Psybertron Asks

Pirsig Pages Update – I’ve added a significant update to my Pirsig pages to include a link to my new map of the ZAMM route. (It’s a frames page, to enable a changing information panel as you move across each of the points en-route, but I think I’ve done the decent thing and ensured all links spawn new browsers so no-one should get trapped.)

Incidentally I’ve spent a good deal of time recovering from MS-Office version 9, which adds a tremendous amount of redundant garbage to simple web pages if you make the mistake of editing a page using (say) Word. It appears Office-XP shows some real promise of intelligent use of XML with reference schemas et al, but in this current form it really would be better manners if it checked with the user if this MS controlled schema and style-sheeting stuff were actually required.

Tell us something we didn’t know. This just in – politics is a cynical business apparently. A review in the Grauniad of Mark Curtis “Web of Deceit“. [via Jorn] Documented evidence is always handy though.

More evidence of the power of metaphor too, linking this to the current WMD spat between government spin-doctor Campbell and the BBC ? It is no coincidence that spin and web both speak of deception. Web’s are spun to trap the unwary – the antidote is not to be outraged at the spin, but to be aware of the web.

Story of the Alexandria Library – A pet interest of mine, blogged earlier. [via Jorn]

Rhiz-O-Mat and Post-Modernists – On-line resource on Deleuze and Guattari’s “Anti-Oedipus”. [via Rivets] Also this “Everything Post-Modern“site on Post-Modernist resources.

Intentional Metaphors Mislead – Eureka Alert [via Jorn]. Naive story, but useful documented evidence of (a) metaphors are all there is, (b) anthropomorphic metaphors can be particularly misleading, and (c) no-one ever said anything without intent anyway, not even a “scientist”, whatever one of those is.

The Future’s Bright #2 – Hands up if you’re glad to be bright, wave if you’re happy you’re right, hey !

Are you a “Bright” ? Not sure about this one yet, but an interesting concept none-the-less. [via Dawkins in the Grauniad] [via Rivets].

Two quotes from the Columbia Dictionary of Quotations via Quantonics earlier this year …

Theodore Roosevelt in 1917 (after Victoria – I know) “The things that will destroy [us] are: prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first ….”

Walter Bagehot in 1872 “The whole history of civilisation is strewn with creeds and institutions which were invaluable at first, and deadly afterwards. A bureaucracy is sure to think that its duty is to augment official power, official business, or official members, rather than to leave free the energies of mankind; it overdoes the quantity of government, as well as impairs its quality. The truth is, that a skilled bureaucracy . . . is, though it boasts of an appearance of science, quite inconsistent with the true principles of the art of business.”

Pirsig Pages Update – Significantly updated the Pirsig Pages to include many more source and reference links. Started much correspondence concerning biographical details. Timeline now awaiting update.

Friends of James Willis – Having finished my latest re-read of Lila, I’m back on to James’ “Friends in Low Places“. Compelling stuff. I didn’t pick it up until 1 am, and could hardly put it down. Needless to say I overslept this morning !

[Post Summary: Dr James Willis readings:
– Friends in Low Places
– Paradox of Progress
– Scylla and Charybdis
– James Willis on Psybertron]

Thanks to Rick Valence on the MOQ Discuss board for this one. Einstein’s more philosophical thoughts never cease to amaze me, and this one is particularly apt to my current agenda.
Albert Einstein [Quote]
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant.
We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.
[Unquote] Source ?