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The concept of Shibboleth, which refers to the use of language, accent, or behaviour to identify in groups, has remained constant throughout human history. Still, the definition of what constitutes an in-group has changed over time. It is the responsibility of individuals to seek personal truth, recognize multiple truths, and learn from history to build a more inclusive and accepting society.
\n\n\n\nThroughout history, people have formed groups based on shared interests, beliefs, and backgrounds, using Shibboleth to identify those who belong to a particular group or culture. However, what defines an in-group has evolved with societal norms and expectations. For example, in the Victorian era, an in-group might have consisted of individuals of high social status who adhered to strict behaviour codes, whereas today's in-groups may be based on shared values, interests, or hobbies. Despite these changes, the underlying concept of group identity remains constant.
\n\n\n\nWhile societal definitions of in-groups may change, the responsibility for finding personal truth remains with the individual. Each person must navigate their unique path through life and seek out the facts that resonate with them. It is important to acknowledge that what is valid for one person may not be accurate for another, and multiple truths can coexist without being mutually exclusive. This recognition can lead to greater understanding and empathy.
\n\n\n\nIn the modern era, social media and technology have created virtual communities based on shared interests and beliefs. However, the relative anonymity and distance provided by these platforms can also enable irresponsible behaviour and the spread of misinformation. It is crucial for individuals to seek out the truth through education and gathering information from reputable sources rather than relying solely on social media and soundbite information.
\n\n\n\nLearning from history can provide valuable insights into how exclusivity and discrimination based on group identity have led to conflict and oppression while recognizing multiple truths and the importance of individual truth-seeking have been drivers of progress and enlightenment. It is essential to understand that societal definitions of in-groups are not fixed. By engaging with the complexities of history and seeking diverse perspectives, individuals can develop a more nuanced understanding of the world and their place in it. Only through this type of thoughtful engagement can we challenge divisive narratives and work towards a more inclusive and accepting society.
\n","excerpt":"The concept of Shibboleth, which refers to the use of language, accent, or behaviour to identify in groups, has remained constant throughout human history. Still, the definition of what constitutes an in-group has changed over time. It is the responsibility of…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":407,"type":"post","title":"Electric Vehicles","slug":"electric-vehicles","route":"/2023/04/18/electric-vehicles/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2023/04/18/electric-vehicles/","publishedAt":"2023-04-19 02:06:53","modifiedAt":"2023-04-19 02:06:53","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nAs people seek environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional vehicles. EVs offer several advantages, including reduced emissions at the driver level compared to internal combustion engines, as they do not release harmful pollutants into the air. However, there are limitations with current battery technology, including limited range and the need for frequent charging, as well as concerns about the environmental impact of battery production and mining of rare earth metals.
\n\n\n\nDespite these challenges, the adoption of EVs presents economic opportunities through increased competition, supply outputs, and global trade. EVs can be produced more efficiently and in larger quantities, which can lead to a more competitive market with more choices and competitive prices for consumers. Additionally, the simplicity of EV propulsion systems and the use of CAD systems and CNC milling can drive innovation in the hobby industry for EVs, creating new opportunities for customization and experimentation.
\n\n\n\nEntrepreneurs and innovators in the EV industry can play a crucial role in addressing current challenges and driving innovation. They can work on developing better battery technology, finding cleaner and more sustainable mining practices, and improving power production and charging infrastructure. As the demand for EVs increases, it is likely to spur further innovation, resulting in better technology, more efficient production processes, and higher-quality products.
\n\n\n\nThe driving experience of EVs also offers advantages, such as higher torque output and immediate torque when the accelerator is pressed, resulting in fast and enjoyable driving experiences. With continued innovation in the EV sector, we can expect to see the emergence of high-performance EVs that can compete with traditional sports cars, as seen in the growing market of EV conversion companies that modernize classic cars with electric drive systems.
\n\n\n\nThe rise of EVs is not only about reducing emissions and environmental impact but also presents an opportunity for entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth. Despite the challenges, the industry is driving progress and entrepreneurial activity will play a vital role in overcoming obstacles and realizing the full potential of EVs as a sustainable mode of transportation.
\n","excerpt":"As people seek environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional vehicles. EVs offer several advantages, including reduced emissions at the driver level compared to internal combustion engines, as they do not release harmful pollutants into the air…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":400,"type":"page","title":"2001 Integra Type R","slug":"2001-integra-type-r","route":"/cars/2001-integra-type-r/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/cars/2001-integra-type-r/","publishedAt":"2023-04-18 18:59:31","modifiedAt":"2023-04-18 19:27:08","author":"admin","parentId":23,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nThe Acura Integra Type R is a high-performance variant of the Integra model produced by Honda's luxury division, Acura. This iconic sports car was introduced in 1997 and was available until 2001. During this period, it was produced for the global market, including Canada. The Acura Integra Type R quickly gained a reputation as one of the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars of its time. Its lightweight construction, high-revving engine, and agile handling made it a popular choice for enthusiasts and performance-minded drivers alike.
\n\n\n\nThe Acura Integra Type R was first introduced in Japan in 1995 as a limited edition model. It was initially built to meet the homologation requirements for the Super Touring Car Championship. However, its success on the racetrack led to its popularity among enthusiasts, prompting Acura to introduce it for the global market. In Canada, the Acura Integra Type R was sold exclusively under the Acura brand and was only available in limited numbers.
\n\n\n\nBody and Interior Design
\n\n\n\nThe Acura Integra Type R was based on the DC2 generation of the Integra model. It featured a lightweight body construction with a weight-saving aluminum hood, thinner glass, and reduced sound insulation. The car was equipped with a front lip spoiler and a rear wing, which provided additional downforce and improved aerodynamics. The front and rear bumpers were also unique to the Type R, giving it a more aggressive appearance.
\n\n\n\nInside, the Acura Integra Type R had a minimalist cabin with lightweight bucket seats, a Momo steering wheel, and a titanium shift knob. The car featured a red and black color scheme with red stitching on the seats and door panels. The dashboard was also unique to the Type R, featuring a red-faced tachometer and a white-faced speedometer. The Type R was also equipped with air conditioning, power windows, and a CD player as standard features.
\n\n\n\nEngine and Performance
\n\n\n\nThe Acura Integra Type R was powered by a high-revving 1.8-liter DOHC VTEC engine, which produced 195 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque. The engine was paired with a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission, which was geared for performance driving. The Type R had a redline of 8,400 RPM, which was higher than any other Honda engine of its time. The car's performance was further enhanced by its limited-slip differential, stiffer suspension, and larger brakes. The Type R was capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds and had a top speed of 140 mph.
\n\n\n\nThe Canadian Domestic Market Version
\n\n\n\nThe Acura Integra Type R was sold in limited numbers in Canada between 1997 and 2001. The Canadian domestic market version of the Type R was identical to the US-spec version, with a few exceptions. The Canadian Type R had daytime running lights, which were required by Canadian law. It also had a different speedometer, which was calibrated in kilometers per hour instead of miles per hour. The Canadian Type R was available in Championship White, Flamenco Black Pearl, and Phoenix Yellow.
\n\n\n\nProduction Numbers
\n\n\n\nThe Acura Integra Type R was produced in limited numbers between 1997 and 2001. In total, 3,823 units were produced for the global market, with the majority being sold in Japan and the United States. Of these, only 320 units were sold in Canada, making the Canadian version of the Type R a rare and sought-after vehicle among enthusiasts.
\n\n\n\nLegacy and Impact
\n\n\n\nThe Acura Integra Type R has left a lasting legacy in the automotive industry. It is regarded as one of the best front-wheel-drive sports cars of all time, thanks to its agile handling and high-performance engine. The Type R's success on the racetrack also solidified its reputation as a formidable performance car. Many automotive enthusiasts and racing aficionados consider the Acura Integra Type R as a cult classic, with a strong following even years after its production ceased.
\n\n\n\nThe Acura Integra Type R also had a significant impact on the sport compact car market in Canada during its production years. The limited availability and exclusivity of the Type R in Canada made it a sought-after vehicle among car enthusiasts and collectors. The Type R's performance capabilities, combined with its unique design and features, made it a standout option in the market for those seeking a thrilling driving experience. The Canadian domestic market version of the Type R is particularly prized among collectors due to its rarity, making it a desirable vehicle in the Canadian automotive landscape.
\n\n\n\nOne of the reasons behind the Acura Integra Type R's success was its engineering and technology. The high-revving VTEC engine, which was a hallmark of Honda's performance cars, provided exceptional power and performance for a front-wheel-drive vehicle. The Type R's lightweight construction, stiff suspension, and limited-slip differential contributed to its precise and nimble handling, allowing it to take on twisty roads and corners with ease. The car's racing-inspired features, such as the front lip spoiler and rear wing, also added to its performance capabilities, providing additional downforce and stability at higher speeds.
\n\n\n\nThe Acura Integra Type R's impact was not limited to the racetrack and automotive enthusiasts. It also influenced the sport compact car culture, particularly in Canada, where the Type R gained a dedicated following. The Type R's distinctive appearance, with its aggressive front lip spoiler, rear wing, and Championship White color option, became iconic among car enthusiasts. The Type R's performance reputation also influenced the aftermarket modification scene, with many owners opting to customize their vehicles with performance upgrades, such as aftermarket exhaust systems, suspension components, and engine modifications, to enhance its performance even further.
\n\n\n\nDespite its popularity and success, the Acura Integra Type R was only produced for a limited time. Production ceased in 2001, and the Type R nameplate was not revived for the subsequent generations of the Integra model. However, its legacy lives on as one of the most revered sports cars in automotive history, and it continues to be highly sought-after by collectors and car enthusiasts alike.
\n\n\n\nIn conclusion, the Acura Integra Type R, produced for the global market between 1997 and 2001, including the Canadian domestic market version, is a legendary sports car that left an indelible mark in the automotive world. Its high-revving engine, agile handling, and racing-inspired features made it a standout performer on the road and the racetrack. The limited production numbers and exclusivity of the Type R in Canada further enhanced its desirability among automotive enthusiasts. Even years after its production ceased, the Acura Integra Type R continues to be celebrated as one of the best front-wheel-drive sports cars of all time, and its legacy as an automotive icon remains strong.
\n","excerpt":"The Acura Integra Type R is a high-performance variant of the Integra model produced by Honda's luxury division, Acura. This iconic sports car was introduced in 1997 and was available until 2001. During this period, it was produced for the global market…","categories":[],"featuredImage":null},{"id":398,"type":"page","title":"2000 Subaru RS 2.5","slug":"2000-subaru-rs-2-5","route":"/cars/2000-subaru-rs-2-5/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/cars/2000-subaru-rs-2-5/","publishedAt":"2023-04-18 18:58:46","modifiedAt":"2023-04-18 18:58:46","author":"admin","parentId":23,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nThe Subaru WRX is a legendary performance car that has been a favorite among driving enthusiasts for decades. One particular model that holds a special place in the hearts of car enthusiasts is the GC8 2-door version, also known as the 2.5RS. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the Subaru WRX GC8 2.5RS, its history, specifications, and what makes it a unique and sought-after vehicle in the automotive world.
\n\n\n\nHistory and Background The GC8 2.5RS is a variant of the Subaru Impreza, a compact car produced by the Japanese automaker Subaru. The Impreza was first introduced in 1992 and quickly gained popularity for its all-wheel-drive system and turbocharged engines, which made it a capable and thrilling car to drive. In 1998, Subaru released the first-generation Impreza WRX, which featured a more powerful turbocharged engine and performance-oriented upgrades. As part of the first-generation WRX lineup, the 2.5RS was introduced in 1998 as a two-door coupe version of the Impreza with a naturally aspirated engine.
\n\n\n\nThe name \"2.5RS\" stands for 2.5-liter engine with Rally Sport (RS) features, and it was designed as a homologation special for Subaru's participation in motorsports, particularly in rally racing. The 2.5RS was produced in limited numbers, making it a rare and sought-after model among car enthusiasts, especially those who appreciate the performance and heritage of Subaru's rally racing heritage.
\n\n\n\nSpecifications and Performance The Subaru WRX GC8 2.5RS was powered by a 2.5-liter flat-four engine, also known as a \"boxer\" engine due to its horizontally opposed piston arrangement. This engine produced 165 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, which may seem modest by today's standards, but it was sufficient to provide the 2.5RS with plenty of performance for its time. The engine was paired with a five-speed manual transmission, which added to the engaging driving experience of the 2.5RS.
\n\n\n\nOne of the standout features of the 2.5RS was its all-wheel-drive system, which was a hallmark of Subaru's vehicles. The all-wheel-drive system provided excellent traction and stability, allowing the 2.5RS to tackle various road conditions with confidence. This feature, combined with the car's lightweight chassis, made it an agile and fun-to-drive car on twisty roads and gravel trails alike.
\n\n\n\nIn terms of suspension, the 2.5RS came with a sport-tuned suspension system, which featured stiffer springs, upgraded shock absorbers, and larger anti-roll bars compared to the standard Impreza. This setup provided improved handling and stability, allowing the 2.5RS to corner with precision and maintain stability during high-speed driving.
\n\n\n\nDesign and Features The Subaru WRX GC8 2.5RS featured a distinctive design that set it apart from the standard Impreza. The 2-door coupe body style gave it a sporty and aggressive appearance, with its sleek lines and muscular fender flares. The 2.5RS also came with unique features such as a hood scoop, which was not functional on the naturally aspirated version but added to its sporty look. The 2.5RS also featured 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, and a rear spoiler, further enhancing its sporty appeal.
\n\n\n\nInside, the 2.5RS came with a simple and functional interior. It featured supportive front sport seats with cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a basic stereo system. One notable feature of the 2.5RS was its rear seats, which could fold down to provide additional cargo space, making it a practical option for those who needed to transport larger items.
\n\n\n\nIn terms of safety, the 2.5RS came with standard features such as dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes, and a traction control system. However, it's worth mentioning that the 2.5RS did not come with some of the advanced safety features that are now common in modern vehicles, such as electronic stability control or side airbags. Nonetheless, its sturdy construction and all-wheel-drive system provided a level of safety and stability on the road.
\n\n\n\nDriving Experience The driving experience of the Subaru WRX GC8 2.5RS is what truly sets it apart. The combination of its responsive engine, all-wheel-drive system, and sport-tuned suspension made it a thrill to drive, especially on winding roads or in challenging weather conditions. The naturally aspirated engine may not have the same power as its turbocharged WRX counterparts, but it still provided ample performance for an enjoyable driving experience.
\n\n\n\nThe 2.5RS was known for its sharp handling and precise steering, allowing the driver to confidently navigate through corners with ease. The all-wheel-drive system provided excellent traction, allowing the car to grip the road even in slippery conditions. The sport-tuned suspension provided a firm yet comfortable ride, allowing the driver to feel connected to the road without sacrificing comfort during everyday driving.
\n\n\n\nAnother unique aspect of the 2.5RS was its off-road capability. Thanks to its all-wheel-drive system and raised ground clearance, the 2.5RS was capable of tackling rough terrain, making it a popular choice for those who wanted a versatile car for both on-road and off-road adventures. Its rally-inspired heritage and performance-oriented features made it a popular choice among motorsports enthusiasts and rally racing fans alike.
\n\n\n\nLegacy and Collectibility The Subaru WRX GC8 2.5RS has developed a cult following among car enthusiasts over the years, and it has become a collectible vehicle due to its limited production numbers and unique features. Its rarity, combined with its performance-oriented upgrades and rally heritage, has made it a sought-after model in the used car market, with prices for well-maintained examples often commanding a premium.
\n\n\n\nThe 2.5RS has also left a lasting legacy in the automotive world. It was the precursor to the turbocharged WRX models that followed, which have become icons in the performance car segment. The 2.5RS showcased Subaru's commitment to motorsports and rally racing, and it laid the foundation for the success of the WRX lineup as a whole, which continues to be popular among driving enthusiasts around the world.
\n\n\n\nConclusion The Subaru WRX GC8 2.5RS is a special and unique vehicle that holds a special place in the hearts of car enthusiasts. Its rally-inspired heritage, performance-oriented features, and engaging driving experience make it a standout model in the automotive world. While it may not have the same power as its turbocharged WRX counterparts, it compensates with its nimble handling, all-wheel-drive system, and off-road capability. Its limited production numbers and collectible status make it a coveted choice among car collectors and driving enthusiasts alike. The 2.5RS remains a timeless classic that continues to capture the hearts of automotive enthusiasts, and its legacy as a performance icon in the Subaru lineup is sure to endure for years to come.
\n","excerpt":"The Subaru WRX is a legendary performance car that has been a favorite among driving enthusiasts for decades. One particular model that holds a special place in the hearts of car enthusiasts is the GC8 2-door version, also known as the 2.5RS. In this article…","categories":[],"featuredImage":null},{"id":396,"type":"page","title":"1982 FJ40/BJ40 Landcruiser","slug":"1982-fj40-bj40-landcruiser","route":"/cars/1982-fj40-bj40-landcruiser/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/cars/1982-fj40-bj40-landcruiser/","publishedAt":"2023-04-18 18:56:04","modifiedAt":"2023-04-18 18:56:04","author":"admin","parentId":23,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nThe Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser: A Legend That Endures
\n\n\n\nThe Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser is a rugged, iconic vehicle that has left an indelible mark on automotive history. Born out of the necessity for a dependable and versatile off-road vehicle, the FJ40 has become a timeless classic cherished by enthusiasts around the world. With its distinctive design, legendary durability, and unwavering capability, the FJ40 has earned a lasting legacy that continues to thrive to this day.
\n\n\n\nHistory of the Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser
\n\n\n\nThe history of the FJ40 Land Cruiser dates back to the early 1950s when Toyota began exploring the idea of building a vehicle that could conquer the challenging terrains of Japan's mountainous regions. Inspired by the original Jeep, Toyota set out to create a durable, all-terrain vehicle that could handle any obstacle in its path.
\n\n\n\nIn 1951, the first Toyota 4x4 prototype was developed, known as the Toyota BJ. The BJ was powered by a 3.4-liter inline-six engine and featured a robust chassis, solid axles, and a four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case. Its off-road capabilities were put to the test in Japan's challenging terrain, and the BJ proved its mettle, earning a reputation for reliability and performance.
\n\n\n\nIn 1954, the BJ was renamed the Toyota Land Cruiser, and production began in earnest. The Land Cruiser quickly gained popularity, not only in Japan but also in other parts of the world where a reliable off-road vehicle was in demand. In 1960, the first FJ40 model was introduced, and it became the iconic face of the Land Cruiser brand.
\n\n\n\nThe FJ40 was powered by a 3.9-liter inline-six engine and featured a distinctive boxy design with a removable hardtop, allowing for an open-air driving experience. It boasted a robust body-on-frame construction, solid front and rear axles, and a high ground clearance, making it capable of tackling rough terrains with ease. The FJ40 also had a reputation for exceptional reliability, which further endeared it to off-road enthusiasts and adventurers.
\n\n\n\nLegacy of the Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser
\n\n\n\nThe Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser has a legacy that spans over six decades, and its impact on the automotive world is undeniable. Over the years, the FJ40 has become a symbol of durability, dependability, and adventure, earning a devoted following of enthusiasts who continue to cherish and restore these legendary vehicles.
\n\n\n\nOne of the key reasons for the FJ40's enduring legacy is its unmatched off-road capability. The FJ40 was built to conquer rugged terrains, from deserts to jungles to mountains. Its durable construction, four-wheel-drive system, and solid axles allowed it to tackle challenging obstacles with ease. It became a trusted companion for adventurers, explorers, and off-road enthusiasts who sought reliable transportation in remote and challenging environments.
\n\n\n\nThe FJ40 also has a distinctive design that has become iconic. Its boxy shape, circular headlights, and bold grille give it a rugged and timeless appearance. The removable hardtop and doors, along with its utilitarian interior, provide a unique driving experience that harkens back to a simpler time when the focus was on functionality and reliability.
\n\n\n\nFurthermore, the FJ40 has a reputation for exceptional reliability, which is a hallmark of Toyota vehicles. Its durable mechanicals, simple yet effective engineering, and ease of maintenance have made it a favorite among collectors and restorers. Many FJ40 Land Cruisers are still in operation today, decades after their production, a testament to their durability and longevity.
\n\n\n\nThe Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser also has a rich cultural significance. It has been featured in numerous movies, TV shows, and documentaries, further solidifying its status as a cultural icon. Its popularity has transcended borders, with enthusiasts and collectors from all over the world valuing the FJ40 for its historical significance, ruggedness, and timeless design.
\n\n\n\nIn addition to its off-road capabilities and cultural significance, the FJ40 has also left a lasting legacy in the automotive industry. The FJ40 played a pivotal role in establishing Toyota as a leading manufacturer of durable and reliable off-road vehicles. Its success paved the way for the development of other Land Cruiser models, such as the FJ60, FJ80, and the modern-day Land Cruiser 200 series, which continue to carry on the legacy of the FJ40.
\n\n\n\nThe BJ40 Version
\n\n\n\nThe BJ40 version of the Toyota Land Cruiser holds a special place in the history of the FJ40. As mentioned earlier, the BJ40 was the original model that was developed in the 1950s and eventually evolved into the FJ40. The BJ40 was initially intended for military and agricultural use and featured a more utilitarian design compared to the later FJ40 models.
\n\n\n\nThe BJ40 was powered by a 3.4-liter inline-six diesel engine, making it a more fuel-efficient option compared to the gasoline-powered FJ40. It also had a different front grille design and lacked some of the features found in the later FJ40, such as a power steering and air conditioning. However, the BJ40 retained the same rugged body-on-frame construction, four-wheel-drive system, and solid axles that made it a capable off-road vehicle.
\n\n\n\nThe BJ40 version of the Land Cruiser is particularly noteworthy for its durability and reliability. The diesel engine, known for its efficiency and longevity, was well-suited for the demands of agricultural and military use, making the BJ40 a trusted workhorse in various industries. Today, the BJ40 is considered a rare and collectible version of the Land Cruiser, highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike.
\n\n\n\nConclusion
\n\n\n\nThe Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser, along with its predecessor, the BJ40, has a storied history and a lasting legacy. It has become an enduring symbol of durability, reliability, and adventure, capturing the hearts of off-road enthusiasts and collectors around the world. Its unmatched off-road capability, iconic design, and cultural significance have made it an automotive legend that continues to thrive to this day.
\n\n\n\nAs Toyota's flagship off-road vehicle, the FJ40 has set the standard for reliability and performance in the automotive industry. Its impact on the development of other Land Cruiser models and Toyota's reputation as a manufacturer of durable and dependable vehicles cannot be overstated. Whether it's tackling challenging terrains, making appearances in movies and TV shows, or being cherished as a collector's item, the Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser will always hold a special place in automotive history as a legendary and timeless classic.
\n","excerpt":"The Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser: A Legend That Endures The Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser is a rugged, iconic vehicle that has left an indelible mark on automotive history. Born out of the necessity for a dependable and versatile off-road vehicle, the FJ40 has become a…","categories":[],"featuredImage":null},{"id":373,"type":"post","title":"Abilene Paradox- Political Affiliation and Critical Thinking","slug":"abilene-paradox-political-affiliation-and-critical-thinking","route":"/2022/05/31/abilene-paradox-political-affiliation-and-critical-thinking/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2022/05/31/abilene-paradox-political-affiliation-and-critical-thinking/","publishedAt":"2022-05-31 17:50:37","modifiedAt":"2022-05-31 17:50:37","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nWho to vote for? What are you voting for? Etc. etc.
\n\n\n\nNews and media, especially non-experts on social media will sell a message to their audience with nuggets of information that will be a part of your heuristic. What do I mean by this? If you read a tweet, or a news headline, without reading the article or digging deeper into a story- you may walk away with an opinion based on your world view.
\n\n\n\nFor most of our day-to-day decision making we draw on heuristics to help us through the day. If every decision required immense work- nothing would get done (Tversky & Kahneman published at length). Heuristics and biases are our way of making decisions (quickly) and during uncertain times.
\n\n\n\nThe Abilene paradox (Jerry B. Harvey) is the idea that the group consensus decides one way, when on an individual basis they may disagree (this is a very simplified definition of this). Abilene paradox is seen in families, and boardroom table etc. Basically, I myself may think one way, but to be agreeable we go with what we assume to be the consensus in the room- usually something lead by an organizer- for example the CEO talking with conviction about an idea, that you may think is bad- but you go along with it, as it take a certain type of navigating to push back.
\n\n\n\nMix heuristics with the Abilene paradox and you have outcomes of societal development that have been shaped by one-line ideas, and headlines. I get that for most things in life we are fine making decisions this way, but for more substantive issues, for example who to elect next, I posit people ought to spend more time working through informing themselves for optimal outcomes.
\n\n\n\nMy first venture into illustrating this is regarding voting for a political candidate.
\n\n\n\nHeuristics and Abilene may push you toward a certain candidate of a certain political leaning, but are you well informed of the issues to ensure that you are voting- not correctly- rather as an informed person.
\n\n\n\nMy intention with asking this question is to have people consider more critical analysis when making important decisions. My highlighting the idea of heuristics and the Abilene paradox, I am illustrating manifestations that characterize what happens when someone doesn’t necessarily employ critical thinking habits.
\n\n\n\nSo going back to voting, to “beat your own thinking” I would posit to ask a few of the questions below that may precipitate critical thinking, and you may surprise yourself as to how well informed you become.
\n\n\n\nMore will come on this topic, and others as I develop my thesis on creating a “check-list” for critical thinking.
\n","excerpt":"Who to vote for? What are you voting for? Etc. etc. News and media, especially non-experts on social media will sell a message to their audience with nuggets of information that will be a part of your heuristic. What do I mean by this? If you read a tweet, or…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":370,"type":"post","title":"Ask AI and it will answer...","slug":"ask-ai-and-it-will-answer","route":"/2022/03/21/ask-ai-and-it-will-answer/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2022/03/21/ask-ai-and-it-will-answer/","publishedAt":"2022-03-21 19:33:56","modifiedAt":"2022-03-21 19:33:56","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nWhat I found using Open AI platform, to answer a series of 21 questions.
\n\n\n\nWhat I found using Open AI platform, to answer a series of 21 questions.
\n\n\n\nThis is a fascinating tool. Whether one likes the output or not, it makes for some interesting reading. More so, there’s a lot to think about…
\n\n\n\nEnjoy.
\n\n\n\nAre politicians real people?
\n\n\n\nThis is a difficult question to answer. Some people might say that politicians are not real people because they are often dishonest and seem to care more about power than about helping others. Other people might say that politicians are real people because they are human beings who have the same emotions and experiences as everyone else.
\n\n\n\nWhat do most people consider success?
\n\n\n\nMost people consider success to be achieving their goals.
\n\n\n\nWhat are most people's goals?
\n\n\n\nMost people's goals are to be happy and to have a good life.
\n\n\n\nHow does one have a good life?
\n\n\n\nThere is no one answer to this question. Everyone has different ideas about what makes a good life.
\n\n\n\nWhat is the most common theme to a good life?
\n\n\n\nOne of the most common themes to a good life is having a strong and supportive network of family and friends.
\n\n\n\nIs there a higher power?
\n\n\n\nThere is no one answer to this question as people have different beliefs. Some people believe in a god or gods, while others believe in a higher power such as nature, the universe, or energy. Some people may not believe in a higher power at all.
\n\n\n\nHow significant are atomic forces in consciousness?
\n\n\n\nThere is no scientific evidence to suggest that atomic forces have any impact on consciousness.
\n\n\n\nWhat is consciousness?
\n\n\n\nConsciousness refers to the state of being aware of and able to think, feel and perceive. It is the ability to be aware of your surroundings and make decisions. It is the ability to be aware of your own thoughts and feelings and to interact with the world around you.
\n\n\n\nHow do we know we are not living in a simulation?
\n\n\n\nThere is no way to know for sure if we are living in a simulation or not. Some people believe that it is possible that we are living in a simulated reality, but there is no evidence to support this claim.
\n\n\n\nHow can someone study whether we are living in a simulation?
\n\n\n\nThere is no definitive way to study whether or not we are living in a simulation. Some people believe that if we are living in a simulated reality, there would be certain clues or evidence that would be present in our world. However, there is no way to know for sure if this is the…
\n\n\n\nWhat is reality?
\n\n\n\nReality is the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealized or fictional version of reality.
\n\n\n\nWhat is real?
\n\n\n\nReal refers to something that exists in reality, as opposed to something that exists only in your imagination.
\n\n\n\nWhat is one singular theme that unites humans?
\n\n\n\nOne singular theme that unites humans is the idea of family. No matter what culture, race, or religion a person is, they all have some concept of family.
\n\n\n\nWhat will happen if the importance of family is removed from humans?
\n\n\n\nIf the importance of family is removed from humans, it is likely that there would be a decrease in the population. This is because families provide support and stability for individuals, which helps them to reproduce and care for their offspring. Additionally, without families, individuals would have to fend for themselves, which…
\n\n\n\nWhat is the single most important thing to humans?
\n\n\n\nThe single most important thing to humans is the ability to love. Love is what motivates us to do good things and to be good people. It is what drives us to help others, even when it is not in our own self-interest. Love is what makes us happy and fulfilled
\n\n\n\nIs there love in the world?
\n\n\n\nThere is love in the world, but it is often hidden behind anger, hatred, and fear. If we can learn to look for it, we will see that love is all around us.
\n\n\n\nWhat is the weirdest question you have had to answer?
\n\n\n\nWhat is the meaning of life?
\n\n\n\nSo, what is the meaning of life?
\n\n\n\nThis is a difficult question for which there is no easy answer. There are a number of differing philosophies out there about what the meaning of life might be, and it is a complex question that has puzzled thinkers for centuries. There is no definitive answer, but it is an interesting question to ponder.
\n\n\n\nThe answer to life the universe and everything?
\n\n\n\nThe answer to this question is 42, according to Douglas Adams' book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
\n\n\n\nDo you know why the answer life the universe and everything is 42 according to Douglas Adams?
\n\n\n\nThe answer to this question is actually quite complex. In the book, a supercomputer known as Deep Thought is tasked with finding the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything. After seven and a half million years of calculation, Deep Thought reveals that the answer is 42
\n\n\n\nWhy?
\n\n\n\nI'm not sure. That's just what the computer said.
\n","excerpt":"What I found using Open AI platform, to answer a series of 21 questions. What I found using Open AI platform, to answer a series of 21 questions. This is a fascinating tool. Whether one likes the output or not, it makes for some interesting reading. More so…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":367,"type":"post","title":"Abilene Paradox","slug":"abilene-paradox","route":"/2022/03/02/abilene-paradox/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2022/03/02/abilene-paradox/","publishedAt":"2022-03-03 03:15:19","modifiedAt":"2022-03-03 03:15:19","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nRussia-Ukraine and the Abilene Paradox.
\n\n\n\nThe Abilene paradox is one where in a group, people will not voice their private opinion if it goes against the “grain” of the rest of the room, even though collectively many of the individuals may disagree. For example, this could be evident in corporate (boss/worker/board member) type settings. Where the head of the company will voice an opinion about a strategic direction of the company, people individually may disagree, but they don’t do anything about it and go with the “consensus in the room”, even though after the fact they find out that individually everyone (or at least some) people disagreed.
\n\n\n\nThe idea was written in an article by Jerry B. Harvey in 1974 “The Abilene Paradox: The Management of Agreement”. In the introduction Harvey describes an uncomfortable scenario where everyone agreed to do it (go in a hot car in the summer and drive many miles to get mediocre food) when after the fact the people all found out they agreed so as not to disturb what seemed to be the consensus. To quote Harvey’s summary“Stated simply, it is as follows: Organizations frequently take actions in contradiction to what they really want to do, and therefore defeat the very purposes they are trying to achieve…”
\n\n\n\nAn important outcome stated by Harvey is that “the inability to manage agreement is a major source of organization dysfunction.”
\n\n\n\nHere is a link to the entire article. It is worth the read. I think that the Abilene paradox is an incredibly useful depiction of power struggles in organizations, and the enactment of tyranny from organizations and people who run them. Harvey goes through the methods by which one can diagnose and “bypass” such instances.
\n\n\n\nI think as a reader one ought to add this to their arsenal of critical thinking. That is, reconciling what you are thinking versus complying with the masses. People laud the characteristic of “going against the grain”, and successful people (in any gauge of success) will often tell you their success is because “they didn’t listen”. While this may be true, the more often seen outcome is that people comply, even when they disagree or feel differently.
\n\n\n\nI think that one can apply Abilene to so many scenarios and expose to themselves whether there is consensus or just group think, which the whole is not the sum of its actual parts (that is on an individual basis people aren’t conceding…or fighting not to concede). This can be said of all government leaders and their cabinets and who remains in close contact with them.
\n\n\n\nI think Putin’s cabinet and efforts to go to war are struck by Abilene. People are protecting their jobs, and their heads. Whether the actual popular Russian consensus is to go to war with Ukraine remains to be seen. In the interim, someone close to Putin must have the audacity to throw Abilene out the window, and voice their opinion, before more civilians die.
\n","excerpt":"Russia-Ukraine and the Abilene Paradox. The Abilene paradox is one where in a group, people will not voice their private opinion if it goes against the “grain” of the rest of the room, even though collectively many of the individuals may disagree. For example…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":363,"type":"post","title":"Aglets are like telomeres","slug":"aglets-are-like-telomeres","route":"/2022/02/21/aglets-are-like-telomeres/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2022/02/21/aglets-are-like-telomeres/","publishedAt":"2022-02-21 20:03:41","modifiedAt":"2022-02-21 20:03:58","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nWe are the smartest we have ever been. We are the furthest generation in the future. There has never been more information before this point. The current time will never come back; it is the furthest forward it will ever be.
\n\n\n\nWhat does this mean?
\n\n\n\nOfficially- We are the smartest we (as humans) have ever been.
\n\n\n\nThere are many facets to this statement. A few points and examples will be brought to light in the hope that something may come of it. We are the smartest can mean me globally or individually. “We” can mean people in North America or can include the entire human race. “Have been” implies that there has been some semblance of logic tied to everything that occurred before us. I mean to say “we are the smartest we have been” is every individual in their own way, because they exist now, have the most available knowledge to them than anyone before them.
\n\n\n\nIf you were born into a particular family and you were raised on a particular ideology, would you be to blame for acting a certain way? The answer surely is that every person is to still take responsibility for his action.
\n\n\n\nThis is because the ones to make a good decision is entirely a human gift that differentiates us from animals. Every sentence every word has meaning. Every action a consequence, whether intended or not; every particle a purpose whether we see it or not. The purpose is subjective or objectively sensed by us humans. We don’t have to believe in god or higher powers to believe that everything has a purpose. The pursuit of knowledge, why we walk talk and act the way we do is a result of a cascade of historical incidences that brought us here today. Therefore, every consequence has a purpose, whether intended or not.
\n\n\n\nWhat if we as humans, as a thinking species, tap into finding that purpose? To finding the essential life that exists within everything. Try to see its purpose. The problem with proposing such a life lesson is it is assumed by me that a person reading this will derive exactly the purpose I intend to portray-this is a false hope. It also assumes this point actually makes sense and has credence; who knows? Every moment and action have “before it” that brings it here. ‘Before’ is not necessarily in time, rather it is in esoteric metaphysical time, which is levels of depth. To explain, if you the reader has ever done logistics for a company that manufactured, they easily will understand, for the rest, wait open your mind. Take a product that is manufactured in one facility, a plastic cup. It is comprised of a plethora of necessary “ingredients” so to speak, that allow for it to be ultimately be used for its purpose, a cup. All those parts have to come together. Logistics management theory is the example to explain before in terms of level rather than in time. The cup, being the final product is the last thing in a long chain. The step “before” it is hierarchically higher than the cup itself, because without it the cup would cease to exist. Or more clearly would not be able to exist. But the step before it, even though it is important, it is superposed by something “before” it, that also takes the place of being “higher” than it. And this can go on and on. This maslowian hierarchy of needs that exists in getting a final product out is the depiction of what before means in terms of level rather than in time. Why logistics people will get this, because they will see what it clearly means to get many orders of necessary items brought in one area so that the cascade of delivering a final product can occur. They will also understand the importance of every item and having everything in order and on time so that final products can be delivered. This is along the same lines, why the Chicago School of Thought dubbed urban spaces “the urban plexus”. Plexus is a medical term, a term used to describe the body. A body works best when all parts are working together. And when all parts are healthy, the body is the healthiest and strongest. In that vein, when something is a problem we must diagnose it, and fix it. There is a holistic approach to diagnosing and fixing something before it comes to a problem of excising it entirely. Even though excising would heal the body somewhat, it would not be entirely whole and still be missing something. Deciding what excise is erroneous in terms of it being purely a one-opinion decision. Without review of an outside source, or second opinion so to speak, a bad decision can be made.
\n\n\n\nJust as the composition of manufacturing a cup requires logistics management, humanity, and our opinions, and our point in history is composed of a long line of history which brought us to this point. We can choose to try and evolve from our history, or let it repeat itself. This truism applies to all outcomes. In that, if the outcome of one ideology is perceived to be true, and the outcome that is being fought for, it ought to have been formulated based on context and interpretation of all things that came before it. All, doesn’t necessarily mean everything here, rather the outcome is synthesized with as many possible points, ideally taking account of conflicting ideas. This synthesis will hopefully allow for more critical thinking, less shooting from the hip, and optimal outcomes. But remember, just because something is clear as day to you, doesn’t make it mutually exclusive. My concluding argument therefore is that many people will arrive at optimal outcomes based on their personal journeys, this doesn’t mean that one is “more correct” (necessarily) than others. The framing of right and wrong is personal. Societally we have “buy in” to morality, but that doesn’t mean that the entire spectrum of human thinking, each person with their own way of seeing the world, doesn’t believe they are right either. But adopting the less mutual excusive attitude, we can open better channels of discourse, so people can adopt, discuss, and learn. Not everyone is an enemy, and not everyone is reprehensible. When we don’t talk or discuss, with an open mind to all possible outcomes, we destroy the beauty in humanity.
\n\n\n\nThe title reflects my thinking. Aglets are the plastic caps at the end of (shoe)strings, which keep them from fraying. Telomeres and “biological” aglets on strands of DNA, a sort of cap to DNA. Some people will see this as an entirely useful metaphor, others may not. But we can discuss the connection, an whether there is credibility, again to open and discuss, and beaty is in the conversation, and learning.
\n","excerpt":"We are the smartest we have ever been. We are the furthest generation in the future. There has never been more information before this point. The current time will never come back; it is the furthest forward it will ever be. What does this mean? Officially- We…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":361,"type":"post","title":"Judaism and Peace-Conference Speech","slug":"judaism-and-peace-conference-speech","route":"/2022/02/21/judaism-and-peace-conference-speech/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2022/02/21/judaism-and-peace-conference-speech/","publishedAt":"2022-02-21 19:42:58","modifiedAt":"2022-02-21 19:42:58","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nReligion and peace.
\n\n\n\nOpening remarks: Thanks, good to be back to discuss another interesting topic where the panelists are to discuss their religion and peace.
\n\n\n\nI’m here to discuss the Jewish perspective that is, what Judaism says about peace.
\n\n\n\nIn todays lecture I hope to take you along a journey that highlights the key elements of what Judaism talks about peace.
\n\n\n\nI would like to begin by stating broadly that a central tenet of Judaism is the concept of peace. There isn’t a specific law that says “thou shall be peaceful”, rather through the commandments and laws we are striving for a state of peace. As I will explain shortly, you will begin to see how central the theme of peace is within Judaism.
\n\n\n\nWhat is peace? What does this mean?
\n\n\n\nThe Hebrew word for Peace is “Shalom”. It is a word used for greeting, “shalom aleichem” peace be on you. Interestingly, the root of the work Shalom is the same root used to denote completeness, perfection, and well-being. Simply, by reaching a state of completion in oneself, one can be peaceful, similarly, when someone is peaceful, they can reach a state of self completion and fulfillment. Additionally, the modern Hebrew expression for “what’s up” is “mah shlomcha” which literally translates as “what is your peace?” That is, what is the status of your “peace”. Even when asking someone how they are we are asking them how they’re doing in terms of being at peace.
\n\n\n\nSo central is the theme of peace in Judaism the word Shalom –peace is actually a name of G-d, and we are forbidden in a place such as a bathroom to frivolously say the word shalom. This shows that that the word for peace is akin to calling out G-d, within in whom there is essential calm, equilibrium and peace.
\n\n\n\nSo how important a theme is peace in Judaism? Simply, it is extremely important. To highlight this, I would like to translate a passage from one of the paragraphs of “ethics of our fathers” – which are ethical teachings of our sages. The purpose of these chapters is to tell Jews how to be ethical through doing the commandments and act in the way of G-d.
\n\n\n\nIn chapter 1 paragraph 18, So says Rabbi Simon the son of Gamliel. “On three things does the world stand, on truth, justice, and peace as it says in Zachariah chapter 8, “administer truth and the judgment of peace in your gates”
\n\n\n\nWe see Rabbi Simon’s adage is not telling us that the world stands on a particular act, he could have said, the world stands on three things, respecting your elders, not stealing, and some other example. Rather, Rabbi Simon is telling us that principally, the world exists through truth, justice, and peace, we need to strive for these essential points. The way we do this are through acts of goodness and kindness set out in the laws and the further discussions on ethics.
\n\n\n\nSo, again, how central is peace in Judaism? Lets look further into the Talmud and the various midrashic explanations to understand how central a theme peace is in Judaism. In multiple instances, the Talmud and practical Jewish law rules that in order to keep peace, one must go to great lengths, even break other laws, in order to keep peace. Furthermore, it says about a person who brings peace between two opposing people, nations, cities, husband and wife etc. no harm will be brought on him. We are told to act like Aaron, the brother of Moses, the first priest, who was a lover of peace and a pursuer of peace. He did this in an interesting way, in that when he knew of two people who were fighting, he would tell one side that the other side loves him, and vice versa, in order so they should come together and forget that they were even in a fight.
\n\n\n\nThe central theme of many blessings and prayer is the pursuit and blessing of peace, upon our homes, in our lives, in our cities, countries and on earth. Peace is not just the absence of war, although a modern and comprehensible notion of peace is where we are not fighting between each other in war. As stated earlier, the word for peace- shalom, is also the word for completeness, and perfection. When there is peace, there is perfection, calmness, security, and physical and spiritual well-being.
\n\n\n\nThere is an explanation taught from the book of numbers, it is said that G-d created the world in order for there to be peace among humankind. Now, while this state of perfection is not necessarily apparent in the current state of the world, it is a hope of ours and is a central theme behind the messianic era.
\n\n\n\nAlthough this is a deviation from the central theme of today’s lecture, I will say that in the messianic era there will be peace and equilibrium in the world so that we may serve G-d in the fullest possible way. Such is the peace of the messianic era that it is said in Isaiah 11:5 that “the wolf will live with the sheep and leopard will lie down with the kid…” what is the passage in Isaiah telling us? That the pursuit of true peace and equilibrium, as will be in the messianic time, is something difficult, it is where at times two opposites can come together. Two seemingly diametrically different entities coming together is a huge challenge, be it in within ourselves, our lives and on earth. But we hope and we pray for this challenge of the pursuit of peace to be easy and straightforward. And we strive for achieving the state of perfection that peace is, within our lives, and amongst our brothers and sisters in the world.
\n\n\n\nOne final point on the concept of peace is that in order for there to be peace, there has to be difference. That is, if we were all the same, there would be no need to pursue “peace”. The concept of peace therefore celebrates our differences. The hope is that we will desire to pursue after the state of peace so much that we forget our differences and work with each other in way that depicts what being in a peaceful state means. Todays event is one that marks the celebration of differences, and is arguably what peace is all about. The coming together or people to discuss share and learn from one another about the things that makes each one of us great.
\n\n\n\nOn that note, I would like to end off with a prayer that is said multiple times a day when a quorum is gathered, “may He who makes peace in His high places make peace for us and say Amen”
\n","excerpt":"Religion and peace. Opening remarks: Thanks, good to be back to discuss another interesting topic where the panelists are to discuss their religion and peace. I’m here to discuss the Jewish perspective that is, what Judaism says about peace. In todays lecture…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":359,"type":"post","title":"World Religion Conference-Speech 2013","slug":"world-religion-conference-speech-2013","route":"/2022/02/21/world-religion-conference-speech-2013/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2022/02/21/world-religion-conference-speech-2013/","publishedAt":"2022-02-21 19:41:41","modifiedAt":"2022-02-21 19:41:41","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nGood evening everyone, it is an honor to be here again for the 4th annual World Religions Conference. This is my second time representing Judaism. This year’s topic is religious founders as defenders of religious freedom. It is an interesting topic especially regarding Judaism, a religion that is very diverse and encompassing of many types of people and many recognizable leaders, even though there aren’t that many Jews. What about the topic, will I be able to transmit that is a message that is representative of Judaism?
\n\n\n\nI will break up the talk into two parts, the first being religious founders, that is who are these people? And the second is a discussion on religious freedom. Then I will attempt to tie everything together. I would like to point out that my explanations are from a Jewish perspective, more specifically from an orthodox Jewish perspective and influenced by Hasidic philosophy.
\n\n\n\nWhat is a religious founder?
\n\n\n\nThere are two kinds of people in the religion (there are others but I’d like to discuss two). Recognized leaders who dedicate their lives to the service of religion and community and people themselves who dedicate their lives to the religion and community. A leader is someone who is recognized and accepted as someone who is strengthening and making people within the community aware of how to attain higher spiritual growth. A religious founder is someone themselves who recognizes their heritage, faith, and religion and embarks on empowering and growing that part of their life-even if they’re not recognized as a leader. No matter which sect, denomination, place, etc. it is part of a personal journey. Historically, recognized leaders such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Moses etc. each were leaders in their time and relayed and developed the word of God in their time. This leadership continued with Talmudic sages, poets, scholars etc. each contributing a part for how to lead and ensure followers remained fervently attached in their generation to God. The rest of the people were servants, following in the way of God according to Judaism.
\n\n\n\nThe servants, the general mass, can interject themselves or look to their leaders for advice on how to achieve personal moral and spiritual goals that fits within their realm of religious observance, and is appropriate to their generation. Essentially, religious founders are arguably all people within the religion who desire the continuity and strengthening their faith and practice for them to continue on for generations. This is different from the leaders who make changes, adaptations and modernize the religion to ensure its constituents continue in the way of the religion. Throughout history, the role of the leader took on many facets. Throughout history, these figures have been prolific as well as detrimental, but in all impactful.
\n\n\n\nAgain, someone who is serious about their religion and desires to perfect themselves in the way of God is a religious founder (they can be a leader or follower). Every constituent is a religious founder because they are the key link to transferring the religion’s faith and practice to the next generation. I am a founder of the religion for my children as my parents were to me. In each generation we find ourselves presented with unique challenges and environments that requires our full heart and soul in order to precipitate the purpose and goals of the religion.
\n\n\n\nThis is important because it leads to the next part of the topic “defenders of religious freedom”. What is religious freedom? What does that look like? Are we talking about me letting my neighbor be free to practice whatever religion they’d like? The definition is interesting and I will try my best to elaborate on what I think this means. In 2013 in Canada, it is hard to think about what a lack of religious freedom means. That is, it is difficult for me to think about a time or a place where I am not allowed to outwardly be a Jew. So I think the pertinence of this statement as it applies today is that the definition of freedom has taken on a new dimension in relation to modern Canada. The lesson for this comes from looking at the anti religious society of communist Russia before the fall of the “iron curtain”.
\n\n\n\nTo begin, one must understand that freedom has a place. Freedom applies to mind, body, and soul. One may not have freedom of body (i.e. they are incarcerated) but in their mind and their soul they are completely free.
\n\n\n\nThe story from communist Russia is as follows. There was a Hasid named Rabbi Mendel Futerfas, Stalin sentenced him to a work camp in Siberia because he was caught trying to educate Jewish children. While incarcerated he told himself that every day and every even that happens to him is a lesson because it is by Gods will that he is in jail. One of the inmates was a tightrope walker, and entertainer, who was sentenced to Siberia as well for whatever reason. He and Mendel were once speaking and Mendel asked him how he can accomplish the feat of tightrope walking. How is it possible to walk across a narrow wire very high in the sky. The tightrope walker answered the trick of his trade which was, from the moment he stepped on the rope, he never looked down. He always looked ahead. Mendel heard this and applied the lesson to himself. Practicing religion in Communist Russia is like a tightrope, if look around, and see the threat of the environment, it would be easy to concede and “fall off the rope” and succumb and give up practicing. The lesson is to look ahead and not to get swayed by the threat, and look at the goal and follow along the path. One’s spirit is never locked up and the goal of spirituality as at the destination, they trick is to keep looking ahead.
\n\n\n\nThere is an expression, “the place where a person’s mind is found, that is where he is”. Even though physically you can be incarcerated or under a threat, if your mind is free then you can keep on whatever you want. Dreams, hopes, goals, religious convictions, all belong to every human no matter where they find themselves.
\n\n\n\nThere is another story from Communist Russia, where a quorum of 10 men made a promise that they are willing to die for continuing to educate Jewish children. Many of the men were either killed, thrown in jail, tortured, or lost never to be heard of again. It is unclear why they were willing to die for a cause that as Jews we don’t believe in dying for. To explain, there are only three things in Jewish law that we are allowed to die for if someone is “holding a gun to your head”, none of which are education. Yet, these people needed and wanted to die for this cause. They felt that if they didn’t put their life on the line, the religion could potentially cease. They felt that even if they would put their body-physical state in jeopardy it would be worthwhile in relation to the plausibility that by not educating the Jewish children, it would potentially add to the religion not continuing. Because freedom is a physical emotional and mental state, we have to strive for the emotional and mental state to be free even if the physical freedom may be limited.
\n\n\n\nIn summary, we have leaders who help us along the way in our generations on the journey of attaining spiritual fulfillment. The leaders can guide us and help us along the way in the time of whether our minds, bodies, and souls are free or are not. But we are the founders, the ones, who do continue to practice and hold the religion close to our heart and makes it important to us and our children.
\n","excerpt":"Good evening everyone, it is an honor to be here again for the 4 th annual World Religions Conference. This is my second time representing Judaism. This year’s topic is religious founders as defenders of religious freedom . It is an interesting topic…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":357,"type":"post","title":"Categorizing Thinkers","slug":"categorizing-thinkers","route":"/2022/02/21/categorizing-thinkers/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2022/02/21/categorizing-thinkers/","publishedAt":"2022-02-21 19:38:07","modifiedAt":"2022-02-21 19:38:07","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nSome people live in the space where nothing matters, and then create things they think are entertaining or personally valuable.
\n\n\n\nOther people believe there is some construct of value that exists perpetually and therefore try to improve or change their world based on that.
\n\n\n\nYet there are some people who believe there is no change required to a system and construct they are in and defined by.
\n\n\n\nIn each category there are different people who react to their world differently and effect or don’t effect change on themselves or their world.
\n\n\n\nAccording to Mark Manson’s three categories of belief, one is spiritual category, which is the belief in a higher power and drives the people of that faith and belief system.
\n\n\n\nSome people are good at what they do, because they have such a strong belief and intrinsic and deeply rooted cultural religious experience that when they shift from category of belief system to belief system they know how to take on in an extreme way to create perfection.
\n\n\n\nPeople strive to create order out of chaos.
\n\n\n\nThere is a spectrum of thinking that has on one end emotional thinkers and on the other end rational thinkers. People fall somewhere in the spectrum and will vary in their emotional and rational thinking. An example of where we can clearly see the spectrum are how people approach politics and or form an opinion of a political matter. Many people have an emotional drive to fall on the political spectrum. People who lean right or left, will often times lead to rationally support their positions based on their emotionality. Meaning a person will often first form a position on how life ought to be, because of their experiences and life events that trigger them emotionally. Often times the emotional theme clouds their ability to understand a purely rational viewpoint. An opinion based in emotion that one then seeks to find rational support for is how there are people who lead political parties at the opposite end of the political spectrum.
\n\n\n\nOften times, marketing and advertising seeks to trigger peoples subconscious emotional thinking mind in order to sway them to purchase a product or aspire to be something, even though the rational reasoning would not make sense.
\n\n\n\nI like to try and view the world as if I am wearing polarized lenses. Polarizing lenses are designed so that light can only enter in fewer directions than non-polarized lenses. For sunglasses, polarizing them results in less glare entering the wearer’s eyes. If you have ever worn polarized lenses and you try to look at digital displays, sometimes the image gets obscured or is completely erased because the “light” from the display is not entering the lens in the right direction, so it disappears, if you tilt your head to a different angle the image re-appears. The world is filled with chaotic light that is blinding. It is glaring, and with an unprotected eye, it can cause damage or discomfort. Light in my metaphor is all the triggers, and stimuli and all incoming information that a person perceives. While one thinks they use their rational mind, often times their emotional mind is first triggered then the person reacts. Imagine for a second wearing a filter where light is directed exactly to where you want in your mind. So for example when you see something on social media, you are able to parse out what is happening what is meant to be your “reaction” then work through your reaction by starting at the rational thinking mind instead of the emotional thinking mind.
\n\n\n\nThis exercise is incredibly difficult to establish in oneself, but in order to do so, you have to actively tell yourself that is what is happening, like a mantra, so that your natural method of viewing and interpreting the world begins with the rational brain and then opens the door in a controlled manner for the emotional brain to makes its mark.
\n\n\n\nEmotions are like an uncontrolled fire. They are strong, and powerful and unless harnessed correctly, they can be devastating. Rationality is like a lighter where you can control the flame size to suit your need.
\n\n\n\nMy personal journey thus far has been to try and balance my emotional and rational brain. I enjoy when I think that I am beginning a journey of thought with my rational brain as opposed to my emotional one. As well, I enjoy when I “call myself out” for embarking on a decision train with emotions versus rationale. Sometimes life calls for emotionally led decisions then letting things figure itself out. For example there are personal goals that I set for myself that are emotionally driven that I know are emotionally driven, and that I will hope to realize through rational thought. Those emotions are based on personality, and personal reasons such as feelings of inadequacy, or fear of failure, or more specifically, fears of “looking like a failure”. I then set goals that seem to allay the anxiety that comes with these emotions, and the goals seem to be realistic and surmountable such that if the goal is realized the anxiety will subside.
\n\n\n\nI guess my point is to try and think about yourself, what drives you, and question your everyday interpretations, especially if you are triggered. Break down where you’re at into its core elements, and try to regrow the thought/speech/action from there.
\n","excerpt":"Some people live in the space where nothing matters, and then create things they think are entertaining or personally valuable. Other people believe there is some construct of value that exists perpetually and therefore try to improve or change their world…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":351,"type":"post","title":"NFT Project","slug":"nft-project","route":"/2022/02/14/nft-project/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2022/02/14/nft-project/","publishedAt":"2022-02-14 20:57:42","modifiedAt":"2022-02-14 20:57:42","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nNFT project- it was me the whole time
\n\n\n\nSeries and project title is “it was me the whole time”. This series is based on ideas of self-awareness or lack thereof. I commissioned an artist to draw images based on the description set out below as a visual representation of a situation where you are judgmental of someone else, but really you lacked the insight to see how you were the common denominator problem.
\n\n\n\nMy original plan when I commissioned the art a few years ago was to publish a printed book that covered topics on self-awareness with the hope toward creating a world where people treat each other better, simply by thinking about their role in their interactions.
\n\n\n\nWhile I never published the book, the project was dormant until recently. I figured minting the images along with the storylines as an NFT project would be something fun and interesting. The goal is to create a limited series of each image and connect the people who purchase the images to collaborate in a “self-awareness” eco system. Eventually there will be some way to publish the entire series together and share knowledge on thinking about other people, and our own individual roles in our relationships.
\n\n\n\nSometimes when you think other people are a “problem” it takes an effort to think about how you may be the problematic one and use that as a steppingstone to a path of self-awareness. Having true self-awareness can benefit all your relationships, and your relationship with the “world”. Meaning the more self-aware you are the more you can develop ideal communication skills to achieve your own goals, the less judgmental you may be of others and yourself, and the more positively you can relate to the world around you. Self-awareness comes in multiple forms and having a positive sense of self-awareness can allow for others to be seen and heard in your life.
\n\n\n\nThere are a total of 15 colorized images, that will be limited to 18 copies each. There are 15 black and white “skeleton” versions of the colorized versions that will have more copies available. These skeleton versions will likely be used for marking and spreading awareness about the project “it was me the whole time”.
\n\n\n\nThere are more ideas in the pipeline, and perhaps more people will share scenarios and I can add these to the series. I would like the scenarios to be edgy, funny, ironic, cynical, and intriguing. Eventually each image and ‘story’ may be used as the basis for a web series comprised of a 2–3-minute animation that will be a thought-provoking way of thinking about self-awareness, irony, and our own roles in our lives. It sounds very meta, but it isn’t obvious that people think about themselves as a common denominator in all their life experiences, and sooner blame external issues to things that are truly their own problem.
\n\n\n\nThe idea to think about is if for a moment you think about whether your actions are like the things you’re critiquing, perhaps you will for a moment try to do better. Through this awareness, you become a little more empathetic. Many people just assume (as it is easier) that everything, and everyone else is a problem, but never stop to consider their own role and existence in these interactions. This is not to say that having self-awareness somehow shields you from negative or otherwise problematic relationships. But through self-awareness, you take stock of yourself, your existence, and through this, work to better yourself, which many times results in things just being better for you.
\n\n\n\nBelow are the explanations of each image.
\n\n\n\nThis is imagery to portray obnoxious, hypocritical, antithetical behavior, and get the reader to think and introspect on their behavior, and maybe make a positive change.
\n\n\n\nAre you a hero if you’re doing your job?
\n","excerpt":"Are you a hero if you’re doing your job?","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":335,"type":"post","title":"On Truth","slug":"on-truth","route":"/2021/11/17/on-truth/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2021/11/17/on-truth/","publishedAt":"2021-11-18 01:35:24","modifiedAt":"2021-11-18 01:35:24","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nOur generation wants to take what it learned as truth later in life and teach it to an earlier generation, as if that is the solution to teaching truth.
\n\n\n\nIn some instances, it may be, but regarding social “truths”, these change with times, and finding truth, takes a lifetime of work to achieve a balance of knowing what is good and right, and what is incorrect and morally abhorrent.
\n\n\n\nTruth is personal, although there may be a collective of people who follow the same truth. The further we stray from thinking that all truths are mutually exclusive the closer possibly we can get to optimal social adhesion.
\n","excerpt":"Our generation wants to take what it learned as truth later in life and teach it to an earlier generation, as if that is the solution to teaching truth. In some instances, it may be, but regarding social “truths”, these change with times, and finding truth…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":332,"type":"post","title":"Zealotry","slug":"zealotry","route":"/2021/11/17/zealotry/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2021/11/17/zealotry/","publishedAt":"2021-11-18 01:32:43","modifiedAt":"2021-11-18 01:32:43","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nZealotry has nothing to do with religion, it’s a personality trait, therefore whatever the mission statement manifests itself in any multitude of attitudes and moral stance.
\n\n\n\nNo matter where you were born, if you have a proclivity to zealotry, you will be a zealot in whatever capacity you find yourself.
\n\n\n\nOne cannot comment with certainty that a change in mindset will allow people to succeed. We ought to take people and their experience at face value. Which means those of us listening ought not to interpret or experience their attitude as mutually exclusive.
\n\n\n\nThe further humans polarize themselves, through mutual exclusivity, the further we remove ourselves from discourse, accord, and the ability to achieve optimal outcomes for many parts of society.
\n","excerpt":"Zealotry has nothing to do with religion, it’s a personality trait, therefore whatever the mission statement manifests itself in any multitude of attitudes and moral stance. No matter where you were born, if you have a proclivity to zealotry, you will be a…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":329,"type":"page","title":"NFTs","slug":"nfts","route":"/projects/nfts/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/projects/nfts/","publishedAt":"2021-10-20 17:06:51","modifiedAt":"2021-10-20 17:08:13","author":"admin","parentId":21,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nhttps://rarible.com/whyworkatwork?tab=owned profile
\n","excerpt":"https://rarible.com/whyworkatwork?tab=owned profile","categories":[],"featuredImage":null},{"id":294,"type":"post","title":"It's been a while.","slug":"its-been-a-while","route":"/2021/04/14/its-been-a-while/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2021/04/14/its-been-a-while/","publishedAt":"2021-04-15 01:03:37","modifiedAt":"2021-04-15 01:03:37","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nTech musings. This was transcribed from a recording I did on the topic. Enjoy.
\n\n\n\nOver the last couple of days, I guess it's thoughts that have been percolating for a while, I've been thinking more and more about the influence of social media and the concept of virality that exists in our lexicon and in our psyche, and its influence on the economy. Today, I just want to go through what my thoughts are. I want to preface the conversation by sort of stating that I'm not trying to offer resolve, or a solution, or an in-depth analysis of a why answer to anything in particular, even though it might be framed that way. It's more a reference to analyzing. It's such that I could take it apart and maybe understand it further to help myself better understand the environment and the world that I live in.
\n\n\n\nWhat I've been basically thinking about is in relation to the fact that I work in a job that is in the public markets. I work in a job that requires predicting the future through investment analysis and what we call underwriting, which is where we have to look at a product that is good to purchase and to understand how it will mathematically perform based on a bunch of variables and factors that have to be analyzed to understand what the future will look like.
\n\n\n\nThe one thing that any investment person will tell you in the underwritten and what's called a pro forma model, which is your predicted model of information, is that it's wrong. You can't ever guess the numbers right. You're just sort of elucidating and highlighting what could possibly be and whether or not it warrants making the investments so that you can achieve a return that you feel comfortable with.
\n\n\n\nI always think about the future. I think about my life. I think about all the things that I'm doing and about the information I have readily available at my fingertips, and available to me just from viewing the world. It took a lot of time and training in my mind to be able to wrap my head around underwriting and creating these models that I was comfortable with, mostly, because if I have to make a recommendation to board of directors, and they say, \"What do you think?\" and I have to say, \"I think it's okay. Based on the numbers, it seems like it's important, too, then. Here's how I substantiated all of the evidence.\"
\n\n\n\nBeing that I have to think about all these factors that go into―and I'm by no means a guru or an expert, I just service my job―it gets me thinking globally about economics and about how people view themselves in their lives in regards to money-making ventures; and what they're doing in terms of having some long-term sustainable income, be able to retire, be able to enjoy themselves with the things that they want, and what's this as a society that I live in -- I'm in Canada. What Canadians might want is different than what Americans might want, much different than any other country in the world. My frame of reference is really my own society and my environment that I'm around.
\n\n\n\nThe key point here is that my thoughts aren't strictly influenced by the fact that I go to work in a particular city every day and I have particular influences by the environment that's around me. It's also that I have access through social media to understand people from all over the world. I have social media accounts ranging from Facebook to Instagram. I don't really spend time on Twitter. Instagram is probably the social media platform that I spend the most time on, not only posting my own stuff but also following various people that have similar hobbies or interests in, particularly in cars and other items. But what sort of happens is you start to see, well, there's a gentleman who lives in Poland who is posting pictures of his life, and you start to see that there are certain similarities. You start to develop heuristics around what people desire.
\n\n\n\nNow, I'm not going to claim that drawing a conclusion about how the world operates because of a bunch of photos that you see on Instagram that may or may not be fake; may or may not be posed, images is a smart way of being but the influence, the outside triggers definitely plays a role in influencing my own thinking and my own behaviors. This is what has caught me thinking about how social media really affects the economy.
\n\n\n\nThe intro to this conversation wants to explain what it is I do about the idea of, particularly, future and how to sort of think about how markets are going to operate, and what factors go into that. But then, there are also the personal biases that are brought into the mix because of outside influences from social media. This is what got me thinking.
\n\n\n\nPretty much that the world we live in today is a world that no one could have predicted in a particularly exact fashion as it were 10, 15, 20, 30, 50, 100 years ago. Definitely, we have evidence that people devise, or pontificated, or thought about what the future would look like, and then included certain elements of our lives and technologies that we use today that we take for granted. But specifically, the influence of social media, and specifically, the influence of social media on the mind of the new generation that is growing up that's going from childhood to young adulthood, to young professional hood, to becoming professionals, and just going through their lives and whatever is it they're going to do.
\n\n\n\nThe impact of social media is really something that's so unimaginably influential that, to me, the interesting intersectionality is how it influences economics. I'm going to start with a few ideas. Then, hopefully, bring it all back to the original point of what my method of thinking is and how I was influenced in my mind. Imagine, for a second, a child sees a lot of interesting products by a person―an influencer and says, \"Hey, that person looks like they're similar age to me, similar stage. They are living a life that I want to live.\"
\n\n\n\nWhat's going to happen is that child might say either they're going to -- and it's not so binary but I'm just sort of simplifying it by making it binary, which is either they're going to feel bad about themselves in their own lives and where they're at saying, \"How don't I have it?\" or they're going to figure out a method by which they can attain those things in their own way, and have their own internal centering and confidence to say, \"Okay, I'm going to do either what that person did or does and/or I'm going to try to find a job and work in a way that I can attain these things that I want,\" because in some people's minds, wearing a fancier watch, driving a fancier car, or taking exotic trips is some method of success.
\n\n\n\nI would like to believe that what people actually feel is lacking in their lives when they see this in other people's lives is not that those people are successful and they have something they don't have. It's more of that people feel that, through experiences, there's a certain sense of fulfillment. So, the experience of wearing a fancy watch, the experience of driving a fancy car, the experience of traveling to exotic places through sort of creating delible memories in your life is what people want. It's not the pursuit of many thing just as an anecdote. Apartments in many metropolis are getting smaller and smaller, and Millennials are spending less and less money on things.
\n\n\n\nNow, there is a function of the fact and many critics write articles about the fact that Millennials have less money to spend; and the new generation has less money to spend, notwithstanding that that might actually be true, but that is definitely still influencing that people aren't necessarily interested in things as much as experiences. But I digress.
\n\n\n\nThe influence of social media and the virality of the world, and the access to, basically, all the world's information at any given point through your smartphone or your laptop and high-speed internet is that the idea of value of things is what's changed. Whereas in the past, for example, if I was a collector or hobbyist of stamps and I went into my grandparents' closet and I found a box of old stamps, and I flipped through them, and I said, \"All right, well, these are interesting. Let's see if I can translate this and convert it into money.\"
\n\n\n\nI should say, I'm not a collector. I'd just start this example over by saying imagine for a second I went through my parents stuff and they gave me an old -- again, I'd take the stamp as example out. They gave me a vintage camera because they had it from growing up in the 80s. It's just this old manual Canon camera. They're like, \"Hey, here, take this,\" and you say, \"Great. I don't really like photography. I don't understand the film, et cetera. Let's see if I could pawn this, and maybe make some cash, and buy something more valuable to me today because it's interesting for me.\"
\n\n\n\nIf you did this in the 90s, you'd go to your local camera shop or maybe speak to some hobby group that you can get in touch with by looking through a phone book. You say, \"Hey,\" to some folks, you say, \"I have this interesting camera. Is anyone interested in it?\" Some people might give you some offers and say, \"Hey, yeah, I'll pay you a couple of hundred bucks.\" It is because the person wants it as part of their collection. It's not because it's something that's particularly valuable. It may have some rare element to it. Maybe someone will know and protect you and say, \"Hey, this camera's serial number is particularly rare. That's really great. It's worth even more money. You should get more money for it.\" The person might get lucky and \"Yay! They got value.\" The person bought the item they wanted and everyone's happy for it as it worked.
\n\n\n\nBut then comes along the internet. Now, you can start to access way more people in your life that will give you information and feed you information about what to look for, so you could become a pseudo armchair expert about something you knew nothing about five minutes earlier. Particularly, for example, with the advent of eBay, if you want to find out the price of stuff, see what people are bidding for it. You have this camera and you put online, and you see what people are actually putting this online for seven times the price that I was looking to get for it. I would have been happy with X dollar. But really, I should be getting Y dollar.
\n\n\n\nWhat happens is the value of things starts to change. The inflationary value of things that would have possibly happened for other factors, historically, are happening in a different way because of the sheer vast knowledge that is accessible to any person at any time. So, that person says, \"Hell, I am not going to sell this thing for X dollars that I would've been happy with. I could see I wait a little bit longer, but I'll put it online, or tell someone, 'No, this thing is worth Y dollar, and I'm going to wait till I get that eventually,'\" you may, as now. Just by waiting a little bit, you've doubled or tripled your, so to speak, investment.
\n\n\n\nNow, continue along with that, you become a buyer of things. Your sense of value is highly influenced by this vast pool of information that you have at your fingertips. People are what we would call savvier. When you would buy or sell something historically, you may have only been influenced by a very small market that you were in. But now, you are able to see what other people are doing everywhere around the world, while your competition who might not even be competition because they're geographically, incredibly far from you, but what they're doing and what their pricing is. Then, you can figure out how to do it or drive your prices down or up.
\n\n\n\nYou're getting this market of service industries, as an example, where people are extracting higher value for less dollars from workers because people are driving down the price, but on products or physical items, people are trading them for higher than what they would have historically been for, let's call, what their inherent value is. Now, everything is human device. There's nothing in the universe that has any inherent value. Everything is a human created system. Even gold has some value that's still based on economics, and the environment, and what's going on in the society. There are ebbs and flows in terms of value, but it's been an international currency that every person will always trade gold no matter what. You're not going to say to a person, \"I'll give you blocks of wood,\" or \"I'll give you certain kinds of rocks.\" That may have been historically, and I don't know how commerce was conducted eons ago; but in today's society, they're just the human generated inherently value items.
\n\n\n\nNow, the reason why certain other items are valuable is because people are willing to pay for it and because there's a certain labor cost that goes into an extraction cost in order to develop this product. A piece of clothing has a what might be called intrinsic value because there was labor that had to be paid for in order to create this clothes. There's electricity that had to be paid for to generate the fabric, the development of the of the yarn for the fabric had to be -- all these things have costs that are associated with it. There are metrics by which you devise what the cost of an item is. Now, the cost of the item can is arbitrary that once you hit your basic cost threshold in order to cover the cost and everyone's sort of paid along the way in order for you to make money, and ultimately, sell that product, you have to tack on some value higher or lower than that.
\n\n\n\nWhat ends up happening though is that historically, if you were, let's say, a clothier that had a shop in some small town and you said, \" I'll sell my shirts for a 35 or 40 or 50 or 100 percent profit margin, that means after my cost, after covering the idea of paying my rent, paying my workers' salaries and I have X number items of clothes in my inventory at any given time, that means I need to have this and this percentage over and above in order for me to walk home and make a certain salary that I'm comfortable with.\"
\n\n\n\nWhat ends up happening though is that a person can look and say, \"Why would I buy a shirt from you at this price that you're totally within your right to set the price so that you can make your money? If I can just maybe go to the town over or purchase it online, that's going to be for way less because that person has different cost structure or is willing to take a loss on it in order for them to move a certain amount of inventory.\"
\n\n\n\nYou wouldn't have been able to notice 30 to 50 years ago. Now, you notice on a way grander scale than you had ever been able to achieve. I like to think about this with the real estate market, generally, in North America, but in particular, in the City of Toronto, which is where I live, which is [where] the inherent or intrinsic value of the real estate that's being transacted is way, way over inflated from its replacement cost.
\n\n\n\nThere are obviously social factors that go into why people want to live in Toronto and why they would be willing to pay more to live here. It's a simple economics of supply and demand. If there's a certain amount of supply and a certain amount of demand, the demand will outweigh the supply, then prices are going to be driven up. But I believe that in addition to your simple supply-demand analysis that could explain what's going on in a city like Toronto, there's also the fact that I can look online and that enormous information is there and say, \"Hey, what did my neighbor sell her property for two years ago?\" And I say, \"Okay, they got X and it says 'Sold,' they sold it for X dollar, that figure. Hell, why don't I try putting it on for X dollars more than my neighbor? It seems like this is the areas in demand.\" And what do I do? I do exactly that.
\n\n\n\nThen, what ends up happening is you end up driving up the cost because you have all this information and you have the onus and the responsibility falls on you to do your proper diligence such that you're actually trying to get the best price that you believe. Arguably, if it was about a charitable mentality or if it was about trying to do social good, I would sell my house for what it would be affordable to someone who can buy it. But if I went and put it online, on the market for what I thought the true value was, or what I would pay for the property that I'm selling, it would be far less than the market, and either will be scooped up for that price and that person will get a steal of a deal or you'll get a bidding war because you can apply this supply-demand economic principles. It's just going to drive the prices of whatever the highest bidder is willing to pay.
\n\n\n\nI'm not an economic expert in economic history as much as I sort of anecdotally am analyzing how I'm even making decisions. My frame of reference is my whole world. How I see the world is how I see the world. I believe that if I'm going in and doing something today, it's because I've done the diligence because I have all the information accessible to me at any given time in order for me to make the best financial decision.
\n\n\n\nThe same goes for our service industries. For example, if I am trying to fix my house or a plumbing job, I can call 50 different plumbers because that information is so easily accessible. Especially, I could start to filter out that I want plumbers that only have five star ratings. So, it starts to whittle down. I'll get three to five quotes. I can call them down. I can say, \"Call the first guy.\" The guy says, \"Yeas, that job is going to cost you X dollars.\" I say, \"Okay, great. Thank you, I'll let you know.\" And I call the second guy on the list, and I said, \"Well look, I got it for X dollar, so I need you to do a little bit better on it.\" And what does that person say? Well, if they really want the business, they'll say either \"Sure,\" they'll say, \"Great. Okay, we'll save you 10 percent,\" or some amount.
\n\n\n\nSo now, I just got the same value, the same service, the same end result for less money. Or the person who will realize their own worth and say, \"I can't do it. We can't physically do it.\" Then, you'll either be left paying the price that you were initially quoted or you will find someone who will eventually get it to the price that you want to pay. That really influences the fact that the market of paying for services, you want to extract the maximum value because you could say to X plumber that Y plumber is willing to do more, and that person might say, \"Go to Y plumber.\" Then, you say, \"Okay. Great.\" At least, you know that you're getting more value than what you would have gotten out of X plumber.
\n\n\n\nThose plumbers now are making less money than they arguably opt to because their time or product is worth money but they were willing to take on the business in order for them to have their workers working or for them to gain another client. Some people will say, \"Hey, it's worth sacrificing on a first job in order for me to make this person happy so that I can get the second job or third job out of that person. Now, whether or not a person believes that they're going to have continued jobs out of a particular client depends on a person's loyalty. For example, if I decide that I'm particularly loyal to people who treat me well in services, I'm going to continue calling them.
\n\n\n\nBut gone are the days that you have that loyalty because you find out that noon the guy on the block is going to charge X dollars less and you say, \"Well, I'd rather keep Y dollars in my pocket because of saving that money.\" Then, you're not really loyal to the person that you would have historically kept as your guy, so to speak. There's this interesting weird time where people are sort of being able to extract value because of the information that they have accessible to them in a way that -- I don't know if it was historically available or easily available for people to conduct diligence.
\n\n\n\nAgain, in the past, when you're an investment company and you're expected to [do] due diligence, sure. You have to report to your boss and say, \"Look, this is the reason why this and this is the price that we're going to spend.\" If you're a business and you need to get a job done, over the last hundred years, they would have asked you for multiple quotes because they would have said, \"Hey, you need to tell us why this is the best price and why we should be willing to pay for it.\"
\n\n\n\nThe standard regular person who isn't required to do that in their life may or may not have called multiple people. They would have just asked their friend for recommendation and said, \"Hey, who did you use when you've got your roof done?\" And they say, \"Oh, I used Steve from XYZ Roofing.\" Then, they call Steve from XYZ Roofing and say, \"Hey, you treated my friend John well. Do the same for me and get me the job.\"
\n\n\n\nNow, it's like, \"All right. I might get a recommendation from my friend but I hear the price, and I say, 'Well, I think I could do better.'\" This idea of you thinking you could do better both in saving money but also in spending money is really so heavily influenced because of the Internet and because of social media. This, I believe, also influences why, since 2008, we've been in a very positive strong market, a growing market, is because I think people are now in a world where they're continuing to spend money constantly. The matching of driving down values in one place but increasing values in other places is sort of keeping the economy in check.
\n\n\n\nLet's jump off this diving board for a second. Historically, I am in debt because I bought a house and I have a mortgage. In 2008, we know that many people were taking on a debt that they couldn't service or they couldn't handle. What they may have done historically is to save themselves from getting kicked out of their houses. They have their heirloom piece of jewelry or something that they would go to a pawnshop and get that extra cash, and they'll save themselves from getting evicted from their house.
\n\n\n\nWhat happens is that that person may or may not be saved from getting kicked out of their house. In this day and age where people are able to find more value out of things, they're doing that more often where they're in a shorter time, instead of being heirloom pieces, they're just buying and selling and trading things that have some values; for example, watches like a Rolex, right? The market for used Rolex is incredibly strong because there's a certain amount of affordability. There's an idea that people want that watch.
\n\n\n\nPeople are buying, and selling, and trading them at a faster rate and a greater volume than they may have had done historically because you can be able to trade in a market very easily. So if I buy the Rolex, I could say, \"Oh, I'm not worried about unloading it, because I can just go to Facebook and sell it because I have an audience of a billion people that will possibly see this and some guy's going to pay me what I need. If I end up getting desperate, I need to sell this Rolex that I probably couldn't afford, I could and I'll get some amount of cash, and I'll be able to save myself from being evicted from my house.
\n\n\n\nNow, I am totally going out on a limb in terms of whether or not that's true. The jumping off the diving board here is what I'm trying to see as happening. The economy is remaining strong because even if people are going to debt and they have undue burden of debt that they can't service and you have all other issues that arise with it, they're trading in their world and they're either overpaying in certain areas in order to extract value for certain things or they're underpaying by certain things in their lives, but that balance is sort of remaining.
\n\n\n\nPeople who are working have jobs and money that they're able to spend even if it's check to check, and even if it's a very, very precarious situation economically, historically, the indices would really tell us that we're in a point in the market in the end of 2019 that we're in for some major economic crash. Sure, that might hold true and there will be some sort of economic correction, because there always has to be an economic correction. Totally, in other conversation, we can understand and take it apart why there has to be an economic correction.
\n\n\n\nBut why it's sort of persisting is because I really honestly believe, and I guess I keep looking for evidence to support that believe, that the economy is in a sense of balance because of the grand volume of information that people have available to them that are helping influence what is valuable and what is valueless, or what they're going to pay more for or what they're going to pay less right now. Remember, if they pay more for something, the person who was the recipient of the money has more money to spend on the market for all the things that they want to buy. If they were underpaid for something, that's just going to be matched by the thing they were overpaid for, and everywhere is sort of going to proliferate and translate into people's lives and how they're going to be able to have income or money to be able to spend on things in order to live.
\n\n\n\nTraditionally, you went to a job you got paid every two weeks or every month, and use that money to pay for your rent, pay for your other fixed expenses. Then you had your variable expenses that were on top of that. In order for you to maintain that lifestyle, you will either do other side hustles that supplement your income. For example, having the Uber accessible to you, you can work as a side hustle, make extra dollars a month in order to feed your excess. You have extra income.
\n\n\n\nWhereas, in the past, you would have been way over your means in terms of spending and other things that you wanted; but now, you can supplement your income in a very basic, non-invasive way. Now, you have more money to spend so you could maintain your lifestyle or you can keep stretching yourself. Then, you're paying more money into the great pool of the economy by having more money to keep spending. It's not as if you're necessarily hoarding that cash in order for you to have savings or whatever. Especially, if you're younger. People aren't necessarily thinking about savings when they're younger, which arguably, you should. But that's not the point of this conversation―to tell a person what they should and shouldn't do. It's sort of just, again, an analysis of what people are doing.
\n\n\n\nA gentleman picks me up in this fancy BMW in Uber. We get to talking. What does he do? He's a marketing guy that may be making X dollars a year that he would never be able to if he was physically responsible to afford that nifty BMW. Again, there could be outside influences where the person's family has money and it helps supplement their income, so sure. I'm not judging people. I have other methods of getting money. But strictly, if the person is, on a basic analysis, if they're driving Uber, and they're supplementing their income with Uber, and they're saying, \"Look, I can make an extra thousand dollars a month over and above my costs by driving Uber three days a week, then I can afford this BMW. I'm going to have the $50,000 a year job that wouldn't be able to afford that new BMW but I can supplement it by having --\" and you could see the point.
\n\n\n\nNow, in the market, more luxury vehicles have been sold because more people have the ability to pay for them and it sort of just keeps going round, and round, and round. The market is getting stronger and stronger in terms of the things that people want. Again, this is also influenced by the fact that [that] person wants to post on social media and say, \"Hey, look! I'm driving my BMW,\" and then, they have all these anecdotal lines out and these influencer lines, and these feel-good lines like, \"Work hard and you're going to do this,\" and \"Life doesn't matter --\" and some line that like you read and it's like it came off of some… who the hell knows where. But so many people are saying the same thing and it influences even if it's not true. The onus of filtering what you believe is to be true or not to be true is really on you―the person who is seeing the information.
\n\n\n\nAnyways, in summary, I just believe that the influence of social media and the Internet on our lives is so impactful. And it's just unfolding. It's just beginning. We have yet to see how the future will look.
\n","excerpt":"Tech musings. This was transcribed from a recording I did on the topic. Enjoy. Over the last couple of days, I guess it's thoughts that have been percolating for a while, I've been thinking more and more about the influence of social media and the concept of…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":288,"type":"post","title":"Getting to the Concert","slug":"getting-to-the-concert","route":"/2020/10/02/getting-to-the-concert/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2020/10/02/getting-to-the-concert/","publishedAt":"2020-10-02 18:01:02","modifiedAt":"2020-10-02 18:01:02","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nI was recently asked about entrepreneurialism and how to start a business. I get asked this all the time…or people ask for help and advice, and I enjoy the conversations with the budding or experienced entrepreneur. The conversations also benefit me, as I can interpret the feedback I am receiving from my advice. One interesting experience was I had a gentleman reach out to me about a business he was starting. He came to my office and we chatted, and I offered him a piece of advice that was said in a joking manner, but I was serious about. A few months later we caught up and, in the conversation, he said, “I totally was thinking about you recently as the thing you said would happen totally happened…” I bring this example not to make believe that I have some predictability, rather, to elucidate a point. The point is about advice. Take it or leave it. Entrepreneurs usually take it, but don’t listen…that’s what makes them entrepreneurs. We don’t like to believe the advice people are giving us. Often times it is advice delivered from a high horse. Or the advice is true, and the entrepreneur doesn’t believe what is being said as they have hope, energy, and invigoration about the business they are embarking on.
\n\n\n\nThe story above allowed for the person to learn from their mistakes, and that’s what the entrepreneur wants to do above all. Make mistakes, learn, grow, make mistakes, learn, grow ad infinitum, or until some point where the entrepreneur becomes “comfortable” or has to stop. The mistakes they want to make are their own, even when people are constantly telling them why a decision may be bad for them. The entrepreneur listens to their advice but doesn’t necessarily heed the advice. The entrepreneur is an “askhole” (asks advice but doesn’t listen) in some ways. But the information provided is usually very valuable, as the advice that is given often sits in the mind of the entrepreneur and is evaluated and poured over and heeded or disregarded- but nonetheless adapted in some way. Through thinking about an idea- even rejecting an idea is in a weird way listening to it- because in your mind you will be using a variable that you don’t necessarily agree with as part of your decision making.
\n\n\n\nGetting to the concert is just my phrase on getting to where you need to go – with the ultimate goal of enjoying the outcome- the concert. If you will get there, you will have taken into account advice, or not, but the outcome nonetheless is hopefully the same, enjoying the concert.
\n","excerpt":"I was recently asked about entrepreneurialism and how to start a business. I get asked this all the time…or people ask for help and advice, and I enjoy the conversations with the budding or experienced entrepreneur. The conversations also benefit me, as I can…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":286,"type":"post","title":"Bifurcate","slug":"bifurcate","route":"/2020/10/02/bifurcate/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2020/10/02/bifurcate/","publishedAt":"2020-10-02 13:46:21","modifiedAt":"2020-10-02 13:46:21","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nA Short Story
\n\n\n\nI am writing to you the events of 2020, I am 72 years old, the year is 2060. I live in Canada, a great country. I am telling this story to you as I lead up to what is entitled the final chapters of my life. Many of the linguistic choices made in this story are outdated and 40 years old at least, but bear with me as I try to describe the events that were a part of the lead up to the great bifurcation of society- now simply known as era GB. There are no restrictions on what I write or how I write something, so long as there aren’t clear introductions highlighting my background and privilege, so someone reading, or hearing this story can determine for themselves the quality of the content and whether it is micro aggressive, too heteronormative, or privileged for the reader to acknowledge its content.
\n\n\n\nThe purpose of this history is for my children and grandchildren to read for their own reference, whatever they do with the information is their choice.
\n\n\n\nTo begin, I am a 72-year-old male, in a heteronormative communion with a female (previously known as a wife, and marriage). We conceived two children prior to 2020, one female daughter, the other a male son. In modern terms these are cismale and cisfemale. Because I subscribe to organized religion, and I am a “man of faith” our family structure is centered around the beliefs of that said religion. I am not required to write about which religion any longer, because during the era of the GB there became a mutual understanding between societies, that some people just have the choice to believe or not believe what they want about anything. So long as I live in my prescribed community surrounded by similarly positioned people, we are protected. If I venture out of this community whether through hate speech or calling to attack any other society, I will be punished by being publicly cancelled, using all modicums of social media.
\n\n\n\nMany people live in virtual reality, not the sci-fi worlds depicted in films, rather, because of the fear of pandemics, and the staged herd immunity that was planned, it was agreed upon that people no longer have to work in an “office” or “workplace” rather, they can immerse themselves in their virtual offices where they work alongside colleagues in whatever activity they choose. Jobs used to be what “activities” are known today. “Careers” became a thing of the past, as any one person can ascribe to an activity for a minimum of a month at a time, or for a maximum time they choose. Since AI (artificial intelligence) is part of daily routines, most things humans do now don’t require labor as it did in 2020.
\n\n\n\nThere are still activity sectors that require human to human contact, and there are live immersive experiences such as viewing non-artificial wonders of the Earth. But most of our days are spent acting as we want and fulfilling ourselves with whatever indulgence our heart desires. One reason why I chose to remain in the faith-based societies, is I was never one to be an over indulger, I always had self-control and inhibition control, and faith-based society just replicated that for me. Any rules and restrictions I apply to my own life are by my own choice.
\n\n\n\nSo, what do things look like in the year 2060. I am referencing things in our society that you have no idea what I am talking about. I will organize my story such that I attempt to organize the various changes that took place at the GB. All is not so bad, considering how much worse things could have gotten.
\n\n\n\nIn November 2020 Donald Trump won the US presidential election, within 24 hours of the results, there were mass inquiries by government officials to try and prove that Trump and his administration had somehow rigged the election. It was as if it was scripted that as soon as he won the opposing side would claim that the election was rigged, even though the final results of the election were 51.6% by Trump and 48.4% by Biden. That’s too damn close, and for the next 5 months the Democrats tried as hard as they could to oust Trump from his position.
\n\n\n\nAs you can imagine the country fell into a state of civil discord. What had started in May 2020 as protests against racism in America turned into complete malarky in basically every major city in the United States. The “left” and the “right” were at each other’s necks, and literally civilians were marching in the streets with fire, rocks, and guns, on both sides. Many many people were injured and killed.
\n\n\n\nFederal, state and municipal police forces formed an independent task force, using a “secure platform” built by Facebook to connect police forces of how-to best combat street fighting. They formed a pseudo army called “America First” (AF) and used social media to help track where protesters were collecting in order to stave off violence on both sides. The police unions lobbied the Federal Government to fund this new National Police Force to help get the police and military folks paid and fed.
\n\n\n\nTruthfully AF had some bad eggs in the force but were ultimately comprised of good people who were trying to quell discord and prevent death. So many people were arrested and injured on a day to day basis that the hospitals, penitentiaries and judicial systems were overloaded. If you can remember during this time there had been a pandemic called COVID-19, which 200,000 people had died from before the election.
\n\n\n\nWhat overwhelmed the healthcare system wasn’t death from the pandemic, rather the violence on the streets in the US cities. Similarly, massive amounts of incarceration. There were food and healthcare shortages, which resulted in major human rights court cases. Something had to give. The President gave an executive order for the AF to deescalate street level crime. It was pandemonium, I remember my US family was curfewed and many streets were patrolled to stave off criminal protests.
\n\n\n\nPrivate security groups made a mint, as private individuals hired armed guards to protect their houses and private domains. Many people evacuated major cities in favor of warmer climate outdoor living. The RV and auto sales were the best business to be in, and if you had an obscure vacant plot of land somewhere south, you were able to host these escapees who just wanted to remain safe from the general upheaval. The mafia made a resurgence. It was quite a shit show. Basically, if you wanted your street protected, you hired “guys” with guns to stand there. Occasionally they would rustle up some people on the street or break some windows, to maintain their protection status. The police were powerless, and frankly disinterested from dealing with petty crimes, they had far worse issues to deal with on a day to day basis. Police and their families were continued targets. Some police officers when they were off shift would pay back the protestors by driving their cars into crowds. It was a horrendous, generally unsafe time. Any order that was executed was quickly dissolved because more people just kept fighting.
\n\n\n\nAs you can imagine the economy was basically torn to pieces, then shredded once again, then patched together and all but failed. The COVID-19 pandemic had caused so much unemployment and there was so much uncertainty, that the economy continued to implode. There were clear indices, but there was so much other turmoil that no one paid attention to the impending doom.
\n\n\n\nThe federal government printed an inordinate amount of money to bail out business and individuals who had lost their jobs and businesses as a result of the pandemic. These bailouts kept being doled out, as the election time was so crazy, and in order to keep his seat in the white house, the President kept ‘printing’ money. Now, in simple economic terms, when there is more of a currency available, it drives up inflation, because there’s more of the currency to be spent. So, when a bottle of milk in 2020 cost $3.00 over the course of a year doubled to cost $6.00.
\n\n\n\nThe future seemed bleak. There seemed no way out. People who were decent and law abiding wanted to go about their day. People who wanted to work, be charitable, walk the streets of their city at night couldn’t. Despair leads people to do crazy things even the most even keeled person will fall off kilter if despair is waved in front of them for extended periods.
\n\n\n\nThen there was the reckoning of 2021 that ultimately led to the GB. This was a fascinating event, that led to the positive change, and led to general calm in the US. The group Anonymous – yes, the one that became the governance group of government- pulled an amazing move. In the late 10’s, Anonymous was synonymous with internet and digital terrorism. They definitely were implicated in breaches of public trust, but they fully changed that perception with their move in 2021.
\n\n\n\nAnonymous had app developers successfully build some of the most popular apps of the day. Little to anyone’s knowledge, and without ever having whistleblowers, these apps tracked and stored very interesting data about a person and their phone usage while highly illegal, the solution in the end justified the means, and the group was not held accountable. They were heroes that broke laws in order to save the collective.
\n\n\n\nOne calendar date, Wednesday March 13, 2021 every protester, police officer, human that has a smart phone got a notification that prompted people through a series of short videos and messages. Essentially the app told people to stop whatever they were doing. There was no way to prevent what was about to happen. There was no method to stave off the exposure. The reason this was exposed at the particular time and date was based on a blockchain like algorithm that was only attained based on the speed at which information it was gathering from the apps accelerated. The timing of which could have happened a year prior or ten years later. It happened to work out during the ensuing devolution of society where no one any longer felt safe.
\n\n\n\nWhat message people got was to look at the person next to you then pause. Then 10 seconds later an entire profile of this person was exposed. Their mistakes, their crimes, their pornography history, their search history everything summed up. Every person on the planet that had used a smart phone was exposed to their neighbor. There was no longer anonymity.
\n\n\n\nThen everyone was told there will be a color code that exposed the crimes for which every person was guilty. If you had a yellow screen for example, you committed financial crimes (based on the law of the jurisdiction you lived). It showed that according to the law every single person, no matter how self-righteous was guilty of a crime. The algorithm was so bullet proof, and complex, it was impossible to scam. The phones were mini AI brains that knew who their user was.
\n\n\n\nAnyone who committed crimes punishable by jail time had different colors. Every person who had committed some sexual offence was another color. People who were in the midst of crimes such as pedophiles and human traffickers and other people who committed heinous sins were exposed. Initially people tried to go after those criminals, and tried to kill them, but as they chased along, they were exposed of their own crimes.
\n\n\n\nIt was a digital version of the tower of Babel history from the Old Testament and lore. There was a society with one language that tried beating God by building a massive tower to reach to the heavens. As a punishment God changed everyone’s dialect and language, so people couldn’t understand each other, and as the story goes, the society crumbled, along with the tower.
\n\n\n\nEvery politician, doctor, correction officer etc. etc. was now on an equal playing field. All the information was in a database. So, you could look any person up and you could search through their entire existence. As you can imagine many people committed suicide or died as a result of being exposed. The exposure was intimate, in that it wasn’t some pie in the sky, your information is being breached, (by the way credit card and banking information was not shared). The person literally standing next to you was made aware of your shortcomings, and similarly, you of theirs.
\n\n\n\nThere was a timeline of this exposure. The information would be intermittently available, and through some other code would be destroyed. Not before humanity came to realize that humans are more similar to one another. There was no high horse for people to ride on. No intellectual or financial elitism that could separate one person from their neighbor. The great exposure did not result in society wreaking havoc on itself, rather it caused people to harmonize with one another.
\n\n\n\nBut it was at this point that society bifurcated. Bifurcate means to diverge into two separate paths. The two basic paths were idealized versions of free market capitalism, versus an idealized version of socialist society. Both societies amicably split from one another. Those in one camp live by Judeo-Christian values, whereas the other society lived by humanistic moral code. There is a spectrum of people who live within each society, these sub societies flourish because no one stops one another from freely practicing whatever belief system they hold. The caveat is that every human no matter which society will be respected, for who they are, because we are more similar and faultier than we think.
\n\n\n\nI think this whole exposure reckoning worked, because as technology and information was more proliferated to every human on earth more and more people were engaged in the polarizing information being sent to them, most humans were able to realize that them being exposed equalized the playing field between them and the “elites” they believe somehow control their lives.
\n\n\n\nMost people don’t have the wherewithal to filter out information that is usually garbage, and they formulate opinions and worldviews based on garbage information and conspiracy theories. But when people are exposed for their shortcomings to one another the level playing field becomes equalized and the results were astonishing. I mean wars were literally stopped overnight.
\n\n\n\nIt was fascinating to think that this was the result, as opposed to complete pandemonium. The next year paved the way for the rules and laws in society to be rewritten. Because AI computing on each person’s phone was so efficient, any person could input any proposition about how laws ought to be upheld in society. Not surprisingly there were people who tried to troll the system, and they were exposed for doing such. The social pressure to engage with yourself and self-reflect was almost like why Uber worked. Uber is safe and efficient because the users rate the drivers in real time, and this forces the drivers to be courteous etc. Much like the exposure, people were now locked into potentially being judged in real time, and as such, people acted accordingly, and “behaved”.
\n\n\n\nOver the course of the year great thinkers and input from all generated new laws, and new moral code for society. There was a new declaration of rights and freedoms built, which also included people divulging ways they would see as optimal living, be it through economic or other wants and needs. The document is an adaptive and malleable doctrine that is generated by AI as opposed to humans, which makes it devoid of emotion, rather solely based on data.
\n\n\n\nIf people started to protest to have a way of life that they thought optimal, they were explained why that may not work in light of other imbalances such a desire would create. The system let people down at a rate they could handle through balanced explanations based on the data being processed every second. There was no method to argue, as the algorithm and AI code was embedded every phone, and terminal used by people every day.
\n\n\n\nDuring this period currency was crypto currency that was used to purchase goods and services. All economic exchanges took place through computers as opposed to with FIAT. Many elements of society faltered for a period, but since so many people were exposed to what optimal society would look like many people “stepped” up to the plate to “get things done.”
\n\n\n\nThere were obvious protests to the breach of privacy; and that dictum was accounted for in the reimagining of laws. But people were by and large able to buy into the fact that humans aren’t greater than one another, some just do great things that are laudable, but deep down, humans are far more similar than they are different.
\n\n\n\nPeople started to realize the need for fixing the environment and using less garbage and consuming less. In the pursuit of profit, the best companies were ones geared toward environmental change. Whether the Earth cycles on its own temperature and geological changes, human destruction was readily apparent. Imagine getting paid to clean up the ocean. Imagine the greatest scientist working together for one cause, figuring out how to run industries less pollutant and recycle more efficiently.
\n\n\n\nEvery now and again there were people who would protest or try to stop the advancement, but they were given an option to self-evaluate the outcomes of their actions through AI simulation. More often than not, people would be revealed a plethora of options that could ensue based on the consequences of their actions and people would weigh the risks accordingly. People started to act in their best interests, that included the possible interests of others.
\n\n\n\nThe tragedy of the commons written by Garret Hardin almost 100 years ago in my opinion was a philosophical guiding principal for people to act better. Imagine you can input a detailed question about something you want to do, and the answer is provided in real time about what impact that action will have. How humbling an experience that could be. But knowing what impact your actions have is part of solving problems. Now, if there is financial gain to be had by acting better, this just helps. People get paid to act better, and better, although subjective, was better in light of environmental impact. That is, no one argued that polluting the world is bad, some people just didn’t care on an individual basis. The Earth cycles through epochs that determine weather patterns, flooding and all other ‘natural’ cycles, humans just started being exposed to trying to beat that. No one can predict whether an earthquake would take place, or whether a forest fire would occur, but polluting oceans, and dumping billions of tons of pollutants into drinkable water, or destroying forests, is not sustainable, reusing what has already been extracted is.
\n\n\n\nThe long-term outcomes of the reckoning have been positive. Although there are obvious shortcomings, people’s lives got materially better, people acted nicer to one another. Healthcare breakthroughs in researching and controlling diseases became more efficient, as more information was shared between people. AI connected people doing similar things, to collaborate and work together to create breakthroughs.
\n\n\n\nInterestingly all the billionaires of 2020 donated most of their wealth to research and funding further AI development, not for profit but to help solve issues of food security, clean water, and environmental cleanup. The 2020 billionaires were held accountable for their wealth accumulation, in that by proliferating their monies to other good uses, such as solving hunger issues, were forever indelibly written into the annals of history. No matter what shortcomings they may have been exposed of, the fact that they made such huge sacrifices for the greater good absolved them of any of their shortcomings, after all they are human too. For example, as soon as Warren Buffet’s billions were distributed among various research institutes, billions followed suite. The system of wealth distribution was interesting in that the organizations that were listed to receive the funding had the mandate to keep dolling out money to other organizations.
\n\n\n\nThis all took place in the years 2024-2035, as the years of 2021-2024 only crypto currencies were used, as society was recovering from the ashes, and the GB was taking place.
\n\n\n\nThe GB essentially allowed people to live freely. Everyone started to understand that there is no absolute right and wrong way to live. Even if a religion tells its followers to lead a certain life, and all others are wrong, doesn’t mean that they can’t exist. It is a funny thing to happen when people have a realization that just because I want to live my life with my beliefs, doesn’t mean someone else can’t either live their life with their beliefs. There are obvious drawbacks, as how can everyone be truly free, and or how can society be “burdened” with catering to individual needs, it seems impossible.
\n\n\n\nBut what the reckoning and the GB showed us was a mirror on ourselves. We are our worst enemies and therefore we are bad to other people. This realization is momentary and needs to continuously be reminded to people. But through the exposure, people began living as if their “5 start review” depended on it, and this was enough to quell certain evils.
\n\n\n\nNo one cared about news anymore, you would just subscribe to events in locations that you were interested in finding out about. Events that were negative were used as case studies to figure out how to solve and make things better, so there is no “next time”.
\n\n\n\nUsing AI we became able to learn from our mistakes, and we are reminded of our decision making ability and the impact each one of us actually has around us.
\n\n\n\nMy message is one and the same, and I think it was painfully obvious, be nice to one another, even if we don’t agree, as we are likely more similar than we are different.
\n","excerpt":"A Short Story I am writing to you the events of 2020, I am 72 years old, the year is 2060. I live in Canada, a great country. I am telling this story to you as I lead up to what is entitled the final chapters of my life. Many of the linguistic choices made in…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":243,"type":"post","title":"Are we truly free?","slug":"are-we-truly-free","route":"/2020/09/14/are-we-truly-free/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2020/09/14/are-we-truly-free/","publishedAt":"2020-09-14 17:32:45","modifiedAt":"2020-09-14 17:33:31","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"[pl_post_props pagelayer-id=\"5XV9gfp0foZ0Pmpt\" post_title=\"Are we truly free?\" post_status=\"publish\" featured_image=\"/wp-content/plugins/pagelayer/images/default-image.png\"]\n[/pl_post_props]\n[pl_row pagelayer-id=\"1m6zbo3dkr5zigi0\" 0=\"\"]\n[pl_col pagelayer-id=\"9sjj4zxto42hb60k\" col=\"12\"]\n[pl_text pagelayer-id=\"v8xunox6egazd1n4\" 0=\"\"]\nAre we truly free?People want to do less than more…
\n\n\n\nTragedy of the commons not just a socioeconomic phenomenon; rather a social one as well.
\n\n\n\nThe tragedy of the commons is a concept borne by Garrett Hardin in 1968 to explain how when given a choice people will often take more, assuming they are the only one benefiting, until such time as all the resources are used up. Many examples and studies have been conducted to support the notion of the tragedy of the common’s; and once revealed to the people often leaves them feeling really upset. For those reading this who do not know what the tragedy of the commons is, the following example was written by Dylan Selterman in a June 2018 National Geographic whose main content that edition was about global pollution. Selterman’s example was when he would teach his undergraduate psychology course, he’d announce there was a choice by students to request 2 or 6 points as extra credit with the following caveat, as long as 10% of the class didn’t choose 6 points everyone would get the extra credit. Much to many of the student’s dismay, more often than not no one would get the extra credit as more than 10% of the class chose 6 extra points. What this study shows, is that on an individual level people often consume more than they need of the “common” eventually using up all the resources. (Hardin used farming as an example- and a quick google search of Tragedy of the Commons will relay many more examples).
\n\n\n\nIn my opinion, this important phenomenon is a lesson, more than anything. The ‘tragedy of the commons’ highlights behavior, that if questioned on an individual level would seem rational; and may even be considered the ‘right’ thing to do. But on a communal level, when the resources being tapped are limited, the results more often than not are the exploitation, and removal of all the available resources (see cod fishing or Dodo Bird examples).
\n\n\n\nMy question is, does the tragedy of the commons apply on a broader social level than just on its economic influence? The answer, I believe is yes, in that there is a dissonance between people’s individual expectations of how society ought to be versus actually changing their own personal behavior, and while it doesn’t use up some “proverbial resources” it strains the direction that society is moving.
\n\n\n\nMore to come on the topic.
\n","excerpt":"People want to do less than more… Tragedy of the commons not just a socioeconomic phenomenon; rather a social one as well. The tragedy of the commons is a concept borne by Garrett Hardin in 1968 to explain how when given a choice people will often take more…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":228,"type":"post","title":"One image two or more views","slug":"one-image-two-or-more-views","route":"/2020/08/25/one-image-two-or-more-views/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2020/08/25/one-image-two-or-more-views/","publishedAt":"2020-08-25 14:31:10","modifiedAt":"2020-08-25 14:31:10","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nOne image two or more views.
There’s a Hebrew expression that loosely translates as “on taste and smell you can’t argue”. Essentially what this means is that if two people are arguing about a preference, how can one convince the other that there is a ‘’better” preference, they are preferences, which is why one person chooses one over the other. What people may be arguing over is whether one should try the other’s preference and see what all the rage is about.
On preferences one cannot argue, and the same may apply to seeing something and interpreting the action in your own personal way. We live in a time where images and videos are the norm for being able to see an event taking place. Two people may see the same video or image, and two people can have entirely different reactions.
Context of these mediums ought to be on the mind of the viewer. Regardless of the conclusion the viewer has made, or what kind of reaction is elicited by the image; it ought to derive from asking oneself context. To make this clear, every negative situation that escalates has a starting point, where the situation hasn’t yet escalated; i.e. the time when people aren’t filming or capturing the images. Then situation escalates to the point where bystander tells themselves that it would be a good idea to film said situation (positively escalated situations often are predicted, or you know a good thing is coming, so filming may start earlier. Negative situations like a street fight may only start getting filmed after the bystander determines the “filmability”. If the filming captures the whole event, then the bystander may have been tipped off as to an event about to take place, which also puts into context the captured imagery i.e. people knew they were going to try and escalate an event for some reason…)
While I am generalizing about all filmed situations, I find, purely anecdotally, that context of the imagery helps me not get swayed one way or another about the credibility of a situation, so as not to jump to any false conclusions. The film may be accurate, but general analysis and thoughtfulness requires that I ought to ask myself the context of the imagery being showed. Sometimes it is obvious what the conclusion ought to be, other times, it makes sense for a court of law to make a judgement that provides evidence and context. We have laws to protect people from being falsely (albeit sometimes people do get falsely accused of crimes they are innocent of- sometimes this is due to context failure) accused- us not in the legal system, (i.e. the court of public opinion) ought to ask ourselves what the context of an image is before we jump to conclusions. Once we ask that question and we come to whatever conclusion we come to, we ought to let people know that “I saw this image, and this is my conclusion…” rather than “this image must mean that…”- context.
I have a forthcoming book coming out on my journey in entrepreneurism, including stories from my experiences, lessons I've picked up along the way, and good questions to ask yourself if you plan on embarking on an entrepreneurial venture.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat I do know about COVID-19 response…
\n\n\n\nLiving in Toronto, Ontario, Canada one thing is clear, the government at all levels is doing a really decent job helping its citizens through this time.
\n\n\n\nNot only financially, I think the government is communicating effectively and although uncertain about certain decisions they need to make, it is clear about the uncertainty. Yet, they put their faith in it people to work through the decisions. What I specifically mean is that initially Ontario set a date to begin reopening the economy and helping people get back to ‘normal’. Unfortunately that date has changed, due to the fact that “flattening the curve” seems to be working, and there is fear of a second wave of very sick virus patients. Given that uncertainty, the government has made it relatively clear that things will be slower to return to normal, and that the ‘roll out’ of return to normalcy will be implemented in tranches such that, if a new wave of sick patients becomes apparent, they can roll back the return…
\n\n\n\nWhile this is disheartening and frightening for many, this seems to be a very logical and thoughtful approach. Because it empowers the citizens to plan and take control...
\n","excerpt":"What I do know about COVID-19 response… Living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada one thing is clear, the government at all levels is doing a really decent job helping its citizens through this time. Not only financially, I think the government is communicating…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":144,"type":"post","title":"Corporate Human Narratives","slug":"corporate-human-narratives","route":"/2020/06/23/corporate-human-narratives/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2020/06/23/corporate-human-narratives/","publishedAt":"2020-06-23 17:24:44","modifiedAt":"2020-08-03 17:43:54","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nI keep seeing new value items for customers being offered by behemoth corporations, to help during the COVID times. What is funny to me, is the perception I need to actively disregard when things are ‘normal’ is the unwritten rules generated by corporations about how a part of society functions. Michel Foucault had an interesting theory on governmentality and responsibilization where he basically explained that within society there are unwritten rules that are generated by non-government (i.e. non law enforcing) entities. (The reason we have laws in our societies, is because we allow government to enact and enforce laws that uphold general normalcy in society, and in a democracy we vote in a person who best represents our world view to add or change laws based on moral, legal, and sometimes emotional changes that society uses to grow from.) But in non-governmental agencies, organizations entities, etc. there are also rules, that may parallel governmental and societal laws, but they are there to keep things in line as well. For example, corporate culture in many industries dictate that there is a code of conduct, how to dress, what etiquette one ought to abide by while in the office. Occasionally these ‘rules’ are changed or broken or adapted, for example, there may be a casual Friday dress code, but again it is part of the rules of the place. (I’ll digress for a moment, that the fact there are informal rules that we accept and follow all the time, is a very powerful undercurrent of society and affects people all the time, whether consciously or unconsciously. These rules can be harnessed to do amazing things, such as drive social good- a phenomenon that is occurring quite often during the COVID-19 pandemic.)
\n\n\n\nI’m telling you all this, because the thought was triggered by the many promotional emails I am seeing now. In ‘normal’ economic times one would never think that such a ‘lucrative’ (in terms of value to customer) promotion would ever be offered. Primarily because these unprecedented economic times changes value for consumers, and therefore the economic fallout from a changing consumer market. But what it showed me, is that any human, managing any company at any time has the ability, to generate value for customers that may be “too good to be true…” and the only reason why this doesn’t happen is because of the unspoken or self-generated rules of industries to fix prices such that value remains at stasis to the consumer.
\n\n\n\nI guess the summary lesson is that we humans create our experiences, and make that the reality.
\n","excerpt":"I keep seeing new value items for customers being offered by behemoth corporations, to help during the COVID times. What is funny to me, is the perception I need to actively disregard when things are ‘normal’ is the unwritten rules generated by corporations…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":140,"type":"post","title":"We're growing up with weirdos","slug":"were-growing-up-with-weirdos","route":"/2020/06/23/were-growing-up-with-weirdos/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2020/06/23/were-growing-up-with-weirdos/","publishedAt":"2020-06-23 17:13:51","modifiedAt":"2020-08-03 17:43:54","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nWe’re all growing up with weirdos that we now know of…
\n\n\n\nHistorically, people grew up and were raised among a very small circle of people/community. Over the course of their lives people would interact impactfully with far fewer people than people do today. This is as a result of the explosion of social media, a preference and priority among young people to buy experiences through travel. The inexpensive and relatively non-cumbersome methods by which we can travel. Access to resources that allow us to travel, and access to so much information.
\n\n\n\nWe live in unprecedented times in that everything we do is provoked by far greater precipitous influences than humans have had access to any time in history. Even this pandemic, given the immediacy of information sharing that is available to such wide volumes of people changes how to respond to and react to and mitigate such emergencies. (More about this in another article)
\n\n\n\nAs a young 30 something year old, I can’t help but occasionally feel the despair the world seems to thrust on my generation. I graduated university (in 2009) during an unprecedented economic downturn (2008 Crash), which influenced my career choice, and many among my cohort, who despite being highly educated, were not afforded the opportunity to utilize their skills as they ought to have been. In a world where materialistic success, and the need to buy stuff to live, dominates, people cannot live in centers of influence such as big cities and make a living enough to sustain living in these cities.
\n\n\n\nI introduced all the above to note, that I know of these shared experiences because of social media, and the sheer number of articles whose authors describe their lives, or their experiences, which logically means there are people whose experiences must be the same.
\n\n\n\nI will digress for a second, when I sometimes think about the last century, and my connection to it (my grandparents are still alive and they survived the Holocaust, and WW2), through listening to live account about what life was like in the 1920s-until the 1980s when I was born, I am fascinated that events like WW1 and WW2 took place, or the Holocaust, or that humans murder each other. (This is not meant to be an idealistic article). What I am most fascinated by is the fact there was an influential human, most likely my age who was at the helm of whatever dramatic event was taking place. There were young mission-oriented leaders who were fighting for something that was meaningful to them and their compatriots. There was no apathy, or distractions, there was the perpetuation of a mission, albeit during WW2, a terrible one.
\n\n\n\nWhere are our fearsome leaders, where are the humans who are achieving great things, and not just material success? I am not talking about radical people who will try to harm other humans, but people who are working for a mission beyond themselves. Obviously, they exist, and there are many heroes in our world. I am asking this rhetorically to bring out my next point. It seems like we are growing up around wusses. It seems like my generation likes to complain and be a victim, and in that way they can be heroic. Why do I feel this way? Of course, we can blame external factors as to why our lives are the way they are, but what about personal responsibility? What if just aren’t as great as we think we are?
\n\n\n\nThere doesn’t seem to be someone from the generation ahead of us who is showing us the way. Because as humans we crave direction. Our earliest experiences are ones of us making sense of a chaotic world. That’s what human development is. (More articles on this at a different time). Part of why we are born without any skills is because as conscious (human defined) thinking animals, we have the power to artificially steer how our lives will end up. People who are older than us have the power to influence us in a plethora of ways. Human babies crave a type of development that is healthy and achieves balanced individuals (balanced in that their personality can cope with external triggers of the world) while it is supported through evidence that there are many cases of human children being raised in detrimental backgrounds and turning into monsters. Our entire human code of law and moral compass is predicated on humans being in control of themselves, such that they know right from wrong. But what is right from wrong if there is a vicissitude of explanations justifying why a person is right or wrong (I mean OJ Simpson was acquitted of murder charges because of a technicality).
\n\n\n\nOur leadership has failed us, or at the very least we have the audacity to contradict and push back in a way historically unfounded. So our generation is stuck in a forest, waiting for a beacon of light and hope to show us the way. But it never comes, so we turn to our neighbors who are in the same forest as us and we try to get through this together. We are “adulting” together, without a proverbial “parent” in the room to tell us what to do.
\n\n\n\nAs children, and in the case where we have parents, or guidance, or moral compass teaching us what to do, it tends to come from people who are a little older than us, who can teach us right from wrong- or so we think. Then we become teenagers, just old enough to be thinking more complexly from our childhood, and we begin asking questions and shun the system, with the same maturity of a child (an angsty mix). But we become older and search for more and more answers. We either get them by engaging in risqué behaviours, having traumatic experiences, creating narratives and complexes around social norms we either love or hate or love to hate. (I am obviously simplifying things here, the list can go on and the interconnectivity and complexity of the human experience is far more vast than the colloquialisms I am adopting to keep things simple – you get the point.)
\n\n\n\nBut the void isn’t filled, now were are just a bit older than we were, and presumably more mature that we were, or so we think, but without the leadership we crave, as we have thrown them out with the bathwater. So we turn to ourselves, and our fellow cohort, and what do we see, a bunch of fuckin’ weirdos. So we are leaderless and empty. What fun.
\n","excerpt":"We’re all growing up with weirdos that we now know of… Historically, people grew up and were raised among a very small circle of people/community. Over the course of their lives people would interact impactfully with far fewer people than people do today. This…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":138,"type":"post","title":"What is Normal?","slug":"what-is-normal","route":"/2020/05/25/what-is-normal/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2020/05/25/what-is-normal/","publishedAt":"2020-05-25 05:06:32","modifiedAt":"2020-08-03 17:43:55","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nWill things go back to normal?
\n\n\n\nIn a post COVID environment will things go back to normal? This question is very general and does not take into account the nuances of human lives and or the definition of “normal”. But what I colloquially mean is, if you were to ask yourself this question what would you answer?
\n\n\n\nIn the general sense, so many people have lost their jobs, so going back to colleagues, and workplaces that were comfortable is not likely for many, in which case, things won’t be going back to ‘normal’.
\n\n\n\nBut then there is the sense of how we relate to people, even if you didn’t lose your job. You have worked from home, been around family, or not seen friends or family. You’ve maybe been yourself, with odd video conferencing to colleagues or some other human contact. But did the isolation not effect some change. The next time you meet someone in person, or go back to a workspace, will you not initially be affected? Will you be more cognizant of your personal health and wellbeing or of those around you? Are you more conscious of how dangerous human to human contact could be (during a pandemic) and does it give you trauma thinking about this, and whether you will be able to adjust?
\n\n\n\nWhat is normal?
\n\n\n\nIs how we conduct business, what we do in business, or for work matter the same way it did prior to a lock down?
\n\n\n\nIf this type of event happens again, what will that mean? Will be better prepared? Will we do things different? Will this be the new normal, that is, that every few years there is a debilitating pandemic that will just shut stuff down? Will government in ‘free’ countries have a different expectation of how to deal with its citizens, will people be better or worse off next time? What about epidemics, and localized breakouts of deadly disease, will the ‘world’ be forgiving?
\n\n\n\nWhat do we do? What is next? What matters, what doesn’t? Is every answer to those questions predicated on our pre pandemic normal, such that we really don’t have a good answer to ourselves? What if things were different? What if we were different? What if our aspirations were different? What is normal?
\n\n\n\nSo many things will change, yet so many things will be the same. Major events, have a moment when they are all the rage, much like an addict promises their loved one, that this time it’s the last time they will abuse, and things are and will be different…is this so? The world changed after major global events, but did we change? Do we need to change? Is that is required of us as humans?
\n\n\n\nWhat is normal?
\n","excerpt":"Will things go back to normal? In a post COVID environment will things go back to normal? This question is very general and does not take into account the nuances of human lives and or the definition of “normal”. But what I colloquially mean is, if you were to…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":126,"type":"post","title":"Cost to making money?","slug":"cost-to-making-money","route":"/2020/05/08/cost-to-making-money/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2020/05/08/cost-to-making-money/","publishedAt":"2020-05-08 18:13:41","modifiedAt":"2020-08-03 17:43:55","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nFor all investments, to truly understand your ROI you need to appreciate and factor in the costs to maintain said investments.
\n\n\n\nHere are some high-level costs:
\n\n\n\nAll Highway Mileage:
\n\n\n\nSo, as I’ve mentioned before, I love searching through local classifieds for things I “want” but don’t really need. Particularly, I love perusing pages and pages of cars for sale, to pontificate and dream about the cars and car projects I’d love to own, but have to be realistic about which is, I will never work on it, and if it’s a project, I am not prepared to spend the money to get it to a reliable drivable vehicle. One thing that comes up all the time, particularly for a high mileage car, is that the miles were put on “all highway miles” …as if to somehow allay my concern for the car being high miles. Let’s take this, and other common car advertisement phrases apart in a few ways why this doesn’t really mean anything…and you should still conduct an inspection of said vehicle.
\n\n\n\nThat’s it for now. More to come…
\n","excerpt":"All Highway Mileage: So, as I’ve mentioned before, I love searching through local classifieds for things I “want” but don’t really need. Particularly, I love perusing pages and pages of cars for sale, to pontificate and dream about the cars and car projects…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":122,"type":"post","title":"I'm spoiled","slug":"im-spoiled","route":"/2020/05/08/im-spoiled/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2020/05/08/im-spoiled/","publishedAt":"2020-05-08 17:38:56","modifiedAt":"2020-08-03 17:43:55","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nIf the Coronavirus quarantine, self-isolation taught me anything it is that I am incredibly spoiled, or at the very least, incredibly privileged. Here’s 10 reasons why:
\n\n\n\nThe humbling experience of COVID-19
\n\n\n\nAlthough there are many experiences everyone is going through during the COVID-19 pandemic, one thought that came to my mind, and was humbling, is just how leveling the pandemic is. What I mean, I keep seeing emails from various companies and industries, all explaining how they are in lockdown mode, limited operation mode while the world (USA and Canada is where I am located, that’s the extent of my world) isolates or quarantines, to “flatten the curve”.
\n\n\n\nWhat triggered this particular article was an email from WESTJET. Although I’ve received email communication from virtually every airline I have ever flown on about their COVID response, the one from WESTJET finally hit me. Which is the thought that even the titans, behemoth magnanimous businesses, whose revenues are billions, who have to adhere to policies, and strict corporate structures and a plethora of other intricacies, is not protected from the pandemic. Nary the smallest or largest businesses are unaffected, rather, they are all affected equally, that’s is a humbling thought to me.
\n\n\n\nThey are all affected equally in that any company is generally as good as the customers they serve, if there are no paying customers there is no cash flow, if there’s no cash flow the business will seize to be able to operate. Obviously there are temporary solutions to cash flow problems during non-pandemic times. But even the titans of industry need cash flow. I know it’s obvious once you think about it, but for me once I took a deeper dive into this rabbit hole, the thought experiment was humbling.
\n","excerpt":"The humbling experience of COVID-19 Although there are many experiences everyone is going through during the COVID-19 pandemic, one thought that came to my mind, and was humbling, is just how leveling the pandemic is. What I mean, I keep seeing emails from…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":115,"type":"post","title":"Now I know why","slug":"now-i-know-why","route":"/2020/03/27/now-i-know-why/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2020/03/27/now-i-know-why/","publishedAt":"2020-03-27 16:24:11","modifiedAt":"2020-08-03 17:43:55","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"Now I know why…\n\nI watched a documentary on Netflix about “corrupt money” and one of the episodes was about a wealthy NY based landlord who uses “legal” but highly questionable means to reap as much cash from his assets as physically possible…\n\nNow I want to say, I know that a documentary usually has an agenda, especially since the character they were conducting the expose on, plays an important roll in American Politics. But now I understand why renters cry over their landlord’s treatment of them. I guess when I read the tenants perspective in the news and some of the vindictive messages, my rose colored glasses kept me from internalizing their perspective for a second. \n\nWhether I agree with the expose on Netflix or not, or the tenant’s methods of how they complain, I understand better the basis for their complaints. I don’t think I am a slumlord; I tend to get all work done for tenants in a timely fashion (of course if its is an emergency things get done quicker), and if it’s a frivolous ask by the tenant I tell them that it’s not our issue to fix. \n\nOne reason why landlords control what they spend on units, because there are some tenants who find out that units got repaired or renovated, and their unit has not been worked on. So they complain or maliciously break things in their units in order to compel the landlord to renovate their unit. Also, landlords sometimes judge their tenants. They believe that their tenants who may be poorer than them live in squalor and don’t deserve quality. Also, some tenants do live in squalor, but even if they were wealthier, they would likely live like that, as it usually is a personality thing that keeps people in messes, or dirt, not money. \n\nBut then there is “the compelling tenants” to leave their units in order to achieve greater returns and overall income. In a strong rental market, landlords want some turnover in their buildings so they can renovate the unit and achieve “market rent” which is usually higher than the previous rent. This makes for increased returns on their assets…\n\nIn certain “hot markets” this is the only strategy to make money. Because in any given market a real estate asset is sold for a number of reasons, but usually it is being sold on a multiple of “net operating income” (NOI), which is the basis for the “cap rate” value. If you purchase a piece of property today with a certain NOI, in order to actually ‘make’ money, which means increase value and increase income and increase profit, you need to increase the NOI. Otherwise you may run into a situation where you lose money or cannot pay back investors, or cover basic expenses such as property taxes, repairs and maintenance, gas and water bills etc. \n\nAny savvy and sophisticated will be ‘modeling’ their investment and create a ‘pro forma’ (future projection) of how the investment ought to perform, with a realistic sense of how the investment will perform. While the model will “always” be wrong, as no one can predict with certainty how an investment will actually perform, for example no one could have accurately predicted how COVID-19 would affect the real estate market, rather people can get a sense of how things will operate (i.e. badly). But what such an event teaches us is that landlords are only as good as their tenants who will pay rent. Some landlords get a false sense of importance because they have the power to borrow a lot of money, and they forget who their customers are, i.e. their tenants. And in any given market a landlord will want to prove to himself, and to investors how good they are at running real estate, and they therefore may make ethically questionable decisions of how to achieve those goals…which is why so many tenants hate their landlords…\n\nWhat I say to this is…if you’re a landlord try not to treat your customers to shoddily, and if you’re a tenant, appreciate the home you’re in and the reciprocal relationship may be fruitful…I don’t know just a thought…","excerpt":"Now I know why… I watched a documentary on Netflix about “corrupt money” and one of the episodes was about a wealthy NY based landlord who uses “legal” but highly questionable means to reap as much cash from his assets as physically possible… Now I want to…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":106,"type":"post","title":"Why are rich people hated so much?","slug":"why-are-rich-people-hated-so-much","route":"/2020/03/24/why-are-rich-people-hated-so-much/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2020/03/24/why-are-rich-people-hated-so-much/","publishedAt":"2020-03-24 18:42:46","modifiedAt":"2020-08-03 17:43:55","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"Why are rich people hated so much?\n\nThere are obvious answers to that question…what I am referring to is being triggered by articles written by activists, who are lobbying to have rents deferred during the Corona Virus Situation (CVS). I have an opinion on the matter, which I’ve written about. But the framing by the social activist groups are making an unsubstantiated claim that a person paying their rent “enriches the landlord”. \n\nLet me clarify, yes someone who owns rental properties is wealthy (often paper rich not cash rich). Yes they own an asset that they can make a long-term income on. But rental property and investment property ownership is a business, much like a proprietor owns a coffee shop or a hardware supply store sells supplies. The purpose of the business is to transact such that a person can make a living working in that field. \n\nI specifically bring the example of retail business, because, during the CVS it’s an extreme situation. So if I don’t have cash to fix my exploded toilet, because I am out of a job should I tell Home Depot I don’t want to pay for the toilet because I cannot afford it? The answer is obviously no; I will have to figure out how to pay for the toilet. I know rent is different because for one thing in the City of Toronto, it is extremely high and most people’s incomes don’t match the modest living situations based on the price people pay, and 2 your home is a basic survival requirement, and you should not be penalized, or threatened with legal action when an extreme situation arises such as CVS. \n\nThat being said instead of crying that rent payments are going to enrich your landlord, which is not the point, talk about talking about the problem. That is talk about how to communicate with your landlord about working out a payment plan to work through the next couple of months. Landlords shouldn’t be dicks, but tenants should be dicks either. \n\nThe landlord-tenant relationship seems to be different than other expected transactions, because people cannot go without having a dry roof over their heads, and because people don’t feel like for the amount they are paying, they are getting good “value for their dollar”. Imagine every month dolling out $2xxx dollars for a basement in Toronto. I get it, it sucks, it costs a lot to live in Toronto. But taking the position of shirking oneself from having to pay rent “because it enriches the landlords and creates a larger separation between the rich and the poor” is just not sound, reasonable, or the solution. Frankly you sound like an idiot. \n\nRather, take the position of lobbying to create documentation and contractual agreements that can be arranged between the landlord and the tenant that allows for a flexible solution to the rent payment problem. Its called being responsible, even if you think your landlord is so rich that they shouldn’t get paid money they are owed, even if you don’t like that fact. \n\nAlso, if your landlord doesn’t get a mortgage deferral, and they have to foreclose on the property (which I hope the lending institutions will be favorable) you as a tenant will be far worse off, I’ve been on the transactional side of foreclosed property sales, and it is safe to take my word for it the landlord and tenant board does not have good policy in place that protects tenants in foreclosed units. So, again my summary is, talk to your landlord, set up a payment plan, have real talk, and work it out. We will all get through this together.","excerpt":"Why are rich people hated so much? There are obvious answers to that question…what I am referring to is being triggered by articles written by activists, who are lobbying to have rents deferred during the Corona Virus Situation (CVS). I have an opinion on the…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":109,"type":"post","title":"I am a landlord","slug":"i-am-a-landlord","route":"/2020/03/24/i-am-a-landlord/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2020/03/24/i-am-a-landlord/","publishedAt":"2020-03-24 01:58:54","modifiedAt":"2020-08-03 17:43:55","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nI am a landlord, and I’ve spoken to my tenants to help them out.
\n\n\n\nI will come right out, I am privileged that I own real estate, and I am relatively young. The Corona Virus Situation (CVS) is taking its toll on all demographics; no human in North America perhaps the globe is not affected in some way.
\n\n\n\nThat being said, I’ve spent the better part of the last yen years of my career as a real estate professional, this means, I’ve been in the business of apartment rentals, including units that I own.
\n\n\n\nI will come out and say this, some landlord’s are shitty and some tenants are shitty, but barring these two categories, there are landlords, who are normal, and are in the business of providing a service to their tenants, and there are tenants who pay their rent on time and are afforded their rights as a tenant. The landlord tenant relationship is not personal, rather it is a business transaction where there are expectations, and if those expectations are not met there is procedure and a legal system to rectify the situations.
\n\n\n\nSo here is what I have to say. If you have tenants, reach out to them, figure out a payment plan, and work through the fact that many of your tenants will be constrained to pay rent, if not this month, chances are next month. And in lieu of paying rent on time, the hope is that your tenant will have some money to manage their other ongoing expenses such as…FOOD…
\n\n\n\nI believe with the proper communication to your tenants we will all get through this. People who own real estate are paper wealthy, but not always cash wealthy. This statement is not meant to be a point of empathy, “like so what, cash wealthy, paper wealthy who gives a shit?…you’re rich…” This doesn’t mean that the person who owns the real estate doesn’t work hard; it doesn’t mean that they don’t have their own families to feed.
\n\n\n\nSo, payment plan, that is my suggestion, yes landlord, work with your tenant. Also use resources that are coming available, such as talking to your bank or lender, and see if they will lower your payments to interest only, and or tag extra payments to the end of your term…and extend it by a few months. There are financial solutions available…we can get creative.
\n\n\n\nWe are not in a time of cap rate chase; we are in a time where every single person is hurting, let’s do our part. And if your tenant is a POS, great, you probably have tenants that are good and deserve to be treated as such. Even if you never recover certain lost rents from bad tenants, chances are the good tenants who are hard working and struggle to pay rent, need money for food and other important and essential items. Your decent tenants will appreciate this more than you can imagine. This is a time of austerity and heroes are the ones who change the world one good deed at a time.
\n","excerpt":"I am a landlord, and I’ve spoken to my tenants to help them out. I will come right out, I am privileged that I own real estate, and I am relatively young. The Corona Virus Situation (CVS) is taking its toll on all demographics; no human in North America…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":94,"type":"post","title":"It's Crazy Time","slug":"its-crazy-time","route":"/2020/03/20/its-crazy-time/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2020/03/20/its-crazy-time/","publishedAt":"2020-03-20 18:43:48","modifiedAt":"2020-08-03 17:43:55","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"It’s crazy time:\n\nIt’s crazy because norms were/are challenged in an unprecedented fashion. \n\nIt’s crazy because people are out of work, and industries are shutting down, or forced to closed, because of zero cash flow\n\nIt’s crazy because of the uncertainty.\n\nIt’s crazy because so many things are out of our control. \n\nIt’s crazy because people’s entire retirement and savings have been lessened, and possibly wiped out. \n\nIt’s crazy because there may or may not be opportunity for many to recover from this.\n\nIt’s crazy because something so small (virus) can have such a profound impact.\n\nIt’s crazy…","excerpt":"It’s crazy time: It’s crazy because norms were/are challenged in an unprecedented fashion. It’s crazy because people are out of work, and industries are shutting down, or forced to closed, because of zero cash flow It’s crazy because of the uncertainty. It’s…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":92,"type":"post","title":"Ten things from Corona Situation","slug":"ten-things-from-corona-situation","route":"/2020/03/18/ten-things-from-corona-situation/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2020/03/18/ten-things-from-corona-situation/","publishedAt":"2020-03-18 03:35:36","modifiedAt":"2020-08-03 17:43:55","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\n10 things I’ve so far been thinking about so far from Corona Situation in no particular order, and not intended on blaming. I will likely elaborate on some of things I've been thinking about further...
\n\n\n\nSocial Distancing Day 2:
\n\n\n\nI went out of the house for some things. But as I was in the car driving, I continued to think about the situation going on. Whatever it is, there is something odd about talk ‘real’ with people, whether over the phone or the basic interaction I had at the grocery store. People seem to have slowed down from their daily routines, which make them uninterested in their neighbor. There’s a calm about people, a look of “we’re all in this together…” That feeling seems to be binding in a novel, but wholesome way. There’s a great cartoon I saw on FB, that speaks volumes.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/89889173_3175855705772621_8561896551570472960_o-1.jpg\")
Social distancing day 1
\n\n\n\nWasn’t too terrible, was actually able to get some work done. My wife was a champion and totally taught her classes online. Goes to show, maybe the need for bricks and mortar classrooms are going to change. The COVID event is interesting as I am thinking broadly of what “it” means, if “it” means anything at all? I mean there has to be some underlying reason for why this kind of event happens, and I don’t mean, like how can this happen. I mean what changes will come as a result of this event? For me, I can’t help but think about the meaning of everything. There is no single industry or person who is not affected by this event. Borders closing, distancing from one another in an unprecedented way, all these events have me thinking, about people and connectivity. I think about the fact that people may not know where they will get money to pay for supplies to live over the coming weeks, or about the businesses that people have spent their entire focus and existence on building, only to be sideswiped by this event.
\n\n\n\nOne really amazing thing I think is that bipartisanism and dichotomy seem to be quieted. People are definitely commenting on various social media outlets about the methods by which Canadian and US governments are reacting and mitigating or responding to these events, but I don’t feel inundated with dissenting viewpoints on matters. (I know I can choose what I see hear and listen to…) More to come…
\n","excerpt":"Social distancing day 1 Wasn’t too terrible, was actually able to get some work done. My wife was a champion and totally taught her classes online. Goes to show, maybe the need for bricks and mortar classrooms are going to change. The COVID event is…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":80,"type":"page","title":"Children's Story","slug":"childrens-story","route":"/projects/childrens-story/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/projects/childrens-story/","publishedAt":"2020-03-12 16:49:35","modifiedAt":"2020-03-12 17:10:44","author":"admin","parentId":21,"menuOrder":-2,"contentHtml":"\nThe Girl Who Wouldn't Sleep
\n\n\n\nhttps://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/8600847/9899e322b18f3389b10ede11a331653a18c2d532
\n","excerpt":"The Girl Who Wouldn't Sleep https://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/8600847/9899e322b18f3389b10ede11a331653a18c2d532","categories":[],"featuredImage":null},{"id":76,"type":"page","title":"Lessons from home","slug":"lessons-from-home","route":"/projects/lessons-from-home/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/projects/lessons-from-home/","publishedAt":"2020-03-12 16:32:49","modifiedAt":"2020-03-12 16:32:49","author":"admin","parentId":21,"menuOrder":-1,"contentHtml":"\nThis is another illustrated project where I describe some lessons that were taught to me by my parents and grandparents. While I don't always agree with their sentiments or lessons, I am nostalgic of my childhood and experiencing the lessons.
\n","excerpt":"This is another illustrated project where I describe some lessons that were taught to me by my parents and grandparents. While I don't always agree with their sentiments or lessons, I am nostalgic of my childhood and experiencing the lessons.","categories":[],"featuredImage":null},{"id":73,"type":"page","title":"IWMTWT","slug":"it-was-me-the-whole-time","route":"/projects/it-was-me-the-whole-time/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/projects/it-was-me-the-whole-time/","publishedAt":"2020-03-12 16:30:08","modifiedAt":"2022-02-14 21:04:34","author":"admin","parentId":21,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nIWMTWT= It was me the whole time...
\n\n\n\nThis is an illustrated book about hypocrisy. Why? Because I am fascinated by the way people dissociate themselves from reality when there is an external trigger that results in a reaction. People aren't necessarily malicious about their hypocrisy; rather they are likely unaware, until pointed out. Even though I choose to illustrate by example anecdotal examples of hypocrisy, I want to be clear, that I like any other human commit hypocrisy all the time. I guess the game is to see if I am self aware enough to catch myself.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/31-150x150.jpg\")
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The following links may be helpful.
\n\n\n\nhttps://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
\n\n\n\nAutomotive industry: where are we headed?
\n\n\n\nAs a car nut, I love the internal combustion engine. Where are we headed over the next ten years? Should you invest in a “collector car” in the hope that in the next couple of years that the value will increase? Or just buy a car you like and drive the hell out of it?
\n\n\n\nThe short answer, is buy what you love and drive it…who knows what the next bunch of years will be…
\n\n\n\nThe following are my ten thoughts, in no particular order, on the automotive industry and the future of cars/transportation. The thoughts are very general and unfiltered, and over time my opinion may change, or develop further…
\n\n\n\nIf you built a car to suit your personal tastes…
\n\n\n\nIt’s not an investment…
\n\n\n\nThere is not a lot more that I love than to browse classified listings of cars and other oddities. Cars especially. I love cars. I own them, I’ve raced them, I love driving them, and thinking about them. Hell I’ve invested in them…
\n\n\n\nThe key word here is invested. Many people misuse the word. An investment as Wikipedia puts it (I’m ad libbing it a bit here), is where you place a dollar into a vehicle (not a car) with some expectation of a beneficial return in the future. For the stock market or real estate (and without belaboring my opinion on the matter here) there is a reasonable expectation that you can “buy low” and later “sell high” or reap an ongoing cash flow return. When you spend money on something you love, this is not an investment- this is a commitment. For example, I recently read an advert. For a car I love, the Subaru WRX STI. This is a turbocharged sport modified variant of the common Subaru WRX. The gentleman who posted the ad stated something to the effect of “don’t bother wasting my time with the ‘they’re only worth $15k, I’ve invested over $55k”. Reality check brother, do you expect a beneficial return from your investment.
\n\n\n\nIn theory if the method of spending money on a relatively common car by customizing it would result in a beneficial outcome, the $55k “invested” should reasonably make you money, i.e. you should sell it for some profit, let’s say 20% or a value of $66k. Now I know people spend money stupidly, but, no one would spend that kind of money buying someone else’s taste, unless that person happens to be a famous car tuner in which case, there is value in the brand of the person who modified the car.
\n\n\n\nWhat I’m getting at is, while you may feel you’ve invested into the project and spent a large some of money on the project, it is not an investment if you do not make a profit. Unless of course your beneficial gain is that you will part ways with your car that has cost you a lot of money. This intangible gain may be a justification for the use of the word invested in the car. But be careful in fooling yourself.
\n\n\n\nSo…how do you actually invest in cars?...coming soon…
\n","excerpt":"If you built a car to suit your personal tastes… It’s not an investment… There is not a lot more that I love than to browse classified listings of cars and other oddities. Cars especially. I love cars. I own them, I’ve raced them, I love driving them, and…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":23,"type":"page","title":"Cars","slug":"cars","route":"/cars/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/cars/","publishedAt":"2020-01-31 04:46:57","modifiedAt":"2023-04-18 19:28:23","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":4,"contentHtml":"\nCurrent car inventory:
\n\n\n\n1978 Pontiac Grand Prix - Sold
\n\n\n\n1982 Toyota BJ40 Landcruiser - In restoration
\n\n\n\n2000 Subaru 2.5RS (GC8) - In restoration
\n\n\n\n2001 Acura Integra Type R - In storage
\n\n\n\n2003 Subaru WRX Spec R1 - Sold
\n\n\n\n2004 Subaru Forester XS - Sold
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPast Cars/Vehicles:
\n\n\n\n1974 MG Midget
\n\n\n\n1974 Toyota FJ40 Landcruiser
\n\n\n\n1978 Pontiac Grand Prix
\n\n\n\n1981 Doral Boat Bowrider 16ft
\n\n\n\n1990 Volvo 240 DL
\n\n\n\n1994 Acura Integra LS
\n\n\n\n1997 Toyota Paseo
\n\n\n\n1997 Toyota 4Runner
\n\n\n\n1997 Jeep TJ
\n\n\n\n2000 Jeep TJ
\n\n\n\n2000 Acura Integra LS
\n\n\n\n2000 Subaru GC8 Parts Car
\n\n\n\n2000 Dodge RAM 1500
\n\n\n\n2000 Honda Civic SiR
\n\n\n\n2003 Honda Civic
\n","excerpt":"Current car inventory: 1978 Pontiac Grand Prix - Sold 1982 Toyota BJ40 Landcruiser - In restoration 2000 Subaru 2.5RS (GC8) - In restoration 2001 Acura Integra Type R - In storage 2003 Subaru WRX Spec R1 - Sold 2004 Subaru Forester XS - Sold Past…","categories":[],"featuredImage":null},{"id":21,"type":"page","title":"Projects","slug":"projects","route":"/projects/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/projects/","publishedAt":"2020-01-31 03:56:33","modifiedAt":"2021-02-21 15:43:51","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nIt was me the whole time!
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/31-1024x576.jpg\")
This archived form is not active.
Coming Soon
\n","excerpt":"Coming Soon","categories":[],"featuredImage":null},{"id":7,"type":"post","title":"Thinking","slug":"thoughts-on-thinking","route":"/2020/01/31/thoughts-on-thinking/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2020/01/31/thoughts-on-thinking/","publishedAt":"2020-01-31 03:44:09","modifiedAt":"2020-08-03 17:43:55","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nThere is a spectrum of thinking that has on one end emotional thinkers and on the other end rational thinkers. People fall somewhere in the spectrum and will vary in their emotional and rational thinking. An example of where we can clearly see the spectrum are how people approach politics and or form an opinion of a political matter. Many people have an emotional drive to fall on the political spectrum. People who lean right or left, will often times lead to rationally support their positions based on their emotionality. Meaning a person will often first form a position on how life ought to be, because of their experiences and life events that trigger them emotionally. Often times the emotional theme clouds their ability to understand a purely rational viewpoint. An opinion based in emotion that one then seeks to find rational support for is how there are people who lead political parties at the opposite end of the political spectrum.
\n\n\n\nOften times, marketing and advertising seeks to trigger peoples subconscious emotional thinking mind in order to sway them to purchase a product or aspire to be something, even though the rational reasoning would not make sense.
\n\n\n\nI like to try and view the world as if I am wearing polarized lenses. Polarizing lenses are designed so that light can only enter in fewer directions than non-polarized lenses. For sunglasses, polarizing them results in the less glare entering the wearer’s eyes. If you have ever worn polarized lenses and you try to look at digital displays, sometimes the image gets obscured or is completely erased because the “light” from the display is not entering the lens in the right direction, so it disappears, if you tilt your head to a different angle the image re-appears. The world is filled with chaotic light that is blinding. It is glaring, and with an unprotected eye, it can cause damage or discomfort. Light in my metaphor is all the triggers, and stimuli and all incoming information that a person perceives. While one thinks they use their rational mind, often times their emotional mind is first triggered then the person reacts. Imagine for a second wearing a filter where light is directed exactly to where you want in your mind. So for example when you see something on social media, you are able to parse out what is happening what is meant to be your “reaction” then work through your reaction by starting at the rational thinking mind instead of the emotional thinking mind.
\n\n\n\nThis exercise is incredibly difficult to establish in oneself, but in order to do so, you have to actively tell yourself that is what is happening, like a mantra, so that your natural method of viewing and interpreting the world begins with the rational brain and then opens the door in a controlled manner for the emotional brain to makes its mark.
\n\n\n\nEmotions are like an uncontrolled fire. They are strong, and powerful and unless harnessed correctly, they can be devastating. Rationality is like a lighter where you can control the flame size to suit your need.
\n\n\n\nMy personal journey thus far has been to try and balance my emotional and rational brain. I enjoy when I think that I am beginning a journey of thought with my rational brain as opposed to my emotional one. As well, I enjoy when I “call myself out” for embarking on a decision train with emotions versus rationale. Sometimes life calls for emotionally led decisions then letting things figure itself out. For example there are personal goals that I set for myself that are emotionally driven that I know are emotionally driven, and that I will hope to realize through rational thought. Those emotions are based on personality, and personal reasons such as feelings of inadequacy, or fear of failure, or more specifically, fears of “looking like a failure”. I then set goals that seem to allay the anxiety that comes with these emotions, and the goals seem to be realistic and surmountable such that if the goal is realized the anxiety will subside.
\n","excerpt":"There is a spectrum of thinking that has on one end emotional thinkers and on the other end rational thinkers. People fall somewhere in the spectrum and will vary in their emotional and rational thinking. An example of where we can clearly see the spectrum are…","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null},{"id":1,"type":"post","title":"Welcome to my blog","slug":"hello-world","route":"/2020/01/03/hello-world/","originalUrl":"https://www.whyworkatwork.com/2020/01/03/hello-world/","publishedAt":"2020-01-03 19:38:19","modifiedAt":"2020-01-03 19:42:10","author":"admin","parentId":0,"menuOrder":0,"contentHtml":"\nI am going to write about things that matter to me. They may or may not matter to anyone else, so be it.
\n\n\n\n\n","excerpt":"I am going to write about things that matter to me. They may or may not matter to anyone else, so be it.","categories":[{"domain":"category","slug":"uncategorized","name":"Uncategorized"}],"featuredImage":null}]}