Philosopher Geek

If you have spent much time on the blogosphere you will likely have come across the phrase SWPL (say it as “swipple”). This is an initialism meaning Stuff White People Like. That phrase comes from the satirical blog StuffWhitePeopleLike.com.

Ostensibly the aim of StuffWhitePeopleLike is to inform a non-White person how to ingratiate themselves with the white majority. Of course this is not what it is really about. The blog brilliantly satirizes a certain segment of the population. It is the same small part of the population that David Brooks would call BoBos and some refer to as whiterpeople. This, almost entirely white, group define themselves more by attitudes than possessions. And of course those attitudes have to be “correct.” [… more]

A frequent complaint from women is that there are no screen roles for the older lady. There might be an element of truth to that if you neglect actresses like Helen Mirren, Meryl Streep, and Judi Dench (who, at 74, goes to-to-toe with James Bond). Another neglected demographic is geeks. Pretty much any man in a geeky role is played for laughs. If he is an accountant he will be played as meek and simpering. If he is a computer or engineering type he will be played as a misfit who is socially incompetent. You can be fairly sure the role will not be heroic.

Far worse, from a nerd hero perspective, you would imagine are romance novels. You know those books whose cover features longhaired beauties falling into the arms of buff heroes. If cinema will not feature geeky heroes what hope is there for romance novels?

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that not only is there a romance novel with a nerd hero but an entire series. Yes, an entire series. [… more]

Here is a stereotype for you: A guy with a blog is a geek while a girl with a blog is cool. As often happens, the stereotype has some truth. Don’t you hate it when that happens? [… more]

Merriam Webster describes character as Sense 6: moral excellence and firmness [a man of sound character] I would describe it with the old adage: “Doing the right thing when nobody is looking.”

We live in a world that is ever more electronically connected yet personally disconnected. A world where we make deals over the telephone or by e-mail. A world where we may be no more than a price on a screen. A world where people increasingly come together for a single project and then disband to the far corners of the earth.

In such a world does that thing called character still count?  [… more]

I love conveniences, all those little things that make my life easier. But conveniences are like a big friendly dog in that sometimes they will bite. They do not meant to hurt you, but they end up doing just that. [… more]

Just because I am a blogger does not mean that I fear exercise (well maybe a little).  A healthy body is as useful as a healthy mind. Indeed there are strong links between physical fitness and a healthy brain.

Being a geek I want the most efficient routine possible. If the particular routine has some theory behind it so much the better. The routine is based on evolutionary theory (way cool right now) and takes about 40 minutes once or twice a week. That does not include 5 to 20 minutes each day for walking. This routine is not just for geeks (or philosophers), it should be simple for you to create your own version. [… more]

Today is the day when we count up our tribute to our master. Today is the day when we get a glimpse at just how much of or life is given over to feeding the beast. [… more]

All things start with great hopes and dreams and that includes this blog. So far I cannot say I am very happy. If it were not my blog, I don’t know that I would bother reading it. Indeed, it is neither very philosophical nor particularly geeky. Maybe I should rename it Boring Nerd.

It is not in my nature to give up to easily, so I will keep trying. Perhaps I will eventually find my blogging voice but for now this blog sucks.

Sadly, this is probably the most worthwhile entry yet.

Notes:

File this entry under “things I already knew.”

“Blogging Voice” – This is exactly what I was talking about. I mean, who writes this stuff?

These two terms describe how a person takes in information from the world. In Jungian terms this is the “perceiving” function. In Myers-Briggs typing, this is the second letter of the four-letter type (Sensor or iNtuitor). [… more]

The idea of a management dashboard is a useful metaphor.  A dashboard gives you a quick overview of your car’s systems. It alerts you to areas that might need your attention. A management “dashboard” should also give you a quick overview of the enterprise and alert you to areas that might need attention.

[… more]