I Went Back to Ohio...And My State Was GONE!

Eh, oh, way to go...Ohio!

Thanks Crissy Hyne, you said it all.

I'm an Ohio boy...born, raised, left, returned to Ohio. When I was a kid, we were the industrial/agricultural "engine" in the heart of America. Now, we're the land of losers, whiners, gutless, ball-less, mindless, heartless wonders. All sitting here want to blame someone else for our loser mentality. We take all the wrong risks, choose all the wrong leaders, call all the wrong bluffs, bluff on all the wrong hands, we are LOOOOSSSSEEERS. And we seem to like it that way.

Look at our sports teams. They reflect our utter loserness. Last time an Ohio team had a "championship"? The Ohio State Buckeye's football team you say? Hmmmmm, with the talent they've had over the last 20 years...ONE, only ONE national championship, merely accents our loser mentality.

Wake up Ohio...your state, economy is dead. Not government will save you from this. Nothing but radical change will save you. Industry/manufacturing...is DEAD! Hello, and it isn't coming back. Billions of third-world slave-labor people, would KILL to make 1-100th of what you make Ohio. And they DO. You have no chance, no ability to compete. They are moving from sticks and dirt shacks, to nice rough-hewn wooden floors. It's a MAJOR improvement for them. You, on the other hand, still listen to Union Labor reps, telling you that you'd rather lose your job making $80k/year, with that fine GED you earned in the Army, than pay 10% of our health insurance costs to save the company enough money to refab your factory (Timken).

Face it, our time has come and gone, and unless we completely change our expectations, and focus, we're going to do nothing but ROT here in Ohio over the next decade.

So...what about high-tech? What about the information age future?

Well, I'm a high-tech worker. I work in Information Technology, as a senior tech leader...an "architect". I'm also a closet entreprenure. I want to help START a tech company in Ohio. Guess what? No capital is available in Ohio for software technology. Now, if I were manufacturing computer equipment, maybe. But Ohio seems to be fixated on things we can build out of metal and silicon. Software? What is THAT? How do I employ Johnny, the simpering drunk, high-school-drop-out, to manufacture that? The answer is, that you DON'T. You sober Johnny up, tell him to go back to tech-school. Learn to program, tech-write, operate computers...do SOMETHING that someone wants done in 2008, and you point out he needs to do THAT if he wants a job.

What do WE do? We elect a liberal Governor, that tells Johnny, its ok...we'll take care of you...and they, they don't.

We deserve whatever we get here in Ohio.

Eh, oh, way to go Ohio!

Regards,

Doc

The Last Socially Acceptable Discrimination

Well folks, if many of you know me...I'm a big man...REALLY big. So, in this time, when we abhor racism, gay bashing, sexism, religious discrimination (except those damn Christians...we can bash them pretty good, safely), there remains one unspoken, unbridled discrimination you can all safely participate in:

Bashing those disgusting FAT people.

In a society where looks and body can turn a dolt into a "leader", the one remaining legal and ethical discrimination, is to take opportunities away from people who eat too much, and exercise too little. Even though scientific research has established a clear "genetic" factor in metabolish for obesity (much clearer than the "crap" science I hear to try to tie genetics to homosexuality, by-the-way), but, you see, gay people often LOOK good. They dress well, they are often slim, trim, well groomed.

Now, fat, geeky, intelligent folks...its OK to infer that their looks, their "habits" and their appearance, are an impediment. In fact, they may be smarter, more qualified, but see, NOBODY will listen to them, because they LOOK horrible! Oh my, the advances in human civilization that have been missed because a fat slob proposed them.

Who LETS these folks change the criteria from good ideas and great thinking, to what dress or shirt size the person wears? Why, WE do. Who establishes the "standard" that "beauty" is the most desirable thing, more important than intelligence, wisdom, character, and integrity? WE DO. All of us. We MAKE this happen, with our shallow, sex driven thinking...our vanity, our obsession with appearance. We allow our baser desires to sway our logical thinking. And its just the same as the injustic of sexism, racism, homophobia. Its EXACTLY the same thing as all of those things...but many of those folks would REJECT that, saying, "Well, those folks could eat less, and get some exercise, for goodness sake". Hmmm, I seem to remember people saying:

"Blacks bring it on themselves, by behaving that way"

"Women bring it on themselves, being sexy and slutty"

"Gay people don't have to stick in our faces"

Where's the difference? Even blacks, women, and gays, HATE fat people. Everyone does, admit it.

Regards,

Doc

Human Existence: Faith Not Optional

Folks,

It's time for me to get metaphysical here...just bear with me a second. You see, there are many, scientists, intellectuals, haughty psuedo intellectuals, that would have us all believe that Faith is a crutch. It's a sign of intellectual immaturity. That it is what the simple-minded and ignorant embrace because they are too stupid, too stuborn, too SOMETHING to simply use their brains.

Well, I have a few questions for these folks:

1) How do you KNOW your perceptions are correct? You have to have made some assumptions right? You have to assume that your perceptions are all you have to with which to experience reality. That, without that, well, its all pretty irrelevant, isn't it?

2) We can explain nearly everything around us by basic physics, chemistry, geology, biology, genetics. We KNOW a lot. In fact, we can theorize back to the mega singularity from which something we postulate called a "big bang" actually occurred. We can see background radiation left over from this big bang. We know EVERYTHING about EVERYTHING, except...what caused the big bang? We can even have FANTASTICAL discussions about M Theory, String Theory...and we can scoot ever so closer to explaining how membranes in 11 dimensions collided to create the big bang. But, where did those 11 dimensions and those membranes come from?

3) We know that random chance and the laws of physics, chemistry, biology, came together to spontaneously form life. That it happened because of a lot of time, alot of chemistry, and alot of coincidence. We understand DNA, how all "living" things have it. We share "code" with plants and worms, and monkeys. What do we think the probability of all this happening is?

4) We know that we don't need FAITH, we have science, the scientific method, and our own minds and intellects. FAITH is for dummies. Right?

It takes FAITH in bucket loads, for anyone to exercise the scientific method. Loads of it. FAITH that if you perform an experiment 100 times, and 100 times the outcome is the same, that this tells us something. FAITH that our observations have not altered the outcome significantly (Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle).

It takes FAITH to believe that something (not God, certainly not God, but SOMETHING...lets call it infinite time and infinite materials, and infinite chance) caused all of our reality to exist. So...you don't call it God...but I do. Both probabilities are similar in magnitude. So...who is more "metaphysically" correct, since NEITHER of us can explain everything around us with physics and science, not all the way back to whatever existed before physics.

It takes FAITH to believe that even though we don't have answers for how 11 dimensions really work, or how they caused the Big Bang, or how our universe REALLY works, at the smallest and largest levels, however, we don't need a God...that takes FAITH doesn't it?

So...before you haughty, self-absorbed, pompous intellectuals sneer at me for my FAITH...come to terms with your faith. You use it every day...you just apply it to yourself, and the belief that no God exists...while I apply it to an intelligent, designer, Creator, who had the power to conceive and architect this reality we live in. Who's philosophy is more intellectually sound? The both seem to have ALOT of FAITH in them.

Regards,

Doc

Politics is Applesauce!

I'm quoting Will Roger's here...many of you probably don't know about him. He was an "enigma" of a humorist/comedian, in the 1920-30's that looked like a hick/hayseed/cowboy, but often said things that just made you stop and think. I can't find any "context" for this statement...but I like to say (I've made this up, actually), that he said this highly quoted phrase, when a reporter asked him, "Will, what do you think about politics?". I also like to embellish it to say that after this famous quote, the report said, "What?", to which Will Rogers replied, "Eeeexactly!"

I must admit, I don't logically understand politics. To me, it is manipulation at its finest. It's lying with flag waving and baby kissing. Its the process by which we passionately empower someone to take our money, dissapoint us, ruin our lives, take away our freedom, lift our hopes and dreams to the heights, and dash them to the seedy, trash ridden, ticker-tape and confetti stewn streets. Of course, that's the cynic in me coming out. But, maybe that's why America liked Will Rogers so much. He was a cynic, wrapped in a simpleton's outfit, saying pseudo-positive things like, "I never met a man I didn't like". Well, I, unfortunately, HAVE met many men and women I don't like...many of them politicians.

I guess the thing I don't like about politics, is that it appears that no one holds the politician, accountable. I mean, we make noises like we do. We vote the Republicans in, are disspointed, vote the Democrats in as a result (who make similar promises which are broken), and we all act like progress is made..."There, that will show those lousy politicians". Meanwhile, most or all of them are millionaires, have book deals, take vacations to places we've never heard of, and probably don't lose any sleep at night over the fact that our kids are going to college next year.

So...how do you even "wrap up" a blog like this one? Even while writing it...the motivation to finish it has left me. I can't even get excited about anyone. If leaders have followers, where is any one of these folks being presented to us going? What ARE their answers? I'd just like ONE of them to answer some of the following questions:

What is the future of the American economy?
How do we solve terrorism?
Er, um, what was I talking about? Oh, yeah, applesauce...boring stuff applesauce...hardly worth discussing.

Regards,

Doc

Leaders Have Followers

Leadership. Much is written about it...much is made of it, bottom line, it isn't complicated at all.

Leaders have followers.

Now that you've seen my thesis statement, let me share what I see in corporate America today.

In corporate America, unfortunately, much of what is called "leadership" is really "politics". Let me explain why. In corporate America...the bestowing of the title "leader" comes from the top down. Which always confused the hell out of me. I mean...leader isn't a title...its a state of being. It something that "happens" when people follow you. It isn't a set of criteria that top management determines you have, as they go through succession planning.

A List of Things Leadership Isn't

Leadership's #1 criteria isn't that upper management is impressed with you. Sure, it helps for you to be influential with them...because the folks you are leading are depending on you to represent the destination and vision that you are all following. Leaders don't spend most of their time facing upwards. Most of their time is spent facing downwards and to the side, talking with the team, and painting a compelling picture of the future.

Leadership isn't how you dress, an "air of executive presence", or a complete lack of emotional response. Some people are swayed by appearances far too much, however, those individual who seek to make a difference are looking for someone with a vision, a direction, and the ability to inspire them to go there. They are looking for someone who can take them somewhere. Leaders dress themselves with humility, with vision, and with credibility that comes from having a vision of where you need to go. Leaders are sometimes passionate, and that passion shows in emotion and frustration sometimes. Only politicians and Vulcans think that passion and emotion are signs of weakness.

Leadership isn't playing golf, have drinks at the country club, and it certainly isn't telling folks above you what they want to hear. Leadership is confidently establishing a direction, a vision of the future, and equipping your followers for the journey ahead. It's staying late with them, when they have deadline. It's understanding the destination you've given them, and running on ahead and removing major obstacles so their path is unimpeded.

Leadership isn't surviving. It isn't making sure you "don't get any one you". It isn't a teflon coating, and it isn't making sure that blame is placed on others instead of you. Leadership doesn't twist words, situations, and doesn't seek to "take out the competition", unless the competition happens to truly BE the competition. Many "leaders" see the competition as being within their own company. Those are your fellow soldiers in the war of business. They are NOT your enemy, and, if they are, you are not being a leader.

Leadership isn't looking a certain way, talking a certain way...it isn't deciding someone is damaged goods, and never considering any new information about them. Leaders forgive...give second chances, they understand that folks that make mistakes, and are given a chance to change.

In summary...leaders aren't managers, and aren't politicians...here's a cool chart that really sums it all up:

http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/articles/manager_leader.htm

There's too many politicians out there...too many managers that use coersion and intimidation to get folks to do something. There's not enough leaders, and American business and our economy is showing the signs. We don't believe in ourselves anymore. We don't believe in each other. We don't trust each other.

Where are the leaders? Are you one? Are you brave enough to go up against the politicians and the managers, and tell them that you, and others, have a vision, and are going to realize it?

Lead on!

Doc

Power Corrupts

Power...a concept that leads to some notable observations.

1 - Some people want money, others power. Power can get you all the money you ever want. Power is the ability, basically, to make others do your will.

2 - Power is the "ultimate" control. "Control Freaks", are people who will literally do ANYTHING for power.

3 - Power corrupts. The blind seeking of power, is the single source of evil on our planet.

4 - Examples of virtuous "mixes" where power has corrupted include:

a) Faith + Power = Religion (CORRUPTED)
b) Social Reform + Power = Government (CORRUPTED)
c) Education + Power = National Education Association (CORRUPTED)
d) Labor + Power = Labor Unions (CORRUPTED)

All of these examples, are of virtuous things, that, when leveraged for power, are corrupted. So...the virtue of the individual, is corrupted by the power seeking of the individual. Seeking to "control" others, is the ultimate evil.

Doc

Global Climatic Change: An Inconvenient, Unavoidable Truth

Folks...I'm so sick and tired of seeing folks who "steal" a phrase, like "global warming", and don't use critical thinking about it, BEFORE making their decision.

FACT: Global Climatic changes have occurred since the earth was formed, occurred for millions of years WITHOUT human accleration or decelleration, and WILL continue, probably LONG after humans are extinct.

FACT: Global Warming, is merely a "warming" phase of Global Climatic change.

FACT: Earth has been through many cyclical swings in warming and cooling...the last ice age...when Northern North America was covered in a glacier, created the Great Lakes.

FACT: We are currently in an "ice age", meaning, that many climates that are "cool" today, were once more tropical...this ALL occurred before humans were burning fossil fuels.

FACT: CO2 and other greenhouse gasses can, and do, contribute to a warmer climate. They did when huge amounts of volcanic action (waaaay before humans) left earth tropical even in the most northern reaches of the hemispheres. How did earth compensate? Well, not that I believe in Gaia theory...but with an abundance of CO2, came a florishing of plant life based on photosynthesis...which, uses, anyone, anyone, Buehler? That's right...CO2, as its major source of chemical reaction.

FACT: Many parts of North America, are more forested and green than BEFORE Europeans arrived (hmmmm, perhaps, because there's alot of CO2 around....hmmmmm, see a trend reoccurring here).

FACT: Humans tend to lend more credence to their impact on ANYTHING that is probably factually supportable.

FACT: Nuclear (pronounced New-klee-er) power produces the least amount of carbon (CO2) than any other power generation mechanism.

FACT: Old trees (over 50 years old) consume the LEAST amount of CO2...we should cut them all down, plant NEW trees, which consume greater amounts (sorry tree huggers, your emotional arguments just don't make "carbon management sense"...quit emoting, start thinking)

FACT: Buying a used, decent mileage vehicle, is WAYYY more carbon efficient than buying a hybrid, OR, buying an electric car.

FACT: Global warming is mostly a political mechanism, to get uniformed, emotional decision makers to vote for someone, or something...either with their vote, or their money. Global warming is a marketing scheme, first and foremost.

FACT: What we already do in North America, impacts the carbon scale much less than, say, a newly industrializing country, like China, which is now consumming HUGE amounts of oil and gas.

FACT: Gas prices are a function of demand. Industrializing third-world countries (like China) are demanding it...so...the price is going up...GOOD NEWS: Turns out the Chinese are pretty smart. They have been around, as a culture, for thousands of years longer than most civilizations. They can "see" that oil isn't going to be around long...ESPECIALLY if they continue to consume it like they are right now...so, what are they doing?

FACT: China is stepping up production of cheap solar and wind based power technologies. The price is dropping, simply because the demand for power in China is developing a business case to develop these technologies. Price per unit drops, when production and consumption is increased to the point where fixed costs are diluted by the number of units produced (basic MBA stuff...I know, I have one).

So...in conclusion:

1) Global warming, or better yet, the warming phase of global climate change is occuring right now.
2) Our greenhouse gas emmissions ARE accelerating this.
2a) Photosynthesizing plant life (trees, grass, bushes, etc...consume CO2)...they thrive in high greenhouse gas environments...just like they are now.
3) The source of those gases, coal, gasoline, are being consumed in a logrithmic fashion, by industrializing third-world countries (like China).
4) What we do in North American, pales, by orders of magnitude, what the Chinese do.
5) China sees that we are running out of fossil fuels, and is investing, HEAVILY in solar, wind, and nuclear power.
6) Once China has dropped the price of all these power below the cost of fossil fuels (next 5 years or so) who will pay a premium for fossil fuels anymore?
7) Once this happens, global climatic change will not only resume its march, without greenhouse gas emission acceleration, but, in fact, will accelerate the OTHER direction, as the increased number of photosynthesizing plants consume CO2 to levels that cause a rapid ice-age to occur. If you live in Cleveland, Ohio, like I do...you'd be smart to move to California, Texas, or Florida.

What will those who seek to control your behavior focus on then?

Regards,

Doc