| Atlas Shrugged - Complete |
[Oct. 7th, 2007|05:49 pm] |
So much for chapter-by-chapter updates.
I love reading something which goes against your personal beliefs; it challenges them, it helps you figure out exactly what your beliefs are and, if you're thinking about it, may help you determine further WHY you hold your beliefs. A fascinating process.
I also think trying to create an argument conveyed mostly by a character-driven story is dumb. The author is then able to craft characters that, while plausible, can also have other strengths and weaknesses which horribly exaggerate the situation. I found that here. The protagonists were all extremely moral, intelligent, caring, generous individuals with high integrity. The antagonists varied widely on the moral front, all SEEMED to be intelligent, and were all extremely corrupt. The effects seen in the book wouldn't have been nearly as well demonstrated (or demonstrated at all??) if not for the corrupt/integrity divide, a divide which the author just inserted to help make her point better.
As a third aside, everyone in the books is hale and healthy. The sick, infirm and otherwise needy are not mentioned, and I'd be curious to see Ayn Rand's response to a movie like Sicko.
Either way, it turned out to be an enjoyable read. The more I got into the book, the more I was able to appreciate it. There are some amazingly long speeches (one at the end goes on for upwards of 40 pages) which I unfortunately didn't have the patience for. She also has some definite views on love and relationships which I found a little unsettling, but I wasn't able to focus on that theme well enough to tease out exactly what her message is.
Highly recommended though! |
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| Late Nights |
[Oct. 7th, 2007|04:16 am] |
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I dunno what's freakier. The fact that I'm still up at 4:15am, or the fact that both my parents are also still up at 4:15am. My excuse is simple: I'm still drunk from my night out. I wonder what theirs is?? :P |
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| Ch. 3 - Absurd |
[Sep. 25th, 2007|05:09 pm] |
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There's a certain absurdity to the work; the pale shadow with which the world is cast is incongruous with the matter being presented in an extreme way. All features of the world, whether an unemotional and factual description of a scene, to a description of a heated argument, to various scenes of wonder and beauty, are all painted with the same sombre brush. Perhaps this is the style of the author; or perhaps morose simply describes the author's mood when she writes about the topic (about which I've yet to receive further illumination). I'm beginning to try and peer through this dull film which seems to cover her world, so that I can see the buildings and people for what they are. Then, the uninteresting yet everpresent sheen of sadness can be examined in its own right, to see when it is strong and when it is weak, and what impact it has on the novel. |
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| Ayn Rand - Atlas Shrugged *spoilers within* |
[Sep. 25th, 2007|04:01 pm] |
I've started reading Atlas Shrugged on a recommendation from a friend. Since my declaration that I was going to start this book, I've had a few people comment "Let me know what you think". Given Ayn Rand's reputation and what I've read so far, it does seem to be a book which deserves thought; it is worthy having having action potentials sent down axons to anaylze these words in great depth.
I've read two chapters so far, and felt that I should begin a commentary. I can't say for sure if I'll complete or maintain it, I'm horrible at such things. But I can try. This is not a book I would normally read. It's far too lackluster. Not in the sense that the book is bad, but that everything in the book seems faded, as if everything has had the essence of energy and vibrance removed from it. It's also a book that cannot be skimmed through. I tend to somewhat skim through books. I'll skip a sentence here or part of a paragraph here if it seems purely descriptive, if there seems to be no particular contribution. This book can have no part removed, for the atmosphere would be removed and the characters, whose nature I feel will be central to the moral of the book, would be irrevocably altered.
The first two chapters have introduced about 4-5 characters who are all vaguely related. So far, the book seems to be demonstrating some of the foibles of a capitalist society. However, if there's one thing this book has it seems to be depth, in all dimensions. I can't imagine the moral is that simple, and I look forward to reading more. The characters involved deal with the running of large industrial corporations, and the human vs. monetary goals which can vie for a CEO's attention take the center stage at an early point. It reminds me of a conversation we had in the one business class I took at university: What's the point of a corporation? Some argue it is solely to make money and generate a profit. Publicly traded corporations are owned by the shareholders, and people buy those shares in order to increase their personal wealth. Is it the responsibility of a corporation to go beyond the legal requirements to improve living conditions or contribute to society? Some would argue no, and doing so violates the faith the shareholders have placed in the company. Others would say that yes, large business should be making such a gesture to the community of which they are a part. Perhaps Atlas Shrugged will examine these kinds of issues. |
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| Change |
[Aug. 8th, 2007|11:53 pm] |
It's amazing how much people change. I know from grade 8 to OAC, I became a completely different person: More outgoing, more self-confident, more social. Massive leaps and bounds. Between first year and now, I can also scarcely believe I'm the same person: In some senses I'm the same (still have no idea what I want for a career), but I'm not self-confident in my relationships and know what I want from a girl, and have matured.
I was going through some of my old poems and diary things, and I found one I wrote while I was in Vancouver, so late 2004. One sentence stood out to me: "... and think about what I want in a girl. Someone I can emotionally dependant on, and someone who wants to be that way about me..."
Amazing. I remember so well wanting that with heather; wanting each of us to be halves that would fit together into a whole. That person woulda gone great with Sarah, I think. But not the person I am now. Now I want two people who are each wholes, who come together to be in each other's lives, yet leave each person an amazing individual. I was surprised that I still felt that way in 2004; cause by 2006 I had certainly changed. Maybe it's maturity (finally, haha!), maybe it's just experience, but what I used to want in a girl and what I want now are totally different. But change is good. |
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[Jul. 27th, 2007|01:16 am] |
Man, I am so damn glad I'm single. I've enjoy my life over the past week more than I have in a long time. It's not worth it just to have a girl, if she doesn't make you all that happy.
And not that I'm trying to hook one in, but there are a lot of fine fish in that sea. Watch out minnows, here's the shark!! (or watch out crill, here's the whale?) |
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| Human Rights, AI, and the Handicapped |
[Jul. 25th, 2007|01:14 am] |
Here's an interesting line of thought.
Most people claim we have "human rights". Most people (except possibly George W) believe that every human being has a right to life, food, to not suffer, and should receive a certain minimum of ethical treatment. We don't randomly slice people open for scientific study, or perform proper double-blind experiements in certain harmful circumstances. (e.g. the simplest way to determine if smoking kills is to take some people, divide them in two, make half smoke and half not. However, we can't ethically force people to smoke, if we suspect it will kill them).
What is it that conveys these human right? I'm reading a social book about AI, which covers the development of AI, discussions of intelligence, and will move towards ethical and social considerations of AI in the future. I look forward to those parts. But in the mean while, it reminded me of other thoughts I've had.
Can AI's ever achieve human intelligence? Are chimps intelligent? Dolphins? This all depends on what human intelligence means. If by intelligence, you mean pattern recognition, language, generation of novel concepts, or emotions, then presumably some other creature (artificial or natural) already has or will someday reach intelligence and consciousness in the same way we do. None of these phenomena are impossible to teach to a chimp in some sense, or to program an AI to emulate. It is popularly acknowledged that chimps have the intelligence of a 3 year old.
Yet somehow, we do not convey to chimps the same rights we do a 3 year old. Why is that? One might argue that the 3 year old has more potential than a chimp does. After all, most 3 year olds turn into 4 year olds, whereas chimps don't develop that far. What about a handicapped individual, with the mental and emotional intelligence of a 3 year old? Does that person have rights? Most would say yes. Despite lacking the intelligence and consciousness that makes us unique on this planet (as far as we can tell), we still treat this person humanely. So either we're extremely specieist, or this person has some other component that implies he deserves to be treated humanely.
If this person has a soul or some non-physical component, then perhaps he/she might be deserving of some extra rights. But this also implies that people have souls, and that this soul, while uncapable of expressing it's intelligence in a damaged body, is what enables consciousness in others. So anything without a soul can never be conscious, sentient, or intelligent, because it lacks this essential component.
The other option is that we are simply specieist, and have simply designated that our DNA patterns deserve better treatment then others. If that's the case, I do hope we grow out of it soon, because that would mean that an awful lot of animals have suffered just as cruely as people would have, if they'd undergone the same experiments (I've read about some of the experiments neurologists put monkeys through. Grotesquely disturbing is an understatement).
Is there a future for AI? Can we develop artificial consciousness? Only if humans don't have some special, spiritual component that enables us to be self-aware. Which would have to be the case, otherwise a handicapped adult deserves the same rights as a chimp (which is precious few). I just have a hard time believing we'll never develop a self-aware an conscious system. |
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| News |
[Jul. 21st, 2007|11:47 am] |
It's been a while since I posted, so I figure I should.
Almost done school. Finally! Been in school for 6 straight years, and I can tell ya I'm feeling a little burnt out. I'm also ridiculously glad I didn't end up in the grad schools I had applied to 2 years ago. I have a strong dislike for CS grad school, and doing so much as one year of it is extremely unpleasant for me. If I had been in a 2 or even 5 year program, I don't think I would have made it.
What am I doing in September? No idea. Probably chill in Ottawa while I apply for jobs. I've applied for a few already, but except for my interviews with Google, I haven't heard anything back yet.
I broke up with my ex on Wednesday. Trying to get used to calling her that. It was my idea, although either of us should have done it a long time ago. We were just in such different places in the relationship, that she'd either always get hurt or I'd either always be annoyed. And that wasn't gonna change, deep down inside. You can change how you act, and you can try to change how you feel, but matters of the heart are one area where the mind has little jurisdiction. I'm ok overall; just gotta keep busy, hang out with friends, and find things to do.
I started gaming here in Waterloo. Ther's 4 of us (3 + DM) who are doing an AD&D session. It's nice to do some gaming again, it had been a long time. |
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| Chicago! |
[Feb. 24th, 2007|10:25 am] |
So I've been in chicago since late thursday night. It was a long drive here (made longer by a 2.5 hour stop with friends in Ann Arbor, MI), and all in all it's been about 8-9 hours of driving. Not looking forward to the ride back on Sunday.
Got in really late Thursday night and was exhausted, so didn't do much but chat with Aliya before going to bed.
Yesterday was fun!! I've taken a lot of pictures of downtown chicago. I went downtown at around 10, tried to go to the big Mercantile Exchange, but it was closed for the day. THen my friend Kris called me to say he'd gotten into Chicago from Indiana 2 hours early, so I left and went to the science museum to visit him (parking downtown for half an hour cost me 10 dollars. Yikes!)
The science museum was pretty big; not as big as the ROM, but still decent sized. We went to the body worlds exhibit, which is a really gross and detailed (though not gory) view of the insides of human bodies. Very cool, but definitely not for the squeamish. It was full of kids, which I guess should be expected on a weekday at a museum. We stayed there for about two hours, then went downtown.
We found a pizza place and had some "world famous" chicago deep-dish pizza. Ya, it was good pizza. Ya, it was deep dish. But I'm not sure if it's a bragging point worthy of advertising. Kris and I then wandered around downtown for about 4 hours. We chitted and chatted, and also checked out the arts institute briefly. Chicago also has several pieces of modern art lying about (such as a giant metalic jelly bean, large enough that you can stand inside the curve of it). But the most amazing thing about it is the architecture. The city is very large, and a big portion of the buildings are BEAUTIFUL. Just amazing architecture. I'll definitely have to get you some pictures :)
In the evening, came back to Al's, watched a few good men, and then crashed. Today, we're gonna go to Wisconsin to an outlet mall, go do the Sears Tower thing, and go out tonight. Should be fun! |
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| Yelling Really Works! |
[Feb. 9th, 2007|01:28 pm] |
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I've always hated how people who call and complain always seem to get what they want... but in this case, it definitely worked for me. I have a brand new re-scheduled interview. Yay! :) |
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| Gotta love beaurcracy |
[Feb. 7th, 2007|04:02 pm] |
So, I had applied to 5 teacher's colleges for next year (to teach HS computer science). haven't decided yet if I want to go, but the option is there.
Got an email yesterday, saying I got an interview at UOIT. Hurray!!! It's scheduled at 5:20pm on Mar 1st.
I am also lecturing this term, and the course midterm is at 7pm, Mar 1st. There is NO WAY I can be Oshawa until 6pm and make it back here for 7pm to set up and run a midterm.
So I call UOIT and ask to reschedule. Impossible they say. We don't do rescheduling. I ask what the chances of getting in are if I can't make the interview. Basically none, they say.
So I won't be able to get into their teacher's college to teach because I had prior commitments teaching computer science. Wow. |
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| Week 2 |
[Jan. 11th, 2007|11:49 pm] |
Second week as a lot more fun. For one, I learned how to be more relaxed in front of the class. I've learned how much I need to prepare for each class, and that a VERY useful benchmark for me is interspersing in my notes what time it should be at what point; helps me maintain a smooth pace of delivery. I'm also really, really liking it. I enjoy the challenge of trying to explain something in a way people will understand, and relating other areas. In the past week, I've quoted the side of a kraft dinner box, horribly abused Shakespeare, and quoted Sex and the City. It's been good.
And Sarah finally comes back from Qatar on saturday. Me excited :D
Tata! |
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| Teaching! |
[Jan. 3rd, 2007|01:35 pm] |
Well. Wow. Just taught my first class. Talk about STOIC! Didn't laugh at a thing. The only thing I got a chuckle out of them was from when i was talking about what hard drives can be used for, including collecting "obviously legal" movies. Other than that, stony silence! Not exactly warmed up to answering questions either. I'm gonna need to find a way to make this more interactive.
I also need to be a little more... organized. And I definitely need some kind of remote. The setup of the classroom puts the podium and computer on one side of a very wide stage, so I kept kinda forgetting to go over there and click to the next slide. Whoops! I also need to outline more exactly what and when I'm gonna say things, and how long it'll take. I suspect I was talking quickly (as I tend to do) because class finished a bit earlier than I was expecting it to.
But overall, my nervousness went away by the time I showed up (pity it didn't go away before I tried, in vain, to get a good night's sleep), and I just need to focus more on saying "umm" less.
Despite all this, I think it went well! |
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| Academia |
[Dec. 15th, 2006|02:00 am] |
I looked around my room just now, and noticed a very wide array of subject matter. I’d be hard pressed to find a broad subject area not represented. I have an array of computing and mathematical texts, as well as social sciences, of course. These are the areas I have focused most closely on through university. I also have a bible and several texts on Judaism. From a scientific standpoint, I have a theoretical physics hiding on a bookshelf. My business book rests nearby, as does a text on gender theory, which I was reading earlier this afternoon. A philosophy book has been recently placed on my bed. For the lighter side, several science fiction, fantasy and even fairy tale book could also be found. Somehow, all these topics have piqued my interest.
How could I possibly devote my life, or even five years, to the study of a single topic? Especially a topic which I have already studied for five years? It sounds absurd. There is far too much to learn, I’ll even say far too much worth learning. I could never conceive of myself confining myself to a single subject area; there’s simply too much to know! I would much rather spending a year to learn the religious, political and social development of, say, the Indian subcontinent, in contrast with exposing the mechanism used by the temporal-parietal junction to shift objects from a body-centered to an object-centered space. I bet I know which sounds more interesting to you, and I am inclined to agree.
It’s a difficulty with modern academia, I suppose; the political requirements to focus on a single area, to digest it, occasionally contribute, and pass your knowledge on. But how can one ever know anything when one knows so little? I was once told that an Expert is one who knows more and more about less and less until he knows practically everything about practically nothing. That, to me, sounds boring, dry and dull. It is the well-rounded, liberally-educated members of society who develop breath-taking ideas, help our mind soar to new heights, and inspire us to achieve new things. I know I have been inspired.
I believe a greater goal than trying to uncover infinitesimal truths about an obscure subject area is to uncover greater, grander truths about life, the universe, and everything. Apologies, Douglas Adams. Looking back upon teachers who have inspired me, it was those who seemed to know a little bit about everything, and were passionate about all of it! Of course, everyone requires some specialization. But to pursue that at the expense of all others seems akin to only eating bananas for the rest of your life. Much as a physical body needs other nourishment, so do the mind and soul.
Only in this way can one learn to think with an open mind. Acting and educating with anything less is one of the worst travesties I can call to mind. Especially teaching, as you will likely pass these academic blinders onto your students and help develop a whole new generation of uninspired, linear thinkers. To entice a varied class of students to follow the path of learning with you, you must have a variety of ideas and experiences to speak to each of them, as every student will have different wants and needs and desires for the course. |
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| Ponderings |
[Dec. 12th, 2006|12:40 pm] |
Is the point of life to give, or the receive? Or somewhere in between?
I doubt many people would say the point is purely to receive. And if you don't mention the second part of the question, most people (I like to hope) would say to give. But when you provide the shades of grey, I think many people would into that category. But that still means you're spending part of your time only recieving and never giving. Yet somehow, this feels necessary. I wonder why that is.
I also wonder why people spend so much time accumulating wealth, fame, power, etc... when the point of life is to give, and not receive.
On another note, some say that the purpose of life is to "live life to it's fullest" and "Experience everything". Isn't that receiving, not giving? Quite selfish, in fact?
Here's a better question: Which would you agree more is the purpose of life, to experience and live all you can, or to give all you can? The two really require very different lifestyles and life choices, most of the time. They aren't quite mutually exclusive, but they aren't complimentary either. I think that's a hard question. |
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| Job! |
[Sep. 28th, 2006|12:06 pm] |
I'm very, very excited.
I just found out that I landed the position of being an instructor for a first year course in the Winter. it's two hours of lectures a week (+ office hours, meetings, etc.) of a first course on computing for arts + science students. But, either way, it'll be me teaching a class of about 100 students, which is VERY very exciting :D:D |
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| Ottawa Visit! |
[Aug. 22nd, 2006|08:48 am] |
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I'll be in Ottawa from Sept 2 to Sept 10 |
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| Living |
[Apr. 30th, 2006|01:02 pm] |
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Got a place for the next year. I've got an apartment with a pool and all sorts of fun stuff, near lots of amenities and bars and things. Should be fun. And I'm sure the fact that the apartment number is 911 isn't a sign of foreshadowing or any sort of omen. |
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| Decision! |
[Apr. 23rd, 2006|04:47 am] |
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I decided that a masters in Comp Sci just isn't for me. I'll be staying in Waterloo for the summer (making $) and then for next year until April, so that I can graduate with a double major in Computer Science and Psych, and reapply to diff grad schools and diff programs with that degree. |
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| Life of Mike |
[Apr. 17th, 2006|10:28 am] |
what's been up in the life of Me? Plenty of confusion, that's what!
School's been fairly easy this term, since I only took the 3 courses, and barely even paid attention to them. I've been stressing plenty about grad school. I wasn't getting in ANYWHERE (moderately disheartening), but I've been unofficially accepted now into Columbia's masters of Comp Sci program. Unfortunately, it's unfunded, so very expensive. My end goal is a PhD, and while this leaves me as an excellent candidate for getting in, I could also just stay here at Waterloo, do some research & get a psych minor, and apply again for PhD's next year. I'm trying to decide if the 50-60k US that columbia will cost would be worth it. It is definitely a better program and choice career-wise, but it's also a helluva lot of money.
Anyways, when I know what I'm doing next year, be it staying here in Waterloo or heading down to the Big Apple, I'll let y'all know, too. |
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