You learn things when you read original sources for yourself.
I recently picked up a copy of Plato’s allegory of “The Cave”. I had
known some of the highlights of the story before, the shadows on the
wall, prisoners thinking that the shadows were reality, since that’s
all they ever knew, of one prisoner being taken out to see the sun and
seeing the true light, coming back down and trying to, literally,
enlighten his fellows, and being thought crazy.
I recently picked up reader of samples of important ancient texts
that I’ve had for a LONG time and read excerpts from Socrates
Apology. Short version:
Oracle of Delphi
“Socrates is the wisest man”
Socrates
Nice hypothesis, Apollo, you may be a god, but let’s test it….
Socrates
Seeks out “The Wise” of his day, Politicians, Poets,
Artisans … questions them … has them all expose themselves
as blithering idiots.
Socrates
OK, “The Wise” are all blithering idiots. They are
not wise. The hypothesis holds … for now.
The Wise
(still mad), Yo, Socrates, here’s some hemlock
(poison). Drink up…
There is nothing new under the sun. In the mid 20th century, in
response to questions about “what is a science” Karl Popper
proposed “falsification” as a way do delineate scientific theories
from non-scientific theories. The basic idea is that one
counter-example disproves a theory.
So, when life turns uncertain you have two choices. Cling to
things that seem to add stability and certainty, i.e. try to “stay
safe”, or embrace the uncertainty, live now, carpe diem, and do
things would seem to be fulfilling now.
I’m choosing the latter. At 58, in the middle of a pandemic and
social unrest, I’m moving to a startup. The following are notes
from a friend who has been playing the silicon valley startup game
for a few decades. These are notes-to-self and anybody else who
cares from that conversation:
So my attempt at “just blogging something” for 100 straight days as
part of #100DaysToOffload https://100daystooffload.com/ has
stalled, but that’s OK.
I have a home painting project going that keeps expanding in scope
every time I look at it. I’ve gone on a couple weekend
backpacking/canoeing trips, and (biggest time sync of all), I’m in
the middle of a job change. That sucks down time and energy. Oh
yeah, and the country/world is in a little turmoil right now
(COVID-19 and protests) which is, to say the least, distracting,
disorienting, disturbing, destructive and otherwise detrimental to
a simple goal of blogging every day.
Opening day [of baseball] in Cincinnati has always been a time of
hope and optimism, a time to look forward to, a time to enjoy
being with family and friends, a time to enjoy looking at the
forsythia and daffodils heralding spring, to walk across the Ohio
River on the Roebling bridge, to take in the annual Findlay
Market Parade, and to hear the umpire (or Marty and Joe on the
radio) say “Play Ball.” I am declaring today my personal
“Opening Day 2020”
In my never ending quest for synthesis, this post combines thoughts on
the OODA loop and falling out of a canoe twice this weekend in rapids
on the Shenandoah river. There is a connection. Maybe.
If you want to see the full trip report, pictures, etc. go here Things
that fall in the river get wet. If you’re interested in how this relates to
the OODA loop or, better, if you have experience/thoughts on applying
the OODA loop to operational cybersecurity settings, read on (and
comment !)
Figure 1: On the river during calm between crisis events
This weekend my son Bryan, friends (former scouts from Philmont days)
Sam and Preston and friend Jack went on an canoe trip down the
Shenandoah river. We were only dumped in the river by two of the two
rapids we encountered. More on that below.
This is written primarily as a personal reflection to my cousin
about us both winding up with tons of family “stuff”.
Secondarily it is intended for a family newsletter. Tertiarily,
for my sons to document snippets of family history, and lastly
(quarternarily ?) it is written as an “open letter”.
I’ve got some extreme social distancing going on this weekend. It
requires gear. Might involve a mountain or two. Loaded up the
pack and put it on. Feels good! There may be rain, but
