Politics haunted by fear

This morning, I was greeted by a post from my friend and frequent collaborator. He sought my opinion on "Scary Politics" [Slate].
Fifteen minutes later, I had written what clearly needed to become a full blog article. So, after a bit of editing, here it is....


Image source: "Fear" - Pixar Wiki

Fear is an effective motivator. It's instinctive and requires no higher thought; this is both a good and a bad thing. On the one hand, it can save our skin (literally) when rational decision making would take too long. On the other hand, our innate bodily systems (e.g. the limbic system) override and highjack our rational thought processes. In effect, our mind becomes helpless to the control of fight/flight.

You can see this response reflected in the current conservative base: Fight against perceived threats (terrorism, "lawlessness", drugs that will harm "the children"), run from things which overwhelm your already stressed mind (climate change, social inequality, religion vs reason), prepare for potential problems (tighter budgets, closer to home focus), etc.. Meanwhile, the liberal base is almost blinded by a euphoric abundance of hope and trust. Care for those in need (welfare, healthcare), provide for the future (college loan decrease, better fund education), invite social change and progress (look to the youth, legalize same-sex marriage), etc.. (For initial thoughts on the relationship between fear and trust: "Put your heart into it")

The result of these related but opposite "feelings" is a fundamental clash between ideologies (summarized well recently by Reddit user SnappyCrunch [Reddit]). In my opinion, what's needed is healthy critical thinking on the issues. Sometimes, fear needs to be acknowledged and obeyed. Other times, it needs to be set aside. I try often (and also encourage others) to recognize "The Flinch". Once you recognize that fear response you can engage higher reasoning to determine "Is this something I react to or push through?".

Personally, every time I face a challenge and feel that fear response, that flinch. I would acknowledge it and recognize that -- at that moment -- my body and senses were preparing for what I was going to do. Furthermore, I reassured myself that I had learned and developed the necessary skill to take on what I was about to do at that moment. And then... I proceed with the appropriate action based on those skills and understanding not based on the baser reaction. (If during my honest self-assessment, I felt that I did not have the necessary skill, I would choose not to proceed. Remember, critical thinking is about the decision not the outcome.)

Politically, this means acknowledging the triggers we have as a society and then addressing them on a grander scale with rational thought and respect for those who are struggling to overcome fear and expand their comfort zones. We can do this, but it's going to take effort within the mind of every individual before it will effectively change on a societal scale. As I said in one of my defining blog articles, "Life isn't about panic, luck, and control; it's about love, respect, and trust."

Help me get my PhD

I'm preparing to take a significant academic leap in my life: I intend to get a PhD.
You may have known that this announcement has been building for some time. I had been wrestling with both the intention as well as the timing of this decision. After such consideration, I decided that the Fall of 2015 was the right time to take the first steps.



Over the next few months, I'll be preparing my application, taking the necessary preparatory exams, and meeting with professors I hope will be my mentors in my degree program. My desire is to study and research fear. If you've been a reader of my blog, then you know that I'm fascinated by the psychology of fear and challenge. I would like to hone that fascination and turn my various hypotheses into working theories and models. As with many things, this will take time and money; it is with those two things that I'm asking your help.

This is a big decision, not least ways financially, and I'd like to minimize the amount of debt I go into as a result. I would appreciate any amount you're willing to give me. Within these first months, you'll be helping me to pay for taking the GRE and the study materials to perform well on it. You'll also be helping me pay application fees and order the necessary documents.

To make a donation, of any amount and at any time, click the button below or visit http://donate.indy.cc


Money isn't everything. I want your help keeping my focus and motivation. Ask me about my progress, remind me about my priorities, encourage me to continue forward. Life is all about the connections we make and you have connected with me; I value your input, advice, and encouragement.

Thank you for your support, both financially and motivationally.
I'll keep you informed of my progress as I walk this journey. I hope to hear your cheers along the way.

Remembering Reid

Last week, the world lost a fun and uplifting person and I (and many others) lost a friend.
Reid Levin [reidlevin.net] was a friend of mine from my days in High School. Since that time, I'd been an avid follower of his comedy and regular reader of his blog. Before leukemia ended his life on August 25th, Reid said, "I didn't get to finish my story." Seeing those words on his blog [reidlevin.net] really struck me deeply.


Photo source: Wikipedia

I've written before about life's story and the importance of appreciating the adventure of life. This year has been filled with change and challenge for me. Losing my friend Chris to a hiking accident was unexpected, but felt somewhat pallatable, as I make conscious choices to take risks as he often did. Losing Reid affected me in a different way entirely; he didn't choose the path of life with cancer, but he accepted it as best he could. Furthermore, he did all he could to bring happiness to the people in his life no matter how distant from him we were.

I've learned a lot this year, through the examples of both my friends and many others. I am so grateful for the people in my life who have helped me along in my adventure. Reid, I'm so grateful for the smiles you brought me and many others. You may not have had a chance to finish your story, but I hope and think it's still being written in the hearts and minds of the people who know and miss you.

Review: Beyond

Wow.
It’s not often you find depth in brevity, yet here I am in awe of Joe Penna’s short film "Beyond".


URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heCXjUIvw24

The story, the music, the emotion, the meaning, all amazing. Beyond is a beautifully made film involving time-travel, technology, intrigue, and philosophy, but most significantly it is a story that depicts the search for meaning and purpose in life.

At only 40 minutes long, this film is well worth watching. And, I hope, it resonates with you on a personal level, reminding you to seek peace and happiness in your journey through time.

Review: Solarversia

Solarversia by Toby Downton

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I was contacted by the author, Toby Downton, to read and review an advanced copy of Solarversia. I have every bit of encouragement for him as an author and hope publishing this book, his first novel, will propel him to transform more of his ideas and imagination into written word. Having said all that, I'm going to turn my attention and my "critic's eye" toward Solarversia.

Solarversia is story that attempts to take readers on a thrilling ride through real world and digital crime and puzzle solving. Unfortunately, by the end of the book, I didn't care about the outcome of either storyline. The first third of the book introduced far too much superfluous information about the dynamics of the virtual world; feeling less like the painting of a picture and more like the iteration of every chemical contained in paint. I found myself unable to identify with the characters, nor to care about their struggles. The story picked up pace about midway through the book, but quickly slowed back down again. The wizkid of the story was more kid than wiz and definitely didn't seem like a statistically exceptional individual when it came to puzzles. The antagonists of the story had confusing and unexplained motivations. Worse still, I was underwhelmed by the lack of real world consequences for their real world crimes; it became impossible for me to suspend disbelief and pick a side.

In the end, the story captured my attention only as much as a made-for-TV movie. Having had my opinion solicited for this book, I wrestled with being so candid in my review. However, I think it's only fair that I remain honest with my opinion, even when I can feel the burn of the author's eyes on my words. I think Toby has great potential as a writer, it's impossible to ignore the depth of story and creativity he would like to share with the world. This book tried to put a lot of content into a small space, perhaps this is the result of the author feeling the pressure of his own words: "There can be only one". That doesn't need to be the case here, many more stories can and should be made of this creatively imagined universe. And I promise I'll keep an open mind about reading more in the future.



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Tau and equality

Periodically, on June 28th, I draw attention to Tau Day, a concept in math which helps "round" out learning angles and waves. Only two days ago on June 26th, another date worth remembering occured: the Supreme Court of the United States of America has "held that state recognition of same-sex marriage is a constitutional right under the Fourteenth Amendment" [Wikipedia: "Obergefell v. Hodges"]. While I, personally, am unaffected by this decision, I do think it's an important advance in equality in the USA and I'm glad this country has chosen to see the LGBT community as I always have: equal and able to pursue what they love.



Coupled with this landmark court decision, I think we should recognize the mathematical unity of the circle of hands being joined around the United States of America these last few days. Earlier this year the "Ultimate [Half Tau] Day" (aka Pi Day) occurred and in my writing I drew attention again to how using Tau can help people understand circles, angles, and waves with ease.

Here's an entertaining overview of Tau by DNews:

URL: https://youtu.be/kmnogV9S7b8

Additionally, I invite you to watch the long version of the Tau Manifesto talk below or you can take a smaller slice of the pie by jumping back to the Half Tau article to watch the short version. Either way, let's remember the significance of June 26th as we move forward as a country and the significance of June 28th as we attempt new mathematical understanding. Through both politics and math we will find new ways to overcome obstacles and inequality both in human rights and in math education.


URL: http://youtu.be/H69YH5TnNXI

Read more about Tau here: http://www.tauday.com/

Friendship and the adventure of life

Earlier this evening, I spent some time with a pair of long-time friends who will soon be off on a new adventure in life. Last year, when writing A chapter ends, the story continues, I said that "Life is nothing without the people in it, the experiences we have, and the relationships we form through each chapter."

With that perspective always in mind, it was easy not to spend my time saying goodbye to my friends with sadness. We looked ahead with eagerness on the opportunities we can create with eachother in the future and the memories we’ve shared together in our past.

The words of my character are shown right on the front page of my website:

Life is a journey through exciting challenges and breath-taking experiences. I try to embrace the fun and adventure of each day and strive not to take things too seriously.

There will be significant transitions in my life this month. So many chapters will be ending, but -- as I said in that article last Spring -- the story will continue. I welcome both the celebrations and the hardships which are ahead because each will bring value and enrichment to the adventure of life.

Yes, it will be painful to say goodbye to people who have meant so much to me. Yes, it will ache every time I'm reminded what was, but is no more. However, that pain and those aches will stand as monuments to adventures and people well-remembered.

We remember best the things we feel the most. My greatest adventures are the ones that I experienced with significance. Whether that significance comes from suffering, elation, or even repetition, those memories are truly felt when reflected upon. If there’s advice I can emphasize while I stand at the bow of my metaphorical ship, staring into the storm ahead, it’s this: Trust your instincts and skills. Respect and embrace your challenges. Love with all your heart. And, most of all, live. Really LIVE. Every moment of this life is your adventure.


Photo by Indy. The fedora after a unforgettably cold and challenging adventure.

Review: Ready Player One

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Last week I read a book that quickly became one of my favorite novels. Ernest Cline's Ready Player One was a thrilling journey of nostalgia mixed with imagination. Cline does a great job of weaving a story that draws the interest of every type of geek imaginable. Whether you're a fan of 80s trends, arcade games, fantasy stories, sci-fi TV, MMORPGs, dystopian futures, political activism, corporate intrigue, or simply the thrill of a treasure hunt, you'll enjoy this novel. I was glued to this book from start to finish.

Adding to my excitement about this story, I've come to understand that this entertaining novel will be made into a film [IMDB]. I sincerely hope that they'll acquire all the necessary intellectual property permissions to do this story justice. In the meantime, pick up a copy of Ernest Cline's novel and...
READY PLAYER ONE


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Everest shaken

A week ago, I wrote an article reflecting on the Everest tragedy of 2014. Today, another tragedy has struck that region. At 11:56 local time, a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake shook Nepal and the surrounding region. At this time, over 1800 people have been confirmed as dead.


Photo source: India Times

An avalanche was triggered on Everest, killing 13 people at the South Base Camp. Many others were injured and stranded elsewhere on the mountain. In last week's article, I mentioned that two fellow mountain enthusiasts out of Colorado are on the mountain: Alan Arnette [alanarnette.com] and Jon Kedrowski [jonkeverest.org]. Both Alan and Jon were near when the earthquake and avalanche occurred. They (and another Colorado climber, as well) are OK, but stranded. I'm confident that they'll soon find a safe route down the mountain. Should it be necessary I'll update this blog article.

For now, I simply wanted to take this moment to acknowledge this recent event in the region and address the information so fresh after the last article. Climbing comes with inherent risk, some can be planned and managed, others are complete unpredictable and sometimes unknown. As I said in the article written for my friend Chris: Those of us that love and seek out the beauty of this wonderful universe know in our hearts that there is both risk and reward when we set out on the adventures that fulfill us.

I'm saddened for the many many people affected by the earthquake today and for those whose friends and family have died today, not only the climbers but throughout the region. I'm glad that Alan and Jon are doing OK, but there are others who are not. I lost my friend Chris a little over a month ago, so many lives of so many friends of others have been lost today.

For more details on the quake itself, I'd like to direct you to the related article on Wikipedia. For more details on the Colorado climbers, start here with a news article.

Life and death on the mountain

Image from NASA. Source: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=85710&src=eorss-iotd

Last year (2014) on the 18th of April, a large piece of a hanging glacier broke off and triggered an avalanche on the south face of Mount Everest. The avalanche overtook a group of guides, killing sixteen. There had never been a day before with that many deaths on the mountain. Now, a year later, climbers are facing the challenge of Mount Everest again. Of the climbers now in the Himalaya, two are fellow Colorado mountain enthusiasts: Alan Arnette [alanarnette.com] and Jon Kedrowski [jonkeverest.org].

Alan and I enjoy hiking in the same areas of Northern Colorado, often unexpectedly running across each other on some local trail. Jon Kedrowski is a resident in the heart of the Colorado mountains. I don't think Jon has an "off season", there is never a shortage of beautiful photos and wild adventures coming from him. I am always guaranteed a healthy dose of inspiration and a yearning for the mountains whenever I see a post from either of these two.

The fact that both Alan and Jon are adventuring in the Himalaya on this dark day for Everest is both unsurprising and unnerving. It's unsurprising because the window of opportunity is open and it's only open a little while. It's unnerving because the reality of potential disaster is more personal than a sobering headline in climbing news. However, tragedy isn't an end-all. My recent review of "Supersurvivors" touched on the concept of "bouncing forward".

Climbers of Everest have bounced forward after the tragedy on Everest last year. Safer routes, more precautions, better planning, and more. (I encourage you to read Alan's article [alanarnette.com] on the events of the tragedy and the Everest community's recovery from it.) I've also made recent adjustments to my adventuring as well. After the death of my friend Chris, I reevaluated my approach to local hikes and have established some extra precautions in the case of an emergency while on any mountain -- not just "the big ones", as I'd thought previously.

Today, I invite you to join my friends Alan and Jon digitally in the Himalaya by reading their words as they take the next steps in their adventures. Additionally, technology has made what was impossible now possible:
- Use Satellite trackers to follow Alan [alanarnette.com] and Jon [findmespot.com] as they climb
- Climb to Everest Base Camp [google.com] with Google Streetview
- Explore the route up Everest itself [everestavalanchetragedy.com] with Discovery's Everest Tragedy explorer

Whatever your adventure and however you pursue it, I hope you appreciate the good experiences and learn from the bad ones. Today, we look back and remember those who have died. Tomorrow, we honor their memory by building a better future.