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The Journals of Doc Surge is the personal blog of Chris Billows. This blog’s purpose is to explore ideas and concepts through the discipline of writing as an exercise to further personal understanding.

Check out more about me, some of my thoughts on Games and Hockey.

Apr 03

Book Review: Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman

April 03, 2008 by Chris Billows in Spirit Speculations 0 comments tags: New Types of Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Thank IQ written by Daniel Goleman helped save western psychology. It broke away from the myopic view that intelligence is information based and added a needed layer of understanding about what it means to be human. His concept of Emotional Intelligence helps define people in a new way and explains why some people are more successful than others. Daniel Goleman sets out to explain that we as humans are governed in large part by our emotional health. Because it is our brain that interprets our relationship with the physical and social environment, the state of our emotions are a big determinant in how well our brain does the interpreting. Goleman is not denying emotions or their usefulness, but does say that if emotions are allowed to run rampant, problems will follow. We all know that emotions can hi-jack one’s ability to think rationally. When one’s rationality is impacted upon, the ability to function optimally is compromised. Goleman explains that it is both possible and necessary to control these emotions through the practice of Emotional Intelligence. Not only is Goleman suggesting that both individuals and society would benefit to be Emotionally Intelligent but that […]
Mar 24

Breaking Copyright Law: The Case for Abandonware

March 24, 2008 by Chris Billows in Hobby Heedings 0 comments tags: Software Ethics
Abandonware is the distribution of computer games and other software that is no longer sold or supported, or whose ownership may be unclear for various reasons (company closed or merged). In the beginning of the World Wide Web, there was a debate that considered Abandonware the same as piracy. In my opinion, Abandonware is a good thing and I believe it is possible to come out firmly in favor of Abandonware but totally against Piracy. First of all, Abandonware is illegal. According to copyright legislation, a copy of any creative work requires the consent of the creator or owner. Abandonware goes against these laws by distributing computer games that for the most part no consent was given. Participating in abandonware is to break copyright laws. The problem is that people confuse software Piracy with Abandonware. Piracy is automatically illegal because the distribution of the software is done without the consent of the creator or owner. Just because both are illegal does not mean they are the same thing. It all comes down to intention of the lawbreaker and who is the the target or victim of the crime. What are the intentions of an Abandoneer (my definition of a person […]
Mar 04

Book Review: Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond

March 04, 2008 by Chris Billows in Spirit Speculations 0 comments tags: Human History, Meta History, Western Ascendance
Why does the West have a more materialistic wealth than the rest of the world? Why did the West influence every continent and people on this planet instead of the other way around? In Guns, Germs, and Steel Jared Diamond presents the biologist’s answer: Ecology, particularly geography, fauna, animal availability, and climate. Diamond almost seems to say that human choice and desire had little to contribute but he does explain its relative importance near the end of this 480 page book. Diamond reviews human history on every continent since the Ice Age in a style that emphasizes only the broadest movements of peoples and ideas. He does not talk about linear progression of human history but about the handful of critical factors that pivotly change the trajectory of history for certain societies. Diamond writes that “History followed different courses for different peoples because of differences among peoples’ environments, not because of biological differences among peoples themselves.” The people who domesticated plants and animals early got a head start on developing agriculture and an immunity to deadly germs. He demonstrates how this leads to the development of government, writing, and technology. Diamond further argues that human ingenuity is simply the result […]
Mar 01

From Spacewar to Spore

March 01, 2008 by Chris Billows in Hobby Heedings 0 comments tags: eBook, Games Analysis
One of my favorite pastimes is computer & video gaming. I have been an avid gamer since 1977. I vividly remember getting my first home Pong system and soon after getting the Atari VCS. I also frequented the local arcade and eventually came to enjoy the more complex and strategic games found on computers.   The enjoyment and the potential of the medium has stuck with me and it has inspired me to launch my own game company Promaginy. It also prompted me to self-publish an eBook called the Evolution of Computer Games. It was a humble attempt to analyze and not just track the lineal development of computer games. You are welcome to freely download the eBook here: Evolution of Computer Games 2nd Edition Evolution of Computer Games 1st Edition (kept for posterity)
Feb 09

Book Review: In Praise of Nepotism by Adam Bellow

February 09, 2008 by Chris Billows in Political Ponderings 0 comments tags: Change of Mind, Human Condition, Human History
Welcome to my first ever blog post! I hope to post on a range of topics that intrigue me.   Adam Bellow states correctly that nepotism has been with human history since the beginning of our species. He states that biological nepotism is the basis of social cooperation and became the main tool that has allowed our species to thrive and colonize the planet. The biological drive to care for one’s relatives has evolved complex patterns of social reciprocity that not only allowed for society to be created, but for civilization to flourish. As Westerners, we have been socialized into believing that nepotism is a bad thing. To most of us, nepotism is synonymous with corruption and familial self-interest. Bellow explains in 420+ pages that nepotism has redeeming qualities, has played a critical role in the development of every historical figure, and that we are fooling ourselves if we think it will go away. Starting from the nepostic practice amongst animals, moving on to ancient cultures, and then to the modern era of the political dynasties in American politics (the Kennedys and Bushes), Bellow explains through literary reference and analysis how nepotism has helped humans thrive. Bellow pulls off a […]
Feb 08

Restarting With WordPress

February 08, 2008 by Chris Billows in Business Beller, Hobby Heedings 0 comments tags: Blogging, Introduction
I’ve finally arrived to WordPress, an amazing free platform to do self-journal-ling online or what is called blogging (shortened from weblogging). I thought it would be neat to share a little bit of how I got here.     In 1995 a family member setup an Internet Service Provider and I was one of his first customers. I developed my first website back in 1995 called The Digital Tree. It was an eclectic mix of interests combining interest in politics, spirituality, video games, etc. I expanded this website to allow for some political action ventures including the Green Party of Manitoba and Canadians for Proportional Representation. In 2000 I became more involved with politics and created a book that made the striking case that Canada’s First Past the Post elections are twisting voting intentions. I wrote and self-published an ebook called Polls, Parties, and Power that measured elections across the Canadian federation. This was captured in Beacon Publishing, a personal venture that attempted to also do some affiliate marketing as a sideline. My interest in politics waned as my idealistic notions ran up against stark realities. My lack of patience ushered me out of the political arena. This lead to […]
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