New Civilization News

Everything Always Works Out for the Best

Wed, 7 May 2008 14:12:11 GMT

My mother's friend passed away recently. When she found out when the funeral was, she wondered how she was going to get to the church and the cemetery.

As I was walking home a few nights ago, a car pulled up beside me and a passenger asked me if I knew where a particular road was. I knew the road was in our neighbourhood but I couldn't remember where exactly. So I apologised and told the man I didn't know where it was. When I arrived home, I asked my mother if she knew where the road was. She said she'd seen it but couldn't remember where. more >

What is a system and why should we care to know?

Wed, 7 May 2008 09:27:37 GMT

What is a System?

A system has two aspects, its
transcendent aspect is as a transitory pattern of transcendent
information that conditions the flow of transcendent information.
When the system is perceived from an empirical perspective by another
system within the common network of interacting systems, then it is
experienced via its observable attributes, which result in
information that flows into the observer system's inputs. This
results in an experience of a manifest form, which is the empirical
aspect.

Subsystems interact to form
supersystems; i.e. patterns dynamically merge to produce larger
patterns. Whilst the transcendent patterns are what they are the
empirical forms exist only in the eye of the beholder. A system may
interact with other systems that are considered to lie 'within'
different supersystems so it may be considered a subsystem of either,
thus there are no absolute system boundaries. Different observers may
observe different interaction channels and thereby resolve different
system boundaries thus they experience very different empirical
forms.

Why should we care to clearly know
what a system is?

We are systems formed out of
interacting subsystems and we interact to form supersystems. All
manifest forms are systems. All events and processes are system
interactions. Our transcendent part we call our 'soul' and our
empirical part we call our 'body'. The empirical universe is a
construct of the experiential aspect of systems and behind this
perceptual veil there is an information theoretic aspect. Some call
this the quantum realm, spiritual realm, Brahman (Vedic), Hundun
(Daoist), Heaven (Christ) and so on.

Everything that is and everything that
happens is the experiential aspect of a unified transcendent process.
This is analogous to the way that a virtual reality is the
experiential aspect of a unified transcendent process.

Understanding the nature of systems
leads us to an understanding of ourselves, of the universe, of what
is happening and how we should respond in order to harmoniously and
effectively participate in the process of evolution that is underway.

What fundamental questions can it
help answer?

A deep understanding of the nature of
systems can help answer all fundamental questions except one, and it
can explain why it cannot answer that one.

There is only one true mystery What
is the true nature of the fundamental reality generative process?
A manifest form cannot approach this via enquiry; e.g. a sentient AI
character in a virtual reality could realise many things about their
situation all the way down to the computational process itself, but
they cannot realise that the computer is a particular machine sitting
in a particular room, they can only ever know the computer from
within. Similarly, we can systematically comprehend all the general
principles of our reality right down to the fundamental reality
generative process and we cannot enquire beyond that.

Holism is a metaphysical paradigm that
focuses on the whole and comprehends the parts as discernible
features objects of perception within the whole. Reductionism
is a metaphysical paradigm that focuses on the many parts and their
interactions and envisages the whole as the product of the many parts
and interactions. Unified system science can comprehend both
paradigms and show how they relate to each other. Similarly it can
unify duality and non-duality. Transcendent and empirical. Subjective
and objective. For these reasons I propose that a unified system
science could provide a useful conceptual framework for the
development of a unified awareness that can flower into a new
consciousness for humanity.

Best Wishes,

John Ringland

Why can't we stick to our goals?

Tue, 6 May 2008 13:57:20 GMT

L.A. Times: "Does your brain have a mind of its own?" - Why can't we stick to our goals? Blame the sloppy engineering of evolution.

How many times has this happened to you? You leave work, decide that you need to get groceries on the way home, take a cellphone call and forget all about your plan. Next thing you know, you've driven home and forgotten all about the groceries.

Or this. You decide, perhaps circa Jan. 1, that it's time to lose weight; you need to eat less, eat better and exercise more. But by the first of May, your New Year's resolutions are a distant memory.

Human beings are, to put it gently, in a unique position in the animal world. We're the only species smart enough to plan systematically for the future -- yet we remain dumb enough to ditch even our most carefully made plans in favor of short-term gratification. ("Did I say I was on a diet? Mmm, but three-layer chocolate mousse is my favorite. Maybe I'll start my diet tomorrow.")...

I thought it was just me. It seems surprisingly hard to make my mentally conceived plans stick. If once in a while I really feel what needs to happen in my bones, or in my gut, it happens. But if it is merely a good idea, however logical, coherent and important I conclude it is, it usually gets overridden by whatever distraction that shows up that feels more compelling in the moment. And my plans are easily forgotten.

The article blames it on faulty evolutionary engineering. I'm not sure I believe in such a thing, i.e. I don't quite believe that evolution is so dumb and blind, but he does have a point. Our animal instincts are well developed. A danger appears and we'll know how to jump aside, without thinking about it. Something delicious appears in front of our nose and we'll be munching on it it no time. Our abstractly thinking mental faculties are much more sophisticated, but at the same time they seem like an after-thought, not entirely wired into the machinery. We can make great plans, based on the processing of abstract information, aimed at desirable long term objectives. But a single piece of chocolate cake or a random interesting website might get us off track.

I suppose some people have something called discipline, which involves subordinating what one actually feels to one's mental plans and ideals. But that just seems so .. brutal. It would of course be better if one's instincts, emotions and physical desires actually were synchronized with the mental planning. Not subordinated to it, as the mental ideas aren't necessarily the ones that are right. But coordinated at least. Maybe I should work on that. Or maybe I'll see what's on TV.

FOOD WARS ARE COMING, PREPARE!

Tue, 6 May 2008 12:56:31 GMT

Food wars are coming, prepare for the contingencies! This is now a visible possibility, so all those enthused development stakeholders and peace-builders better insert an extra agendum on their key result areas.

Given the so many sources of conflict that are natural resources related, the latest ones being the water wars, it is no longer a remote possibility that food wars will erupt in some hot soup spots in the world. Such hot spots are not those ones the world knows today (e.g. Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Korean Peninsula, Taiwan-China strait) that can be potential starting points for great wars. But somehow, the areas and the food wars coming can cross-cut the issues involving conflicts in the hot spots we know.
more >

General Traits of Humanity’s Dark Age

Mon, 5 May 2008 04:19:15 GMT

The Dark Age started when a few groups of humans, in the Middle-East and China, began to produce their own food as fundamental means of sustenance.
The production of food permits, with a little strain, at least in the beginning, a conspicuous surplus of food supply, and therefore the satisfaction of the fundamental material needs of a high number of people in the same area.
more >

Prototype Health Program for Wounded Warriors

Sun, 4 May 2008 02:25:48 GMT

Because breathing charts the life rhythms, the way we breathe signals the disposition of our energies. Agitation or excitement causes the breath to be uneven and rapid; but when we are calm and balanced, our breathing is even, slow, and soft. We can also change our mental and physical states by the way we breathe. Even when very upset, we can calm and balance ourselves by breathing slowly and evenly.

When you are aware of your breath, your whole life becomes balanced. Even when you find yourself in situations which arouse great anger, frustration, or pain, you can dissolve the disturbance by just being aware of your breathing, slightly paying attention and making the breath calm, slow, and rhythmical. Tarthang Tulku, Kum Nye Relaxation,

pp. 40-41

Warrior R & R Center - A Prototype for Soldiers-

This announcement is very good for our soldiers who are suffering and great opportunities for them to receive care and treatment. I am very proud to be part of this health care work with our Wounded Warriors. We are currently engaged in research to validate what we do with soldiers every day. Our Warrior Restoration & Resilience Center is one of a kind as Gates describes and we are all hopeful that our prototype becomes available to every soldier returning from war throughout the world. I have posted a couple of logs describing some of my experiences with the soldiers. [link]

Jerry Vest, ACSW/LISW

US Army Social Worker & Professor Emeritus
Warrior Restoration & Resilience Center
Wm. Beaumont Army Medical Center, Ft. Bliss

[link]

[link]
************************************************************************

Gates Works to Reduce Mental Health Stigma
by Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

FORT BLISS, Texas, May 1, 2008 Seeking mental-health care due to post-traumatic stress will no longer be seen as an obstacle to getting a government security clearance, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced here today. Video

Gates announced the new policy after touring the Restoration and Resilience Center that opened in July to treat combat veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. The center, part of Fort Bliss Beaumont Army Medical Center, uses treatments ranging from group and individual therapy to yoga, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic and hot-stone therapy.

Its goal, officials at the experimental facility explained, is to help troops recover so they can stay in the Army.

Gates told reporters he had an extraordinary experience visiting the new center and seeing work under way to help soldiers deal with combat stress.

They are doing some amazing things here in terms of helping soldiers who want to remain soldiers but who have been wounded with post-traumatic stress disorder, he said. It is a multi-month effort by a lot of caring people, and they are showing some real success in restoring these soldiers.

Gates said hell take the idea of possibly replicating Fort Bliss prototype program to other posts.

He also noted other techniques being developed in the combat theater to give troops additional tools to deal with the circumstances they face. These are clearly worth additional attention as well, he told reporters.

Gates called additional resources and capabilities to treat troops dealing with PTSD just one aspect of a two-part effort.

The second, and in some ways equally challenging, is to remove the stigma that is associated with PTSD and to encourage soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen who encounter these problems to seek help, he said.

But he acknowledged that not every soldier returning from Iraq and Afghanistan is getting the treatment they need. He cited an Army inspector general reports findings that troops often forgo mental-health care because theyre concerned it could prevent them from getting a security clearance and potentially could damage their careers.

Gates cited Question 21 on Standard Form 86, the government security-clearance form that specifically asks applicants whether they have ever received treatment for mental-health issues.

The question asks if the person has consulted with a mental-health professional or other health-care provider during the past seven years about a mental-health related condition.

Respondents who answer yes must provide dates of treatment and the providers name and address.

For far too long and for far too many, this question has been an obstacle to care, the secretary said.

The Defense Department has been working with other agencies for eight months to strike a balance that enables troops to get the treatment they need and the intelligence community to get the information it needs, he said.

It took longer than I would have hoped, but it is done, Gates said. Now it is clear to people who answer that question that they can answer no if they have sought help to deal with their combat stress in general times.

New language for Question 21 asks if the person consulted with a health-care professional during the past seven years regarding an emotional or mental health condition. It specifies, however, that the answer should be no if the care was strictly related to adjustments from service in a military combat environment.

Gates directed in a policy letter dated April 18 that the revised language be used by anyone completing the SF 86 form.

A letter being distributed throughout the military explains the new policy and its rationale.

Seeking professional care for these mental health issues should not be perceived to jeopardize an individuals security clearance, states the memo, co-signed by Undersecretary for Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr. and Undersecretary for Personnel and Readiness David S.C. Chu.

On the contrary, they wrote, failure to seek care actually increases the likelihood that psychological stress could escalate to a more serious mental condition, which could preclude an individual from performing sensitive duties.

The letter urges men and women in uniform who are exhibiting symptoms of PTSD to seek help and makes clear that this is not going to put their security clearances or their careers in jeopardy, he said.

The most important thing for us now is to get the word out as far as we can to every man and woman in uniform to let them know about the change, to let them know the efforts under way, to remove the stigma and to encourage them to seek help when they are in the theater or when they return from the theater, Gates said. So this is a very important issue for us.

We have no higher priority in the Department of Defense, apart from the war itself, than taking care of our men and women in uniform who have been wounded -- who have both visible and unseen wounds, he said.

Gates called the new Restoration and Resilience Center an example of new approaches the military is taking to provide that care. This center here is illustrative of what can be done, he said.

Thirty-six volunteers participating in the program, all diagnosed with PTSD after serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, receive care that combines group and individual therapy sessions with meditation, yoga, acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic and hot-stone therapy treatments.

They are all volunteers, Gates said. They all come here because they want to.

Biographies:
Robert M. Gates

Related Articles:
DoD Changes Security Clearance Question on Mental Health

System Oriented Modelling Paradigm - Brainstorming notes 03

Sun, 4 May 2008 01:08:38 GMT

Excerpts from brainstorming notes related to
SMNDesignView

For more information on SMN see SMN
on Anandavala.

I am exploring the idea of developing a Netbeans 6.0 module,
either as a plugin or as a rich-client application.

Things to consider:

I need a good vision of what I am building before I start
designing it.

What is it that the SMN functionality seeks to provide the
application user? What will people want the whole application or
plugin to do?

What sorts of things will people want to be able to do with the
GUI and with the model and with the simulation space itself via the
GUI? How best can the GUI facilitate this?

If developed as a plugin then how will the SMN functionality be
integrated into the rest of Netbeans?

If developed as a rich-client application then how will it come
together as a single whole application?

How best to implement the matrix itself? As some kind of table? It
needs to be programmatically controlled and not set in the code
we may want more or less rows or columns, we may want different types
of elements altogether (e.g. instead of text fields they are buttons
perhaps).

The matrix-view is a small window that allows for detailed access,
but for large models we need a lower resolution but broader scope
view, we could have subsystem / supersystem viewing levels for the
matrix. One could view systems at the atomic scale, or as a single
whole system, or at many different levels between these. The designer
can click on systems (either by row, column, vector element or rowOp)
and choose to collapse all sibling subsystem and show only their
supersystem. Or they can drill into a supersystem and show all or
selected subsystems.

The state vector needs to be represented somehow in the
matrix-view so that the system designer can visualise the current
state of the model. The multiple system viewing levels apply to the
state vector as well.

Whether an SM or an SV element, at each level there is some screen
graphic to represent it to the designer. If the element is an atomic
system it shows a text field to display and edit the data. If it is a
conceptual system then there is an icon that displays the subsystems
as small squares within the element.

When the designer double-clicks on an element they drill into the
system and reveal all subsystems. There is also a right-click option
on elements that brings up a dialogue box for selecting which
subsystems to show.

more >

The Hunab Ku coming into Focus; NOW

Fri, 2 May 2008 10:10:51 GMT

Blessed Be the Mother Ship; (this one for Vaxen!! Keep lighting fires brother.)

I find the changes are now well in focus and it is impossible to deny the Divine impulsing through the One and the Many.

Truly exciting times as we consciously awaken (feel the paradox and allow the humor to shake you free) to the ever present holographic ONE NESS.

This information came my way, my favorite oracle sensed my need to have an external confirmation of the inner knowing which is growing.

I find the messages that Tom brings through are always worthy of deep reflection. Take this one if you will and discern with your own heart the validity and immediacy of the communication. Here is the original article in full

The bulk of the message is below for your nourishment and to support the ongoing wake up calls. Can you hear the screaming yet or does the screen get in the way? more >

FOOD CRISIS AND ORGANIZED PANIC BY FOOD CARTELS & OLIGARCHY

Thu, 1 May 2008 23:57:34 GMT

[Writ 28 April 2008, Quezon City, MetroManila]

Were having a production-related problem with rice today in the Philippines today, which looks more like an echo problem of a larger global phenomenon of food crisis. Riots have already been experienced in at least 33 countries, and we may expect the frequency to rise in the months ahead.

To single out production factors, and especially to pinpoint flawed land-use patterns as the cause of the crisis, tends to blur the real cause behind much of our peace and development problems in the world today. This crisis is one of the anarchic results of orchestrations done by financial speculators over a stretch of three (3) decades, followed through recently by food cartels machinations to heighten up their looting of the publics resources via the food market.

Let us recall that as early as the 1980s, the move towards liberalizing the food markets and integrate this sector into the evolving virtual economyby unleashing speculative practices on agricultural products via instrument of commodities marketsalready crept into our national boundaries. Gradually did the pattern get integrated into a global mesh of transactions involving not only food but a long list of articles of trade and services being transacted via the secondary markets or hedge funds.
more >

Impossibility and the Blood-Sick Kid

Thu, 1 May 2008 23:43:35 GMT

The plot of these dreams was that there was two elements that could not be one. It was inside the reality of these dreams that impossibility, a seemingly wholly intellectual notion, became a feeling... more >