Author: admin
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Coercion
Sometimes people can be convinced to do something with a show of force or threats. This is often accompanied by playing on people’s fears and stoking hatred. Our current administration seems to like this approach. If a “strongman” incites a riot, our society suffers. When choosing between the carrot and the stick, I often prefer…
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Entry Level Work
I just stumbled across this article on the “Bottom Rung of the Career Ladder“. I share the author’s concerns. Who can become an expert programmer without first being an entry-level programmer? If AI replaces many entry-level jobs, how can young professionals gain the experience needed to enter the job market at positions above entry-level jobs?…
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Tracking Stars
I have a motivational system that I think of as tracking stars. Each day, I have the opportunity to do a certain number of things that I know are good for me. This includes eating small portions, exercising, doing fun project work, writing blog posts, and more. I give myself a star in each category…
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Dermatology
Dermatologists treat skin conditions. As people age, they are at risk of getting skin cancer. This is especially true if they have spent many days playing in the sun without applying sunscreen. I’ve started a new habit of seeing a dermatologist once a year. At my most recent visit, my dermatologist identified a couple of…
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A Taste of Something Rare
Tonight, I took a journey back. I started to watch a movie that was made when I was a kid. I never watched this adult movie when I was a kid. It features a couple of actors who went on to play amazing roles. In a way, it feels like I’m catching up. I recognize…
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Theoretical Physics
When James Clerk Maxwell turned his attention to the stability of Saturn’s rings, he did not rely too much on observations. He began with a series of mathematical models. He responded to the following questions. Can solid rings be stable? Can fluid rings be stable? Can rings composed of distinct solid particles be stable? He…
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No Absolutes
Humans like to pretend. We pretend that we’re going to be the smartest person on the planet. Or the strongest. Or the richest. Or whatever superlative is on the tip of your tongue! In reality, we tend to care less about absolutes and more about comparisons to those around us. If you can be the…
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Contribution
Not long ago, Bernie Sanders sent an email that caught my attention. He said, “I am writing to ask you to run for office.” I can’t remember another politician sending me a similar message. How to respond? I want to contribute. I really do. I’m not happy with Trump being in power. And yet… We…
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Escapism
Why do we read books, watch movies, and binge-watch TV shows? Sometimes, we just want to escape from our daily lives to experience the story of another. I LOVE escaping into well-written stories! Reading books and watching movies can be magical! However, our need to escape brings up a compelling question. WHY? Why are our…
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Flickering Lights
I associate flickering lights with campfires. I remember camping with my dad when I was a kid. We would make s’mores after roasting marshmallows over the campfire. Sometimes, I would stare at the movement of the flames, entranced. Imagine my surprise when I was flying over San Antonio on Friday night before our airplane landed.…