The Shallows

This month for book club we read The Shallows: What the Internet is doing to our brains, by Nicholas Carr.
From a pure readability factor it was pretty good. Not too heavy, thorough enough, but not too technical. And it was a quick read.
From my personal perspective in terms of content I went back and forth with being a little bored (because I already knew the stuff) to fairly interested. I wasn't so into his whole history of the Internet, or books for that matter, and I thought he repeated himself a bit too much (and stated obvious things that anyone reading this book would already know like what Facebook is...duh.)
But some of the brain imaging experiments, special studies, anecdotes from other writers, and his personal reflections on his experiences were intriguing to me. For example studies show "...that in the long run a medium's content matters less than the medium itself in influencing how we think and act." That goes for the Web as well as T.V, radio, and cell phones as well. You could even throw in GPS units, since it appears that spatial awareness is on a decline.
A few other highlights include:
It was interesting when the author (quoting another author) said "Calm, focused, undistracted, the linear mind is being pushed aside by a new kind of mind that wants and needs to take in and dole out information in short, disjointed, often overlapping bursts- the faster the better." It really hit home for me, because that is exactly what I've been feeling lately. My mind is always running at full speed, looking for something to do.
I thought his commentary on the relationship between authors and readers was really interesting too. He says that back in the olden days when people read books there was an unspoken agreement between writers and those that read their work, namely that the author could write in a manner of full expression and be able to count on the patience and attentiveness of the reader. But now in the "faster is better" world of technology the readers attention is waning, writer must approach writing from an entirely new standpoint. They have to be quick, and exciting. It's less about what the writer wants to say (in terms of Internet reading) and more about what the readers are willing to read.
I found his discussion on the physical reshaping of the brain due to our modern technology, and the prolonged consequences to be really insightful. Reading on the web, with all it's distractions, makes it hard to focus. So our brains are becoming more able to multi-task. What we loose in the process is deep focused understanding. The author likens the modern memory to a Rolodex (for those of you who don't know what this is...go look it up!). We don't actually retain much information, but we are really good and remembering ways to find things out. And we are able to do it faster and faster all the time.
He also referenced another book I just happen to be reading at this very moment, that and that was cool.

This topic is really interesting to me on a personal level because I have lately noticed a shift in my mind, particularly a "loudness", (a scattered feeling like my attention is being pulled in many directions at once, all the time)  that I believe is the result of too much time surfing the net, and playing around with my phone etc. I'm not saying I don't love email and shopping on Amazon, but I think it would do me a bit of good to cut back. I find that I am often sacrificing the physical present for some distraction in cyberspace, and it bothers me. It's like when you get together with friends to go to dinner and then you all sit at the restaurant texting and "checking in" on Facebook....only I'm doing that to myself. For example I'll be trying to read a book, and then it suddenly occurs to me that I might want to marinade a tri-tip for dinner tomorrow, and so off I go clicking around on the Web looking for a marinade recipe. Then I decided to check the weather, then I get an email, then a couple texts, then I get a notice from Facebook so I sign in, and post a few comments of my own...You get it. Next thing you know I read for 15 minutes and was online for 45. The only time I really feel focused is when I am running or at kickboxing.
And as a side note the fact that information and technology is so portable is also changing us. I don't necessarily like that I am accessible to everyone all the time through several different mediums no matter where I am. On the rare occasions when I am focused and my mind is quiet, it is often disturbed by the ding on my phone that I have received a new email, or a text alert, and I get sucked in. Again, I am glad I have my cell phone for emergencies, but I just don't like the distraction of getting emails and texts when I am on the road.
I don't mean to sound antisocial, and I certainly do appreciate it when folks think about me, I'm just saying that it alters my focus and sometimes makes it hard to really be somewhere, doing something. Maybe the proactive thing to do is stop whining about it and just limit my internet use, and turn off my cell phone when I don't want to be disturbed.
Some people really thrive on technology and all of the amazing things it allows us to do. I am amazed by all my friends that manage it so well. But I don't. I appreciate it, but I don't "love" it.
I prefer a little more quiet.

Overall this was a good book, but I'd probably go with 3.5 starts out of 5.

A Study in Jellies

I haven't painted in months. Part of the reason is that I paint outside on my patio, and its been winter. And the other half of that is that I just haven't been in the mood. But today was spectacularly sunny and warm, and it just so happened that I didn't have much to do. (OK, well I do have stuff to do, but...) And I suddenly felt inspired to paint!
My muse? Jellyfish, and the idea of making up a new method of painting. I know, it's weird, but that just  my crazy brain works! I don't know why it thinks what it does. I just do my best to go along with it.
Anyway, I gave it a shot. I have to say I am (mostly) pleased by the results...the only disappointment is that the (acrylic) paint looks so much brighter and prettier when it is wet than it does when it dries. I haven't figured out how to keep the colors vibrant, or maybe I'm going about it all wrong and have to think in brighter and lighter colors when I initially paint. At any rate, thanks to Instagram and their awesome filters, I was able to tweak the paintings to look just how they did when they were wet and fresh and...brillant. (Not intellectually brilliant, but in terms of color intensity;)
Anyway, these are the manifestations of my random mind on this very lovely Friday afternoon. I.e. here are the results of certain impulses that just happened to fire in my brain earlier today....Making something physical from only electrical/chemical energy (well, and some paint too). I've said it before, but I'll say it again: Brains are awesome!

Study 1

Study 2

Study 3

Bird Bath

I was just walking to the grocery store to pick up some soup for lunch when I noticed a blackbird taking a bath in a puddle created by a broken sprinkler head. I was amazed by this because it never really occurred to me that a bird is smart enough to take a bath. I mean, isn't that something? Somewhere in their brains is the knowledge and ability see a mud puddle and decide to clean themselves.
First it ruffled its feathers up, then it dipped its wings in the water then immediately shook them off. It did that a couple times, then it dipped it's head and sort of arched it's back and tail feathers up (splashing its back I guess) and repeated the whole process.  I don't know, maybe it's dumb, I certainly feel silly writing about it, but it just struck me when I saw it.
I got to thinking about it on my way back, and wondered exactly why they were doing it. It turns out that they do it for the same reasons we wash our hair, to remove some of the oil, and to keep lice away. Ha ha, isn't that great? If I ever have a reasonably sized back yard, I will have to get a bird bath.

Guns

Shooting potatoes in the Nevada desert.

There has been a lot of talk on the news about gun control since the tragic shooting that occurred at Sand Hill Elementary School. I never really thought too much about it before, but it seems like every week now there is some "breaking story" on the news about a mad gunman entering a populated place, whether it be a mall, school, or movie theater, and opening fire. It's frightening.
To many this seems to be all the more reason to get a gun themselves. After all it's one of our rights as American citizens. And what better way to protect yourself from getting shot than shooting someone else first right? I can see their point, I really can, and I understand the fear that makes you want to do whatever you can to protect yourself and those you love.
But I don't think it is a solution. And what I mean by that is I don't think that there will be less school/mall shootings if every American went out and bought a gun. I think in addition to the same amount of tragic public shootings, there will be an increase in accidental deaths, and more tragedies on the news. I think more innocent people will be killed not less.
It might sound like I am totally anti-gun. That's not true though. I don't really have a problem with guns themselves. I just have a problem with some of the people using them, and the fact that those dangerous people somehow keep getting access to them. I go shooting. I am extremely paranoid about safety when I do (i.e. keeping the safety on, making sure the guns are unloaded when we are done, NEVER pointing it in any direction of a person, always announcing when and where I am shooting etc.), but I've actually really enjoyed all the times I've gone (I still go out once a year or so). It's challenging and fun sport to try to hit a target (soda can/ rotten fruit) a hundred feet away. Especially when the gun kicks and you have to adjust your aim to account for it, and distance and wind direction and all of that. And I've used a lot of different guns. Rifles, 22's, various hand guns including a glock, two different revolvers, and a shotgun. (The 22 is my favorite because it's light, doesn't kick, and it the easiest to aim). I've never killed anything with a gun though, nor have I ever even tried hunting. But I don't really have an ethical problem with the idea of hunting or guns, especially when you think about how important they were in the past as a means of providing food for your family.
But while I really enjoy targeting a spray-painted potato on a barren hillside in the middle of the desert, I still think that more active measures of gun control is a good idea. And I'd vote for it. I think I'd be willing to give up my right to fun afternoon of target practice if it meant there was less chance that elementary school kinds would suffer the fate of those at Sandy Hill. It is just my opinion, but I think the less guns there are in the general population the better. Even more strict rules and regulations would help.
I know the Second Amendment of the Constitution says each of us  have a right to bear arms. It was added to ensure that each person would always be provided the opportunity to protect themselves and their family. And I completely agree with that. I just think that "bearing arms" may not be the best way to protect ourselves anymore. I know I have the right to have a gun, but I am choosing not to. Not because of what I would do with it, but because of what others might. Anyway, that's my two cents on the matter.

Made in Detroit

I found this photo I took while visiting my Dad in Michigan last year. I'd taken an overnight flight and arrived just at dawn. While we were driving back home from Metro Airport the sun came up and it was just about the most beautiful morning you could ever imagine over the city of Detroit.

Brussels Sprouts

I hate Brussels sprouts....or I used to. But my mom made them once this last fall, and they turned out pretty good. I still can't eat the middle part. It's too bitter, but the larger outside leaves are actually pretty delicious. It turns out that I'm what's called a "super taster", which explains my aversion to things like the middle part of Brussels sprouts and sauerkraut. It also explains why I am picky about amounts and kinds of seasonings on my foods. It's not that I can't eat just about everything, it's just that I notice flavors in foods that many people don't. But anyway, back to the sprouts. Since my discovery that I actually like them, I've made them several times. It's been pretty exciting. It's like discovering a new vegetable that never existed before! I've exhausted my creative talent on things like carrots, and zucchini, but Brussels sprouts are uncharted territory. My best invention to date has been an Italian style Stromboli/ pizza thing with fresh tomatoes, smoked mozzarella, pesto, pepperoni, and sauteed Brussels sprouts. D-lish!

Oh Crafty Me!

A while back I was looking for a wallet that could hold my expensive $1.99 calendar/planner, and some other items I have floating around in my purse. I despise a messy purse, and try to clean mine out completely at leas once a week. The thing was I couldn't find anything that wasn't either too big or too small, too wide or not wide enough. So I decided to make one. I found a video on YouTube, found some fabric that I had (yes, it's a Christmas print) and pulled out my sewing machine. It took about 15 minutes to measure, cut and attach interfacing, and about 5 minutes to actually sew. That was it. In twenty minutes I'd made myself a little wallet. And it came out pretty great I thought for my first try! The print is a little askew, but that's how it was when I bought it (it was .50 cents a yard I believe). Pretty sweet hu?

Happy Birthday! And Thanks.

Today is Charles Darwin's 204th birthday! I haven't begun The Origin of Species yet (I've been busy reading oodles of other books), but maybe today is the day to check it out from the library and finally get started.
Darwin's discoveries have had such an enormous impact on the way I view the world, and his realization that man (and women;) is nothing more or less than every other living thing on earth has utterly changed the way I think about myself, other people and the rest of nature. And all of it is for the better. And I am forever grateful even if he'll never know it. Happy Birthday Mr. Darwin.