Nothing Is New

When was the last time you heard a new idea? In the case of technology there is little that is not, in some way, based upon an earlier invention. People often marvel as new electronic devices come on the market. What they fail to recognize is that there is nothing completely original. Most of these items amount to new ways to accomplish old tasks. What is newly created must be based upon old concepts.

Inventors can only produce that which already existed in some other form. They cannot help but start the process with a preexisting idea. In other words, no one can truly reinvent the wheel. We can only change it or make it better. Things become easier to use, more convenient or more attractive.

How about some examples? Take the cell phone for instance. They can access the Internet. Some have touch screens. The "bells and whistles" one may choose from are many and varied. But the device is still, first and foremost, a telephone. This is what Alexander Graham Bell invented in the late nineteenth century.

Computers are wondrous devices. We use them for communication, accounting and gaming. Every computer has an operating system. All data stored within the operating system are called files. Files have sub-folders. This method of organizing data is nothing to new to anyone who has ever worked in an office. This is the precise use and layout of a filing cabinet.

Is the modern automobile really that different from the first built by Henry Ford? Its basic functions have changed little from the first cars that came off the assembly line. Kitchen appliances such as stoves and refrigerators still meet the same basic needs as their early counterparts. Their efficiency and ease of use have been increased to be sure. Yet all that they really do is store and cook our food.

This is more than philosophical. The human mind cannot conceive of anything new unless it is based upon something familiar. In other words, nothings is truly new, it is only newer. Virtually all that we encounter in the world of technology is the natural evolution of what came before. I am not downplaying all the good that comes from better ideas. What I suggest we need is the proper perspective towards the world of tomorrow. Remember the old adage: What is old is new again!

Statistically Speaking

I enjoy reading about a variety of subjects. Periodicals especially contain the latest information concerning issues from home and abroad. When I read these articles I tend to separate fact from fiction. I look for ways in which the writer assumes things that cannot be substantiated. Opinions are fine. What I dislike is when the truth does not fit within the printed claims.

Benjamin Disraeli is credited with the phrase, "lies, damned lies and statistics." No matter how they are used, no matter how well intentioned, statistics are often misleading. There are very specific rules concerning the gathering of information. The sampling used and the calculation of the numbers are explained in various college courses. It is just too easy to use these numbers to prop up any argument one wishes to make.

In some cases an author has gone to great lengths to maintain statistical accuracy. I still cannot help but say aloud, "so what?" Even if the majority of people questioned believe or do a certain thing, what does this mean to me? How does this have any effect on my own life? An old adage repeated by mothers everywhere comes to mind. If everyone jumped off a bridge would you?

Another pet peeve is the use of the word "may." Something may be true. Change may have occurred. This product may be good for you. Many things could be or could happen. Are we supposed to act based on these potential incidents? I am not holding my breath.

This issue may not be that important to you. It may not seem like we are lied to on a daily basis. Trust me, we are. It is our responsibility to be incredulous. We need to think critically about what we read and what we hear. We must ask ourselves one simple question. "What are they really saying?" The truth, or lack thereof, is often found by reading between the lines. The key to living more intelligently is to never take anything for granted and never make assumptions. This blog is no exception.

Feels Like The First Time

My title is borrowed from a song written by Mick Jones. It refers to that most taboo of subjects - losing one's virginity. Are teenagers truly prepared for this inevitable stage in their lives? I think not. It is hard to control or predict what any teen will do; especially with hormones raging. Sexual education classes are not always in agreement as to content. Should they wait until marriage or learn techniques that will protect them? I believe in both.

No matter how you see it there is one plain truth. Most teenagers will have sex. As usual I only deal with what is. I always support working toward what might be better. In this case though we must start the discussion with the premise that teens are sexually active. Accepting this is the first step in realistic decision making concerning education.

Young people do not need unrealistic goals or edited physiology lessons. They need to know the truth no matter how harsh. Explain to teens exactly how their bodies work, and sometimes do not, for both males and females. Help them to get over their discomfort. Only once they are comfortable will they seriously pay attention to what we teach.

If we truly care about the welfare of young adults we will offer them options. Waiting until marriage is an option. Not waiting is one too. All potential birth control methods must be explored. All sexually transmitted diseases must be explained in detail. Teenagers also need to know that we support them and will be there for them. Be available to talk or just listen without criticizing or judging. Tell your own personal story. Let them see that we have all been in their shoes.

Our personal beliefs and ideologies must be put aside for the good of these future adults. Objective information must take precedent over subjective opinion. We want teenagers to grow up happy and healthy. Diseases and unwanted pregnancies will be avoided if we do all that we can as we educate. The child you help might not be yours. Treat them as if they were. We are all part of the same family after all - the family of man.

The Holy Trinity

There are those that seek great wealth. Others seek fame. Some seek only the means to survive each day. What I seek is understanding. I want to uncover the meaning of our existence. I have come to believe that we exist to strive for the unattainable. If we could reach the pinnacle of the mountain of life we would have nowhere to go from there. Humanity's reason for being is to constantly strive for that which we can never attain.

It is with this thought in mind that I will attempt to map-out our existence. What are the parts of this great struggle called life? What tools do we use to create meaning in our lives? I believe there are three aspects that define humanity. Our purpose is to strive for that which is clearly beyond us. The separate parts I will label as God, Mind and Soul.

These three concepts are just that. They are non-corporeal. They cannot be seen, heard or measured using any scientific methods. Because they are not physical entities we seek to define them within the scope of our pre-existing frames of reference.

We seek to understand God as we look to the heavens. We want to know just who He is and what He is there for. We wish to follow His dictates and be among those who are like-minded. This is the purpose of religion. Religion exists to help us understand our God, our relationship to Him and He to us. It creates the places of worship and the rules by which its followers gather and live their lives.

The brain can be seen and measured. The mind within so far eludes all attempts to understand its inner workings. We use our vast intellect to try and make sense of our world. There are no limits to what we may conceive of. The discipline of philosophy exists so that we may have a framework through which we think and convey our thoughts to others. Through philosophy our thoughts become concepts, concepts become ideas and ideas then initiate thoughts in others.

What is more controversial a topic than the soul? For ages we have sought to understand such a weighty subject. Do we have a soul? Does it live on as our bodies no longer function? Of this I am sure: We must feed our souls. We express our true selves through our souls and, in turn, are touched by the output of others. Our souls need nourishment. Hence the purpose of art. In any of its many forms art is the food for our souls. Art allows us define, show and challenge just what it means to be human.

Religion, philosophy and art. These are the three methods through which we define, understand and celebrate our fragile human existence. This is simply a concept of my own. I do not profess to have any answers. I only hope to provide comfort to others as I seek to define that which may truly be indefinable. I write often about quality of life. If we could feel more secure about our place in the universe each area of our life would improve. This is my humble goal. May we all find just a bit more inner peace as we continue on our paths.

It Is My Birthday!

Happy Birthday To Me! How old am I? VERY!

I'll post something new tomorrow.

Thanks for a great day Teen!

Addendum - Not A Diet

One thing I should have mentioned is the scale. Do not live and die by what the scale tells you. You should not be weighing yourself each week. Once or twice per month is enough. Weigh yourself at the same time of day while wearing the same clothes. You will get a more consistent reading if you are more consistent when measuring.

There are two resources I recommend. I have tried them both. Knowledge and support greatly increases your odds of losing weight, develop better eating habits and increase your overall health. As you use these services one tool is essential. A notebook used to keep track of eating and calories helps to understand just what our habits are.

The two resources are Weight Watchers and TOPS which stands for "Take Off Pounds Sensibly." They have local meeting places and times that should suit your schedule. Weight Watchers Online is also available for those who would rather not be part of a live group.

Whichever option you choose I wish you the best of luck and continued good health. I and my wife struggle daily to change our food habits and to become the people we know we can be. It may take longer than you might expect to reach your goal. Do not despair! These are changes that will last a lifetime. We all hit roadblocks from time to time. What matters is that you keep moving forward. We are all in this together!

It Is Not A Diet

If there were no diets a lot of people would be broke. We who buy into them lose our money to those who invent them. A large portion of any bookstore would be empty if not for diet books. Here is a secret. Are you ready? A diet is temporary! Once you hit your goal weight what do you do? The only way to lose weight and keep it off is to forget dieting.

"No way, Dan!" Yes way my friends. I am offering this advice at no charge. The only price you might pay is to have your preconceptions shattered. One must change how they eat, live, and think of food in order to stay healthy for life. There are certain keys. I hope that these will open the doors that lead you to a better tomorrow.

The first is your attitude. You must see food as only what is necessary to live. It is not the end-all and be-all of existence. We must care enough about ourselves to do what is truly best for ourselves. It is common to be our own worst enemies. Positive self-talk will lead us to care about our inner selves.

What we eat is also a factor. There are some foods that are better than others. Let us not kid ourselves. Some foods have no redeeming value at all. If you are going to eat this crap, at least admit that it is crap. Having a little bit every so often feels better than complete denial of that food. It is best not to piss ourselves off.

What types of food are best? These are the aspects of food I concentrate on. Calories, fat, sodium and fiber. Pay attention to these words on the ingredients label. Compare items and consider your tastes and diet restrictions, if any. An item may seem like a proper choice but the truth is there in black and white. Protein, carbs, whole grains, fruits and veggies are what our bodies need.

How much should we eat at any given meal? This is where calories come in to play. A balanced meal is always best. Your caloric intake determines the makeup of what you put on your plate. Fat content is also crucial. My humble suggestion would be 2000 calories and 50 grams of fat per day. Your doctor can best advise you. As one pound of fat equals 3500 calories I suggest one eats 200 less calories and exercises 300 calories worth each day. One pound will be lost each week.

As I mentioned above exercise is part and parcel of my plan. Eating a bit less is great. One must also exercise daily to lose that pound every week. What exercises burn what calories? I have two suggestions. A heart monitor will take your vitals into account. It will accurately count calories burned for any activity you choose. You could also try this site which offers calories burned depending upon the activity and your own particular weight.

Water, water, everywhere. Our bodies are almost all water! We need to drink it in specific quantities to remain hydrated and healthy. It is a simple concept. Plenty of water helps all of your bodily systems. Not enough and we begin to break down. I have heard some say that six to eight glasses per day is plenty. Others have suggested that one should drink one ounce of water for every pound you weigh - this must be done daily!

I have covered the what, when, why, which and how of making a permanent lifestyle change. You can do it. Others have and they started off just like the rest of us. It will not be easy. Nothing worth having in life comes easy. The road is long and hard but the rewards are great and last for a lifetime. Do not do this for me. Do not do this for your family. Do not do this for your pet no matter how much they beg! Do it for yourself. You are the most important person of all. One look into the mirror is all the proof you will need.

Hope Or Despair

Times are tough. People suffer through these tough times. The economy forces us to change our ways. Change in and of itself is difficult. We worry about the future. We ask ourselves if we are doing enough to prepare. We feel scared and depressed. Should we run and hide? The answer is a resounding no. My wife has shown me that hope is the best option for handling adversity.

It serves no good purpose to think negatively. Part of our lifestyle must change or be eliminated. There are still some things that can bring us happiness. We need to remember them. We need, especially now, to hold on to that which bring our lives meaning. All is not lost.

I have been focusing far too much on an unknown future. I have stopped making time for that which fulfills me. Christine explained to me a simple truth. Hope for the future feels better than despair for the present. I can be miserable and do nothing constructive. I can also do things which may lead to better times. The choice is mine to make.

Let me offer a specific example. I need a job. I need to bring in money to help our finances. I can be despondent and give up. I can assume that any activity is pointless. I will not, under these circumstances, make any effort to seek employment. There is a better option. I can hope that through my efforts of mailing resumes I may yet be hired somewhere.

In the first scenario I most certainly will never be successful. No one will knock on my door and offer me a paycheck. In the second I may very well find what I have been looking for. In order to do this I must have hope. I must continue searching and looking towards a brighter future. One path is dark and lonely while the other offers light as I travel.

Do what you need to prepare. Make the tough choices. Please, whatever you do, do not forget to engage in that which has brought your life meaning. To seek a better tomorrow is not a Pollyanna type of attitude. It is realistic to think that your circumstances will improve. Doing and thinking positive things can only have positive results. Be strong. Be brave. Take the first step toward that blessed light in the distance. The journey is not as far as you think.

Two Become One

All that I desire is for people to be happy. Most of us seek that special someone at some point. We are alone and single. We wish to be together as a couple. The person we meet may not be whom we pictured. As time passes we grow closer. We love them, they love us, and both want to spend their lives together. It should not matter if these two people happen to be the same sex.

I have heard it all: The slippery slope argument, the dissolution of marriage theory and the gays as lepers label. Most intelligent people can see right through these fallacies. Therefore I will not waste my time debating these issues. I will get right to the point. Equal rights under the law is the only concrete standard by which gay marriage must be judged.

Call it a marriage or a civil union. It really does not matter. What counts is that two adults in a committed relationship have a right to the full privileges and responsibilities offered to all other married couples. They have the right of health insurance. They have the right of hospital visits. They have the right of living wills and trusts. Gay couples should enjoy all rights that straight couples do.

As my wife has mentioned to me, on occasion, gay marriage is a civil rights issue. Blacks and women fought for years to be treated as equals. Even when laws were changed equality did not come about quickly. It is high time for the supreme court of the United States to rectify this injustice once and for always.

If two people truly love each other and want to be together who are we to stand in the way? Our religious convictions and preferences should not take the place of secular equality. God does not concern Himself with man's law. This is not an issue of Godly morality but of humanity. Human rights must, by their very nature, take precedence over religion's dictates. It is high time we make all people free in every way possible.

Paying For Your Sins

Most of assume that we will pay for our earthly transgressions in the next life. Some believe in Karma and others may seek absolution here on Earth. As imperfect as we all are it amazes me that politicians seek to make a dime off of our sins. Are the county coffers that empty? States looking to boost revenue are poised to leap into the sin tax fray.

I understand some of the legislation meant to protect us from ourselves. Seat belts in cars and helmets for motorcycles both save many lives. How much better off will we be if we eliminate sugar consumption, alcohol, or simply being overweight? Of course, our health would improve, but that should be our own business. Is the government going to follow us around the grocery store?

Yes, the states need more money. What is new? Yes, we do things to our bodies that we should not. But this is a land of freedom. We have a right to privacy. I am sure most smokers would agree with this point. They are treated like lepers and their (legal) drug of choice is taxed at a rate that would make our forefathers blush. The question becomes whether states should profit from our self-abuse?

I can smoke. I can have a beer. I can drink a Coke and have a Twinkie, both at the same time, if I so desire. What do these acts have to do with the state? I have heard the argument that as we debase ourselves, health costs rise and taxpayers foot the bill. This is a specious argument. Costs will rise regardless. We pay insurance premiums for a reason.

In the end sin taxes should not exist. Money should not be made on the backs of the weak. People are demonized just because they dare to ingest a substance that society frowns upon. Get over it people. None of us are perfect. We all have some annoying habits that we would rather not be publicized. Drink, smoke and eat to your heart's content. Just as free speech covers that which offends, freedom covers that which sickens.