Monday, January 22, 2018

Round Up #10

Aphorisms/Shorts

Competition is good for the brain.  Domination is terrible for the brain, let alone the soul.

In these times, I think it is more important to find what is beautiful than to think about what is important.  [context]

When the American project is over, those with a conservative temperament (low openness, high disgust at disorder) will simply find another story for why then-dominate groups deserve more.

From the Web

A great article on Why Space colonization is not a realistic option.  This is the first time I had stumbled upon the Do the Math blog.

Also, it is good to find a formalized demonstration that our problem is that most personality types are probably not capable of seeking out and really believing the message that growth must have limits.

So, Will the World Economy Continue to Roll Along in 2018?


Popular Culture

You will be Rick Rolled in the best way in this brilliant video. Please watch it if you have not seen it before.



Reddit

In answering a question on the r/InfiniteJest sub, I think I came up with a good rationale to read the book, and perhaps a worthy comment about life:
Read on. When you get to the end-game of the book you'll see scenes where characters who have been established as having quite limited vocabularies having discussions that are summarized by the narrator in the hyper-philosophical language. 
Saying much more would verge on spoilers, but when I read it, I had this glow that DFW was saying we all think big thoughts from time to time (for some people, only when they are high). We find our grist for them in language. . . and in how we deal with pain. 
The book starts in what looks like an elitist place, but moves to be a celebration of the struggles of common people.
Apparently the best thing I did with my life since the last update, from a popularity standpoint, is make a pun about the rape plant on on etymology thread.

Twitter.


This was from a fun tweet showing that science fiction has never been apolitical.





Sunday, January 21, 2018

Predictions for 2018

The number of deaths from drug overdose will be over 50,000. 70%  Data point. [Yes, but I'm happy to say the rate decline source]

The suicide rate in the U.S. will be highest recorded. 60%  Update: highest since WWII.

2018 will be one of 3 hottest years ever recorded.  80%

The Warriors will win the NBA title 80%

Ratings for NBA finals will be lower than 2017. 60%

I make more money in 2018 that 2017.  80%.

One of my blog posts will get over 1,000 views.  70%

On-Going Multi-Year Predictions (All from 2017)


2017-A. US will experience recession within 5 years. (ie by 2022) 80%

If 2017-A. . .
    2017-A1 Multiple banks/big financial institutions will fail. 70%

           If 2017-A1 . . .   
               2017-A2. Bankers will be punished more severally than after 2008. 90%   (nul, since conditional was void). 

[Looks like I didn't understand how effectively the Fed can continue to create liquidity].

2017-B. Trump will not serve full term 60%   [Much, much less confident now, would probably now make it 3%]
2017-C. Dems will not re-take Senate in 2018. 80%
2017-D. Dems will not gain net-seats in Senate 2018. 60%
2017-E. I will do 100 push ups in a set by 2020. 70%
2017-F. I will not work again as full-time teacher next 5 years. 60%  I'm already back at it!