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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

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Considering attention variation though

One thing have noted is a global reality to attention my ideas get, at various locations like here on this blog. And a benefit have realized to doing these kinds of posts is to document. This time though also want to talk more about how attention has varied through the years.

Ok, so now to Google Analytics which use as a baseline even though know does not capture all visits, but gives an indication.

And yeah, so far this year, which is nearly over, have had visits to this blog according to Google Analytics from only 66 countries.

Top 5: US, India, Netherlands, Canada, South Korea

And that is from only 305 cities. Where languages, again according to Google Analytics where just reading the numbers, is only 46.

Looking at those kinds of drops from prior posts where have talked these numbers is interesting also in the variation, as yeah went down, but tend for this blog to stay over 45 countries annually. Actually if my memory serves me, for a LONG time was usually around that number, year after year after year.

For a LONG time also I'd focus on the audience numbers where now I rarely even check them. And do not give, where there are practical reasons, but can guess do not live up in MY mind to those other numbers. Yet also the web analytics are more of an indicator which helps more with trends I think.

Where am talking one blog, and I do tend to notice how attention flows across wherever I can get web analytics, and variation in some ways is simple: usually have English speaking countries, and all of Europe. The up and down with the country counts tends to be elsewhere, with the biggest drop off across continent of Africa, and the other being across continent of South America.

Which to me is unexplained. Still get visits from a LOT of countries annually which is rather steady in many ways.

Explanation for yearly constancy that I like? My ideas pull the attention constantly. The variation I see is actually more like a kind of random like looking at the tops of waves on the ocean.

What impact from things I do on my blogs or across other social media?

Um, remarkably often is hard to see any. Which is why have LOTS of freedom to try things.

Reality though is that once the ideas are introduced they do not need me. And to the extent that people even bother to come back to the source, like here, is usually only cast-off attention that may come my way. That means that often I find it hard to see much impact with what I do, or say, or whatever. You get used to it.

There ARE things that can move things much but in other ways don't talk as much as too close to the underlying machinery of the web itself. And turns out? Don't explain that much. One way to figure out where I mean is, how do people even know to get here though? From so many countries? Ever?

That is not about me, but about how web search like Google and also yeah Bing work, along with whatever else gets people here. And over such things I have NO control, and wouldn't want any either. However yeah, if I got a little wild will amuse me to see what shifts, like it matters.

As explained the annual story is more smooth and constant, regardless of what I do personally. Reality of that assessment bothered me, which is why began focusing on a code of behavior. The ideas don't care but I must. And am happy now with that lesson of steady to work through such things over a period of years.

With all that said though, how do I explain that shift from around 45 countries annually to these higher levels more recently? And to me is yeah, about idea introduction.

New ideas recently introduced? Ideas around entertainment in last couple of years.

So there IS a mechanism that experience shows does shift things up which is introduction of new ideas.


James Harris

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Better defining effort

Firmly believe must do what one loves, and if find an audience shares interest, is great! But regardless do the things you love. While also most, like me, must find an audience, if only of one, for doing things for others for employment purposes, with remuneration. That is, most people need to have a paying job. Great if can coincide with what you love doing, of course.

And better defining efforts as to how that works has helped me. As grew up taught to just get a job, and maybe there was the possibility for getting beyond mundane of the usual, of finding other realms, which was actually mysterious like, how do you get discovered? Where now talk of those as preconceived notions. Were from lessons learned before possible in our times, when web can enable you to reach an audience, and can be a global one. But then what?

When you just want to get a job, you look for available ones through various means, endeavor to get an interview, and work to convince some person or persons you can do the work required. Generally you're looking at working for a business entity with a superior position in terms of establishment, money and other resources including infrastructure.

With the web, so much structure is abstract, if it exists at all.

Plenty of mechanisms for the remuneration, especially for employment purposes are still built for the world that was.

While modern money is an evolved wonder, allowing you to get a return on favors done for others, as an abstraction I claim is a social IOU backed up by society. Evolved wonder it may be, money regardless I theorize, flows in very distinct ways, where have a money flows reference post, which I DO check routinely. These abstractions are ones I try to use.

One HUGE problem on the web is the trust factor, as you can want someone to do something for you, or be wanted, but then there is structure in the world I no longer take for granted. I study it now.

One abstraction introduced recently addressing that area is the abstract payment intermediary, where some business entity in the middle facilitates transactions around flows of ideas.

Ideas can flow easily on the web. That part we know.

Having a system around those ideas, with buyers and sellers, and proper business, with as high a level of efficiency, trust and goodwill as can be found off the web, is I believe, a work in progress.


James Harris

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

When ideas are not paying directly

There does need to be a return on effort, commensurate with perception of value received, if it was received. And feel like have received a great return for me on my personal efforts putting out ideas on the web. My vague idea for about two decades is that it will connect to something money-making at some point.

Now am figuring out more of how it does not, and why.

There are institutions built up around sharing ideas. While on web can just put some out, and people can get direct, where if perceive value in those ideas--is a personal thing.

Have reached a financial situation which is pushing me to rethink such things in MY context and about ideas I share here.

To me the ideas have value, but to YOU?

Only you know.

We do have a problem on the web with mechanisms for returning that value though there are movements in that direction.

Which does make it hard. And readily note give ideas without expecting any direct return. Sharing things because I think they are useful and sharing helps me, and may help others. However, is also true find it difficult with web as it is, to share things for the purpose of a monetary return outside of establishment systems. Like sure I can say, write a short story here on my blog, but to get paid for such work, looks to me like need some corporate entity.

There is no institution here to tell you that paying back some of that value is a duty. No structure of people doing it to witness.

Web offers something different. But have been surprised at how hard it is to set up structures that facilitate providing a service on the web, or some product on the web, without putting yourself at the mercy of a corporate entity. And usually talking at the mercy, seriously, of a vast corporate enterprise.

And what does this business entity give actually? Mainly I think is about trust.

Like you know the source here at least.

Realize there was effort involved in finding the ideas and putting them out here, but only you know if there was a received value, for YOU. To me there can be an interest as well in a better system. Why should a huge chunk of the value you feel you received go to some other than person who produced it?

Yeah but the potential of the web is direct, while reality means that yeah, a corporate entity can help people feel more secure, while also yeah, providing other services. Yet my situation has impressed upon me just how forced you are to use a corporation, for money on the web. Would prefer it be my own I guess. Will get there as set as a useful goal.

Web is introducing more possibility, while pushing us to look more carefully at structures already in place.

Have realized though maybe haven't seen fully the value in my ideas, myself. Makes it harder then to explain to others? Or maybe, makes it impossible. Have been talking much, without maybe even focusing on, what value with these ideas, really?


James Harris

Tuesday, November 07, 2017

Thoughts on writing to write

Some of my blog posts have the label: Writing to write. Where yeah can just have an urge to write something, which is a creative thing, and wrote one yesterday reminiscing a bit about San Francisco, talking about a Thursday and Friday. Sometimes would go out on Thursday but be careful to drink less, of course to be ok for work next day. And luckily, I rarely get hangovers. Which apparently is just something was born with, which definitely removes lots of the penalty.

And then after work could go to the karaoke bar I preferred, early. And could maybe get to sing though would fill up quick! And was harder to sing on Friday and Saturday than other days.

Where then could stay later, and yup, would at times find interesting conversations with folks hanging around outside the now gone Transbay Terminal. Where I went through daily, as lived on Treasure Island, and you crossed the Bay Bridge into what is now commonly called SoMa, which is where I worked, when was working. Got laid off as have brought up before, and eventually ended up leaving San Francisco, in March 2012.

The post really did just flow and decided to do very limited editing. Where will be rereading today to see if continue with that idea.


James Harris

Monday, November 06, 2017

Ideas and the City

There is a relief in walking away quietly, if metaphorically, when those ideas that pummeled your world view so fiercely, can be tamed by your human reality. Will not think about you now, can mutter, if not in words then in actions, like at a bar where can survey your fellow humans. Having fun then becomes the work that matters, especially after work that felt like it did not. Ideas push.

You can push back, and think about the day-job tomorrow. Do not drink too much.

Was a reality back then, in San Francisco, when balanced sanity like walking a tightrope, or so told myself. What others might think? Need we bother? Like I'd really ask. The alcohol might dull others but it simply slowed me down and I'd ponder that odd reality as realized that usually people look like they're moving in slow motion to me. If I let that idea dominate while ponder if it's true.

Looking at the bartender, another drink arrives. They know me well.

Such were the nights that could happen on a Thursday. And be out of the bar before 10 pm? Or definitely in time to be home by midnight, and to sleep rapidly. To get up, and go to the day-job where data entry would give me numbers to play. The relentless typing of number after number was restful in and of itself. Sometimes the ideas would wish to come out as well. But concentrate.

Am I accurate? Of course. The astonishing accuracy needed by people who do data entry might puzzle others. The kind of area where the naive think computers could take over or do a better job, but human beings can push to near perfection. My accuracy is of course at the level of a person working at a high level corporation, who literally helps millions of dollars find their homes.

The alcohol slowed me down for a night, but effects were gone by the next day. I rarely got hangovers.

Is that a blessing or an invitation? After work, would be back at the bar early, as was a karaoke bar then might manage to sing something, as Friday was one of the busiest nights. Sometimes would simply go elsewhere.

The ideas come back. They call again against my reality. They promise things to me.

A world they offer. I consider later in the night. Looking out at the lights of San Francisco in the wee morning, with the other denizens of the alternate city, when most have gone on, and a few partiers may mix with those going to work, or coming home from work, or the homeless who gather near the now gone Transbay terminal station and talk. They talk about life and dreams and freedom and I wonder about mine.

Sometimes could feel like the city would sing to me then. That San Francisco was the best friend who understood the dreams and the nightmares and accepted both. There was a freshness to the night, and a crispness to the thought, as ideas were peaceful as well, like sleeping dogs, waiting later for their day.

The Muni 108 would finally arrive and would ride back to Treasure Island. Back across the Bay Bridge to that island in the bay, by the City by the Bay. A cycle completed.

My ideas, would find me again.


James Harris

----------------------------

Can download your own copy as a PDF from my Google Drive here.

Update February 2024: Have an ebook wrote years ago with pics from SF time if curious go here.

Full story IS challenging

So yeah very good reasons why am wary of asking people for help, along with ones already given as note am often doing my own basic research. However also with my established prior things there is an implication of fraud as to how that has been treated.

Finally explained how that works too. That certain highly placed people may have results that are not valid, but is hard to tell. Where my research finally showed that, which happened over a decade ago.

They, of course, are continuing. And I have kept at various things while wondering how hard it can be when truth is just the start where will link to that post there.

Where with me is not actually as big of a deal as you might think. If feel a need to feel sorry for anyone, feel sorry for their students. Can you imagine? Like at some prestigious school, you find out you have been taught bogus techniques with that revealed over a decade ago?

And historical perspective helps me much, to lower expectations on timelines, while the web enables much, but then you have social pressure with how people behave. So is very challenging in many ways.

Is better to have it all out there though. Have tried various approaches through the years, so actually am not saying things have not said before. But on my blogs have looked at various ways to go about talking certain things where they are very specialized.

This one has helped me talk things out as consider problem solving. The information DOES travel. Is very dramatic too, and implications ARE huge which encompasses governments. But they do seem aware of me, but there is still a drop-off somewhere. The facts in and of themselves should be enough, but are not, so far.

Why would these governments be so bad at checking into something which could be so key to their security. Like check out this story about a problem in Estonia with their ID cards. That little nation could potentially simply be shut down indefinitely if things go really bad. Clearly they'd move if they had any clue.

Why then so hard to get nations around the globe to consider security risks which are mathematically likely given evidence?

Have good guesses. Most likely is the intimidation factor and lack of education in problem areas. Most people are greatly intimidated by math as a difficult subject for them.

THAT is for those national governments with a clue though. Like have no indications that Estonia is aware of me or my research at all.

Will continue to ponder.


James Harris

More transparency on assertions

Full reality of what am saying in certain areas is that top members of the world's math community are apparently engaging in willful fraud, using mathematical approaches shown invalid in a VERY dramatic way. If true could mean extraordinary consequences for them if caught, including potential prosecutions and sense there is a national security component that could lead to severe penalties indeed.

Which is a reason for me to be careful in discussing as while I have facts on my side, do not have a lot of information about why these people are behaving as they are, and also would not want to interfere with potential investigation by US Justice Department or by corresponding entities in countries around the world.

We're not talking minor matters here.

If you thought were reading ramblings of a person desperate for attention, will admit you've been reading careful public statements which help me outline the problem. As am also looking for a solution where governments consider the facts.

These people seem to be ready as well. On their side is a lot of prestige. We're like talking about top people at math departments at Harvard and Oxford or University of California, Berkeley, who have a LOT to lose. Makes it an intellectual challenge as well.

Presumably they would NOT behave as am seeing with the facts, which is also why is taking so long.

My recent discovery of a new way to do the modular inverse is key to proving their willful behavior which is key to prosecution, in my opinion. Am NOT a legal person. Am a discoverer who understands a lot I think about why they're enemies of their respective states. But is not clear how to safely bring them to justice.


James Harris

Sunday, November 05, 2017

Updated assessment

Really is a unique opportunity with latest mathematical discovery. With so many where things have not seemed to move much should be wary of being overly pessimistic. This discovery has unique features.

Initial evaluation is complete. Is a solid result which knew from proof, but further is clearly new, and in a clean way as easily proven and no connection to anyone else's research can even be suggested, where definitely stands out. The modular inverse is also applied math, since calculating is part of public key encryption techniques, though have not researched to what extent my research might really shift things there as actually out of my area. Makes more sense to rely on expertise of others.

Is weird though. The quiet thing like with prior results. Am attempting alternate techniques.

Greater transparency in message does make sense as well, especially as to motivations of people betraying the public trust. These things are not really so distant from people. It is such an odd story.

Primary background on previous public assessments still hold. However, rethink on conclusion to shift from math results.

Current assessment then is: reverse on prior assessment on shifting from math as unique opportunity. Other reasons also apply. Study the social problem more to determine why the truth seems to be so limited in moving people, even when so dramatic.

When truth is just the start

So yeah have opened up a LOT recently about an important year for me, as in 2004 had a memorable event where was validated by two anonymous peer reviewers and an editorial decision to publish a pivotal math paper of mine, where I demonstrated how to appear to prove something by the same rules that said it was wrong.

Cool!

Well after the chief editor must have, who knows, he tried to literally delete out of what was an electronic journal, which managed one more edition before it keeled over and died, I like to say. A European organization maintains archives, so you can see where chief editor deleted out. (Was 2003 edition which actually went live late in early 2004.) But that European organization called EMIS also maintained my original paper with a separate link! So cool.

Which I've noted before. Where have, um, not noted that didn't really mess ME up that much. Sure practiced a bit talking with world press, for interviews that probably, ok yeah, should have happened. But when didn't? For me, was a shrug.

Why would mathematicians, specifically number theorists try to run away from a result showing a clever person could both appear to prove and disprove something in a paper?

Well let's speculate and use our imaginations. Imagine you're a top number theorist at a prestigious university, with accolades and awards, and some nobody who isn't even a mathematician gets a paper published, which reveals you have NO significant mathematical accomplishments at ALL. None.

Your papers? On which you had so much pride? False because of some esoteric math thing and God knows, why should such a thing exist? And how could it not have been found a century ago?

Why you?

Your entire life is built on an esoteric mathematical error that entered the field before you were born and what chance did you have?

So imagine that hypothetical person, who is probably male as field is dominated by males. And now over 13 years later, he has simply lived his life. What would YOU have done?

For me, who cares. I'm a major discoverer who was freed upon the world after doing my due diligence. And kept discovering things, without being hassled with other things, like wearing a suit much. Or teaching classes. Or making speeches. Or grading student homework if I'd ever bother is kind of thing grad students do. Or yuck, being in places with supposedly important people, congratulating me on how great I supposedly am.

Yeah, I lost nothing. And joking above to some extent as am NOT a mathematician, and do NOT see myself as an academic. Is just not appealing to me.

And was probably going to just let things ride with my blogs and disclosure as is harsh. Those mathematicians back then? Yeah dealing with something not known. But teaching invalidated math concepts to new students? Actually is evil. Yeah that is the appropriate word. That does puzzle me a bit, as how could anyone do such a thing? They're condemning their students in what I think is a deliberate act, while they didn't have that chance. The research generated doesn't actually work either, in case you're wondering. It's just wasted human effort. And the truth is KNOWN. I proved it dramatically.

How can mathematicians have research that is BOGUS without that revealing itself? They do what they call pure research which has little or no practical application. So can't be seen by it failing in the real world. Is such a pat system. Very hard to get anywhere against such a thing.

Got much more upset years ago about students, but what can I do? So also why have tried to be sure the information is available. So maybe they can come across it and save themselves.

So yeah, have it on my blogs.

The truth is out there, you know?

That got me powerfully motivated for a bit years ago but such a slog! The truth was just a start and was dealing with powerful social forces. As these folks I guess have been relying heavily on same, as I have tried things. And as years go by, in between doing my own research which is important to me and NOT doing it would have been not good, also probed solutions to what I call, the social problem.

Lately that got a bit of urgency with my latest. Found yet another mathematical discovery less than six months ago, though no longer really looking. And is first addition to a certain area in over 200 years. As I found a new fundamental way to do something called a modular inverse. Where last person can see in the record who had a new fundamental was Euler, back in 1763 according to this article just read this morning as finally got curious enough. Only other primary technique is something called extended Euclidean algorithm relying on ideas, yeah, go back to Euclid. Um, he was around couple of thousand years ago, but you knew that am sure, right?

One would think only a few humans in human history could come up with such a thing. Just the way it was done required using advanced number theory I discovered. But enough about me. Joking yeah. Just seems hard to process.

The concepts could impact global security systems that rely on some of these things, which forced me to accept that maybe I've had enough fun, ranging.

Can you imagine though? Knowing you have these truths which will NOT go away, and you just get to hang with folks who have no clue as there are these odd failures in human systems?

Is like a dream.

That's weird. I know, but like hanging out with folks without all that other.

Apparently parts of me are more responsible though, and have pressured me into doing the right thing. Isn't that such a phrase.

So what can you do? Probably nothing much. Need governments for this kind of thing. They've been a bit more obtuse than I expected.

Governments really need to wake up soon. If you ARE in government, then check the story. Verify the facts, and then accept the truth.

Am concerned about an open door. Yeah I opened with research, but the truth was always there.

I just found it. I'm simply the discoverer.


James Harris

Friday, November 03, 2017

Benefit of past experience

Is fascinating to me to be comforted by being in a situation similar to past ones with my latest math thing. Now though web is a lot more evolved, and I've learned a lot more, so can look at the situation with a lot more calm, even if options still remain limited.

Closest experience with a past result that really is telling was with my variation on prior ways to count prime numbers. Yup, still a big deal, but I discovered it 15 years ago. And looking at how that works is informative.

The math folks refuse to talk about it appropriately. That's how that works.

What I've done is make sure the information is available, and well explained, including talking on this blog more than once. Like with this post from May 2013.

And now also realize that for most even if they trust am correct, what can they do? And now am more focused on governments. Readily admit have informed US Government more than once, and put out more general notice to governments on my Some Math blog. Yet that is not guaranteed either.

Why not?

Conceivably they are aware of me, but also rely on senior advisers who are likely to be, of course, mathematicians one would think. Or closely connected to the math community.

Good things don't move our world as rapidly as things that are not. Is like with climate science, which may seem like a non sequitur. But has been known for quite some time that increasing levels of carbon dioxide posed a danger, but things may move forward now, why? Because we're seeing climate change impacts.

What would make a government official look long and hard at advisers would be catastrophic things that would force it. Which I find depressing and do NOT wish for that but merely state my pragmatic assessment.

There is a certain detachment though, as have steeled myself for certain things. Feel like, have done my best, so how could I do better? Still working on it.

Down the line though the information does travel. And as people are aware of it, there is a slower process that means eventually will come into its proper place.


James Harris

Thursday, November 02, 2017

Current example with math denial

Turns out had another major discovery just under six months ago. And dutifully tried to inform the establishment where got the silent treatment. But couple of days ago posted on Reddit:

Link to Reddit post

(Actually should be good for the curious. Comments there are at will. I have no control over what other people say, of course. And you can watch how I react too. Has 17 comments at this posting.)

Been editing this post since original day posted and while attracted some trolls unfortunately, feel like yeah was a good idea to post there!

Is a public forum and who knows who will decide to talk to you, or not.

Will leave this post here. Glad I posted there, was fun to put it out there and glad they let you link in other places! Useful feature.

Regardless, this basic knowledge is here now, for us. And most importantly will help humanity progress in ways who can guess really. But also can provide a social function.


James Harris

Wednesday, November 01, 2017

When people value and work

A story that really got to me years ago was when a singer died and reportedly a party downstairs was kept going, showing to me the true value of that singer to the people in attendance.

Cannot get more stark than that in my opinion.

And found myself thinking of horses, and how a person could greatly care for a horse. And if was a racing horse do much to try and maintain that horse, especially if it won a lot of races, but still to that person, be to that person just a horse.

Shows part of my problem when considering agents and management companies as to that fear.

How do you know? How do you know when people value YOU as a human being AND your work?

Am working on that problem along with some others as shift focus to that odd reality, when you are talking to someone who needs your ability for some thing, where you will get some kind of revenue, or more likely for someone in my position, needing people talking on my behalf with that someone.

And that reality snuck up on me too.

Web enables much. Including getting to an attention position that previously required what I like to call silos. Silos through which a person progresses in order to GET to more attention levels, where there are processes within those silos. Processes with often huge institutions to get to global, where you deal with certain things along the way, like money. With the web can just be, hey put out some ideas! Why not? Should be fun. Has been fun. Now just have to play catch-up on the rest.

So much easier when you go on an interview at some job, where like with data entry, is rather obvious what that entails. If interview is successful, look at the usual contract without thinking how will change it. And listen to whomever gives that spiel about company procedures, and eventually settle into some work space, and that's it. And plan on being there indefinitely.

Versus have someone acting as a representative on your behalf to help procure and negotiate a contract, which you study with your attorney or attorneys, modifying as necessary, which specifies what you will do for what remuneration for what period of time. And oh yeah, with me, has firm exit clauses if other party fails to live up to...talking fantasy. Haven't had one of those yet.

Figuring out those people in-between becomes an important life skill. And how do you learn THAT one?

When you've never needed them before?


James Harris

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Ask and answer, myself

My situation is weird enough have a global readership without a global press interested enough to ask me pertinent questions, so figured may as well go meta again, and ask and answer questions I think others might wonder. Being press with myself? Ok, will try.

1. Why do you post?

Usually am posting to share information think is important for a particular audience. As main blogs have been around for over a decade there is kind of a long conversation going in a sense.

2. What makes you think your posts do anything valuable?

Generally am looking at some kind of objective measure where long ago discovered was not getting expected ones much. So got creative. Look over a lot of things where do not explain to check if a post reached desired audience. Since am not into the mass market that may look a different way to others.

3. You sound so confident often, are you trying to convince people you're successful?

Not trying to convince as have worked more to accept my ongoing audience, which presumably understands my successes. And have focused less and less on mass market approaches.

4. Sounds like you have a disdain for the mass market, why is that?

Old view from television most successfully was that you could reach a mass market effectively, like most of the country watching sports on Sunday, which is still true to some extent. My focus is niche. Am looking at people interested in particular things, versus say, talking to entire United States.

But also my readership is global. So mass market for me would be billions of people with that reach, which would be scary to have anyway. Prefer things as they are: focused on people interested, all over the world.

5. Why are you not covered by the press if your ideas are so important?

You, me pretending to be press person, ask great questions! If I say so myself, and my best guess is that the press is still 20th century focused on establishment institutions and yup, mass market metrics. That is, measures which indicate ability to do well in the mass market, already talked.

While people like me, with global reach that is more fragmented, don't register with them as worth reporting on. Which will change am sure, as world adjusts to the web. Good question, me.

6. Do you really think this question and answer with yourself will impress anyone or just seem weird?

Um, that is not the kind of question for which I have a good answer self. Think we're about done.

7. Ok, ok, last question. Any plans for Halloween?

Wow, I really took this pretending to be a press person too far. Um, no. You know that too! You're me! Just being mean. Am in a lonely period spending WAY TOO much time on web. Is ok.

Oh, oh, ok. Um, thanks for your time. You're welcome, me.

That was silly fun. Threw in a bit for Halloween too, as why not. Does amaze me though, how often interviews go random that way.


James Harris

Finding personal space

Things have gone very well so far, with a few surprises. For instance had already contacted the NSA, yet again, with some of my math, and received an auto-response. Felt as is important should try again, and this time? Simply no reply at all.

So silly, but I respect that NSA is trying. I should give them more respect, I guess. Better than nothing. Reminding myself, am nicer to them these days. Stay polite here.

However, with me is so much about the ideas which DO travel. And was simply doing my best to notify my government as a good citizen. And to cover myself later, just in case. So it is clear, I DID try, and more than once.

With the global things winding down, and most of what I consider to be fixes or patches roaring into place, is time to focus more on my personal place to be found. Is remarkable to me how much can do quite publicly, as not hiding things, with others around it all so quiet. Well quiet at least that I can tell.

Am gratified much with ideas which though global may be of use to me, like the payment intermediary concept, posted a few days ago. Was finally patching a gap which has been impacting global commerce. The global cost of the lag is marching into the trillions US maybe, which means is big enough for me to address. So is just barely.

Could see myself making a company around that concept. But is still a potential, as I ponder, as wind down from mental effort in other things.

Was confident before claiming 99% probability of success, but you do need confidence. So much work done since then. Helps to be motivated.

Now is maybe finally--unless something else pulls my attention--the shift to personal, when shifting from my duties to my planet, consider more, my duties to myself.

Many of these things take time before general public becomes aware. Should happen in about a decade for some. Which is fascinating to watch. Often am simply waiting on the world to catch up to something but that is standard. Is true with many innovations.

My checks are different. As finishing up assessments can finally get that sense to move on. Which is great! So much done.

Looks like could be tough going though, as didn't leave myself much room at all while dealing with other things. Just part of getting things done. Another problem to solve. Will figure it out.


James Harris

Friday, October 27, 2017

Working on knowledge foundations is hard

One thing finally occurred to me recently as considered things like my functional definitions covering some important areas was had found myself working at foundations of basic knowledge. Which should NOT be happening. Should NOT be necessary. And, um, why am I?

Keep asking myself that question.

Most of that work is done, though thankfully. And with repairs where necessary going into place, can reflect more. Our global knowledge base is important enough for me to have taken the time. Glad most important part of that work is done. Is a relief for me. Was kind of hard! But how could one person do so much? Web definitely makes MUCH of that easier, especially the part about putting the fixes in place. Have to have them though to be distributed. And THERE things are very interesting I think.

Is about the power of abstraction. Is like a lever. Had me thinking about a certain person, and found what I wanted at a site with quotes from him, including one have pondered often:

Give me a place to stand and with a lever I will move the whole world. -- Archimedes.

Of course he was right. Am sure he would have loved the web. Archimedes was one of the greatest intellectuals of all time. Was doing calculus over a thousand years before Sir Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz reinvented then I think, though of course assume they developed far further. But hey, we're looking at what was left from almost two thousand years ago, who knows what didn't make it. Not sure what relevant scholars think in that area.

Have explained much and as consider the big picture reality of it all, is helpful for me to emphasize, is actually really hard! And takes a TREMENDOUS amount of mental energy, time and a lot of relentless pursuit of ideas that are useful abstractions. Like abstracting entertainment as a way we use to safely control mood. That is compact folks.

Is like with algebra where basic abstraction is that letters are used instead of numbers. Where you can have that graduated. Like 2+3 = 5, get to x+3 = 5, to x+y=5, to x+y = z. Which is an area of abstraction that apparently many humans at least in the US find very challenging. So much that routinely I have noted when adults complain wondering, what is the point of learning algebra? Many of them apparently confident they don't use it, as adults.

You use the concept of abstraction as an adult, the more you use your mind.

Lawyers are faced with legal abstractions, which can be so difficult to learn, take years, followed by years of practice. Of course medical professionals do as well, where also have to learn vast amounts of medical knowledge, made sensible by abstractions.

I could go on with professions where mind matters more. Next find myself thinking of chefs. But also of why can be so hard to be one, or to be a doctor, or a lawyer. Yup and can go back to that difficulty, with algebra.

Less you handle abstraction, more likely you are to be in a position where simply instructed. Like you can work for a chef, who needs to know a lot of abstraction, while you simply follow instructions to help prepare that wonderful dish that wows the customers of a top tier restaurant. Still important to the process of course.

To me is kind of depressing to look at that way though may be about personal bias. Have wanted to work with my mind for as long as I can remember. But have also simply followed instructions and it was ok. Is also personal I think to make that allusion so should simply state my opinion, people may find that yeah, difficulty with algebra when young? Is related to difficulty in other areas as an adult.

Once found though, abstractions move our world and embody our science and technology with the meaning that allows us to discover and keep progressing.

Like consider the abstraction, all human beings are created equal.

Yes, is also an ideal, but debates over that one still erupt all over our world and consume our politics, but how do you grasp it? Turns out our science actually can give a genetic answer, with it being learned that peoples outside of Africa, are actually more closely related than peoples within, regardless of appearance otherwise. Continent of human origin is also continent with greatest human genetic diversity.

Understanding that science? I think is good.

Considering abstractions at the foundations of our knowledge am pondering why is necessary for me, but appreciative of the ability which began as a child when suddenly that algebra which looked so impossible, looked so easy. It just happened in a process understand now is about neurological development as have considered abstractions that help us understand our reality, and how we know, what we know within it.

Algebra is just presented in the US at about the point certain capacity develops, and yeah, is worth it to just work at it, as best you can. If it escapes you is not doom though, and am sure can learn abstraction in other ways! So much can depend too on how well is taught.

Handling abstraction though is key to the power of the human mind.


James Harris

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

How discovery shifted my money focus

There was definitely a profit motive for me in chasing math discovery early on, which I clearly stated back then. My idea was that maybe could find something with modern problem solving techniques which had been missed before, which have often noted, which should also make me wealthy, like with a book deal about my story.

Which to me isn't even a big deal now, but along the way, lost my profit motive, and even lost my money focus which is good, as ran into consequences that made it greatly more difficult to make money as I had. Which have explained recently as an understandably large business risk. I'm read all over the world, just haven't monetized that well.

That discovery pushed me to shift as also learned did not actually have a good understanding of money in the first place. Just had taken it for granted one should try to get rich, and do so young. Like vaguely had plans to make my first million by age 30, which is just common as an idea in my country without it being clear why.

Going to focus on some key things which came to me while typing this post where is a bit of a surprise. I prefer to just let the writing flow then edit. There were things I thought would be here, which did not flow from the writing. And now as I edit, think learned quite a bit more than I expected from that as well. So here is what did make it.

Much shifted then when realized that money is just an abstraction for a favor, which is a social IOU backed up by society. Is like the concept of an I owe you, went from a paper kind of thing for a person, to paper for a country. Where is so cool how money gets introduced into the US system, as is not as intuitive as I thought. Have a post explaining on one of my blogs somewhere. That isn't the point of this post though. Maybe will find it later though. (Found it, from July 2015, on Lost in Commentary.)

With that idea in mind, yeah can explain how a cup of coffee from a friend is one kind of favor common to many who might share time with one over, and from a commercial establishment is great example when get benefit of the favor of a cup of coffee from a stranger, in exchange for money.

So I like to call it the stranger economy.

Where is so wild when you realize that in time it became accepted that the quality of that cup of coffee, and even the experience in the locale, could be so much greater that now more than likely would prefer to share with a friend in a commercial establishment often.

And the cost of getting that mood? Is priced into the things obtained there from that cup of coffee to other items might purchase along with it. Where yeah, my ideas on entertainment helped there as well, as understanding entertainment as a way to safely control mood, could find once again the idea of entertaining friends, as natural.

For a bit had entertainment separated in my mind from entertaining, as if were from very different places versus now realize are not, where one usually involves payment, yup to strangers, while the other tends to be more personal. And yet again, our expectations for paid entertainment quality are MUCH higher than from ourselves for our friends, unless you are that friend people think should be raucously entertaining.

Kind of feel for entertainers who maybe have friends who think they should bring their work with them to the party, if invited. Suspect they probably prefer that time off, to relax and safely enjoy quality time with others, if possible.

So with discovery lost my money focus. Better understood community focus. Then better understood the stranger economy which gets back to money. And now have worked to bring it all together in a way where makes sense, for me and possibly for others.

If makes more sense to you now? I succeeded with you which is a point of sharing. While also is important for me, which means the effort is worth it regardless.

There is a question that still bothers me though, which I may as well put out there, as I wonder, would I post differently if I were wealthy?


James Harris

Monday, October 23, 2017

Pay after model and find funding?

The pay after model is the dominant payment model of the world, because is really--pay after quality and want have been determined.

On the web people are routinely either assuming you believe they have a quality product you actually want, or demanding you pay whether they DO or not because they can make you. Either pay them first, or go away.

Where people may get creative then.

Am more confident that pay after on the web can be done many ways, if a corporation is created that does not assume people are naturally thieves, which focuses on letting them determine quality, and helps facilitate determining want, and provides a safe business transaction where trust is built over time.

That is, you learn the corporation is a business entity you can trust, which can determine if you are a valid customer as well, based on your behavior though would not assume you're naturally a thief, while there are ways to check people. Like if a software product is provided where you can pay when decide if want or not, and are left to delete off if don't want without being pressured? And you do NOT pay, but later you are back for an upgrade? You are a thief.

But how to get it started? Concept is easy enough, as talked first yesterday abstracting payment intermediary in a longer post. Where have actually talked these concepts for YEARS, but don't feel like linking to that content on this blog and my other blog Lost in Commentary to document in this post or that prior one. Is easy enough to just go off the basic principle.

Consider these ideas open source, and with me, things are definitely interesting. World needs kind of company described am sure.

I'm an idea guy. Not so good at lots of other things where other people are great. So just another post as think, shift! Yeah, I need to make money. Accepting should leverage my ideas in that direction more. Bills don't care either. Gotta pay'em.

So yeah, motivation right now? Purely commercial. Have done enough basic research. Must figure out how to make money, even if to get enough funding to get my commercial blog Seriously Commercial off the ground. Is that classic, need for money, to make money.

Well thankfully have a process that just lets me try things. Who knows where this will go, if anywhere. So just trotting it out there to see if anything interesting happens, like usual.


James Harris

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Finishing up assessments

Been using my blogs to figure some things out, with bulk of that here, and may as well go ahead and put forward some assessments.

My mathematical research does indicate that an error that entered into the mathematical field in number theory amazingly enough is best explanation for lack of pick up of that research. The error afflicts number theory where number theorists have long gotten away with pure research which doesn't relate to science or technology. Which is good. Is why hasn't impacted science or technology, much. Though there may be a HUGE problem in area of web security.

And yeah is just stunning really that I demonstrated the problem with a published paper which appeared to prove one thing, when by accepted rules same thing wasn't allowed, proving beyond ANY doubt that there was problem that needed to be fixed. That was over a decade ago.

But that problem allows what I call mathematical fiction.

Plenty of my math research opens door to further discovery where for years hoped that could move things forward. But now realize that mathematical truth has little incentive to people who have careers built on lucrative mathematical fiction. Is ironic. So very terribly ironic that the mathematical field would be so afflicted, and for over a hundred years.

Only practical clue in our times is the unfortunate reality that computer security was built around ideas put forward by, yup, number theorists. Unable to do some things that MAY be easy, for someone with greater mathematical ability where I refuse to do much research in that area. And who knows? Maybe endless explanations around security breaches claiming human error are correct.

Or, um, these computer security systems just do not actually work well to stop people who have developed certain expertise. Worst case? Certain ones of them, no longer are working at all with people who know how to breach them, if the worst scenario IS playing out and there IS lying around breaches. So hedging, hedging, hedging as we're talking something unbelievable even for me, if true.

You'd think some government would figure it out then. Oh, maybe some have.

And might help explain SOME of the information that has flowed into the public domain. Presumably some who found out how might try to work, well at least to embarrass certain rich and powerful.

It does fit, but again, am hedging much. Situation is so weird. Must be lots of failures across multiple systems for it to have lasted this long, if that is the explanation. Have long had suspicions and am now simply airing them out. What I do know for sure is there is the problem in number theory which means there must be the problem with number theorists.

Having correct mathematics though draws attention to me. And on top of that have used intellectual techniques developed in other areas which gets me more global attention from those things discovered there as well. But struggled with monetizing, partly because didn't feel like it, was looking for a certifying authority from establishment folks who as noted were not going to give it now believe, and also web has been in development.

Our world is transitioning in many ways. Have been figuring things out as rapidly as I can, while that occurs but it is hard actually.

Oh, and is very weird the global attention indicated by web analytics which always seems just enough to keep me guessing without doing much else, except when I can check by indirect means.

So basic assessment is, world is in flux which makes it hard to be sure about lots of things. Unfortunately is absolutely proven a problem with number theory, which also at this time proves a problem with number theorists. Is true that a better explanation for rampant security problems could be a failure of underlying mathematical ideas, but is not something can say definitively.

Given that math does not entice further discovery from people I believe rely on mathematical fiction, should put to the side for now, and focus on other things. With the concern that global security may be breached, but have notified governments as best I could. And there really isn't much more I can do there.

Moving forward should focus on intellectual discovery in other areas where functional results should lead interested people into picking up and improving upon valuable information. Further should focus more on web analytics and figuring out total numbers of people beyond just total reach with too much focus on country counts.

Assessments in this area, complete.


James Harris

Abstracting the payment intermediary

Years ago realized there was one payment model lacking on the web, which is pay after, like many people in US experience at a fine restaurant. On the web pay models are focused on pay before. And subscriptions even focus on trying to get people to pay before even created.

If we abstract from information producer to information consumer the web solves the distribution problem, but does not necessarily handle the business trust problem.

One might imagine an intermediary there, where with pay before models that can be VERY complex, and has issues of returns as well as heavy litigation potential, while with pay after both should be minimized.

But then the problem is, how do you expect people to pay at all after they gain information product?

Because I say, most people will pay for value received, once they make a buying decision, if payment is possible.

An abstracted business intermediary could potentially then, work to make sure information producer was verified, like as to owning information product and having a good business record. And provide a portal for information consumers who could learn to trust the intermediary, and be trusted to pay when they made a buying decision for a particular information product.

For example, have given idea before that a person could use software, until decided to pay for it, or did not actually need or want it, and be trusted to simply delete off system on their own. Though also noted if they DID cheat at least in that scenario, you could catch if came back later for an upgrade, if one was put forward.

Yeah but like with news organizations they could simply let people pay for an article after reading, if they so chose. Have read articles if had the money, might pay say 99 cents, if felt was really good. Of course, is my idea. Now they either give away for free, relying on advertising, or push people to subscribe, for things not even created yet. Though yes archives are there but I don't think people are into bingeing on news archives.

Still that is the big hurdle. In a restaurant? Hard to dine and dash is the phrase. With information? People need to feel value there and need to pay if that has been established. But would they?

Yeah daunting. Could that be crowdfunded though? I have no idea. Will put here and edit this post as usual as debate with myself.

The pay first model dominates the web, but does NOT dominate ANY other business systems around the globe--which is a bold claim.

People pay contractors after work is done. Pay at fine restaurants after food is consumed. Pay for clothes after tried on. Pay for cars after test drives.

Movies pay before, of course and other entertainment products. But also is why have trailers and various other promotional to try and help people figure out--is quality there? And also, novelty is key there. Novelty is an entertainment thing, but also not over all. Like with music? People prefer to hear a song, maybe even quite a bit, before are sure really like it. I know I do.

Yes, still need novelty with music, but unlike with movies, will NOT accept that as a reason to be forced to pay upfront, am thinking for most people. Definitely would not accept myself. Need to hear that entire song, and more than once, to figure out if I like it.

Restaurant business includes fast food where you pay before, which is a part but not all. Is it dominant? I don't think so. Television industry is HUGE in entertainment, without a pay first. With cable is more like pay for what exists, but subscriptions definitely add in a wrinkle. Otherwise television is relying on advertising. Interesting. Seems like entertainment industry gives me more fits with that assertion than elsewhere, which intrigues me.

Reality is, people like to determine quality, first.

Like have heard of people going to stores to try and get a feel for things or try them out before buying off web at best price.

Totality of the web pay upfront model is about distrust of the consumer, in my opinion.

Have seen cases where executives have ranted about piracy and other varieties of information theft. I think we simply have been limited by business people who think most humans are naturally thieves or there might be SOME cases of the pay after model around by now on web. If there are any, please let me know!!!

As one addendum to earlier ideas, have noted that with subscription models that DO work, people have a lot of content already available. Like sign up for video streaming service and binge watch? You can get your money's worth in a day or two.

Oh, with this model just thinking here, information producer would get 95% of revenue, with payment intermediary company relying on maximum of 5% with probably less if actually worked well.

People who produce should get most of the revenue. Intermediary would just be facilitating business transactions by limiting risk to information producer and information consumer.


James Harris

Web is where attention rules

Distribution is key to a simple understanding of much in modern world economy. And information distribution is where the web has taken over, for instance, removing the need for a physical CD, which shook the music industry, when audiences could just download music direct.

And our association between money and attention to the levels I took for granted growing up, in the 20th century, were ALL about that century, as inventions arrived where for a time, information distributed better through channels requiring heavy capitalization, like radio and television.

Global information distribution arrived with heavily capitalized areas, and then the web simplified, for many like myself, and solved the information distribution problem.

And money in its modern form arrived with the US Federal Reserve System, which is so effective, concepts it embodies took over global monetary systems.

Today people wonder how money gets created when they don't understand that system, and before it, money really was like an IOU to something physical considered valuable, like gold, versus in our times being more of an idea of value exchanged in the abstract.

You cannot have the modern global economy without money as invented in the 20th century.

Yet have considered the simple abstraction that money is a social IOU backed by society, as can be seen with US dollar which is a US federal reserve note backed by the US Government.

Money people were important for distribution in the heavily capitalized system, but today a music artist for example, can conceivably simply have fans download more or less direct and pay, with it questionable, what good are the money people in the middle then?

Worse, some of the greatest excesses in abuse of power can be seen with the money people, like movie producers whereas before information distribution on the web allowed a bigger picture, people were more likely focused on excesses from the celebrities. Now can get nasty picture about whomever.

Now we know as much about producers, agents and executives conceivably, as the web doesn't care.

Web is where attention rules. And unlike with a television station where powerful executives could control content to protect themselves and their friends from scrutiny, on the web? That information flows.

Getting proper remuneration for efforts is the social problem to be solved for the 21st century though, as BIG corporations still rule plenty of areas simply because the people who create lack the ability to get paid for their efforts, without a massive system designed simply to thwart thieves and piracy.

That will change am sure. My own analysis is that MOST people will return value received, when they make a buying decision, with proper remuneration, if is possible.

Such a simple sentence to type, but in those abstractions are a world to come, so much different from the one still here, which to me is just about social inertia, while people learn to choose better.

On the web is not so much about money as to value, but attention received, held and appreciated.

Here on the web? Attention rules.


James Harris

Saturday, October 21, 2017

What value truth?

There is an oddity to emotion am pondering, like when feel that bite of negativity, when worry that people aren't buying what you're selling...when you're not selling anything, and are sharing important information.

Recently was helped out a lot when came across the term gaslighting, where link goes to the Wikipedia. And was reminded of it recently, and thought was striking from Lauren Duca in this column she wrote which gave her a lot of attention.

Then realized recently was actually even earlier came across it from Dylan Farrow telling her story with abuse allegations, in an open letter she wrote published on the blog of Nicholas Kristof, which you can find here.

And was this sentence which just found for this post:

There were experts willing to attack my credibility. There were doctors willing to gaslight an abused child.

And have my own story of abuse where posted about it yesterday on Seriously Commercial where also linked to a post had done over a year ago.

Have been talking my abuse story since I was 12. Was believed should add, through that time. But I do think there were people who looked at me at times, like what was I selling? When I wanted to find, a feeling of safety again. Yes, have had LOTS of therapy. Maybe now am better at understanding and getting it out in a helpful way.

What is the value of truth is there across it all. And to me, we can too often see society see little value, but why? And I think for me it does all relate. That looking back at boundaries crossed for me so young, and maybe fighting to repair, am stuck still with a useless dynamic I need to let go.

Is not my job to worry about what others are feeling as if the truth should change. The truth does not change.

The value of truth is.

As stories pour out, of boundaries breached by so many that truth will change much. The truth itself will not change, but in accepting it, maybe societies will be better.

Easy enough to write oddly enough. Looking for goals in there for myself. Ways to measure progress for me as well as society. How will we know, better?


James Harris

Weird comfort without money

One thing has emerged as a major psychological thing for me has been a weird comfort in the discomfort of struggling with money. But is so sad, but also telling, as my finances tumbled got fewer distractions as people disappeared on me. That is classic so not grousing, just noting.

But yeah, dismissed some things, like web attention too much which I think was about willful denial. So put my picture up on the web! Should be fun. Told myself could represent a Black guy in a way the world rarely sees. So many global are known for sports, arts and entertainment, or political position.

I'm known for math, and other ideas. I'm an idea guy.

There are few people at all regardless of gender or race who are globally known primarily on the basis of the thoughts that have come from their minds. And still keep coming I should note, like here now. Global pull for musing? I know I like it.

Soon after decided should put my picture up, got put into a general layoff at company where was doing data entry, which I liked to call, my day-job. But I could rationalize it. Was part of a group layoff, was last hired even though had been there 5 years. Now am like, maybe the picture finally up had something to do with it, but then again, maybe not.

Regardless, have been working at mysteries lately. One of the things I pointed out is that I use a simple meta process: introduce better ideas and expect people to choose better.

Naively have also figured with certain ideas that DO draw attention as mention much, they'd also bring attention to ME, so I've spent more time preparing for and dreading that attention, and definitely NOT pursuing it. Which lets me do things, like social media, my way. I actually pride myself on how somehow I limit my Twitter account. Is so cool.

However, have to make money. Is just how society works. And definitely want to pull my own weight, where feel like yeah, have valuable ideas, but you also have to have realized value in the form of remuneration for your efforts, which is income. And facing my situation involves not claiming is rationalization about the web impact, when I know what has happened trying to get jobs since then.

But hey, being a business and realizing some person somehow, someway gets global attention? That has to become part of your business plan or more appropriately, is an unacceptable business risk. I DO quietly note to myself when some company proudly talks its global, if it even has, and am like, I'm in more countries than THAT. And there must be a way to make money that way but is a longterm thing.

Oh, so other problem is yeah, my ideas do as I say they do. And then others do what I think is weird. Other people have become the mystery, who know the story, and for the most part from my perspective are TOO quiet. What's up with that?

So am blogging two current problem areas. This blog has been working hard to work through problems relevant, and has made great progress. Am expecting rapid answers in these areas as well. And gave myself permission with public notice days ago, to use all necessary steps within law, and within my own rules, so no worries!

Should be fun.


James Harris

Friday, October 20, 2017

Thoughts on American movie box office

Looking at projections for another lackluster weekend at the American movie box office, and yeah can't help but think about some of the things have written here. Yes, did expect even the web itself to push much higher standards as well as my own ideas explained most recently here, as have talked how having a functional definition for entertainment can help people choose better.

As expected by me, which finally admitted, simpler mood lines are doing best. Like comedy and horror as harder to mess up the mood line there, in my opinion. Talking my own ideas, admittedly very hypothetical as I made them up. Is MY basic research less than three years old now. Based on my theories more complex mood lines will become successful too, or be successful as long as a higher standard is met than existed before. People just know better now, where quality should be.

Would be cool if could help movie studios with movies before they released. Could be useful with professionals and multi-million dollar entertainment products? Would be cool, but how would I know? What I do ponder just from my own musings though is, do they ask those folks who do the movie trailers pertinent questions?

To me movie trailers are just about the mood line. And have explained mood line maybe best here.

Those movie trailer folks for movies impress me much more now as have my own entertainment science, and finally realize how hard it is what they do.

Regardless, movie industry will be ok. There are still big movies which are doing great at the box office, and reality is, just as I said, with pickier audiences for whatever reason, the ones who can adjust will win.

And audiences will win because audience rules. Where yeah, other thing is that with the web, we can STILL do ok, with streaming options to get best entertainment we want WHEN we want, which is another pressure point on movies.

In our times, movies have to be on point where to me? Is so much about holding that mood line.

If they are on point? Audiences DO show up.

Oh, am working at trying to make money these days though. Mostly focused with new blog Seriously Commercial. So am available if some movie studios wanted to risk my novel ideas, and I'd be very reasonable! And would want to hang out with the people who yup, do the movie trailers.

Those folks and me might be closer to speaking the same language, like to think. But what do I know?

Am not in the entertainment industry. Looking at from a distance like most folks.


James Harris