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Showing posts from August, 2016

The Talking Head

Yesterday an otherwise intelligent person I know expressed the idea that as a result of growing up in a push-button world he is better able to make decisions. He actually promised an 8% return on investment if we relied on him and others 'like me' which is a connection that is baseless and absurd. He seemed reasonable at the get-go but as he framed his argument it lost cohesiveness.  His basis for asserting, essentially, that he knew it all was drawn from what he rightfully perceives as the flood of information he is bombarded with daily. His reference points were Twitter feeds, email and YouTube to name just three.  No encyclopedia, dictionary, atlas, textbooks or other preserved reference materials were used as a guide.  For those of you offended by paper I am referring even to electronic versions of these documents. He posed himself, essentially, as having all the answers.  But - it seemed he had asked no questions and only sifted the materials pr...

The Legend of the Three Arrows

The Legend of the Three Arrows As I recall it told to me – by Alfred Brock Mori Motonari was a very powerful man in Japan.  He was a great warrior and many samurai were loyal to him. Though his province was small he was able to overcome and conquer much larger enemies to the east and the west. He was an honorable and just leader to his people. Three of his sons rose to the rank of General in the army of the Mori clan.  They were called Mōri Takamoto, Kikkawa Motoharu, and Kobayakawa Takakage. He encouraged them to work together for the good of the Mori clan. Being wise Mori Motonari knew that one day these three strong leaders may come to blows and all their hard work be torn asunder. He called them to a dinner where they engaged in dining and entertainment. When the evening was in full bloom Mori Motonari called a stop to it and summoned the three Generals before him. They came forward in respect and sat before him on tatami mats.  Their weapons, shar...

War Is Like a Drug

For Blog War Is Like a Drug                 War is like a drug to some politicians.                 Once they get a taste of it two things can happen.                 Neither of them good.                 On the one hand the politician may become addicted to it and need it.  In this case the politician finds it a tool that is very easy to use.  Ease of use and appreciation of what they consider to be benefits – that is – removal of responsibility, distraction from other problems and a bizarre type of prestige also referred to as fear leads this politician to believe they have done something good.            ...

Autonomous Vehicles At Willow Run

Autonomous Vehicles at Willow Run                 I do not believe that an Autonomous Vehicle Development Station should be built on the grounds of Willow Run in Michigan.                 The problem is prying eyes.  There is no way to secure the area.                 At this time there is an installation there called the Yankee Air Museum.  They have a B-52 bomber parked on the runway.  You can easily see it from a mile away.  The location is open and flat with plenty of cover.                 I believe that any Autonomous Vehicle Development Station should be on the Selfridge Air National Guard Base.  At least they could provide some level of security....