fun
were stumped on how to explain the complexity of DNA until Crick saw the double-helix solution in a dream. He called the process the "Royal road to the subconcsious". 
Gee!!!
I'm glad I figured out how to read your blog. It's worth the extra steps.
I would definitely Love! that Tolkien link! I've been fascinated with him for years, not because of the stories he wrote though. He's the only writer I know of that successfully created a full language for his characters. The term is philology (not philosophy, not the 'l'). Study of language.
I agree with you about this being a difficult winter. I feel it too, and am almost immobilized already. Yuck! I'm dug in already and starting to hibernate ... at a computer screen! much of the time.
I liked your examples of the creative process, but I disagree that it was because these persons (or any) "allow their minds to wander." That's not integral really, although it is helpful.
You can let your mind wander all you want, but if you are not aware you won't recognize what's in front of you. Awareness, and then acceptance of possibilities versus probabilities. Too many people miss the small things right in front of them on a daily basis, and that's not just applying it to the creative process. It's to life itself. They prejudge and block things that could make them happier, or healthier, or whatever it is they want.
I read once that the more intelligent one is, the more important it is that the games be more simple. Churchill playing with toy soldiers, etc. I perceive it as "allow the mind to do its stuff and stay out of the way."
Which brings me to the PC thing. I'm dependent on it. I can't speak and dictate anything, so there's no flow there. But with my fingers on a keyboard I can generally keep up with a conversation (especially when I cheat and use my shortcut keys).
And I write, a lot really. I'm on a break (almost over) right now. But I tend to structure everything in my subconscious, then conscious, then let the thoughts flow to my fingers and try to keep everything else out of the way (like my brain, you know).
I perceive my PC as a tool (I just upgraded in June and I'm still configuring, so I'm at a disadvantage right now. Hey! I thought these things came with tech support!)
I do all my configs myself ... I am able to do so ... but don't like to. That part detracts from my creative process. At the same time, I want and need to know where every single file is and reference I've ever looked at or seen, and the only way to do that is to take care of my own machine.
I love the Internet! It is a much better alternative to what I did in my younger years, which was sit for hours in libraries and old bookstores, chasing down references, writing letters and notes and waiting for responses. I no longer need a dictionary, set of encyclopedias, or a dozen (or more) quick reference books. I no longer kill trees (try not to) with stacks and stacks of paper, where I can't find what I'm looking for when I want it anyway.
I used to keep in touch with friends by snail mail, but I can keep up faster online. True, its as much (if not more) work to stay "in the moment" and that detracts when you are writing things that aren't focused on the moment, but at the same time it makes it possible to choose to be isolated or not.
I think people use the computers as a toy still, only to entertain. Yet my PC is my telephone, my filing system, and even my brain as I need it to remind me of things that I used to keep in what's called a "brain book" (something used to remember things when there is a brain injury that causes loss of short term memory or concentration).
So I think there can't be a blanket statement that the PC is a dreamkiller, and I beg to differ as to whether or not you can even as the question:
"Give me one example of a major breakthrough or discovery in the last twenty years which resulted from a PC reliant person having a dream-epiphany."
Computers haven't been used long enough in the general population for an accurate evaluation. At the same time, I remember before Windows, and this comment is Not! an opening for debate about Microsoft or Bill Gates, but the fact that PCs are now common educational, household and work tools, including the fact that Bill Gates opened the door to that, is amazing and meets you "epiphany" criteria ... IMHO.
When I bury myself in research, I don't even have to think about physical or practical matters anymore. If I need to eat or sleep or "ahem" I only lose moments, not hours, and ultimately I hope I can finish in a shorter period of time projects that would have lacked substance, or clarity, or even would not have gotten done without this tool.
I have revelations and insights constantly. But, at the same time, I'm looking for them, trying to be constantly aware of the possibilities and opportunities available. And those things I can't get to now, today, hopefully I can utilize what someone else was able to do when I return to it tomorrow.
Just my babble. IMHO
aeschylus
I'm glad I figured out how to read your blog. It's worth the extra steps.
I would definitely Love! that Tolkien link! I've been fascinated with him for years, not because of the stories he wrote though. He's the only writer I know of that successfully created a full language for his characters. The term is philology (not philosophy, not the 'l'). Study of language.
I agree with you about this being a difficult winter. I feel it too, and am almost immobilized already. Yuck! I'm dug in already and starting to hibernate ... at a computer screen! much of the time.
I liked your examples of the creative process, but I disagree that it was because these persons (or any) "allow their minds to wander." That's not integral really, although it is helpful.
You can let your mind wander all you want, but if you are not aware you won't recognize what's in front of you. Awareness, and then acceptance of possibilities versus probabilities. Too many people miss the small things right in front of them on a daily basis, and that's not just applying it to the creative process. It's to life itself. They prejudge and block things that could make them happier, or healthier, or whatever it is they want.
I read once that the more intelligent one is, the more important it is that the games be more simple. Churchill playing with toy soldiers, etc. I perceive it as "allow the mind to do its stuff and stay out of the way."
Which brings me to the PC thing. I'm dependent on it. I can't speak and dictate anything, so there's no flow there. But with my fingers on a keyboard I can generally keep up with a conversation (especially when I cheat and use my shortcut keys).
And I write, a lot really. I'm on a break (almost over) right now. But I tend to structure everything in my subconscious, then conscious, then let the thoughts flow to my fingers and try to keep everything else out of the way (like my brain, you know).
I perceive my PC as a tool (I just upgraded in June and I'm still configuring, so I'm at a disadvantage right now. Hey! I thought these things came with tech support!)
I do all my configs myself ... I am able to do so ... but don't like to. That part detracts from my creative process. At the same time, I want and need to know where every single file is and reference I've ever looked at or seen, and the only way to do that is to take care of my own machine.
I love the Internet! It is a much better alternative to what I did in my younger years, which was sit for hours in libraries and old bookstores, chasing down references, writing letters and notes and waiting for responses. I no longer need a dictionary, set of encyclopedias, or a dozen (or more) quick reference books. I no longer kill trees (try not to) with stacks and stacks of paper, where I can't find what I'm looking for when I want it anyway.
I used to keep in touch with friends by snail mail, but I can keep up faster online. True, its as much (if not more) work to stay "in the moment" and that detracts when you are writing things that aren't focused on the moment, but at the same time it makes it possible to choose to be isolated or not.
I think people use the computers as a toy still, only to entertain. Yet my PC is my telephone, my filing system, and even my brain as I need it to remind me of things that I used to keep in what's called a "brain book" (something used to remember things when there is a brain injury that causes loss of short term memory or concentration).
So I think there can't be a blanket statement that the PC is a dreamkiller, and I beg to differ as to whether or not you can even as the question:
"Give me one example of a major breakthrough or discovery in the last twenty years which resulted from a PC reliant person having a dream-epiphany."
Computers haven't been used long enough in the general population for an accurate evaluation. At the same time, I remember before Windows, and this comment is Not! an opening for debate about Microsoft or Bill Gates, but the fact that PCs are now common educational, household and work tools, including the fact that Bill Gates opened the door to that, is amazing and meets you "epiphany" criteria ... IMHO.
When I bury myself in research, I don't even have to think about physical or practical matters anymore. If I need to eat or sleep or "ahem" I only lose moments, not hours, and ultimately I hope I can finish in a shorter period of time projects that would have lacked substance, or clarity, or even would not have gotten done without this tool.
I have revelations and insights constantly. But, at the same time, I'm looking for them, trying to be constantly aware of the possibilities and opportunities available. And those things I can't get to now, today, hopefully I can utilize what someone else was able to do when I return to it tomorrow.
Just my babble. IMHO
aeschylus
Here is the Tolkien download link. The files are around 25 Mb each and it's probably a good idea to get them right away.
Pablo
http://recordbrother.typepad.com/imagesilike/2005/05/what_you_been_t.html
Thanks. I got them.
Will give me something interesting to listen to while I try to reconfig all this computer. I dumped Norton finally ! even though I still have six months on the current. But I had installed IE7 and it seemed all my software went whacko!. Seemed the core problem was Norton, so now I'm trying to balance all of it out again.
I will comment on your interest in the speech/audio stuff, and your use of Dragon. I have friends who use Dragon (cause they have to). I use NextUp Talker myself, although even that's limited for some things.
One thing that happens when you talk to a computer like you are using to put typed words on a page is the interface gets really interesting. I don't see it as too much more complex than when the OCRs came out. I recall the first ones were really buggy. Personally I still don't like them, although I know Project Gutenberg uses them a lot.
It's even more interesting though, when you try to reverse the process. I pay $20 per voice for my speech, and each voice is over a gig of memory. It increases the processor demand, which doesn't seem that bad under XP, but you better make sure you have enough base memory on the computer to run the stuff. I realize they are trying to improve the voices and such, but I almost prefer the 'tinny' voice that comes with MS than even the stupid AT&T speech ones that claim they are more natural. It's just not the same.
I started looking at the bots because if they can standardize the text structure a bit more, maybe the voices on demand (like when I type, the voice speaks) will sound more natural. Bots have different syntax and structure than the language itself (that's because they are still trying to fine tune it). Whenever you interface with a computer that is talking back to you in response to your statements or questions, you can be sure there is a massive database behind it. They don't trim the code at all.
I was imagining you standing there dictating your posts ... hehehe ... as a bot with a database behind you.
Sigh. Sorry to babble. Thanks again for the Tolkien files.
aeschylus
Will give me something interesting to listen to while I try to reconfig all this computer. I dumped Norton finally ! even though I still have six months on the current. But I had installed IE7 and it seemed all my software went whacko!. Seemed the core problem was Norton, so now I'm trying to balance all of it out again.
I will comment on your interest in the speech/audio stuff, and your use of Dragon. I have friends who use Dragon (cause they have to). I use NextUp Talker myself, although even that's limited for some things.
One thing that happens when you talk to a computer like you are using to put typed words on a page is the interface gets really interesting. I don't see it as too much more complex than when the OCRs came out. I recall the first ones were really buggy. Personally I still don't like them, although I know Project Gutenberg uses them a lot.
It's even more interesting though, when you try to reverse the process. I pay $20 per voice for my speech, and each voice is over a gig of memory. It increases the processor demand, which doesn't seem that bad under XP, but you better make sure you have enough base memory on the computer to run the stuff. I realize they are trying to improve the voices and such, but I almost prefer the 'tinny' voice that comes with MS than even the stupid AT&T speech ones that claim they are more natural. It's just not the same.
I started looking at the bots because if they can standardize the text structure a bit more, maybe the voices on demand (like when I type, the voice speaks) will sound more natural. Bots have different syntax and structure than the language itself (that's because they are still trying to fine tune it). Whenever you interface with a computer that is talking back to you in response to your statements or questions, you can be sure there is a massive database behind it. They don't trim the code at all.
I was imagining you standing there dictating your posts ... hehehe ... as a bot with a database behind you.
Sigh. Sorry to babble. Thanks again for the Tolkien files.
aeschylus
Norton: Make sure you use the Norton Uninstaller Tool to eliminate all of it. The straight uninstall does not get rid of everything.
Voice Recognition: I am ashamed that I have lost a lot of my polished enunciation from my old theater days, which hardens the task of Dragon.
Tolkien away!
Pablo
Ohhhh Yes! That damn! Norton ...
I used the uninstall from the site, and my suspicions were correct; it doesn't remove everything! but enough that the search afterwards wasn't too painful. I still have a couple of things that are showing in menus, but they aren't connected to anything so should be harmless for now. Next time I backup the registry for an edit it's on my ToDo list to clean it up. I try to not do that too often.
I'm switching to AVG (paid version). But I guess the Norton isn't a complete waste as I will probably play a bit with my old laptop this winter, if I get the other stuff done (or get bored). First I have to stabilize this machine, but progress is good.
Hey! You did theater?! Fantastic. I did public speaking and such (not acting though). But I always wanted to write a play (or plays). To me, the ultimate "control" is to be the playwright, not the actor on the stage. I don't think I would want to direct though.
Hehehe ... my one "acting" job was after a two hour interview. (And they did classify it as an acting job! ... unemployment, the guvment, etc.) Dial-1-800-SexyLady. The pay was good, but burnout is fast!
aeschylus
I used the uninstall from the site, and my suspicions were correct; it doesn't remove everything! but enough that the search afterwards wasn't too painful. I still have a couple of things that are showing in menus, but they aren't connected to anything so should be harmless for now. Next time I backup the registry for an edit it's on my ToDo list to clean it up. I try to not do that too often.
I'm switching to AVG (paid version). But I guess the Norton isn't a complete waste as I will probably play a bit with my old laptop this winter, if I get the other stuff done (or get bored). First I have to stabilize this machine, but progress is good.
Hey! You did theater?! Fantastic. I did public speaking and such (not acting though). But I always wanted to write a play (or plays). To me, the ultimate "control" is to be the playwright, not the actor on the stage. I don't think I would want to direct though.
Hehehe ... my one "acting" job was after a two hour interview. (And they did classify it as an acting job! ... unemployment, the guvment, etc.) Dial-1-800-SexyLady. The pay was good, but burnout is fast!
aeschylus
Thank you for commenting at length. I enjoy corresponding with you.
I will continue to stand by my assertion or "the machine" as death knell to epiphany. You cite examples of education and productivity, neither of which factor into the intangible and immeasurable fabric of imagination. What I am addressing is the complete release of the conscious mind as therein lies real mechanics of creativity and afflatus.
Misconception? If you adhere to the strictest meanings of conscious and subconscious minds, your statement, "...I tend to structure everything in my subconscious, then conscious" is proven invalid. Moreover, my approach to this subject does not refer to everyday tasks of organization and/or getting things done.
I am, and always always have been, a believer and worshipper of minutia. Your mention of "Too many people miss the small things right in front of them" speaks more of mental myopia than anything. I know personally that it is the things which people choose (consciously or subconsciously) to not see which delivers them unto frustration. It is in the seemingly disparate nothings mostly ignored that the web of understanding and indeed genius lie.
Finally, addressing the the appropriateness of my question "Give me one example of a major breakthrough or discovery in the last twenty years which resulted from a PC reliant person having a dream-epiphany", I will rephrase it for you.
Give me one example of any machine or technology throughout history which in and of itself has been the source of inspiration and discovery.
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Re: things you should never say/ask me - Thank you tons for posting this lol... People ask ignorant questions...
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