Wednesday, September 30, 2009

THINK LIKE A GENIUS! LESSON 1

The Internet is changing our way of life with new problems and new opportunities.


Here is a partial list of things made obsolete by the Internet: dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, filing cabinets, typewriters, newspapers, post office mail, arcade games, phone books, watches, music and book stores, movie rental stores, old style Swiss Army knife_ Yes, you must have the new one that can run a PowerPoint presentation with Bluetooth remote control of your laptop and a laser pointer. Yeah, well, who knows what will become obsolete, tomorrow. Anything and everything is on the net. Including an overwhelming amount of information.



There is only one thing that the Internet cannot make obsolete. It is your ability to think! In fact, knowing how to think (not what to think) has become a critical skill needed to navigate the information highway. Unfortunately, our schools and universities have taught us what to think but not how to think. So, my future blogs will be based on research that I am doing concerning the ability to think effectively. We will be looking at the thinking techniques of some of the world’s greatest thinkers, such as: Einstein, Edison, da Vinci, Darwin, Picasso, Michelangelo, Galileo, Freud, Fero, Newton and many others. The thinking strategies of these creative giants can be used to generate the ideas and solutions you need in your personal life.



Leonardo da Vinci used multiple perspectives as a key part of his strategy. He believed that you must have at least three different perspectives of something before you understand it. He felt that it was important to synthesize these perspectives in order to have complete knowledge of his subject. When he designed the first bicycle, he looked at it from the viewpoint of the rider, investors who would manufacture it, and cities where it would be used. Multiple perspectives deepen understanding and stimulate creativity. Einstein suggested that even the distinction between matter and energy might depend on a point of view. What was wave from one point of view was particle in another. What was a field in one experiment was a trajectory in another. Always try to get at least 3 points of view before making a decision! Next week we will look at more tips on how to be a good thinker. Until then, keep an open mind and keep on thinking!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

SPECIFIC HEALTH CARE ISSUES

In general, we have all been discussing health care reform. I think it is time to discuss some specific issues. There is something wrong with the way we educate and train our doctors. After years of research on the subject of health and longevity, it has been discovered that the life span of the average doctor in America is several years shorter than that of the average couch potato. If doctors really knew the truth about health and longevity they would be living longer than anyone else, not dying sooner! This premature death pattern proves that doctors are missing some key elements when it comes to understanding what it takes to live a longer healthier life. Diet and exercise come to mind. And how about the psychiatrists who have a suicide rate 5 times greater than other doctors? These professionals are crazier than their patients. And what about the large number of nurses who are over weight? They don’t look very healthy to me. Then there is the problem of catching a deadly infection in the hospital. So, you see, there are plenty of specific issues we should be addressing besides the system in general. 

Not long ago, doctors treated influenza by cutting the patient to make him bleed. If you had a bad headache, they would drill a hole in your head. Today, these practices seem ridiculously primitive. Medical science has come a long way but it is still not perfect. In the future, I am sure that some of today's practices will seem quite primitive. We must continue to improve the practice of medicine. Let's stay focussed  on the effort to improve!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

POSITIVE THINKING ABOUT CHANGE

It is hard for an individual to make changes. It is even harder for a nation of individuals to make changes. In our history there have been many attempts to change our system of health care. Only a few of those attempts have resulted in any change. I think that is a good thing! Health care is complicated and important. It is good that we, as a nation, only adopt changes that have been thoroughly debated. I believe the past changes have been good for the citizens of our country. Our current system is a balanced program of private enterprise and government plans. It does a reasonably good job of taking care of everyone. Private insurance takes care of the vast majority. Medicare takes care of the elderly and Medicaid takes care of the poor. Those people, who are not taken care of by private insurance or a government program, are able to go to the hospital and are not refused service even if they cannot pay the bill. Not perfect, but a pretty damn good system. It does not need radical, sweeping changes. It does need some changes to help hold down the increasing cost. It appears that the House and the Senate are finally getting serious about compromising and reaching agreement on a proposed change. I am hopeful it will be a good one.




Now, we need to attack the problem of high Veterinarian’s bills for my cat that has diabetes. Anyone have any ideas?

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

RAIN INDUCED DEPRESSION

It rained yesterday. It is raining today. Rain is forecast for tomorrow, and the next day. Lack of sunshine has put me in a funk. I have rain-induced depression and am feeling punk. Summer is over. Labor Day is done. I am overwhelmed with sadness_not having fun. Feeling pessimistic, looking on the dark side, weather has got me down. I am in desperate need of some sun! I know I will feel better, when it finally comes out. But in the mean time, all I can do is pout.

In my current state of mind, I am making some predictions for the future:

1.) The Internet will suffer a Techno-Apocalypse because of a digital war between Google and Microsoft. These giant technology companies, in a struggle for dominance, will accidentally destroy all the little digits__poof! No more email, no more search engines, and no more porn. (Oh yeah, and no more blogs.)
2.) A Bird Flu epidemic wipes out all the hockey players who play for the: Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, and Pittsburgh Penguins. The NHL no longer allows teams named after birds. The swine flu never materialized!
3.) Oil prices skyrocket causing a run on flatulence collectors. The auto manufacturers quickly retool to make small vehicles for farting around town.
4.) The US Government approves a Public Option Health Care Plan. It quickly bankrupts the country, allowing China to buy us for 10 cents on the dollar. The Chinese make us use herbs, acupuncture, and won ton soup for treating our ailments.
5.) Michigan balances the state budget by selling dollar tickets for a chance to throw baseballs at a dunk tank trigger. Governor Jennifer Granholm is dunked 2.6 billion times which takes care of the budget deficit.
6.) Global warming is finally debunked by the coldest summer, ever. Polar bears are sighted in the Upper Peninsula, much to the dismay of Al Gore. It is rumored that Al is making a film about global cooling.

They say that Abraham Lincoln suffered from chronic depression, but accomplished great things. Maybe I can still get something worthwhile done during my seasonal affective disorder. Wish me luck!

One year ago, today, I was high in the Peruvian Andes on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. This year, there is no adventure for me, which is another reason why I am depressed.

Check out this great new website: http://nationalaffairs.com/

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

MISCELANEOUS STUFF

A beautiful September morning on Devils lake. Water like glass, misty fog rising into a blue sky, and brilliant sunshine warming the cool, crisp air. I am lucky to be alive. I am happy and so is my cat. Julia Child said, "Une maison sans chat, c'est la vie sans soleil!" I love cats and so did Julia. I am reading her wonderful memoir, "My Life In France". Also reading,"say everything", by Scott Rosenburg. Anyone who wants to know where blogs came from_and why they matter_should read this book. Rosenberg is a champion of blogging. I am also reading, "The TASTE Of Conquest" by Michael Krondl. This book intrigued me because it is about three subjects that fascinate me: Spices for cooking, Sailing adventures, and History. You can probably tell by my reading activity that I do not have a job. No, I am not a victim of the recession; I just do not like to work. Playing is my thing!

Just heard a couple of news items on the radio: $500,000,000 of the federal stimulus money has been allocated to study climate warming in the Arctic. Another dumb move by our representatives. And the Michigan Legislature and our Governor are close to having a budget that uses stimulus money and increased taxes. Sounds dumb to me. Shouldn't we be balancing the State budget by cutting expenses and reducing spending?!

Yesterday, my wife, Nancy, had elective surgery on her foot. I spent a pleasant day with her at the hospital. No, really, it was a pleasant day. She was greeted courteously at the admissions desk, answered a few questions, signed some forms that were completed for her, and was taken back to the surgery area. She had selected the surgeon, scheduled the surgery with only a short waiting period. The nurses were congenial and professional, the doctor and the anesthesiologist made us feel comfortable with their competence. Everything went smoothly and her group insurance is paying all the bills. Don't need no public option, thank you very much!