Newton’s three laws and me.
Newton’s three laws make me crave apples. I picture him sitting under a tree, with his wig, thinking his Really Big Thoughts. Plop! Ouch! Zowie! And a law is born.
Law 1: On object in motion stays in motion while an object at rest stays at rest. I think of Samson who is a Siamese. She’s pretty much an object at rest. The outside force that acts on her is limited to the sound of me opening a can which I think is funny because she doesn’t get fed canned food.
Law 2: The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. In this case, the force acting on Samson is directly proportional to how late it is at night when I come home. The later, darker it is, the greater her acceleration as she tries to escape the apartment when I get home.
Law 3: If two objects interact, say in a collision, the force exerted by object 1 on object 2 is matched by a force exerted by object 2 on object 1 of the same size, but in the opposite direction. In class I used the example of two vehicles in a head on collision. If each vehicle is a similar size and traveling at the same speed, the force of the collision is as if each vehicle hit a solid wall at double the speed of each vehicle. Golly, if I had a dollar for every time I’ve seen that law in action, I wouldn’t need school loans!
Our “energy efficient” culture
Well. We aren’t really an energy efficient culture at all here in the US. Our cars are the most obvious example of the lack of energy efficiency in our focus. Families of 4 simply don’t need a suburban or a hummer. In Europe, where gas has been very expensive for a very long time, the streets are filled with smaller, more fuel efficient cars. The public transportation is much better than anywhere in the US. And people actually walk places.
The sudden surge of gas prices last spring changed a lot for the US. People started using BART instead of driving or they carpooled and that was great. It made people so much more aware of how they spend their time, how and where they drive, when they can walk or plan more fuel efficient trips. As prices drop again, I hope that people remember these practices they enacted through necessity and keep it going.
That Decartes guy
Boy, if I could get my hands on that guy . . . ! Ok, I’m kidding. I think Western medicine is primarily a science based on reductionism. Especially surgery! Doctors tend to view disease as a simply the issue of the single organ system involved, rather than the function of a more global sort of phenomenon. I’ve been a participant of western medicine for a long time and spent a lot of energy thinking in this mindset. After spending three years here studying TCM, I have to say Descartes was pretty wrong. I can clearly see now how one system’s dysfunction relates to the next system’s dysfunction, and the next and the next and so on. The body is the sum of it’s parts but it isn’t quite as separate-able as Descartes might have surmised.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Week 8 - Chaos
A very large family is driving North on I5 in two vans. The van in front blows a tire, overturns, and spills 14 bodies onto the side of the freeway. The second van unloads 15 hysterical people onto not just the side but also the freeway itself. Two of those people are hit by passers by as they try to avoid the unpredictable movements of the family. Traffic comes to a grinding halt in view of the chaos. In the middle of the madness is me and my team, sorting, triaging, organizing, planning, treating, transporting. To the large crowd gathered behind us, it seemed chaotic, mad, and unsorted. From within it was quiet, well organized, and well structured.
I’m pretty familiar with ordered chaos. It’s actually kind of fun to be the eye of the storm.
I really don’t understand fractals. I see them, I recognize them, but I don’t understand what they are or how they form. I like the reliability of the Fibonazzi numbers so I like that they are within that structure. Larry mentioned cauliflower being a fractal that appears in nature. I happened to have a head of cauliflower at home so I went and checked it out. I looked at the head, then cut a floret off and looked at that. Tiny little replica of the head. Using a magnifying mirror I cut smaller and smaller and smaller sections and was amazed to see it exactly the same every step of the way. I think that’s really cool.
I did the static cat experiment. Samson was *not* pleased. She sparked as predicted and that was a bit startling for her! Fun for me, but she lectured me for twenty minutes after.
I’m pretty familiar with ordered chaos. It’s actually kind of fun to be the eye of the storm.
I really don’t understand fractals. I see them, I recognize them, but I don’t understand what they are or how they form. I like the reliability of the Fibonazzi numbers so I like that they are within that structure. Larry mentioned cauliflower being a fractal that appears in nature. I happened to have a head of cauliflower at home so I went and checked it out. I looked at the head, then cut a floret off and looked at that. Tiny little replica of the head. Using a magnifying mirror I cut smaller and smaller and smaller sections and was amazed to see it exactly the same every step of the way. I think that’s really cool.
I did the static cat experiment. Samson was *not* pleased. She sparked as predicted and that was a bit startling for her! Fun for me, but she lectured me for twenty minutes after.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Good Vibrations!
Are all vibrations good?
The answer to any absolute question is no. All of anything is neither good nor bad. I think after hearing the story of the bridge, we can tell that vibrations don't always have good results. Does that necessarily mean that the vibrations are bad, though? Maybe, maybe not. In that particular case it was certainly an unfortunate mix of vibrations that had some fairly disastrous results. Poor Tubby!
One of the most enjoyable trips I took while in India was to a place called the Ellora Caves. It's a series of caves carved out of the Ellora Mountains. Among them, the most spectacular one is called the Vishwakarma Cave. It's 150 deep, 30 feet high and carved completely by hand by Buddhist monks. The ceiling is designed to appear as wooden planks. (I think it looks like an upside down boat.) In the rear of the cave is a fifteen foot high statue of a sitting Buddha, also carved out of the mountain. Not carved and brought in, but carved where he sits. But that's not the most amazing thing about this particular cave. Along the cave, bout ten feet in from the wall, are a series of columns. Again, the cave was carved around these columns. The monks used to worship the Buddha and make music by slapping their hands against the columns. Each one makes a different tone. It's one of the most amazing and beautiful places I have ever visited. There's a case of vibrations quite clearly being a good thing. However, what would happen if the vibration of one of the columns was to match the vibration of the mountain? If the rules we learned last week can apply, down would come the Ellora Caves and that would be an example of a very bad result of vibration.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellora
Resonance in my world
I like the two aspects of resonance that we talked about. There are some sounds I adore, just for the resonance of them. Cello music, for example. However, I’m going to spend my energy talking about that other resonance. That feeling of connectedness with something, someone, someplace. I was raised in a Catholic home. It was an ongoing struggle for me through Catholic school. The teachings simply didn’t make sense to me in any way. I was constantly butting up against the priest on even simple details of the teachings. I just did not resonate with the Catholic concept of the Christ. Many years later I had the occasion to be introduced to the teachings of Meher Baba. It was interesting that for me, it was a moment of such amazing clarity. I connected immediately and felt so perfectly at home. I resonate perfectly with Baba. I think we all have experiences like that in our lives where we meet someone and feel instantly connected or unfortunately feel instantly at odds. I can say the same for certain places.
Connections I can make between energy and Qi
When I’m treating patients, I explain Qi to them by describing it as energy. I explain Qi as energy and describe the channels as the pathways by which that energy flows through the body. It seems to make sense to most patients, especially in terms of stagnation. I describe the organs as having both their physiological function and a “personality” that we can use to predict things like stagnation and deficiency. I’m very linear and I function best with tangible understanding of how things work so for me, this explanation of Qi works very well.
The answer to any absolute question is no. All of anything is neither good nor bad. I think after hearing the story of the bridge, we can tell that vibrations don't always have good results. Does that necessarily mean that the vibrations are bad, though? Maybe, maybe not. In that particular case it was certainly an unfortunate mix of vibrations that had some fairly disastrous results. Poor Tubby!
One of the most enjoyable trips I took while in India was to a place called the Ellora Caves. It's a series of caves carved out of the Ellora Mountains. Among them, the most spectacular one is called the Vishwakarma Cave. It's 150 deep, 30 feet high and carved completely by hand by Buddhist monks. The ceiling is designed to appear as wooden planks. (I think it looks like an upside down boat.) In the rear of the cave is a fifteen foot high statue of a sitting Buddha, also carved out of the mountain. Not carved and brought in, but carved where he sits. But that's not the most amazing thing about this particular cave. Along the cave, bout ten feet in from the wall, are a series of columns. Again, the cave was carved around these columns. The monks used to worship the Buddha and make music by slapping their hands against the columns. Each one makes a different tone. It's one of the most amazing and beautiful places I have ever visited. There's a case of vibrations quite clearly being a good thing. However, what would happen if the vibration of one of the columns was to match the vibration of the mountain? If the rules we learned last week can apply, down would come the Ellora Caves and that would be an example of a very bad result of vibration.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellora
Resonance in my world
I like the two aspects of resonance that we talked about. There are some sounds I adore, just for the resonance of them. Cello music, for example. However, I’m going to spend my energy talking about that other resonance. That feeling of connectedness with something, someone, someplace. I was raised in a Catholic home. It was an ongoing struggle for me through Catholic school. The teachings simply didn’t make sense to me in any way. I was constantly butting up against the priest on even simple details of the teachings. I just did not resonate with the Catholic concept of the Christ. Many years later I had the occasion to be introduced to the teachings of Meher Baba. It was interesting that for me, it was a moment of such amazing clarity. I connected immediately and felt so perfectly at home. I resonate perfectly with Baba. I think we all have experiences like that in our lives where we meet someone and feel instantly connected or unfortunately feel instantly at odds. I can say the same for certain places.
Connections I can make between energy and Qi
When I’m treating patients, I explain Qi to them by describing it as energy. I explain Qi as energy and describe the channels as the pathways by which that energy flows through the body. It seems to make sense to most patients, especially in terms of stagnation. I describe the organs as having both their physiological function and a “personality” that we can use to predict things like stagnation and deficiency. I’m very linear and I function best with tangible understanding of how things work so for me, this explanation of Qi works very well.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Week four homework
How has e=mc2 affected you?
I don’t know if I know how to answer this question. We are all affected by the discovery of E = mc2 in the most obvious ways. I wonder more about how we might have not been affected. What would our world be like today if Einstein hadn’t made the discovery of the equation? What would the world be like today if Oppenheimer and Feynman hadn’t taken the equation and run with it?
Is it at all possible to use the equation for beneficial purposes and resist the urge to explore the more nefarious possibilities?
If I had to think of a way that E = mc2 has affected me, I think it has to be by putting Feynman on my radar. Boy oh boy, do I wish that I had those tapes on his physics lectures with me! Regretfully, they’re in storage in Merced. I’m also wishing that I had paid a lot more attention the first time I listened to them! Feynman had a way of explaining physics that was so easy to understand.
Here’s a youtube video of Einstein discussing his theory. It’s short, but really neat to listen to him talk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC7Sg41Bp-U&feature=related
There’s also lots of videos of Feynman lecturing, though I couldn’t find his specific lecture on relativity.
How would you compare the four “forces”?
The four forces are pretty groovy, if you ask me. I don’t know that they can be “compared.” It seems to me they are totally different things, though it’s obvious the universe wouldn’t work at all if they didn’t all exist and fit together as they do. The electromagnetic force and the strong nuclear force counterbalance each other perfectly. The electromagnetic force holds the nucleus and the electrons together while the Strong force holds the nucleus itself together. Clearly, they are both necessary to maintain the structure of the atom. The weak nuclear force makes it possible for us to understand the age of, well, everything. Without that, we’d have no way to measure and prove the age of the Earth and track the development of life on it.
What is the function of gravity?
Gravity’s the thing that holds the whole system together! I love that gravity is the weakest of the forces and yet impacts literally every atom in the universe. Without it, nothing would hold together, bodies wouldn’t rotate around each other. If it were any stronger, we’d not be able to move or function as we do.
I don’t know if I know how to answer this question. We are all affected by the discovery of E = mc2 in the most obvious ways. I wonder more about how we might have not been affected. What would our world be like today if Einstein hadn’t made the discovery of the equation? What would the world be like today if Oppenheimer and Feynman hadn’t taken the equation and run with it?
Is it at all possible to use the equation for beneficial purposes and resist the urge to explore the more nefarious possibilities?
If I had to think of a way that E = mc2 has affected me, I think it has to be by putting Feynman on my radar. Boy oh boy, do I wish that I had those tapes on his physics lectures with me! Regretfully, they’re in storage in Merced. I’m also wishing that I had paid a lot more attention the first time I listened to them! Feynman had a way of explaining physics that was so easy to understand.
Here’s a youtube video of Einstein discussing his theory. It’s short, but really neat to listen to him talk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC7Sg41Bp-U&feature=related
There’s also lots of videos of Feynman lecturing, though I couldn’t find his specific lecture on relativity.
How would you compare the four “forces”?
The four forces are pretty groovy, if you ask me. I don’t know that they can be “compared.” It seems to me they are totally different things, though it’s obvious the universe wouldn’t work at all if they didn’t all exist and fit together as they do. The electromagnetic force and the strong nuclear force counterbalance each other perfectly. The electromagnetic force holds the nucleus and the electrons together while the Strong force holds the nucleus itself together. Clearly, they are both necessary to maintain the structure of the atom. The weak nuclear force makes it possible for us to understand the age of, well, everything. Without that, we’d have no way to measure and prove the age of the Earth and track the development of life on it.
What is the function of gravity?
Gravity’s the thing that holds the whole system together! I love that gravity is the weakest of the forces and yet impacts literally every atom in the universe. Without it, nothing would hold together, bodies wouldn’t rotate around each other. If it were any stronger, we’d not be able to move or function as we do.
Week Three Homework
Synchronicity
What evidence can we find for synchronicity? Evidence is everywhere. We simply need to be open to seeing it for what it is. By calling things "coincidence" we close ourselves off to the possibility of synchronicity and the connectivity of humanity. I think that our need to define things and put parameters around them is really more a function of our own self-imposed limitations than the true functioning of the universe.
The other night I ran into a friend at a coffee shop. We had a short chat, a couple of laughs, and went our separate ways. I dreamt about him that night. It wasn’t a bad dream, just . . . weird. Then I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep. So I got out of bed at 3 am to do some work on the computer. After firing up the laptop, I find that in the time I was wrestling with this weird dream about him, he was sending me an email. The email wasn’t exactly the same context as the dream but in a similar vein. That’s not coincidence.
I think our lives are littered with examples like the above. We simply need to open ourselves to seeing them for what they are. I also think that if we can open ourselves to understand our influence on the universe, we could be so much more effective in generating change.
Connectivity
In my spiritual community we use an analogy of the ocean to explain connectivity. We are the ocean. Meaning that we are each part of the collective consciousness. When the ocean crashes against the rocks at the shore, the collision shoots up a spray of droplets. It’s here at this point that the droplets forget they are part of the ocean. By their perspective, they are simply these droplets, totally separate and disconnected from any other droplet. In fact, they are still part of the ocean. It’s simply a question of perspective that makes them think they are a totally independent entity.
We are each part of the collective consciousness and can have access to that consciousness if we can but open ourselves to see it.
What evidence can we find for synchronicity? Evidence is everywhere. We simply need to be open to seeing it for what it is. By calling things "coincidence" we close ourselves off to the possibility of synchronicity and the connectivity of humanity. I think that our need to define things and put parameters around them is really more a function of our own self-imposed limitations than the true functioning of the universe.
The other night I ran into a friend at a coffee shop. We had a short chat, a couple of laughs, and went our separate ways. I dreamt about him that night. It wasn’t a bad dream, just . . . weird. Then I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep. So I got out of bed at 3 am to do some work on the computer. After firing up the laptop, I find that in the time I was wrestling with this weird dream about him, he was sending me an email. The email wasn’t exactly the same context as the dream but in a similar vein. That’s not coincidence.
I think our lives are littered with examples like the above. We simply need to open ourselves to seeing them for what they are. I also think that if we can open ourselves to understand our influence on the universe, we could be so much more effective in generating change.
Connectivity
In my spiritual community we use an analogy of the ocean to explain connectivity. We are the ocean. Meaning that we are each part of the collective consciousness. When the ocean crashes against the rocks at the shore, the collision shoots up a spray of droplets. It’s here at this point that the droplets forget they are part of the ocean. By their perspective, they are simply these droplets, totally separate and disconnected from any other droplet. In fact, they are still part of the ocean. It’s simply a question of perspective that makes them think they are a totally independent entity.
We are each part of the collective consciousness and can have access to that consciousness if we can but open ourselves to see it.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Uncertainty, Causality, and the Weirdness of the Universe
Uncertainty?
Yeah, got that. I think I left last weeks's class more confused than when I went in! Ultimately, I think the only real uncertainty is within ourselves. I was particularly intrigued by the idea that we don't know what the electron is doing when we aren't looking at it. Why do we need to know? I think, ultimately, the electron knows exactly what it needs to and is supposed to be doing and that we ought to just let that happen.
I go back and forth with the idea of intention in the universe. I think there's a very specific order to the universe and I don't think much of it is in any way accidental. Who or what is driving the intention - well I have no idea on that. As I travel on my spiritual path I become more and more content to allow the universe to unfold without really needing to spend a lot of energy figuring it all out. I'm very much at peace with the idea that it all unfolds in the necessary pattern.
Causality.
Cause and effect. We all know and understand the relationship between cause and effect. You eat the cookie, you get the fat. You stay up all night playing WoW, you experience the fatigue the next day. We get that. But what about effect and cause? Are they interchangeable aspects? Sometimes, I think yes. I know for me, I often have the experience of thinking about things before they happen. Last Tuesday night I had an interesting dream featuring a fire drill at the school. The next morning, as I was lecturing, the fire alarms were set off by smoke in the kitchen. Twice this week I was thinking about a friend and he called within minutes. Both times, I knew it was him before ever picking up the phone to see who was calling. My life is scattered with anecdotes like that, from as far back in childhood as I can remember. Like my interest in the universe, I don’t try to analyze it or understand it. I accept it as something that is, and respond to the call as it comes.
Do I think the universe is weird? In some ways, yes. In most ways, I think it is a beautiful melody. I think it is a puzzle of wonderful, colorful pieces. It’s true that there are lots of aspects of our world and our societies that leave a lot to be desired, but at the end of the day, I think it’s a pretty groovy universe.
Yeah, got that. I think I left last weeks's class more confused than when I went in! Ultimately, I think the only real uncertainty is within ourselves. I was particularly intrigued by the idea that we don't know what the electron is doing when we aren't looking at it. Why do we need to know? I think, ultimately, the electron knows exactly what it needs to and is supposed to be doing and that we ought to just let that happen.
I go back and forth with the idea of intention in the universe. I think there's a very specific order to the universe and I don't think much of it is in any way accidental. Who or what is driving the intention - well I have no idea on that. As I travel on my spiritual path I become more and more content to allow the universe to unfold without really needing to spend a lot of energy figuring it all out. I'm very much at peace with the idea that it all unfolds in the necessary pattern.
Causality.
Cause and effect. We all know and understand the relationship between cause and effect. You eat the cookie, you get the fat. You stay up all night playing WoW, you experience the fatigue the next day. We get that. But what about effect and cause? Are they interchangeable aspects? Sometimes, I think yes. I know for me, I often have the experience of thinking about things before they happen. Last Tuesday night I had an interesting dream featuring a fire drill at the school. The next morning, as I was lecturing, the fire alarms were set off by smoke in the kitchen. Twice this week I was thinking about a friend and he called within minutes. Both times, I knew it was him before ever picking up the phone to see who was calling. My life is scattered with anecdotes like that, from as far back in childhood as I can remember. Like my interest in the universe, I don’t try to analyze it or understand it. I accept it as something that is, and respond to the call as it comes.
Do I think the universe is weird? In some ways, yes. In most ways, I think it is a beautiful melody. I think it is a puzzle of wonderful, colorful pieces. It’s true that there are lots of aspects of our world and our societies that leave a lot to be desired, but at the end of the day, I think it’s a pretty groovy universe.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Reflections on time
I've always had an advesarial relationship with Time. When I get a call, I have eight minutes to get there. When someone stops breathing I have four to six minutes to get them breathing again before permanent brain death occurs. In a major trauma I need to have a patient treated, packaged, and off scene in under ten minutes.
Time never seems to be on my side.
I have an obsessive need to be on time. I'm annoyed when I can't be. I'm annoyed by people who can't be on time. On the other hand, when there's no commitment, I have no particular need for Time. On my days off, I'm not concerned for what time it is. It's just when I'm committed to some action or obligation that times becomes so important. Basically, I think of Time as the enemy, or I don't think of it at all. It's interesting.
I've spent some time this week thinking about Time. I don't really like being a slave to Time but I can't really see where Time negotiates. This is funny to me, because I'm sitting here trying to find a way to describe my thought process and in my head, Time is like a three dimensional entity. It's an authority figure. The power it has! I've decided to edit my post to capitalise Time because for me, it seems to be a three dimensional thing with a proper name. A name that should be capitalised.
We were supposed to post our reflections on time, so I don't know if this fits the bill or even makes any sense. Time and me, we're not friends and I ignore it whenever I can. In ways that time can affect me personally, I'm not terribly concerned. I'm not concerned about my age. My biological clock gave nary a tick nor a tock. If I'm not scheduled to be somewher I can spend an entire day reading a book or sitting on the grass playing with my cat. But when my actions impact other people, Time is a taskmaster I dare not oppose!
Time never seems to be on my side.
I have an obsessive need to be on time. I'm annoyed when I can't be. I'm annoyed by people who can't be on time. On the other hand, when there's no commitment, I have no particular need for Time. On my days off, I'm not concerned for what time it is. It's just when I'm committed to some action or obligation that times becomes so important. Basically, I think of Time as the enemy, or I don't think of it at all. It's interesting.
I've spent some time this week thinking about Time. I don't really like being a slave to Time but I can't really see where Time negotiates. This is funny to me, because I'm sitting here trying to find a way to describe my thought process and in my head, Time is like a three dimensional entity. It's an authority figure. The power it has! I've decided to edit my post to capitalise Time because for me, it seems to be a three dimensional thing with a proper name. A name that should be capitalised.
We were supposed to post our reflections on time, so I don't know if this fits the bill or even makes any sense. Time and me, we're not friends and I ignore it whenever I can. In ways that time can affect me personally, I'm not terribly concerned. I'm not concerned about my age. My biological clock gave nary a tick nor a tock. If I'm not scheduled to be somewher I can spend an entire day reading a book or sitting on the grass playing with my cat. But when my actions impact other people, Time is a taskmaster I dare not oppose!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Meaning of Time - week one quiz
What attracts me to Chinese Medicine:
After a long history in western medicine, my draw to Chinese medicine is that it works where western medicine often doesn't. I'm enamored of the idea of being able to fix or ease problems where western medicine can offer only medications or no help at all.
What do I think of physics, honestly:
I love physics. I used to read articles about physics in magazines like Scientific American when I was a kid. I can't say that I really understood much of it, but I found it fascinating. I'm excited to learn more!
Have I ever experienced time "slowing down" or "speeding up:"
When I'm working as a paramedic treating someone seriously ill, I'm required to do lots of things in a very short span of time. It's interesting how I can accomplish so many things so quickly when I can't do it if there isn't someone dying. As for time speeding up, I think time goes fastest when we are on break between trimesters!
After a long history in western medicine, my draw to Chinese medicine is that it works where western medicine often doesn't. I'm enamored of the idea of being able to fix or ease problems where western medicine can offer only medications or no help at all.
What do I think of physics, honestly:
I love physics. I used to read articles about physics in magazines like Scientific American when I was a kid. I can't say that I really understood much of it, but I found it fascinating. I'm excited to learn more!
Have I ever experienced time "slowing down" or "speeding up:"
When I'm working as a paramedic treating someone seriously ill, I'm required to do lots of things in a very short span of time. It's interesting how I can accomplish so many things so quickly when I can't do it if there isn't someone dying. As for time speeding up, I think time goes fastest when we are on break between trimesters!
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