Disqus - Latest Comments for mnphysicist

Re: "If Love Can Look Like Genocide, Then Love Can Look Like...Anything": An Excerpt from "Inspired"

Ron Amundson — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 18:43:09 -0000

The thing is, there are a number of atonement theories, with PSA penal substitutionary atonement (the one initially described by Robert) being only one, and a recent one at that. Ransom theory, I believe is what momzilla is referring too. Christus Victor, Satisfaction, and Governmental are other theories... and none of these constructs would necessarily require a liturgical rewrite.

Re: TrumpCare? ObamaCare? No thank you…

Ron Amundson — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 14:32:14 -0000

If the choking hierarchical systems are necessary, than there has to be some type of a dunbar number for economic activity. Granted, we see this to some extent in too big to fail banks, and cable company customer service, but does this really need to be the case? Certainly regulatory aspects drive some of this, but is there something else we are failing to identify?

The other thing I wonder about is rare disease and the free market. Mathematically, a $50K investment per life year figure seems to work out somewhat for insurance companies to make money and keep policies affordable... but what happens when you have a person who will need $500,000 investments / life year for the rest of their lives? Charity can't afford those kind of numbers, and insurance companies would go out of business pretty fast too, either by pricing premiums beyond what the market can bare, or plain and simply running out of funds to keep said patient alive.

Re: Accountability Is for Losers

Ron Amundson — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 23:13:26 -0000

I think you are onto something with this. Sadly, accountability has be poisoned by the partner thing... more often than not, it spirals into either into welcoming moral failings on one hand, or into a power & control or gossip fest on the other. I think the ever expanding sphere of influence model you seem to be alluding too in this makes a whole lot more sense. Alas, once the well is poisoned, its a lot harder to clean, much less rebuild the trust necessary to repair and grow going forward.

Re: ONO 3D Printer Production Delays Ruffles Feathers of Crowdfunders

Ron Amundson — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 23:56:44 -0000

A new microprocessor equates to starting over on the electronics side, subject to the physical limitations of the enclosure and the motor assembly. In the best case scenario, that's a 6 month time frame, assuming much of their firmware translates to the new micro, and that they don't get slammed with other issues like phone compatibility. Ie, developing low cost electronics to work in the vicinity of a high level RF field (the cell phone) is not simple by any means. I think a year is a more realistic time frame, and even then, they may have to limit the number of phone models they are compatible with. There's also the issue that they will need to start over with CE, FCC, and UL certifications... which again, is made crazy complicated due to EMC coupling between their device and a given cell phone make, model, and carrier.

The challenge is going to be funding... yes they have over $2.3 million from the kickstarter, but with what appears to be really low margins on this thing, there isn't a lot of money to go towards the development needed to truly take this to production. In addition, there's the sunk costs they've had to eat by fast tracking production before even a fully functional, multiphone compatible preproduction prototype is up and running to say nothing of the massive sums they must have spent on marketing.

I hope they can pull this off... but its going to be a very challenging year to do so.

Re: Lawyers: ICE detainee with brain tumor removed from hospital

Ron Amundson — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 00:20:43 -0000

Prooftexting selected scriptures to support the lust for money and tribalism is one of the reasons young folks are leaving Christianity. The immoral nature of errant theology is under a spotlight and the young see right through it.

Its a sad deal though, as said corruptions are a betrayal of the whole of scriptures and the legacy the early preachers in the US left for us. Bottom line though, the church will survive, it may come back even stronger once corrupting influences have have been illuminated for what they are.

Re: Free Is Bad For Business

Ron Amundson — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 17:46:02 -0000

I concur that a pay for model can provide for better focus on the actual product at hand. On the other hand, time to scale, scaling plateaus and market lifecycle curves might well trashcan a great business before it can even make a pass around the track. I also concur with the entitlement issue, but it works both ways. Ie, the outfit that started out with a free model in order to reach efficiencies of scale, may well feel entitled for payment, now that have "made it".. but their customer base might have put in a great deal of effort along the way too. Changing the model opens the door to competition, often times leaving the now pay2play entity in shambles.

Re: How to Think of Eternity (Or At Least How I Do)

Ron Amundson — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 03:03:11 -0000

I'm exceedingly curious as to why you would have issues with Jesus existing outside of time. I mean certainly during his time on earth, pre ascension, he was physically in our reference frame of time, as he will be once again when he returns. Alas, just because he was in our reference time, being fully man and fully God, I can't quite see why he can't also exist in an alternative reference frame apart from time. Part of this spins out of my astrophysics coursework on relativity from decades ago.. so I could well be way off in lala land. Alas, I concur, Jesus is not floating out in space somewhere, at least not space and time as we experience and measure.

As far as your last paragraph, I share similar sentiments, having lost my wife as well... time and space discussions on heaven were something we used to poke around with before she passed. I'm sitting here laughing at some of the crazy stuff we spun with.

Re: Priest's prayer reminds GOP convention of importance of all human life

Ron Amundson — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 23:04:58 -0000

This is the problem though. Social security and medicare are the big time budget killers. Welfare for immigrants and single moms is a drop in the bucket compare to those massive govt programs. We're getting slammed in that in that older folks didn't pay enough in during their working years, and in combination with the baby boomer demographic shift, eventually something has to give... you could wipe away all welfare (for other than the elderly and disabled) and it would barely make a dent in the budget. Some hard choices will need to be made... and the longer we wait, the harder they will be.

Re: Are we finally witnessing the death of Christianity in America?

Ron Amundson — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 13:12:49 -0000

Christian pacifism is an interesting study. I'm not convinced it is the righteous path anymore than I am a militaristic form is... but in light of working through Augustine's Just War and Aquinas Summa Theologica, I think its an individual calling as to whether to take up arms as an agent of the state or not. However, neither theologican presents much of a justifiable argument for self defense on an individual basis. More so, it comes across as a sometimes necessary evil to protect life... and as Aquinas stated, if self defense becomes necessary, then one must also suffer the consequences by surrendering one's Holy Orders.

Re: Jamie the Very Worst Missionary: When we are all Priests and Levites.

Ron Amundson — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 06:45:09 -0000

It is complex for sure, but realistically, will 10,000 people out of a 320 million US population really make that much of a difference? Would we really roll back gay marriage, women's rights, and our sex and money driven culture to embrace Sharia law nationwide? Besides the human rights implications, the profit motive would seemingly stop such well before it got started. Beyond that though, if the bad guys want to get on our soil, there are much simpler and more time efficient ways than going through the refugee process.

That being said, I echo your concerns... and here are a couple others. Consider what would happen to our long term ability to provide asylum if someone slipped through the cracks and something bad happened. Likewise, 10,000 is a tiny fraction of the total number of folks displaced... what about the rest?

Its not simple... and individuals, and even churches are pretty limited as to what help they can provide in this without the backing of government in one form or another.

Re: Religion’s Four Stages of Maturity. #0861

Ron Amundson — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 14:43:37 -0000

I think folks in groups 1-3 believe they have arrived already, where as the folks in group 4 are more likely to think of the journey spiraling around itself, rather than as a point of arrival. In some ways, the grouping system you present parallels Fowlers models, albeit he focused on the individual rather than the faith community. In that regard, the top levels of both end up being in sort of a continuous flux as time passes.

Level two to level three transitions are often fraught with peril due to baggage associated with levels one and two. Ie, I get the whole point about the limiting criteria being physical aggression or theft, but emotional spiritual damage can be as real or even more real. The big challenge though is things get super individualized... so what might be spiritual abuse to person A could potentially be a means of growth for person B.

Beyond this though, there exists some incredible potential for growth in all phases. Alas, I do wonder about how successful foundational growth can be for a n00b who ends up in a higher ordered phase. In a lot of ways, such should be a time for all in the body of Christ to work together... but its likely to be super crazy too in light of the massive diversity that exists across the spectra.

Re: Is Your Candidate Smarter than a 5th Grader? #0719 Jennifer Clark Tinker

Ron Amundson — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 14:12:45 -0000

The practice does work to instill fear in the bases, but it fosters apathy in the middle. It creates an aura of near total incompetence which leads to cynicism and reduced voter turnout. Do I want an idiot on the right to get rich at the public's expense, or an idiot on the left to do the same... what if I don't want an idiot at all?

Re: Why Science Fairs Aren't So Fair

Ron Amundson — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 13:35:09 -0000

Kids work vs parental work is easier than you think when it comes to judging these things. That being said, the background, and even more so, the networking of the parents can and sometimes does play a huge role... but it is up to the student as to what to do with it.

I've seen kids from very rural reservation schools put out amazing work on par with kids whose parents are researchers at major medical institutions. Certainly the kid who can be introduced to a NIH scientist with a single phone call has an easier start, than the one who has to jump a multitude of hoops to reach the same... but with easier starts, depth often times takes a backseat which becomes very obvious when you are in the judges chair.

Re: Are MOOC Discussion Forums Good for Anything? How to Make them Work for You

Ron Amundson — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 23:54:23 -0000

I've found the greatest value in MOOCs is the discussion forums, as they tend to to go much much deeper than either lectures, books, or reference materials. Just this week we had a discussion a paper which was only published a couple weeks ago. Typically such discussions would only occur at technical conferences, and even then, it would be delayed 6 months to a year. In addition, technical conferences often preclude multi-disiplinary discussion to say nothing of the fact most are geographically limited.

That being said, many MOOC discussion forums are near worthless as they lack facilitation, or are filled with mind-numbing mandatory postings... but when they are good, they are very good. Student facilitation is something I'll have to ponder. One of the big issues is that peer to peer mode opens the door for unchecked assumptions or errant principles to go unchallenged, as no one really knows... then again, such is not unlike TA facilitators who only have a little more experience than the students.

Re: Colorado senator takes PARCC tests, expresses shock

Ron Amundson — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 22:34:12 -0000

I like the idea of local control, but what is so unique about OK that their students need to be 2-3 years behind their peers in MA and CA when it comes to math skills. Beyond the skill issue itself, there is also the issue that the student ends up having to pay a small fortune for remedial education. That being said, if a means could be set up for universities to bill OK taxpayers for remedial education as well as a 2 year tax credit for said students, at least some of the damage to the student could be mitigated. Granted, this would no doubt cause taxpayers to scream, especially if the state ended up having to give Harvard or MIT millions of dollars, but it would definitely drive accountability. I'm not sure that state legislators are that willing to be accountable though.

Re: Prepare For 'The End Of College': Here's What Free Higher Ed Looks Like

Ron Amundson — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 02:37:16 -0000

While it might work at the 100 level at least to pass a class, the lack of physical experience will come back to bite as one progresses. Alas, at the 100 level, its likely a lab kit could be procured at a modest cost... well under the costs of a single credit in a face to face class... but then what? To go further, safety and equipment issues start to get crazy fast. I just can't see how it could work, short of regional face to face lab availability some way some how.

Re: Prepare For 'The End Of College': Here's What Free Higher Ed Looks Like

Ron Amundson — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 19:20:28 -0000

Wisconsin has the same problem. Each year they take more money from the UW system and dump it on the prisons.

Re: Prepare For 'The End Of College': Here's What Free Higher Ed Looks Like

Ron Amundson — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 17:40:00 -0000

With rampant grade inflation and years of students cramming to forget, sooner or later there will be a push for third party credentialing as to a given persons mastery or lack thereof. It will be a major game changer should that type of process come into being.

Re: Prepare For 'The End Of College': Here's What Free Higher Ed Looks Like

Ron Amundson — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 17:28:13 -0000

There also the issues that in the 70s, college enrollments were drastically lower. Its one thing for a state to pick up tution for 10,000 students, its another deal entirely at 200K.

Re: Prepare For 'The End Of College': Here's What Free Higher Ed Looks Like

Ron Amundson — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 17:10:17 -0000

As far as contact with other students go, a number of my fellow mooc students would disagree as far as the online vs offline difference. Sure, there are some idealistic undergrad professors with an external source of income and plenty of time, but they are a very tiny minority.

That being said, 1:1 lab time with a PI is another story... its not scalable, and its incredible expensive, but this is where massive amounts of learning can and do take place. Alas, this is whats going to bite. The 100 and 200 level courses might well be replaced in an online format... but then what happens to the revenue stream that supports the 1:1 time? Research grants aren't lucrative enough to subsidize education, nor is tuition... its a messy deal.

Re: Prepare For 'The End Of College': Here's What Free Higher Ed Looks Like

Ron Amundson — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 17:00:47 -0000

Um, that's been the case for quite a while... A new hire's first experience flying an actual airliner is likely to be one with paying passengers on board. Granted, they all flew a actual Cessna or Piper at one time or another... but with customers demands for cheap flights, there is no way an airline can justify pulling an aircraft off the flight line for training purposes.

There's also the issue that you can do things in the sim that you wouldn't dare of doing in a actual aircraft, to say nothing of the fact that with a sim you can backup and repeat at will.

Re: Unable to repeal common core, foes try sabotage

Ron Amundson — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 13:50:17 -0000

There is lots wrong with this method of testing. Software that doesn't work and/or requires massive IT investment. Grading and statistical analysis done in a vacuum without oversight.The ability for states to set their own cut scores making state to state comparison impossible. The lack of timely feedback, making the tests near useless other than as a political tool long after the kids are in another class.

Testing in and of itself can be a very good thing. This particular approach to testing is stupid. States and local school boards bare responsibility in some of this... they don't have to pile a whole bunch of other stuff on the plate.

Re: 10 Things You Should Know About the Student Success Act

Ron Amundson — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 12:38:20 -0000

Have you read the bill as a whole and in relationship to current policy, or are you just taking bits out of context?

Your point #1 in context is directly relevant to Speaker Boehners point #1. This bill is quite strong in its reduction of current DOE meddling. (I don't think it goes far enough, but its a reasonable first step).

I get that everyone wants free stuff from the govt, but your point #3-5 are exactly that. Ie, if you don't want federal strings, don't take the money. If you do, comply with the strings. Taxpayers deserve accountability. I concede that there may be enough nuance such that things could go wonky during the NRPM timeframe. If it passes, the rule making process will need to be watched like a hawk.

I'm no fan of this bill, NCLB, RTTP, or Common core... but I'm even less of a fan of throwing of money over the wall to the private sector without accountability. All that does is make private entities fat, dependent, and inefficient... consider Pearson in relationship to common core. Without their heavy lobbying and integration in education bills, they would not have a near monopoly, as free enterprise would have ensured other players had a chance... but we cant have that can we?

Re: 10 Things You Should Know About the Student Success Act

Ron Amundson — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 12:13:08 -0000

You are probably correct, but state and local government track records are pretty hideous when it comes to high poverty schools and special education. Consider a local school district with 20% special needs kids in a high poverty area... vs a wealthy district with 3% special needs kids. When it comes to budget time, our states really going to spend where the kids need it, or where the donors are located. State priorities are what brought about title 1 in the first place... How do you propose fixing this?

Re: The Ruins of Detroit #0790

Ron Amundson — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 12:42:53 -0000

Democratism, Republicanism, etc are the same thing, just different points of focus and moochers skimming off the top. It would be an interesting project to make a video showing an alternate universe based upon Republican policies leading to the same outcome (just different parties benefiting, ie robber barons rather than unions, and to a lesser extent the average Joe). The problem is not necessarily the idealistic policies of either party, but the fact that with them, big govt brings about boatloads of unintended consequences and the doors are wide open to corruption.

That being said, you can't beat the drug trade when it comes to freedom and full bore capitalism. The book Methland (which focuses on a small IA town is a prime example of free reign capitalism gone to extremes).. and it kills a lot of libertarian ideology in the process.

That being said, the pendulum needs to swing back to smaller and less corrupt government, but entrenched interests, whether on the right of the left won't let it happen without a huge fight. The TPP, as scary as it sounds might be an inflection point... once pretty much every job, short of direct patient care, or a few trades moves off shore and the dollar becomes lost as a means of international commerce, the resulting loss of societal agency and the ability to pay taxes won't be enough to continue on the path we are on. I wish there was a better way...