Wednesday 7 October 2009

An aspect in people's chaotic lives driven by the norm of competition

.. competitive tracts brings out chaos .. in people's lives ... conduct .. behaviour .. in daily acts in the lives of individuals .. depend on the thoughts communicated .. sentences, phrases, words used .. that carry a weight .. which determines the quality of the transactions .. the interaction between individuals .. the processes undertaken by individuals .. while engaging with other individuals ..

.. the weight carried, and what carries the interactions through is not assessed .. equally .. similarly .. by the individuals involved ..

.. a hindrance in the relationships that unfold .. and determine the acts of the individuals .. a lack of knowledge .. distorts the acts performed .. they do not fully represent the individual ..

.. lack of knowledge which undermines .. the status, the self-esteem in any individual ..

.. in order to maintain composure necessary for the individual to function under the constraints of competition prevalent in the midst of societies .. the lack of knowledge is compensated, ... by a rigid, irrational traits .. as it refuses to acknowledge its lack of knowledge .. as it will undermine its composure .. it has to hide its lack of knowledge, seeing it as a threat .. under a veil of assuredness ..

.. reluctant to accept .. becomes ignorant .. of its human co-creators .. sets other individuals in a framework

in its efforts to assert authority .. anger ensues .. as the scope .. in an altercation .. and the perspective seen through narrows .. the narrow perspective obstructs from seeing .. the alternative views ..existing .. expressed by the other individuals involved .. that represents the weight bestowed upon the matter at bay ... the problem .. for which solution is sought .. and as a result balance is not achieved

loud voices .. as each one tries to pass through the point that represents its view .. the exchange of words that represents the thoughts that carry the weight .. each individual

if the situation is not resolved .. the problem would not go away .. and will continue .. to surface unresolved .. anger should be used constructively .. and though the loud voices act as ... to register the message delivered stronger .. by increasing its impact .. on the other person .. as well as a sign how strong are the feelings .. the situation is felt by the individual .. the weight assumed by the individual

perceived status .. what the weight refers to .. what undermines this status .. is fought against .. competition brings about a tendency by individuals to overwhelm other individuals .. to override their will their influence upon them .. subjugate the other individuals will

Thursday 7 May 2009

Darwin's inserted competitive streak in us, maligns us. Science, in itself cannot be creative.

... rslite said..., comment in "Peeve of the day" post

"Maybe what we know and can use now is not good enough to prove that it works or not. Maybe it does work on a different level that we can't measure yet, or maybe it doesn't work at all and people feel well because of other causes. Where do we draw the line between something that is clearly a joke and something that could be true but we haven't found why yet?"

What we know and can use now is not good enough to prove that it works or not ...

Knowledge, how awesome it might appear, it is still the tip of the iceberg, of what yet, is to be known. It is imperfect, by virtue of not being the whole, of what there is to be known. Or, it never ends, therefore, what we know now, should never be used, to kill off what is to be known in the future.

Should let it grow unhindered. It will find its way.

Should put in mind. Alternative ideas, attack them from any angle possible, contribute if you may, instead of killing them by ridiculing the individuals that foster these ideas.

Instead of, killing thus, any ideas, is better to kill off the urge, to destroy new ideas, again, no matter how absurd they may sound, or how out of reason they might be to us, judged, by what we know now.

Why would someone, would feel compelled to ridicule, the bearers of weird ideas? Their prominent position, assumed in their minds, at stake?

A direct consequence of the prevailing norms of competition, in its worse form, manifestation. What you do not understand and fathom, kill it. All in an attempt to preserve cherished status, in the world of ideas. So that, the ground beneath one's feet, doesn't give in.

The more and more I think about it, the more I am convinced, that these are the makings of the competitive streak, Darwin's theories have left upon us. Compete, to your heart's delight.

However, evidence is emerging, that it is not competition but rather replacement, that governs evolution.

Replacement by an even more fit, more robust alternative, a bifurcation in the evolutionary tree that grows by itself for itself, being more securely adapted to, to its surrounding conditions. To my mind even independently, to other pre-existing or even newly emerging elements, sprouting in concurrent time.

Principles that fire up in almost any activity, individuals are engaged in, the emeeeeerging collaboration trends in the world of individuals, away from soul-destroying, mind-numbing competition.

For me it makes sense, without even the need, to back it up with any hard scientific evidence. I see no need for science here. Seen science as an endeavor of our conscious mind, for a secure foothold, of what imagination and creativity has borne out, in the first place, but can not overcome its self-imposed limits. Science in itself cannot be creative.

It is not hard knowledge, evidence based, firm, solid pieces of knowledge, that matter most. You can extend, expand so much, as already pre-set boundaries, allow you. But what the goldmine is, within the science processes, what leads in leaps and bounds, are the weird and wonderful ideas created, that count.

Hard-nosed productivity, the Procrustes bed, for innovation and creativity.

In Mashable, the social media guide, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone told Barbara Walters flat out that “We are not for sale.”

Further in the article it is pointed out that,

"Yahoo recently announced it was shutting down Geocities,..",
"Google (Google reviews) shutdown both Jaiku and Dodgeball .."
"MySpace (MySpace reviews) has languished and lost its lead in social networking since being purchased by News Corp."

Hard-nosed productivity, a tomb, for innovation and creativity. Creativity, as is widespread in all individuals, of all walks of life, hard-nose productivity, a Procrustes bed. As they, would stretch and shrink, creativity and creative individuals, to fit their 'Procrustean bed', drooling in hiding, sizing up profits, what they will squeeze out of the social sites.

Why would they not be content, in what they have, and try instead to make better the product, they are best at. To go with the flow instead of converging the flow, cashing it in, to their tills.

Thursday 30 April 2009

Digg, a case study? Behind the scene parameters, skews and warps the product.

Reading "MrBabyMan: Digg Users Revolt, Against the One Pure Man at the Top"


"I came away from the conversation with a number of conclusions. The dominant one is this. Andrew Sorcini's MrBabyMan persona is sitting at the top of a small network of loyal friends, made up of people like SEO marketers, PR agents turned would-be social media experts and other unsavory folk. That circle is further surrounded by an even larger network of millions of Digg users who try to have fun on the site but also wish they could find success there. Many of them no doubt with they too could find a way to make a living in the snake-oil filled circus that is "new media marketing," as many of the top Digg users have done."


... made up of people like SEO marketers, PR agents turned would-be social media experts and other unsavory folk

... unsavory folk? ....

.... a way to make a living in the snake-oil filled circus that is "new media marketing

... "new media marketing" ... snake-oil filled circus?

" "All I ever wanted," he said, "was just for the stories to live or die on their own merits. If everyone was on a level playing field I would love that - because I still have the skills to find the great stories...I'm not complaining about the algorithm, but I don't want to be vilified for working within the parameters of it."

... If everyone was on a level playing field I would love that ...

... level playing field? ... what someone want ... as MrBabyMan ... when enters an activity ... usually it is not .. and why it is not ... money considerations ... in this case .. the ... "new media marketing" idea ... the snake-oil filled circus.

... for working within the parameters of it ... parameters ... in every activity ... individuals are engaged ... or even beyond the reach of individuals ... the parameters set by the system ... any system ... the range that within it ... the system survives ... exists ... the range set by the parameters ... a range of values in some crucial variables ... for the system ... the conditions that define the system ... system defined by the conditions ... a sensitive dependence of the system's state ... on the conditions ... that a change ... even a minute change would alter ... the system's state ... at any time.

Like what is mentioned ..

"He says he's totally accessible and can be reached by anyone who wants to talk to him - though he didn't know that the email addresses on his profile were visible only to his friends until it was pointed out to him in our conversation."

... email addresses on his profile were visible only to his friends

...which ... he didn't know ...

... until it was pointed out to him ...

... an ever-so-slight change that might have affected the parameters, the conditions. Which might explain ... his predicament ... the outcome state ... his rejection by other users. An upheaval for MrBabyMan.

... parameters ... conditions set ... dynamic states ... constantly evolving ... all the humbug .. in Digg ... millions of users ... submitting stories ... but unaware of the parameters ... the conditions ... the initial conditions ... their acts, their stories outside ... the range of the parametres ... do not succeed ... they are not dug ... frustrated.

"If everyone was on a level playing field ... "

... would a level playing field achieved ... for everyone ... by everyone being savvy ... of the parameters ... the conditions ... the initial conditions ... as the member MrBabyMan, aka Andrew Sorcini, is. By being savvy ... they would be expected ... to act within the parameters ... what would be surmised as ... everyone ... being ... in a level playing field. Then everyone would be expected to be as successful as MrBabyMan ... or ... success would be determined solely or primarily ... on the skills each one has ... as MrBabyMan says ... to find great stories.

... and what about these parameters that MrBabyMan is savvy ... shouldn't have these parameters being included ... or been easily surmised by ... in Diggs Terms of Service. Surely, if all users are regarded equally ... by Diggs CEOs ... they should be. The matter is ... that these parameters ... are not common knowledge ... regardless whether ... Diggs CEOs .. treat each of their users .. equally. If they are. So who sets these parameters ... or .. are they coming out of ... the "new media marketing" ... the snake-oil filled circus ... the circles made up of people like SEO marketers, PR agents turned would-be social media experts and other unsavory folk.

The money-making ... profiteering lot ... that introduce parameters ... which are not about ... finding great stories. Yielding their profits ... exploiting the desire or tendency of other users ... budding entrepreneurs ... to make a living.

What use is Digg then ... for some people to make money? Why kind of service is that? Why would any one consider ... to join Digg? ... to make money? What about the stories? Their worth should be counted on ... on how much money they make? Attached numbers, price tags ... dubious values ... devoid of meaning ... useless.

Money exercising ... their value-eroding influence ... the price-tag value that levels off every value thinkable. Value-less, no inherent value within.

Monday 16 March 2009

Our current states represent the initial conditions of our future states.

Our current states represent the initial conditions of future states. On which chaotic development will be based upon and, along the lines of chaos initial conditions sensitive dependence principle, will unfold.

Past states are of little or no consequence to the chaos developing future states. They are effectively forgotten. Each moment is a good start for a new beginning.

Past states will certainly have shaped our current initial conditions but they are within our control. We should cut the ties that past events have created, all the unnecessary baggage that is holding us back, select the conditions chaos will apply its sensitive dependence upon, assume control on the future states.

Adverse, debilitating conditions should not be left to determine the future states ahead. Selecting, focusing and concentrating on conditions which will maximise benefit. Working towards beneficial future states. Future states certainly are unknown but they are prone to guidance.

Trial and error? Constant change? Directed?

Sunday 15 February 2009

Changes in ideas held by human individuals and the last bastion to overthrow. The domination by groups of individuals based on the possession of money

How changes in societies are effected?

It is not the change that happens at the top that matters, but the changes that take place at the bottom, the foundations of a system, the agents of a system, the human individuals in societies.

Any change in the perspective, the outlook, the viewpoint, the behaviour, the rules of conduct of the human individual, or whatever other term is used to express what drives the acts performed or undertaken by agents in the system society, every activity that unfolds in all societies, the world over.

Changes that are effected on the ideas, no matter how little or big, human individuals carry. Big or little ideas that explain all acts individuals undertake, what is behind of everything that move societies back and forth at any given moment, but always forth when looked at from the perspective of longer time intervals.

Social systems, with a variety of institutions devised amidst them, tend to preserve what is gained, assumed to be the cornerstone, the pinnacle, the panacea of all societal structures tried and tested so far. Their actions are directed towards all the ideas held by human individuals. Their attempts aim at moulding the changes ideas can undergo. What changes are allowed and what are not. At the end, they become reactionary, subversive, they hold back the proliferation of ideas, stifle progress.

But the kind of changes, ideas undergo, can not be directed by the narrow boundaries institutions prescribe, especially when it is taken into account that these institutions are heavily influenced by factors alien to the nature of the human individual, and driven by the most primitive of principles, of the domination of groups of individuals by any other group of individuals for whatever reason or other arbitrary viewpoint possible.

Human history is a treasure, sort to speak, of a large cohort of examples where groups, based on race, colour, religion, nationality, birth, gender, birthplace, or whatever other attribute, trivial or not that divides humanity into groups.

All these divisions, one by one have been tried and tested, and eventually overthrown and abandoned and all started as changes in the ideas carried in the minds of individuals and subsequently as changes in the structure of societies built.

The last bastion, the domination by groups of individuals based on the possession of money is underway, and eventually to come into its liberating conclusion.

Once this is accomplished, then the most miraculous journey for humanity begins. The unhindered by alien, external influences, discovery of nature itself and the nature of the human individual.

Saturday 17 January 2009

Mundane approaches and paradigm shifts in societies

In the post "Paradigm Shift: Changing the Human Experience", of the Rain City Guide website, in Comment 66 from ARDELL it mentions


"For the most part, tipping points do come from the mundane approach, as it takes masses of people to shift, in order for the behavior to “tip” in a new direction."

There is something, the word profound comes into my mind, hidden in this excerpt. I would feed it in my chaotic mind and see what it will come up with.

Talking about paradigm shifts, in social norms, modes of behaviour, ways of dealing with stuff. The problems individuals face in life. Problems that seek a solution. In seek for solutions.

Certainly, a solution, an alternative way to deal with problems, might already be there. It exists. It has been discovered. But to no avail.

'mundane'

Why it sticks into my mind? There should be something there. Mundane, as something that is already there, and it is repeated on and on. Routines that have been adopted and followed, even faithfully for that matter. It hardly provides any room for change. It is not a fertile ground for changes. Certainly, does not excite individuals involved, that are participating in such an approach, as they undertake the tasks involved. I would even say that the individuals are trapped, within narrow boundaries. Limiting in a manner, their expression.

Still, 'mundane' is powerful as by itself, in right or wrong ways, is what holds societies compact. All the processes involved, adhered steadfastly by individuals, give the necessary momentum, provide the 'body' that despite where the processes lead to, to useful or useless goals or something in between, nevertheless build solid structures.

Solid structures, the necessary fiber, the glue that holds societies intact as the time goes by. Mundane processes incorporating the dynamics necessary to preserve continuity through time.

And the 'tipping points', changes introduced while maintaining the structures, the 'body' being kept intact, need to be adopted individually out of informed approaches, countless acts of assessing, weighing, trying, testing and re-testing
as 'it takes masses of people to shift', so the final(?) 'tip' would come, I would say, effortlessly, as if by itself, without major upheavals

Revolution at the level of the single individual, small 'revolutions' introduced within the wider context of societies, the essence of chaos. The minute changes in an individual effects changes on the initial conditions of the systems 'societies', and by sensitive dependence 'tips' societal behaviour in a new direction.

Today's societies enormous. Minute changes. The change adopted at the level of a single individual 'tips' the behaviour of society in a new direction

The paradigm shift effected.

Up to the point that everything that what was held steadfastly in the past is abandoned, forgotten and thrown overboard,

The society never looks back.

How a change in the single individual takes place? In the same way that it takes place in the context of the system society. The individual with its very own initial conditions assessed, effects the small changes, and by sensitive dependence is carried through at the level of its overall behaviour, broadly based on chaos self-similarity principle.

What represents its behaviour, a net daunting in its complexity on its own merit, within the system, the very own individual is. And the individual, a fundamental sub-system of the system society, the foundations of any system or several systems that all together make up the system society. Each system that exists, with its very own set of mundane procedures. But, as well with its initial conditions, the sensitive dependence and chaos.