Journals of Doc Surge

Dec 14

A Voters & Democracy Mismatch

December 14, 2008 by Chris Billows in Political Ponderings 0 comments tags: Change of Mind, Political Opinion, Poltical Party Corruption

The problem we just had in Ottawa is more than just lying and ambitious politicians. It also has to do with our democratic system. Polls (if you believe them, I personally am skeptical) say that Canadians want to elect their governments. They do not agree with the Liberal-NDP-BQ coalition taking power from the Conservatives despite having more seats and more votes. Huh? That hardly makes sense. More Canadians voted for non-Conservative parties than the Conservatives. You would think that they would be happy with the coalition. Yet, I read that Canadians believe they should elect their governments and not have them formed by politicians. The problem is that Canadians are fully ignorant about their democratic institutions. They have never voted for governments. They vote for individuals who belong to a political party who may be able to form the government. Its kind of like how Americans vote for their president – they actually vote for Electors who in turn vote for the President. There is an added layer of democratic administration in both situations. When we vote for any MP, MLA, or City Counsellor, they are just a piece in the puzzle. They are not the government. That question is […]

Dec 09

Psychology Cagematch – Maslow vs Frankl

December 09, 2008 by Chris Billows in Mental Mischief 1 comments tags: Comprehensive Analysis, Human Condition

I was talking with a colleague who is a trained psychologist about different views concerning the human condition. The two views we contrasted were Abaraham Maslow and Victor Frankl, both Jewish, both European, and both having similar philosophies about human purpose, yet really having fundamentally different conclusions about what drives that purpose. Abaraham Maslow believed that humans are only ready to act upon their growth needs if and only if the deficiency needs are met. Once met, the person then moves onto the next stage of need to be met. The theory has eight stages where we progressively move from physical, bodily needs to more metaphysical and spiritual needs. There were 8 stages: 1 ) Physiological: hunger, thirst, bodily comforts, etc.; 2 ) Safety/security: out of danger; 3 ) Belonginess and Love: affiliate with others, be accepted; and 4 ) Esteem: to achieve, be competent, gain approval and recognition. 5 ) Cognitive: to know, to understand, and exlore; 6 ) Aesthetic: symmetry, order, and beauty; 7 ) Self-actualization: to find self-fulfillment and realize one’s potential; and 8 ) Self-transcendence: to connect to something beyond the ego or to help others find self-fulfillment and realize their potential. Courtesy of https://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/regsys/maslow.html The […]

Dec 03

A Pack of Lying Dogs

December 03, 2008 by Chris Billows in Political Ponderings 0 comments tags: Political Opinion, Poltical Party Corruption

Well, I have been fascinated by the scandal in Ottawa with the Conservative Government being on the cusp of being overthrown by the Liberal-NDP-BQ coalition. It has been riveting to see Harper stick it to them and then see their reaction. Its like watching people poke each others eyes out. Sickening and riveting at the same time. What sticks in my eye is the complete lack of integrity our politicians are demonstrating. Nobody has escaped this scandal unscathed with the ironic exception of the BQ. They at least are consistent in their goals – get as much for Quebec as they can. The media has unearthed how the Conservatives, Liberals, and NDP have absolutely no credibility to protect Canada’s interests. The Liberals and NDP have no problem joining with the BQ now, while the former Conservative Party operating as the Canadian Alliance courted the BQ back when it was the opposition. Each accuses the other of betraying Canada. The hypocrisy demonstrates why politicians are so lowly regarded. Its as messy as a dog’s breakfast. The hyperbole and vitriolic positions taken by each party also shows how the institution of political parties fails to serve the nation’s citizens. They are ideological, […]

Nov 27

A Continuum of Human Nature

November 27, 2008 by Chris Billows in Mental Mischief 0 comments tags: Comprehensive Analysis, Defining Life, Human Condition, Religion, Self Determination

I have been musing the importance about Jerry Pournelle’s political matrix and believe that his one index concerning the ability to improve on human nature is probably one of the most critical questions that divides people. Think about it. Everything we do or stand for is related to one’s understanding of what makes ourselves and others human. How we define what a human being is is how we define our morals, ethics, economics, and politics. I think there is a simple continuum that can be teased out from Pournelle’s political matrix. It would be: 1) Human Nature is corrupt. Everyone else is out to make a buck, is dishonest, etc. The person who believes this will also believe they need to act the same to keep up. Some religious and social conservatives would subscribe that there are lots of people who are corrupt and will never change. Scott Adams humors us with his view that all people are idiots in his Dilbert books. 2) Human Nature is corrupt but is improvable. Most religions would be based on this philosophy. It would be the view that we have Original Sin and need to find salvation to correct it. 3) Human Nature […]

Nov 22

Blame the Romans & Catholics for our Calendar

November 22, 2008 by Chris Billows in Mental Mischief 0 comments tags: Human Condition, Human Mystery

Concerning my last blog, a friend of mine commented via email that he thinks there would be a societal benefit if we followed a lunar calendar. Men would be able to better track women’s menstrual cycles and the resulting PMS which would prompt the men to lay low and thus promote domestic harmony. Makes sense to me! 🙂 Still, this blog would not be complete without an educational component. Wikipedia to the rescue! The basis of the western calendar comes from the Romans. The calendar was then modified by Julius Caesar in 46 BCE. And that calendar was further modified by Pope Gregory in 1582 CE. Neither the Romans and Catholics can be considered to be historically sensitive to women which would explain why the calendar reflects a non-lunar, non-feminine cycle. Ironically, ignoring the women in the west has led to men being ritually pearl-harbored every month by the women in their lives. Curse you Julius & Gregory! (shakes virtual fist).

Nov 19

The Missing Thirteenth Month

November 19, 2008 by Chris Billows in Mental Mischief 0 comments tags: Human Condition, Human Mystery

Have you ever noticed how our 12 month calendar has no symmetry or pattern? The 31 day month does not even alternate with non-31 day months to follow a pattern. It really is a mess and should be fixed. If every month was shortened to 28 days, or basically a lunar cycle of four 7-day weeks, we would have room for a 13th month. Days Month Days More that 28 Days 31 Jan 3 more days than 28 28 Feb 0 more days than 28 31 Mar 3 more days than 28 30 Apr 2 more days than 28 31 May 3 more days than 28 30 Jun 2 more days than 28 31 Jul 3 more days than 28 31 Aug 3 more days than 28 30 Sep 2 more days than 28 31 Oct 3 more days than 28 30 Nov 2 more days than 28 31 Dec 3 more days than 28 365 29 days left over if each month was 28 days With 29 days left over, we could create a 13th month of 28 days and then have an extra day that would not belong to any month. Call it nil-day or something. What’s […]

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A Voters & Democracy Mismatch

Psychology Cagematch – Maslow vs Frankl

A Pack of Lying Dogs

A Continuum of Human Nature

Blame the Romans & Catholics for our Calendar

The Missing Thirteenth Month

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