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CREDO: 'Whatever' I 'believe' or think I 'know' is (at the very least) incomplete, and quite possibly wrong! 'Whatever' you 'believe' or think you 'know' is (at the very least) incomplete, and quite possibly wrong! 'Whatever' anyone 'believes' or thinks they 'know' is (at the very least) incomplete, and quite possibly wrong! A wide variety of thoughts, both new and old, original and historical, etc. may be offered here for comment, contemplation, criticism, praise or ridicule (not too much, I hope), etc. Links are welcomed, but should be accompanied by a brief summary or digest. Context is always welcome, as it often aids in understanding. "Human beings are a time-binding species. Through language and symbols, we can pass knowledge from one person to another. Through language and symbols, we can pass knowledge from one generation to the next. Through language and symbols, we are able to overcome the limitations of time, and thereby make progress. We build on the labor, the discoveries and innovations, the accumulated knowledge of our ancestors, of the generations that came before us." ― New York Society for General Semantics https://nysgs.org/

As events on the world stage continue to unfold at an unprecedented rate, it is difficult to keep up and stay not just informed, but simply aware, of the immense richness of perception and thought available. The amount of time necessary prevents most people from engaging in the pursuit of expanding their understanding of "what's going on." I offer this forum as a place to "link" to sources and organizations that can contribute to our understanding of our complex times and, possibly, help us not just 'survive,' but continue to advance toward an amazing future of human understanding and cooperation. I am aware of many of my own shortcomings as a teacher and communicator, which is the primary reason I generally defer to those whom I recognize as wiser than myself. They have been my teachers and guides in attempting to sort out my life and the world. I urge any of you who feel so inclined, to give references or direct links, to things you have found helpful in your own efforts to "make sense of it all." A brief abstract or introduction to a book, video, organization, etc. is helpful and would be welcomed. I have already initiated many Forum Topics in this group. You should all feel free to do so, as well. My first link in this new Topic appears here: The Great Awokening with Bari Weiss | GoodFellows: Conversations From The Hoover Institution (about 1 hour) “What does the future hold for the workplace and institutions of learning when diversity of thought prompts cancel-culture condemnation, ridicule, and ouster? Journalist, author, and Substack Common Sense writer Bari Weiss joins Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H. R. McMaster, and John Cochrane for a conversation about a changed world in which, she warns, “curiosity is a liability.” “ ABOUT THE SERIES "GoodFellows," a weekly Hoover Institution broadcast, features senior fellows John Cochrane, Niall Ferguson, and H.R. McMaster discussing the social, economic, and geostrategic ramifications of this changed world. They can’t banter over lunch these days, but they continue their spirited conversation online about what comes next, as we look forward to an end to the crisis. For more in this series visit, https://www.hoover.org/goodfellows

Since this Forum topic was initiated in 2017, I have come across several useful internet sites that can help sort out this complex subject. More will be added as they become available: The Institute of General Semantics New York Society for General Semantics European Society for General Semantics added 2018 Australian General Semantics Society added 2018 The Korzybski Institute for the Study of General Semantics Korzybski Files (Bruce Kodish) Korzybski's General Semantics (Steven Lewis) This Is Not That (Steve Stockdale) added 6/18/22 I added this forward in 2018. The original post follows: I guess when I originally posted a note mentioning Alfred Korzybski (1879–1950) I knew in my mind that most people wouldn't recognize the name. The current world situation was what reminded me of this man, and his work, which I first encountered as a callow youth during the tumultuous '60s. His work (and other early teachers) allowed me to change my life and come to a greater understanding of the increasingly complex problems mankind faces. Wow! Sounds heavy! The current explosion of world-wide violent conflicts and political upheavals prompted me to begin re-aquainting myself with his works (and others') in the hopes of better understanding the problems, for without understanding the problems there can be no hope of progress toward solutions. Korzybski was a Polish-American scientist, engineer, and independent scholar who formulated, what he ultimately called "general semantics" (not to be confused with "semantics," a branch of linguistics) for the first time in Science and Sanity: An Introduction to Non-Aristotelian Systems and General Semantics, (published originally in 1933). He had written an earlier work, Manhood of Humanity: The Science and Art of Human Engineering (1921), in which he first set forth his analyses of the misunderstandings which cause most, if not all, of the great problems faced by mankind. Wikipedia has reasonable (and improving as of 2022) articles to introduce both Korzybski and the discipline of general semantics. As some of you may be products of an earlier (and probably more rigorous) educational system than that of today you should have little trouble with Manhood of Humanity. However, Science and Sanity (about 900 pp.) has to be the most difficult book I have ever read. Therefore I recommend that you first find some of the later writers who helped popularize general semantics by making it both accessible and entertaining. These include Stuart Chase (The Tyranny of Words, 1938; S.I. Hayakawa (Language in Thought and Action, 5th Ed. 1991), Neil Postman (Crazy talk, stupid talk: how we defeat ourselves by the way we talk and what to do about it, 1976), and Wendell Johnson (People in Quandaries: the semantics of personal adjustment, 1946). There are, of course, others. It is my hope that more familiarity with the tools of general semantics will enable us, as individuals, to better understand how we are manipulated by the lies, half-truths, and omissions of propagandists and others who would seek to control us, and in so doing resist them. It will also enable us to more effectively express ourselves and to seek a more effective understanding of others, and of the world around us. It may even help us to improve our chess!

I enjoy movies a lot - while I have never really focused on westerns I still have seen a lot of them that I have liked. Here (off the top of my head) are 10 of my favorites (in no particular order). (I am including movies set on the colonial frontier as a subset of western movies.) Unconquered (1947) Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) Northwest Passage (1940) Winchester 73 (1950) Little Big Man (1970) Son of the Morningstar (1991) The Ox-bow Incident (1942) Unforgiven (1992) The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) The Last Command (1955) The Last Command is on the list mostly because of a great performance by Arthur Hunnicutt as Davy Crockett. The final battle scene is pretty well done also. (Not terribly accurate but none of the Alamo movies were terribly accurate.)

Maverick: A Biography of Thomas Sowell, by Jason L. Riley, 2021 I feel guilty about basically repeating a post from the "Current Affairs & Contemporary Culture" Forum, but the need for a "Biographies" Forum hit me in the middle of the night. As a long time admirer of Dr. Sowell, his biography jumped to the front of the line to introduce this new Forum topic. I hope those of you who feel moved to contribute here will include relevant publication data or, better yet, links for further information, including Amazon.com, when available. Their reader reviews and other information are often superb. Thomas Sowell is one of the foremost thinkers and teachers of the last fifty years (he recently celebrated his 90th birthday). If I could have any mind, other than my own, his is on my top 10 list. I have been a student of his writings and online teachings for over 20 years. He helps keep me sane. Here are some links: Maverick: Jason Riley on the Life and Times of Thomas Sowell (1:16:38) "Recorded on May 13, 2021 - ... In this wide-ranging interview, Peter Robinson and Riley discuss the events and people that helped Sowell become one of the most important American voices on cultural, economic, and racial matters of the last 50 years." -- Hoover Institution description Thomas Sowell's Hoover Institution videos Thomas Sowell's YouTube Channel Thomas Sowell's books on Amazon

Title. What else do you enjoy to do in your free time apart from playing chess? Give input please!

My favourite piece of music is Beethoven's Ode to Joy. I get goosebumps every time I hear it.

As ever, I cannot live up to my own ideals and goals. There is not enough time. However, my recent pursuits (and our "interesting times" *) lead me to share some of what I learn and experience (and that may be of use to others) in sorting through the chaos. I welcome constructive feedback and other reactions. Here are a couple of videos from David Fuller's Rebel Wisdom, a group that I am finding increasingly informative and thought provoking: Glitch in the Matrix II, The Origin of the Intellectual Dark Web A Glitch in the Matrix" - Jordan Peterson, the Intellectual Dark Web & the Mainstream Media * Ancient Chinese curse (reportedly): "May you live in interesting times!"

WW2 1939 to 1944. My Dad was a radio operator on the Ark Royal. He also took part in reinforcing Russia with armaments, food and medicines dodging U boats across the North Sea in atrocious Winter weather.. Will do some more research on these 2 topics and get back to you with my findings. All his life he was very proud to have served in the Royal Navy and done his "bit"

The Great Courses offer college level course taught by some of the best college professors. If you are interested in a topic (history, foreign language, math, physics, philosophy among other disciplines). The courses offered are wide ranging and you are bound to find something that interest you. Maybe you want to learn something new or continue with your personal favorite courses. Customers (students) can purchase a course(s) then down load the Great Courses App and stream the course on your cell phone or computer. The App is free. The company is rapidly moving toward digital and streaming courses. However, the company will offer substantial discounts on DVD only sales. DVDs cost more than regular streaming courses. Most courses have a transcript of the course to streamed also. Printed manuscript course transcripts and be mailed for an additional $15. Currently, I am simultaneously listening to: Mysteries of Modern Physics: Time and The Philosopher's Toolkit: How to be the Most Rational Person in Any Room. I WAS re-educating myself to chess with the great course: How to play Chess: Lesson from International Master Jeremy Siliman but now I have Coach Omar in my corner. I hope this brief introduction to the Great Courses peaks your interest to check out the site. The website is thegreatcourses.com Have a great Fourth of July weekend. "All that matters on a chess board is a good move." Best, Sam Kolchak (Pearson)

As a young student, I often thought that history was really dull and boring. In later years I realized that it wasn't 'history' that was boring, it was the way it was presented by most of my teachers and school texts. A very few of the teachers I had were different. They taught me that history was more than dry, dusty dates and events, or the names of famous people and leaders who were long dead and meant nothing to me. When I was introduced to 'historical fiction', I found that there were stories that were exciting, full of action and adventure, such as a young boy craves. The best ones brought the past alive in such a way that I began to see how an understanding of history helped me make sense out of the present, as well. They inspired me to want to know more... Movies, too, brought the past alive (not always accurately) and stoked my curiosity. My dad took us to all kinds of movies, specially when we were at the beach on vacation. My curiosity was always aroused by the high adventure of movies such as Captain Horatio Hornblower (1951) with Gregory Peck and Virginia Mayo; King Solomon's Mines (1950) with Stewart Granger and Deborah Kerr; To Hell and Back (1955) with Audie Murphy (as himself); Moby Dick (1956) Gregory Peck; Run Silent, Run Deep (1958), Clarke Gable and Burt Lancaste; Zulu (1964), Jack Hawkins, Michael Caine, et al.; The Naked Prey (1965) with Cornel Wilde; and more 'Westerns' than I can count! LOL! This passion has continued to the present day. I am overwhelmed by the quantity, and quality, of entertaining and exciting movies and 'documentaries' available on TV, NETFLIX, YouTube, etc. Unfortunately, there is a lot of 'crap' as well, but learning to 'evaluate' and 'discriminate' between various offerings is, or should be, part of the 'educational process'. When I was older I read all of C.S. Forester's 'Hornblower' novels, H. Rider Haggard's Allan Quatermain stories (and She), the 'frontier stories' and historical novels of Louis L'Amour, and others. I loved to seek out the 'real' history revealed within the pages of Robert Louis Stevenson, Alexander Dumas, James Fenimore Cooper, Sir Walter Scott, and others. These works brought to life the more scholarly, but often 'dry' and, to me, 'boring', recitation of dates and events. This, too, continues as a major passion today. As my time remaining grows shorter, I find my list of 'things to do' grows ever longer! LOL As I observe many of my students and other children, today, I find that their knowledge and understanding of their past is practically non-existent, despite ever richer offerings in various media, as well as literature. Even more disturbing is the way they are taught to 'judge' the past by some contemporary ideas of 'political correctness'. Even some of my contemporaries are disappointingly narrow-minded, biased, and inappropriately judgemental in the absence of any real facts. The lack of historical perspective and awareness often manifests itself in extreme political views and other disturbing behaviour. My exploration of history assures me that this 'state of affairs' is as old as mankind! In this forum I invite the group to share, and debate, their own experiences in trying to understand recent and ancient 'history' and how it can help us to better understand ourselves. I don't really want to see it become about politics but, certainly, politics is an important aspect of history. Whatever we post, let's keep it civil! Our aim should always be 'greater understanding' of ourselves and each other.

As an avid proponent of Wikipedia, I also acknowledge that one needs to approach any research tool with the awareness that there is no such thing as 'perfection'. Wikipedia itself understands this, and its ability to take criticism and engage in 'self-examination' is one of its strengths. Here are several links to demonstrate the seriousness with which it takes this duty. What is Wikipedia? Their own definition: - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia Criticism of Wikipedia: - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Criticisms Replies to common objections: - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Replies_to_common_objections I always caution students to double check their research and try to use multiple resources whenever possible. Also, always be open to 'new' information and 'revision' of your ideas. "The 2014 edition of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's official student handbook, Academic Integrity at MIT, [states] "the bibliography published at the end of the Wikipedia entry may point you to potential sources. However, do not assume that these sources are reliable—use the same criteria to judge them as you would any other source. Do not consider the Wikipedia bibliography as a replacement for your own research." [emphasis mine] - Wikipedia (8/1/17) Although YouTube offers thousands of videos of an informational or educational nature, it is often plagued by the problems of 'mixed quality' and poor 'indexing' or 'difficulty in searching'. For this reason many people avoid using it for serious research. In addition, along with the 'good stuff' there is a ton of 'crap', and it is also easy to get side-tracked by entertaining, but irrelevant, videos of an off-topic nature. Using YouTube for educational purposes requires a high degree of discipline and the ability to 'stay on topic'! Adds may be annoying as well but must be put up with for 'free' access.

What words are so terrifying that this... U.C. Berkley - 1964 ...for 'free speech'! ...has become this! U.C. Berkley - 2017 ...against 'free speech'! "What we've got here is failure to communicate!" "What we've got here is failure to communicate" -- Cool Hand Luke (1967) According to notes by one of the delegates, at the close of the Constitutional Convention (1787), Benjamin Franklin was asked by a lady, “Well Doctor what have we got, a republic or a monarchy.” He replied, “A republic . . . if you can keep it.” – notes of Dr. James McHenry (MD) It has often been suggested (by those wiser than myself) that the answer to speech 'one disagrees with', is more speech! The freedoms named in the First Amendment of our U.S. Constitution are some of the 'essentials' of our form of government: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Those who seek to deny these, and others of our freedoms, are actively undermining the very foundations of, arguably, the most advanced and enlightened government ever to have been formed in the world. This is not to say we are perfect. In fact we are far from it. But, at least to my knowledge, no other government even comes close to providing the mechanisms for self-improvement that are embodied in our Constitution. That is why people from all over want to come here. But the astounding lack of knowledge of our own history by so many of our own citizens never ceases to amaze me. What are your thoughts on this question?: What words are so terrifying that mobs would 'riot' to prevent them from being spoken... or heard?

Jordan Peterson 2017/06/15: 12 principles for a 21st century conservatism (there are approximately 18 minutes of introductory remarks by Randy Hillier before the talk) June 22, 2017 The following notes by Dr. Peterson are posted with the YouTube video. "Conservatism has all-too-often found itself unable to articulate a coherent positive doctrine. By this I mean specifically that the laudable conservative tendency to preserve the best of past has too-often manifested itself in a series of "thou shalt not" statements, instead of laying out a manifesto of fundamental values that might serve to unite people around a set of common ambitions. I am attempting to rectify this problem with this statement of principles, some of which I believe might have the additional virtue of being attractive to young people, looking for mature and forthright purpose and responsibility. I am not making the claim that the statement is perfect, comprehensive or final. Background to the talk: I spoke at Carleton Place, a town in Lanark County, Thursday, June 15/17. I was invited by Randy Hillier, who is a Member of Provincial Parliament for Ontario (randyhilliermpp.com). You can find out more about him here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_H.) Note updated link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Hillier_(politician) "Tenets of a viable 21st century conservatism: The fundamental assumptions of Western civilization are valid. Peaceful social being is preferable to isolation and to war. In consequence, it justly and rightly demands some sacrifice of individual impulse and idiosyncrasy. Hierarchies of competence are desirable and should be promoted. Borders are reasonable. Likewise, limits on immigration are reasonable. Furthermore, it should not be assumed that citizens of societies that have not evolved functional individual-rights predicated polities will hold values in keeping with such polities. People should be paid so that they are able and willing to perform socially useful and desirable duties. Citizens have the inalienable right to benefit from the result of their own honest labor. It is more noble to teach young people about responsibilities than about rights. It is better to do what everyone has always done, unless you have some extraordinarily valid reason to do otherwise. Radical change should be viewed with suspicion, particularly in a time of radical change. The government, local and distal, should leave people to their own devices as much as possible. Intact heterosexual two-parent families constitute the necessary bedrock for a stable polity. We should judge our political system in comparison to other actual political systems and not to hypothetical utopias."

Many of my friends in the "Geezers" group are quite agitated by recent events world-wide concerning COVID-19 (the Wuhan Coronavirus). It's unfortunate that so many "elders" have lost the ability to re-examine their beliefs or question the accuracy of what they are fed by the "malpractice media." Keep informed. If you are interested, here are two recent videos for your consideration: Sensemaking the Coronavirus, Rebel Wisdom (39:43) Joe Rogan Experience #1439 - Michael Osterholm (1:34:10)

While we have all been asleep... Check this out! It's not what you think! Steven Kwast | The Urgent Need for a U.S. Space Force (Hillsdale College - 1:06:24) Talk begins about 4-5 minutes in (after introduction). Steven L. Kwast is a retired Air Force general and former commander of the Air Education and Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in astronautical engineering, he holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He is a past president of the Air Force’s Air University in Montgomery, Alabama, and a former fighter pilot with extensive combat and command experience. He is the author of the study, “Fast Space: Leveraging Ultra Low-Cost Space Access for 21st Century Challenges.” I have listened to this three times already. It seems the general was held back until his retirement a few months back.

The Cheyenne (1901) by Frederic Remington The 'Western', as a literary form and 'genre' has been popular ever since its beginning, in the form of western-themed 'dime novels' from the 19th century, until the present time. Its peak popularity was in the '60s and it has been seen in many forms including art, comics, radio, movies, and TV, etc. I grew up on the novels of Louis L'Amour, Zane Grey and others, as well as the movies and TV of the time. Although a great many of the novels, movies, and other 'westerns', are largely formulaic and rely heavily on a few basic stereotyped characters, and plots, others provide an illuminating view of the opening, and expansion, of the American west. And what's wrong with a great story at the same time? As readers/viewers become more sophisticated, and aware of the sometimes distorted view presented to us by writers and film producers, etc., a more complete picture can take form. Here are a few of the more enjoyable, and memorable, westerns I can heartily recommend to start off any newcomers to the genre: The frontier novels of the fictional "Sackett" family by Louis L'Amour. “The novels trace much of the history of the family through individual members of the family as they move across the Atlantic from England, settle in the Appalachians, and then move west to the Great Plains, the Rockies, and California. … [the] family originates in the fens of … East Anglia. The patriarch of the family, Barnabas Sackett, becomes a merchant captain and eventually settles with his wife Abigail in what will become the borderlands of North Carolina and Tennessee.” --Wikipedia (8/13/17) There are over 20 "Sakett" stories, many of which have been made into films. They portray a very vivid picture of the spirit of independence and rugged individualism that is associated with the founding, growth, and eventual formation of these 'United' States from the first European colonies. The Last of the Mohicans: A Narrative of 1757 (1826), by James Fenimore Cooper. It is an interesting read, though the early 19th century language may be found cumbersome by some. It has been adapted for the screen many times but the most recent 1992 film, starring Daniel Day-Lewis and native American activist and actor Russell Means, is more accessable to many. Wikipedia has informative articles on both novel and film. I remember the "Classics Illustrated" version from my misspent youth. LOL More will follow...

I don't think the change in my piggy bank will cover this - it is a piece of history though, http://enigmamuseum.com/a01259/?fbclid=IwAR3jVaW4aL4_wTlp7bh1E_7vBdgshjWeEoeOTj9Iwb9FW9RZ1gRkDz0_e48

'Just Chess'? Really? As the interest that binds this group together it was inevitable that one of the forum topics would be our beloved 'Game of Kings'. But it can be ever so much more: a simple 'pastime', an 'obsession', an 'art', a 'science', a 'mental discipline', a 'fight', etc. Everyone has their own experience. What is yours?

I've decided to source some of the quotes in my posted notes with numbered references. Hopefully readers will ponder the items before checking out their source. This may, sometimes, lead one to find out more about an author, or re-evaluate a preconceived opinion (or not). All of the following works have contributed greatly to my world view and are presented here (sadly) in a random order as I have been, or will be reading, or re-reading, them during my later years. 1. Kodish, Susan Presby and Bruce I. Drive Yourself Sane: Using the Uncommon Sense of General Semantics, Third Edition 2011 2. Kodish, Bruce I. Korzybski: A Biography 2011 3. Chase, Stuart The Tyranny of Words 1938, 1966 4.a Korzybski, Alfred Manhood of Humanity; The Science and Art of Human Engineering 1921 4.b Selections from Science and Sanity (1st Ed. 1948) 2010 5.a D'Souza, Dinesh America: Imagine a World Without Her 2014 5.b The Big Lie: Exposing the Nazi Roots of the American Left 2017 6.a Dyer, Wayne Your Erroneous Zones: Step-by-Step Advice for Escaping the Trap of Negative Thinking... 1976 6.b Pulling Your Own Strings: Dynamic Techniques for... 1978 6.c The Sky's the Limit 1980 6.d What Do You Really Want for Your Children: Practical Advice for Parents 1985 7. Durant, Will and Ariel The Story of Civilization (11 Volumes) 1935-1975 8.a Sowell, Thomas Basic Economics: A Citizen's Guide to the Economy 2000 8.b Compassion versus Guilt and other essays 1987 8.c Barbarians Inside the Gates - and Other Controversial Essays 1999 8.d Controversial Essays 2002 8.e The Quest for Cosmic Justice 1999 9.a Beck Glenn Arguing With Idiots: How to Stop Small Minds and Big Government 2009 9.b Conform: Exposing the Truth About Common Core and Public Education 2014 10.a Hayakawa, S. I. Language in Thought and Action 1949, (5th Ed. 1991) 10.b, 1) Why General Semantics 2) 3) The Self Concept and its Role in Communication Seminar conducted at the University of Denver (summer 1968) available on YouTube 10.c Theories and Practices of General Semantics 1971 lecture available on YouTube 11 Bois, J. Samuel The Art of Awareness: A Textbook on General Semantics and Epistemics 1973 12. Ellerton, Peter How do you know that what you know is true? That’s epistemology 2017 https://theconversation.com/how-do-you-know-that-what-you-know-is-true-thats-epistemology-63884 13. Imprimis: A Publication of Hillsdale College (hillsdale.edu) 14.a Peterson, Jordan B. 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos 2018 14.b Jordan B. Peterson on 12 Rules for Life YouTube.com 14.c Joe Rogan Experience # 1139: Jordan Peterson YouTube (July 2,2018)