Google's Knol

I have found this randomly, from a link on Wikipedia. I find it a humorous attempt at allowing sporadic chaos create something that may have hidden value. My only issue is with the idea of searching through it. It seems kind of like a ridiculous concept. The only thing that I comes to mind about the project is, 'entropy.' It's one of the most random things that I have ever stumbled upon while browsing the internet.

Either way it's just a random aside. It makes me wonder if anything of value could be discerned from it's existence. My initial assumption is that this would be a long shot.

One of those, 'huh' questions.

After being told a couple years ago school originally meant 'leisure' I checked out the definition from an etymology online etymology dictionary. That leads me to question, what's up with the general history of Education and how it's advanced over the last oh say, ~2,000 years?

I believe the change from voluntarily to compulsory at least in the United States was accomplished by Horace Mann. There's a large string of criticism to this matter. My question to the general public would be, what would be better? Compulsory or voluntary schooling?

I'm widely curious to the answers I receive, if any. Though it's a slight prelude to a project I've been considered starting. The only problem is it's something that I'd feel more comfortable if there was actually interest and support for the idea. That concerns a broader concept than the question I'm posing here. I am somewhat surprised at the lack of finding a wiki with substantial resources on the history of education. I'm going to withhold my reasoning for why the creation of such a resource would benefit the general public.

MacHeist Bundle

Well in spite of what I claimed last time, I still haven't written up a comparison of Blogger and Wordpress from my perspective. I haven't forgot though. Part of the problem comes probably from an English 101 class that I just finished, and the fact I'm tired of comparing things and contrasting them. (Things arbitrarily representing ideas, ideals, beliefs, myths, archetypes, truths, fallacies, and other things in a similar realm of understanding.)

Though I can't help but give a shout out to this powerful deal from MacHeist. I found myself impressed by more than one of the applications from the pack, and so I bought it. Currently hoping that BoinxTV, the Hit List, and especially Expresso get unlocked. But if not, such is life.

Highlights from the bundle itself that I find just plain awesome. Picturesque, Wiretap Studio, and Kinemac make it worth all the while. However, Acorn, World of Goo, and Little Snapper aren't necessarily anything to sneeze at either.

Normally I'm more into the Open Source scene, but this is one thing I'll personally make an exception for. Heck, Wiretap studio alone could be worth the 39 dollars. Helping out charities is also a good thing in my opinion.

For The Fun Factor

Greetings to the blogging world again. Today I replaced the banner on the site because I felt it was old before it was put up. For the fun of it, the acronym below the title of the site on the former banner approximated to "Think" (I think there was a random a in the middle, but we'll ignore that.) The sayings really don't mean anything other than a random acronym that I thought up. It's nothing more than that.

I hope everyone out there that may actually have this blogged RSSed enjoyed the holidays, I know I did. Commentary on social realities to return shortly, relatively shortly. Since blogging is only an every once in a while part of my life.

Living and doing is better than contemplating a resolution, afterall. (hint hint, nudge nudge... If you made one, just start doing it. Or it won't get done.)

On another note, taking something from a blog Scott Le Duc (linking to his non confidential blog, however. Following district policies yada yada yada. You know the drill.) uses for his classes at Capital High School... Do yourself a favor and make sure you get a good (healthy) laugh today:

"Children laugh an average of 146 times a day, adults laugh an average
of 4 times a day…"

Laughter's a great stress relief, so if you haven't laughed today. Do yourself a favor and take a lesson from Captain Underpants (credit to Scott for this activity too):

Use the third letter of your first name to determine YOUR new first name:

A = poopsie
B = lumpy
C = buttercup
D = gidget
E = crusty
F = greasy
G = fluffy
H = cheeseball
I = chim-chim
J = stinky
K = flunky
L = booger
M = pinky
N = zippy
O = goober
P = doofus
Q = slimy
R = loopy
S = snotty
T = tulefel
U = dorkey
V = squeezit
W = oprah
X = skipper
Y = dinky
Z = zsazsa

Use the second letter of your last name to determine the first half of your new last name:

A = diaper
B = toilet
C = giggle
D = burger
E = girdle
F = barf
G = lizard
H = waffle
I = cootie
J = monkey
K = potty
L = liver
M = banana
N = rhino
O = bubble
P = hamster
Q = toad
R = gizzard
S = pizza
T = gerbil
U = chicken
V = pickle
W = chuckle
X = tofu
Y = gorilla
Z = stinker

Use the fourth letter of your last name to determine the second half of your new last name:

A = head
B = mouth
C = face
D = nose
E = tush
F = breath
G = pants
H = shorts
I = lips
J = honker
K = butt
L = brain
M = tushie
N = chunks
O = hiney
P = biscuits
Q = toes
R = buns
S = fanny
T = sniffer
U = sprinkles
V = kisser
W = squirt
X = humperdinck
Y = brains
Z = juice

And if you can't use your own name to laugh at, use someone like George W. Bush whose name would be Gober Chickenshorts. (This fact thanks to Scott as well.) That's a great use of our elected officials I think.

So remember to find time to laugh, and keep it real with Capt. Underpants. (Or for the more narcissist, cynical crowd Garfield.)

Next time: Wordpress v. Blogger for the cheapskates (like me) who don't want to pay for anything.

Holiday Hiatus

I'm going on vacation from this Saturday to the 22nd of December. I won't be blogging much, if at all. I took a break to sort out some of the many mysteries facing life. I will likely continue to process them until I am without a doubt within grasping an answer.

Chances are I'll take a break to fix the 'labels' as Blogger chooses to call them on each post. Since right now, they're just horrendous.

Thanksgiving: A Day of Mourning

"Some minds remain open long enough for the truth not only to enter but to pass on through by way of a ready exit without pausing anywhere along the route." ~Elizabeth Kenny


For a while I have been at ends about the subject of education and the history of American Indians or Native Americans. Schools seem to skip the history of these people, while emphasizing Christian and assimilable concepts of what it means to be an 'American. I feel these teaching enable alienation, and are a petty attempt to hide a true immersion of general society to one of the truths that still remain with it today, and shaped it in the past. For what purpose this serves, is beyond me. You lie to a child at a young age; their religion helps condition this false perception...

Then in High School you try to peck a wound open to put a band aid on. The wound is trying to open someone who has become closed in their ideals after being conditioned to believe certain things that they have been taught for so many years, the band aid is the attempt to put the new information in these people's heads. A rather near impossible feet, to say the least. I find it fitting that Thanksgiving be considered a National Day of Mourning since 1970. (see the last couple sentences, basically that last paragraph in that section.)

Someone might site me on the use Wikipedia, but that's fine. It's a free and open to use resource... Not that I quoted anything anyways or copied any of the work. Just siting some simple explanations. Though if you want the full story on the subject you can read plenty about King Philip's War, Puritans, and the Peqout War here. All you need to know as it relates to Thanksgiving and the ideology behind it.

I find it sad and destructive by nature, that a day originally derived for the celebration of 'two people coming together' and 'helping our nation be built together' was the image taken from the truth... This was not the case. You can Squanto me this, and Squanto me that for those saying 'I'm skipping a detail.' I found large historic skepticism to the Wampanoag people doing much to help the 'Pilgrims' as they've been dubbed, but even if it was... That relationship was not maintained for more than two generations.

These people were challenged with an 'assimilation' or die ultimatum... I find it highly disrespectful that such a twisted fate for the truth has been allowed into our society. It bothers me much, education around multiculturalism has bothered me much. It seems the less assimilated crowds are doomed to shunning in the school system and out.

I am aware of the neo-religious belief that this day is to be a day of an exuberant praise and thanks for God, whom without no one could manage to meet such a task as these pilgrims. It's just sad that such a cultural change can alter a holiday originally meant to mark the coming together of two people in a false perception would be wiped away so easily, with no recognition for this fact. Especially for something that I believe the gospal says should be done anyways. You're not meant to be thankful consistently and thankful, is what my understanding is.

I hope to someday... Visit Plymouth on Thanksgiving with my newfound research. The interest was sparked from my textbook last year in school, and my general interest in the subject. It confirms just how warped the normality of the subject is; ever since 2nd grade I could sense something in that region was wrong. Perhaps it comes from living on the Reservation my whole life too, though.

Looking Ahead

The future is something that the present ironically strives to meet, but only manages to create a past while never transcending any point on a geometrically defined line. At least, according to the simplified theory of relativity and perspective as we see it today.

Which leads me to the paradoxical question, why do we prepare for the future that's already upon us?

My latest hiatus from what has been a relatively regular stream of posts... Has been about the future. I've been debating, and dealing mentally and emotionally with what I will do during this time that I am still in Washington. For a while it seemed like a very short time, since I was set on moving to Texas this July to live with my girlfriend. Now however, she's found an opportunity that's better suited to her needs. As a result, I find myself choosing to stay here in Washington for possibly a couple more years.

I feel that what I want to do and where I'm going is finally starting to narrow down... And a path ahead is more clear than it was before.

I'm now going to go a day at a time. For any 'young' bloggers out there, I'd advise you do the same thing. It's good too look ahead, but realize that things change with time. I certainly never thought I'd have the desire to go where I am going now.

My major goals to complete before I leave Washington:

1. Learn more about my specific culture. I am adept to the history in general of American Indians, but I wish I knew more specifically about my people's traditions. I also would like to learn Luckshootseed (our native tongue)
2. Perfect my skills computer wise... I am strongly leaning towards becoming a system admin that is proficient in Windows, Apple, and Linux based software.
   
3. Pursue some of my interests (mainly education related subjects) in local venues. I'm not going to go into major details, too many to list.
4. Organize my computer and room would be nice and well...
5. Finish some 'side projects' I've found myself involved in.

Ah well. We'll see how this all develops. It certainly won't be ironclad, that'd destroy the dynamics that make me human.

Image copyright 2008 © Dillon Decicio.