would you agree that to live is to know:
yes i agree. but more fundamentally: to be is to know. being is a difficult word but it encompasses a definite ethereal nature, to the extent that the ethereal can indeed be definite. living is similar to being in that it is experiential, and when you are alive no explanation is necessary for the proper understanding of life. the mind loves games and tries to explain everything, but how futile this is for the mind when life just goes on living in spite of the mind or its explanations. and when the mind gets very clever and bestows upon its custodian titles of master of the arts or doctor, and can explain everything about it life still defies this explanation, but is only experience. a nephrologist who can explain everything about the kidney still can't form one any better than you.
memory and magic - how might you view things differently now:
i am not quite sure of how we will view things differently, but the days of cartesian ideology are well under scrutiny. our ideas of being in the world are inextricably bound to the idea of memory. who we are is who we have been. and who we have been is based on who we remember we are from the past. but these explanations are somewhat limiting. magic can possibly help us loosen our idea of rationalism and the desire for finite explanations for everything.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Monday, August 6, 2007
CELL BIOLOGY
describe connections you are making between cell biology and your tcm studies:
tcm is part of a bigger philosophy of the cosmos. it could be said that tcm is the microcosm within the macrocosm. i view the cell in the same way. cells are the smallest unit of life within the body -- micro within macro. if we understand cell biology we have an analogy for the body as a whole, and indeed the whole of life.
check out the link on how cells divide: mitosis vs. meiosis below, and post your impressions:
very interesting. i remember having to memorize each phase in my undergraduate biology class but the pictures in the text book just did not do it justice. the website makes learning much easier. i thought the visuals were great. i liked prophase the best -- when the spindle fibers attach to the centrioles. if you click very fast you almost get a motion picture.
other links:
well, i could not get on the citric acid cycle website do to technical difficulty. but i liked the one labelled "cells". i think these websites are extremely helpful as compared to text books. there is something about interaction that engages the brain and the learning takes place without one noticing. the future of learning i believe is on the verge of huge transformation.
tcm is part of a bigger philosophy of the cosmos. it could be said that tcm is the microcosm within the macrocosm. i view the cell in the same way. cells are the smallest unit of life within the body -- micro within macro. if we understand cell biology we have an analogy for the body as a whole, and indeed the whole of life.
check out the link on how cells divide: mitosis vs. meiosis below, and post your impressions:
very interesting. i remember having to memorize each phase in my undergraduate biology class but the pictures in the text book just did not do it justice. the website makes learning much easier. i thought the visuals were great. i liked prophase the best -- when the spindle fibers attach to the centrioles. if you click very fast you almost get a motion picture.
other links:
well, i could not get on the citric acid cycle website do to technical difficulty. but i liked the one labelled "cells". i think these websites are extremely helpful as compared to text books. there is something about interaction that engages the brain and the learning takes place without one noticing. the future of learning i believe is on the verge of huge transformation.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
LIVING DIVERSITY
diversity in the immediate environment:
my task is made a bit easier by the city i am resident in. san fracisco is a microcosm of diversity in every sense. i notice around me in immediate visual range: three different species of plants in soil, fruit of various kinds including: green and red apples, mangoes, raspberries, blueberries, watermelon, lemons, limes, and papaya. a spider was an uninvited guest the other day, a moldy piece of bread, a moth was flying around outside trying to get inside. and within the city there is much diversity for the interested viewer: trees, flowers, bushes, mice, cats, dogs, parrots, hummingbirds, elephants, and on and on -- even humans of every sort.
cells:
i liked the link on viruses. i did not know they looked so menacing with their spindly little spider-like legs. the site maintains that viruses are not a living organism in the strict sense of that word, but i would somewhat challenge that assertion. the reason they give is because without a host cell they would die. well, without our dear host, the earth, i venture to say that we might die as well. for this reason should i imagine that i am deceased?
spike's gallery:
wow. great pictures. it reminds one of sacred geometry. i liked the triceratium favus the best.
my task is made a bit easier by the city i am resident in. san fracisco is a microcosm of diversity in every sense. i notice around me in immediate visual range: three different species of plants in soil, fruit of various kinds including: green and red apples, mangoes, raspberries, blueberries, watermelon, lemons, limes, and papaya. a spider was an uninvited guest the other day, a moldy piece of bread, a moth was flying around outside trying to get inside. and within the city there is much diversity for the interested viewer: trees, flowers, bushes, mice, cats, dogs, parrots, hummingbirds, elephants, and on and on -- even humans of every sort.
cells:
i liked the link on viruses. i did not know they looked so menacing with their spindly little spider-like legs. the site maintains that viruses are not a living organism in the strict sense of that word, but i would somewhat challenge that assertion. the reason they give is because without a host cell they would die. well, without our dear host, the earth, i venture to say that we might die as well. for this reason should i imagine that i am deceased?
spike's gallery:
wow. great pictures. it reminds one of sacred geometry. i liked the triceratium favus the best.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
THE CHEMISTRY OF LIFE
brain cells grown in laboratory
i am pleased with the idea of the regeneration of brain cells -- we can start with the medical community. this type of research is interesting and has a place in science. it would be well suited for the regeneration of brain tissue do to organic brain dysfunction caused by trauma. but the article proposes it as a possible remedy for dementia, parkinsons, and epilepsy. i dare say if one just does a google search with the words "dementia and mercury toxicity" it will be apparent that the money should be spent on research to liberate the body from heavy metal poisoning and other detoxification techniques. even if regenerating brain cells halts dementia it will do nothing for overall body toxicity that can manifest in a host of degenerative problems. i am sure that dementia is not only caused by toxicity but the pollution in our bodies seems to be the common denominator in many degenerative diseases, so i believe research should be concentrated in this area first. parkinsons and epilepsy also have more expedient approaches. this is surely not to say that some of the currently "hopeless" cases could not be helped by such research, but would it not be more efficient to try to bring to light the documented "alternative approaches" first? we would save money as well.
biochemistry is the chemistry of life:
this simple definition appeals to my aesthetic as well as to my sense of efficiency -- i am very carbon neutral in my writing style. the "chemistry of life" could be straight out of a text book or baudelaire. chemistry is a wonderful word on its own. we want chemistry in all of our relationships, biological or otherwise. all of life is a chemistry lesson or at least should be. is everything not attraction, repulsion, adhesion, etc? if one can master chemistry on all levels he would be a true adept. the chemistry of life is universal law made manifest .
animations:
impossible to stop at one. i think graphite was interesting to watch. heroin was not terribly addicting. viagra left me limp. dna was intricate. water was boring. enzyme was a bit too graphic. funny enzyme needs an obscenity rating. hemoglobin -- what a bloody mess. accuracy hit the spot. but diamond gets my money for the most interesting.
i am pleased with the idea of the regeneration of brain cells -- we can start with the medical community. this type of research is interesting and has a place in science. it would be well suited for the regeneration of brain tissue do to organic brain dysfunction caused by trauma. but the article proposes it as a possible remedy for dementia, parkinsons, and epilepsy. i dare say if one just does a google search with the words "dementia and mercury toxicity" it will be apparent that the money should be spent on research to liberate the body from heavy metal poisoning and other detoxification techniques. even if regenerating brain cells halts dementia it will do nothing for overall body toxicity that can manifest in a host of degenerative problems. i am sure that dementia is not only caused by toxicity but the pollution in our bodies seems to be the common denominator in many degenerative diseases, so i believe research should be concentrated in this area first. parkinsons and epilepsy also have more expedient approaches. this is surely not to say that some of the currently "hopeless" cases could not be helped by such research, but would it not be more efficient to try to bring to light the documented "alternative approaches" first? we would save money as well.
biochemistry is the chemistry of life:
this simple definition appeals to my aesthetic as well as to my sense of efficiency -- i am very carbon neutral in my writing style. the "chemistry of life" could be straight out of a text book or baudelaire. chemistry is a wonderful word on its own. we want chemistry in all of our relationships, biological or otherwise. all of life is a chemistry lesson or at least should be. is everything not attraction, repulsion, adhesion, etc? if one can master chemistry on all levels he would be a true adept. the chemistry of life is universal law made manifest .
animations:
impossible to stop at one. i think graphite was interesting to watch. heroin was not terribly addicting. viagra left me limp. dna was intricate. water was boring. enzyme was a bit too graphic. funny enzyme needs an obscenity rating. hemoglobin -- what a bloody mess. accuracy hit the spot. but diamond gets my money for the most interesting.
Friday, July 13, 2007
A QUESTION OF BALANCE
Si
atomic number: 14
atomic weight:28.0855
silicon is a very ubiquitous element and is the main element in sand. it is also found in quartz. recently it has emerged as the basis of an entire economy -- the semiconductor industry. it's unique properties, as with all semiconductors, is that it can function both as a conductor and insulator. as mentioned above the main element of quartz crystal is silicon. there has been much attention paid to crystals within all of the esoteric schools. people use them for healing or accumulation of energy and so forth. but it is of special interest to alchemists that utilize spagyrics (a product produced by a solvent). the "soul" of the crystal was sought for it's tremendous healing powers. this was obtained by an occult process that reduced the crystal to it's "liquid essence". few understood this procedure at the time. it's difficulty probably lie in the fact that silicon is one of the least reactive elements and is difficult to break down. there are companies on the web now selling "genuine" spagyrics. who says you can't make money as an alchemist?
chembalancer:
quite an addictive learning device, for which i will be promptly suing the manufacturer. i liked it. for non-linear, illogical, unalgebraic, and anti-aristotelian people it helps to put in all 1's first and then proceed. it was like a game. and since we live in a game playing culture i think it would be very useful.
general chemistry site:
i found this one to be not as hypnotic as the chembalancer -- maybe this is a good thing. for my taste the chembalancer had the ease of use and was a bit fun -- simplicity and learning. this one was a bit less friendly with it's interface, but albeit still a useful tool. you really have to watch to make sure you do not overlook an atom.
atomic number: 14
atomic weight:28.0855
silicon is a very ubiquitous element and is the main element in sand. it is also found in quartz. recently it has emerged as the basis of an entire economy -- the semiconductor industry. it's unique properties, as with all semiconductors, is that it can function both as a conductor and insulator. as mentioned above the main element of quartz crystal is silicon. there has been much attention paid to crystals within all of the esoteric schools. people use them for healing or accumulation of energy and so forth. but it is of special interest to alchemists that utilize spagyrics (a product produced by a solvent). the "soul" of the crystal was sought for it's tremendous healing powers. this was obtained by an occult process that reduced the crystal to it's "liquid essence". few understood this procedure at the time. it's difficulty probably lie in the fact that silicon is one of the least reactive elements and is difficult to break down. there are companies on the web now selling "genuine" spagyrics. who says you can't make money as an alchemist?
chembalancer:
quite an addictive learning device, for which i will be promptly suing the manufacturer. i liked it. for non-linear, illogical, unalgebraic, and anti-aristotelian people it helps to put in all 1's first and then proceed. it was like a game. and since we live in a game playing culture i think it would be very useful.
general chemistry site:
i found this one to be not as hypnotic as the chembalancer -- maybe this is a good thing. for my taste the chembalancer had the ease of use and was a bit fun -- simplicity and learning. this one was a bit less friendly with it's interface, but albeit still a useful tool. you really have to watch to make sure you do not overlook an atom.
Monday, July 2, 2007
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
firstly let me say that it was a brilliant idea to watch a film during mid term week.
i enjoyed the film and thought that it brought up valid points. let me say that i do not need to be sold on the idea of reducing pollution of any kind. one needs only to visit los angeles to be convinced. i am happy to think that because of this film people will bring more consciousness to the matter of sustainability. this is something we all should be working for. in a world where rocket fuel has been found in mothers milk, it is high time for all to be more conscious. that being said, i would be remiss not to mention my distrust of most politicians along the lines of gore. one needs only do a google search on gore's london based company "generation investment management" to understand that he is rolling in green (and i mean money) from the global warming issue. his company is an investment management company representing multi-national companies like: general electric, sysco, and what the company terms "high net worth individuals", not exactly your carbon neutral bunch. here is an excerpt from an article found at;
http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2007/03/al_gores_inconv.html
Former Vice President Al Gore has built a Green money-making machine capable of eventually generating billions of dollars for investors, including himself, but he set it up so that the average Joe can't afford to play on Gore's terms. And the US portion is headed up by a former Gore staffer and fund raiser who previously ran afoul of both the FEC and the DOJ, before Janet Reno jumped in and shut down an investigation during the Clinton years.
As Bill Hobbs first pointed out, Gore supposedly pays for his extra-large carbon footprint through Generation Investment Management (GIM) - and if you're looking to go green, and have your wallet go along with Gore, think again - average people are too insignificant to play - verifiable from this pdf.
Generation is based in London, with its U.S. offices in Washington, DC. The firm will manage the assets of institutional investors such as pension funds, foundations and endowments, as well as those of select high net worth individuals.* Generation expects to make extensive use of long-term performance based fees. Generation will begin its investment management business in early 2005.
* like Al Gore
Gore's company, GIM was specifically established to take financial advantage of new technologies and solutions related to combating Global Warming. The Global Warming crowd has told us that just recently new science emerged confirming the alleged fact that Global Warming is man made. So, ask yourself, why is it that Gore set up his Green money machine three years ago back in 2004? Is it possible Gore knew what the science would say before it was out? And even if not, can an individual who stands to make millions from Global Warming really be trusted as an honest broker on that topic? Talk about giving the fox the keys to the hen penthouse.
i enjoyed the film and thought that it brought up valid points. let me say that i do not need to be sold on the idea of reducing pollution of any kind. one needs only to visit los angeles to be convinced. i am happy to think that because of this film people will bring more consciousness to the matter of sustainability. this is something we all should be working for. in a world where rocket fuel has been found in mothers milk, it is high time for all to be more conscious. that being said, i would be remiss not to mention my distrust of most politicians along the lines of gore. one needs only do a google search on gore's london based company "generation investment management" to understand that he is rolling in green (and i mean money) from the global warming issue. his company is an investment management company representing multi-national companies like: general electric, sysco, and what the company terms "high net worth individuals", not exactly your carbon neutral bunch. here is an excerpt from an article found at;
http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2007/03/al_gores_inconv.html
Former Vice President Al Gore has built a Green money-making machine capable of eventually generating billions of dollars for investors, including himself, but he set it up so that the average Joe can't afford to play on Gore's terms. And the US portion is headed up by a former Gore staffer and fund raiser who previously ran afoul of both the FEC and the DOJ, before Janet Reno jumped in and shut down an investigation during the Clinton years.
As Bill Hobbs first pointed out, Gore supposedly pays for his extra-large carbon footprint through Generation Investment Management (GIM) - and if you're looking to go green, and have your wallet go along with Gore, think again - average people are too insignificant to play - verifiable from this pdf.
Generation is based in London, with its U.S. offices in Washington, DC. The firm will manage the assets of institutional investors such as pension funds, foundations and endowments, as well as those of select high net worth individuals.* Generation expects to make extensive use of long-term performance based fees. Generation will begin its investment management business in early 2005.
* like Al Gore
Gore's company, GIM was specifically established to take financial advantage of new technologies and solutions related to combating Global Warming. The Global Warming crowd has told us that just recently new science emerged confirming the alleged fact that Global Warming is man made. So, ask yourself, why is it that Gore set up his Green money machine three years ago back in 2004? Is it possible Gore knew what the science would say before it was out? And even if not, can an individual who stands to make millions from Global Warming really be trusted as an honest broker on that topic? Talk about giving the fox the keys to the hen penthouse.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
THE CHEMISTRY OF COLOR AND NUTRITION
Fr
atomic number 87
atomic weight (223)
francium, formerly known as eka-caesium, is the second rarest naturally occurring element. it is one of the most unstable elements, and is always decomposing into other elements at a fast rate. there is less than an ounce of naturally occurring francium at any given time on the whole planet. it's longest lasting isotope decays in just 20 minutes. as it's name suggest a french researcher decided on the official name. it is the second element named after france, gallium being the other.
the color of foods in my kitchen:
aside from the occasional rotting piece of something, i am pleased with the colors. a while back my wife and i decided to make the quantum leap to organic, healthy, and fresh food. we favor:
violet -- eggplant
blue -- blueberries
green -- kale, spinach, romaine, tea, kiwi
red -- strawberries, wine, beets, peppers
orange -- oranges, peppers, carrots
yellow -- bananas, squash, raw butter, lemons
black -- molasses, tea
brown -- nut butters
discovery of minerals:
i discovered that malachite and azurite are two of the most exquisite looking minerals:
malachite -- swirls of dark and light green amongst white and black. herb like color but at the same time an almost artificial beauty permeates the vision. an impossible vision, one is not sure if it is truly natural or supernatural, or both; maybe a little bit of green heaven that saw fit to come to earth.
azurite -- a most exquisite azure. varying from dark to light, but it shows it's greatest beauty in the vibrant royal blue -- a noble sight and adornment for a king. this mineral needs no artist hand to mold it, it is charming enough from nature.
atomic number 87
atomic weight (223)
francium, formerly known as eka-caesium, is the second rarest naturally occurring element. it is one of the most unstable elements, and is always decomposing into other elements at a fast rate. there is less than an ounce of naturally occurring francium at any given time on the whole planet. it's longest lasting isotope decays in just 20 minutes. as it's name suggest a french researcher decided on the official name. it is the second element named after france, gallium being the other.
the color of foods in my kitchen:
aside from the occasional rotting piece of something, i am pleased with the colors. a while back my wife and i decided to make the quantum leap to organic, healthy, and fresh food. we favor:
violet -- eggplant
blue -- blueberries
green -- kale, spinach, romaine, tea, kiwi
red -- strawberries, wine, beets, peppers
orange -- oranges, peppers, carrots
yellow -- bananas, squash, raw butter, lemons
black -- molasses, tea
brown -- nut butters
discovery of minerals:
i discovered that malachite and azurite are two of the most exquisite looking minerals:
malachite -- swirls of dark and light green amongst white and black. herb like color but at the same time an almost artificial beauty permeates the vision. an impossible vision, one is not sure if it is truly natural or supernatural, or both; maybe a little bit of green heaven that saw fit to come to earth.
azurite -- a most exquisite azure. varying from dark to light, but it shows it's greatest beauty in the vibrant royal blue -- a noble sight and adornment for a king. this mineral needs no artist hand to mold it, it is charming enough from nature.
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