I just added a shared circle of Kindle Fire users and what’s in the stream? Some of the same sorts of things in my brewing and photography circles… SOPA commentairy, funny pictures, cute cats, etc.

Why doesn’t G+ work?

Let’s walk through the process…

1. Someone gets put in my Cat Fanciers circle (note: I’m a dog person)
2. This person is a cat lover and a political activist.
3. I am not in this person’s Cat circle (if she even has one… how can I tell?)
4. She posts about SOPA and I see it.

She may be “incorrectly” posting to public, but that should mean I don’t see posts I want to see, not that I do see posts I’m not interested in!

Here’s how it should work:

1. I visit a known cat-lover’s page. I see she has a “My Cats” feed as well as a “Stupid Republicans” feed (sorry Republicans!)
2. I subscribe to her cat feed and put it in my “Cat Stuff” circle.
3. I do not subscribe to her public or political feed. If I were her father, maybe I’d want to subscribe to Public and see everything.
4. If she posts Cat stuff to just Public, I don’t see it.
5. If she posts Political stuff to “My Cats,” I do see it and promptly remove her from my circle.

Yes, Lanier doesn’t understand technology. A program that forces you to create and learn in a certain way is a problem, but the best educational applications are ones that allow you to freely create and share the content. Take the Wikimedia Foundation as one example of such a great application.

Bernius, on the other hand, misses the point. Lanier is not really writing about the “geeks of Silicon Valley.” Sure, he thinks he is, but all of the problems Lanier discusses are perfectly relevant. They’re simply misaimed. The policy makers and educators are the hands that wield the technology. Why is technology both ineffective and subduing? Most people think technology is just a trigger to press. Aim at the problem and shoot away with your easy solution.

When I was in high school, technology was so obviously ineffective that it was seldom used. Computers were still just for word processing. Today, technology has progressed to a point where the educator thinks it’s classroom-worthy. It’s also a political and capital problem in that the education policy-maker wants to be seen pushing technology and the companies involved want to be first in line. Today’s super-availability of media (however it’s obtained) is one of the only exceptions at how technology is put to good use in the classroom.

I see two problems. Firstly, technology — e-books, computers, the internet, tablet-PCs, etc. — still isn’t at a point where I’d consider it useful in the classroom. Specifically, e-books provide significantly less than your typical hardcover textbook. They’re difficult to use, highlighting and margin-writing are less useful, and they have all the same drawbacks that printed textbooks have (namely, inaccuracies and a narrow point of view). Secondly, technology needs to be seen as a tool, not a solution. The classroom picture in Lanier’s article shows two giant screens and no chalkboards or whiteboards. This clearly shows technology being used as a solution, not a tool. The smart classroom has many ways to put a point across. (To be fair, Lanier’s classroom looks like a VTC class, not typically in a standard school).

How are these problems solved? Move away from stand-alone textbooks entirely (electronic or printed). It’s not bad to have a reference book, but most classes I’ve had (most recently at the college graduate level) still rely on the textbook as a major source. I really see the textbook transforming, rather than being eliminated. There’s no reason a book can’t be a living, network-centric document (much like Wikipedia is). E-readers and tablets are the tools that can unlock such a resource. Teachers and textbook-writers can contribute, and rapid feedback and updates are a feature. Outside of the classroom, students and teachers in many different schools can discuss the content. Perhaps this could even solve the problem of grade-school textbook quality, an issue that has been around for many years.

To Lanier: this is what technology does, it’s what programmers, scientists, and engineers do: help people to communicate and do work more efficiently. I can’t disagree that this changes us, changes the classroom. I’d like to think that it’s for the better. I find it hard to believe that, as a computer scientist, you feel this way about computer scientists. Perhaps it’s because I’m an engineer, but I think you’ve simply forgotten the difference between a model and reality.

To Bernius: I agree, but lighten up.

It’s coming…

My list of books doesn’t tell the whole picture, and I think I’m too genre focused, but the exercise is a good one. Some other list-making topics that might help define you:

Your 10 most…

• … favorite assignments at school or work?
• … restful or energizing activities?
• … enjoyable hobbies or activities?
• … influential people?
• … influential media (books, movies, music, etc)?
• … memorable or influential moments in your life?

For me, these lists can be hard to come up with and prioritize.  If you have trouble, keep at it — stay focused. Once one or two items are down, the rest seem to come more easily.

How do you analyze any of these lists when they’re complete? Don’t give your entries a score and tally them! There’s no benefit in doing more than reading over the lists and seeing if you get a feel for any patterns. If nothing really sticks out, focus on the reasons you put each item on the list.

The standard argument is that devices that have ‘good enough’  reading will kill devices that ‘do nothing except reading’.

1. The mistake here is that people who don’t really read are trying to predict what people who read a lot will do.
2. To compound matters they are making predictions without enough experience with the Kindle.

Here are a few examples of what the ‘good enough’ argument sounds like to people who love to read and have actually bought and used an eReader -

1. Eye Lenses are going to be replaced with multi-purpose lenses that also function as computer screens and television screens. They won’t give you 20/20 vision any more – However, they’ll be good enough.
2. Cars will double up as treadmills. Their top speed will only be 50 mph – However, you can both exercise and drive at the same time.
3. Windows are going to be replaced by Multi-function walls that switch between being windows, blinds, and walls. They only let in half as much light – However, that’s okay because you can use them as a wall.

If those examples seem far-fetched it’s probably because you’re not the target audience for eReaders.

I think the examples regarding multipurpose devices are apt. Get the camera off my cell-phone and get the digital planners off my Kindle!

Personally, I do see the Kindle becoming more feature rich in the future. The signs are their with Amazon’s recent acquisition of a touch screen technology. Personally, I’d rather see the Kindle be more intuitive to use and include multipurpose use that keeps it a single-purpose device. Is that an oxymoron? I don’t think so. Here are some examples:

• Writing, word processing, note-taking
• Basic web, download of web pages for reading
• Support for blogs, blogging
• Support for book discussion, analysis (user-added content)

The Kindle App store may flesh some of these out, but I’d only love to see touch-screen soft-keyboards, handwriting, etc. if it does not come at the cost of readability and device longevity.

96.238.34.31

I have been thinking a lot about the “perceived” value.  I go dancing and take dance classes a couple of times a week.  The total cost is about $11 per class, or $11 per hour.  How often do I buy a $9.99 e-book that takes me only one hour to read?  I still go dancing for social interaction and I still go to the gym for exercise, but if you count cost per hour spent doing the activity, I get more “value” out of my books on my Kindle.

The difference is significant. A dance class requires personal time with a teacher. This time is limited. If that teacher put out a book or DVD, the price might be the same, but again the popularity of the content plays a factor (if it’s sold to the same 20 people that take the class, the cost should really be much higher). This teacher’s book or video can be compared with a professor’s textbook (which often cost over $100).

It would be better to compare a widely available book to a mainstream movie. DVDs typically cost about $20 for two people to see in the theater or about $15-20 new on DVD. The cost of production for most movies is in the millions of dollars, but the number of consumers is very high. A book like The Lost Symbol was widely marketed and purchased. (I bought the hardcover, pre-kindle, and regretted it). I can only assume that the costs for such a popular book is similar to that of a less popular new-release hardcover (the only additional costs coming from extra advertising and probably vendor discounts).

Summing up… a hit movie costs in the order of millions and sells at about $15 per copy, a hit book costs in the order of ten-thousands and sells at about $15 per copy (in stores)… The amount of entertainment purchased is approximately equivalent.

Before I get slammed… I realize it’s not quite so cut and dry… The following (and more) have been left out (above):
1) Flops. The publishers have a higher flop:hit ratio than movies do (though movies flop a lot harder).
2) Niche. Publishers have many more niche markets than movies do… both have their own means of handling special markets.

—-

Here’s what I think the publishers are doing WRONG…
They’re still taking on hit-or-miss books (their biggest cost)! A new medium is available that promises very low costs. What prevents a publishing house from first e-releasing a book with tentative potential or mixed reviews? The known hits can be printed en masse… the unknowns can graduate from electronic formats. This seems to be how the indie market is working now, but if publishing houses would tap books and use the Kindle/Nook/iPäd as their proving ground….. the contracting could still be favorable for both parties (author & publisher). My suggestion fundamentally changes the publisher’s modus operandi, but I think it’s about time for that.

My failings have been fairly minor, one day events. A work outing with beer, snack food, and grilled meat; a work lunch with high calorie and hard-to-record food; and a family birthday party with pizza and snack food have all passed by, yet I’ve managed to progress. This sort of event occurs and limiting damage is an important and difficult skill.

I have been practising tai chi chuan almost daily. I need to make this more routine, perhaps moving tai chi to the mornings. I’ve also been working out with tae bo, a much more intense activity that I cannot keep up every day. If I can manage to do tae bo 3-4 evenings a week as well, I’ll be doing as perfectly as possible.

Some habits are hard to break. I get up early in the morning, but I don’t really get moving for an hour or two afterward. The habit of morning Tai Chi will be a good undertaking, but I have a rule requiring daily practice (with no more than one day off per week).

My body has been responding to both practices. Tai chi has seen some response in my right knee. I absolutely must turn with my waist, not the knee (not even a little). The knee is a hinge and must only move in the direction of my pointed toes. Tae Bo has seen more positive pain. The last few days have seen me with ab pain all over my torso. I attempted a set that was primarily ab work. Now the pain is gone, leaving me free to make another attempt. It will be the quickest way to a strong core.

This third week should see reasonable progress again, but more important is my daily practice. The more routine it gets, the closer I am to the path of mastery.

Weekday Schedule (Daycare)

5:00 am — Quick breakfast (including protein and carbs).
5:30-5:45 am — Start Strenuous exercise (Tae Bo, etc)
6:00-6:15 am — Finish strenuous exercise
7:00 am — Shower (at the latest)
7:45 am — Drop Off Kid(s)
8:15 am — At Work

4:45 pm — Leave Work
5:30 pm — Arrive home (with kid(s))
6:00 pm — Dinner
until 8:00 pm — Family and/or Study time
8:00-10:00 pm — Activity Practice / Thesis
10:00 pm — Begin light exercise (Weights, Tai Chi, etc)
–> Minimum of 3 times per week
10:30 pm — Head to bed

Weekday Schedule (no Daycare)

5:00 am — Quick breakfast (including protein and carbs).
5:30-5:45 am — Start Strenuous exercise (Tae Bo, etc)
6:00-6:15 am — Finish strenuous exercise
6:15 am — Shower
6:40 am — Leave for Work
7:00 am — At Work

3:30 pm — Leave (no OT)
5:00 pm — Leave (OT)

(pre-dinner is Family time)

6:00 pm — Dinner
until 8:00 pm — Family and/or Study time
8:00-10:00 pm — Activity Practice / Thesis
10:00 pm — Begin light exercise (Weights, Tai Chi, etc)
–> Minimum of 3 times per week
10:30 pm — Head to bed

Many people like to talk about a change in lifestyle. The book seems to propose the ultimate lifestyle change. One’s lifestyle isn’t static, however, and by being able to regulate it, I hope to avoid resistance to change.

This means that my Plan must be flexible enough to change, yet still rigid enough to work well. A simple plan is best.

For overall health and weight loss, I formulated my initial Plan:

1. A set Calorie intake range. From my own past results and what I’ve heard from professionals, this range must be regardless of calorie expenditure through exercise. When maintenance is desired, calorie expenditure should be taken into account.
2. Required, scheduled exercise. This exercise should be of high quality and of varying intensity. The Schedule will handle much of the exercise regimen.
3. Blacklisted Foods & Required Foods. Some foods should be avoided while others are necessary for a good diet, weight loss, and hunger management. For example, Trans Fats, High Fructose Corn Syrup, and Unnatural Sweeteners should be avoided. Unground, whole grains are a requirement (unground grains keep me sated for hours).

The following metrics will be recorded:

• Daily / Weekly Calorie intake
• Calorie Expenditure through Exercise
• Weekly Weight (Mondays)
• Deviations from Plan (Unless recorded in Calories).

This will allow me to compare

(Calories (Week) – CalExpended(Exercise, Week) – CalExpended(Metabolism, Week)) / 3500 Calories / Pound of weight

with my Weekly ΔWeight. This will allow me to adjust CalExpended(Metabolism) to equate the above with my change in weight. It will also allow me to adjust the caloric intake range in the Plan.

My goal is to ramp up to the Plan tomorrow, with a full start on Monday (First weigh-in).

Priorities

1. Get in shape
   (Generically, the “Plan”)

   This is nothing trivial! I need a daily fitness regiment AND a diet plan that is sustainable. This also requires extensive tracking and analysis. Tracking statistics must not become a tool for obsession! Instead, it should be used to help tweak the plan.

   
   The feedback loop updates the Plan monthly, which is defined in the Plan itself (this way, if monthly updates don’t work well, the Plan can be changed). –> (System Engineering at its finest). This simple feedback loop may work well for any task or interest.

2. Complete the Thesis

   There’s nothing here to be afraid of! Mainly I need to spend extra time in my office working. This can be difficult with family upstairs, so a Schedule is required; something the family can sign off on. This also means giving up on (most) TV, but this is a requirement for an overall method of Mastery.

3. Schedule

   One must be developed to include the above and future tasks while including time for the family.

Ground Rules

1. The Schedule will not be broken!
   • Extenuating Circumstances may apply.
   • Deviation results in an immediate return to Schedule.
2. The Plan will not be deviated from!
   • Extenuating Circumstances DO NOT APPLY!
   • Deviations are a metric.
   • Deviation results in an immediate return to Plan.
   • The Plan will be modified only by the Feedback Loop.
3. Deviations are to be AVOIDED at all cost!