Monthly Archives: August 2011

Youtube: OODA loops

Posted on August 31, 2011 by dwighttowers

First read about ooda loops in Hugh Laurie’s thriller “The Gun Seller.”  It’s a rich concept, IMHO.  Hope this video helps?! Here’s the hyperlink, in case the embedding is on the fritz…

Posted in activism, bureaucracy, competence | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Only two kinds of medical reporting: “New Hope and No Hope”

Posted on August 30, 2011 by dwighttowers

The focus on drama, aberration, and controversy in much of the reporting about science and technology reflects the quest of journalists to make their articles more entertaining. Medical stories, for example, are guided by what is popularly known in the … Continue reading →

Posted in science, technoscience | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Analogies of vulnerability

Posted on August 29, 2011 by dwighttowers

It is so hard to convey to people the risks we face. I don’t think human nature is much cop at admitting these sorts of vulnerabilities. Without getting all evolutionary psychology on your ass, I don’t think it’s something that … Continue reading →

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Scientist discovers new element – Administratium

Posted on August 28, 2011 by dwighttowers

from here. The heaviest element known to science was recently discovered by  University physicists. The element, tentatively named Administratium  (AD), has no protons or electrons, which means that its atomic number  is 0. However, it does have 1 neutron, 125 … Continue reading →

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Reflexive, schmeflexive

Posted on August 28, 2011 by dwighttowers

OK, here’s two youtubes that I’ve just put together. Comments very welcome!! and

Posted in a little self-knowledge, activism, fear | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Journalists as establishment stooges

Posted on August 27, 2011 by dwighttowers

from Selling Science: How the Press Covers Science and TechnologyDorothy Nelkin 1987 When journalists do cover occupational health issues they go to official sources rather than to workers. In 1976 a dramatic incident took place at the electric boat shipyard … Continue reading →

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Sects and Violence

Posted on August 27, 2011 by dwighttowers

Not physical violence, you understand, but emotional.  I don’t know how these sects form; either around someone who needs obedience and affirmation and attracts those who want to give it in exchange for certainty and simplicity, or around an individual … Continue reading →

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How many managers does it take to change a light bulb?

Posted on August 26, 2011 by dwighttowers

‘Going forward, we’ve formed a task force to study the problem of why light bulbs burn out, and produce a cutting edge plan laying out what, exactly, we as supervisors can do to make the bulbs work smarter, not harder.”

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Losing a subscriber, liking myself and “sociopatholigarcy”

Posted on August 25, 2011 by dwighttowers

Hmm, I have gone from 10 to 9 subscribers. Was it something I wrote? Or the amount I post? And I accidentally “liked” one of my own posts – bad form, faux pas etc. Anyone know how to de/unlike? On … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The High Commissioner

Posted on August 25, 2011 by dwighttowers

Jon Creasy 1966 223 pages Jon Creasy was a prolific Australian writer. Among his many books was a series about a Sydney police detective, Scobie Malone. The first book in the series, the High Commissioner, opens famously – “We want … Continue reading →

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