I see no reason to segregate scientific and technical posts from humanistic ones. In my life, scientific concerns mix with ethical ones, and they shade into a philosophical interest in the nature of cognition and the nature of people. Doing science is as creative as writing fiction, and I get inspiration for both from the same gods.
You will find little here on current politics. I'm activist, but in causes not symptoms. Experience in martial arts shows me that the sure way to lose is reactivity; but if you stay cool and remember your training and what you're there for then you achieve goals and, when conflict is unavoidable, you fight and win. The idea of the liberal arts I was brought up in is that broad understanding of cultures and ideas gives you deeper, better goals -- making success more likely and more satisfying. Negatively, the hysteria since 9/11 shows how a country frightened and reactive can destroy itself more than an enemy can. I'm trying to contribute by changing the terms of discourse. See 
One fact shouldn't require special mention; but -- given the nature of the society in which I've grown up and lived -- it often does: namely that I'm gay. You'll see it in some posts and in some links below. I'm proud of being gay and do not hide; more about this on the 
Tao Te Ching —
The Classic about Ways And Instances
Lao Tzu
(Translated, with comments, by William P. Coleman)
Chapter 12
The five colors make one’s eyes blind.
The five tones make one’s ears deaf.
The five flavors make one’s palate dull.
Racing around hunting in a field makes one’s heart wild.
Goods that are hard to get impede one’s actions.
Therefore, the sage tends the stomach and not the eye;
therefore, he leaves the one and holds to the other.
| <– Chapter 11 |
Chapter 13 –> |
my comments:(Darned if I know.)
For comparison, I’m including the translation by Lin Yutang, which I always love and respect, even when I disagree:
12. The Senses
The five colors blind the eyes of man;
The five musical notes deafen the ears of man;
The five flavors dull the taste of man;
Horse-racing, hunting and chasing madden the minds of man;
Rare, valuable goods keep their owners awake at night.Therefore the Sage:
Tags: Ancient China, Lao Tzu, life, Lin Yutang, Tai Chi, Tao Te Ching, Taoism, thoughts, translation
