Coffee Shop Notes
March 18, 2002

Regarding stock trading, the financial status and business sense of a company are important. Ultimately, however, you are buying or selling against public perception.

What is the current perception (as measured in stock price/accounting information and available potential) of a company? Then, what will the future perception (as measured in stock price/accounting information and available potential) be, and what are the specific factors likely to account for this? Are they perceptible and measurable, and what does that indicate for a buy/sell decision.

If this determination can be made, is it possible to validate the decision against statistical predications? The formulas may not agree, but especially if they do, the stock may be a good buy.

***

Coffee shops are a godsend for us solitary souls. It is all well and good to cherish the quiet and to value solitude. But it's folly to isolate yourself completely from society. And every healthy person needs at least the occasional smile of another to keep them well.

***

When strangers strike up a conversation, my response is always different. What is it that makes me welcome the conversations of some and loathe that of others? Certainly a few lines are enough to reveal the mental and/or emotional health. But what are the factors within these lines which communicate so effectively? Choice of topic, attitude, tone, body language and so on. Has a study every been done on this?

***

What is killer instinct? Is it worth having? Is it necessary? It may be a functional of survival -- though an instinct which must be monitored closely.

Mostly in business situations, I can feel it surging in me. If I'm about to engage a group of managers or executives for example, my demeanor becomes serious, my adrenaline rushes and my eyes pierce, daring anyone to challenge me. I feel ready to meet any challenge, question or situation armed with intellect, articulation and a sharp wit.

I say it is a function of survival, because that is what is on the line: reputation, job, opportunities. Compound that with my basic dislike for business people and competitive nature, and I'm a walking bundle of killer instinct.

None of this is to say that I'm willing to compromise values or ethics. And I'd like to think I'm never unfriendly or even mean, unless of course someone engages me in that context. But all-in-all, I don't like myself that way.

In my current job, I'm much less on guard and much more silly. Work should be fun. Coworkers should be friends and my heart should be light. But that instinct is there, lurking deep within me -- born in conflict and nurtured through several challenging life experiences, not the least of which was the evildot-com company.

Should everyone have it? Is it worth having? Is it necessary? Can it be controlled? Is our most basic instinct to survive outdated?

***

Einstein said, "Without science, spirituality is blind. Without spirituality, science is lame." He's my hero.

***

The way to meet people is to get involved in group activities. Duh! Somehow though, I keep forgetting. Reading is solitary, writing is solitary, piano is solitary, working from home is solitary and even hanging out at the coffee shop qualifies as solitary. Getting involved in a stock club is good, volunteer work is good, going to a church or spiritual group is probably good.

***

Effective intelligence. Effectiveness is the standard by which I will begin to measure my activities. Even watching television can qualify. Am I actively watching instead of vegging? Even sleep can qualify. When I go to bed, am I preparing myself mentally to wake up rejuvenated instead of just crashing? Do I want to remember my dreams in the morning or dream of something specifically? Am I trying to have a lucid dream?

Effectiveness is quality instead of quantity.

Effectiveness does not mean killing spontaneity. Effectiveness does not mean never trying new things. It does not mean living by a formula. Effectiveness could be a buzz word for Holy Fire. You could lay around all night on the floor with your friends dreaming of places to go, businesses to start, art to make and things to try; but, do it.

***

I'm staring at my laptop and listening to a CD. The collective intelligence of humanity is staggering. And if it all went away and someone asked me to help reinvent math, I could barely do it. If I had to help make a new printing press, could I do it? And what of high technology? A computer processor, a USB hard drive that fits on my key chain or a space shuttle? That all these things having already been conceived might make it easier, but how long would it take to re-create the collective knowledge of an entire civilization?

How many similarities would civilizations of the same age have, if there was never any contact between them? How many things would be completely unique?

We have tools to make tools that, in turn, make more tools. We're driving quickly to build tools that will make nanotechnologies feasible. These then will become more tools capable of performing nothing less than magic, and may make us gods. Or kill us.

***

Can you feel new places in your brain? I saw Bjork in a picture looking far off to the right, with her head titled to the left and smiling. When I tried, it was as though I was feeling a new emotion for the first time. Now I sometimes catch myself doing it as when I'm thinking about something new or emotional -- like a love scene or a fond memory.