I normally don’t write about a gadget per se, but just can’t resist the temptation on this one. It seems that a Japanese company has created a product that allows the user to create his/her own dream! Through a combination of voice recording, music and light stimulations, the user is ‘persuaded’ to dream along certain lines. This is also the same company that gave us the “meowlingual” devices which purport to translate your pet’s communication.
So, start (day) dreaming now!! 😉
Just finished setting up my own wireless network at home. Guess the recent upgrade has only wet my appetite for more gadgets!?
Well, after my previous system was unceremoniously put to rest, I had constructed a brand new system with many of the older parts either dysfunctional (the burnt up USB 2.0 card) or obsolete (my 768MB PC133 SDRAM :-(). The current system uses a better and cooler-looking case, a quieter power supply and of course a new board plus CPU. After this, the itchy fingers could not stop, I ended up trying my hand in the wireless world. Consider this my belated Christmas present to myself! 🙂
The new system uses a P4 2.66Ghz on a Gigabyte motherboard which, though not sporting the latest i865 chipset (uses i845PE instead) that supports 800MHz FSB CPUs, has integrated tonnes of goodies. The ones I am particularly happy about are: 6 USB slots, 2 firewire slots, the onboard 5.1 channel sound and IDE RAID. Additionally, there are 2 SATA channels, although off my head, can’t really think when I will make use of it.
As of tonight, I have wireless connection to the internet at large… sort of. Due to cost considerations. I decided to get an ADSL modem and wireless router separately. As a reference, modem + router + wireless adapter is comparable and in many cases cheaper than an integrated modem+router solution. This means there is still a mess of wires, but something that can be hidden away.
For the technically inclined, my 802.11b network consists of an Aztech DSL305E ADSL ethernet bridge modem, the Netgear MR814 cable/dsl wireless router (with 4-port 10/100 Mbps switch) and the Netgear MA101 wireless adapter for my desktop.
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The new ethernet modem. |
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The wireless router that I am using. |
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The USB wireless adapter which connects my desktop to the wireless network. |
Have been attending a 2-day course on management of project teams for the past two days.
As part of this course, a short video about the nature of creativity was shown. The presenter was a National Geographic photo-journalist. Using the example of changing lenses to achieve different effects as an analogy of how and why we need a change in how we view the world, he then went on to describe how he, as a professional, can BECOME and REMAIN creative on a daily basis.
Echos of the knowledge transference note I wrote last week…
“Bear in mind that the wonderful things you learn in your schools are the work of many generations. All this is put in your hands as your inheritance in order that you may receive it, honor it, add to it, and one day faithfully hand it on to your children.”
Albert Einstein
A new year, some new resolutions. In spite of all the lofty thoughts, it is best not to lose sight of who we are.
“The important thing is this:
to be able at any moment
to sacrifice what we are
for what we could become.”Charles Du Bos
Happy 2004! It is now 12.52am 1 January 2004 in Melbourne, Australia.
Wishing everyone a prosperous year ahead, and full of opportunities. On the world front, I also hope that there will be fewer wars and natural disasters compared to the year just past.
There is a Chinese saying: “A house having an elderly person is a house with with a treasure.” The meaning of this saying is that the elderly in generally have acquired more day-to-day knowledge from their longer lifelong experiences, which can benefit greatly the current generation. This is probably more appropriate in the days before the internet!?
It just occurred to me that the transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next is rather inefficient. Here I am using the term ‘knowledge’ in the broadest sense.
Seeing my brother and sister with my little nephews and nieces over this Christmas break has highlighted one subtle secret in upbringing of children. Often, it is best to limit the number of choices presented to the little ones. A multitude of options usually spells chaos, for both the kids and parents.
Are we not faced with the same dilemma daily as well? Are we not at our bravest and most resolute when faced with limited (and favourable), or no choices at all?
(The following thoughts came up while reading Holy Blood, Holy Grail)
All around us, there are patterns to be discovered, some more obvious than others. A pattern may exist as a cause-effect relationship. For example, if I decided not to walk underneath a ladder, and subsequently won a lottery, is it reasonable to attribute my good fortunes to the avoidance of the ladder? Or, alternatively, if after walking under a ladder, I suffered a bout of bad luck, can I then attribute all subsequent unluckiness to that single act?
Just read a series of articles on Sacred Mysteries which attempts to highlight the supposedly hidden alchemical implications in the major films in our era. The two that I read discussed the Tolkien series Lord of the Rings, and 2001: A Space Odyssey.
The central thesis is that both Lord of the Rings and 2001: A Space Odyssey detail the development of mankind as documented in alchemical traditions. In Lord of the Rings, Middle Earth goes through a series of Ages. With each Age, there is an increase in the prominence of Man, but at the same time, Man also becomes further removed from his natural and spiritual side. This accounts for the diminishing importance of magic and the Elves, hence the inexplicable ending (to some) of the movie.
In 2001, the film also walks the audience through a series of transformations of Mankind, from the vegetarian Ape man to highly sophisticated technological society, devoid of emotions and any spiritual linkages. This climaxes in the ultimate transformation at the end of the film, where we witness a re-birth.
Essentially, the body of knowledge known as alchemy seems to be about transformations. The basic gist, as far as I can see, is that there is a development in human psyche. Great turmoil seems to precede every major transformation – which incidentally is why so many people are boldly making predictions of future in our current times. In fact, an implication (at least in the case of 2001) is that an external force is involved. Thus, as the author asserted, the great Stanley Kubrick in 2001, has made the ultimate religious film, despite being a lifelong atheist.
However, there is a nagging feeling that once an idea has been formed, it may not be altogether difficult to find supporting evidence. Also, seems whatever ‘evidence’ available is only applicable to Western civilisation.
Nevertheless, this has probably sown the seeds for me to ponder, and future thoughts perhaps!? We shall see.