I thought this might be interesting to post as well. Many of us late night vampires might have already seen this series but it is always worth a gander... is that a word?
Monday, March 30, 2009
I was in a discussion with a colleague today concerning President Obama, society's beliefs of success and power and what politics has to do with anything. I thought it might be good to take a diversion from physics and theories of science to talk about power or influence as my colleague calls it.
There are very stark differences between power and politics. If there wasn't we wouldn't have coined terms like "political power." These differences are represented in the area of authority and social aspects. Having power, really involves being a respected or authoritative figure in a culture or organization. Just as we are under the command of the President, personally I am under the rule of my wife or even my Grandmother. This type of power isn't by law or enforced but is a moral power. Politics is more about propaganda and miss direction to influence the outcome of a process. This is not always an election or government race, these political processes occur in business as one may try to climb the corporate ladder.
Even so, there are a few similiarities if not parallels in power and politics. Both involve gaining support or the authority by way of groups of persons. Powerful individuals are only as powerful as the people following them, ditto for politics and those that practice it, in business and groups.
Although often associated with each other, they should - in the rudimentary form - be seen as mutually exclusive. This is due to the aforementioned differences and the fact that power is independent of politics and visa versa. Some may argue that they are always exclusive because it is a political process to acquire power and political prowess only comes through power. However, this is a misconception created by our culture. In many world societies, rulers, leaders and guides are not elected or come into authority by political processes by by simple life span, experience or circumstance. It is only in a democratic society that emphasis is placed upon the governed persons electing a representive or a business person playing with information to gain leverage.
We often refute or are ignorant to such cases of power and authority because these 'powerful' individuals have become powerful by means of survival and wisdom, not clever thinking or shady methods. They don't make the evening news. As the adage, by John Emerich Edward Dalberg says, "Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts, absolutely." When power is gained without an ethical or moral process of experience, there is often not enough wisdom attach for it to be of any benefit to those it is meant to help or support.
There are very stark differences between power and politics. If there wasn't we wouldn't have coined terms like "political power." These differences are represented in the area of authority and social aspects. Having power, really involves being a respected or authoritative figure in a culture or organization. Just as we are under the command of the President, personally I am under the rule of my wife or even my Grandmother. This type of power isn't by law or enforced but is a moral power. Politics is more about propaganda and miss direction to influence the outcome of a process. This is not always an election or government race, these political processes occur in business as one may try to climb the corporate ladder.
Even so, there are a few similiarities if not parallels in power and politics. Both involve gaining support or the authority by way of groups of persons. Powerful individuals are only as powerful as the people following them, ditto for politics and those that practice it, in business and groups.
Although often associated with each other, they should - in the rudimentary form - be seen as mutually exclusive. This is due to the aforementioned differences and the fact that power is independent of politics and visa versa. Some may argue that they are always exclusive because it is a political process to acquire power and political prowess only comes through power. However, this is a misconception created by our culture. In many world societies, rulers, leaders and guides are not elected or come into authority by political processes by by simple life span, experience or circumstance. It is only in a democratic society that emphasis is placed upon the governed persons electing a representive or a business person playing with information to gain leverage.
We often refute or are ignorant to such cases of power and authority because these 'powerful' individuals have become powerful by means of survival and wisdom, not clever thinking or shady methods. They don't make the evening news. As the adage, by John Emerich Edward Dalberg says, "Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts, absolutely." When power is gained without an ethical or moral process of experience, there is often not enough wisdom attach for it to be of any benefit to those it is meant to help or support.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Influenza Immune to Humans
Influenza A(H1N1) virus resistance to oseltamivir.
What does that mean for the common man (or woman)? Well there is this little virus called H5N1 that is commonly called Bird Flu. These viruses are poised to present the world with the largest pandemic since the virus or viruses that introduced humankind to internal justation (more about that later). What could easily happen in yet another example of end time proficy is that the "standard" flu virus may combine with the "standard" bird flu creating an incurable, non-vacined flu strain that would become vastly more superior to any known flu strain. This Super Strain would cover the world in a short period of time due to our very communiable mentalities and globalized society.But here is the kicker, maybe it's necessary. Maybe it serves humankind right for viewing ourselves as gods upon a little piece of the galaxy. But I don't believe that. I try to see things in positive lights, even if they are black holes. Humanity has experienced its share of viral contamination, and we are still here somehow. Whether we incorporated the virus or bacterium into our own DNA structure, built up resistance, or simply allowed the viruses to eliminate the succeptable segment of our populations. The reason any of this could be seen as positive, is the fact that it allows for our preditory, dominant species to evolve just that much further. Just as AIDS is conquering populations across the world, a Super Flu Strain would not be limited by proximity, homosexual, or cotus.
So, in understanding simply that we are flawed, we can either except that as time goes on we either get worse in most aspects of biology, socieology, and ecology; or we will continue to evolve. But with any growth equalibrium must be contained. Meaning that some will loose in the ultimate game of chance paying with their lives, while others will propegate and bring about new generations, just alittle better than we are currently. We all must die, but its what we do with life and the impact we leave that makes a difference in an ultruistic belief.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Changing the World in 2009
So, it is another new year for us all that survived 2008. With all the wars, tragedies, and economic crisis. Many of us are asking ourselves, "what can I do to change the world" or "what can I do just to make it to next week!" Well, believe you me, most people are in either category. We, as an American society have made a great stride in the right direction by electing Barrack Obama. I don't vote (I believe in Democracy in the purest form, but not electoral colleges) but would consider myself an Independent leaning towards Republican.
Aside from the "Change" propaganda, I believe that as time goes forward, the world needs to be united under a common belief that anyone can succeed to provide an opportunity for the majority to try instead of the minority. But like President Elect Obama mentioned, "things are going to get worse before they get better." I agree. It's economics, human nature, and simple science. But in survival of the fittest, these crisis will weed out the economically weak, the idiotics of humanity (those people that cut you off to make it to a red light first, I hate that), and those seeking prominent positions through shiesty tactics. Hang in there world, don't loose your hair like me.
Aside from the "Change" propaganda, I believe that as time goes forward, the world needs to be united under a common belief that anyone can succeed to provide an opportunity for the majority to try instead of the minority. But like President Elect Obama mentioned, "things are going to get worse before they get better." I agree. It's economics, human nature, and simple science. But in survival of the fittest, these crisis will weed out the economically weak, the idiotics of humanity (those people that cut you off to make it to a red light first, I hate that), and those seeking prominent positions through shiesty tactics. Hang in there world, don't loose your hair like me.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Theories of Biomechanical Evolution
Dr. Michio Kaku, Theoretical Scientist and Physicist, offers the world a glimpse of tomorrow in each of his discussions of big bang theories, dimensional physics and society growth. What we take away from his many lectures are not answers to impossible questions, but simple questions with endless possible answers and even more pertinent questions of existence. In an episode that aired on the Discovery Channel discussing the history of the cosmos and societal evolution, Dr. Kaku discussed the four phases of society. Phase 0, which we are by Dr. Kaku's standards, being the societies ability to manage the local resources, Phase 1 being societal control over global resources, Phase 2 being interplanetary management - dominance over an entire solar system, with Phase 3 of a society having dominance over one or more galaxies.
This leads me in my belief that as we as a society evolve, striving evermore towards the turning point of the proverbial self destruction or unified utopia, there will come a point in which we will integrate more with our own created systems than systems based solely on nonrenewable resources. What this means is a more fluid integration of mechanics and engineered peripherals incorporated into the actual biological make up of the human body. Posing the question: When is it an ethical after thought to play with the aspects of our biology that makes us irrefutably human?
This leads me in my belief that as we as a society evolve, striving evermore towards the turning point of the proverbial self destruction or unified utopia, there will come a point in which we will integrate more with our own created systems than systems based solely on nonrenewable resources. What this means is a more fluid integration of mechanics and engineered peripherals incorporated into the actual biological make up of the human body. Posing the question: When is it an ethical after thought to play with the aspects of our biology that makes us irrefutably human?
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