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Sunday, December 31, 2017

Beyond year of explanation

Spent a lot of time this year trying to explain myself, to others and to myself really. Seems like a good idea to make a post which tries to simplify and get it all together.

Main point is have ideas, lots of ideas. Some of those are math ideas, and when was 26 had a math thing which should have made me world famous. Math people didn't accept it though, one guy said was, too simple. Being of a certain type though, I simply persevered, piling up major discoveries and now over 20 years later have more math discoveries than keep up with easily. The math people are entrenched, and I insult them a lot about it, as am shocked by their betrayal of the human species.

Feel like I ended up in an odd intellectual war, where none should have been.

Otherwise, I branched out, like finding my own definition of science, which works better than any other, so I could help people believe in climate change. And THEN giddy with having this thing, came up with a simple way to define entertainment, as why not? I LIKE entertainment.

And I unleashed my definition of entertainment as a way to safely control mood, on the world, and have been looking to see what happened.

The press has been clueless. They listen to establishment people like those math people I insult a lot, and they all get diminished as I raise reasonable doubt about their competency around the globe. I got that kind of ability. Is SO cool. They are fated to fall much. Makes history more interesting will admit.

The press is too important for them not to be properly trained. Painful lessons unfortunately may be only ones that will work. Wishing for a better way does not make one appear.

There is an iconoclastic aspect to my attitudes, in contradiction to the discovery which can inflict me potentially as an icon, on those trained by a 20th century world insisting on dismissing me--as 21st century learns how to present me. And I learn how to live with it.

And yet I'm POTENTIALLY known all over the world. Making me one of the most influential humans who is underreported in all of human history. I am unique. Apparently that slot was still available in human history.

As a 21st century discoverer, I break the molds of the past, as I work to define, and find a better framework but for what future?

Enabled much by the web, great thing is web enables others also to check me on EVERYTHING, and be along for the fun. Definitely my story allows you to check so many people, on so many things.

My ideas help our world in so many ways, am sure. But how do I know?

Which I think is very cool. But have struggled as a result of much with making money, so am working on that.

Still kind of a long post, maybe. So hard to really get to just the essence that matters.


James Harris

Friday, December 29, 2017

Information distribution: fan or for favor?

Focus much on my efforts to figure out my situation with this wild new world of the web, where one area have not talked as much. So yeah, my ideas draw attention like to this blog, and some drifts to me, but also to other things I discuss. Years ago was more fascinated with it, so would deliberately share from say, my favorite artists or talk my favorite movies.

To get some perspective, consider this blog alone has had visits where is a rough measure but kind of gives an idea, from 67 countries according to Google Analytics for the entire year of 2017 so far. But only 16 countries for the month of December.

Top 5 for December: US, India, UK, Canada, Netherlands

So yeah, conceivably things I suggest might be noticed in 16 countries just from posts this month, while the bigger picture over time means can impact, well much of the world, theoretically, I would think. Yeah I hedge much. Web is so wild. POTENTIAL may be there, but what happened really? And how would I know?

Still looking at such numbers not surprisingly I'd try to test things out, and was one reason realized those numbers ARE real. However, was just fan behavior. Not even sure anyone even noticed. Which is weird, when you grew up one way, and just as a lark you're talking one of your favorite artists or talking a movie, and you're watching to see if anything happens as a result--in the real world.

Sort of thing anyone on the web can do though. Just a way to see if you got any influence.

Talked subject on my newest blog Seriously Commercial in post: Fan or for favor

And made that blog to try to figure out how to commercialize reach. So plan is most such things isolated to it as well, and have a Facebook Page to support it. And talking promotion of others or things from others for money purposes. With MY things of course, can put anywhere..

Shifted how I looked at many things though, playing around. Glad to work hard for something consistent and to keep it simple. I like my opinions to just be about how I really feel about something, without any extra motivation.

Focusing commercial in very narrow areas and a couple of places lets me remain free, everywhere else.


James Harris

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

When truth is a pursuit

Have been focused much on authenticity, authority, and validation for so long, which worked out ok. Actually it worked out well, as so much for me ended up upside down, where for instance I had big things for me now, long ago, as in decades. Which meant was spending time after wondering who I am, what makes me, and what did I have which was actually worth anything.

Unlike others who find ways to get attention, was in a situation where an entity in a way, which I call the web, would tell me there was some kind of it, global, but not how to process it.

Would have to learn.

Now over twenty years since my first big discovery, and over fifteen years from another of my biggest, am comforted with smaller, less challenging ideas of mine, like really, what is entertainment?

Is comforting.

Where was the press? Thankfully lost. They can stay there for all I care.

For those along for much of it, one way or another, like here, you probably often knew more than I did, or even do now about how things looked for others. Am so much about understanding the center within the storm, and making certain remains, a peaceful place.

Yet was so much invisible, I think. How much a storm really? Or just in my own mind?

Regardless, with a ringside seat to what felt like a special performance that just keeps going, was always that search also, for solid ground.

These days decided am a meta innovator. Where like to try and explain what that means, when really is just thinking about the how of innovation. And importantly, how do we know?

How do we find things that work? I'm still searching for that truth.

How do we know?


James Harris

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Web depth

Information flows easily on the web which has greatly solved the information distribution problem, which also pushes a need to verify that information in many ways, including authenticity. And thankfully, ease of information flow does also over time enable ways to check authenticity including on depth of history, as well as authority.

Like became fascinated recently with how long have been doing my blogs like this one, with a history maintained by others, as Blogger provides that service along with my ability to present like with this post. And is easy to check so just did for this post and see I got started April 2005, and was just talking some generic things around my open source project.

That depth to information certainly helps in figuring things out as noticed with myself when coming across someone new, would automatically search for it from that person, as can quickly get a feel for someone. Without it? Am more guessing or wondering how much to trust what is presented.

Is MUCH more a big deal when need information, and wonder on what authority something is being presented. History helps, as you can look back over time. Without it? Yup, more guessing. And web search is a subject have talked a LOT as part of web authority, where information one needs is found through it.

But web search has often faced criticism, as to how rankings can maybe be gamed, or when people are upset at how certain things can trend high, when should not. While with myself, admit do not JUST depend on web search ranking, but also check authority and authenticity by other means.

Like there are situations where will go to a government website regardless of where find it ranking in search as looking for it, if expect government has one covering the needed area. Though in my experience they DO usually rank highly. And notice, those government websites tend to have a LOT of web depth, including histories that develop over time. Governments unlike humans are less likely to be endlessly creating and deleting web sites, one would think.

Web depth to me is increasingly important as we watch the web become more stable.

And web depth gives a benefit to sites like Blogger or others where you get a stability which can be lacking with the people who use the service. Am mentioning them as using their service here, but could loop through a list of web companies where I feel safe in clicking on links because of them as the portal to that information, even when I may question the source thereafter.

Like here certain things you know because am on Blogger, but still you can have to do effort to check information I share on a post.

We are increasingly needing to be able to check authority in our times. And will offer a free idea, as years ago suggested on social media where follow them to my alma mater Vanderbilt University that they give some kind of web badge which would authenticate that a person actually graduated from there. Will admit am not sure how one would do it, especially to prevent fraudsters, but badges of some kind are a subject in social media.

Maybe even would be nice if social media companies might band together to create some kind of non-profit repository of such information. Which could be the source for links, to do things like, have a badge showing whatever is needed.

Regardless a history of efforts can tell a LOT about what a person actually knows, even if there isn't that additional verification which am thinking will arrive in time. Is just so much information can gather quickly just looking over a history, which is very hard to hide. Which I think is great.

As information flows freely around the web will admit am gratified that my own strategy of picking places and building forward from there, has a benefit can describe. Like here, over a decade of information available with posts! That at least those in checking me can see quite a bit if they wish, which is a depth that takes time.


James Harris

Monday, December 18, 2017

When global feels like work

Have accepted have maintained a global presence in various ways like with this blog, where also have realized that it does take work to maintain. Which am sure sounds silly to have to say as of course it does! Which is why started telling myself such things to gain proper focus. Where was helped by feeling it as effort finally, when realized could watch myself when felt global slipping away, as apparently moved rapidly and efficiently to retain it, but that effort finally this year got hard enough had to recognize was taking place.

Which is great! Is kind of weird watching yourself that way though, and makes me wonder about how the mind works. Like shouldn't I just know? Why have to convince myself, by watching myself?

So yeah, began to better assess things like on this blog not working to pursue things had already achieved, but to move forward with better goal setting as better assessed what was necessary and possible. Especially how better to move in other areas where really just didn't wish to handle. Like to me is funny that my upbringing created a hostility towards a lot of money things, and a comfort in the lack, until the lack becomes too uncomfortable.

Also DO have a responsibility to others and as have struggled with figuring out how to make money have been forced to rely much on community for support. Where yes, needed it and am grateful for it, but should be working to limit to only necessary, which has helped me overcome some weird attitudes toward money as well. Is not being humble to be too dependent. Is not being smart.

Where guess maybe kind of covered things in a way that might need serious editing, but gist of it is, realized was working to maintain global attention. And also recognized wasn't doing some things I need to do, while telling myself I was trying to figure it out. Which I was, so that part was actually smart.

Is so much fun though. So wouldn't have had it any other way. Have managed to be along for the ride with much things web, while the web has evolved, without getting dragged into things do not like and especially do not like to do. And here and elsewhere have been comforted with at least trying to find my own way.

Maintaining a global presence in a world of attention will never actually be easy. And in recognizing the value of my own efforts can at least objectively assess how that can work better for myself and others, as accept that the work itself can be rewarding.

Ok sounds good. So guess will post. Why not. Still working through things. Is odd though, for almost two decades just kind of felt like hanging out, out here. You know, just doing a little something that might lead to something bigger. Now am like, hey.


James Harris

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Checking people on depth

There is that feeling am appreciating as knowledge piles up, and we can all over the world start assessing things on the web based on history. Like have been on this blog for over 10 years. Which is something am noting to myself as a reason for staying with Blogger. Where also a shout-out to the people who help maintain the platform! Thanks! And of course also, please keep working at it.

Where am NOT against people starting anew as actually is one of my favorite things, catching fresh early, and watching people grow. Is actually more fun than looking at well established. But as a practical matter, is so much harder when you just start looking for that audience for whatever reason.

For those who have been putting things out here on the web public for a long time like myself can appreciate that people can check you on things. Where of course they can check on what you leave up, but also there has to be that having been done to have something there.

So yeah, I try to review things. However, also like checking myself, and pondering at times what was thinking or believing years ago.

Importance of depth on the web is something am now considering as go meta and check how I check people. And yes, DO appreciate the new, where actually you build up a reputation very rapidly on the web. While also I appreciate having that depth of web activity, which means with me?

You can spend HOURS just scratching the surface. Sometimes I just stop myself with my own content before I lose days considering it. Of course who knows how others feel about it really, which is not my concern actually. If a person isn't interested, then will not bother with it, right?

Of course. Am same way myself.


James Harris

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Setting expectations is challenging

Find myself thinking much on goal setting, and with certain things, like learning can be hard, especially if subject matter is constantly evolving, as web is. And through the years have begun working harder at trying to lay down some foundations around some things basic, while also emphasizing basic research in past, where can explain better now am sure.

Will focus in this post on only two things, to help me delineate clearly.

So yeah, very much told myself there is a reason, when made a post back in 2014 noting total downloads and countries for my one open source software product. What I remind myself there is that I have something I made which has drawn interest from over 150 countries over a period of a decade. Here is the reference post but the point to me is to recognize for myself, yeah there is an accomplishment worth noting there.

Point was to lock that down as separate and distinct from whatever comes after.

Project is still active but keeps me from having too much emotion as a moving thing, with up's and down's from year to year.

Other thing will focus on here was coming up with my own definition of entertainment which am sure was very challenging to my prior point of view? But is hard to remember, why I like writing things down in the moment. Guess it must have been, right? Have talked some of what entertainment meant to me before versus now.

As much as I write around these things, at times like now think should have written more. And have a reference date of June 22, 2015 for sharing that idea with a formal definition though HAD been  working through some concepts before. And, focused on just two key abstractions saying entertainment is a way we humans use to safely control our mood. Focused on mood and sense of safety. And have a reference post for that as well to help me keep up with things.

There with basic research began to puzzle as soon as was posting how might be relevant, if true.

If decided was not true would have pulled the post by now, probably unless felt might be useful to me to keep up as a reference or even a reminder of a mistake, not to repeat.

Is why basic research can be weirder for others to handle as you see something, which can get repeated for years and wonder where it is going. Versus say, a movie where once you start hearing about it usually, soon thereafter there is a premiere and a theatrical run. These days though people can see at times when a movie goes on the schedule, years ahead of such things.

For me, setting my own expectations involves very short timelines, where am checking as these are reached in a constant process. Like, how would certain ideas likely impact things, and in what ways? Then I can look at real world and check with what is happening.

In terms of setting up expectations for others have long tried to avoid as much as possible. And think that is a good idea in general though can be helpful I think to suggest guidelines for considering things you put public. But ultimately what people expect should be up to them I think, given facts presented.

With me, generally will talk success in a guarded way. Successful ideas I keep, while ones that do not past muster I try to disappear rapidly. My blogs are constant works in progress. Usually am looking to measure how well things are going with ideas, and often am just trying to keep up with things!

So much keeps changing as especially with web so much is developing.

Here have talked a locked down accomplishment which is steadily receding into the past but is relevant to me for perspective, as well as a more recent work in progress with ideas around a high profile area. Point being in selecting two areas that could be sharply defined for such a discussion.


James Harris

Thursday, December 07, 2017

Our valuing knowledge reality

One of my favorite posts talks the subject of how do we know.

So is so titled: How do we know?

And one of those subjects brought up there as have pondered it often is that of a doctor who figured out that doctors should wash their hands before treating pregnant women. Things did not go well for him. He was ridiculed for what was considered a ludicrous idea in his time, but so believing in it, as women were dying, he pushed and was committed to an insane asylum, where he died.

Talking Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis for those who do not know the story or wish to check where link to the Wikipedia. But he actually comes up quite a bit! With good reason if you ponder how a man was destroyed for trying to get doctors to wash their hands. And of course in our times is standard medical practice though yeah, keep having to get at them and other health care providers to do as much as needed!

So sad someone trying to do so much good, whose life in its tragedy as well as triumphs as he was right, becomes a cautionary tale.

Our species has learned much. But also much with trial and error, and harshness for the discoverers.

There are other dark stories but his stands out to me, as is so easily and quickly told, while also easily referenced.

One should not assume that just because you are right, things will go well for you, if you are right.

But how do you know?

My conclusion is it is important to relentlessly ask yourself that question, as better than not.

Ask myself that a LOT. How do I know? Or sometimes also, why do I think I know?


James Harris

Wednesday, December 06, 2017

Went well as expected

Have had some kind of wild posts by my standards and especially had to post noting would be taking extraordinary measures out of my comfort zone, where noted there had a 99% confidence level would go ok. With all of that complete will post to note that things are done.

Extraordinary measures are now complete. Public notification is now complete. Going back to normal operations.

In essence was just talking certain things more direct with a LOT less hedging than usually do, and worked out much better. Some assumptions I had about how that might go were just thankfully way wrong.

And is public what was done. With LOTS of posts on this blog as well as posts on others as blogs worked as a team. Which is SO much fun. Has been years since my blogs worked so closely together.

Since things went so well am not even curious myself what would have looked like if had not. And I think is interesting the conversation one can have with one's self, but also of course blogs are VERY public. And my blogs have global reach, so also then is not a surprise can have to pump myself up a bit to take a different direction.

So yeah went out of my comfort zone and it went ok. Cool.


James Harris

Friday, December 01, 2017

Pondering reality around reality checks

One HUGE problem am focusing on is evaluating current situation when it comes to attention levels. Where realize have been repetitive for years, but also think that has been good for documenting things. Web reality means you can get global attention potentially, but how to measure?

One thing realize did in the past is just see as some alternate reality, and often just kind of shrug. Figured would figure it out eventually, and would just continue on with what I was doing. So kept a separate reality from out here on the web, which can feel as distinct, from most of my daily. But feel like now those have crashed together which is a relief! But now MUST figure out the money aspect.

But how do I reality check web things best?

Figured out entertainment in order to understand web things actually, when deduced a connection with audience levels where generally publicly self-identified as part of a known audience are called followers on social media. And of course with entertainment focused naturally on celebrity, and then admittedly got distracted with the joy of understanding my entertainment better. It is wild that a couple of key abstractions shifted so much for me, and if did so for others is great as well, where I guess there. For me has been very different now as can focus...about to get distracted again. Can focus on best entertainment but have talked that enough. Must keep in mind purpose of THIS post.

Have often tried to reality check with what I like to call mass market preconceived notions where would always fail utterly, which finally got me checking into them more. Time is helping out a LOT as yeah do keep up with celebrities on the web, so can study how they use things like their social media accounts over time. And also study how well that differentiates where they rank in a number of various ways. Is more dynamic a measure that way as well as can check things most people might, and also consider things most would not, as so much data is available.

Oh yeah, is a BIG reason to look at celebrities much as more information on them and from them than from any other source on the web. Which is great! Celebrities more so than anyone else, even politicians or companies, are pumping out vast quantities of information I find useful like on social media.

Am on a lot of social media but thankfully at very low levels. Turns out is WORK to get massive followings, though they do seem to stick around when gained. Though engagement seems to require constant work, and maybe some folks are making it seem easier than it is. But yeah that is what they are supposed to do. Best performers make so much look easy even when is astonishingly difficult.

Yet now myself am more focused on work as yeah, web is definitely am sure now fully a part of my life whether I wish it or not. So no separating out here like before from what I do for work.

Which is turning into a massive challenge for me, where struggling at it is causing a lot of posts! As I use my blogs often to figure things out.

The web metric problem is a continuing one. While also my own mental attitude needed serious adjustment as was too easy to just give myself arbitrary measures as reality checks, conclude nothing was happening yet, so I could just keep doing what I was doing. Until it finally became clear to me that reality did not care that I thought was being sensible and humble, when needed to be objective and facing truth squarely.

Working on that now. This post is long enough. Writing this sentence is good way of telling myself to stop here.


James Harris