Where did tail wagging come from, I mean, in the Darwinian sense? Today, we interpret it as a communication device, or a "happiness indicator" for dogs. But I don't konw about that. I suspect it's left over from some aquatic animal and swimming-related.
I love it when the private sector does nifty things such as putting a person in space, or solving global warming:
http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn11146-25-million-prize-for-greenhouse-gas-removal.html
Recently, I have been a little shocked to encounter more than a couple former childhood pals, now all grown-up, using the word "monetize" in 2007. Am I alone in my bristling at this conept and the popular use of the word, "monetize?" Monetize in the sense of, "monetizing," web properties?
OK, I acknowledge that I do indeed like to trade products, service, information- value of all sorts- for money. But the thing is, monetize makes it sound like the money is an end in itself.
And that is just CRAZY talk. The value of money is dependent on one's ability to exchange it, right? And this value is also a function of one's desire to get stuff (even if one can spend, one might not need or want). Put a couple other ways: we can't take it with us & richness comes from within.
Is there something wrong with me that money is not my favorite thing and ultimate objective? I think sometimes money can interfere with our opportunity to properly experience a rich life. So in that sense, money can be like the opposite of fulfillment.
Didn't someone, about 100 years ago, warn, "Mr. Rockefeller your fortune is rolling up, rolling up like an avalanche! You must keep up with it! You must distribute it faster than it grows! If you do not, it will crush you and your children and your children's children"? The way I understand it, Mr. Rockfeller's life was quite miserable for a period before he began aggressively putting his money to work.
The other thing is that we (mankind) INVENTED money as a way to store value over time, and that is why it's so crazy to lose sight of a more simple, maybe even primitive humanity in favor for money worship. Life is all about give and take. Money is but a vehicle.
Just received an invoice for approximately $1000 for blood tests that were part of a routine physical.
I called my insurance company, got a human, but apparently this human was helpless within the larger machine of her organization.
She explained to me that the reason I was being billed was because the diagnostic code submitted with my claim was, "routine gynecological exam." Not only did I not have a routine gynecological exam, but also I am a male. So Blue Cross sent the claim back to Quest Diagnostics with the information, "diagnostic/billing code inconsistent with patient gender." Later, Blue Cross tells me, they received a re-submission, with the same diagnostic code.
As I type, I am on the telephone on-hold with Quest Diagnostics, the laboratory company that apparently did my bloodwork for my routine physical exam. The voicemail labyrinth is all dead-ends leading to either "pay," or, "call your physician."
Now I am calling my physician (I wonder if I'll be subject to some sort of gender test? The comedic possibilities are endless...).
No answer...
more later
....14 hours later....
I was able to secure a face-to-face encounter with a human, who agreed that this diagnostic code was incorrect. I am assured all will be taken care of. Thanks to my friends at Crown City Medical Group in Pasadena for having real, accessible, and thinking people available!
It occurs to me that few ideas make it to blog perfectly packaged or even completely cooked. But I put the raw ideas out there anyway. In this way, the blog serves as a sort of conceptual incubator and idea beta test platform for the global consciousness.
Self consciously yours,
Crockett
[inspired by Helio Buddy Beacon]
Connected anonymity? Or is that anonymous connectivity? Call it what you like.
The time is right to sell technology for singling out and "pairing" with an individual for SMS, walkie-talkie, or video communication via cell phone. I'm calling it, "The Opt-in, Directional, GPS-Enabled Proximity Communicator/Buddy Finder." Or Helio Stranger Beacon, for kicks.
This is inevitable... the result of the cultural influence of social networking sites, IM, SMS, Second Life, and voice-chat-enabled online gaming.
The next step is for someone in REAL LIFE to feel compelled to point to someone and ADD TO BUDDY LIST. Of course, the someone would have to approve the buddy add, after opting-in to being online. Users would always have block/invisibility options, just like with other connected/anonymous services.
Stay with me here... Aren't you tired of vehicle-to-vehicle communications being limited to smiles, bird flipping, honking, word mouthing, and "go-ahead" gesturing? Have we forgotten the CB Radio craze of the 1970s? What happened with that, anyway?
I think the public is ready. I've watched enough users talk to strangers on xBox live, Playstation, and IM to understand this will be adopted by a young audience. Maybe delayed slightly by the typical fear-mongering we have seen with all of the previous technologies. But scary news will always be scary news, and predators will always be predators. Abuse, harassment, stalking, and predatory behaviors can be extended to any technology.
Once we get over those fears, I think we will all be flipping on our "stranger beacons" when we hit the road or arrive at any large social gathering.
It has been requested that I provide more clarification about the cat door innovation. Ready?
Big Leroy eats up here on the counter.
(That's B's food on the floor. We still haven't figured how to allow B to eat unsupervised without Leroy grazing on her leftovers.)
Leroy tends to gobble down meals faster than his brother, Mo,
and wait outside the bathroom where Mo is secured inside (not locked, but secured via a latch that can be pushed open from the inside.)
It's all about the latch.
Innovation makes life worth living. Seriously, it is my Favorite Thing. Here are some recent examples:
Analisa and I had a problem with our cats. Leroy was morbidly obese to the point it was seriously affecting his life quality. He was stiff and achey up and down the stairs, and could no longer clean himself well. 
So we put Leroy on a strict diet. But Leroy's brother, Mo (right) began to waste away. The solution: feed them separately to prevent Leroy from eating Mo's food. 
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