tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.comments2023-04-03T21:19:33.487+12:00Crypticity's aboundCrypticityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224633655908680371noreply@blogger.comBlogger483125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-54012501038288680892021-07-21T21:35:28.241+12:002021-07-21T21:35:28.241+12:00The thing is I don't think the voice, gesture ...The thing is I don't think the voice, gesture and body language get to cover all the meaning. It still relies on imagination (to intuit what could be in the gaps) and faith (that the gap-fillers are what you think they are). <br /><br />I have probably indirectly read what other people read of Wittgenstein. As a language teacher, I would routinely look at how words change meaning with regard to different elements of context. To your point, I guess it depends how "rough" we are roughly going to understand. I think language is a flexible enough tool to allow us to handle rather complex interactions and enterprises. But I'd say that is due more to the genius of humankind to have the practiced imagination to read past the words and have such regularly proven faith that what they have understood is what they understand. When you have to handle, say, buying something many times, you become very adept at imagining all aspects of the intention from very little, and the repetition of the act enhances the faith. And if you misunderstand through misinterpretation, overimagination or misplaced faith in your own rectitude, reality will usually correct you.<br /><br />But in the philosophical realm there is little practice to build faith, only imagination to fill the gaps, and it's of an intangible gapfilling nature which means that reality is not fact-checking what you fill the gaps with. Crypticityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15224633655908680371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-12507540180567609932021-04-19T01:06:17.990+12:002021-04-19T01:06:17.990+12:00I agree with the theme of your post that words wil...I agree with the theme of your post that words will always be inadequate to convey true meaning of something. They can't possibly cover all of the dimensions.<br /><br />In conversation, words can be supplemented with tone of voice, gesture, other body language to give extra meaning that words can't cover.<br /><br />Have you read any Wittgenstein? I haven't, but I have heard of an interesting idea of his: the meaning of words depends on their context and how they are used. So, would it follow if we roughly share the same understanding of context, then we can roughly understand the meaning behind the words we say to each other?Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18333626255181864272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-20918897396320244562020-05-02T11:51:23.479+12:002020-05-02T11:51:23.479+12:00I heard that, too. Then the interviewer, Anderson ...I heard that, too. Then the interviewer, Anderson Cooper I think, asked her to clarify and she backed off perhaps realising she was essentially saying that she didn't mind putting her constituents in harm's way. Every experiment needs a control group, though. <br /><br />The funny thing is that there are plenty of places which were "incidental" control groups up to a poin - namely the places that were seeded with the virus early, unbeknownst to them, and kept operating until the crisis became impossible to ignore. Taken up to that point, you can see what happens in a control group with normal social and working interactions with an infectious disease. All those "control groups" then started to take control of their fate and stopped being control groups. To be a real control group you have to follow through...Crypticityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14003893721599263118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-76163512298861517302020-04-27T16:48:32.092+12:002020-04-27T16:48:32.092+12:00Among the many groups in the USA demanding looseni...Among the many groups in the USA demanding loosening of the restrictions, I heard the Las Vegas major was offering for her city to be a "control group" for testing the effect of removing all restrictions!Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18333626255181864272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-22604051227233216682020-04-10T22:59:35.273+12:002020-04-10T22:59:35.273+12:00Just two thoughts to add here:
1) If you can't...Just two thoughts to add here:<br />1) If you can't test everyone, then you need a risk-based approach. Test those people who have been exposed to factors that make them more likely to have the disease (e.g.: they just returned from a holiday to New York).<br />2) Theory of constraints. To improve a process, you need to locate the bottlenecks and remove them, or at least mitigate them as much as you can. As you imply, there is no point sending out a million testing kits, if there aren't enough expert technicians to administer them.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18333626255181864272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-966913232393808812020-03-31T21:20:21.399+13:002020-03-31T21:20:21.399+13:00Apparently there is a large mask making factory in...Apparently there is a large mask making factory in NZ, and they assure of the copious supply, but it's not that evident. When you see the footage from hospitals, the nurses and receptionists would be exposed. I might have been in China too long, but I think it's silly that the "essential workers" are not masked, whether they be police or supermarket workers. Masks featured on the news tonight when home carers (people who go to independently living old people's homes to help out) and pharmacists were allocated masks to wear from today. It's the kind of moment when you can't help but wonder how naïve it all seems.<br /><br />But I admit I've had the same sort of evolution in my thoughts about masks. I was an ambivalent but glad user of masks in China, but had barely worn one before. Crypticityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14003893721599263118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-67191710967466982942020-03-28T21:55:04.176+13:002020-03-28T21:55:04.176+13:00I think you should definitely wear a mask if you a...I think you should definitely wear a mask if you are sick or if you are in a situation where you will interact with lots of people (e.g.: working in a shop, restaurant, etc). Until recently, I was on the fence for whether your wearing a mask prevented you from getting sick. But now I am leaning towards reducing the risk (no matter how small it may be perceived) and it's better to wear a mask when you are outside, even if you don't feel sick. In any case, we now know that the virus can be transmitted by someone who isn't even symptomatic, so it would be prudent to wear a mask just in case you are one of those people.<br /><br />Has face mask production in New Zealand been increased? Are there any manufacturers of other items who could be encouraged to switch to the production of face masks?Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18333626255181864272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-881324761951659282020-03-22T19:58:37.374+13:002020-03-22T19:58:37.374+13:00The last sentence here is a "call-forward&quo...The last sentence here is a "call-forward" (opposite of a "call-back") to a later blog you do on duality. It is only through injury that you know what it is like to be uninjured. It is only through being apart that you fully appreciate what it is like to be with your wife.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18333626255181864272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-64678966047377859292020-03-22T19:53:51.421+13:002020-03-22T19:53:51.421+13:00Now I read this at the end of March, it's sad ...Now I read this at the end of March, it's sad to see how things have turned out after reading back on how positive we felt in the first week of 2020.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18333626255181864272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-36238572052349585662020-03-08T09:03:44.695+13:002020-03-08T09:03:44.695+13:00Just following up my questioning of the rationalis...Just following up my questioning of the rationalisation of complacency, there is a CNN commentator, Smerconish, who says he is increasing his activity to make sure that the impact of covid-19 on society is less. I agree that people should try not to change their consumption too much pre-crisis. The abandonment of eating out at Chinese restaurants, even after the travel ban, shows the reflex and the subconscious, rather than rational decision-making. We've eaten out a bit lately with a similar compassion that we support the institutions we like to get them through the drought. <br /><br />BUT, one of his reasons for doing so was suspect. He cited the Diamond Princess's situation. He doubted the Chinese numbers that have 3.4% fatality rate (again, why would numbers be bent for a higher rate??) preferring the Diamond Princess's, which at present according to Wikipedia, which includes people who got off the boat as a negative and became a positive elsewhere, there were 706 infected people with 7 deaths, i.e. a 1% fatality rate. The victims have been the usual suspects: people in their 70s and 80s. There are two reasons NOT to use it as a rationalisation. (1) the 7th death was just yesterday and there are probably a large number still in ICU's. China's epidemic is still in the "grim accounting" phase where time slowly sorts through those that make it through and those that don't. The fatalities may stop at 7 but it's too early to draw conclusions on the numbers. (2) They were removed from the boat and received Japanese medical care as soon as they tested positive, i.e. good quality care in an unburdened medical system, in a timely way. Americans won't have it so nice because many don't have access to healthcare, there is a large rural population, they've acted late and that could mean their non-integrated health providers may be susceptible to a surge in patients. <br /><br />I don't rule out recent cases like in Washington, "waking the dragon" as Pearl Harbour did and steel them to unite and organise to fight the common enemy, but at this point signs aren't strong. In the two days since my "Drowning in Corona" post the diagnosed cases in the US have doubled and there are three more deaths (14->17), two in Florida, one of whom was only diagnosed once he had deceased. Anyway, definitely too early for complacency. Crypticityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15224633655908680371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-42740234388905043772020-01-03T08:37:10.215+13:002020-01-03T08:37:10.215+13:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.ahmedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07821351412404348685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-49047324961544664782018-11-26T21:12:21.503+13:002018-11-26T21:12:21.503+13:00Spoke too soon. Today I retired my Asics Gel-Pursu...Spoke too soon. Today I retired my Asics Gel-Pursues. Two runs in a row with them there was obvious tightness in my right quad that though not like an injury still caused me to slow and stop. I experimented running with a newer pair and the symptom disappeared. So after 818km of pounding they were relegated to the bin. Still that is quite some record. The next "old man" pair are my Brooks Glycerin 15, which are at a mere 626km. Let's see how far they can serve me.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04822527088283383167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-79131977533511455622018-07-08T17:27:27.596+12:002018-07-08T17:27:27.596+12:00"Moment of Truth" has come and gone: Wha..."Moment of Truth" has come and gone: What truth did it deliver? I appear to be much faster on the flat than I had extrapolated. I completed the 10km in about 41:00 (unofficial time from Strava; the timing company are taking forever with the official timings and I have time now to blog, so I'll take my own measurement as the real one for now; for an update go to: http://results.racetiming.co.nz/competitions/1622). <br /><br />41:00 is a minute faster than my target of 42:00. Of course if it was really my target, I have terrible aim. I'm highly influenced by those I run with and most of the race was choosing a "mark" (some called Mark), tailing them till they tire and passing in the hunt. I set out unrealistically fast, possibly running my fastest 5km, in the first 5km of a 10km race. But fortunately, the mileage I've been running has given me sufficient aerobic base not to "blow up" (running terminology for get slower suddenly due to fatigue). I was aware that I was faster than planned but felt I was breathing comfortably enough and could sustain it. 41:00 means that with further training and improvement, I might be able to get my time down to 40:00 this year, which I thought would be beyond me. <br /><br />Importantly, the body feels fine post-race. Pre-race was a little nerve-wracking though: We had a Friday night work function where I drank a bit and danced bollywood style for a fair while. My glutes, if you don't mind the TMI, were a pain all Saturday, and a run and a sleep on Sunday wasn't enought to recover fully. Clearly that didn't impede my effort though!Crypticityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15224633655908680371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-78796347714088121402018-05-09T21:40:09.310+12:002018-05-09T21:40:09.310+12:00Perhaps as an addendum I should add that despite b...Perhaps as an addendum I should add that despite being quite crippled on the day, I felt only slightly uncomfortable the next day. Then ran the following two days without any issues whatsoever. (One "injury" however might not be what it seemed - still to get an exact idea of what it is though I have my suspicions.) Crypticityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15224633655908680371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-85939449524796333462017-06-21T22:15:12.084+12:002017-06-21T22:15:12.084+12:00This reminded me of university study involving the...This reminded me of university study involving the theory of the firm and where its boundaries are. I wonder what the people thought when they were buying the Category 1 school from the South Island. I haven't had any experience of running an education business, but I expect that much of the value is created by the teachers who work there. If they are not coming over with the business purchase, then that is a lot of value walking out of the door.<br /><br />I would accept there is also value in the teaching methodologies and strategies which may be on that memory stick of 30 files. You would still need to read through that and implement it as you understood it.<br /><br />It sounds like you have made choices independently of what the South Island school did before and it has turned out well. Perhaps this is evidence that you could build up a Category 1 school from scratch!Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18333626255181864272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-70854030273710940412017-05-09T18:33:18.420+12:002017-05-09T18:33:18.420+12:00One interesting little coincidence from the race. ...One interesting little coincidence from the race. The first 5km's took 23:03 and the total time taken to go from 16-21km took... 23:03. And for the weird comparison, I did both sections faster than that stand alone 5km race I did a week earlier: 23:30. (That is, if the 5km loop was measured correctly...)Crypticityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15224633655908680371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-81502079243947004252017-01-04T07:00:22.377+13:002017-01-04T07:00:22.377+13:00An interesting case: http://nzh.tw/11776258
He ha...An interesting case: http://nzh.tw/11776258<br /><br />He has freedom of speech, especially in a private capacity, but was imprudent with his expression. If the conversation was as he recalled it, I'd say the same about what she said. <br /><br />Saying Waiheke is a white man's island (with thus white laws and police) is clangingly unacceptable to most now. The dichotomy of white and tangata whenua is not accurate and misapplied.Crypticityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15224633655908680371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-62636713558742777812014-05-16T13:24:28.250+12:002014-05-16T13:24:28.250+12:00Thanks, Kevin. Fortunately these things get better...Thanks, Kevin. Fortunately these things get better. I'm now without a cast and crutches, can climb stairs and ride an exercycle. I'm even more flexible than before the break, and the rehabilitation has lost me some weight. Wouldn't recommend breaking a knee but...<br /><br />Good luck with your blog and thanks for taking the time to read and comment.Crypticityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15224633655908680371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-1306169787876204082014-05-16T07:53:32.850+12:002014-05-16T07:53:32.850+12:00Ouch! That must have hurt. I've never had a br...Ouch! That must have hurt. I've never had a broken bone before, so I can only imagine the feeling. I hope you're doing well now. Anyway, good for you for making your smart phone work smartly for you. I only wish I could say the same for some of my friends. Hahaha! Cheers! :)<br /><br /><a href="https://plus.google.com/112186925716248011773/about?hl=en" rel="nofollow">Kevin Vickerman @ CPR</a><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09993743607736007428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-5760351540878883642014-01-01T21:26:41.416+13:002014-01-01T21:26:41.416+13:00So can we expect to see you as a judge on China go...So can we expect to see you as a judge on China got talents soon?lightspiritshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05687790287223277684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-20161715110927081032013-03-24T13:26:14.824+13:002013-03-24T13:26:14.824+13:00We can be leaders in our own way, without making t...We can be leaders in our own way, without making the papers. And when I break a game, I dont feel the need to issue a memo.<br /><br />Think bigger - all corporates and society define success in narrow and self serving ways. Only you can know if you're a success to your idealsJohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16528464640833395122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-85023742611043636562012-07-18T12:38:34.033+12:002012-07-18T12:38:34.033+12:00Well, my focus was more on selecting the action ou...Well, my focus was more on selecting the action our management and comparing with Mao and not vice versa. But I get your point. You'd love to hear of a management team who'd say: we've now got everyone in the right place doing the right thing. We're all demoting ourselves to the rank of teachers and doing what we love, shoulder to shoulder.<br /><br />Business does revolve around the idea of eternal revolution. Management's job is never finished.Crypticityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15224633655908680371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-51886809846929724872012-07-18T11:01:49.276+12:002012-07-18T11:01:49.276+12:00Well as you said, chairman Mao is good at managing...Well as you said, chairman Mao is good at managing revolutions. ie. uniting people to fight against a common enemy. At first the enemy was the Nationalists, when they are gone, he had no clue of how to manage a peaceful society and allow it to thrive. A wise person would have acknowledged the fact and stepped down, allow others to take things over (George Washington comes to mind).<br /><br />But...oh well, he loved being in power too much, so he then went on to create more common enemies, and does what he knew how to do best, inspire people to fight against them.<br /><br />So I guess my point is, if you really want to practice HWCMM, then perhaps you are missing one key element: common enemies.<br /><br />I don't think it's your nature to play that game though :) Otherwise you'd be reading books like 'The Prince' by Niccolo Machiavelli or its Chinese equal 'Thick Black Theory'.lightspiritshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05687790287223277684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-61664575443408434372011-07-20T23:08:04.213+12:002011-07-20T23:08:04.213+12:00Well done on retaining your iPod!Well done on retaining your iPod!Brenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04275162022770454922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6842779.post-24269269633438026032011-07-02T10:01:59.262+12:002011-07-02T10:01:59.262+12:00You have a belly?!?You have a belly?!?Brenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04275162022770454922noreply@blogger.com