Wednesday, June 20, 2018

On a Spectrum: Verbal Skills

There are verbal people and nonverbal people. Verbal people like to tell stories and talk about everything. Nonverbal people want to sit around and do nothing or run around doing everything. Most people fall on a spectrum from verbal to nonverbal with some at the height of verbal acuity and some literally nonverbal. I do not count deaf people as nonverbal as their language is deep and expressive. It is more a matter of personality that one is inclined more or less towards verbal acumen and communication. Genetics and environment play a major role. The only role most likely.

 With genetics determining the internal possibilities and the environment determining the external possibilities. As they mix throughout life one develops into a being capable of affecting others and directing one's own life as a director directs although limited by predetermined genetic boundaries. Fortunately, as one gains more resources one can also start directing their environment.

Back to the matter at hand. Those that are higher on the verbal scale help to reinforce that personality trait in the population by encouraging other communicators with attention, validation or another engagement type. Verbal acuity has been selected for in humans, and most likely with other species because it can greatly increase survivability. Lessons about how to live in the world can be passed onto the next generation early enough to give them a leg up on their peers.

If storytelling has been used as a tool for survival for thousands of years, then it will definitely be rewarded in society, at least at some level. Even dictators have to tell those around them a story about how to live.

In less violent societies storytellers use art to express their life plans. Their guide to happiness or success or whatever it is. We are wired to tell everyone what we know about the world and some are better than others. Many types of intelligences have to come together to be considered truly wise and the verbal skill is one that makes it easier to get noticed and understood. With the right words, others will follow, obey or understand.


Sunday, June 17, 2018

Book Review: The Ten Pillars of Wealth by Alex Becker


I decided to steal this book off of my brother's nightstand because I was drawn to the idea of getting into the mind of the wealthy. I have only recently developed a desire to make money as my own boss. I started a video and photography business about a year and a half ago with my brother and after I got my first check from independent work I become excited about the prospect of making money for myself instead of for a faceless corporate boss. I still work for a corporation now but after reading this book my mind has been set a quiver with ideas about how to become my own boss.

I enjoyed the conversational and unique voice that Alex Becker delivers. While at times it came across as egotistical, overconfident, pretentious or otherwise off-putting, Alex somehow brings you back through his honesty, humor and blunt explanations. He makes no bones about what this book is about or who it is for. He is not interested in winning a popularity contest or to hold your hand into the world of the megawealthy. This book is for those that want to know like the 1% of the 1% of people in the world that have made money through hard work, intelligence, perseverance, and ambition.

 While my goal is not to be megawealthy this book has helped me to think about how money and wealth are created in entirely new ways. To look at the economic landscape as a fertile playground where I do not have to choose between only one or two ways to make a living. I have been inspired to take the business I started with my brother to new levels through better sales and marketing strategies, to look at my finances more seriously in regards to investing and retirement, to look at avenues where I can make money that I previously did not know existed and to really think about what my goals are as an adult. How much money do I want to make and in what amount of time? How can I leverage my time and knowledge to better suit myself and serve others needs?

This book was easy to read and I think I only found one grammar error the entire time, which is pretty impressive. The pillars that Alex describes are straightforward and practical and the real-world examples are instructively giving the reader a sense of urgency and compelling action. By the end of the book, I find myself wanting to go over it again just to make sure that I really reinforce the lessons and mindset that will compel myself to pursue financial independence and success. I recommend this book to anyone that wants an insight into the elite world of the super wealthy but more practically to anyone that wants to know about what is outside the 9-5 "traffic fighting" world so many despise.

Buy it using my affiliate link and start changing your mindset today!

Friday, June 15, 2018

The Best Explanation of Compatibilism is by Sean Carroll

I think that Sean Carroll has the best explanation of the difference between talking about the deterministic world of physics and the practical world of conversations about free will. Essentially, there are different levels in explaining the phenomenon and they are compatible as long as they are the best ways to communicate and understand the world.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK2PviGQiHk&t=649s 

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Exercise Diary

As of 7/17/17
Average per week totals: (Rounded down)
300 Crunches
120 Push-ups
40 Pull-ups
30 Kettle Bell Curls
30 Kettle Bell Over Head Curls (Triceps)
30 Kettle Bell Squat to Over Head Lift
30 Kettle Bell Row Movement (Shoulders)
Other activities:
Punching Bag
Slack Line
Hiking
Walking
Jogging
Bicycling
Weight this morning: 142

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

My Favorite E3 2018 Trailers

Here are my favorite E3 2018 trailers in order of "most likely will play" to "definitely will play".

Halo Infinite

343 Industries 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmdb-KmlzD8

Rage 2

Bethesda

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9fWKslhPvQ

Cyberpunk 2077

CD Projekt Red

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X2kIfS6fb8

Ghost of Tsushima

Sucker Punch


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfTOmVE4QFM

Dying Light 2

Techland

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98oJYDRblLI

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

From Software

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGPknmiLxGo

The Last of Us II

Naughty Dog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btmN-bWwv0A&t=23s

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Basic Computing Information

For about a year and a half, I have been working for a large retail corporation in their tech department. For the first 6 months, I worked with someone that knew a lot about computers and he helped me learn a lot but other than his informal training I have learned on my own. Here are a few things I have learned and these are just my opinions so don't get mad if you try something and your computer gets fucked up.

1. Startup Applications:
     a. On Windows 10 you can hold CTL ALT and DELETE, then go to task manager, then to details at the bottom, then to the startup tab and disable any applications you know don't need to start on bootup. Programs like MS One Drive, or Dropbox, or trial versions of programs might be on your computer and running on startup, taking up processor power and RAM space. Don't disable programs you don't recognize or find out what it does before disabling it. Having fewer programs start when you turn the computer on will make the bootup faster and save processing power for the programs you do want to run.
     b. Some applications, such as Skype, virus protection programs, and plug-ins might start automatically but may not be on the list described above. You should be able to go into these applications directly and look for settings related to startup options.

2. Viruses:
     a. Get a paid virus protection or at least use Windows Defender. Don't use a free one from the internet because they tend to pester you to upgrade and run too many popups. Also, don't download those driver helper programs. They waste space, tend to run on their own and too often. You don't need to update your drivers all the time.

3. Passwords:
     a. Know your passwords! Write them down or use a spreadsheet and keep them up to date. If your feeling trustworthy download a plug-in called Last Pass for chrome and it will remember all your passwords and automatically plug them into most sites. Be Aware! This program is not perfect and you are still responsible for maintaining your own passwords! Also, Remember the answers to security questions. Make them memorable!

4. CCleaner and Malwarebytes are Free! (Know your passwords before running CCleaner!)
     a. Malwarebytes is awesome and easy to use. If you can't figure it out don't worry about it.
     b. CCleaner deletes old temp and cached files as well as deleting outdated registry files. These all take up space and can slow down processes. These files often contain "remembered" information such as passwords, form data, or history. For example, you may need to re-log into websites that are normally automatically logged into.

5. Back up your shit!
     a. Computers and hard drives can fail and you can lose all your data so make sure to back up your data. If you use an online service like Carbonite or Dropbox make sure you know the terms of use and your account information. Otherwise, you can buy an external HDD or Hard Drive Device. The cost per gigabyte is very reasonable. For around $60 you can buy a 1 Terabyte HDD and put a ton of data on it. Just plug it in and copy files from your computer over and you'll have a backup just in case something happens to your computer.

My Minimum Requirements for basic use:

- Intel 7th i3 Processor or better (i5 or i7 or i9) (8th gen is newest)
- 8  Gigs of RAM (memory) or more.
- 256 of SSD (Solid State Drive) or 1 TB (Terabyte) or more internal storage.

FYI when buying a Windows 10 machine:
Windows 10 updates a lot. Check your settings to minimize annoyance by setting "active hours".

What about Chromebooks you ask?
These are great for a particular purpose. They are good for going online, utilizing Google's online applications and probably a few things I don't know about. They do not have WINDOWS 10 as an operating system. They have a small amount of internal storage capacity. Google expects you to utilize online storage options. For streaming and using Google applications such as Google Docs, Sheets, Photos and Drive this is a great platform.



Friday, June 1, 2018