Lets begin with America's rankings in Education vs the rest of the world: 17th. We are not the greatest in this category. Rather South Korea and Finland rank as the top two. There are several arguments that can be made for this one, America by far is the largest developed country in the world. It's hard to education 350+ million people and several other points I don't really find of value (poverty, cultural, live chances, media, etc) as everything has a counter point. This however is not what I believe to be the greatest problem toward education, we as Americans' face. The issue is the ideology toward education. When parents tell their kids it's okay for them not to learn and achieve we pass on a problem so large it will completely over whelm and undermine our countries ability to compete in the coming future widening the gap between the rich and poor. If you are one of those who don't believe in social welfare, what are you doing to change our current negative ideology toward education?
I understand from my own childhood the complete hate of having to go to school to learn and socialize. This by far while growing up is still one of my most painful memories. The difference is that despite my complete lack of desire to actually achieve I had parents who would physically toss me out of my bed to get me up. This is a little extreme as they expected me to get an education but didn't give me the tools to do so. Despite this the understanding 'I will have an education regardless if I wanted one' will happen despite the Temper Tantrums and self-sabotaging attempts by me and my friends to do so.
Now despite almost every effort I put into avoiding my education I some how have several majors and several degrees to my name as it finally clicked I had two options. Work for minimum wage or join the military to get shot if I did not make drastic changes to my life, like get an education.
At this point I had burnt enough bridges this was no easy task. Because I spent so many years fucking around I had to basically relearn the basics to just get into a decent college. But the pay off is more than I could hope for. I'm not making millions, shit the only reason I'm even middle class is because I married a woman far smarter and more accomplished than myself. But I make enough to support a modest life. Now some of that choice is because of children and daycare. But without my education I wouldn't have any of this and more than likely be on the 100th job at this point in my life.
Due to my "Dumbass Days" as I like to refer to them has taught me the value of education and the tools to pass on to my children. But when my kid comes home and tells me "so-and-so said they don't need school and it's not important" (paraphrasing here) I go almost bonkers with contempt for these kids as more than ever kids need an education. It's not the days my parents or I grew up where you could get a job at 10 learning a trade, rather you need a freaking high school degree to work at McDonald's in a few years, if they don't replace their work force with robots first. Long gone are the days of the factory worker and no high school education. Shit by the time my kids finish school and I'm ready to retire you'll need an advance college degree in robotic engineering to work in fast food.
Education currently is free for everyone, despite education is not a given right by the constitution, rather it can be revoked by your county or state at any time. The problem is people don't realize what a gift this is as many countries make you pay for an education and the other half don't even have schools. To some kids this sounds great, schools out for ever. That's the mentality many parents teach their kids: "School is a waste of time." This ideology, this complete belief by a parent that their kid is better off without knowing how to communicate and have skills to support themselves is the reason why programs like "No Child Left Behind" are rammed down our throats. Until we as American's start making more positive decisions we will get more government involvement. Until the parents who have the greatest impact on their children's life change this "school sucks" mentality the education system is going to continue to lose the ability to teach.
When a parent sends their kid to school with reinforced notions of only having to go because the state is making them, that child has nothing to do other than fuck up the education of the other kids around them. Why do they care, they don't need to be there, and we all know that disciplining a child is wrong because it might damage their precious psyche, places educators at a disadvantage. Not only do they have to put up with the kids behaviors in school, they have to put up with the parents reinforcement of this behavior.
I'm a firm believer in corporal punishment. Before you flip out and go all liberal, let me explain. One of the best evolutionary traits that we have are pain receptors throughout our bodies. They tell us "that hurts" there for, it's a bad idea. Example: A kid messes with the stove and only after he/she gets burned do they stop messing with the stove. No kid I've ever met had a healthy respect for fire until they got burned pretty good. When I grew up and I got in trouble I got it at school than came home and got it again. I learned to not do that again because walking without pain is a pleasurable experience. This pain burns literal neural pathways in the brain connecting "whatever they did" to pain. I have a fear of heights because I fell out of a tree and hurt myself pretty good. Doesn't mean I allow this from stopping me from jumping 60 foot rocks to the water below. I have a healthy respect of falling.
My second argument for corporal punishment is that by nature we are evolutionary designed to be the biggest, toughest and smartest. No dumb, weak hunter-gather survived long. This however is not the case these days. We aspire to reward the stupid, ignorant and weak. The whole American Economic System is based on taking and screwing over everyone else that's not you. By giving the last place team trophies for participation we are doing a disservice to our children. "What about their 'feelings?" My answer is feelings are something you have, what you do matters. What we don't teach our kids when our feelings are hurt is analyzing why they are hurt in the first place and finding a solution to not get them hurt again, rather this mentality of 'it's okay to lose' fosters a quiting mentality because it's "to hard", "not fair", lets blame others for my failures rather than accept responsibility for my choices and actions or how do I get better so this doesn't happen again. We continually are giving our kids mixed signals that gives them a false perception of the world by not teaching them the world is a hard cruel world that will chew you up and spit you out if you aren't constantly moving forward. The world is unfair and those who are at the top have to do less because they have more. This is the nature of the world.
We as people like to think that we aren't animals, that are basic primal behaviors are not in play in our lives. But this is not the case. Our basic, primal behaviors are the driving force in everything we do. By only accepting this, acknowledging them do we gain the power to over come them. So when people talk about feelings, I groan because your feelings are your basic primal behaviors trying to get out. My dog listens to it's feelings more than I do. If your every action and choice is dictated by your "feelings" does that make you more animal or human?
So when I believe in corporal punishment I understand the ramifications of when and when not to spank my kids. There is a line between beating and disciplining a child and sometimes when our feelings get in the way that line gets blurred. Corporal punishment is a very good way to instill fear in the right things. Throwing things at a teacher, getting in a fight, bullying others, and the whole list goes on and on. But it keeps the "kids who don't care" in line so the rest of them can get on with the learning process. The problem is because of the liberal stand point on this and fear of kids and their parents, teachers are tasked with worrying about and managing kids feelings rather than teaching them the basics of reading, writing, math and science.
When parents don't push their kids to achieve specifically in education we are promoting a losing mentality which will foster hardship for their future. This is not to say that a traditional education is the right route for your kid. Personally I wish I took the blue collar route as I could be running my own company right now as a master electrician, plumber, HVAC or something else in which requires as much education as college, plus work experience. I don't know about you, but knowing how to fix my air conditioner when it breaks sounds pretty good to me. Education regardless of the career path needs to be fostered and pushed for, for without it our kids futures are not going to be that bright. I personally don't plan on having my kids living in my basement or having to struggle the way I did because of my 'Dumb Ass Days'. This however is one person whose ideology is based on a must have education ideology where so many other people believe or foster the notion education as worthless. Until people literally shun their neighbors for having "education is worthless" ideology the system and our country will never be able to reach it's potential.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
LED vs LCD vs Plasma
Lets start with how awesome TVs have evolved from the black & white got to get up to change the channel, wrap your brother in foil while doing a hand stand to get reception to a TV that will turn on by verbal command with as many apps as your phone.
The most common issue I come across when looking for a TV is which is the one to pick. In a previous installment I talked about the perfect size TV for your space. Now we are going to discuss what is the best TV hardware.
I recently just bought a smart LED Samsung. I'm partial to Samsung as I've found them easy to use and always having a great design style. The things to remember is once you know the size TV your looking for is when to buy them. Right now (March-June) is the best time as stores are trying to get in the newest and greatest. Never buy the newest and greatest as you will be paying too much for something in 8 months will be more than 50% off by this time next year. Plus everyone has a chance to review the specific TVs and how the bells and whistles work compared to others.
You've narrowed it down to the size and model class but since it's offered in all three categories (Plasma, LCD, LED) your scratching a bald spot at our temple trying to figure out the lucky lady.
Plasma by far is the best visually, having the closes to true black. However if you plan on putting this in your sun room you should reconsider this as Plasma and LED reflect ambient light off their screens as they are reflective. Putting either of these (LED/Plasma) in a brightly lit room is a no,no. Plasma's are great for your basement and bedroom with black out curtains.
LED is great for a living room with some light as it can be set to be bright enough to not reflect the light around you. LED is by far the most energy efficient as LED lighting requires the least amount of energy. LED visually is so bright and beautiful. The blacks aren't as good as Plasma but they come in a close second. Reflection is a problem if your lights and windows are in front of or above the TV. If you have your lights behind the TV there is no reflection issues which makes an LED pretty nice.
LCD is in my opinion the best overall as it's screen is not very reflective and gives you very clear and great images. The problem with LCD's is the price as this is the most expensive of the three. Plasma being the cheapest and LED falling in between. LCD has lost a lot of it's popularity since the LED has become a cheaper alternative. However if you want a TV that will fit in any room without to much fuss than this is worth the cost.
Bulbs on these TVs have close to the same life span of about 8-10 years. They are easily replaced if you have any idea what a circuit board looks like. The thing to remember when choosing between the two is what are you going to be watching on your new TV. Do you play video games and blue ray movies are do you watch soap operas on standard basic cable. Don't pick a TV that doesn't suit you, pick something that will meet your needs rather than trying to accommodate the new TV.
The most common issue I come across when looking for a TV is which is the one to pick. In a previous installment I talked about the perfect size TV for your space. Now we are going to discuss what is the best TV hardware.
I recently just bought a smart LED Samsung. I'm partial to Samsung as I've found them easy to use and always having a great design style. The things to remember is once you know the size TV your looking for is when to buy them. Right now (March-June) is the best time as stores are trying to get in the newest and greatest. Never buy the newest and greatest as you will be paying too much for something in 8 months will be more than 50% off by this time next year. Plus everyone has a chance to review the specific TVs and how the bells and whistles work compared to others.
You've narrowed it down to the size and model class but since it's offered in all three categories (Plasma, LCD, LED) your scratching a bald spot at our temple trying to figure out the lucky lady.
Plasma by far is the best visually, having the closes to true black. However if you plan on putting this in your sun room you should reconsider this as Plasma and LED reflect ambient light off their screens as they are reflective. Putting either of these (LED/Plasma) in a brightly lit room is a no,no. Plasma's are great for your basement and bedroom with black out curtains.
LED is great for a living room with some light as it can be set to be bright enough to not reflect the light around you. LED is by far the most energy efficient as LED lighting requires the least amount of energy. LED visually is so bright and beautiful. The blacks aren't as good as Plasma but they come in a close second. Reflection is a problem if your lights and windows are in front of or above the TV. If you have your lights behind the TV there is no reflection issues which makes an LED pretty nice.
LCD is in my opinion the best overall as it's screen is not very reflective and gives you very clear and great images. The problem with LCD's is the price as this is the most expensive of the three. Plasma being the cheapest and LED falling in between. LCD has lost a lot of it's popularity since the LED has become a cheaper alternative. However if you want a TV that will fit in any room without to much fuss than this is worth the cost.
Bulbs on these TVs have close to the same life span of about 8-10 years. They are easily replaced if you have any idea what a circuit board looks like. The thing to remember when choosing between the two is what are you going to be watching on your new TV. Do you play video games and blue ray movies are do you watch soap operas on standard basic cable. Don't pick a TV that doesn't suit you, pick something that will meet your needs rather than trying to accommodate the new TV.
Buying a New House
For all of you, like me who are in the process of buying a house, you need to ask yourself: Is the house I'm looking for something I plan on having for a short time or am I looking for a house I plan on dying in? Once you answer this question you are ready to start your quest.
Right now the market is very good to buy as interest rates are low and the market is returning to the slightly affordable era of 2005. As many of you have been watching the DIY network and other Home Network shows on how to make your home you, you no doubt have all these fantastic ideas on the perfect house. Throw these preconceived notions out as you will never find a house with everything the way you want it in your budget. Make a NEED vs WANT list of all the things you are looking for in a home before you buy it. The trick is finding a house that will satisfy your needs will be a more realistic idea unless you have the money to throw down. Than your better off building your own house in the first place.
My checklist (need/realistic):
Now that you have the technical stuff out of the way things to keep in mind when you see a house. When you walk through a property you are going to be inundated with the home owners sense of style (paint, fixtures, lighting, furniture, carpet, yard, etc). For most people buying a house this is an automatic turn off. Keep in mind fixtures cabinets and everything else can be replaced with youtube videos and trips to your local giant hardware store. The big thing you are looking for is how the house is put together. Are the window's single, double, triple pane (cost your heating and cooling bill), are their cracks in the drywall (structural issue), are the baseboards sealed correctly, do the the bedrooms and bathrooms, have enough area for you, how does the roof look (will it need to be replaced sooner than later: [this should be answered by your contractor]), are their deep groves in the grass from run off, does the crawl spaces and attics clean and insulated.
So everything looks manageable nothing a little effort and $500 dollars won't be able to fix. Now you like the house but you don't love the house. This part takes a little bit of imagination and knowing where the load bearing walls are. Example: The kitchen is smaller than you want, but the living room you will never use is on the other side of the kitchen behind a non-load bearing wall. Well guess what with a little help from youtube (if you are handy, if not I recommend bringing in a professional) you can take down the wall and expand your kitchen. If the wall is load bearing you will definitely need to bring in a professional. See the house as yours and what you are able to do with it.
For me when I buy a home it is going to be the one I'm going to die in unless I some how convince my wife to move to the Virgin Islands with a house right on the beach. When I see a house I look at it's potential verses how long before I can realize that potential. Example: I see a house I can live in for a few years before I start any major work because I'm going to fork over more money versus I see a house with a lot of potential that needs some upgrades right away at a cheaper price. I'm going to pay the exact same but with a little effort the cheaper house is something I can truly love sooner than later.
Cost vs need. Lets face it in these financial hard times owning a home is an investment. If your someone who is constantly changing jobs and moving, owning a house is stupid. You don't have the flexibility of leaving and going across the country for the next job. Renting is cheaper on average and when something goes wrong the owner not you has to fix the problem. With owning a house you are responsible for the flooded basement because the water heater busts. Currently I rent because it's easier to deal with than owning a home, however I am in the process of finding a home when my wife's job becomes more settled. Constantly moving is a pain in the ass if you own a home. It's easier for us to rent and move than buy, move, sell, wait for someone to buy our house while we rent because we can't afford another house payment. The idea of owning a home is the great American Dream. However if you jump the gun and buy over your limit or not the perfect fit for you, than you suffer. Buying a home is not like buying a flat screen or getting a dog. Take the time (if it's years, it's years) to find the perfect financial and living fit for you.
Right now the market is very good to buy as interest rates are low and the market is returning to the slightly affordable era of 2005. As many of you have been watching the DIY network and other Home Network shows on how to make your home you, you no doubt have all these fantastic ideas on the perfect house. Throw these preconceived notions out as you will never find a house with everything the way you want it in your budget. Make a NEED vs WANT list of all the things you are looking for in a home before you buy it. The trick is finding a house that will satisfy your needs will be a more realistic idea unless you have the money to throw down. Than your better off building your own house in the first place.
My checklist (need/realistic):
- solid foundation
- in the school district I want
- no mold or mildew issues
- fireplace/stove (Real fireplace made of stone attached to the outside of the house. Not those build in thin steel ones or gas)
- Basement with manageable structural supports
- Heat pump
- Decent yard space for kids and animals
- Swimming pool
- full kitchen with all the bells and whistles
- perfect neighborhood with all my friends living next door.
- built in surround round system throughout the house
- fenced in security fence with razor wire
- bomb shelter with 10 years supply of food
- cathedral ceilings with windows facing west
- large screen in porch/deck
Now that you have the technical stuff out of the way things to keep in mind when you see a house. When you walk through a property you are going to be inundated with the home owners sense of style (paint, fixtures, lighting, furniture, carpet, yard, etc). For most people buying a house this is an automatic turn off. Keep in mind fixtures cabinets and everything else can be replaced with youtube videos and trips to your local giant hardware store. The big thing you are looking for is how the house is put together. Are the window's single, double, triple pane (cost your heating and cooling bill), are their cracks in the drywall (structural issue), are the baseboards sealed correctly, do the the bedrooms and bathrooms, have enough area for you, how does the roof look (will it need to be replaced sooner than later: [this should be answered by your contractor]), are their deep groves in the grass from run off, does the crawl spaces and attics clean and insulated.
So everything looks manageable nothing a little effort and $500 dollars won't be able to fix. Now you like the house but you don't love the house. This part takes a little bit of imagination and knowing where the load bearing walls are. Example: The kitchen is smaller than you want, but the living room you will never use is on the other side of the kitchen behind a non-load bearing wall. Well guess what with a little help from youtube (if you are handy, if not I recommend bringing in a professional) you can take down the wall and expand your kitchen. If the wall is load bearing you will definitely need to bring in a professional. See the house as yours and what you are able to do with it.
For me when I buy a home it is going to be the one I'm going to die in unless I some how convince my wife to move to the Virgin Islands with a house right on the beach. When I see a house I look at it's potential verses how long before I can realize that potential. Example: I see a house I can live in for a few years before I start any major work because I'm going to fork over more money versus I see a house with a lot of potential that needs some upgrades right away at a cheaper price. I'm going to pay the exact same but with a little effort the cheaper house is something I can truly love sooner than later.
Cost vs need. Lets face it in these financial hard times owning a home is an investment. If your someone who is constantly changing jobs and moving, owning a house is stupid. You don't have the flexibility of leaving and going across the country for the next job. Renting is cheaper on average and when something goes wrong the owner not you has to fix the problem. With owning a house you are responsible for the flooded basement because the water heater busts. Currently I rent because it's easier to deal with than owning a home, however I am in the process of finding a home when my wife's job becomes more settled. Constantly moving is a pain in the ass if you own a home. It's easier for us to rent and move than buy, move, sell, wait for someone to buy our house while we rent because we can't afford another house payment. The idea of owning a home is the great American Dream. However if you jump the gun and buy over your limit or not the perfect fit for you, than you suffer. Buying a home is not like buying a flat screen or getting a dog. Take the time (if it's years, it's years) to find the perfect financial and living fit for you.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
New Dogs: Potty Training
Hey Everyone,
I know it's been a while since I've been around. I apologize, life with kids kinda of have a way of leaving you little time to deal with posts.
Whenever you add an addition to your family either a kid or a dog you have to take on the responsibility to be vigilant until they are trained. I don't include cats as they don't listen and they tend to be their own person from the time you get them, put a litter box down and there you go. Kids don't mature as fast as dogs despite how much we want them to.
Dogs specifically are something are a little more interesting. Unlike kids you get to pick and choose what you want. For me I have plenty of space, time and a liking of large dogs that are good with kids where as someone who lives in an apartment wouldn't pick the same large dog as me. So when you pick a dog you have to do the research, if you go through the SPCA which is good and I've taken advantage of them numerous times throughout my life if they don't have someone with a good idea of dogs can mislabel and you can end up with a dog with an energy level and personality not suitable to you and your family.
Now you know what you want and have suited up to take on the responsibility for a new dog, just like a child you have to continually be on top of them to train them. Just like children dogs are intelligent enough to learn if you resort to this basic principle. Reward good behavior and punish bad behavior CONSISTENTLY. Now you have to be aware if you are punishing the dog because you screwed up or because the dog screwed up. You have to understand a dog will love you no matter what but if you want a dog for the rest of your life you want to be friends with than be clear in what you want from them through consistent and persistence by using positive and negative reinforcement (See B.F. Skinner and Pavlov)
POTTY TRAINING:
If you are going to keep the dog in the house this is a must and for the first 6 months as the most important training you will do with them. Once you get this down you are more than capable of mastering everything else from sit, roll over, sic 'em.
Reward for going outside and punish for when they don't. The punishment should only be given once you have firmly established a positive reward for taking the dog outside to do it's business. I recommend until you have firmly trained the dog use a crate of the appropriate size. This prevents your carpets and finding random puddles and squishiness on bare feet. If you are getting a puppy laying a pad down in the crate will help absorb any of the pee and poop.
The common thinking is every hour to three hours for puppies and dogs under 6 months. If you get a dog over 6 months. Anything over 6 months taking them out every 3 hours is sufficient, but you have to be consistent and persistent. Every time they go crap and piss you have got to love them and make the dog feel like they are the king or queen for dropping their load. This is huge as positive reinforcement is very important. Now when you come home and they dropped their kids off you can't go ballistic as to much time as pass, the dog just won't understand, you teach them you are angry when you get home. Put when they drop one or attempt to drop one while you are home you have to scare them and/or make it very apparent they just did something very wrong and need to not do that. Taking them outside immediately and wait until they go again, rewarding them when they do.
If you get a dog at the 6 week mark than hopefully through this you will able to train the dog to be house broken by three to four months.
A few things to help you along the way. The first is don't leave food and water out while you are gone. Without food and water they don't need to go because they don't have full bladders and stomachs. Make sure to take them out before you leave and as soon as you get home. If you can come home during the day to let them out would help this training (if we live in a perfect world). The last thing to remember is patience. Just like children, dogs need to be trained and without good training relying on negative and positive treatment reinforced consistently you can't instill the desired effect from your new dog.
I know it's been a while since I've been around. I apologize, life with kids kinda of have a way of leaving you little time to deal with posts.
Whenever you add an addition to your family either a kid or a dog you have to take on the responsibility to be vigilant until they are trained. I don't include cats as they don't listen and they tend to be their own person from the time you get them, put a litter box down and there you go. Kids don't mature as fast as dogs despite how much we want them to.
Dogs specifically are something are a little more interesting. Unlike kids you get to pick and choose what you want. For me I have plenty of space, time and a liking of large dogs that are good with kids where as someone who lives in an apartment wouldn't pick the same large dog as me. So when you pick a dog you have to do the research, if you go through the SPCA which is good and I've taken advantage of them numerous times throughout my life if they don't have someone with a good idea of dogs can mislabel and you can end up with a dog with an energy level and personality not suitable to you and your family.
Now you know what you want and have suited up to take on the responsibility for a new dog, just like a child you have to continually be on top of them to train them. Just like children dogs are intelligent enough to learn if you resort to this basic principle. Reward good behavior and punish bad behavior CONSISTENTLY. Now you have to be aware if you are punishing the dog because you screwed up or because the dog screwed up. You have to understand a dog will love you no matter what but if you want a dog for the rest of your life you want to be friends with than be clear in what you want from them through consistent and persistence by using positive and negative reinforcement (See B.F. Skinner and Pavlov)
POTTY TRAINING:
If you are going to keep the dog in the house this is a must and for the first 6 months as the most important training you will do with them. Once you get this down you are more than capable of mastering everything else from sit, roll over, sic 'em.
Reward for going outside and punish for when they don't. The punishment should only be given once you have firmly established a positive reward for taking the dog outside to do it's business. I recommend until you have firmly trained the dog use a crate of the appropriate size. This prevents your carpets and finding random puddles and squishiness on bare feet. If you are getting a puppy laying a pad down in the crate will help absorb any of the pee and poop.
The common thinking is every hour to three hours for puppies and dogs under 6 months. If you get a dog over 6 months. Anything over 6 months taking them out every 3 hours is sufficient, but you have to be consistent and persistent. Every time they go crap and piss you have got to love them and make the dog feel like they are the king or queen for dropping their load. This is huge as positive reinforcement is very important. Now when you come home and they dropped their kids off you can't go ballistic as to much time as pass, the dog just won't understand, you teach them you are angry when you get home. Put when they drop one or attempt to drop one while you are home you have to scare them and/or make it very apparent they just did something very wrong and need to not do that. Taking them outside immediately and wait until they go again, rewarding them when they do.
If you get a dog at the 6 week mark than hopefully through this you will able to train the dog to be house broken by three to four months.
A few things to help you along the way. The first is don't leave food and water out while you are gone. Without food and water they don't need to go because they don't have full bladders and stomachs. Make sure to take them out before you leave and as soon as you get home. If you can come home during the day to let them out would help this training (if we live in a perfect world). The last thing to remember is patience. Just like children, dogs need to be trained and without good training relying on negative and positive treatment reinforced consistently you can't instill the desired effect from your new dog.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)