Author: alisa

Social Distancing and Ostracization

alisa August 22, 2021 0 Comments
Recently I was asked: "When does social distancing become ostracizing?" "Become ostracizing" encompasses two things(1) the ostracizing action taken by one group that excludes another(2) the feeling of ostracization by the individual(s)/group being excluded "Social distancing" encompasses keeping one's physical distance from all who are not in one's own household. At first, it feels awkward...

An old description of myself

alisa July 13, 2021 0 Comments
This was written in, oh, 2010? It was updated somewhat in 2015 or so. It is still largely accurate, although it is time to update again. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` I make the rules I live by. I am an INTJ as typed by the Meyers-Briggs personality test. I am an introvert, however, I enjoy social environments, especially when I can be a part of a small group. I am...

The bigger picture

alisa July 4, 2021 0 Comments
Covid is (most likely) a lab-created virus.  It (most likely) came about because of gain-of-function research on the SARS virus.  It is unknown whether it was accidentally or deliberately released.For most people under age 70 with no comorbidities, Covid infection appears as a cold or mild flu-like symptoms.  Some get infected with the virus and shrug it off with no perceptible...

Performance comparison: singing with accompaniment vs. singing and playing guitar

alisa July 4, 2021 0 Comments
It’s interesting, comparing performance when I am singing and playing guitar to when I’m singing with others accompanying. When I am singing and playing there is, quite frankly, more to keep track of. The mind stays busy because I not only need to keep track of the lyrics (or, at least, of my mental map of the lyrics,) but of the map of the chords/chord structure, and have some awareness of...

The Value of Labor-Saving Devices

alisa June 6, 2021 0 Comments
Written 4/20/2016 Using technology to reduce unpleasant work and to increase opportunity within the framework of Earth's living systems. A few times we've had this discussion about how in a utopia "everything" could be automated…at one's fingertip. Our views are very similar, but not quite identical. My critique hovers around 2 main points: the psychological health and ability of the utopia to...

Why I cannot support Joe Biden’s bid for the presidency…

alisa June 6, 2021 0 Comments
Dear Friends: Too often, when I am among my friends on the political left I feel obligated to nod and agree when they talk about the need to elect Joe Biden.  I feel like I will be misunderstood and ostracized if I speak contrariwise to them.  I have decided that I need to take a moral stand on this issue -- it is important that my friends hear my voice and my view. I cannot vote for...

Democrats and Republicans as “Skins” of the Federal Government App(aratus)

alisa June 6, 2021 0 Comments
“Covid 19 may win the presidency for Desantis/Paul in 2024“ — Dark Matter Agreed. Been thinking along the same lines. Biggest problem: the dems and repubs are like “skins” for an app— changing the look and feel of the government, but not changing the deeper mechanics. The skins both have their respective problems, but the corruption we have been seeing (botched pandemic response,...

Competition and Gold Trophies for Everyone

alisa June 6, 2021 0 Comments
There is a lot of mockery in the world for Millennials who cannot handle competition.  It is pointed out that in an effort not to make any child “feel bad” or feel inadequate or feel a failure that “gold trophies” were handed out to everyone.  This attitude galls me, because it is an exercise in extremes that does not address the reality that occurs in between. ...

Masks: Make It Equitable

alisa May 3, 2021 0 Comments
Regarding masking...I have had to do a lot of things with a mask.  Teaching all day would be a pain, but 1 hour is not a big deal.   My frustration with masking is not whether or not I wear a mask.  It is this: I find it unethical to insist in a given situation that one group be given a green light for unmasking, while another group is compelled to mask.  This is, on its face,...

The danger of the administrative state

alisa April 30, 2021 0 Comments
Feb 28, 2021 I think it is important to understand that “not all regulations are created equal.” Some regulations have come about because selfish and powerful players have abused many people, many banded together to have their voices heard, and a regulation is the result.  I’m not going to pretend that the regulations that have resulted have not also had unintended adverse...