22 hours ago: The purpose of the quotation mark on the word "successful" is exactly meant as a sarcastic modifier for the kind of redistribution of wealth in these countries. Of course everybody should know that the "commissars" in these countries could be as rich or even richer than the capitalists in other countries, but I thought everyone usually knows it.
I do have a statistical argument (I am a professional statistician); the standard deviation of the wealth distribution in these countries are far smaller than the other groups of countries I listed because there are far too many dirt poor people, say in N. Korea, even with very few of the "leaders" to increase the variation, but not enough to be comparable with the rich countries.in which there so may "variations" in all kinds of people with varied personal wealth.
22 hours ago: I would gladly answer your question, but please be reminded that this is not a legal advice of any kind. I am not a lawyer by profession or academic training. I also don't intend to give you any advice even as a layman. But I have also no intention of criticizing your idea or conduct. This is just my observation on you legal position in this dispute.
I have known 2 recent events that seem to have some bearing on your situation. First is the news that the BSA does make decisions of hiring/accepting membership of gay people. One of the voting just happened yesterday. The other event is that some decision was made that a CEO or other responsible officer of a company could post the policy or some financial information of a public company on the internet with his own name and title, which is legally allowed but also is legally responsible for its truth. So, in my interpretation, it is probably permissible for you to join a protest, waving a placard or a banner indicating what you are protesting for. (usually you won't be identified, especially connecting with your company affiliation). But you are a little out of line when you chat on the net with your name and company identity flashed on the screen because of the second recent news I cited above. Of course you likely are not the CEO of your company, but that is not really materially relevant.
1 day ago: I agree with your comment on the education approach in teaching and learning. I have put up many comments in TED concerning many aspects of education. I currently live in the U. S. A., but my primary education was in Shanghai, China many years ago. In my early education, I took 3 semesters of courses in English before 6th grade, while there wouldn't be any foreign language courses here in the U. S. before 11th grade except for Latin American students, maybe. Same thing happened in math. I had algebra in my 6th grade, while my daughter were still being drilled with 10 repetitions in multiplying pairs of 4 digit number by another 4 digit number. So just like what Rose was saying, the same "grade" in performance from the same level "math courses" could be vastly different. Of course, even in current years, I imaging that a student from Shanghai would still out-perform the student from the U. S. Particularly because the K-12 education is gradually TAKEN OVER BY THE GOVERNMENTS HERE. The governments not only edit every textbook, and inserted in some of their views, and then mandated it as the only textbook the school have to adopt in their teaching materials. Now they are making it worse that they made up all the content of textbooks called the "Common Core" textbooks. It has not been mandatory yet, but the schools will lose some funding if they want to be left alone with their old texts. Anyway, the governments always tried to make the students to be on the same "level of learning" in such program as "No Child Left Behind".
In conclusion, if you are looking for freedom of learning or individual development, the system here would be the very last place to look into. Our educational policy is going backward, rather than forward. This has already showed up in the international PISA competition scores. It might be helpful if you look into many comments about education in recent TED talks or Discussions where many real teachers offered their ideas.
1 day ago: Let me present some historical data on the wealth equalization system. We can list them by the degrees of success in the social policies:
1.The most "successful" equalization in:
Cuba, Bulgaria, N Korea etc. by means of government compulsory redistribution. There are no private big businesses or industries-made rich capitalists. Argentina, by high inflation. And Greece, by debt crisis and fled .capitalists. Somalia, because of no strong government. All the nations, unfortunately, now have high unemployment, thus low GDP, almost all poor.
2. The moderately "successful" equalization in well-run welfare systems in:
Northern European countries with relatively strong industrial bases. There, the welfare systems are well run and yet there are a few capitalists who contributed part of their wealth by taxes. Then there are Australia and New Zealand where the governments purposely de-emphasize industrialization, thus the wealth gap are probably less.
3. The most industrialized, but having the largest wealth inequality in:
The U. S. of America, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, China and India. We have the highest concentration of super-rich capitalists, but have less of welfare programs. However, the average GDPs are, in general, still higher than the other countries in the world.
So, we have a dilemma here. If we want equalization of wealth, it may actually reduce the total wealth of the country. For instance, An average citizen in N. Korea, say, is probably much worse off than his neighbors in Japan or China.
I don't have any magic formula to be presented here, only try to show the factual data with my analysis.
Wish you good luck, Laree.
1 day ago: Even during the WWII time a full scale war realistically can't avoid civilian casualties. So we should be careful about robots engaged in battles in domestic fighting and/or law enforcement activities. But to use robots in battles in a formal war, I don't see any problem at all. A better arrangement should be to put a battalion of robot soldiers under a human commander who is not on the battle field but with the views of the entire battle field through the eyes of the robot soldiers as well as by other equipments. Thus the commander can directly order the robots to attack or retreat, whichever should be the better strategy anyway. As far as the possible casualty of civilians are concerned, there is simply no way to avoid it completely, except maybe that the robot soldiers be trained to recognize the gesture of surrender which should not be too difficult to program into the "consciousness" in them. As a matter of fact, the robots are relatively safer than a human soldier, to be harmed from any deception by those who surrendered.
2 days ago: I had an opportunity looking into one of the topics in the "Common Core" teaching materials. At least that part is completely unrealistic and not easily comprehensible for the students in that level. So, in addition to watering down the benefit of student learning a standardized set of basic knowledge, it made a "pothole for the teachers to teach the topic by a smooth drive". If the "Common Core" is just for the students to pass the standardized test, I would suggest that the teachers should teach the mandated materials, but improvise with a little of innovative/creative reasoning to accompany the materials in the CC.
2 days ago: Chris, I agree with you. But I also want to respond to RH's argument. First let me say that if the Company dismissed you for any reason because of you participation in protest for some unfairness about some policy or regulations that are completely irrelevant to the Company,s business, then you certainly could sue them for discrimination in employment, because the reason for dismissal was not contained in the employment contract. The definition of misconduct should not include the act of public protest. However, if the protest is for or against, say gay marriage, and if you are hired by the Boy Scout of America, then it does involve the "Company's policy or data information stated in the conduct clause of the contract.
I am all for the freedom in civil rights, and your legal rights to sue against the employer's discrimination for your rights. But you must respect your employer's right if they forewarned about their stated policies of on involvement in public opinion about either positive or negative protest, including internet chat under your own name and you employer,s
3 days ago: Lizanne, No, I have not submitted my idea to anyone, because it came up to me.the very first time. And don't worry about it. I am old enough that any of my ideas would be permitted for anyone to use as they like. I wouldn't even quarrel about the authorship anymore. By the way, I posted some new ideas in a current TED DISCUSSION about "utopia" which might be constituted as novel practical ideas. But again anybody can use it as s/he pleases.
4 days ago: I am an applied mathematician. Let me explain the number 3 somewhat differently from your argument. First of all , the reason that all the "even" numbers are non primes except the 2, of course because all of them are divisible by 2. But how does the word "even" come from? My interpretation is that if you put 2 identical weights on both sides of a balance scale, the "arm" of the scale will be flat over the supporting surface, which we usually called as being "even" with the surface. Now, if we look at the arm of the balance as a straight line, then the the concept of the evenness would be similar to the meaning of "parallel".
Now this could be followed with my extension of your observation. Suppose that we build a "balance" with 3 semi-arms, with 120 degrees apart from each other emitting out from the center support with a needle tip. Then when you put THREE equal weights onto the 3 pans hanging from the 3 arms, then they will also be balanced. They are balanced over a flat surface rather than over a superficial line. What I am saying is that we could have named the group of all numbers which are divisible by 3 as "steven"? (from the words "even steven") numbers as contrasted to the term 'even" for the numbers divisible by 2. But jokes aside, I would call these numbers "treven" (from the term trois or tres for the number 3 in Fr or Sp) If we all accept this new terminology then we would have a group of non-prime "trevens", except the value 3. Similarly, we could call a group on numbers divisible by 5 as "cinevens", etc.
My argument is that the phenomenon of the "even" numbers is not mythical, but rather it was due to the ancient numerologists' not looking beyond the "one-dimensional reasoning".
4 days ago: From reading in many posters here, I realized that many emphasized earth/environment friendly measure or practices. Please excuse my verbosity, let me suggest some approach toward a halfway goal to the utopian concept by improving the earth-friendly practice (termed: "terrami") which are quite practical, because they are already existed or are projected within the near future.
1. "Terrami" housing units
The government or community planning group should organize a contractor to mass-produce a standardized house unit, all with only reasonable sized rooms and with solar panels and electrically wired thru the whole house to save energy use. There also will be water recycling and waste processing equipments attached to the house. The former is capable of treating the waste water and produce potable water and sanitized water for reuse or for gardening irrigation. The food recycle unit accepts the food or other waste and converts them into dried fertilizer to be used for growing plants in the garden or asking the municipal agency to collect them to be used by other citizens.
2. Terrami transportation:
There are only 2 means of transportation by most citizens. The first is the mass transportation. They should be extensively set up so that there wont be long distance travel by the individual riders from their home to the public stations. The more important new improvement is the private transportation tools. It's already in rapid development that a vehicle can travel all (driverless) by itself from a designated spot A to spot B. So for a commuter for working or shopping. the "car" can be used to send the day worker in the morning to the ride on mass transit, but immediately returns to his home after he left by the train. Furthermore, this personal vehicle can be fueled by all 3 modes; solar, electric and manual peddling, if it is made to be very light weight. Imagine how much energy saving and CO2 reduction be made by such setup.
It can surely be done before 2150.
TEDCred score: +3.40 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.
A reply on Conversation: What are some realistic and creative ways to reduce wealth inequality?
I do have a statistical argument (I am a professional statistician); the standard deviation of the wealth distribution in these countries are far smaller than the other groups of countries I listed because there are far too many dirt poor people, say in N. Korea, even with very few of the "leaders" to increase the variation, but not enough to be comparable with the rich countries.in which there so may "variations" in all kinds of people with varied personal wealth.
A reply on Conversation: Employer's 'Codes of Conduct' are violations of my civil rights
I have known 2 recent events that seem to have some bearing on your situation. First is the news that the BSA does make decisions of hiring/accepting membership of gay people. One of the voting just happened yesterday. The other event is that some decision was made that a CEO or other responsible officer of a company could post the policy or some financial information of a public company on the internet with his own name and title, which is legally allowed but also is legally responsible for its truth. So, in my interpretation, it is probably permissible for you to join a protest, waving a placard or a banner indicating what you are protesting for. (usually you won't be identified, especially connecting with your company affiliation). But you are a little out of line when you chat on the net with your name and company identity flashed on the screen because of the second recent news I cited above. Of course you likely are not the CEO of your company, but that is not really materially relevant.
A comment on Conversation: The ideas put forth in this talk are not just relevant to America, but to several parts of the world, where education has become paralysed.
In conclusion, if you are looking for freedom of learning or individual development, the system here would be the very last place to look into. Our educational policy is going backward, rather than forward. This has already showed up in the international PISA competition scores. It might be helpful if you look into many comments about education in recent TED talks or Discussions where many real teachers offered their ideas.
A comment on Conversation: What are some realistic and creative ways to reduce wealth inequality?
1.The most "successful" equalization in:
Cuba, Bulgaria, N Korea etc. by means of government compulsory redistribution. There are no private big businesses or industries-made rich capitalists. Argentina, by high inflation. And Greece, by debt crisis and fled .capitalists. Somalia, because of no strong government. All the nations, unfortunately, now have high unemployment, thus low GDP, almost all poor.
2. The moderately "successful" equalization in well-run welfare systems in:
Northern European countries with relatively strong industrial bases. There, the welfare systems are well run and yet there are a few capitalists who contributed part of their wealth by taxes. Then there are Australia and New Zealand where the governments purposely de-emphasize industrialization, thus the wealth gap are probably less.
3. The most industrialized, but having the largest wealth inequality in:
The U. S. of America, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, China and India. We have the highest concentration of super-rich capitalists, but have less of welfare programs. However, the average GDPs are, in general, still higher than the other countries in the world.
So, we have a dilemma here. If we want equalization of wealth, it may actually reduce the total wealth of the country. For instance, An average citizen in N. Korea, say, is probably much worse off than his neighbors in Japan or China.
I don't have any magic formula to be presented here, only try to show the factual data with my analysis.
Wish you good luck, Laree.
A comment on Conversation: Developing a humanoid battlefield robot and or/AI that recognizes "innocent civilians" and can differentiate them from enemy targets.
A comment on Conversation: An exchange of ideas and views on the challenges of "Creative Teaching and the Common Core"
A reply on Conversation: Employer's 'Codes of Conduct' are violations of my civil rights
I am all for the freedom in civil rights, and your legal rights to sue against the employer's discrimination for your rights. But you must respect your employer's right if they forewarned about their stated policies of on involvement in public opinion about either positive or negative protest, including internet chat under your own name and you employer,s
A reply on Conversation: What is it about 'three'?
A comment on Conversation: What is it about 'three'?
Now this could be followed with my extension of your observation. Suppose that we build a "balance" with 3 semi-arms, with 120 degrees apart from each other emitting out from the center support with a needle tip. Then when you put THREE equal weights onto the 3 pans hanging from the 3 arms, then they will also be balanced. They are balanced over a flat surface rather than over a superficial line. What I am saying is that we could have named the group of all numbers which are divisible by 3 as "steven"? (from the words "even steven") numbers as contrasted to the term 'even" for the numbers divisible by 2. But jokes aside, I would call these numbers "treven" (from the term trois or tres for the number 3 in Fr or Sp) If we all accept this new terminology then we would have a group of non-prime "trevens", except the value 3. Similarly, we could call a group on numbers divisible by 5 as "cinevens", etc.
My argument is that the phenomenon of the "even" numbers is not mythical, but rather it was due to the ancient numerologists' not looking beyond the "one-dimensional reasoning".
A comment on Conversation: What does your utopian future look like?
1. "Terrami" housing units
The government or community planning group should organize a contractor to mass-produce a standardized house unit, all with only reasonable sized rooms and with solar panels and electrically wired thru the whole house to save energy use. There also will be water recycling and waste processing equipments attached to the house. The former is capable of treating the waste water and produce potable water and sanitized water for reuse or for gardening irrigation. The food recycle unit accepts the food or other waste and converts them into dried fertilizer to be used for growing plants in the garden or asking the municipal agency to collect them to be used by other citizens.
2. Terrami transportation:
There are only 2 means of transportation by most citizens. The first is the mass transportation. They should be extensively set up so that there wont be long distance travel by the individual riders from their home to the public stations. The more important new improvement is the private transportation tools. It's already in rapid development that a vehicle can travel all (driverless) by itself from a designated spot A to spot B. So for a commuter for working or shopping. the "car" can be used to send the day worker in the morning to the ride on mass transit, but immediately returns to his home after he left by the train. Furthermore, this personal vehicle can be fueled by all 3 modes; solar, electric and manual peddling, if it is made to be very light weight. Imagine how much energy saving and CO2 reduction be made by such setup.
It can surely be done before 2150.