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Archive for February, 2009

GENIUS: BORN OR TRAINED?

February 19th, 2009
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(a summary)

 

Is it possible to cultivate genius? In the modern era, Immanuel Kant and Darwin ’s cousin Francis Galton wrote extensively about how genius occurs. The latest, and possibly most comprehensive, entry into this genre is Dean Keith Simonton’s new book Genius 101: Creators, Leaders, and Prodigies (Springer Publishing Co., 227 pages). (See pictures of Albert Einstein.)

For most of its history, the debate over what leads to genius has been dominated by a bitter, binary argument: is it nature or is it nurture — is genius genetically inherited, or are geniuses the products of stimulating and supportive homes? Simonton takes the reasonable position that geniuses are the result of both good genes and good surroundings. (Read TIME’s 2007 cover story, “Are We Failing Our Geniuses?”)

There are IQ tests, of course, but not all IQ tests are the same, which leads to picking a minimum IQ and calling it genius-level. So Simonton falls back on his “intelligence, enthusiasm, and endurance” formulation. Would you be the genius?

Gladwell featured Ericsson’s work prominently in Outliers. Gladwell is a believer. Simonton rather dismissively calls this the “drudge theory.” In a 2002 study, Simonton showed that the average IQ of 64 eminent scientists was around 150, fully 50 points higher than the average IQ for the general population. Simonton writes that geniuses tend to be “open to experience, introverted, hostile, driven, and ambitious.”

 

For the complete article click on:

 

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1879593,00.html

 

“Search to know the Truth
And the Truth will set You Free.”
(my aim is not to convince, but to share what I have found for your consideration. – mackie)
 

Health

WAS JESUS BUDDHA OR BUDDHA JESUS?

February 16th, 2009
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Are the teachings of Buddha similar to the teachings of Jesus (Buddha’s teachings were 500 yrs. earlier)? -mackie

 (a summary)

 Was Jesus a Buddhist? Certainly he was many things–Jew, prophet, healer, moralist, revolutionary, by his own admission the Messiah, and for most Christians the Son of God and redeemer of their sins. And there is convincing evidence that he was also a Buddhist. The evidence follows two independent lines–the first is historical, and the second is textual. Historical evidence indicates that Jesus was well acquainted with Buddhism. If Jesus did not go to India, then at least India went to Judea and Jesus. The real historical question is not if he studied Buddhism, but where and how much he studied Buddhism, especially during his so-called “lost years.”

Historical accounts aside, many textual analyses indicate striking similarities between what was said by Jesus and by Buddha and between the prophetic legend of Jesus and ancient Buddhist texts. The conclusion is that, although not identifying himself as a Buddhist for good reasons, Jesus spoke like a Buddhist. The similarities are so striking that, even if no historical evidence existed, we can suspect that Jesus studied Buddhist teachings and that the prophecy and legend of Jesus was derived from Buddhist stories.

 For the rest of the article click on:  http://www.thezensite.com/non_Zen/Was_Jesus_Buddhist.html

 

“Search to know the Truth
And the Truth will set You Free.”
(my aim is not to convince, but to share what I have found for your consideration. – mackie)
 

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VIEWS OF THE STIMULUS PACKAGE….

February 12th, 2009
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I correspond frequently with a few friends of mine who helped me formulate and carry out a tremendous event in the late 70s that is still benefiting many people today.  We raised 100s of thousands of dollars and employed an experienced, successful designer who was concerned about our cause, was of like mind, and tolerated our ignorance.

 

I still hope our vision will come to fruition in helping everyone, regardless of problem, addiction, religion or race to find their pursuit of true happiness through their higher power as demonstrated through us.  It may be a day care center for children, seniors, the handicapped, an addiction center, a place to stay the night, a soup kitchen, a parking lot for people to sleep in their cardboard boxes, cars, vans or trailers,  an attorney to plead their cases, or any other problem.

 

I am a Christian by brand all because I found the ultimate, eternal cause through the teachings of Jesus.  BUT, I HAVE  ALSO FOUND THAT THIS ETERNAL BEING HAS REVEALED HIMSELF THROUGH OTHER FAITHS.  NO ONE RELIGION HAS A CORNER ON THIS ETERNAL CAUSE.

 

CONCERNING THE STIMULUS, WE HAVE TO SEEK OUT THE ADVICE OF THOSE WHO ARE LEARNED IN THIS FIELD, WHO ARE EXPERIENCED IN IT, LEARNED BY TRIAL AND ERROR AND HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR ENDEAVORS.  WE DON’T WANT A WITCH DOCTOR OR RELIGION TO TELL US WHAT IS BEST FOR US IN A MEDICAL SITUATION. WE WANT THE DOCTOR WHO HAS THE MOST TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IN OUR PARTICULAR PROBLEM.  IT’S NOT WHAT WE BELIEVE RELIGIOUSLY, BUT HOW EXPERT IS THIS DOCTOR IN HELPING US TO BE CURED, RIGHT?

 

OUR GREATEST HOPE IN ANY SITUATION IS TO SEEK THE ADVICE AND COUNSEL OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED AND SUCCESSFUL IN OUR PROBLEM, WOULDN’T YOU SAY?

 

CRABS CAUGHT IN CRAB TRAPS DO A RATHER NATURAL, SELFISH THING.  IF A CRAB TRIES TO CRAWL TO THE TOP TO ESCAPE, THE OTHER CRABS PULL THE AGGRESSIVE CRAB DOWN SO THAT HE WILL NOT SURVIVE.

 

THE EXPERTS ARE THE ONLY THING WE HAVE.  WE MIGHT NOT SUCCEED, BUT TO DO NOTHING WILL MAKE IT WORSE, DON’T YOU THINK?

 

-mackie

“Search to know the Truth

And the Truth will set You Free.”

(my aim is not to convince, but to share what I have found for your consideration. – mackie)

 

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OLDER AMERICANS UNDER ATTACK! YOUR GREATEST POWER: CALL YOU CONGRESSPERSONS!!!

February 11th, 2009
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Under the Senate version of the economic recovery package, older Americans on fixed incomes will receive economic relief similar to that given to younger workers. As you know, this senior payment provision was not in the House passed package. Please urge the conferees to hold this provision in any final Conference Report.


In addition, you can demonstrate your support for these crucial provisions in the economic recovery legislation by cosponsoring The Safeguarding America’s Seniors and Veterans Act of 2009, H.R. 746, which would help give real relief to the older Americans hit the hardest by the crisis.


Older Americans have been particularly impacted by the economic crisis and this bill will ensure that at least 26 million individuals get the real relief they deserve. By cosponsoring this bill, you would show your support for retirees who are struggling to make ends meet, and help make a statement that you will not leave older Americans behind as our economy gets back on track.


Please support this much-needed economic relief payment for individuals 65 and older who no longer work and are therefore not eligible for a Make Work Pay credit.


Thank you for standing strong for older Americans, and people of all generations, by urging support for the senior payment in the final economic stimulus package, and by cosponsoring The Safeguarding America’s Seniors and Veterans Act of 2009, H.R. 746.

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