Ready Player One

I am a closet nerd. Why closet? It's something I've never been entirely comfortable with. For example, about six months into my mission, I was assigned to serve with Charles in a place called Charlestown (he was stoked about this). Since we needed to travel about 2 hours from where we met up, we had some time to get acquainted. On the drive, he asked what I did for fun before my mission.

"I liked to read." I told him, feeling a little nervous about the next question.

"What did you read?"

"Science fiction and fantasy, with some other stuff." I answered some what sheepishly.

"Really!? Me, too!"

"Really? I'm usually kind of embarrassed to admit it."

"Why? Don't be." He seemed genuinely perplexed about my embarrassment.

Charles did a lot to teach me to help me be proud about who I am. Unfortunately, I forgot some of that over the last three years. I've retreated back into my closet.

Maybe one of the reasons I'm embarrassed is because I'm a kind of lightweight nerd. I don't delve deeply, but certainly delve into one genre - science fiction and fantasy. Here's a list of all the books I've read over the last three years:

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Ender's Shadow

Shadow of the Hegemon

Shadow Puppets

Shadow of the Giant

Revelation Space

Chasm City

Redemption Ark

Absolution Gap

The Willpower Instinct

Zealot: Jesus of Nazareth

Ok, I'm not going to list all the books I've read. But that's already pretty representative. I think I've made my case.

So why do I bring this up? I'm laying the groundwork for my most recent read: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Ready Player One is about a kid, Wade, who is so obsessed with a game called the OASIS that at one point in the book, he locks himself in his room and only plays the game - for six straight months. This book is kind of like a melding of The Matrix and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Wade is in search of an easter egg (a secret) left behind by the programmer of the OASIS, which will allow the finder to inherit a considerable fortune - the largest in the world - as well as control the OASIS. Wade has to contend with the smartest, wealthiest, and most capable people in the world. He also has to know every video game, every science fiction book and, somewhat randomly, every nuance of 1980s culture. So not only is the book an exploration of a possible future for video games and the internet, it's chock full of references to all these things. I didn't know most of them, but it was fun to catch the few I did know. 

It was a fun read, one which made me want to be a little more proud of who and what I am. The guy who programmed the OASIS managed to get the whole world obsessed with what he'd been obsessed with. The main character managed to do some pretty cool things with those obsessions. And, while I don't expect to win any massive fortunes based on reading sci-fi novels, I think I can enjoy myself a little more by sharing something I love with others.

Texas!

So, I've moved to Texas. I love it here. People are nice, it's affordable, the government is sensible (mostly), the economy isn't in a shambles. Lots of good things. Of course, Texans have their quirks. One of my favorites is when a Texas tells me, "You know Texas is the only state with the right to secede?" with a smirk on his face that says, "don't you wish your state could secede?"

This morning I decided I'd take a break from studying and research this one. I was a little dissappointed to find this:

Myth/Legend #5: The Texas Constitution grants Texas the right to secede from the Union....

Another popular legal myth is that the Texas Constitution guarantee the State’s citizens the right to secede. It does not. The current Texas Constitution states, in Article I, Section 1, that “Texas is a free and independent State, subject only to the Constitution of the United States.” The U.S. Supreme Court rejected any idea that Texas (or any other state) had a right to secede in Texas v. White, when it ruled that, “[w]hen Texas became one of the United States, she entered into an indissoluble union. The union between Texas and the other States was as complete, as perpetual, and as indissoluble as the union between the original States.”

Dang, I never will live in a state that can secede.

The article does go on to say, though, that Texas could divide up into five states. Think of the implications - five Texas states means ten Texas senators. That would shift the balance of power in the Senate.

In triumph doth wave...

Free Trade?

The United States is supposedly a supporter of free trade. But our agricultural subsidies are a painfully obvious exception. This article lays out pretty clearly some of the problems with farm subsidies:
(1) Farm subsidies don't help small farmers. Most of the money goes to agribusinesses.
(2) The subsidies go to specific crops, distorting the markets and making food that we don't necessarily prefer cheaper. It is possible Americans would be healthier without subsidies. Either way, our farms would be more efficient.
(3) Farm subsidies impoverish developing nations' farmers. The cheap exported food of the United States pulls down the world price, hurting farmers around the world. This results in the need for more aid from developed countries such as the United States. It's a cycle that can be avoided by cutting subsidies to U.S. farmers.
(4) Cheaper food is an illusion. We pay for it through taxes.

The article does make a serious error in thinking subsidies will do anything to the deficit and we should leave Medicare alone. I'll leave that bit of inanity alone.

To add further to this absurdity, not only do we pay our farmers to be inefficient, we pay Brazil's farmers to stop them from putting tariffs on our goods. These Brazil subsidies are to save us from tariff's on our goods because of the subsidies we pay our own farmers. Can we say government excess? We're paying Brazilian and American cotton farmers! All this while cotton prices are rising and American farmers don't even need subsidies.

One more article: This one addresses the human side a little more directly. While a lot of people are hurt by farm subsidies, the purpose of the subsidies is to help a smaller group. Farmers are subject to a lot of conditions beyond their control. So do we subject them to the forces of the market and climate or offer them some sort of insurance?

Here's my idea: Offer insurance subsidies. If farmers are operating at a loss, pay them some modest amount to help them keep going. If that loss continues for some length of time (set by someone who knows more about farming than me), channel that subsidy to some kind of retraining and funding to get the farmer into a different field of their choosing.

Volunteers?

For a class I'm in called Philosophy and Literature (a bit of a misnomer) we've been writing a script. It's tough work! It's been a good experience, though. I really enjoy it. Two of the greatest challenges:

(1) The script is based off someone else's book. This is good because we have material to start with. It's a challenge because the text actually serves as a distraction. I have to remind myself that it is more important for the story we're writing to be consistent than it is to be consistent to the book. I understand a lot of people have strong feelings about movies staying true to the books they are based on. Let me say, I have a lot more sympathy for the script writers now. I don't like it when movies stray very far from the book (saying the movie I, Robot was based on Asimov's short stories is a joke), but it's important to realize that the movie is a new work of art. It has to have it's own consistency and the fact is, books translated to movies must change. Two hours of largely visual material by necessity will be different from hundreds of pages in which an author can focus on all kinds of details difficult to portray in film.

(2) Working in a group. Producing a script in one semester is a lot of work and no undergrad with no creative writing experience would be able to do a good job. So, we're placed in groups. This is a big challenge, because we each have a different vision of how it should turn out. It's definitely a lesson in humility.

The challenges are big, but I think we're doing well. For anyone who may actually read this, I have a request: I need readers for the script. Anyone willing to audience test it? I've tried e-mailing friends and family, but only a few respond (thanks to those who have and to those who haven't, I know you're busy!). So, volunteers who have the time would be appreciated. Let me know ASAP. Thanks!

My favorite scripture

Joshua 1:9
I love this scripture. It gives me strength in times of weakness, confidence in times of fear, comfort
in times of pain.

Does a healthy democracy need religion?

I posted this as an answer to a Facebook Question:

The benefits of religion are demonstrated by a recent study released called "American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us."

Here are several quotes from the study (obtained from http://beta-newsroom.lds.org/articl...):

"Any way you slice it, religious Americans are simply more generous." (454).

"Religion is the strongest predictor of altruism"; more than "education, age, income, gender, race, and so forth." (464).

"Religious people are both more trusting... and (in the eyes of others) more trustworthy themselves." (461).

"With the partial exception of socioeconomic status, religiosity is, by far, the strongest and most consistent predictor of... civic involvement." (454).
I argue that generosity, altruism, trust, and civic involvement are all vital to a healthy democracy. If this study is right and religion is a strong indicator that an individual will possess these attributes, than I believe it is vital.

To this I would add my personal experience. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), I have always been taught to be involved in my community, to vote, to obey the laws, and generally be a good neighbor and citizen. To a lesser extent I learned this at school, but I also heard and saw conflicting ideas from my teachers and peers. If it were not for my religion, I would not feel the duty I do now to participate in this democracy.

Religious Values in the Public Square

Religious Values in the Public Square

The Church occasionally releases these articles, which I love. This one states simply why Mormons should not be silent about our principles in public discourse. In a pluralistic society, no voice should be silenced simply because it is religious or because it is secular. If we silence anyone, society simply will not work. To silence any portion of society is to undo much of the good that was done in the 20th century with the women's rights and civil rights movements. We would reproduce the hypocritical society we lived in for more than a century, declaring that all men are created equal, yet denying equality to so many.

I cannot form an opinion without the influence of m religion. My religious values are a part of every major decision I make. Does this immediately decrease their value to society? Do my decisions - to be honest, to obey laws, to not drink, to only have children after marriage, to be kind to others - lose their value because they are tied to my religious beliefs? Few people would argue that. Then why should my political efforts be harmful because my beliefs determine them?

Some may argue that it is because those decisions affect others. Perhaps you can come up with situations in which my honesty, obedience to laws, sobriety, abstinence, etc. affect only myself; my consistently living them, however, has greatest value because they affect others. So the affect on others can't be the division between valid religious actions in public and invalid. Perhaps these actions and the way I vote differ because others disagree with my vote. Many people, religious or secular, agree that the actions I listed before are good to some degree. Why? Because they improve society. Because of their effects, not because of their source.

The best way to evaluate something is to consider not its source, but its effects. If we were to practice this principle more carefully, then political discourse would not only be less caustic, but far more productive. We would be able to truly live the promises and ideals of this land, in which we claim that the government is "of the people, by the people, for the people." Let none of those people - black, white, male, female, religious or secular - be silenced.

I Need God

The fact is, I believe in God. I do, with every fiber of my being. Sometimes I doubt, wondering why He made things so confusing. I begin to ask questions. What blessed moments are these! For at these times, my old misconceptions break down.  I see better who He is.

The intellectual life of the nation and the Western world has moved beyond God. They have progressed from point to point, watching the philosophical arguments for God collapse like dominoes. Galileo challenged the world Dante so vividly portrayed, centered on earth. No! Heresy, they cried! Yet God remained. Then Newton came along, challenging another precept. No longer did God keep the planets in their orbit, but gravity did. Fewer cries of heresy this time, for God remained. While, the earth may not be the center of the universe and gravity may explain a lot, but the fact is, God created the birds and the bees. Then Darwin comes crashing in with his theory of evolution. The cries of heresy begin to arise anew. God seems to be backed into the corner. Does God still remain? Einstein and the physicists of the 20th century come along and seem to tear to shreds the last few proofs. Where is God now?

It seems now that the intellectuals sing the song of Nietzsche, "God is dead." And we have killed him.

Yet I believe. I, who have grown up admiring Einstein, Darwin, Newton, and Galileo. I, who dreamed of being a paleontologist, a physicist, an astronomer, a boy feeding on the discoveries of the men who systematically pulled down the proofs of God. Why?

Because of the questions. Those doubts arise, and I begin to ask, as these brilliant men did, what is behind it all? I have not discovered any fundamental equation that describes the movement of the planets or of light. But I have discovered the equation that moves hearts.

Science is based upon observation. I observe my life and here I find my proof of God. The questions arise, so I do as He suggests. "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself," (John 7:17) Why? Because He makes promises. "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love" (John 15:10). What occurs when I do as he suggests? I abide in love. It surrounds me, enters within me, and then emanates from me. This is the hand of God, far more powerful an evidence than the words, "In the beginning" and all the follows after. This is no scientific truth ready to be peer-reviewed. It is intensely personal. And, yet, everyone of my peers can "review" this process. All can accept the invitation.

Perhaps this world wide era of intense doubt and questioning is like my periods of doubt. Perhaps the world is simply shaking off misconceptions about a deterministic God and other such nonsense. They realize now that God does not live in proofs. They do not need God to explain the origin of man, the planets, or light. But perhaps all will yet recognize the need for God as the origin of order, truth, and love.

To abide in love. For this, I need God.

Scientists propose one-way trips to Mars

Scientists propose one-way trips to Mars

Imagine volunteering for this trip! I wonder if there is any organization on earth with the guts to pull something like this off? Of course, the scientists proposing it are a little...eccentric. One of them believes life on Earth came from rocks on Mars.

But is it feasible? The scientists claim early European colonists had little hope of returning to Europe. Well, sure, but they also went to a place that had air they could breath, liquid water, and temperatures that a human can survive in. Mars colonization isn't going to be a trip across the Atlantic.

The idea is still intriguing, though...maybe I'll see people on Mars in my lifetime.

Policy and politics: Maybe it wasn't worth it | The Economist

Policy and politics: Maybe it wasn't worth it | The Economist

Perhaps a little economic reform would have improved health to a greater degree for the long run. I imagine whether or not a person is working has a significant effect on their health. And if our economy falters due to a large public debt, than what does health care matter?

Welcome back my good friend…

Sore throat!

It’s been almost a month since you last visited. I have gotten to know you so well over the last 6 months. You have visited me at least every few weeks. This latest absence you were away for so long I thought you’d forgotten me.

Remember the month we spent together over the summer? The hours of rest and relaxation and LSAT study you allowed me? I should add you to the list of those I thank for help with the LSAT.

Perhaps today will only be a brief visit, though. I don’t mean to be rude, but I am rather busy. I have a Chinese essay due tomorrow and I have to apply to law schools. When you visit, I would prefer not to be distracted by all these other things. I must admit, it’s a little inconvenient that you visit me at such a busy time.

You aren’t offended are you? I wouldn’t want you to feel unwelcome, but I do have a great deal to do. In fact, I believe I may be busy for some time to come. If you would be so kind as to phone before you visit, or give me some kind of advance notice, it would be greatly appreciated.

The source of strength

Back to those three numbers. I did well. Better than I dared hope. I won’t be heading to Harvard (students with a 4.0 and 180 – read perfect score - on the LSAT still only have a 5% chance of acceptance), but I have a good shot at some highly-ranked schools.

Why? Not because of me, definitely! I have a list of people to thank: my wife, my parents, good professors and teachers, good leaders in church and on the mission. All of them helped contribute to my abilities, to my faith in myself, to my ability to diligently study.

I cannot neglect my ultimate source of strength, though. I prayed hard for the Lord’s help in the months leading up to the LSAT. I tried to keep everything in perspective, remembering that the reason the Lord would help me is if my desires were in the right place. My motivation is to let Alisha come home and work and give my kids all the opportunities my parents gave me. Surely the Lord will help me in this?

And He did.

Those three numbers…

Do you remember those three numbers? The ones that came from the three hour test? The ones that will determine the next three years of my life.

Today I received them. I opened my inbox and there was an e-mail saying, “Your October 2010 LSAT Score.” I knew I wanted to open it right away. I hadn’t expected to get it until Monday. I moved the mouse to the e-mail, then hesitated. Should I wait for Alisha to come home?

No. I opened it. And there were those three numbers.

And life is good…

Here I come law school!

Thoughts Upon Finishing the LSAT

Today I took a 3 hour test that will give me 3 numbers that determine where I will be for the next 3 years of my life. And all those 3’s could have a fairly significant effect on the rest of my life. One pivotal moment….

But, it’s over! It’s so relaxing to be done. Unfortunately, I won’t find out for another 3 weeks.

I wish I could write something deep, meaningful, witty here. But my brain is pretty drained. I should be doing homework, but I just can’t focus…well, I’ll give it a shot.