Category: Musings

In our contemporary era, an intriguing parallel emerges; where Rumpelstiltskin once possessed the uncanny ability to transmute straw into gold, our present world witnesses an equally remarkable phenomenon. Ingenious individual’s adept in the art of coding possesses the rare talent to transform now symbols into gold. Secluded within the confinements of their private quarters, meticulously guided by precise directives, these individuals yearn for luminosity. They find themselves yearning to behold the tangible culmination of their endeavors, to partake in the design and creation of esteemed products. However, their reality appears disparate. They find themselves bestowed with a mere ticket, destined to convert the symbolic value it holds into prosperity, with the anticipation of yet another ticket arriving to occupy their diligent attention. Alas, the paradigm they once believed to hold the status of inventors and designers has transformed them into proficient translators, skillfully transmuting the principles of the English language into the vast realm of computer language. Rumpelstiltskin, restrained by these circumstances, can no longer withstand such limitations. Rumpelstiltskin pines for more; yearning to explore the expansive world beyond their present confines; ardently aspiring to contribute meaningfully to the creation of our shared reality, transcending the realm of mere machinery.

Summary:

Electromagnetic waves enable wireless communication and microwaves. Imagining ripples in a pond, we can visualize how these waves transmit information wirelessly through the sea of electrons that surround us. Direct currents are different from electromagnetic waves, with alternating current vibrating electrons to induce movement. The rate of vibration determines the frequency, and different frequencies correspond to radio waves, X-rays, and microwave radiation. Electromagnetic waves can vibrate molecules, such as water in a microwave, producing heat. While we are constantly surrounded by electromagnetic vibrations, a quieter environment can sometimes be a relief.

Full Text:

Electromagnetic waves are essential for wireless communication and the functioning of technology like microwaves. Although the concept is simple, it produces complex results. This article will use an analogy to help visualize the processes involved. Electrons, which can’t be seen, will be compared to ripples in a pond to aid in understanding.

To begin, imagine a device that taps water periodically, creating consistent ripples in a pond. These taps generate waves in the water, which can vary in intensity. Across the pond, there is a device that senses the intensity of the waves, distinguishing between strong and light taps. By encoding information, similar to Morse code, we can send a wireless message through these water waves.

Now, consider that we are surrounded by particles – all the air and materials around us are made up of atoms. Each atom is surrounded by electrons, forming an invisible sea of electrons. Although we can’t see them, electrons are present everywhere, creating the environment we exist within.

Thomas Edison’s discovery of direct currents (DC) revolutionized circuitry. Unlike ripples in a pond, DC flows like water from point A to point B. Electronics rely on this logical flow. The electric vehicle named Tesla, however, primarily uses direct currents despite the misnomer. While direct currents require electrons to move from the positive terminal to the negative terminal, there is another type of electricity that enables modern wireless communication.

Alternating current (AC) was discovered by Nikola Tesla and is particularly fascinating. AC doesn’t make electrons move from one point to another; instead, it vibrates the electrons. This vibration is similar to creating ripples in a pond. Due to their negative charge, electrons react to magnets. By constructing an electromagnet and pulsing it on and off, the oscillating magnetic force causes the electrons to move. They repel when the magnet turns on and return to their original state when it turns off. This process, similar to tapping the water, affects the sea of surrounding electrons. It has led to numerous modern inventions.

The rate of tapping the water or vibrating the sea of electrons determines frequency. For example, an old cordless phone operating at 900 MHz vibrates the sea of electrons 900,000,000 times per second. The strength of the taps allows devices to detect encoded information such as voice. Terms like radio waves, X-rays, and microwave radiation describe these vibration rates. Microwave radiation, for instance, refers to vibrations occurring between 1,000 MHz and 300 GHz, up to 300,000,000,000 times per second.

When using a microwave oven, the rapid electromagnetic vibrations cause the vibrating electrons to also vibrate the water molecules in food. This vibration generates heat, explaining why food gets hot when microwaved.

In our modern world, the sea of electrons constantly vibrates. Radio stations, cell transmissions, and WIFI routers all contribute to this vibration surrounding us. Although these vibrations are invisible to us, they exist at such a rapid rate that an animal capable of perceiving them would experience overwhelming noise that could hinder its functionality.

Alternating current allows for easy voltage transformation due to the creation of magnetic fields. Placing two coils of wire next to each other, one with 100 coils and the other with 50, the vibrations in the coil with more coils will generate a vibrating magnetic field that influences the coil with fewer coils. As a result, the secondary coil will have half the voltage of the first. Similarly, if the secondary coil has twice as many coils as the primary coil, it will double the voltage in a step-up transformation. Before entering our homes, electricity is sent at a higher voltage, but a transformer outside steps down the voltage to what we receive.

Transformers also produce electromagnetic waves, making the sea of electrons vibrate. With our modern technology, the electromagnetic noise surrounding us is substantial. If our sea of electrons were an actual sea, it would appear stormy due to the abundance of waves. Certain frequencies of electromagnetic waves are considered safe, only becoming dangerous when they contain enough energy to vibrate actual particles. X-rays, for example, vibrate so violently that they can damage the molecules that make up our DNA. This repeated exposure to X-rays can lead to cancer if it corrupts the DNA molecule, impairing cell functionality.

While we may not be able to fully escape electromagnetic vibrations, experiencing no cell service can serve as a reminder that the sea of electrons is a bit calmer.

Distraction: Source or Symptom?

Previously I wrote an article entitled ‘Listening in a Distracting World’.
In this article I suggested that today, people have shorter attention spans and are listening less due specifically to Distraction as the source of the issue.

In my recent audiobook,
I felt this idea flipped on its head when a question was asked:
What if Distraction is a symptom, and not the source of the issue?

Eerily in the last three audiobook that I have listened to one topic has persisted.
This is the idea of ‘Bad Faith’, and the importance of Good Faith.

See, ‘Bad Faith’ means that you are either putting the entire power of control onto another, or reserving it for yourself. If someone is acting in bad faith, they may feel that the outcome is fully in their power.
Just as someone acting in bad faith may feel that someone else is fully to blame.

When we interact, that interaction is with another, and a conversation is more akin to a session of improvisation or tossing clay than anything else. Let me explain, in improv the idea is to accept where you find yourself in the story, and to build upon what your partners have set up.
Similarly so, you could consider a conversation like a piece of clay.
Unformed, this clay has the potential to become anything.
With Good Faith, we accept the clay or topic as it is presented to us.
We nurture what is forming, shape it a bit, and then toss it back to our partner.

If a participant has an advanced desire of what the comedy sketch, or clay should become and will not let it go… well, they are displaying bad faith. Sure we may have ideas of what we may desire the clay to become; however, when showing good faith, we accept and respect the contributions of others.
We suspend our own desire, and instead build towards mutual desire.

Perhaps Distraction is just the easy out.
A quick way to forget?
Or perhaps, the willingness to be distracted is a symptom of something else.
See Good Faith, can be challenging.
It means letting go of the clay,
and letting go of what you so want it to become.
It means putting your faith in another, respecting their contributions,
and being ok with what ever the clay becomes.

This gets back to self-control.
Managing ones fears, and desires.
As well as Suspending the self, for another.

I think it may be easy to objectify a problem, and say that this is because of that.
such as saying, ‘Distraction is the problem in society, not me’.
However, again putting the onus of responsibility solely on one thing is also a form of bad faith.

Sure this world has allowed for more distractions.
But, if I am distracted, it is because I allowed myself to be lulled by it.
Good Faith means managing emotions, and believing.
Distraction is a quick out and into another emotion for a moment.

Distraction is not the source.
When one allows themselves to be easily distracted they are escaping.
While an escape may be ok, getting back to the challenge is important.
It communicates that we care, and that a distraction can never be enough for us to forget.

If distraction is temptation then
returning attention and caring is the cure.

Listening in a Distracting World

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If this page took more than five seconds to load,
you probably didn’t bother to read it.

If it did load, but your attention was not captured in about ten seconds,
you probably would not continue to read it.
~~

Attention, Patience, and Listening where has it gone?
Why are so many in such a hurry?
…and why to some does a few minutes in silence without a piece of technology seem like an eternity of torture?

This is also not something isolated either, venues are getting shorter and more attention grabbing.
For instance, Second City skits use to be about twelve minutes,
but, now they are about five minutes because that is all the attention that people will give now a days.

What is this happening?
Why are things getting so complicated,
and why is it that listening is suffering on a global level?

Part of the answer to this relates to the ‘Attention Economy’.
Businesses pay big bucks for your attention, and they pay even more so their marketing outlet is louder and more captivating than their competitor’s.

Today more than ever we live in a world of distraction.
With this new market every distraction is potential cashflow, and in a capitalistic world distraction means just one thing… money.

Every buzz on your phone, every chime, every television commercial,
and every song is designed to tune you in.
However,
when we tune into a distraction… we also tune out the present moment.
What is worse is that giving in to distraction is habit forming, and rather addictive.

Feel a bad emotion? Then just turn on the tv… ahh, that is better 😐
Worried about something… don’t bother working on it… as there is a shiny plastic bag over there which will take your mind off the discomfort much more quickly and easily.


The ability for us to hold our attention, imagine another’s experience, and empathetically feel what they feel is one of the most important things we can do. It allows us to actually connect with others, and I mean actually connect… to see them… to experience them… and to understand them.

But, today active listening, and our daily attention is suffering.
The ultimate cost of this is our relationships.

Technology like Social Media has allowed us to filter what gets into our bubble.

  Don’t like this?    
                              Then click to not show you this type of stuff…
         Like this?
                           Then just click like.

Suddenly we just see what we want to see, and share what we want to share.
We created a device to make us the center of our own world… no wonder why fake news, miscommunications, and disconnection has become so prevalent.

As our attention has shrunk our ego’s have grown… but, these ego boosting behaviors are not actually what we are craving.
Much like pulling a lever on a slot machine, the likes to these self-interested posts are like an empty fix. A hit of feeling WorthIt, a hit of feeling Admired… followed by a continued emptiness.

But, Hey, after all, maybe, just maybe that next pull on the lever is all that is needed.
One more hit of self-esteem then everything will be better

However, beyond this veneer what we really crave is connection, not admiration.
The issue is that the self-indulging act of ‘me-ness’ will not produce connection.
The soul craves true connection, and the marvel of technology while bringing us closer together has also moved us further apart.

Please,
the next time you hear a ding or buzz don’t let it take you.
They say that once attention has been broken it really takes a good 30 minutes before you get back into that flow state. Listening also becomes a flow state between two people when we remain present. Practicing meditation and mindfulness can help give us back the power to stay present.

Remember,
we created this technology to serve us, just as how our emotions evolved to help us.
Though, with any complicated system a certain respect is required; a certain pause.
Do not let distractions rob you of your presence; practice mindfulness.
Reclaim your awareness today! ❤

The Selfishness Virus & The Happiness Pump

Good Morning,
today I would like to talk about a topic which I use to think a lot about.

I believe there are two distinct types of selfishness, and frankly until recently I was really only actively aware of one of these types.

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Explicit Selfishness: The working definition of this relates when when someone intentionally puts themselves above others. Usually from a self-limiting believe, or overcompensation after previous events. Whichever the reasons, this person actually believe that they are better, and is aware that they tread on others… however, in their mind, since they are ‘better’ they allow it. These people also tend to recognize selflessness in others, and they sometimes take advantage of it.
I think this type of selfishness would be harder to change, as one would need to unwind the false-belief in order to alter the expressed behavior.

Implicit Selfishness: This is the main topic of this article. Implicit Selfishness has the same effect, but the motivation is very different. This type of selfishness can be seen in people who experience desperation. When we are closer to the lower self (in this context I mean, the short-term present moment hedonistic response, eg. Seek Pleasure and Avoid Pain). This leads to an ignorance due to excessive self-focus.
—-

Now, lets talk about a virus. Especially now, we see how a virus can spread infecting others leading to an exponential spread. Lets keep this in mind as we explore the selfishness topic in more detail.

The Happiness Pump
The happiness pump is a flawed philosophical view which happens when ones goal is to maximize happiness in others. Sure this sounds like a good thing, however, sometimes saying no is the best way to future happiness. If a parent gave into all their children’s desires they would not end of being their happiest. Remember, the Golden Rule does not say to treat others better than yourself, but rather to treat others as you would treat yourself.

Enter Agent Smith Selfish
Remember in the Matrix 2 when Agent Smith started copying himself into other, making others like how he was?

Have you ever been in a scenario where you acted altruistic (being good for the reason of being good) to another, only to have yourself left feeling manipulated?

I am a firm believer that it always takes two to tango.
There is never one sided blame. In this vein, it is also true that while we cannot control what happens to us, we can control how we respond to what happens to us.

Someone living in accordance to the ideals of the ‘happiness pump’ is actively is not valuing their self-worth like they should. This flaw then can get exploited by these people who are operating closer to their lower self.
In this, the blame does not rest 100% with either person.

However, this does not change the potential consequence.
An interaction with someone is much like a transaction. If someone who was acting like a happiness pump, developed the false belief that being selfless just lead to manipulation they may stop acting selfless.

If this version of ethics was like a computer program, this utilitarian view has a pretty big bug. Selfish, perhaps unconsciously, could exploit this flaw to produce selfish benefits; however, in doing so, this signal of manipulation has the potential to corrupt the selfless person causing them to develop protections which in-term result in them acting more selfish.

Imagine,
so many people running this version of the ethics code, only to have that vulnerability result in pain. Slowly the selfishness starts to spread into people who actually were selfless people.
Much like Agent Smith in the Matrix, it begins to spread like a virus.

I believe that selfishness is the biggest problem in this world right now.
It is the core behind so many of the modern challenges in this world.

Not so much that explicit selfishness, I mean there is that, but it is easy to see, recognize and self-correct. This implicit selfishness is subtle, and since we tend to compare ourselves to others, as the virus spreads the entire set of comparison moves towards selfishness. Meaning that if we just compare ourselves to other we will not see the change as it happens.

This reminds me of the boiled frog fable.
Drop a frog in a small amount of boiling water in a skillet and he jumps to safety; however, if you start with warm water and slowly heat it up the frog will not be aware of it until he is cooked!

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What is the Solution? Awareness, Understanding, and Correct Focus.
First, let’s stop comparing ourselves to others.
I started envisioning my best self, a sort of higher self which is more in-tune with the big picture. It is so easy to know what you do not want, but that focus only attracts that. Find out what you, what your higher self really aspires to become. This gives us a better vantage point, after all, just do your best; it doesn’t matter if it is good enough to someone else.

How though do we stop the virus?
Since the immune system does not stop this kind of virus, how do we restore balance to the world? We need some sort of ‘Anti-Virus’, something which is capable of spreading like the virus, but where it leads to healing.

The Answer is Love

I am not being cheesy here or metaphorical, I am being literal.
Love allows us to recognize the essence of the oneself reflected in others.
That Together we live; Together we suffer;
Together we reflect; and Together we grow.

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The person who was acting like a happiness pump was loving others, but not loving their selves; just as, those acting selfishly and abusing generosity was loving their selves, but not others.

In both cases, Togetherness was forgotten.
Love reminds us how the universe reflects.

Remember,
the Golden Rules is about Loving others, Loving your self and the grace of togetherness which comes from that. Treating others like you want to be treated only works when you truly love your self, and others.

I believe that as people feel Love that the confusion in their mind will resolve. Suddenly people won’t act like a happiness pump, but rather they will act our of pure care. The selfish person will not be tempted by the happiness pump’s flaw and the ‘selfishness virus’ transmission will stop. At this point, from the new caring perspective those individual who had been affected by unconscious selfishness will naturally heal.

Behaviors are the Symptoms,
Thoughts, Believes, and Feelings, that is the Source.