Clashes

Nervous glances, furtive smiles;
Overt barbs covered in snow.
Fanciful dances upon zestful buds.
Parries and lunges. Spilt water.

Collected drops that form small rings,
That expand and run into the laps
Of the pieces. Sacrifice the pawn.
Qh5. Game over?

Nepal: Pre-trip

This Friday I head to Nepal.

I may not be able to write every day while I am in Nepal, but I will do my best.

Anticipation, yes; expectations, no!

I have no idea what to expect. I am giddy about the idea of having another new experience.

Even though I am learning a great deal here at graduate school, it is important for me to remember that I know so little and that will never change.

Sidenote: I am watching Makers on PBS right now, and want to point out how ridiculous it is that some anti-abortion groups turned to violence. What is pro-life about firebombing an abortion clinic?

Back to Nepal!

I can't wait to look out my window on the approach to Kathmandu! My camera will be prepped and ready, but I am not sure if my optic nerve will be able to process it. Hopefully the experience will generate additional synapses in my brain and allow me to see things better!

Staying curious; loving life!

Healthy Level of Skepticism

One downside to critical thinking may be cynicism...

When you question everything enough, even rose gardens could begin to look like invasive species planted by those with aristocratic tendencies.

Don't get me wrong, the ability to think critically and creatively is essential. A lot of things need to be changed, and that will require a critical mass of problems solvers.

But every now and then, even those who want to change the world need to relax and enjoy a nice view and some casual time with friends. Otherwise, they may burn out, or run the risk of losing the belief that the world is worth changing.

Egocentrism

Egocentrism is not something that just goes away after adolescence. Every experience you have, or have had, is processed by you in a novel manner. So in some ways, your thoughts, ideas, misconceptions, beliefs, relationships, do revolve around your interpretations of the world. You cannot detach yourself from this reality.

However, what you can do is balance your own views, with sincere relationships with others. Be observant! Take into account peoples' reactions to your actions. I am not advocating for conforming to the norm. People need to understand that cost-benefit analyses of their behavior should incorporate the effects of the externalities generated from their actions. I will not go so far to say that the butterfly effect is real, but it is easy to see that your actions can definitely cause a ripple effect at least two to three degrees away from yourself. 

I think that in order to generate shared or blended value, we need to think about everything we do at least three degrees of separation away from ourselves.

For example, a person chooses to smoke indoors. That causes harm to others one degree out. 

A company pays people minimum wage. That is legal and fine one degree out, but at the second degree, if that person has a kid to take care of (maybe more), suddenly, we see that minimum wage simply isn't enough.

Three degrees! World bank gives money to the government of a developing country. Let's assume the government is not corrupt and spends the money on health and education. But the teachers and healthcare workers have not been properly trained.

What is clear is that analysis at one degree of separation is not enough, and can cause a great deal of damage to the future of humanity.

Friends

A friend is someone who you respect. If your action may affect them, then it should affect your decision. If you ask them for favors, then you should intend to return those favors.

My friend's are more important to me than I am to myself. Our friendship makes each of us stronger. There is no scale; there is no balance sheet. I build my friendships on reciprocity. One-sided friendships...or relationships...just don't work.

Yes, I may have just repackaged a Beatles song into less poetic prose, but I rely on my friends.

So, here's one for my loudest critics, my magic mirrors, my friends!

Congratulations Jess

I just want to send out a congratulations to my sister.

She has just been admitted to UCLA's M.Arch. program.

Her commitment to her passion is admirable and recognizable.

Your growth will be great.

I look forward to watching your passion take shape, and your visions to become realities.

Here is to the dreamers, the creators, and those that reinvent the way we interact with the world around us.

Love!

Debates and Questions

Just as an exercise, find someone who wants to explore a couple of these questions. It is a good learning experience.

When debates reach levels of abstraction that are unrealistic do they lose their value?

When assumptions are not rigorously tested in a variety of manners, can they ever be considered fact? Can anything be fact?

What is a healthy level of inquiry? When do you have to suddenly enter the realm of faith?

What causes change? Does culture propel or hinder change? I believe that depending on the context, it could do both.

Do you think commitment to hard work was at it's origin exogenous or endogenous?

Congratulations

I just wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate my friends Erika, Alex, Hemant, Reddy, and Saad on winning the Vanderbilt Global Health Case Competition this year. 

Good luck in Atlanta! 

Questions

So much potential: http://www.fastcoexist.com/1679201/fungi-discovered-in-the-amazon-will-eat-your-plastic

Let's go a couple steps further. If this mushroom can process plastic, then what can process this mushroom, and what long term effects will this have on the food chain? Can the toxins of the mushroom be boiled out of it? Are these mushrooms tasty? Could they be the next big ingredient? The key to progress are creative questions, that are rigorously tested and then run through the production line creating jobs. VALUE!

A take on wealth

Wealth is fine, in fact it is great and necessary, what I can't stand is dormant and devalued wealth.

For example, I read a little article about Gronkowski's $10k bar tab. I love how he spent $10k, what I don't appreciate is how that of that $10k the majority of that undoubtedly went to the club owner, and where will that go? Most likely, nowhere meaningful. So does this prove once again that trickle down simply doesn't work? Maybe I'm wrong, but when was the last time Casino's were known for their social conscious.

If wealth begets wealth, then where the initial wealth came from, and where the resulting wealth goes needs be considered.

George Washington Carver

Just imagine a world in which everyone aspired to be like George Washington Carver?

He innovated because he was curious and because he wanted to help others (more specifically, former slaves).

I am not going to claim that everyone has the capacity to be George Washington Carver, but I am advocating for innovators to seek more than fame and fortune, because then he/she may become satisfied after one innovation, when he/she had the ability to be a serial innovator.

"He could have added fortune to fame, but caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world." - George Washington Carver's Epitaph

Valentine's Day

Love is sweet. I love so much and so many. Love is contagious. It is one of the few thing that is inherently regenerative. If you love another, it builds both of your capacities to love. I am not talking about hear shaped chocolates, I am talking sincere positive emotion attached to another. Spreading love (not lust or obsession) is a healthy addiction. So on that note:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdB-8eLEW8g

End Goals

In order to design a plan you need a goal. Whether it is for a business, a fundraising effort, a non-profit organization, an education policy.

You need to firmly establish what you are trying to accomplish, and a vision of success. Yes, there are stories about people sort of just stumbling into an opportunity and it takes off. They EXCEED THEIR WILDEST EXPECTATIONS, but another way to look at this is that the person simply didn't see or consider the full potential of an idea.

For example, if I were to set a goal to help empower 1,000,000 students (and if this number is attainable, then 10 million should not be out of the question) with critical thinking skills, and  access to additional social capital, I should not be satisfied with 750,000. Nobody should think big, then turn around and be satisfied with bigger than other people's expectations.

At the end of the day we are all primarily accountable to ourselves. We have to directly address the fact that we are great at self-ingratiation, and not that great at self-criticism.

1am

Taking the day off. I need sleep! I don't have the energy to type up another loaded tirade.

However, in the land of machines, will there be a place for humans? Although the matrix is a little absurd, automation will only continue to supplant the need for labor unless our education systems can train students to be innovative and adaptive.

Capitalism and Free Markets

I am not against capitalism and free markets. I believe that in theory all truly voluntary transactions produce social value. I also believe that the natural paradox that arises from competition and collaboration is one of the most dynamic and powerful forces towards innovation and creativity.

However, when people begin to exploit and protect comparative advantage by actively impeding competition and access to information is when neoliberal theory begins to break down for me. If the various actors in free markets maintained their comparative advantage through further innovation and creativity then I might buy into capitalism; however, inventing one thing then patenting it and keeping the information from competitors and the public, not only impedes progress, it calls into question economic theory, which relies upon rational theory and equal access to information.

Take business negotiation as an example. The person with access to more information has a much better chance of receiving a larger share of the value from any agreement. Yes, the net impact is often positive in this situation, but one party certainly gains more at the direct expense of the other party involved. Simple thought experiment: if all parties involved in a transaction shared all information AFTER the agreement were made, would both parties still be satisfied with the outcome? I suspect that this answer most likely would be no. If I negotiate with a first grader, I can probably get a lot more than I am giving up. Hopefully, most people would agree that this is unfair, but why? Is it the age difference, or that the 1st grader doesn't have the same cognitive abilities, or base of information? If it is the latter scenario, then we should apply the same judgment to anybody that exploit unequal access to information to gain a more favorable outcome for themselves.

When economic activity isn't voluntary, is often irrational, exploits inequality, and is primarily dictated by a small portion of the population, then the framework of economic theory begins to erode. Then what is left is rhetoric that is consistently exploited by those who want to protect what they have.

I tend to agree with John Mackey that we need to embrace a concept of "conscious capitalism" and begin to disassociate the market from the practice of ripping people off and hiding behind flawed theory.

Just take the time.

Evory wird ien thiis sntence iss mispeled buut yu prolly cen undersatnd whut I'em triying ot sey.

All it takes is a little bit of effort, and maybe a question, to understand someone else. How come it seems like so few of us make the attempt?

Did you muddle your way through that first sentence? Why? Did it seem like a challenge? Were you curious?

Regardless, you were somehow motivated to figure out what it was I was trying to say. Analyze that decision, and apply that same rational to trying to understand others from different backgrounds other than your own.

Romance

I believe in true love and romance! I believe that in any major metropolitan city there are at least 1000 women that I would be perfectly happy dating in the short-term, 100 of them for a long time, and 25 who, given the right circumstances, I might consider marrying.

That is my romantic estimate.

Realistically, this number is actually many times larger given the number of left-leaning, intelligent, attractive women in the world.

INFURIATING

Corrections Corporation of America

About Us (http://www.cca.com/about/) - We care so little about the citizens that we imprison, that we never once refer to them as anything other than inmates and offenders! We profit off of the incarceration of AMERICAN CITIZENS.

While I debate financial, competitive, and equitable reforms in education policy; I am always left wondering what percentage of it all is just rhetoric? I mean, this country has spent 6 times more on prisons than higher education...(http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/03/opinion/bloom-prison-spending).

When our current financial models would seem to suggest that it is more profitable to invest in prisons than people, they should be scrapped. When a society provides financial incentives to corporations to keep their cells full -- a.k.a. revoke people's freedom (in it's most literal and physical form), how can the same society ever hope to promote equitable education policy?

Also, just as a side note, kids in juvenile detention centers don't take the TIMSS or PISA tests...hmm...I wonder how they would affect the United States' mean Reading, Math and Science scores?

Our failing education system is clearly not just affecting our future workforce; it is having a dramatic effect on social justice as well (http://www.all4ed.org/blog/new_pew_report).

Just the idea...

Is this a first world concept?

For instance, I have an old pair of boxers that has been washed pretty much every time I have used them; so, they are very clean. But the thought of using them as a rag to clean surfaces is a bit unsettling...right?

I mean, just the idea of something that covered your gender distinctive physicality to be used as a sanitary towel seems unclean.

I wonder what percentage of people in the world would actually feel this way... This concept of rejecting the act of recycling products for other uses seems like a bit of a luxury... Or should this be the end goal... Should we aspire to help everyone reach this level of analysis...?

I don't know, but hyper-sensitivity to minor ideas certainly feels like a first world problem.

Fear

Why does the US give billions to fight HIV/AIDS when Pneumonia and Diarrhea are the primary causes of child mortality?

I suspect that it might be fear.

The US is very well prepared to deal with most diseases, but HIV/AIDS continues to pose a serious threat to our sense of security.

Therefore, by eradicating the spread of this terrifying epidemic, our nation may perceive this as a blended value proposition. Containment keeps us safe.

Because we don't perceive easily treatable diseases as threats, helping others overcome these health concerns is seen as charity or a political gesture of diplomacy. There may be no perceived public benefit in addressing issues abroad that are not also domestic problems. Is saving millions of lives not a valuable enough proposition?

It becomes valuable when you begin to think of these problems as long-term investments. The next generation could be our new trade partners. They could become contributing members to the global economy and expand the global GDP by trillions of dollars. However, in order to see these tangible results would require patience, which is a trait that most of us lack.

But, if it takes a cause like HIV/AIDS to get us to care, then it is certainly better than nothing!

Listen and Learn. Don't Lecture

Let me start off by saying that I am still learning this lesson!

Here are some quick notes about this.

If you are too verbose, the person you are talking to (not with) will most likely (a) lose interest or (b) get lost.

You may come off as an arrogant know it all.

If you don't listen to others, you are missing the entire point of social interaction.

You most likely don't know any better than anyone else. You just know differently.

PREACH, PREACH, PREACH: RECIPROCAL RELATIONSHIPS! But in reality, if relationships are unbalanced and are not reciprocal, then the result will be suboptimal. This imbalance may manifest itself in the form of boredom, arguments, sadness, bitterness, divorce, etc.

Sum-Sum

The key feature of the mission-driven, microfinance banks that I am most impressed with is the intrinsic blended value of the loan itself.

When the banks' profits are directly tied to the success of the borrowers. They recognize the value that the borrowers bring to the business relationship, and do not view them purely as customers. By  turning borrowers into stakeholders, and encouraging their participation in the companies' decisions about lending practices, they are demonstrating true commitment to social ownership and their social mission.

Ok, back to work...

Commitment

Dreams, goals, aspirations...blah, blah, blah... 

You should be looking for something you want to commit yourself to because ideas, organizations, and groups that you are only casually involved with, will not only eventually become dull, but they will suffer from your non-committal.

Isn't there a phrase about giving 100% or nothing? Well that is nonsense. Just be upfront about what you can give. For example, if someone asks me to help on a project and I tell them I can give them an hour a week, I will give them 100% for an hour, but that certainly is not 100% of my overall effort.

If you can't make a commitment at all, then don't! I have learned this lesson in a variety of contexts. None of them have been fair to at least one other party involved. 

If it is a relationship, then it is unfair to the more committed partner(s). 

If it is in a company, then it is only fair to you and your employer for you to quit! Life is not meant to be lived in a half-despondent state.

But the worst is doing things halfway, but claiming otherwise.

Ads revisited

Superbowl ads just make me sad. Things that aren't offensive are blown out of proportion, and things that should be offensive are ignored. Sexism...still kind of ok apparently, but anything that could possibly be construed as racism causes controversy.

Also, does anybody else take issue with the blatant exploitation of our patriotism? Or even worse, that the corporate world believes that the American dream is consumerism, rather than justice and freedom? (Even worse, is the corporate world right?)

And all the food commercials were for unhealthy fast food, or yet another sports drink (Mio) that claims to be filled with nutritional ingredients like Polysorbate 60.

But hey at least our grandfathers and grandmothers are setting a good example by acting like 20 year olds. Living the dream... (See above).

Are advertisements a reflection of true market demands, or are they simply false representations of reality?

When Beyonce can wear practically nothing and gyrate her hips in a very sensual manner, but a commercial doesn't allow a child to accurately describe child birth our nation's morals are clearly muddled.

Also, when advertisements for alcohol are shown pretty much every commercial break, how can we expect high school students not to try drinking? Pitbull loves to drink, the most interesting man alive clearly wouldn't be that way without Dos Equis, and pirates wouldn't be pirates without rum...duh.

We need better role models in our ads, our shows, our lives!

Accidents and Mishaps...

are hilarious.

Given the right context, anything can be funny. Recreating that context is difficult.

Superficiality in the moment is often overlooked, but upon reflection, its vapid nature is revealed.

Ummm... I like burritos.

Who are the most influential people in your life? My parents, Lincoln, and Da Vinci.

Well-to-do means F&*#ING RICH!

Chicken and Waffles never made sense to me, until I ate them. Somethings are really just meant to be experienced.

The best part of waking up is anything but Folger's in your cup.

I like the analytical aspects of poker, the psychological field experiments, the purveyors of truth and dishonesty, and the spectrum of human fallacy. Without money, these elements disappear. Proof that extrinsic motivation can in many instances be the impetus for intrinsic motivation.

Sweeping generalizations about motivation are dangerous. If you find something that motivates you, run with it!

Dialogue: Gender Inequity

Men and women are not the same. Inequalities run both directions. In order to address gender inequity, we, as two distinct genders, need to engage in discussions built upon humility and mutual respect. The goals of these conversations should be to form a deep understanding of each other. If most conversations about gender occur within each group (e.g. males with males and females with females), how can we hope to unify our differences?

Suggestion.

Read this: http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/10-secrets-male-mind.htm, then start a conversation with someone of the opposite gender about it.