Ted Rohe > Recent Status Updates

Interesting 🤔 in that Kinzig points out that Christians are unique not only in having creeds but also stating in the creeds "I/We believe..." Meaning the credal statements are an expression of a personal relationship. With an even deeper commitment by using the preposition "in".

Ch.4 Probabilism & Probabilists versus Determinists/Laplace Demon theory is interesting as I fall on being a Probabilist/Free Will in that we as humans can only understand so much. Heisinberg Uncertainty Principle & when particles act like waves. Also interesting is when a matrix is 2D, 3D, to 4D how difficulty it is to predict that area of weather or anything else. Interesting Chaos theory & Cone of Chaos.

I don't think anyone thought a political talking head pundit's predictions were ever very accurate or seriously without even doing the analysis. But insightful analysis of whether one is fox or a hedgehog. Also, Ch. 3 helpful tips for success in pg. 96-97. Also, insightful for us now in the AI showing computers, even AI can only do so much and human interaction and insight is needed as well.

A good introduction and introductory chapters and examples. Insightful thus far.

The Remembrance of Love, examen of consciousness we prayerfully reflect on the events, thoughts, feelings, and actions of our day to see how God has been at work amount us and hew we responded (or lack of response?). God makes us more aware of our surroundings (not so self focused). God wants us to be present where we are. So we can discern the footprints of the Holy Spirit.

Ch 6 The Negative Art of the Good Life Avoiding the negative things of life is something similar to what is in the book of Proverbs & various aspects of scripture "do not" but it is for the practical and spiritual impacts. But the idea of "negative theology" he cites that you can only state what God is not, but not what he is of course is incorrect from scripture. Thus, we can say what is the good things we can do.

Ch. 5 Counterproductivity
This chapter was not productive. Sure modern technology could be a time-waster rather than a time saver but there is more to life than just saving time. These devices bring other aspects to our lives. The quality of life. Walking or driving from NY to CA? Or Flying? Trying to analyse what is productive an what is counterproductive seems counterproductive.

Ch. 4 Blackbox Thinking
- It takes radical acceptance and blackbox thinking. Things like ignoring our problems or avoiding them doesn’t help and instead we should focus on what the problems are and accept shortcomings or things that we cannot avoid about ourselves or our reality.

Ch. 4 Blackbox Thinking
-Airlines have become safer because the blackbox has provided information as to the mistakes or plane issues that have come up which need correcting. Blackbox thinking is the same thing on a personal level.

Ch. 3 The Pledge Inflexibility as a Stratagem
Once you’ve pledged something, you don’t then have to weigh up the rpos and cons each and every time you’re faced with a decision.” Second reason, reputation means “by being consistent on certain topics, you signal where you stand and establish the areas where there’s no room for negotiation.”

Ch 3 Pledge Inflexibility as a Stratagem. This seems similar to Jonathan Edwards Resolutions. As Dobelli states, “when it comes to important issues, flexibility isn’t an advantage--it’s a trap.”

Now after 4 chapters and partially into Ch. 5, we are getting in to (for me) the meat of the analysis I need. I'm not saying the previous 4 chapters are not helpful but for myself just a review.

The Prayer of Complaint using the Lament Psalms shows the sincere prayers as Foster states, "They give us permission to shake our fist at God one moment and break into doxology the next."

I read the the section, "The Purifying Silence" under Ch.2 Prayer of the Forsaken. This is a not a sudden purification or noticeable. It is based on the St. John of the Cross with two purifications interior and exterior dependence. We who have walked with God have experienced the desert experiences of feeling God's distance from us &through this I have had aspects of this purification.

The next two stories were my favorite. Harrison Bergeron was this crazy and silly post-apocalyptic politically correct world with a dancing like La La Land ending but with sad ending unlike La La Land. The next story "Who Am I This Time?" was much better than I expected and actually quite good and sweet. Well told.

The short story "Where I Live" was an "ok" ode to I guess where he lived for a time. I'm assuming. Some interesting tourist sites possibly. Oldest known US library, etc. A few good quotes but nothing worth mentioning. Starting on "Harrison Bergeron" and I really like this short story so far. Good commentary on U.S. society today with the focus on egalitarian equality and PC in all areas no matter the cost.

"He sustains and he renews. One day the creation will be 'liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.' (Rom. 8:21)

It's interesting to see Holden's reaction to the hooker. Holden in some ways is more mature beyond his age which is true with some people and yet he is still juvenile about his thoughts toward sex and other matters.

Holden is an interesting character in that it shows he has this compassionat side to him like dealing with his little sister or his friend Jane. However, he shows his superficiality and condescending attitude. Like his line about the wanting to be a monk and the line "some girls you practically never find out whats the matter."

It's an interesting writing style that must have been very original for it's time. A very loose stream of thoughts. A focus against those who are "phony." Angst is a word that comes to mind. So far there is just one part that I really liked and seemed to hit me. When he writes the paper for his friend and talks about the baseball glove his younger brother used. How he wrote poems on his glove to read.

Lots of corny parts in ch. 3&4. One question is whether we would really enjoy school more online and if it was more immersive? I don't think so. There is still something about being in a real class with people who want to learn.

Ch. 2-7: The military interview's are an interesting story telling device. It's a bit of information drop hidden in an interview. I love that that the runaway kid, Kafka Tamura, spends his days either at the gym or library. I would love that and I did that for a time. More coffee shop than gym. Conversation between a man and a cat about his shadow? Interesting. Also, the discussion about Kafka's story.

Having the ability in H.S. to "mute" some of my peers would have been nice. However, the book touches on the lack of social skills and self-esteem from just playing video games and being online. Is Gen Y or Gen Z going to be this more and more? Also predictable evil corporation seems a little too contrived and easy. Kinda lazy and not original.

Interesting intro and first chapter. Definitely strange, but interesting. Favorite line/quote: "On my fifteenth birthday I'll run away from home, journey to a far-off town, and live in a corner of a small library." A strange "metaphysical and symbolic storm" so far.