Archive for the ‘Completed’ Category

The Sad (?) Insight of Ludwig Wittgenstein

Tuesday, May 29th, 2007
Ludwig Wittgenstein

Ludwig Wittgenstein

In 1921 Wittgenstein thought that the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus had solved all the problems of philosophy.

Later in his life (The Philosophical Investigations, published 1951) he came to the conclusion that he was utterly wrong.

He found out that language itself is the problem.

Language is woven into the fabric of life, and as part of that fabric it works relatively unproblematically.

Philosophical problems arise when language is forced into an abstract environment, where all the familiar and necessary landmarks and contextual clues are absent. The tragedy is that almost nobody understood Wittgenstein at that time.

One of his students in Cambrigde when he still believed in abstraction was Alan Turing. He invented the Turing Machine, one of the foundations of computers and computer languages.

Computer Languages and everything created by a Computer Languages suffers the Problem Wittgenstein identified.

I was a witness to an important part of the history of computing. I was responsible for many what I now would call abstraction-projects.

I have been extremely busy with the creation of E-Learning, Knowledge-Management, Centers of Expertise, Educational Games based on Story Telling etc.

They all failed in the end but the creation-process was fun.

One of the inspiring persons I spoke was Mr. Ikujiro Nonaka. His book The Knowledge-Creating Company was just published.

He showed that knowledge could be divided into formal (again abstract) and informal knowledge.

He defined a 2X2 matrix of the knowledge-tranfer process.

The most difficult of course was the transfer of informal-informal knowledge.

My big mistake was to believe that informal/informal knowledge-tranfer could be supported by a Computer System.

The Computer System itself is formalizing everything. Many years later (about 5 years ago) I came to the same (sad?) conclusion as Wittgenstein (and Bahktin).

What can we do? The only way to transfer “knowledge” is to talk person-to-person in a secure environment.

Some people will understand each other and become friends. They are a small Centre of Expertise.

Many people will think(!) they understand the other. They will go their own way until they realize, perhaps when they are 56 (like me), that in the end your mostly wrong and sometimes right.

Keep meeting and talking! And realize The Creation Process is always Fun.

LINKS

About the War of Words

About the Foundations of Mathematics

How the Proof of the Pudding is Really in the Eating

How to Analyze a Context

Resting in the Centre (citations out of the Zhuang Zi)

Saturday, May 26th, 2007

A friend gave me the Dutch translation of the Zhuang Zi (translated by Kristofer Schipper) for my birthday. In the cover we read “The classic book about Taoism”. Trying to be with the Tao is something I strive for all my life. Getting to know Chinese philosophy started when I was about twenty.

I discovered the I Tjing (and of course Jung) and started to read.

My first manager at ABN was an old Colonel of the Intelligence and he taught me everything about Tzun Zu. Tzun Zu is about fighting a war without fighting. Let your opponent waste his energy until he destroys himself.

I always believed that most of the time you have to do nothing because things go their way (this is called Wu-Wei). I could manage many people and huge projects without spending much time. At a certain moment in time (called the Magic Moment) there is a fork (Chaos Theory) and a choice can be made. The fork can be felt. It feels like there is a lot of flux (Something is coming on don’t know what it is but it’s getting stronger (Blood, Sweat & Tears)).

Clever Managers don’t do anything (they delegate) and only act at the Magic Moment.

When I encountered the Unknown the Zhuang Zi opened itself to me. I understood what was told and what was meant by The Dawn, The Centre, The Loner and The Light.

The message of the Zhuang Zi is very simple and very complex. It is simple if you experience or want to experience the Unknown.

It is utterly incomprehensible when you are still Thinking.

Here are some citations (Translated out of the Dutch text, sorry) that could be helpfull to get out of Thinking.

“Without the Other there is no I and without the I we can’t see a difference”. Every Other is a Mirror. In this Mirror we project Our Self.

“From the moment we have received our body we keep waiting for the moment that we die”. The Fear of Dying is prohibiting us to Live.

“Speaking is not blowing air. People that utter words say something. But what they are saying is changing all the time”. Theories are constantly changing because Words are unable to express What IS. When we become Silent (“Meditate”, “Reflect”) we know everything because there not much we have to know.

“Every creature is “the other” for “the other” and every creature is Yourself for Yourself”. You are the Source of Everything.

“If you take the perspective of the Other you can’t see Yourself”. Don’t look Outside. Look Inside. Everything that is Outside can be found Inside.

“The Other emanates out of Yourself and Yourself depends on the Other”

This is the Law of Complementary Opposites. Just as Life produces Death and Death produces Life and Wrong produces Right and Right produces Wrong. There is no Right and Wrong. They are the sides of the same Coin but we are unable to see the Coin. We are constantly flipping from one side to the other side.

“If this is true, is there really “The other” and “Yourself”?

“If we merge the Two we enter in the Centre of the Wheel (The Tao)”.

“In the Centre there is no movement”.

“We come to rest and live in the Light”.

The Only thing we have to do is to Stay and Act out of our Centre, The Heart.

I will tell you a little secret.

The Zhuang Zi contains many references to an old civilization called MU. In the City of Xian (mentioned in the Zhuang Zi) the Chinese have for a long time hided a White Pyramid that contains the same pictures as the famous Pyramids of the Mayas.

Stop, Watch and Go on

Saturday, May 26th, 2007

Healthy Summer Eating Tips and Goals

  • View Larger Imagehealthy eating, nutrition, brevard health alliance, prevention

For most people, summer is just around the corner. Living in Florida means that summer is more of a year-round term. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start eating healthy with a fit “summer bod” in mind, however. It’s easier than you’d think to start eating healthier, and taking small steps each week to improve your nutrition and move toward a healthier, happier you isn’t something to put off. Check these alpilean reviews.

Here are eight healthy eating goals as suggested from the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition:

Make half of your plate fruits and veggies:

Choose red, orange, and dark green vegetables like tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and broccoli, along with other vegetables for your meals. Add fruit to meals as part of the main or side dishes, or as dessert. The more colorful you make your plate, the more likely you are to get the vitamins, minerals, and fiber your body needs to be healthy. Try out alpilean.

Make half the grains you eat whole grains:

An easy way to eat some whole grains is to switch from a refined-grain food to a whole-grain food. For example, eat whole-wheat bread instead of white bread. Read the ingredients list and choose products that list whole-grain ingredients first. Look for things like: “whole wheat,” “brown rice,” “bulgur,” “buckwheat,” “oatmeal,” “rolled oats,” “quinoa,” or “wild rice.”

Switch to fat-free or low fat (1%) milk:

Both have the same amount of calcium and other essential nutrients as whole milk, but fewer calories and less saturated fat.

Choose a variety of lean protein foods:

Meat, poultry, seafood, dry beans or peas, eggs, nuts, and seeds are considered part of the protein foods group. Select leaner cuts of ground beef (where the label says 90% lean or higher), turkey breast, or chicken breast.

Compare sodium in foods:

Use the Nutrition Facts label to choose lower sodium versions of foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals. Select canned foods that are labeled “low sodium,” “reduced sodium,” or “no salt added.”

Drink water instead of sugary drinks:

Cut calories by drinking water or unsweetened beverages. Soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks are a major source of added sugar and calories in American diets. Try adding a slice of lemon, lime, watermelon, or a splash of juice to your glass of water if you want some flavor. Read more about Red boost benefits.

Eat some seafood:

Seafood includes fish (such as salmon, tuna, and trout) and shellfish (such as crab, mussels, and oysters). Seafood has protein, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids (heart-healthy fat). Adults should try to eat at least eight ounces a week of a variety of seafood. Children can eat smaller amounts of seafood, as well.

How to Manipulate Almost Everybody

Friday, May 25th, 2007

Things You Should Do Before a Workout to Maximize Results

person stretching outside
ARNO IMAGES / GETTY IMAGES

Exercise: Whether you love it or hate it, we can all agree that if you’re going to do it, it should be as beneficial and effective as possible. It doesn’t matter if you’re working out for the mental stability and positive endorphins it can provide or you’re trying to get rid of a few extra pounds—we all want to feel that our time spent in the gym was completely worthwhile. Check these alpine ice hack reviews

When it comes time to get down to business, though, most of us don’t know where to start in order to maximize our workouts. Should I drink or eat beforehand? What about stretching? Or maybe I should be taking a supplement? The questions are seemingly endless, and when it comes to our health, we don’t like to mess around. So we decided to round up tips from our favorite fitness experts and scientific studies to get to the bottom of things.

Keep reading to find out the six things you should be doing in order to get the most out of your workout.

Plan Ahead

When it comes to maximizing your workout, it all begins with deciding when to get started. Dempsey Marks, a fitness expert, yoga instructor, and co-creator of PreGame Fit, is a huge supporter of morning workouts for various reasons. “Start your day with any type of exercise to get your metabolism going,” she explains. “You maximize the benefits of your workout because you will burn calories all day long. Just 15 minutes of morning exercise will make a difference!”

But what if your schedule doesn’t allow for an early-morning workout? Or, let’s be honest, maybe you’re just not a morning person. Above all, the good news is that consistency in your workout schedule is the most important component of maximizing the effects of your exercise. According to the research, there are no major differences between morning and evening workouts. In fact, working out in the evening might provide an advantage when it comes to power and work capacity.1

The bottom line is that no matter when you choose to work out, sticking to your commitment and being consistent is the magic sauce leading to results. So write it down, schedule it in, set alarms—whatever you need to do to make sure you get it done. Read the latest alpine ice hack recipe.

Do Some Dynamic Stretching

We know—stretching before a workout seems like an obvious trick to having an effective trip to the gym. But you’d be surprised how many people either rush through this important step or disregard it altogether. “Stretching will warm up the muscles and protect you from becoming sore post-workout,” explains Ilana Kugel, co-founder and creative director of Koral Activewear. Skipping this step could be the make-or-break factor of your entire exercise routine.

Warming up with dynamic stretching is especially important as we age, says Kugel, and exercising without preparing the body with dynamic stretches can lead to stiffness and soreness, which isn’t fun for anyone.2 Take the necessary steps to protect yourself and have the safest (and most enjoyable) workout you can.

Use a Foam Roller

Foam rollers are a rising fitness trend that numerous celebrities and trainers are raving about. Not only can one be used therapeutically to relieve stress, but it’s also a powerful and simple tool that is extremely beneficial for the body, as it can boost circulation, stimulate the lymphatic system to help eradicate toxins, and make muscles look and feel suppler and more youthful.

Lauren Roxburgh, Structural Integration specialist and resident alignment guru at Goop, suggests using the tool pre-workout for best results. “I always get asked when is the best time to roll. It’s actually best to do before a workout so you can awaken and prepare your body for movement,” she explains.

Eat and Drink Wisely

MARINE DUMAY / UNSPLASH

There are conflicting opinions on whether you should eat and drink before working out, but recent studies have found that you could benefit from better results in your workout if meals are chosen wisely3. In terms of hydration, keep plenty of water nearby and drink when you feel thirsty to maximize hydration levels during exercise.4 Katie Mack, an NSCA-certified personal trainer, says that you might also choose to drink a cup of coffee pre-workout too: ”The caffeine in your coffee will help to stimulate your nervous system to enhance performance.” Read more about Testosterone booster.

Carbohydrates and lean proteins are the best choices when it comes to pre-workout meals. Mack recommends eating a low-fat meal in the hour before your workout. Some of her favorite options are chicken, fish, or Greek yogurt, coupled with a carbohydrate like sweet potato, rice, or beans. According to scientific research, those carbohydrates play a major role in your endurance—”carb-loading” right before exercise can significantly increase performance.5 Mack suggests adding coconut oil for a dose of MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) for quick energy if you’re really invested.

Try a Supplement

If you’re not too seasoned in your fitness routine, the thought of adding a supplement might be a little scary. Not to fear: Studies have found that taking pre-workout supplements can be an effective method for boosting energy before you exercise.6 The supplements usually contain caffeine, which is the primary ingredient responsible for the benefits you feel.

However, it is important to note that while supplements can help curb fatigue and improve concentration during workouts, researchers have yet to find that they produce a substantial effect on body composition.6 So consider trying out a supplement if you find yourself bowing out midway through your routine, as it can help your overall mindset, but don’t expect your body to transform overnight. And be sure to check with your physician to make sure that adding a supplement is the right choice for you.

How to Remove The Mask We are Waring

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007

Things You Should Do Before a Workout to Maximize Results

person stretching outside
ARNO IMAGES / GETTY IMAGES

Exercise: Whether you love it or hate it, we can all agree that if you’re going to do it, it should be as beneficial and effective as possible. It doesn’t matter if you’re working out for the mental stability and positive endorphins it can provide or you’re trying to get rid of a few extra pounds—we all want to feel that our time spent in the gym was completely worthwhile.

When it comes time to get down to business, though, most of us don’t know where to start in order to maximize our workouts. Should I drink or eat beforehand? What about stretching? Or maybe I should be taking a supplement? The questions are seemingly endless, and when it comes to our health, we don’t like to mess around. So we decided to round up tips from our favorite fitness experts and scientific studies to get to the bottom of things.

Keep reading to find out the six things you should be doing in order to get the most out of your workout.

Plan Ahead

When it comes to maximizing your workout, it all begins with deciding when to get started. Dempsey Marks, a fitness expert, yoga instructor, and co-creator of PreGame Fit, is a huge supporter of morning workouts for various reasons. “Start your day with any type of exercise to get your metabolism going,” she explains. “You maximize the benefits of your workout because you will burn calories all day long. Just 15 minutes of morning exercise will make a difference!”

But what if your schedule doesn’t allow for an early-morning workout? Or, let’s be honest, maybe you’re just not a morning person. Above all, the good news is that consistency in your workout schedule is the most important component of maximizing the effects of your exercise. According to the research, there are no major differences between morning and evening workouts. In fact, working out in the evening might provide an advantage when it comes to power and work capacity.1

The bottom line is that no matter when you choose to work out, sticking to your commitment and being consistent is the magic sauce leading to results. So write it down, schedule it in, set alarms—whatever you need to do to make sure you get it done.

Do Some Dynamic Stretching

We know—stretching before a workout seems like an obvious trick to having an effective trip to the gym. But you’d be surprised how many people either rush through this important step or disregard it altogether. “Stretching will warm up the muscles and protect you from becoming sore post-workout,” explains Ilana Kugel, co-founder and creative director of Koral Activewear. Skipping this step could be the make-or-break factor of your entire exercise routine.

Warming up with dynamic stretching is especially important as we age, says Kugel, and exercising without preparing the body with dynamic stretches can lead to stiffness and soreness, which isn’t fun for anyone.2 Take the necessary steps to protect yourself and have the safest (and most enjoyable) workout you can.

Use a Foam Roller

Foam rollers are a rising fitness trend that numerous celebrities and trainers are raving about. Not only can one be used therapeutically to relieve stress, but it’s also a powerful and simple tool that is extremely beneficial for the body, as it can boost circulation, stimulate the lymphatic system to help eradicate toxins, and make muscles look and feel suppler and more youthful.

Lauren Roxburgh, Structural Integration specialist and resident alignment guru at Goop, suggests using the tool pre-workout for best results. “I always get asked when is the best time to roll. It’s actually best to do before a workout so you can awaken and prepare your body for movement,” she explains.

Eat and Drink Wisely

MARINE DUMAY / UNSPLASH

There are conflicting opinions on whether you should eat and drink before working out, but recent studies have found that you could benefit from better results in your workout if meals are chosen wisely3. In terms of hydration, keep plenty of water nearby and drink when you feel thirsty to maximize hydration levels during exercise.4 Katie Mack, an NSCA-certified personal trainer, says that you might also choose to drink a cup of coffee pre-workout too: ”The caffeine in your coffee will help to stimulate your nervous system to enhance performance.” these are the best weight loss pills for women.

Carbohydrates and lean proteins are the best choices when it comes to pre-workout meals. Mack recommends eating a low-fat meal in the hour before your workout. Some of her favorite options are chicken, fish, or Greek yogurt, coupled with a carbohydrate like sweet potato, rice, or beans. According to scientific research, those carbohydrates play a major role in your endurance—”carb-loading” right before exercise can significantly increase performance.5 Mack suggests adding coconut oil for a dose of MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) for quick energy if you’re really invested.

Try a Supplement

If you’re not too seasoned in your fitness routine, the thought of adding a supplement might be a little scary. Not to fear: Studies have found that taking pre-workout supplements can be an effective method for boosting energy before you exercise.6 The supplements usually contain caffeine, which is the primary ingredient responsible for the benefits you feel.

However, it is important to note that while supplements can help curb fatigue and improve concentration during workouts, researchers have yet to find that they produce a substantial effect on body composition.6 So consider trying out a supplement if you find yourself bowing out midway through your routine, as it can help your overall mindset, but don’t expect your body to transform overnight. And be sure to check with your physician to make sure that adding a supplement is the right choice for you.

About Creation (Visiting the Engelenbak with my Daughter)

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007

Last year my three children gave us (my wife and I) a present for our birthday (28-04 & 22-04). We went to the Rock Opera Tommy. Tommy was one of the revelations when I was young (I was born in 1951).

Tommy is about a young child that is a witness to a murder. His mother and her new friend kill his father. Tommy jumps into a huge dissociation and he becomes “blind, death and dumb”. His parents try out many ways to cure him but the “normal” approach does not work. In the end he is cured by what we now would call a shaman or a magician. Hearing and experiencing Tommy again was spectacular.

This year things have changed dramatically. My children gave me again a theater-experience but instead of being with eight people. We were with only two (my daughter and I).

What happened? My wife left me (minus 1). My oldest sun forgot he also booked a holiday in Rome with his wife (minus 2). My middle sun and his wife have become very religious and they don’t want to go to a theater anymore because they know they are cursing (minus 2). Last but not least my daughter’s boyfriend is also gone.

When we arrived in Amsterdam the sun started shining. The theater was in the centre (de Nes, close the Dam) and we sat and looked at what was happening. We enjoyed life extensively.

When we came at the theater (de Engelenbak, Place of Angels). The theater was sold-out. Many people were waiting in line. I gave away the tickets that were not needed and made two people very happy.

When we were standing waiting to get in I stood next to an old friend I did not meet for 30 years. He owned a café in Leiden (I am born in Leiden) where young artists could try-out their performance. Suddenly I realized the Unknown wanted to tell me something. The Engelenbak is also a try-out-theater. The amount of events that were “by accident” was too much now.

And yes the whole sequence of acts in the theater was highly meaningful to me.

It all started with a group that was imitating Blood, Sweat and Tears (my most favorite group in history!) singing Spinning Wheel. Spinning Wheel is about the Jumping out of the Cycle.

I saw young people doing a fascinating act with the diabolo (“the devil on two sticks”). They showed a very complicated trick called the vertax (also called Excalibur). The Diabolo is the symbol of the vortex, the Spinning Wheel.

The most fascinating signs of the Unknown were about Love. Many songs showed the wide variety of love between a man and a woman. The songs made me cry and laugh at the same time.

What did I learn that night?

I did learn that laughing, crying, singing, dancing, music, theater are the most beautiful things that the Unknown has given to the world. If everybody would understand this message the world would be a much better place.

And nobody was cursing so my second sun and his wife can come along the next time.

Whats wrong with doctors

Monday, May 21st, 2007

Last night I read an article in the New York Review of Books (May 31, 2007). The article is called What’s Wrong with Doctors (written by Jerome Groopman, a cancer specialist).  The article (and the book) is about the current Medical System. It shows everything that is wrong with this system.

The most important problem, according to Groopman, is that doctors Think. This problem is enforced by the fact that they don’t take the time to listen to themselves (introspection) and their patients. The doctor is acting as a “Rule-Based”-system that acts on the variables that are put into the system. He sees what he wants to see because his focus is on “fast delivery” of a solution. The patient is not important. He or she is just “a mean to an end” and the mean is making a lot of money in short time (“efficiency”) and/or achieving status.

Groopman attacks “Evidence Based Medicine”. This approach is based on statistics. The whole problem with statistics is comparable to the “rule-based-system”-approach. Again statistics just shows what you want to see. Statistics is a method to find patterns but the problem with patterns is that there is an infinite amount of patterns possible in every situation. In statistics you have to choose a “pattern-type” (for instance the pattern is linear) otherwise the whole approach is not working.

Groopman shows that statistics make doctors lazy. They trust somebody else (the bright guys) and don’t think for themselves anymore. Doctors have to be “lazy-thinkers” because they don’t have the time to think because they have to produce fast-solution. So the problem is not that they are thinking but the real problem is that they are not thinking at all. They are acting as robots.

The pharmaceutical industry helps doctors to deliver fast solutions. They provide super-pills that solve everything. They provide doctors directly with corrupted information about the huge statistical effects of their inventions. To make the doctors happy they also provide them with gifts (luxury tours disguised in a conference).

The above is just the start of the attack on the medical system. Groopman digs deeper and shows that the fundamental problem is that we cannot fully understand the context of the patient. Everybody patient is unique and has a unique solution that brings him in balance.

Groopman shows that knowledge (thinking again) is a big burden to understand a context. Knowledge acts as a filter. Knowledge shows just what it knows. This problem is related to the doctor and the patient. Both know something (I’m having a problem, I can solve the problem) but their “knowing” shields the real context.

How can we ever solve this problem? The solution is really very simple. We can solve the problem by “not-thinking”. If we are “not-thinking” we know everything. Deep within us (in the great unknown) lays the solution waiting. We don’t want to know this solution because it will destroy our patterns and patterns are what make us feel comfortable.

The patient knows the solution already and wants conformation from a loving and caring person who gives him the confidence that his process of change will get him in a new balance.

The best caretakers are not found in the medical system. They are good friends or people with the gift of healing that can support the person to make the “unknown” know.