The Virtual Philosophy Club: January 2017

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Free Birthday Balloon Engages Ceiling Fan

Watch as a free birthday balloon steals the show when it engages the ceiling fan. (This happened at our Parkinsons support group Monday meeting (January 23, 2016). [Click on image to view.]

Ira Glickstein

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My Personal Best on the Internet

>>>The Virtual Philosophy Club The Virtual Philosophy Club - Courteous Discussion of Serious Topics
>>>Visual Ira - Visualize Science and Technology With Ira
>>>"2052 - The Hawking Plan""2052 - The Hawking Plan" (Free online Novel) Amore, amorality and Stephanie Goldenrod's mission to save civilization for an infinite future.
>>>My Future Tech Predictions My predictions for the next several decades (companion site to my novel)
>>>Curb Your EnthusiasmCurb Your Enthusiasm - Fantasy Episode- Fantasy Episode
>>>My YouTube Videos>>>>My YouTube Videos
>>>"What is Time?">>>>My "What is Time?" Video

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Express your opinions forcefully. Collegial cross-discussion is encouraged. Use logical, fact-based arguments. Stick to the subject of the main topic. No political or religious diatribes. No personal attacks on others. No chain letters.

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NOTE: This Blog is not officially associated with the Philosophy Club of The Villages, FL. However, current and former members of that organization are invited to participate.

Curb Your Enthusiasm - Fantasy Episodes

My brother and I are members of the "cult" that enjoys Curb Your Enthusiasm, the HBO comedy series about to enter its seventh season.

Although our political viewpoints are different, I think Larry David, who created and stars in Curb, and previously co-created Seinfeld, is a comedy genius. Here is the link to the fan Blog I created

WHY DID I CREATE THE BLOG?

Some years ago, while asembling a wooden cabinet, I had a disastrous experience. I got too cocky and made a mistake that caused the partially-built cabinet to collapse "like a house of cards". It was deeply disturbing at the time, but is hilarious in retrospect.

That experience inspired me to write a story concept where Larry David, who portrays himself in Curb as a clutz when it comes to manual skills, is shamed into tackling a do-it-yourself project. In my story idea he, in his inept way, ends up doing a better job than an expert cabinet maker.

Since Larry David does not accept story ideas from the general public, my story outline has mouldered away on a computer disk in my closet somewhere. After a visit by my brother reignited my passion for Curb, I decided to resurrect the story idea and "free" it on the Internet.

HERE ARE THE LINKS

Football fans play "Fantasy Football", so why can't sitcom fans play "Fantasy Episodes" of their favorite series? I've started a Blog Curb Your Enthusiasm - Fantasy Episodes. Read the Welcome posting and the first Fantasy Episode DIY Larry.

Here are some short highlight clips of past seasons of Curb and a tickler for the seventh season as well as a trailer for a Woody Allen movie staring Larry David.

2052 - The Hawking Plan

2052 - The Hawking Plan is Ira's free online novel. Please read it and pass it on! Stephanie Goldenrod strives to save human life and civilization for an infinite future. Amorality, amore and deep ethical and philosophical issues. What will life, liberty and technology be like several decades in the future? Click here for PREDICTIONS - How technology will affect life and liberty in future decades.

A peaceful world where large-scale military conflict is absent.
A political economy dominated and effectively ruled by transnational corporations.
A civilization where reason is trusted and faith is suspect.
A "positive ID" regime where religion-based terrorism has been suppressed, along with virtually all anonymity and privacy.
A society where most people, including ministers, priests and rabbis are not literal believers.
A post global warming world where humanity has been decimated by genetic engineering disasters.
A population served by Intelligent Robotic Agents, certified intelligent at the average human level.

A brilliant plan to spread human life and civilization far and wide into space as insurance against further disasters here on Earth. 2052 - The Hawking Plan

Want the latest version of the novel as a .pdf file? Want a professionally printed and bound copy? http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/queenbeebooks.

ALSO PUBLISHED BY IRA Several "Knols" (bits of knowledge) on Google's Knol platform. Some are a bit technical but should be accessible by a general audience:

Exercise in Bed - Do Your 4's! Some easy exercises you can do in four minutes flat in bed. Do some easy exercises in bed morning and evening. Energize yourself for the day. Relax yourself for some solid sleep every evening. If you do this every day for 120 years I guarantee you will live long :^)

Optimal Span What is the most effective span for a hierarchical structure? For example, Management Span of Control is optimally between 6 and 7...

Quantifying Brooks Mythical Man-Month Brooks Law states: “Adding manpower to a late software project makes it later.” This Law is applicable to any task involving lots of people in complex interaction...

Bayesian AI Advisor Bayes Theorem has practical applications. Use it to make real world decisions. A relatively simple Excel-based tool helps you choose the right course of action in the face of uncertain probabilities and inexact test results. It is available for FREE.

Decision Aiding Tool - Do a Trade Study Choose the Best out of a set of attractive Alternatives. Buying a house, car, pet or PC; choosing a course of action at work? Here is how to get everyone involved and make a rational choice. A relatively simple and FREE Excel-based tool helps you make the right decision, including decisions in the face of uncertainty!

Aristotle's Physics - The Four Causes How would Aristotle have used computer graphics to depict his ideas about the Four Causes (Material, Formal, Efficient, and Final)? Written ca. 350 BC, his ideas appear primitive by our 21st Century standards but they capture the wisdom of the ages. The plain text is inadequate for modern understanding - graphics explain his concepts more clearly to a contemporary audience.

Aristotle's Physics - The Five Elements Powerpoint charts Aristotle might have drawn explaining the Five Elements (Aether, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth).

Nash Bargain Advisor. John Nash won the 1994 Nobel in Economics for his work on what came to be known as "Nash Equilibrium", where two or more competing entities "cooperate" (without illegally colluding) to reach a "Nash Bargain". The book and movie "A Beautiful Mind" dramatized Nash's life story and work. A relatively simple Excel-based tool helps you calculate a Nash Bargain in a competitive situation. It is available for FREE.

Ira Glickstein

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Free Birthday Balloon Engages Ceiling Fan

Ira Glickstein, Administrator

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LIES, DAMNED LIES, AND STATISTICS

Causality and Determinism

Morality, Ethics, and Religion