I am sitting here wondering what to write about and it came to me that there are no shortcuts when it comes to writing. There is no magic formula. There is no bag of tricks. There are no sure fire means of success. There is only one way to write. You sit your butt down and put words on the page. There are no shortcuts!
What do you think?
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
World News - Ukraine
An embattled border post has fallen to separatists striking a blow to government forces. There were casualties on both sides, but eventually the border guards surrendered and the separatists occupied the post. Things keep getting hotter in Eastern Ukraine as Separatists and government forces skirmish. If this is not a civil war then what is?
What do you think?
What do you think?
Chromebooks - Great For Schools
I was of the opinion that iPads were better for creating content than Chromebooks, but according to one student, they are not when it comes to using them in school. It turns out that using Google drive and a Chromebook is easier to write papers and create presentations than trying to do so on an iPad. The apps on the iPad are not as robust as Google drive and not having a physical keyboard makes writing more difficult (I would agree). Another issue that many schools have not considered is that students are going to download games and social apps to the iPad, which are not available on Chromebook. Students will opt to play games or use a social app any chance they get, so using a Chromebook will limit this tendency. Chromebooks are great for schools and they will also save a bunch of money.
What do you think?
For more:
http://newmindgroup.com/2014/04/14/ipads-vs-chromebooks-in-a-11-environment/?kme=Social+Click&km_Source=Google+%2B&km_Link+Type=Rich+Link&km_CTA=Article
What do you think?
For more:
http://newmindgroup.com/2014/04/14/ipads-vs-chromebooks-in-a-11-environment/?kme=Social+Click&km_Source=Google+%2B&km_Link+Type=Rich+Link&km_CTA=Article
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
News - Daily Summary
World: In the Ukraine fighting intensified between separatists and government troops. There were also air attacks on cities in Eastern Ukraine. Some civilian targets were hit and casualties on both sides are being reported. Things seem to be slowly simmering in the region. There were no new developments in Venezuela or the rest of Latin America. As the 25th anniversary of Tiananmen Square approaches, tensions are still high across the East China Sea, but there were no new major developments across Asia. As Syria begins to vote, Assad is expected to win. Israel is upset with the U.S. over support for the new Palestinian government. The rest of the region was as calm as can be expected with no new major developments.
U.S.: Stocks were down a bit today. Gold, oil, and the dollar were up. There were quite a number of elections across the U.S. today. Since most of them were primaries, there were no major developments as a result. besides the usual crimes, tragedies, and trivialities, there were no other major new developments across the U.S. today.
It was another day in the calm before the storm.
What do you think?
U.S.: Stocks were down a bit today. Gold, oil, and the dollar were up. There were quite a number of elections across the U.S. today. Since most of them were primaries, there were no major developments as a result. besides the usual crimes, tragedies, and trivialities, there were no other major new developments across the U.S. today.
It was another day in the calm before the storm.
What do you think?
Personal Improvement
Marc Allen wrote:
"The only real failure is quitting."
When we stop trying, that is true failure. That's what quiting is. When we change jobs or change relationships, that's not quitting (though we sometimes call it that). When we stop trying at all, that is true quitting and that is true failure. This is awesome news because everything else we label as "failure" is not true failure. Did you not accomplish something? That's not true failure if you keep trying. Did you not advance as far as you would have like in a particular field? That is not true failure unless you stop trying. Did you go in a different direction? That is not true failure if you kept on trying. The only true and real failure is if we quit trying.
What do you think?
"The only real failure is quitting."
When we stop trying, that is true failure. That's what quiting is. When we change jobs or change relationships, that's not quitting (though we sometimes call it that). When we stop trying at all, that is true quitting and that is true failure. This is awesome news because everything else we label as "failure" is not true failure. Did you not accomplish something? That's not true failure if you keep trying. Did you not advance as far as you would have like in a particular field? That is not true failure unless you stop trying. Did you go in a different direction? That is not true failure if you kept on trying. The only true and real failure is if we quit trying.
What do you think?
Creativity - Why Create?
One of thoughts that sometimes keeps me from creating is "It's been done before, why do it again?" Is this true? In many respects it is true. There really is nothing truly original. For example, are movies original? No they are just a combination of "moving" photographs and plays. What about the computer? No, it's just a combination of many tools that were once done by hand (writing, calculating, storing memory, etc…). So if that is true, why create at all? Here are my reasons for creating:
* When you create, you produce something that is uniquely yours. You add your take on it.
* When you create, you update something for the times you life in.
* When you create, you express what makes you human. We are the only "animals" who create.
* When you create, you make your life and the lives you touch richer.
* When you create…
I think that's enough. You can fill in the rest. so go and create already.
What do you think?
* When you create, you produce something that is uniquely yours. You add your take on it.
* When you create, you update something for the times you life in.
* When you create, you express what makes you human. We are the only "animals" who create.
* When you create, you make your life and the lives you touch richer.
* When you create…
I think that's enough. You can fill in the rest. so go and create already.
What do you think?
The Future - Some More Trends To Watch
Here are some more trends to watch that might have a huge impact on the future:
* Gene Therapy - So many diseases are related to heredity. How awesome it would be if there was a way to minimize them? Well, gene therapy is attempting to do just that and might make great some amazing breakthroughs in the future. 100 years from now many of our worst inherited diseases could be eradicated.
* Anti-aging - In the future there will be more and more progress made in extending the life expectancy of everyone on the planet. 100 years from now people could easily be living past 100 (in fact, there is a possibility that many of the people being born today could live long enough to see this happen).
* Nanobots - Progress in this area will lead to a revolution in how healthcare is delivered, how people communicate, and how we use our minds. Nanobots will be injected into our bodies to cure illnesses, provide wireless communication, and enhance cognitive abilities. 100 years from now nanobots might be as common as cell phones transforming all our daily lives.
* mechanical bodily enhancements - Progress is being made in robotic assisted body parts. 100 years from now powerful exoskeletons will help us all be more agile and stronger. They might even be implantable and thus part of everyday life.
These are just some of the possibilities. Clearly there will be others that we have not even imagined yet. Just think back 100 years and all the changes that have occurred since then. If that rate of change continues through the next century, the future will be nothing like it is today.
What do you think?
For more:
http://futuristicoutlook.com/humans-in-the-future/
* Gene Therapy - So many diseases are related to heredity. How awesome it would be if there was a way to minimize them? Well, gene therapy is attempting to do just that and might make great some amazing breakthroughs in the future. 100 years from now many of our worst inherited diseases could be eradicated.
* Anti-aging - In the future there will be more and more progress made in extending the life expectancy of everyone on the planet. 100 years from now people could easily be living past 100 (in fact, there is a possibility that many of the people being born today could live long enough to see this happen).
* Nanobots - Progress in this area will lead to a revolution in how healthcare is delivered, how people communicate, and how we use our minds. Nanobots will be injected into our bodies to cure illnesses, provide wireless communication, and enhance cognitive abilities. 100 years from now nanobots might be as common as cell phones transforming all our daily lives.
* mechanical bodily enhancements - Progress is being made in robotic assisted body parts. 100 years from now powerful exoskeletons will help us all be more agile and stronger. They might even be implantable and thus part of everyday life.
These are just some of the possibilities. Clearly there will be others that we have not even imagined yet. Just think back 100 years and all the changes that have occurred since then. If that rate of change continues through the next century, the future will be nothing like it is today.
What do you think?
For more:
http://futuristicoutlook.com/humans-in-the-future/
Chromebook - 4G
I was in Costco last night and they had an HP Chromebook 14, which was surprising. You could say that Chromebook is officially in the mainstream if it is being sold at Costco. What was even more surprising was that it had built in 4G internet access. And even more surprising was that it came with free 4G from T-Mobile. Now after reading the fine print the free 4G usage was quite low, but still it is free. The price was $379, which is a bit high for a Chromebook, but it did have 4G built in and that might make the whole package appealing. I would be interested in a 11" 4G model for less than $300. That would be awesome.
What do you think?
What do you think?
Monday, June 2, 2014
News - Daily Summary
World: Border forces and separatists are still fighting along the border in Eastern Ukraine. Several casualties were reported. Russia and Ukraine are still talking about natural gas shipments and past due bills. Syrians go to the polls to vote for president. Is there any doubt of the outcome? There were no new major developments across the rest of the Middle East. Violence and tensions still continue in Libya as there is a power struggle over who will rule the country. In Venezuela they are not only running out of basic necessities, they are also starting to run out of drinking water. The government has started to ration tap water and electricity because of shortages. There is also a lack of bottled water due to price freezes causing manufacturers and retailers to stop producing and selling them. This is what happens when you attempt to centrally control prices and demand. it can't be done and chaos ensues. Tension has seemed to ease some across the East China Sea. China, Japan, Vietnam, and the Philippines seem to have back off some. There were no other new major developments (other than the usual crimes and tragedies) across the world today.
U.S.: Stocks were mixed today, which was the first trading day in June. The DOW and S&P were up a bit and the NASDAQ was down. Gold continued to slide and oil finally was down. In an interesting move, the city of Seattle has raise the minimum wage to $15. So will this help the poor, or will it lead to greater unemployment and increased poverty as a result? I think it will lead to greater unemployment because outside manipulation of any market leads to negative results, not positive (just look at Venezuela). Raising the minimum wage will lead to greater layoffs and possible more business closures as business adjust to the new increased costs. When you can't raise your prices because of competition, then you lay people off or close down your business. No one runs a business at loss because they want to make a political statement (unless you are the government). Other than the usual crimes and tragedies, there were no other new major developments in the U.S. today.
It was another day in the calm before the storm (and it will continue to be calm until it's not).
What do you think?
U.S.: Stocks were mixed today, which was the first trading day in June. The DOW and S&P were up a bit and the NASDAQ was down. Gold continued to slide and oil finally was down. In an interesting move, the city of Seattle has raise the minimum wage to $15. So will this help the poor, or will it lead to greater unemployment and increased poverty as a result? I think it will lead to greater unemployment because outside manipulation of any market leads to negative results, not positive (just look at Venezuela). Raising the minimum wage will lead to greater layoffs and possible more business closures as business adjust to the new increased costs. When you can't raise your prices because of competition, then you lay people off or close down your business. No one runs a business at loss because they want to make a political statement (unless you are the government). Other than the usual crimes and tragedies, there were no other new major developments in the U.S. today.
It was another day in the calm before the storm (and it will continue to be calm until it's not).
What do you think?
The Future - Screen Time
In the U.S. people spend an average of 444 minutes looking at some form of a screen. this includes watching TV, using a laptop or computer, looking at a smart phone, or using a tablet. Is this a good stat? I don't think so even though the amount of time I spend in front of a screen is probably just as high. No wonder our students are bored in class. No wonder drivers are distracted. No wonder people eating out for dinner spend more time looking at their phones than talking to each other. Unfortunately the reality is that "screen time" will not be reduced and will in fact increase in the future. Just wait till we all have "smart-glasses" or "smart-wearables". We will always have a screen inches away that we can look at. Till someone figures out how to download things straight to our brains, we are going to all spend way to much time infront of a screen.
What do you think?
For more:
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/horrifying-chart-reveals-daily-screen-time-by-country-87217428174.html
What do you think?
For more:
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/horrifying-chart-reveals-daily-screen-time-by-country-87217428174.html
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