America is founded on the ideal of liberty. The root of liberty is liber, the Latin for book.
So why are library budgets some of the first things to be cut when counties have to downsize their budgets? Why do libraries get sidelined when people talk of important community assests?
The foundation of liberty is access to information. Libraries provide free information.
Support libraries, wherever they may be. Keep them up and running, through hard times and good times. Take books out. Learn something. Upkeep the foundations of our country's ideal.
Support our country. Read.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
September 22, 2010
The Terror of Information Loss
I just finished reading This Book Is Overdue! How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All by Marilyn Johnson.
It talked of how librarians keep people informed and able to navigate on the search for information. It was all very interesting, but while reading it I discovered something about myself I should have already known.
I cannot stand information loss.
Stories of book burning make my insides twist up. I scream inside my head when I hear of people throwing out collections of old publications. My heart hurts when I click on a bookmarked link and the web page comes up as nonexistent.
All information is valuable, all information deserves to be learned. My favorite part of the book comes when the author talks about people's outstanding actions are archivists. Archivists are usually very specific, but they save so much. Things people would think have no value; the flyers from concerts, the maps from fairs, newspaper articles on prizefights. These people go around knowing very specific information that not many others know.
It occurred to me that everyone is an archivist. Everyone has something they know a lot about. Write it down. Keep it safe. Tell others so the information is never lost.
Everyone is also a librarian. They can tell you where to find information. They can direct you to the best sources to discover what they don't know on a topic. Don't keep it hidden from others. Tell them how to find what they don't know.
The First Amendment of the American Constitution says that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances".
I tried to find a word for this love of knowledge and the need to preserve it. Would you believe that I could not find one?
So I had to create one: gnosiphile; from the Greek gnosis, "knowledge" and philos "loving".
If you are a gnosiphile:
It talked of how librarians keep people informed and able to navigate on the search for information. It was all very interesting, but while reading it I discovered something about myself I should have already known.
I cannot stand information loss.
Stories of book burning make my insides twist up. I scream inside my head when I hear of people throwing out collections of old publications. My heart hurts when I click on a bookmarked link and the web page comes up as nonexistent.
All information is valuable, all information deserves to be learned. My favorite part of the book comes when the author talks about people's outstanding actions are archivists. Archivists are usually very specific, but they save so much. Things people would think have no value; the flyers from concerts, the maps from fairs, newspaper articles on prizefights. These people go around knowing very specific information that not many others know.
It occurred to me that everyone is an archivist. Everyone has something they know a lot about. Write it down. Keep it safe. Tell others so the information is never lost.
Everyone is also a librarian. They can tell you where to find information. They can direct you to the best sources to discover what they don't know on a topic. Don't keep it hidden from others. Tell them how to find what they don't know.
The First Amendment of the American Constitution says that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances".
I tried to find a word for this love of knowledge and the need to preserve it. Would you believe that I could not find one?
So I had to create one: gnosiphile; from the Greek gnosis, "knowledge" and philos "loving".
If you are a gnosiphile:
- Keep copies of printed material on whatever your interest is.
- Keep screenshots of web pages (go to Page on the toolbar, go down to Save As) of the same.
- Print out information on it from the Internet.
- File it.
- Tell others of your knowledge.
- Encourage others to do the same.
Information should never be lost. Information is too important to be forgotten.
Preserve it.
May 26, 2010
The Professors: The 100 Most Dangerous Academics in America
The author is David Horowitz.
A book review:
The author does manage to find some truly despicable people (mostly affirmed Jihadists, violent anti-whites, and convicted domestic terrorists). However, I find that most people in this book are not as extreme as those and a few choices are extremely laughable*. Also, most of the people in this book did not support the war on terror for various reasons; that coupled by the designation of nearly all the professors as liberals leads me to believe that the author is a dedicated conservative. Which, of course, would lead to bias on all cases, with the skew on people's views getting decidedly more negative the less extreme the case (in perspective).
Another thing that really stood out for me is that the author mentions feminism where applicable and fails to make any connection as to how this is relevant to the professor being dangerous. This lack leaves me with only the conclusion that the reader is to associate feminism with danger. The other thing was the lack of opposing viewpoints. If the author could find so may Jihadists, militant anti-whites, and domestic terrorists; surely he could locate anti-Muslims, anti-minorities, and American supremacists as well.
*Most of these people are proponents of Marxism or Leninism and/or take an anti-American stance. A continuing point made was opposition to the Vietnam war.
A book review:
The author does manage to find some truly despicable people (mostly affirmed Jihadists, violent anti-whites, and convicted domestic terrorists). However, I find that most people in this book are not as extreme as those and a few choices are extremely laughable*. Also, most of the people in this book did not support the war on terror for various reasons; that coupled by the designation of nearly all the professors as liberals leads me to believe that the author is a dedicated conservative. Which, of course, would lead to bias on all cases, with the skew on people's views getting decidedly more negative the less extreme the case (in perspective).
Another thing that really stood out for me is that the author mentions feminism where applicable and fails to make any connection as to how this is relevant to the professor being dangerous. This lack leaves me with only the conclusion that the reader is to associate feminism with danger. The other thing was the lack of opposing viewpoints. If the author could find so may Jihadists, militant anti-whites, and domestic terrorists; surely he could locate anti-Muslims, anti-minorities, and American supremacists as well.
*Most of these people are proponents of Marxism or Leninism and/or take an anti-American stance. A continuing point made was opposition to the Vietnam war.
Cool website
Lexicalist- a demographic dictionary of modern American English
Let's look at some words real quick:
Sexism
Superheroes
Raven
Scholar
Books
Blog
Let's look at some words real quick:
Sexism
Superheroes
Raven
Scholar
Books
Blog
April 23, 2010
The Feminist Mystique
Short introduction: The book that started the 1960s feminist movement.
OH GOD NO.
It seems as if the 1950s were deliberately conspiring against the woman.
Some disturbing facts:
OH GOD NO.
It seems as if the 1950s were deliberately conspiring against the woman.
Some disturbing facts:
- Housewives in the 1950s displayed the same sort of passivity as those who died in Nazi concentration camps or were Veitnam prisoners of war.
- There were compulsory "Married Life" courses in some colleges for women.
- Corporate America specifically tried to convince women that they belonged in the home because housewives bought oh-so-many projects.
- "Feminity" was really a lack of emotional and mental development; women were literally not encouraged to discover themselves and stay at a perpetual state of childhood.
- Psychological papers that refuted the commonly held "feminine" ideal was relegated to the fringe of science and never really reported.
- Many college women were at school expressly to "catch a man".
- Women who showed any sort of individuality or ambition were conditioned into thinking something was wrong with them and classified as having a "neurosis".
- It was apparently impossible to have a satisfying marriage life and be employed.
- Sex was the only way for most women to really establish an identity, i.e. "X's wife/girlfriend/lover".
- "I wanna be a doctor when I grow up!" "No, honey, you're a girl. You're going to be a wife and have kids, just like mummy." (paraphrased)
- So much more...
April 7, 2010
We now interrupt your regularly scheduled programming
I was looking for an article, and I found things to link.
Students Retain Information In Print-Like Formats Better
I knew there was a good reason I liked books.
What a 21st Century Education Means To You
Something that is actually challenging; and makes sure that people actually learn something. If students do not learn what they need to, they stay back until they have learned it, NO EXCEPTIONS. Also, get rid of standardized testing. It really does no good.
Is the Internet Killing Our Reputations
The thing about reputations and the Internet is that it makes having a good reputation even harder and more important to uphold while making it easier to destroy one. It only takes a little bit of information in the right place to destroy someone nowadays. When so few people can live publicly and keep a reputation, all those who can, in comparison, seem better. But then some right (or wrong) placed words emerge in a place where it is nearly impossible to destroy information; and yet another person goes down the drain.
GUYS READ
Symposium on Male Studies at Wagner College
As for my opinion: This whole idea just seems like a stupid attempt to try and make some sort of semblance of “fairness” where one is not needed. Though people should not exclude thinking of males when it comes to planning, organizing, or doing any sort thing in public or private.
I'd probably take this course to see what it's like, though it seems to me that all this is covered elsewhere in discussions on psychology and demographics and such.
Increasing Number Of Parents Opting To Have Children School-Homed
Though The Onion is a satire paper, it hits surprisingly close to home about people's attitudes toward public schooling.
Students Retain Information In Print-Like Formats Better
I knew there was a good reason I liked books.
What a 21st Century Education Means To You
Something that is actually challenging; and makes sure that people actually learn something. If students do not learn what they need to, they stay back until they have learned it, NO EXCEPTIONS. Also, get rid of standardized testing. It really does no good.
Is the Internet Killing Our Reputations
The thing about reputations and the Internet is that it makes having a good reputation even harder and more important to uphold while making it easier to destroy one. It only takes a little bit of information in the right place to destroy someone nowadays. When so few people can live publicly and keep a reputation, all those who can, in comparison, seem better. But then some right (or wrong) placed words emerge in a place where it is nearly impossible to destroy information; and yet another person goes down the drain.
GUYS READ
Symposium on Male Studies at Wagner College
As for my opinion: This whole idea just seems like a stupid attempt to try and make some sort of semblance of “fairness” where one is not needed. Though people should not exclude thinking of males when it comes to planning, organizing, or doing any sort thing in public or private.
I'd probably take this course to see what it's like, though it seems to me that all this is covered elsewhere in discussions on psychology and demographics and such.
Increasing Number Of Parents Opting To Have Children School-Homed
Though The Onion is a satire paper, it hits surprisingly close to home about people's attitudes toward public schooling.
April 1, 2010
My inspired rules. Feel free to follow them if you so choose.
Explanation for this last post.
- If you have to think about it twice, don't do it.
- Be mindful about your body language.
- Act mature and exercise self-restraint.
- Don't talk bad about people.
- Think of others first.
- Share Knoweldge.
- Think of consequences.
- Use titles, like "Sir", "Mr", "Mrs.", "Ms." and "Ma'am".
- Never assume a "Mrs." title.
- Success comes at a price. Remember it.
- Attempt not to assume; first appearences aren't everything but they are useful.
- Cultivate an image you can live with.
- At the end of the day, all you are is all you made of yourself.
- Play impartiality
- Practice integrity, and to maintain it, admit when your views change and why.
- Make sure there is good reason behind a change in thought.
- Keep perspective.
- Set an example.
- Goals are little wishes. Know what you want.
- Live by your standards.
- Step down if you cannot do the job. Admit you cannot do it; and delegate the tasks.
- Be flexible in changing your plans.
- Research and admit when you do not know what you are talking about.
- Be conscious of what you are saying.
- Think ahead.
- Do not say "uh", "um", or "like" excessively when speaking.
- You can take a second to pause when you speak.
- Connect information.
- Do not use words you do not know the meaning of.
- Remember your duties.
- Keep responsibility and cupability with your actions and words.
- Act and behave with honor.
- Public personae can be different from private personae; but do not make them radically different.
- Stay honest about your past.
- Be careful with your lies.
- Power is a means to an end of doing your duty; an ends in and of itself.
- Know your bounds.
- Try again.No matter how far you go, you can come back. It may just be much harder than it could have been earlier.
- Violence can be a solution, but it is an unfavorable one.
- "I respectfully disagree."
- Be able to argue and anticipate the other parts of a debate.
- Read Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" and keep it to heart.
- Stay polite in your arguements.
- If you must answer a question you are unprepaired for, say "No Comment" or "I polietly decline to answer your question".
- If you cannot decide, say polite drivel.
- Go where the smart people are going.
- Keep intelligent people around you.
- Keep good company.
- Stay true to yourself.
- Keep working.
- Collect business cards.
- Ask
- Say Thank You.
- Work on it.
- Speak your mind.
- Don't use social networking sites; or use sparingly.
- Be mindful of what you say and do in public.
- Err on the side of apology and ettiqute; as well as politeness.
February 28, 2010
Some reading material
I started reading "The Minds of Boys: Saving Our Sons from Falling Behind in School and Life" yesterday (I'll probably post a little 'thoughts I had' thing when I'm done with it) and today came upon the page titled "Do Heroes Read and Write", which pretty much says that the protagonists on TV shows, in movies, comics, and books, are rarely seen/read reading or writing.
When I read that, I went 'Yep, that sounds about right.' and took a double-take. Really? So I tried to think of superheroes that you see reading or writing.
There are some you think would do it more. Superman has his job at the Daily Planet as a reporter. He should be shown writing those reports more. Peter Parker has his job at the Daily Bugle, though its as a photographer. I think Bruce Wayne/Batman may write letters occasionally. Dr. Doom should, since he runs his own country and all.
Then there's everyone else. Hank Pym, scientist, doesn't. Reed Richards, scientist, doesn't. Dr. Strange does. Wonder Woman doesn't. I don't think Barbara Gordon does. The Teen Titans don't usually. Neither do the Runaways. The Legion doesn't really, but they're in the future and might not have books or written letters anymore. Thor doesn't. Bruce Banner, scientist and the Hulk, doesn't. Captain America doesn't. None of the X-Men do. I don't believe Flash or Green Arrow or Green Lantern or any of the Justice League do.
What's up with that?
When I read that, I went 'Yep, that sounds about right.' and took a double-take. Really? So I tried to think of superheroes that you see reading or writing.
There are some you think would do it more. Superman has his job at the Daily Planet as a reporter. He should be shown writing those reports more. Peter Parker has his job at the Daily Bugle, though its as a photographer. I think Bruce Wayne/Batman may write letters occasionally. Dr. Doom should, since he runs his own country and all.
Then there's everyone else. Hank Pym, scientist, doesn't. Reed Richards, scientist, doesn't. Dr. Strange does. Wonder Woman doesn't. I don't think Barbara Gordon does. The Teen Titans don't usually. Neither do the Runaways. The Legion doesn't really, but they're in the future and might not have books or written letters anymore. Thor doesn't. Bruce Banner, scientist and the Hulk, doesn't. Captain America doesn't. None of the X-Men do. I don't believe Flash or Green Arrow or Green Lantern or any of the Justice League do.
What's up with that?
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