SLT


Great article by Claire Lew! I believe that in order to deliver constructive feedback you have to have established a relationship with the recipient built on trust and honesty. Believe it or not, that doesn’t take long to develop particularly if you come across as knowledgeable and looking out for the best interest of the learner. When I climb sometimes I’m with people I’ve never met before. If my instincts are strong about this person, I’ll listen to her/him even if that means overriding my fear and better judgement. In high-stake environments, it’s critical to provide timely feedback as well articulate clearly and efficiently your expectations and observations. Learners soon understand that this is a feedback style based on authenticity. As the article indicates, it’s essential to come from a place of care, observation, fallibility, and curiosity. More on Shit Sandwiches here.

 

MI5

“Phones, TVs spy on you: A team within the CIA developed spy software that infects Samsung smart TVs — placing televisions on a “fake-off” mode that still listens to conversations and sends them back to American spies, WikiLeaks claimed. The program, called “Weeping Angel,” was created with the help of the British spying agency MI5, it said.

WikiLeaks reports that another team within the CIA built hacking tools that can remotely control iPhones, iPads and Android devices — secretly taking video from the camera, listening with the microphone, and tracking your location.

In the past, consumers have been warned that Samsung TVs were eavesdropping on private conversations — with the microphones implanted into the TV.

CNN has also reported how the NSA can “turn on” your phone remotely. But it was not previously known that the CIA has a similar capability.

Apple and Samsung — whose products were mentioned by WikiLeaks — did not immediately provide comment to CNN. Google declined to comment. Microsoft said: “We’re aware of the report and are looking into it.”

People who are careful about their privacy have resorted to encrypted apps to place phone calls and send text messages. The most common are Signal and WhatsApp.” (CNN on latest Wikileak)

Holistic

So cool! My former prof, Dr. Peper, is featured in SF News! I took his courses in the early 90s and he was an amazing instructor. Taught me loads about both eastern and western holistic health perspectives. Inspiring! Here’s a blurb from this recent piece (can’t reinforce #1 enough!!!):

“For students who have yet to take a holistic health class, Peper has tips that can improve health during midterms and finals.

  1. Don’t go to class ready to absorb information like a sponge; arrive primed with questions so you’re actively listening.
  2. Try to snag a seat in the front of the class and take notes.
  3. After class, find a study group with peers so you can discuss materials in multisensory ways.
  4. After studying, call a friend and talk about what you just absorbed. This helps the information sink in.
  5. Consider reviewing materials before going to bed, so it’s fresh in your mind when you wake up.
  6. Learn a simple relaxation technique, such as tightening and releasing various muscle groups in your body.
  7. Notify instructors as soon as you have questions.
  8. Learn a breathing exercise.
  9. When studying, sit at a desk and avoid checking emails and social media.
  10. Learn more holistic health concepts and skills by taking holistic health classes.”

via Students in holistic health students classes able to weather stress of school, life

Perched


In other news…
Jax finds herself perched on a Nova Scotia cliff thanks to Omar Gandhi and the fabulous home he’s designed. The problem with this house is I would lay around all day. Nothing would get done. Nothing. My speech would be reduced to this whiny “Do I have to?” and one directive “Just get take out!”
#UselessInNovaScotia #MiCasaNadaTuCasa

Truth

truthTruth = Perception of one’s reality (when Real is greater than the imaginary)??

A day down the rabbit hole! Fortunately, I have a brilliant life to throw these questions out to!

Questions to my Philosopher King:
1. Does truth exist if there is no other? (Other meaning external validating source)
2. Is truth reliant upon another person’s validation of our perceptions?
3. Does the imaginary always exist (to a greater or lesser extent) in the Real?
4. And sanity (perceived collective of Real?) is when the individual’s Real is greater than the imaginary?

Philosopher King’s response:
take no 1: “other meaning external validating source..
What is the force of “other”? Does it means outside the person? Sure, if the claim is some external fact, e.g., “Trump is a liar” (an easy one). But not if I am claiming that this or that life is really a genuinely fulfilling life for some person. There’s a truth here, I would say, but it’s not outside the person, as in the Trump case.
2. It follows from this that 2 is false.
3. also very hard. What is “imaginary”? In physics, certainly not. But “imaginary” in the sense of derived imagination which allows us to invent/grasp deeper and more revealing paradigm? that we certainly need to understand human beings.
4. On this meaning of “imaginary”, 4 is not true.

My Summary/Follow Up Questions 
1. Does truth exist if there is no other? Yes, if it applies to Trump (Tr). Hahaha! Here’s the problem though, if Truth is found within, then what is the validating source to confirm that it is the Truth as opposed to Deception or Delusion?
2. Is truth reliant upon another person’s validation of our perceptions? If the answer to 1 is yes, then 2 is No.
3. Does the imaginary always exist (to a greater or lesser extent) in the Real? Physics, No. Philosophically, Yes.
4. And sanity (perceived collective of Real?) is when the individual’s Real is greater than the imaginary? If the answer to 3 is Yes, then 4 is No.

He’s always right! Love it!