Awesome Halloween Math Lecture

I wish my college math teachers had been this cool:



Happy Halloween!

(Video link via Cynical-C.)

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Update on the Update

The slew of changes required to divide my blogging and podcasting output into distinct streams has gone remarkably well so far. (I planned out the process pretty meticulously, thankfully!) It's now 1 am, so I'm headed to bed. Just know that -- for the moment -- my various web sites are something of a mess. I'll be able to get everything into working order tomorrow -- Saturday, that is.

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The Button

Oh dear, a moral puzzle goes awry.

The Button - watch more funny videos

Heh. (Via Trey Givens.)

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Streams

I'd planned to record and post my next podcast on design arguments for the existence of God today, but I've decided to delay that until Monday. (I won't have an Explore Atlas Shrugged podcast for Monday. We canceled the Front Range Objectivism Atlas Shrugged Reading Group meetings yesterday due to the snowstorm.)

In the meantime, I'm using the break to massively re-organize my blogging and podcasting output into distinctive streams, based on the nature of the content, with NoodleFood as the river that incorporates everything else. I need to separate out my future career -- that's the practical advice, which I aim to do on radio -- from my other projects and interests. More generally, the division into streams will allow me to market my output more effectively to various groups of people. People will be able to subscribe to all and only what interests them -- whether one or two things or the whole enchilada.

For now, I am creating three distinct streams:

• "Rationally Selfish Radio" will now designate just my "practical advice on living well" podcasting. I'll also blog on those issues a few times per week.
  
  
• My philosophy teaching files podcasts, as well as the podcasting that I plan to do on my dissertation, as well as any blogging on standard philosophical topics, will be collected under the banner of "PhiloFiles."
  
  
• The podcasts and discussion questions for Explore Atlas Shrugged, as well as future podcasts and resources for studying Ayn Rand's fiction and philosophy, will continue to be gathered at Explore Ayn Rand.

As I mentioned, NoodleFood will be the river into which all of these streams feed. It will also include other side-interests of mine, like paleo-ish eating, political activism, and funny cat videos. So everything that appears in any of the above streams will be reproduced on NoodleFood. All of my podcasts -- on any and all topics -- will be gathered into a single "NoodleCast" feed.

So if you want everything, you just need to stick with NoodleFood. Also, I should be able to transfer everyone now subscribed to current "Rationally Selfish Radio" podcast feed to the new NoodleCast feed, so you'll continue to get everything. Basically, I want the transition to be totally seamless for all of my existing followers. If not -- if something seems amiss on Monday, when everything should be settled -- please just drop me an e-mail.

Also, I should mention that this update will fix the problem of the wrong dates on podcasts in iTunes that resulted in them being listed out-of-order. (The otherwise excellent Feedburner was the cause of the problem, but I can side-step it by using a nice little program called Feeder to create my podcast feeds, rather than using Blogger.)

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Fame and Fortune!

Fame and fortune are just around the corner for me, I'm sure! My picture of the poorly-worded sign at Littleton Hospital was posted to the "blog" of "unnecessary" quotation marks! (They must have quite a backlog of submissions, as I sent that to them in late August.) I'm so pleased!

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Objectivist Roundup

The latest Objectivist Roundup has been posted to Three Ring Binder. Go check it out!

Also, I'm hosting next week, so my OBloggers are hereby required to write something extra-spiffy!

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Snow, Snow, and More Snow in Colorado

We're in a bit of a snowstorm right now in Denver. It began snowing on Tuesday night, and it's expected to snow until this evening. The result? About a foot so far. Yikes! Paul and I have lived in Colorado since 2001, and we've never experienced a snowy fall like this one. It's our fifth snow so far! (I blame global warming.)

Here's the view from our front door as of yesterday afternoon around 2:30 pm. That's a fence, a gate, and a clematis vine loaded with snow.



Here's the same view as of this morning. We've got a bit more snow, eh?



Then we have Conrad, who had tons of fun running around in the snow this morning. After being cooped up all day yesterday, he had lots of energy to burn off!



And here's the front of our house. Yes, that is a glacier forming on our roof.

Thankfully, Paul is off work today. We'll have to dig out in time for him to go to work tomorrow though.

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United They Fell

The Objectivism Seminar is working through Dr. Leonard Peikoff's all-too-topical book, The Ominous Parallels. In it, he explores what gave rise to to the fascist, totalitarian regime of Nazi Germany -- and analyzes whether and how a fascist, totalitarian regime could emerge here in America.

Our focus this week was Chapter 7, "United They Fell" -- a reference to Germans' widespread agreement on important fundamentals despite often fierce political differences that were evident as they strove to create a new, constitutional republic. Topics we discussed included:

• A tour of the political diversity in both means and ends that was present as Germans drew up their nations new, republican constitution: the four major groups forming two broad coalitions in the Wiemar Assembly -- and the two paralleling major groups in the "street".
• How despite the seeming ideological diversity, all of the major groups battling to shape Germany's new government nonetheless shared the same essential ideas in epistemology (anti-reason, mysticism), ethics (sacrificial, altruistic), and politics (anti-capitalist, collectivist). They argued fiercely, even violently, over more derivative matters: In the formal discussions of the Wiemar Assembly, in the end the marxist Social Democrats and their allies sought state control of the economy for the benefit of the lower classes -- versus the conservative/monarchical Nationalists who sought state control of the economy for the benefit of the upper classes. And at the same time the major parties active in the "street" were more pure in their desired ends, and more direct in their means to achieving them: the Communists fought for an all-powerful state to determine the fate of individuals' lives, versus the Free Corps who fought for an all-powerful ruler who would determine the fate of individuals' lives.
• And much more...

The chapter closes:

Wherever the German turned -- to the left, to the right, to the center; to the decorous voices in parliament or to the gutters running with blood -- he heard the same fundamental ideas. They were the same in politics, the same in ethics, the same in epistemology.

This is how philosophy shapes the destiny of nations. If there is no dissent in regard to basic principles among a country's leading philosophic minds, theirs are the principles that come in time to govern every social and political group in the land. Owing to other factors, the groups may proliferate and may contend fiercely over variants, applications, strategy; but they do not contend over essentials. In such a case, the country is offered an abundance of choices -- among equivalents competing to push it to the same final outcome.

It is common for observers to criticize the "disunity" of Weimar Germany, which, it is said, prevented the anti-Nazi groups from dealing effectively with the threat posed by Hitler. In fact, the Germans were united, and this precisely was their curse: their kind of unity, their unity on all the things that count in history, i.e., on all the ideas.

If this sounds interesting, you can listen in on the podcast -- just download the session's MP3 directly, or listen to it with the little player on the right, or subscribe to the podcast series over on the Seminar's TalkShoe page. And if you have something to ask or add, please do pick up the book and join the discussion! We meet at 8:00pm Mountain on Mondays, for about an hour.

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RSR: Episode #20: Noticing Change

Hooray! I've just posted Episode #20. It's a bit of an experiment for me, as you'll hear.

In this episode, I discuss the error of expecting a spouse or lover to notice some change about you -- and the proper approach.

Listen Now

11:08 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (5.4 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (5.2 MB)

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Aristotle on the Mean

One of my past-fellow philosophy graduate students at Boulder recent reported on the following response to a quiz question:

Question: "Illustrate the Doctrine of the Mean using the virtue of courage."

Response: "Too little courage makes you cowardly. Too much courage makes you an asshole."

Ha!

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Wednesday Open Thread #107

Here's yet another Open Thread for your thoughts:

For anyone in the fiery grip of a random question, comment, joke, or link they'd like to share with NoodleFood readers, I hereby open up the comments on this post to any respectable topic. (Please refrain from posting personal attacks, pornographic material, and commercial solicitations.)

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Yaron Brook in Atlanta

Mark your calendars, Georgians!

Dr. Yaron Brook will be speaking in Atlanta on Tuesday, November 3rd at 7:00pm. The title of the talk is "Capitalism Without Guilt: The Moral Case for Freedom". In this talk Dr. Brook will argue that today’s crisis is a failure of the un-free market, and explain why the free market has taken the blame for a crisis caused by government intervention.

The event is hosted by the Georgia Tech Students of Objectivism. The talk is located on Georgia Tech's campus in the Instructional Center room 105.

There is no RSVP required, please contact dhthomps@gatech.edu with any questions.

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NoodleCast #19: Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 4

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com. They aim to be of help to people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as to anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 1, Chapters 7 (Part B) - 8

• Part 1: Chapter 7: The Exploiters and the Exploited (Sections 5-9)
  
• Part 1: Chapter 8: The John Galt Line

Or:

• Pages 185-252 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 178-241 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

66:38 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (31.4 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (30.5 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Chapter 7: The Exploiters and the Exploited

Section 5: 185-92

• What is Dr. Stadler's basic modus operandi? What motivates him to act as he does? How does he view other people? Why did he found the State Science Institute? (185-92)

Section 6: 192-7

• Why does Dagny choose to take on the burden of completing the Rio Norte Line alone? What are the basic terms of the deal she offers Jim? Is the deal just or not? (193-5)

Section 7: 197-201

• Why is Francisco D'Anconia so pained by Dagny's request for investment? Why does he refuse to help her? Why does his attitude change so dramtically in the middle of the conversation? What is Dagny's response to that change? (197-201)

Section 8: 201-5

• What does Rearden reveal about his feelings for Dagny when she suggests that he has only ever thought of her as a man? Why does Dagny think that of him? Why does Hank think of his feelings for Dagny as a betrayal of her? (204-5)

Section 9: 205-216

• What is the basic moral difference between the request of Mrs. Rearden and the request of Mr. Ward to Hank Rearden? Why does Hank refuse the former yet work hard to satisfy the latter? (206-213)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 1: Chapter 8: The John Galt Line

Section 1: 217-8

• Why does Eddie feel like a stooge for Jim Taggart? In what way is that feeling right? (218)

Section 2: 219-21

• What does Dagny's longing for "a consciousness like her own" reveal about her romantic ideal? Why doesn't Francisco or Hank satisfy that longing? (220)

Section 3: 221-7

• How does Rearden's sale of his ore mines to Paul Larkin differ from his sale of his coal mines to Ken Dannager? What do these transactions reveal about each man? (221-4)

Section 4: 227-33

• What kind of ideas and values motivate and guide the opinions of laymen and intellectuals about Rearden Metal? (227-9)
  
• What kind of game is the delegate of the Union of Locomotive Engineers attempting to play with Dagny? How does she block it? (231-2)

Section 5: 233-6

• What does Rearden's claim that he will earn enormous profits yet benefit the public with his metal reveal about his view of the interests of producers and consumers? (235)

Section 6: 236-9

• How is the opening of the John Galt Line a true celebration for Dagny -- unlike her debut ball as a young woman? (236-9)

Section 7: 239-242

• What does Ayn Rand reveal about her view of the proper relationship between mind and body in the first run of the John Galt Line? (241, 243, 245-6)
  
• What permits Hank Rearden to express his desire for Dagny? What is Dagny's motivation for the affair with Hank? Why is their sex so violent? (250-2)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

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Children and Death

This morning, some of the good folks on OGrownups are discussing the best ways of helping children understand and deal with death. The discussion is quite excellent, and here's my small contribution, in response to a question about how to help kids overcome worry about the death of their own parents:

It might be helpful to tell you children what would happen to them if you died. Your kids are utterly dependent on you -- and they know that. Unless you tell them, they might suppose that they'd need to somehow fend for themselves -- or do something equally unrealistic. They might be worried about what would happen to the family pets, or whether siblings might be split up. However, if they know that they (plus the cat) would all go live with nice Uncle Bob and Aunt Judy, that might help alleviate some of the worry.

In essence, some of the anxiety might be more about themselves than about you! That's all well and good, of course. They should be thinking about their future.

If you're interested in these kinds of discussions, come join OGrownups! You need to be an Objectivist to post, but not to lurk.

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Link-O-Rama

Bible Quote Tattoo is a major Theology FAIL.

The flag of the Benin Empire (a pre-colonial African state situated in modern Nigeria that lasted from 1440 until 1897) just howls "nation of peace." Or maybe not.

Man Sues Hanes for defective underwear causing injury to his penis. The uh... probing... questions asked by Elie Mystal of Above the Law are just beyond hysterical. The site is safe for work, but don't get caught crying with laughter by the office prude. You won't want to have to explain yourself.

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Podcast Report

I'm delighted to report that I'm currently averaging over 550 downloads per episode of Rationally Selfish Radio. My traffic is growing in a very nice upward direction, and I've only just begun to promote the podcast.

Hooray me!

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The Complexity of the Conceptual Mind

Paul and I just returned from a few days in sunny Southern California. (We visited his family in Los Angeles, including a delightfully talkative three-year-old niece Amanda and a new-to-us nine-month-old nephew Jeremy.) I'm definitely not ready for Monday, so I'm going to allow someone else to do my work for me with this post.

A few months ago, Kevin McAllister posted a really stellar analysis of the roots of his problem with work-avoidance on his blog, Logical Disconnect. The post is entitled Overload and a Coke. I'd planned to comment on it, but much of what I had to say ended up in my podcast on cultivating concentration.

In any case, the post is well worth reading in its entirety, as it's an excellent example of the importance of introspection about such problems -- and the good results thereof. Happily, Kevin gave me permission to repost it. So that's what I'm doing. (Thanks, Kevin! My Monday morning bacon is hereby saved!)

Without further ado, here is Kevin's post: Overload and a Coke:

I have just made an important discovery about my mental limitations and my response to them. I've confirmed something I had already known, that my mental stack for sub-tasks is finite. For a while I've been troubled occasionally by a nearly overwhelming emotional need to do anything else besides my current work. For a few months now I have been seeking, opportunistically, to understand this emotional state because it seemed completely at odds with my goals and my usual relentless need to understand things.

The idea here is there are often tasks that have hidden or unrealized requirements. An example is you start out to vacuum the rug, and you need to clean up the clutter and move furniture, but when you move the furniture you discover that the leg on the chair is so loose that it is unsafe, so you go to repair it only to find that your out of wood glue and finishing nails. And to make it to the hardware store you need to stop and get gas and go to the ATM for cash. So when you originally set out to vacuum the rug you never would have said, okay well I'd better go get gas and some cash before I get started. I've heard this phenomena referred to as yak shaving. But I think most people have experienced this, and typically the stacks of additional tasks don't get too deep. However, in my work it is nearly a daily occurrence that my projects uncover things I could never have known until the work was begun. Some block your progress and some don't, some are big, but some are small. I've found it's the small ones that block your progress that were really stacking up on me and causing a problem.

If it is a big problem, meaning a full project in it's own right, and is not blocking my current progress, I simply make a note that this new thing needs to be done too and continue on my way. Even if it blocks my progress, I'll go ahead and shelve the first task and take on the second one. But if it is a small problem and blocking my progress, I just switch to this new task, and try to mentally retain all the context that got me there. Generally this works, but, often my extra tasks go down so deep that I reach a point where it is impossible to retain the whole context. This mental overload is real, and painful, and I've been dealing with it all wrong.

When I reach this point of mental overload I run away screaming! Well not literally, but I certainly do try and do anything else. Suddenly it seems like checking my email, or going to get a coke at the vending machine is the most important thing in the world. I think there are other factors in play as well, such as, if the driving project behind these sub-tasks is something that is only mildly interesting or something I loathe then the threshold for the number of sub-tasks I am willing to endure is much smaller.

The breakthrough in my thinking was realizing that this overwhelming need to go find and clean my white tennis shoes was in direct response to learning I had yet another task to be pushed onto the stack. So the emotional response was because I was no longer able to hold the whole of my current task in my head, and I have now set up a contradiction.

I know the thing I am doing is important and more important than the new thing because it is bigger and implies the new thing, so to prevent myself from losing the broader context I will not work on the new sub-task so I don't lose any of the important details of the super task. But I also know that I cannot proceed on the broader task without working on the sub-task. As this contradiction leaves me nothing to actually do I might as well get a coke and avoid the whole irresolvable mess.

Now this has been a source of guilt and loss of productivity for me for a while because when in that mess I'm not making progress on my project. But from David Allen and Jean Moroney I've already learned the solution to mental overload. That is to write things down.

So the strategy I've just developed is when I recognize this feeling to stop and ask myself, "Are you overloaded?" If the answer is yes, then I simply need to write down the context I am in danger of losing. At this time I suspect that will consist of a list of the outstanding tasks that are standing in my mind.

If the answer to that question is not, yes, I have a backup question that has helped me with procrastination before that is, "What do you want?" I mean this in a broad way, basically, it helps me bring to mind the reasons behind undertaking the tasks in the first place.

Any similar stories to tell? Post them in the comments!

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Recap #64

This week on We Stand FIRM, the blog of FIRM: Freedom and Individual Rights in Medicine:

• Monday, October 19, 2009: Gratzer's Broadside by Paul Hsieh, MD
  
• Monday, October 19, 2009: A Small Positive by Paul Hsieh, MD
  
• Tuesday, October 20, 2009: Hillman: Kiss Your Money And Freedom Goodbye by Paul Hsieh, MD
  
• Wednesday, October 21, 2009: Swiss Update by Paul Hsieh, MD
  
• Thursday, October 22, 2009: To Cut Your Health Insurance Costs, Move by Paul Hsieh, MD
  
• Friday, October 23, 2009: Catron: The AMA's Quisling Strategy by Paul Hsieh, MD

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Sunday Open Thread #106

Here's yet another Open Thread for your thoughts:

For anyone in the fiery grip of a random question, comment, joke, or link they'd like to share with NoodleFood readers, I hereby open up the comments on this post to any respectable topic. (Please refrain from posting personal attacks, pornographic material, and commercial solicitations.)

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Marshmallow Test

Ah yes, the sweet allure of sugar combined with the cuteness of children in the marshmallow test.

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

I must admit that I have mixed feelings about the video. The kids are super-cute, but that kind of attraction to sugar is seriously unhealthy, not just physically but mentally too. I know that too well from my own experience!

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Link-O-Rama

The Invisible Man: A man paints himself so as to blend in with his background. The photos are technically awesome, but highly disturbing as art. (Via The Agitator)

Simon Cowell on Simon Cowell's Dumb Mistakes: I admire a man willing to learn from his own mistakes! (Via Daniel)

How Often Do Women Falsely Cry Rape?: An interesting look at the statistics and problems of false rape accusations.

Playgrounds From the 70's: I'm not sure what I want more -- "a robot that automatically produces fun" or "a miracle barrel of fun" -- if you know what I mean. (That's for fellow fans of "Whose Line Is It Anyway." I miss that show!) I actually really like the design of the snail on page three.

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Kant Versus America

The Objectivism Seminar is working through Dr. Leonard Peikoff's all-too-topical book, The Ominous Parallels. In it, he explores what gave rise to to the fascist, totalitarian regime of Nazi Germany -- and analyzes whether and how a fascist, totalitarian regime could emerge here in America.

Our focus this week was Chapter 6, "Kant Versus America" -- a reference to the fundamental opposition between core American ideals and German ideological imports. Topics we discussed included:

• German metaphysical idealism coming to America via the transcendentalism of Ralph Waldo Emerson et. al -- an eclectic "literary" version of German romanticism. Then decades of Hegel's purified Kantianism dominating American philosophy departments.
• How some advocates of these ideas were open and clear about their rejection of reason for emotion/intuition/will, while others took the tack of presenting themselves as champions of rationality even while undercutting every essential element of it.
• How advocates of the American system of rights and capitalism tried to find ideological support in classical economics and evolutionary biology -- and how this was ultimately a doomed effort because these are not philosophically fundamental. Mill, Smith, Say, and the rest of the classical economists tried to defend an individualist system while accepting the fundamental moral ideas of its opponents (altruism, collectivism). And on the biological evolution front, Herbert Spencer tried and failed to defend capitalism while adhering to more fundamental ideas which clash with it (advocating a species-based collectivist approach that would be inspiration for Eugenicists, and thinking evolution would eventually eliminate egoism in favor of altruism in humans).
• What Pragmatism is and how it became the main American manifestation of the Kantian trend.
• Why Pragmatists adopt codes of values and political ideas designed by others (non-pragmatists), usually without consciously acknowledging this, through cultural osmosis.
• How Pragmatism was the only 20th century philosophy to gain broad, national acceptance in America (and how this happened through Orwellian twists of meaning and language to sell it to an audience who would otherwise recoil). How it enjoyed a disastrous acceleration by taking over the educational system (Dewey), its prevalence in politics, etc.
• How academic philosophy then all but disappeared in America -- as the "dead end" of the Kantian dichotomy between thought and reality, with the public rightly rejecting the field of philosophy as worthless (even though they nonetheless remained powerfully influenced by philosophy).
• And a lot more...

If this sounds interesting, you can listen in on the podcast -- just download the session's MP3 directly, or listen to it with the little player on the right, or subscribe to the podcast series over on the Seminar's TalkShoe page. And if you have something to ask or add, please do pick up the book and join the discussion! We meet at 8:00pm Mountain on Mondays, for about an hour.

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Objectivist Roundup

Rule of Reason has the latest Objectivist Roundup. Go check it out!

(Note: I expect to have sub-optimal internet access for the next few days, so posting will be light until Monday.)

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The Sordid Story of the Pixar Lamp

Too funny!

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

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RSR: Episode #18: Romantic Relationships

Hooray! Episode #18 of Rationally Selfish Radio is ready and waiting!

In this episode, I answer three questions on romantic relationships concerning (1) friendship after a failed romance, (2) romance between people of very different philosophies, and (3) managing finances in marriage.

Listen Now

26:46 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (12.7 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (12.3 MB)

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Wednesday Open Thread #105

Here's yet another Open Thread for your thoughts:

For anyone in the fiery grip of a random question, comment, joke, or link they'd like to share with NoodleFood readers, I hereby open up the comments on this post to any respectable topic. (Please refrain from posting personal attacks, pornographic material, and commercial solicitations.)

Read more...

Corrupt Police State

Want a feel for what a corrupt police state looks like? Look no further than broad daylight in Louisiana in 2009.

Josh Wexler, a 30-year-old piano player, said he saw a New Orleans police officer run a stop sign and strike a pedestrian with his car in the French Quarter at 12:45 p.m. Jan. 29.

When the pedestrian raised his hands as if to say, "What are you doing?" the officer rushed out of his vehicle and "angrily" grabbed the startled man, Wexler said. The officer in question, William Torres, reportedly forced the pedestrian to place his hands on the hood of his squad car and reached for his handcuffs as if to arrest him.

Wexler, who was driving behind the police officer, decided to intervene. He got out of his vehicle and told the officer he saw him run the stop sign and hit the pedestrian. Wexler told Torres he had no right to arrest the man.

At this point, Torres reportedly allowed the pedestrian to go free, directed his attention to Wexler and asked, "Do you want a ticket?"

"A ticket for what?" Wexler said. "I didn't do anything."

"It's a simple question. Yes or no. Do you want a ticket?" Torres reportedly responded.

Wexler said he told the officer he had nothing more to say and walked back to his car where he wrote down Torres' name and badge number. Torres followed him.

"You want to write down my name? I'll show you I can write too. Give me your license, insurance, and registration. I know who to harass," Torres reportedly said. Wexler provided Torres with the information but refused to answer further questions.

"If you don't answer my questions, you are going to jail," Torres reportedly threatened.

Eventually, Torres wrote Wexler a ticket for failure to wear a seat belt and left the scene.

A woman who works in the area at the time of the incident verified Wexler's account to CityBusiness but refused to provide her name for fear of police retaliation.

That's only part of the story. Go read the whole thing. Then read the update from Josh Wexler about the response to his complaint. Basically, it was ignored completely. (Via The Agitator.)

Lovely. How many people will simply bow their heads and move on when this corrupt machinery of state is directed toward silencing "troublesome" folks like you and me? Far too many, I think.

Read more...

NoodleCast #17: Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 3

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com. They aim to be of help to people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as to anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 1, Chapters 6-7 (Part A)

• Part 1: Chapter 6: The Non-Commercial
  
• Part 1: Chapter 7: The Exploiters and the Exploited (Sections 1-4)

Or:

• Pages 127-185 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 124-178 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

60:50 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (28.7 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (27.9 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Chapter 6: The Non-Commercial

Section 1 (127-57)

• Why does Rearden find it difficult to motivate himself to play his role in the anniversary party? What is the nature and source of his psychological conflict? (127-31)
  
• What is the Equalization of Opportunity Bill? What is its analog in today's laws? Why do people support it? What is Rearden's attitude toward it -- and why? (130)
  
• How does Hank respond to Dagny at the anniversary party? Why is Dagny disappointed? Why does he respond the way that he does? (137-8, 149-51)
  
• Why is Rearden so angry at the presence of Bertram Scudder? Why does Lillian respond the way that she does to his anger? Why did she invite Scudder? (139)
  
• How does Francisco explain the failure of the San Sebastian Mines to Jim? What kind of moral principles did Francisco adhere to in building the mine? Why was failure the only possible result? (143)
  
• How does Hank Rearden reveal his view of the world in his conversation with Francisco D'Anconia? What is the difference in their basic outlooks? What ideas does Francisco want to arm Hank with? (145-9)
  
• Why does Dagny want the bracelet of Readen Metal from Lillian? Why does Lillian trade it with her? Why does Hank respond to that exchange the way that he does? (155-7)

Section 2 (157-61)

• What is Lillian's view of sex? Why does it torture Hank? Is he right or wrong to accept that torture? (158-60)
  
• Why does Hank now find it impossible to have sex with Lillian? What has changed for him? (160)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Chapter 7: The Exploiters and the Exploited

Section 1: 162-72

• What kind of virtues are required for Dagny's work on the Rio Norte Line? Does she deserve admiration? Why? (162-72)
  
• How are the interests of all the producers in harmony, even though competitors? Why do they help each other? (163, 165-6, 168-9)
  
• Why do Hank and Dangy think that Colorado cannot be stopped? Are they right or wrong? (171)

Section 2: 172-8

• Why does Dagny refuse to debate the question "Is Rearden Metal a lethal product of greed?" (175)

Section 3: 178-82

• What is the fundamental difference in manner between Hank Rearden and Dr. Potter of the State Science Institute? How is Dr. Potter like James Taggart? Why does Rearden refuse to sell Rearden Metal? (178-82)

Section 4: 182-5

• Why does Mr. Mowen now refuse to work with Rearden Metal? What is his method of dealing with contrary public opinion? (182-3)
  
• Why is the State Science Institute's statement on Rearden Metal so unjust? If Rearden Metal is good, why can't the statement be refuted? (183-5)

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LTE on Free Speech

I haven't written a letter to the editor in ages, as my brain has simply been too thoroughly occupied with other work. However, I'm deeply worried about the erosion of free speech in America, so I dashed off this letter to the Denver Post a few days ago. Much to my delight, it was published today:

Re: "A double standard for online speech," Oct. 14 Vincent Carroll column.

Vincent Carroll is right to warn us about the Federal Trade Commission's new regulations on bloggers who review or endorse products. For too long, Americans have ignored the First Amendment in the name of "fairness" by supporting an ever-growing labyrinth of regulations on political campaign speech.

Now the government seeks to bind and gag online speech based on the same egalitarian principles.

The effect will be a frosty chill on all speech. Soon, only those able to afford a gaggle of lawyers will dare speak on any issue more substantive than tomorrow's weather.

In the words of Ayn Rand's hero Francisco D'Anconia, "Brother, you asked for it!"

Diana Hsieh, Sedalia

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Hong Kong Vs. Typhoon

This time lapse video of "Typhoon 'Nangka' over Hong Kong" made me appreciate the power of storms -- and the power of men's ability to build cities capable of withstanding them:



The final minute when the lights of the Hong Kong come alive is especially beautiful.

Plus it made me think of Francisco d'Anconia's words to Hank Rearden in Atlas Shrugged, Part 1, Chapter 5:

"It's a terrible night for any animal caught unprotected on that plain," said Francisco d'Anconia. "This is when one should appreciate the meaning of being a man..."

"You stood here and watched the storm with the greatest pride one can ever feel -- because you are able to have summer flowers and half-naked women in your house on a night like this, in demonstration of your victory over that storm. And if it weren't for you, most of those who are here would be left helpless at the mercy of that wind in the middle of some such plain..."

(Video link via Maximizing Progress.)

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Clever Homeless Signs

Although I don't give out money to panhandlers, some of them do use clever signs.

And as Steven Malanga reports, the successful techniques are often disseminated across the country via the internet.

(Via Found On The Web.)

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Armstrong LTE Workshop

On October 6, 2009, Ari Armstrong held a workshop for local activists interested in improving their skills at writing LTEs (letters to the editor).

His own detailed blog post can be found here at, "Activism and Writing Letters to the Editor".

I'd also like to highlight his two short videos discussing the principles and techniques of effective LTE writing:

Part 1



Part 2



Using these techniques, the activists in Front Range Objectivism have had LTEs published in our regional newspapers, including the Denver Post, Colorado Springs Gazette, Boulder Daily Camera, Fort Collins Coloradan, Pueblo Chieftain, and (before it folded), The Rocky Mountain News.

We have also had multiple LTEs published in national and major regional publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Boston Globe, and Los Angeles Times.

Anyone who want to refine their LTE writing skills should also read the following:

"How to Write an Effective Letter to the Editor" (Ayn Rand Institute)

"12 Tips for Letter Writers" (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

Thank you, Ari, for organizing this workshop!

(For more information, see Ari's blog post "Activism and Writing Letters to the Editor".)

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Recap #63

This week on We Stand FIRM, the blog of FIRM: Freedom and Individual Rights in Medicine:

• Monday, October 12, 2009: Will The Baucus Plan Really Save Money? by Paul Hsieh, MD
  
• Monday, October 12, 2009: The Stressed German Model by Paul Hsieh, MD
  
• Monday, October 12, 2009: The Price of A Life in Massachusetts by Paul Hsieh, MD
  
• Tuesday, October 13, 2009: The Truth About The Baucus Bill by Paul Hsieh, MD
  
• Tuesday, October 13, 2009: The Benefits of Tort Reform by Paul Hsieh, MD
  
• Wednesday, October 14, 2009: Dental Denial by Paul Hsieh, MD
  
• Wednesday, October 14, 2009: Government Air by Paul Hsieh, MD
  
• Thursday, October 15, 2009: Hsieh in Heartland Health Care News by Paul Hsieh, MD
  
• Thursday, October 15, 2009: Brook: Capturing the Moral High Ground by Paul Hsieh, MD
  
• Friday, October 16, 2009: The Medical State of the Union by Paul Hsieh, MD
  
• Sunday, October 18, 2009: Free Market Referrals by Paul Hsieh, MD

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Sunday Open Thread #104

Here's yet another Open Thread for your thoughts:

For anyone in the fiery grip of a random question, comment, joke, or link they'd like to share with NoodleFood readers, I hereby open up the comments on this post to any respectable topic. (Please refrain from posting personal attacks, pornographic material, and commercial solicitations.)

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New OList E-mail List: OEvolve

I'm delighted to announce the creation of a new OList.com e-mail list for paleo-ish Objectivists (and lurkers) to share information and resources: OEvolve. You can sign up to the Google Group here, but please be sure to peruse this basic information on the list before doing so:

OEvolve @ OList.com

OEvolve is an informal private mailing list for Objectivists and others interested in the proper application of evolutionary principles to diet, fitness, and health. Its basic purpose is to facilitate discussion and information-sharing amongst Objectivists about the practical sciences of cooking, nutrition, fitness, health, and more.

Any Objectivist committed to eating an evolutionary-based diet may participate in OEvolve. Such diets encompass low-carb, paleo, and traditional diets -- including Cordain's Paleo Diet, Sears' Zone Diet, Eades' Protein Power, Weston A. Price's Traditional Diet, and all the myriad variations thereof. Any Objectivist seriously considering switching to such a diet is also welcome to subscribe and post. Moreover, non-Objectivist evolutionary eaters, as well as Objectivists merely curious about such diets, are welcome to subscribe to the list, but only as lurkers; they cannot post.

OEvolve is managed by Monica Hughes. Monica received an MSc and PhD in forest pathology and mycology from State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) in 2008. She is the founder of Free Agriculture - Restore Markets (FA/RM). She can be reached at monicabeth10@gmail.com.

Subscription

To join the OEvolve mailing list as a poster, you must meet two criteria:

• You must be an Objectivist, meaning that you agree with and live by the principles of Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism as best you understand them. Newcomers to Objectivism are just as welcome as old-timers. Please do not subscribe if you consider yourself to be a libertarian (or associate with the Libertarian Party), advocate revising Objectivism (like David Kelley's "open system"), or associate with the dishonest pseudo-advocates of Objectivism (most notably David Kelley, Nathaniel Branden, Barbara Branden, and Chris Sciabarra).
  
  
• You must eat some form of evolutionary-based diet -- or be in the process of seriously considering or working on doing so.

To join the OEvolve mailing list as a lurker, you need only meet either the first or the second criterion. Please indicate that you wish to only lurk when requesting to join the list. If you are confused or doubtful about the subscription criteria, please contact the list manager Monica Hughes.

Do you wish to join OEvolve? To do so, you must request a subscription via this web form. The OEvolve list is managed through Google Groups, so subscribing requires an account with Google. (It's free and easy to create.) In requesting a subscription, you will be asked to confirm that you meet the criteria for membership.

After you subscribe, please feel free to post an introduction, including your name, location, and a bit about your interest in evolutionary-based health.

List Rules

The OEvolve list has a few basic rules:

• Please be friendly or at least civil in posts to the list. Subscribers who behave like asses, such as by insulting other list members or attacking Objectivist intellectuals, will be removed from the list.
  
  
• Please respect the purpose of the list. Subscribers who prove disruptive to the basic purpose of the list -- such as by attempting to arguing against Objectivist positions or posting on irrelevant topics -- will be unsubscribed or subject to moderation.

Interested? Then sign up now!

Also, just as a reminder, the other four lists in my ever-growing OList.com empire are:

• OActivists: OActivists is an informal e-mail list for Objectivists committed to fostering positive cultural and political change. Its purpose is to facilitate and encourage effective advocacy of Objectivist ideas in non-Objectivist forums by facilitating communication with other Objectivist activists. Posts to the list alert subscribers to opportunities to speak out, recommend sources of information, discuss effective arguments and principled strategies, reproduce op-eds and letters written by subscribers, announce events, and more.
  
  
• OBloggers: OBloggers is an informal mailing list for Objectivist bloggers. Its basic purpose is to facilitate communication about matters of mutual interest, such as upcoming events, posts of interest, best blogging practices, and the like.
  
  
• OAcademics: OAcademics is a forum for Objectivist academics to discuss teaching, research, coursework, dissertations, job prospects, publication, and all other aspects of life in (or after) academia. The list is basically a means of sharing knowledge and experience as ever more Objectivists enter academia.
  
  
• OGrownups: OGrownups is an informal mailing list for Objectivists interested in raising and educating children well. Its basic purpose is to facilitate discussion about child development, discipline techniques, education methods, parenting resources, and more.

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CrossFit: Three.. Two.. One.. GO!

I started looking into CrossFit after seeing it mentioned by various health/fitness guys I've learned a lot from -- like Richard Nickoley, Mark Sisson, and Art De Vany, who talk about the value of mixing things up, using high intensity, intervals, resistance training and such. I liked what I was finding in the methodology and was intrigued at its potential, so I was eager for an opportunity to try CrossFit in a way that includes the coaching I knew I would need to not hurt my middle-aged self. (Sure, it's free if you do it at home, but who goes out on their own and just starts doing Olympic-style lifts? Not me!) Happily, a couple of months ago Tammy and I noticed that a CrossFit gym was about to open near our house. We checked it out and took the plunge! So far, it's been very cool.

Before giving reports from the front and breaking out the obligatory pictures of progress, let's start with a little about what CrossFit is. The headquarters site says

CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program for many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide.

Our program delivers a fitness that is, by design, broad, general, and inclusive. Our specialty is not specializing. Combat, survival, many sports, and life reward this kind of fitness and, on average, punish the specialist.

And in a CrossFit Foundations article, creator Greg Glassman writes, "CrossFit is a core strength and conditioning program. We have designed our program to elicit as broad an adaptational response as possible. CrossFit is not a specialized fitness program but a deliberate attempt to optimize physical competence in each of ten recognized fitness domains. They are Cardiovascular and Respiratory endurance, Stamina, Strength, Flexibility, Power, Speed, Coordination, Agility, Balance, and Accuracy."

Of course, I'm not a Navy SEAL, a stick-fighting champion, or a fireman -- but developing serious competence in all of these domains, and therefore a powerful "ready state," would be awfully useful for the sorts of play I like to engage in: mountain biking, summit-scrambling, snowboarding, maybe a spontaneous half-marathon hill run or whatever else Tammy or my friends might want to draw me into. And it would come in handy for those (hopefully vanishingly) rare times when Stuff Happens -- plus as I age, maintaining as much physical capacity as possible would be invaluable for health and autonomy.

There's a lot of empirical observation and some pretty good epistemology behind various aspects that I can go into later, but today I'll just share the central CrossFit prescription for efficiently achieving that broad, general, and inclusive fitness: constantly varied functional movement performed at high intensity. Every element of that is essential. Glassman breaks it down in a brief article on Understanding CrossFit:

Functional movements are universal motor recruitment patterns; they are performed in a wave of contraction from core to extremity; and they are compound movements -- i.e., they are multi-joint. They are natural, effective, and efficient locomotors of body and external objects. [Author's note: Examples include squats, pullups, situps, jumping, running, throwing, lifts like deadlift and clean & jerk and overhead press. They are elemental movements, used in lots of activities.] But no aspect of functional movements is more important than their capacity to move large loads over long distances, and to do so quickly. Collectively, these three attributes (load, distance, and speed) uniquely qualify functional movements for the production of high power. Intensity is defined exactly as power, and intensity is the independent variable most commonly associated with maximizing favorable adaptation to exercise.

Recognizing that the breadth and depth of a program’s stimulus will determine the breadth and depth of the adaptation it elicits, our prescription of functionality and intensity is constantly varied. We believe that preparation for random physical challenges -- i.e., unknown and unknowable events -- is at odds with fixed, predictable, and routine regimens. [emphasis and paragraph break mine]

Plateauing is not easy when the adaptational response never has a fixed target -- plus, the novelty of not knowing what will be coming next keeps us from getting bored. As sick as it might sound, it actually becomes a fun adventure to show up at the gym not knowing what challenge we'll be hit with! One day it's a 5k run or row for time; another day it's finding the maximum weights you can deadlift, press, and back-squat; on another it is a butt-kicking, lung-searing sequence of a dozen varied exercises done for time (here's one we were given a week or two ago, as demonstrated by a bunch of uber-fit trainers at a certification: [wmv][mov]).

CrossFit turns fitness itself into a sport by making general fitness quantifiable, setting standards, and measuring performance in a very visible way. So people get to see their own development, have fun competing with themselves and their buddies in some sense, get encouragement in a group setting, and so on. This all goes toward motivation and intensity (making it fun to show up, and keeping you engaged in the work when it's soooo hard).

Turning fitness into a sport also makes the CrossFit Games possible. The Games are a proving ground for demonstrating general fitness, and a way to draw attention to those who might have a more effective training method. Elite athletes train all year and show up to compete -- but what's special about this competition is that they have to train while not knowing exactly what the events will be. They only know they will be tested in some way that is broad and brutal enough to differentiate the fittest person. So the athletes have to focus on developing that well-rounded, inclusive fitness to win. The rest of us get to marvel, and learn.

Then we throw ourselves into tomorrow's unknown workout. Three.. Two.. One.. GO!

Some links:

• "What is CrossFit" is a one-page promotional summary from an affiliate gym's website.
  
• The Okinawa Speech is a video of a great talk by CrossFit's founder, Coach Greg Glassman. He presents the the origins of the CrossFit definition of fitness, the development of the training methodology, addresses safety, efficacy and efficiency, and a lot more. Worth the time.
  
• "God's Workout" in NY Times Magazine made me laugh (and of course I have seen no dangerous, macho behavior, nor any cultlike attitude -- in fact, I've only seen the opposite on both counts).
  
• "The Truth About Crossfit" is a pretty good perspective piece by a fitness writer, fun to read, from a big bodybuilding site/magazine (though it has some goofiness, like defending another of their writers who apparently had some sort of tussle with CrossFit's founder, Glassman).
  
• Eight quick perspectives/reviews by people.
  
• World HQ for CrossFit itself is a free website with a huge amount of information.

[image from games.crossfit.com]

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RSR: Episode #16: Design Arguments, Part 2

I must admit, I had all kinds of fun preparing and recording Episode #16 of Rationally Selfish Radio. (Sadly, it was delayed by hours of downtime by my podcast host.) Here it is, just for you!

In this episode, I discuss Design Arguments for the existence of God, particularly objections to Aquinas' Teleological Argument and the Fine Tuning Argument.

Listen Now

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (14.9 MB, 31:22 minutes)
  
• Standard MP3 File (14.4 MB, 31:22 minutes)

Learn More

• Episode #16 Optional Readings (PDF)
  
• Design Arguments in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
  
• Teleological Arguments in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
  
• Atheism: The Case Against God by G.H. Smith
  
• The Miracle of Theism by J.L. Mackie

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CarTalk Puzzler Answer

As promised, here is the answer to the CarTalk Puzzler, "How the Dispatcher Saved the Day":

RAY: Here's the answer. Now this isn't 100% guaranteed that it's going to work, but it's the only thing that would work. What she asked him to do was to give her the license plate number of the car that he's parked behind.

TOM: Ah.

RAY: She was figuring that the owner of the car lives right there.

TOM: Sure. It's a residential neighborhood, and it's late at night.

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Ayn Rand on The Daily Show

Last night, Jennifer Burns -- author of the new book Goddess of the Market: Ayn Rand and the American Right -- was interviewed on The Daily Show. Honestly, I was expecting something awful, but I was pleasantly surprised.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Jennifer Burns
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor

The interview was remarkably good until Jon Stewart said, "it's almost as if [Ayn Rand] would have a totalitarian state of individualists." Sigh. However, that was the worst of it. Stewart was seriously interested in the right's appropriation of Ayn Rand when convenient, then ignoring other ideas like her atheism. (I'm glad he pointed that out!) In attempting to critique the philosophy as elitist, Stewart said, "Objectivism works really well for extraordinary people." While Objectivism is not elitist -- and Burns did a reasonably good job of defending Ayn Rand against that charge -- that strikes me as praising with faint damnation. At least, it's great PR. If more extraordinary people read Ayn Rand and become advocates of her ideas, I won't complain!

More of all though, Jon Stewart took Ayn Rand seriously -- far more so than I expected. He knew something about her ideas, and he did not treat her as an object of ridicule.

Consider this near-final exchange:

Stewart: "[Ayn Rand was] an incredibly impressive person. Sheer force of will to drive this entire framework. But in some ways, her body of work is a refutation of the society that she wants. Because I don't think everyone, no matter what, could attain and accomplish what she did."

Burns: "Right, well she was creating ideals, things to aspire to. That's really what people take from her -- this vision of 'I can be the hero of my own life. I can aspire to be like John Galt or Howard Roark or Dagny Taggart.' That's what she wanted.

Stewart: She wrote "The Secret"!

Burns: "She sort of did. There is a lot of self-help and spiritual energy in these books, and a lot of people take that from her."

Stewart: "And a lot of dirty, dirty, dirty sex."

Burns: "This is true."

Stewart (slyly): "Oh, I've read."

That's the kind of interview that will intrigue people about Ayn Rand's ideas. Given what might have happened in that interview, I count it as a huge win.

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Coming Hyperinflation?

Amit Ghate has blogged about this potentially ominous sign of pending hyperinflation. Here's the relevant quote he's excerpted from John Mauldin:

"There have been 28 episodes of hyperinflation of national economies in the 20th century, with 20 occurring after 1980. Peter Bernholz (Professor Emeritus of Economics in the Center for Economics and Business (WWZ) at the University of Basel, Switzerland) has spent his career examining the intertwined worlds of politics and economics with special attention given to money. In his most recent book, Monetary Regimes and Inflation: History, Economic and Political Relationships, Bernholz analyzes the 12 largest episodes of hyperinflations - all of which were caused by financing huge public budget deficits through money creation. His conclusion: the tipping point for hyperinflation occurs when the government's deficit exceed 40% of its expenditures.

"According to the current Office of Management and Budget (OMB) projections, US federal expenditures are projected to be $3.653 trillion in FY 2009 and $3.766 trillion in FY 2010, with unified deficits of $1.580 trillion and $1.502 trillion, respectively. These projections imply that the US will run deficits equal to 43.3% and 39.9% of expenditures in 2009 and 2010, respectively. To put it simply, roughly 40% of what our government is spending has to be borrowed."

To quote a cultural icon, "Ruh Roh".

As Amit notes, this is just one numerical indicator, although an eye-opening one.

And hyperinflation is just one possible scenario. But prudent investors may wish to hedge their bets and take appropriate measures.

I'm not an economist and this should not be construed as any kind of investment advice or endorsement. But Instapundit has mentioned two books on this topic:

The Hyperinflation Survival Guide: Strategies for American Businesses

The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse

The second book was written by "Ferfal", the Argentinian who survived his country's hyperinflation during the 1980s and posted a now-classic online essay about his experience and how others can cope under similar circumstances.

Other bloggers have made specific recommendations for asset protection, for instance here and here.

Again, I'm not necessarily endorsing any specific investment advice here nor predicting the worst-case alarmist view. But if history is any guide, these scenarios are not outside the realm of possibility, even for the US.

Whether any of this happens will depend on decisions that still remain to be made by our politicians, as well as the responses of private citizens in the US and abroad, all of whom have free will.

Hence, my own (admittedly vague) prediction is that lots of "interesting" stuff will happen to the US (and global) economy over the next several years, but the exact nature is yet to be determined. So all anyone can do is buckle up and get ready!

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Objectivist Roundup

Titan Deck Chairs has the latest Objectivist Roundup. Go check it out!

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Fun Puzzler from CarTalk

Last week's "CarTalk Puzzler" was quite good, and I thought I'd share it with NoodleFood readers:

How the Dispatcher Saved the Day

RAY: An old guy is driving home. It's late at night. He's be-bopping along the highway and he's some considerable distance from home. Suddenly, he feels himself having a heart attack. He says, "Oh my God. It's the big one." Thinking quickly, he takes the first available exit.

As luck would have it, he winds up in a residential neighborhood. It's very late at night. He pulls over to the side of the road behind some parked cars. He's fading fast, but he has the presence of mind to pull out his cell phone and call 911.

He says to the dispatcher, "I need help. I'm having a heart attack."

TOM: And she says, "Where are you?"

RAY: And the conversation goes something like this: "I don't know where I am."

"What exit did you take?"

"I don't remember."

"Were you going north or south or east?"

"I don't remember."

"Can you tell me what street you're on?"

"I'm in the middle of the block. I'm parked. I didn't see any street signs." She says,

TOM: "Boy, are you screwed!"

RAY: Not quite. She says, "Start blowing the horn. Someone will come out of the house."

No one comes out. She then asks him to do one more thing. Minutes later, an ambulance is on its way there and saves his life.

What did she ask him to do?

By the way, I wasn't able to figure out the answer. I'll post the answer tomorrow.

As an aside, there are only three podcasts I regularly listen to:

Diana's Rationally Selfish Radio
Leonard Peikoff
CarTalk

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The Nation of the Enlightenment

The Objectivism Seminar is working through Dr. Leonard Peikoff's all-too-topical book, The Ominous Parallels. In it, he explores what gave rise to to the fascist, totalitarian regime of Nazi Germany -- and analyzes whether and how a fascist, totalitarian regime could emerge here in America.

Our focus this past two weeks (due to technical difficulties) was Chapter 5, "The Nation of the Enlightenment" -- a reference to the central influence of the ideas and spirit of the Enlightenment in America's founding. Topics we discussed included:

• The eras of reason in Western philosophy, and how this relates to Peikoff's characterization of the US as the Nation of the Enlightenment. Whether the US is indeed unique in being a "nation of ideas".
• How achievements in science and philosophy basically proclaimed the world open to reason -- with reason becoming a virtue, the norm and expected.
• The difference between early America and the America that the Founders built. How the American Enlightenment is a 'profound reversal' of the Puritans' philosophic priorities. What brought about the dislodging of Puritanism, and the religious outlook of the founding leaders.
• Why Aristotle is the first father of this new world. And Locke's contribution to that legacy.
• How the founders integrated their considerable knowledge of history to devise a brilliant, practical implementation of these abstract ideas with checks and balances, trying to isolate the operation of the state as much as possible from the moral character of any of its temporary officials, as well as subversion by an aspiring dictator or temporary sentiment.
• How this rising nation of ideas then fell prey to bad ideas in Europe: There was no American attempt to give systematic statement to and defense of the American approach to liberty -- we had no major philosophical innovators and relied on Europe to provide this (e.g., Locke). Unfortunately, there were gaps and problems, leading to the "American conflict" between the implicitly egoistic upholding of rights vs. the explicitly altruistic morality of the culture.
• And a lot more...

If this sounds interesting, you can listen in on the podcast -- just download the session's MP3 directly, or listen to it with the little player on the right, or subscribe to the podcast series over on the Seminar's TalkShoe page. And if you have something to ask or add, please do pick up the book and join the discussion! We meet at 8:00pm Mountain on Mondays, for about an hour.

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Dramatic Elephant Birth

Wow. As Trey Givens said, "This video is amazing. Warning, it is a bit graphic. I found it to be rather tense also." Indeed, it's gooey and dramatic!

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Wednesday Open Thread #103

Here's yet another Open Thread for your thoughts:

For anyone in the fiery grip of a random question, comment, joke, or link they'd like to share with NoodleFood readers, I hereby open up the comments on this post to any respectable topic. (Please refrain from posting personal attacks, pornographic material, and commercial solicitations.)

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RSR: Episode #15: Cultivating Concentration

Hooray! Episode #15 of Rationally Selfish Radio is done, done, done!

In this episode, I discuss methods for cultivating one's power to concentrate.

Listen Now

26:59 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (12.4 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (12.8 MB)

Learn More

• Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
  
• Focus in the Ayn Rand Lexicon

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The Hidden Dangers of Socks

Okay, I'll admit it up front: This post is just a bit of pure, organic, all-natural, raw whine. Be grateful that you don't have to listen to it! What's a blog for if not some self-indulgent complaining on occasion?!?

I had a bit of an accident on Friday. Conrad and I were playing "goalie": I kick the tennis ball into the mudroom, under the hanging baby gate, and he scrambles to get it. It's great fun -- normally.

This time, however, I kicked a bit too hard while standing on clean hardwood in hiking socks. The result was that I fell on my upper butt / lower back -- really, really hard. I laid on the floor moaning like an old woman for a few minutes, with Paul hovering over me worriedly. It seemed like ages before I could even think about rising, although I'm sure it was only a few minutes.

I've not broken anything, as far as I know. I don't even have a bruise. (I wuz robbed!) However, all the muscles along the top-back of my hips are strained. Oddly, I can walk downhill (or down the stairs) just fine, but walking uphill (or up the stairs) hurts with every step.

That probably sounds worse than it is. The pain isn't terrible or anything, just annoying. And it's getting better -- albeit slowly. I'm certainly not going to be doing anything strenuous this week.

Hence: grumble-grumble, piss-and-moan, boo hoo, grump-grump.

Good, now I feel better!

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RSS Problems

I'm having a problem with the rss feed of Rationally Selfish Radio. I'm hoping that someone can help me fix it.

The problem is that sometimes the date displayed via the RSS feed is the date of the last update of the post rather than the given date of the post. For example, everything is fine in Google Reader, but not on this feed page.

Most annoyingly, iTunes is using the updated date rather the given date. So on the new RSR page in iTunes, most of the podcasts are listed as having a release date of October 10th, when in fact, that's just the update date. Grrrrr.

My feed is created by Blogger (with the proper pubdate), then processed and hosted by Feedburner. I've fussed with various settings, and I've done a bunch of web searches, but nothing has helped.

Any ideas?

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The Price of a Life in Massachusetts

Massachusetts' "universal" health care system moved one step closer towards explicit rationing, as reported by the Boston Globe in this October 11, 2009 story, "State plan may place limits on patients' hospital options".

Here are some excerpts:

Controlling Massachusetts' soaring medical costs, many health care leaders believe, may require residents to give up their nearly unlimited freedom to go to any hospital and specialist they want.

..."You can't reap these savings without limiting patients' choices in some way," said Paul Levy, chief executive of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

...A state commission recommended in July that insurers largely scrap the current fee-for-service system -- in which insurers pay doctors, hospitals, and other providers a negotiated fee for each procedure and visit -- and instead pay providers a per-patient annual fee to cover all of the patient's medical care.

This new system of "global payments" would discourage overuse of expensive medical services, force providers to live within a budget, and improve coordination of care for patients, supporters argue.

(Read the full text of "State plan may place limits on patients' hospital options".)

What the supporters don't mention is that it also creates a tremendous incentive for physicians and hospitals to render as little care as possible. Under the Massachusetts proposal, if your care costs less than the annual allotment, then they keep the unused portion. If your care costs more, then the difference comes out of the providers' pockets. Such a system thus pits your doctor's interests against your own.

For the sake of argument, suppose your annual allotment is $5000 and you've already spent $4500 for that year. Now you go to your doctor's office complaining of a severe headache. He examines you and says, "No, Bill, you don't need a $1000 MRI scan of your brain. Just take two Tylenol and call me in the morning".

Will you be 100% sure that he's giving you unbiased medical advice?

And even if your doctor consistently and conscientiously acts for his patients' best interests, he will inevitably find himself at odds with hospital administrators questioning whether this or that expenditure is appropriate:

"Does Mr. Jones really need another ultrasound test? Is there a cheaper antibiotic you could use? Isn't his heart rhythm stable enough to allow moving him down to a regular hospital bed, rather than spending another night in an expensive ICU bed?"

Do you want your doctor constantly looking over his shoulder trying to balance your needs vs. the demands of a hospital administrator who might be deciding whether or not to renew his practice privileges?

It is precisely this potential conflict-of-interest that caused patients in the 1980s to reject the similar "capitated" payment systems of HMO's (Health Maintenance Organizations). The 2009 Massachusetts proposals may carry a new name, but the basic principle is the same.

Advocates of government-run health care like to claim that it is morally superior because it "doesn't put a price on human life".

But when the government sets an annual spending cap for each patient, then that's exactly what they're doing. In that case, you had better hope that your life is still worth enough to your government...

(This post originally appeared on the FIRM blog. Thanks to Instapundit for Boston Globe story link. And thanks to Ed Morrissey for quoting me in his HotAir post on the same topic!)

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