RL in virtual parlance typically means “Real Life.” Nothing surprising about that.

Thing is, we carry a persistent assumption that real life is more “real” than virtual or pretend. Here’s an experiment that calls this into question on a biochemical basis: Effects of gendered behavior on testosterone in women and men (PNAS abstract). (Randy Dotinga’s summary from full article here.)

The study appears in the Oct. 26 2015 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Van Anders et al noted: The varying differences between average male testosterone levels in men versus average levels of testosterone levels in women got me interested in whether there was some social influence on the variability.

In the new study, 41 trained actors (male and female) performed monologues in which they wielded power by firing a subordinate. On one occasion, they were told to do so in a stereotypically male way (more dominating). On another day, they were instructed to do the firing in a stereotypically feminine way (“trying to be nice,” van Anders said, “and feeling unsure about what you’re doing”).

Testosterone levels were measured before and after the performances using saliva samples.

Both kinds of strategies boosted testosterone levels in men and women — the boost in testosterone levels was more pronounced in the women. But for both sexes, performing in stereotypical male or female ways didn’t seem to matter. What did seem to matter was performing the monologues acting in a manner wielding power. Continue reading →

For the most part, wherever you are, you were somewhere else before that. And, you can bet that sooner or later you will be somewhere other than were you are now.

In order to get the beginnings of a handle on gateway and tipping-point actions let’s use the following example: While making your way through an otherwise ordinary day you suddenly find yourself sitting on the couch with spoon in one hand and an empty container of Ben & Jerry’s in the other.

Surprise!

In spite of the fact that these types of moments might seem to sneak up on us, they don’t actually ambush us the way it seems. Continue reading →

In 2010 psychologists Matthew A. Killingsworth and Daniel T. Gilbert (Harvard University) published a paper in Science magazine called: A Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind

The abstract of the article is: “We developed a smartphone technology to sample people’s ongoing thoughts, feelings, and actions and found (i) that people are thinking about what is not happening almost as often as they are thinking about what is and (ii) found that doing so typically makes them unhappy.” If you’d like to read the full article check it out on ScienceMag.org. You’ll need to register — but it’s free. Continue reading →

“What once motivated me seems to have fallen away.”

The substance of our life that gives it meaning is false. The imperatives that drive you forward are imposed from your environment — in one way or another.  This provides a false substance. “I’m driven therefor I am.”

There are occasions when this false substance may fall away. This can be as a result of accident, illness, shocks, or special forms of self work. At first glance we might interpret this as a lack of substance. Continue reading →

In his 2012 Wired article “Cultivating Genius” Jonah Lehrer speculates that the key to cultivating genius is the presence of meta-ideas that create a breeding ground. (See article here)

The meta-ideas discussed in the article are:

1. Human mixing: diversity, and open immigration.
2. Education: open, experimental, and universal.
3. Support from risk-taking backers.

As usual the key to solving the problem is not to meet it head on. Instead of direct attack on the problem, zig when zag seems indicated. Or zag when zig seems indicated. This is not an effort at being a contrarian. Rather an acceptance of the truism that some problems are better handled by inspiration rather than perspiration. Continue reading →

Artemis has come up with a method of jamming 35 times more data density into cell phone networks. You can view a video demonstration about is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxNntxVWC1g

Here’s a couple of possible viewer comments:

• Wow, that’s amazing.
• Holy Sh-t, wifi hubs popping up everywhere … densely modulated RF all over all over the place … f**k it, I’m going to the woods

I agree with both sentiments.

Growing up with an over-active imagination fueled by a hefty diet of 1950s black and white scifi films I know what can go wrong when scientists get uber enthusiastic. Continue reading →

Below is a response sent today to someone wondering about the mornings ICW talk. I have not included even a summarized portion of the original email. Didn’t seem the way to go. So what you have hear is one side of the conversation. The other side is left to inference.

I hear what you are saying. And, yes, it gets hot on occasion and it gets hard at the bottom of the bowl.

The particular practice that was/is being presented through the Ashram Ground Floor City Planners experiment would not have been facilitated by handing out step by step directions with proper preparation and planning. Continue reading →