Commissioning 2009

I am sitting here trying to figure out how to express my feelings after witnessing my 2nd oldest son's graduation and commissioning this past weekend. I still remember him as a beautiful baby the moment I first laid my eyes on him. Other than his hair darkening, he hasn't changed a bit; he's still as beautiful. More than being a proud father, I am a father that is even happier for his son. He has survived the crucible for four years and is moving on to his aviation career. Two children graduated, two more to go. I will do everything in my power to see them all become successful. I have discovered the secret of happiness, the attainment of the level of selfactualization: my love for my children and involvement in their lives.

Methode Naturelle

After discovering Evolutionary Psychology (EP) in 1998, it was a natural progression to Evolutionary Fitness. This was not a term original to me, but a term nonetheless that I deduced from EP's concept of the mismatch between modern and ancestral environments and the resulting implications. What psychological implications this mismatch has also holds true physically. I began researching how to bridge the gap between modern and ancestral movement patterns. The latest discovery to grab my attention is the work done by Georges Hebert. A French Naval officer that developed an approach to physical fitness that he called Methode Naturelle, or natural movement. Currently, Erwan Le Corre continues Hebert's philosophy in his MovNat or Movement Naturelle: "Be strong to be useful" -- by focusing on 10 essential skills: walking, running, jumping, walking on all fours, climbing, balancing, throwing, lifting, defending, and swimming. More on this to come.

Relationships

I've learned a lot about relationships in the last few years since being divorced. It amazes me that you can never possess enough information to help you make rational and optimal decisions. At 52, I naively thought that most at or near my age would have a clear self-image, or just the "self" to be parsimonious. We should be master's of our emotions and experts in our desires, especially before trying to enter into some relationship, whether it be casual or of a more serious intent. Here' s my model: presenting the self as single, available, and interested in a relationship, two individuals become attracted to each other by physical or media contact. It's really a tacit contract, you are saying that I am interested in you and you me. I am also open to a relationship should one develop. In other words, my heart and emotions are not suppressed for fear of failure, heartbreak, or past hurts. If both parties agree to this, then the relationship is free to develop; free to flow to whatever point possible. But if one or both parties are not fully open to this "degree of freedom" then the relationship is constrained artificially. There is a famous saying by Dr. Robert Anthony: "the one that loves the least controls the relationship." Therefore, if one party immediately announces that they are not interested in a serious relationship, or that they want to be friends first, or they are emotionally "broke," they immediately have taken control of the relationship. The other person is now at their whims and mercy. The one that cares the most is now an option. Doesn't sound really appealing when it's put like that is it? Ideally, one should have the courage to be afraid and to act anyway. Both parties should put their hearts on the line and understand that all things considered, that even if all the ingredients are there, love can still fail to develop in one or both partners. But, both can say that they are satisfied that they give the relationship it's all and that failure lies not with a lack of effort, but rather the elusiveness of true love.

"Adult" Aging & Development

This semester, I am teaching adult aging and development as well as general psychology. I am in Heaven. I love to teach. Until this semester I had only taught night classes usually with an older and wiser population who want to go back to school and learn and not just get a degree. I had considered teaching high school or junior high, but found the college classroom much more challenging and rewarding. This semester has been interesting to say the least. The students are mostly right out of high school and given the new found freedom would rather take a lackadaisical attitude and skip class, turn in homework assignments late or not at all, and miss tests and ask for leniency. What is the cause for this? Well, it's multifaceted and the best place to start is the research on the teenage brain. This information can be found on the Allstate Foundation website on teenage brain research.


JAY GIEDD, M.D.
Chief, Brain Imaging
Child Psychiatry Branch
National Institute of Mental Health
FEW WOULD BE SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT THE BRAINS OF CHILDREN, TEENS, AND ADULTS ARE different, but actually pinpointing these differences in a scientific way has been elusive. The brain is wrapped in a tough leathery membrane, surrounded by a protective moat of fluid, and completely encased in bone. Designed to shield the brain from falls or predators’ attacks, this armor has also shielded it from scientific study. Throughout most of the history of neuroscience, information about the brain was gained chiefly from trauma injuries resulting from accidents or war. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. Advances in imaging technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), now enable researchers to safely observe the structure and function of the living, growing brain. Analyzing brain scans from hundreds of boys and girls as they grow from childhood through adolescence into adulthood has revealed three main findings.
• The brain is remarkably “plastic,” or changeable, able to modify its structure in response to different environmental challenges. Adolescence is a particularly dynamic time for the brain, creating enormous opportunity for learning, creativity, and energy, but also for trial and error, missteps, and perhaps risky behavior. Understanding the neuroscience of teen brain development may help to guide optimal driving instruction and safety guidelines.
• The process of brain maturation occurs over a longer period of time than previously thought.
Particularly late to mature is an area in the front part of the brain – part of the neural circuitry involved in impulse control, judgment, and decision-making – that continues to develop well into the 20s. This area is also involved in "multi-tasking" or doing more than one thing at a time. Multi-tasking is one of the abilities that continues to improve most throughout the teen years. This is why it is important to limit the number of "other" tasks, such as adjusting the volume on a CD player or talking on a cell phone, that a young driver must attend to.
• Brain development varies greatly from person to person. Some teens are better at inhibiting impulses, have better judgment, and are better drivers than some adults. Therefore, the findings of this research are valid only for comparing averages between groups of teens and groups of adults.
In summary, advances in brain imaging technologies have indicated that there is enormous plasticity and variation in teen brain development and that areas crucial to driving safety – judgment, impulse control, multitasking– are not yet fully developed in many teens. As shown in Dr. Steinberg’s accompanying study, this is complicated by the social contexts affecting teen driving. An important challenge will be to use these technologies to better understand individual teen drivers. The more we can learn about what sort of education and interventions are best suited to each driver, the more effective we can be in decreasing the incidence of vehicle crashes among teenage drivers.

Army-Navy 2007

Army-Navy 2007

I finally made it to "America's Favorite"....the Army-Navy game. It was a cold Baltimore morning, fans crowding into the light rail system very early on, but logistically, it was an easy proposition. We got off the train across the street from M&T Bank stadium, went to our seats and watched the Cadets and Mids marchon.

Then the action began. Flyovers and parachutists....

Finally, the players took the field and Navy took a record 6th win in a row!

Changes

David Bowie had a catchy song called "Changes"....
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-changes Dont want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-changes Just gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can't trace time

Perhaps many people have felt that they have seen more change in their lifetime than any other generation....so it's a very subjective thing. I can remember in the late 60's and early 70's I saw so much change and much of it I did not like. Values, mores, ideals, routines that I had grown up with were being challenged and changed...sometimes for the better....other times just for the sake of change. I don't always deal with change very well. So many things that anchor our lives succumb to the "boiled frog syndrome." As a frog boils in a pot with slowly increasing heat, it never detects the change and too late it's dead.

Now that my life has changed beyond my imagination, I grope for things that bring me comfort, comfort before the pot boiled. I find myself watching reruns of Andy Griffith, the Waltons, Kung Fu, Star Trek and more. A different time and place. All bring back such pleasant memories of a simpler time, and a happier time.

I guess if there is any consolation, I have found at least 2 things, not including my parents or my memory, that still harkens me back to bliss, and is alive and in operation today: the Boy Scouts and the US Naval Academy. Thank God that my 2 oldest sons made Eagle Scout and attended the Naval Academy. If I have done nothing else in life, and no matter the personal failures, I feel that I have contributed to their success and have given them the opportunity to participate in some experience that will equip them for what lies ahead. The values, the leadership training, the experiences of stepping outside of the modern mold. I have my 2 youngest children yet to prepare. I pray that I can see to it that they too have fair winds and following seas. I love you my dear children, always remember that.

Dad

Securities Licensing

I just passed my Series 6 and Series 63 licensing tests!!! I spent many hours studying all of this stuff relating to mutual funds and variable contracts. Reminded me of law school, especially the 63. Convoluted definitions, exemptions, exclusions, etc. and then being able to analyze the answer from the facts given in the question. If I had it to over again, I would have studied the materials for about 3 weeks, then taken the 3 day cram course, then take the test the weekend after the class.

Systemic Problems of the Modern Lifescape

Research into violent offendeers provides more evidence that our modern diet is mismatched for our Paleolithic body and this mismatch also has social implications. Research with British and US offenders suggests nutritional deficiencies may play a key role in aggressive bevavior. I won't go as far as the article to call into question culpability (if anyone is culpable its our food suppliers and governments), but the link between diet and behavior makes it so vitally important to re-educate ourselves concerning our Lifescape as I like to call it. The more closely we can approximate an environment that matches our lagging genetics, the better for all as individuals and society.

Happy Birthday To Me

I entered the new millenium for myself. 51. My sweet daughter decorated my office for me. There is no greater gift than your children. She is all I have besides my parents right now and I am so thankful for her. Jeremy will be in the Mediterranean, Matthew is at Annapolis, and Noah is in Germany. My birthday wish is to have everyone's feet back under my table someday. The talking and laughing and that good ol' family feeling that is so much a part of my life, I miss so much. I think I'll stop here....

Global Obesity

The AP reports that the growing Obesity Pandemic threatens to overwhelm global health systems: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=2391046 I have no solution other than what I am doing for myself, an evolutionary approach to diet and fitness. But I fear it will never happen globally, because there is not enough animal protein to feed the world's population. Had we not incorporated grains into our diet 10,000 years ago, the world's population would not be near what it is, nor would we have the worldwide problems of globalism.

Gone Fishin'

I long for a day when I can walk along a pond with my sons or grandsons (my daughter or granddaughters too) just like the opening sequence of the "Andy Griffith Show." Until then, I'll settle for a fishing trip with a paid guide, a 250 hp outboard, and my youngest son. I wanted to enjoy a last "hoorah" before he left the country to be with his Mom until the end of the year. We had a great time, caught some fish and sunburn, and it allowed him to complete his fishing merit badge. I hope that this is as a favorable memory for him as it was for me. The love of children, a strong emotion indeed....

Reminiscing

I remember as a kid growing up, stopping at roadside parks while traveling with my parents. It was usually hot, and the crickets would be rubbing those violin backlegs making summer music to my ears. We would usually eat a sandwich and some chips and have a "sodawater" as we called them (before everything came to be called Coke). So I bought a BBQ dinner from Boss Hogg's BBQ stand in a small Texas town then stopped at the next picnic area. It was peaceful and nice in the shade. It brought back so many pleasant memories. I hope they never remove these nostalgic icons from our highways.

Long Life, Better Marriages & Emotions

Research has shown that emotions, attitudes, and beliefs such as altruism , and faith , and optimism can increase one's length of life and improve marriages. People who attend religious services weekly live longer. Specifically, the research looked at how many years are added to life expectancy based on:
Regular physical exercise: 3.0-to-5.1 years
Proven therapeutic regimens: 2.1-to-3.7 years
Regular religious attendance: 1.8-to-3.1 years
Optimistists had a 55 percent lower risk of death from all causes and 23 percent lower risk of death from heart failure. Altruistic love was associated with greater happiness in general and especially with more marital happiness.

Cancer Proactivity

A recent article in WebMD states 7 steps to prevent the chances of cancer.
1. Don't smoke. If you smoke now, quit, and don't hesitate to seek help with the effort.
2. Lose extra weight.
3. Get regular physical activity.
4. Eat healthfully.
5. Limit unprotected time in the sun.
6. Follow recommendations for cancer screening.
7. Start as soon as possible.
I agree with these, but I am not worried so much about #5 as I feel the hype about the sun is a bit much. Gradual exposure and burn prevention is a good idea. The sun is the best source of vitamin D.

If one adopts a paleo or evolutionary based diet and exercise program, coupled with a carefully planned environment free from pollutants as much as possible will decrease the probabilities of cancer. I believe optimal gene expression occurs and the presence of phytomchemicals and other antioxidants in the diet prevent rogue cellular activity.

Nanotechnology Eradicates Cancer

On my webpage I talk about Kurzweil's concept of the future called "Singularity." This is a convergence of nanotechnology, genetics, and robotics that will allow for a radical change in our existence in many areas including health. Scientists are getting closer to proving Kurzweil correct and today have announced the use of nanoparticles to eradicate cancer cells in mice. I feel that this is a tremendous step and is a powerful reactive resource. Couple this with a proactive lifestyle that includes proper diet and exercise for optimal gene expression and cancer could become much less prevalent and deadly.

Dangers of being like Monk

I love the show "Monk" and although I love to be clean, I do not have OCD and do not wipe my hands upon contact with someone. The body has a very robust immune system, but like most systems in the body, it must be stressed to perform optimally. Want to live long and prosper? Expose yourself to some dirt. Early exposure to dirt has been shown to increase the life of fruit flies by 30%, whereas latter exposure had no effect or was even detrimental. The Monkish War on Bacteria is wrongheaded. The rising incidence of asthma and allergies in the developed (cleaner) world, doctors say, could be tied to the relatively sterile environments our children live in compared to a generation ago. Children not exposed to harmful bacteria, or conversely, given antibiotics to kill bacteria, do not receive the germ workout required to make antibodies. More specifically, they do not develop T-helper cells, which fight foreign cellular invaders and minimize allergies. This has been called the "Pigpen Effect."

Science and Religion-Still Worlds Apart

I love the dynamic tension between Science and Religion; two different approaches to the explanation of "reality. A recent study still indicates a wide chasm that will probably exist for eternity, especially as long as either know little about each other. For some reason, either approach explains well, both are subject to bias, and neither have to be incompatible. We owe our dichotomy of thought to the Greeks and their analytical worldview. Whereas the Hebrew Oriental mind would have no problem with seeming inconsistencies and allow for opposite realities.

Force Field

4-6-06
The Israeli's have developed a "life imitates science-fiction" defense system known as the Trophy APS or Active Protection System. The system has completed hundreds of live test with the Israel Defense Forces and demonstrated effective neutralization of anti-tank rockets and guided missiles, high safety levels, insignificant residual penetration and minimal collateral damage.

Artificial Sweeteners

4-5-06
I use artificial sweeteners, but only in ice tea. I get my "sweets" from fruit and an occasional bite of someone's dessert (of which my body later tells on me). A recent Italian study found that modest amounts of aspartame caused cancer in rats. Naturally this is of concern to me. A huge federal study in people — not rats — takes the fizz out of arguments that the diet soda sweetener aspartame might raise the risk of cancer.No increased risk was seen even among people who gulped down many artificially sweetened drinks a day, said researchers who studied the diets of more than half a million older Americans. A consumer group praised the study, done by reputable researchers independent of any funding or ties to industry groups. The Center for Science in the Public Interest pointed out some potential problems with the study: the people observed in the new study were only 50 to 69 years old. In contrast, the Italian researchers allowed the rats to die a natural death, equivalent to people living into their 80s, 90s, or older. If aspartame only causes cancer in truly elderly people, the new study wouldn't detect a problem. Also, the new study's means of measuring aspartame consumption -- food-frequency questionnaires -- is imprecise. That approach is not capable of detecting small increases in cancer rates.

Numerology

4-4-06
Numbers line up for once-in-a-century moment. Set your digital clock for 01:02:03 on 04/05/06, early Wednesday morning the time and date will be 01-02-03-04-05-06.
“It just happens to be a chronological oddity,” said Geoff Chester, spokesman for the U.S. Naval Observatory, an official world atomic clock timekeeper. “If you were to use the full year, that would screw things up completely. You do have to bend it a little if you want to make it work. That’s what you call ’Finagle’s Law of Best Fit.’”
Even numerologists, such as Rob Ragozzine, who runs the SimplyNumbers.com web site, dismiss the 1-2-3-4-5-6 moment as merely “a neat coincidence” because of that pesky 2006 thing.
We innately try to see patterns, even when there aren't any. It's how our senses function and they serve us well in most instances. But our senses are also a grand source of error. Phenomena such as this is known as numerology.