraphs. Before them I'll just explain the circumstances: the main character joins an adventure in which he helps the "Empress of the 20 known universes" together with another character, Rufo, who is a comparative-culturolgist: he studies different cultures in the variety of universes. In one of their talks the hero repeats the words of another comparative-culturoligst (Nebbi) who think that the American democracy (which works a bit better than our own) is a "noble experiment", which is bound to fail. This is a quote from Rufo's reply:
Thus, the only interesting thing about the previous two weeks were the Israeli elections. My views on the success of Israeli democracy have long been known, even before the outcome of this elections, which is again: total stagnation to the point that no one even knows who won. In general, I think that a democracy that generates 5 elections in 10 years (1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, and 2009) is spinning out of control. Moreover, the rate at which elections are held is increasing, as in the previous two decade only 5 were held (1981, 1984, 1988, 1992, and 1996). Respectively, the size of the biggest party in the elections is gradually shrinking, from only once below 40 seats (34 in 1996, 44 in 1992, 40 in 1988, 44 in 1984, and 48 in 1981) to only once above 30 seats (28 in 2009, 29 in 2006, 38 in 2003, 2001 elections were for the prime-minister office alone, and 26 in 1999), leaving the Knesset to be ever more divided between factions. Furthermore, the winning side, namely the side that formed the government, has changed in all but one of the last 5 elections (right in 1996, left in 1999, right in 2001 (only PM), right in 2003, center-left in 2006, and right again in 2009) whereas the government was formed by the same side between 1977 and 1999 (with the exception of national unity government led jointly by Likud and Maarach in 1984). In conclusion, the political system in Israel is all but stable, which makes it impossible to generate any kind of movement in any direction, and I don't just relate to Peace vs. War. Think, for example, about the number of national projects done in the first 2-3 decades of the country, and how many national projects have been started and finished since. It's easy: none were started in the last decade or two. I think that the last national project (although controversial one) was the Lavie. In conclusion, I think that the Israeli democratic system has failed, caused us nothing but painful and pricey stagnation, cost us much factionalism and self-hatred, and should be changed. The question is "change to what?" or "do you have another idea?".
Well, I don't. I think that democracy cannot work in any case, but I can neither prove it nor suggest a better way. I can only offer the words of one of my favorite authors, Robert A. Heinlein, who wrote in the book "Glory Road" the following paragraphs. Before them I'll just explain the circumstances: the main character joins an adventure in which he helps the "Empress of the 20 known universes" together with another character, Rufo, who is a comparative-culturolgist: he studies different cultures in the variety of universes. In one of their talks the hero repeats the words of another comparative-culturoligst (Nebbi) who think that the American democracy (which works a bit better than our own) is a "noble experiment", which is bound to fail. This is a quote from Rufo's reply:
"...Nebbi was right. Except that he sees only the surface. Democracy can't work. Mathematicians, peasants, and animals, that's all there is - so Democracy, a theory based on the assumption that mathematicians and peasants are equal, can never work. Wisdom is not additive; its maximum is that of the wisest man in a given group.I would add that a similar notion of "looseness in government" should be used when thinking about the perfect organizational structure of a company. I guess I would not be alone in that thinking.
But a democratic form of government is okay, as long as it doesn't work. Any social organization does well enough if it isn't rigid. The framework doesn't matter as long as there is enough looseness to permit that one man in a multitude to display his genius. Most so-called social scientists seem to think that organization is everything. It is almost nothing - except when it is a straitjacket. It is the incidence of heroes that counts, not the pattern of zeros."
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Short update: another dump of snow in the upper dimensions
It started snowing fiercely in the morning and haven't stopped since. Unfortunately, the car's service was scheduled for today, so we had to drive there. They gave us a replacement car, which was nice of them, but the drive there and back, a matter of 15 miles top in each direction, took me 1.5 to 2 hours in each direction. At least now I can say that I am a veteran snow driver.
And in unrelated issue, I found this excellent clip on Youtube which explains what are the 10 dimensions that the Superstring Theory predicts. All the geeks and enthusiasts are welcome to enjoy.
And in unrelated issue, I found this excellent clip on Youtube which explains what are the 10 dimensions that the Superstring Theory predicts. All the geeks and enthusiasts are welcome to enjoy.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Weekly summary: the important things
A short update this time.
In recent weeks I wrote about some not so important things, for example the new president and the new era he represents. It's good to know that we're past that and now the real important things can be discussed. Let's talk about the groundhog day for example. The winter so far was colder than usual. If you remember, the temperatures plunged to -19 Celsius at one time, and were below freezing for most of January. Last week we had a couple of days of ice storm, which left about a foot of snow on the ground and another centimeter of ice layer in between two layers of snow. The university was closed for part of Tuesday and closed on Wednesday. The worse, however, is that the storm knocked off power grids in the Midwest (that's us) and there are about million people without power now. Again. Lucky for us, our power still works. When there is no power in warm September, it may be annoying, but at least you're not freezing to death. The icicles outside thawed only today, when the temperatures soared to 9 Celsius and it was sunny. Not for long, though, because there are some forecasts for another storm next week, which will probably not hit our area. I can't believe that I say that, as usually I love the winter, but I would be happy to see some spring soon. Also, we have become very busy in the last few days, and the next time we will have time for fun will be in the spring break, and that's too far... We started to think about spring break, and maybe we will use it for some days in Chicago. We'll see how things develop. Anyway, spring break is too short to come for a visit.
The Superbowl is on now. Instead of watching it in a pub, like any other newcomer to the USA would do, I am watching it at home on my laptop (the other one, not the one I'm writing on right now). D is studying for one of her 4 tests this week or work on one of her 3 assignments. I had to do a few "work" things myself, and still need to study and do the new assignment in the class I am taking. No rest for the wicked.
By the way, what's the deal with not showing us who was eliminated on last Survivor? The production don't want us to know it's Arik, after a failed attempt of coup against Bashevkin?It's so typical of the production not to want Bashevkin to be eliminated as he is a guy that generates "rating". Yes. We're updated, we see it when we're too tired to study or work.
In recent weeks I wrote about some not so important things, for example the new president and the new era he represents. It's good to know that we're past that and now the real important things can be discussed. Let's talk about the groundhog day for example. The winter so far was colder than usual. If you remember, the temperatures plunged to -19 Celsius at one time, and were below freezing for most of January. Last week we had a couple of days of ice storm, which left about a foot of snow on the ground and another centimeter of ice layer in between two layers of snow. The university was closed for part of Tuesday and closed on Wednesday. The worse, however, is that the storm knocked off power grids in the Midwest (that's us) and there are about million people without power now. Again. Lucky for us, our power still works. When there is no power in warm September, it may be annoying, but at least you're not freezing to death. The icicles outside thawed only today, when the temperatures soared to 9 Celsius and it was sunny. Not for long, though, because there are some forecasts for another storm next week, which will probably not hit our area. I can't believe that I say that, as usually I love the winter, but I would be happy to see some spring soon. Also, we have become very busy in the last few days, and the next time we will have time for fun will be in the spring break, and that's too far... We started to think about spring break, and maybe we will use it for some days in Chicago. We'll see how things develop. Anyway, spring break is too short to come for a visit.
The Superbowl is on now. Instead of watching it in a pub, like any other newcomer to the USA would do, I am watching it at home on my laptop (the other one, not the one I'm writing on right now). D is studying for one of her 4 tests this week or work on one of her 3 assignments. I had to do a few "work" things myself, and still need to study and do the new assignment in the class I am taking. No rest for the wicked.
By the way, what's the deal with not showing us who was eliminated on last Survivor? The production don't want us to know it's Arik, after a failed attempt of coup against Bashevkin?It's so typical of the production not to want Bashevkin to be eliminated as he is a guy that generates "rating". Yes. We're updated, we see it when we're too tired to study or work.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)