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In my short tenure in Seoul I was the head speaking instructor at a large multi-campus prep school that was tasked with a pedagogy project (teaching teaching to teachers). While it probably won’t entirely make sense to you, here is a goofy presentation I gave one day to a group of fellow foreigners who were supposed to become effective interviewees.

I hope you are imbued with its magical powers like the woman who recently interviewed Mark Zuckerberg:

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While there are several different types of Young Earth Creationists (e.g., AiG, CMI, Discovery) many of them have attacked methods for dating the earth and cosmos at ages longer than several thousand years. Typically they demonize carbon-14 and other radioisotopic dating methods.

Using astronomy as a setting, what energy source are most of the unmanned space probes that zoom across the inner solar system powered by?

Do they use solar energy? Do they use big Energizer bunnies? Do they use dope?

Many of them, including the Voyagers and Pioneers use a technique called radioisotopic decay to power electric generators: Radioisotopic Thermoelectric Generators

In a nutshell, the heat produced from these decaying isotopes (typically Plutonium 238) is converted into electricity and stored in batteries. There are no smoke, mirrors or boogiemen involved in this process.

And as seen with these probes, the rate of decay matches up to the predicted limits and as a result some of the probes will become completely silent in the next decade.

Numbers and nincompoops

Pu-238 has a half-life of 87.7 years, a phenomenon that has been observed and tested numerous times.

Using similar testable, observable methods Carbon-14 has a half-life of 5730 years and is commonly used to date objects younger than 40,000 years.

Potassium-Argon dating has an extremely long half-life and is usually used to date minerals older than 100,000 years.

And the best part about all of these elements, if you do not believe or simply disagree with the ages found by the researchers, you can conduct your own tests.

The same thing cannot be said about supernatural phenomenon, which, by definition, are not natural and therefore not testable.

Note: again, the reason why the field of astronomy can be a powerful ally in dealing with creationists is that it cannot be blocked. Anyone can access it each evening with just a few rudimentary tools. And it happens that in this case, you can launch those tools into space and receive measurements through an odd means: by not receiving signals due to a lack of radiative mass.

See also:
How long did it take for the rings to form around Saturn?
Long distance phone calls in outer space
Admitting You Are Wrong On Easter

More than 10 years ago, back in 9th grade, I was in instigator of sorts.

I was raised under the belief that Young Earth Creationism was the way, the truth, and the light. And in biology class I was flustered that my teacher only spent time discussing the theory of evolution.

So, believing that my views were being persecuted by this “evil secularism,” I had voiced my concern to my mom who in turn discussed it with the principal. He in turn spoke with the biology teacher who was asked to carefully explain to the class that we should all keep an open, skeptical mind about all observable phenomenon.

At the time I remember giving her the evil eye and wrote down anything contentious she might say. But to her credit, she was very passionate about teaching the material and was quite accommodating to any questions.

It would take another 4 years before I came around to recognize my own religious-oriented views were short-sighted and just plain wrong and thus, the teacher is certainly one person I’d like to bump into again to discuss my own evolution.

I mention this because the creationist movement recently put together a new film by Ben Stein called Expelled. In watching the preview the audience is left with the impression that there is an evil conspiracy to root academia of religion, deism and alternate creation stories.

Its writers also suggest that there is a huge ideological battle, a methodological rift in the biological sciences — one that natural selection and traditional science is incapable of explaining. Furthermore, Stein et al suggest a super new paradigm called Intelligent Design is more than capable for explaining the natural phenomenon we see today.

While I’ll hold off judgment until I have a chance to see it myself, I would like to point out several germane issues.

First, as the NY Times and millions of blogs noted, the producer of the movie expelled biologist PZ Myers from the public screening of the film, despite the fact that PZ was in the actual movie and had legitimate tickets. Talk about ironic.

Second, as documented by NOVA and heard in the recent Kitzmiller case, intelligent design is nothing more than a repackaged name of creationism. This case allowed the ID movement to showcase its best arguments to the world yet it offers no testable framework and to paraphrase the judge: is religion not science. The 2007 PBS documentary about this issue is concise and to the point, plus it is available for free and can be viewed online: Judgement Day, Intelligent Design on Trial

Third, even the Templeton Foundation, which awards huge monetary awards to researchers to reconcile religion and science has still not received any proposals for actual ID research.

Lastly, several acquaintances refuse to believe transitional fossils exist. So, here are a couple of quick videos showing the various fossils we do know of right now. And if you still aren’t sold on dynamism, the organized church has been around 2000 years — I think it is only fare if we gave paleontologists a few more years to collect more skeletons.

After all, just imagine the early astronomers in the 17th century trying to explain the light-year.

[Note: and as sad as it is to admit, as a teenager I even emphasized that theory of evolution it was "just a theory" -- like it is merely a hunch. That is a dumb argument because the definition of theory in science is different than the way laymen use it. Gravitation is "just" a theory as is pathology and well, every scientific framework. Testability is the key ingredient that evolution has and ID does not.]

See also:
Useless body parts and non-existent designers
How long did it take for the rings to form around Saturn?
Long distance phone calls in outer space
Neo-Creationists Love Neo-Pets
The Other ID: Incompetent Design
Intelligent Falling theory

Remember that terribly awesome ’80s flick with John Cusack — Better Off Dead? Do you think the paper boy(s) in the film ended up as shareholders of Bear Stearns?

Via Deal Breaker.

I’ve done telemarketing and door-to-door sales in my past. I am glad that I have never come across this insane lady:

As my buddy Ray says, “with crazy bitches like her in mind news stories where something ‘ends in violence’ make much more sense.” For example, “A routine donut purchase ends in tragedy.”

Peter Lynch aptly suggested that the easiest and perhaps most profitable way to jump into the stock market was to “invest in what you know.”

I follow the tech industry, it’s what I know.

However, unfortunately during the credit crunch and continued dollar devaluation, major portions of the industry will be hard hit with lower demand. And as TechCrunch recently noted, start-ups and venture capital firms are being hit hard with liquidity issues: 20% of Valley Startups Can’t Get to their Cash.

And because the Fed continues to lower rates, the dollar will continue to lose value relative to other currencies. Thus, anyone holding dollar-denominated assets will end up as net losers each and every day. In fact, over the past 6 weeks, the dollar has reached a new low against the Euro, the Pound and even Gold.

With that said, there are still profitable diversification strategies that can put you in the black over the next few years.

The following is a list of financial experts I recommend if for no other reason than the fact that they understand how monetary and fiscal policies can negatively effect the value of your assets:

Jim Rogers - he’s spent years traveling the world (see “Adventure Capitalist“), doesn’t trust the Fed devaluing the dollar and is thus bullish on commodities, oil and precious metals. See his recent interview on CNBC and the other books he has written.

Doug Casey - like Rogers he has lived and worked in dozens of countries, looking for profitable ventures to take part in. For further reading visit his archives at EscapeArtist and LewRockwell.com.

Peter Schiff - see my interview with him here. He accurately predicted the housing bubble, credit crunch, decline of the dollar, rise of gold/oil and a slew of other financial metrics. Namely because he fully understands how the Fed distorts financial markets through open-market operations (e.g., change in the interest rates). In addition, Schiff’s own investment firm also looks for global, non-dollarized ventures to invest in. You can read some of his opeds at Safe Haven.

DealBreaker - is an extremely popular financial blog that was founded and run by John Carney who happens to be a fan of free-market everything and is also critical of Fed manipulation and bank bailouts. His brother, Tim, recently wrote an interesting book on these topic as well. Also, you’ll like DB if for no other reason than it helps keep you up to speed with the lingo used in that industry.

Paul Kedrosky - in the past he has worked as a venture capitalist and financial analyst. He operates a popular blog and always has some interesting insights (I’ve either quoted him or used his info in a number of my own articles: 1 2 3). While he may not be a libertarian or free-market purist like most of the others listed above, he is contrarian in his own way (and travels too).

If you’re interested in seeing what dollar doomsayers are investing in, here is a recent thread discussing individual portfolios.

And lastly, here is a very interesting debate between Peter Schiff and Art Laffer (namesake of the Laffer Curve). It should be noted that the debate is 18 months old. Laffer certainly looks like an idiot now:

I could be completely wrong, but some friends and family members were wondering why I don’t think the PRC will swim across the straits in September.

- 2009 Deaflympics will be hosted in Taipei
- 2009 World Games will be hosted in Kaohsiung
- 2010 World’s Fair will be hosted in Shanghai
- 2010 Asian Games will be hosted in Guangzhou
- Dozens of other international expos, tournaments and festivals will take place between large cities across the Straits throughout the next several years (who can look past the 2009 International Wine Expo hosted in Taipei?)

There is an old parable attributed to Frederic Bastiat which states that when goods and services do not cross borders, armies will. One of the underlying reasons for why this observation typically holds true is that businesses and patrons can pressure the political class and military brass to be more diplomatic in negotiating with foreign states.

As Hollywood films portray each year, if voluntary cultural exchange continually takes place, even superficial friendships and relationships can illicit a strong desire to protect the life and limb of others.

Why?

Because at the end of the day, the owner of a foreign business does not want his building destroyed or employees sent off to the refugee camps.

And just as the PRC has come under scrutiny for its recent crackdown of protests in Tibet, any similar encroachment on Taiwan’s turf would amount to a huge media circus and an outcry from some of the largest, influential companies in the world (namely semiconductor firms).

And in terms of politics and sporting events, there are several examples of how these tournaments have been thrust into the spotlight. For example, in response to the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan the West boycotted the 1980 Olympics hosted in Moscow. Likewise, the Soviet-bloc boycotted the 1984 hosted in Los Angeles. (Not to mention the politically charged 1936 games in Berlin or the 1974 Munich hostage crisis)

Changing their tune

Based on the results of the 2008 legislative election, the pro-independence movement were swept into minority status. This in turn has given momentum to the reunification politicos (primarily the KMT) which is believed to be a shoe in for the presidential election in 6 days.

One of the current theories that has gained traction with coworkers, expats and Taiwanese nationals I have met in the last few months here in Kaohsiung is that when the KMT comes back into power, they will ultimately create a blueprint for political reunification along the lines employed by Hong Kong and Macao.

This is ironic in part because 60 years ago Chiang Kai-shek (”Cash My Check“) and others involved with the creation of the KMT were opposed to a PRC-led China. Must be the fluoride in the water…

Shooting satellites

I have mentioned elsewhere that the PRC does not appear to have the military capability to defeat Taiwan or the US in a conventional warfare (primarily because of the analysis by professor Geoffrey Forden: 1 2 3).

However, seeing as the current neoconservative administration has bled the US economy to a standstill and overcommitted its imperial armies, the next administration may be unable to properly fund or field a rested and fully-equipped naval task force necessary to counter the PRC in the straits — which by treaty, the US government has pledged to protect. [Note: this is an odd occurrence if for nothing other than the fact that the US government spends more than $1 trillion on the military budget, or the combined total of every other military budget by a nation-state. Be sure to also read "Why the US has really gone broke" by Chalmers Johnson]

And one last twist. Remember the brouhaha back in April of 2001 between the US spy plane that crashed into the Chinese jet fighter? Guess what the American’s were trying to locate and study?

The PRC navy operates several destroyers that employ the Russian-built SS-N-22 Sunburn anti-ship missile which is capable of destroying nearly any vessel in any surface fleet. Guess where one of the ships was located relative to the spy plane? [As an aside, be sure to read Gary Brecher's finest: 1 2. More on cross-strait wargames: 1 2].

With all of this said, I still am bullish on a peaceful coexistence for the near-future and recently wrote about this in “The Vatican Still Recognizes Them, Right?” In the words of Lew Rockwell, commerce and trade can ultimately trump the state. And in 2007 alone, cross-strait trade grew 16% to more than $100 billion.

That’s a whole lot of entrepreneurs, salarymen, and stockholders to piss off.

I’ve chastised the religious-oriented “stupid design” mantra that suggests humanity is a highly tuned, perfectly designed creation.

It’s still false.

Here is a new pictorial of 13 useless body parts.

See also: Incompetent Design
Top 10 Useless Limbs (and Vestigial Organs)
Neo-Creationists Love Neo-Pets

Here is a video comparing all of the planets to various stars, including the largest ones like VV Cephei. All jokes aside, for whatever reason its author failed to include Uranus.

And here is an image showing what all the water and air on earth would like if they were sucked into spheres.

John Carmack is the programmer that brought you games like Wolfenstein, Doom and Quake. Tim Sweeney is the programmer that is behind the entire Unreal series of engines.

Recently these two guys were interviewed regarding GPUs and discussed the near-term direction that the industry is heading.

- John Carmack’s interview with PC Perspective
- Tim Sweeney’s interview with TG Daily

Five months ago I mentioned that David Ditzel, cofounder of Transmeta and chip engineer extraordinaire, was looking to invest/develop in a new chip design.

This past week it looks like he’s settled down with a little company called Intel.

If it weren’t for a looming recession, I might be a bit more bullish on the cool gadgets he’ll be able to bring to market.

As a side note, you might be interested in the debate between rasterization and ray tracing that pits Intel against discrete GPU makers like Nvidia. For instance, see the latest shot by the chief scientist at Nvidia over at PC Perspective.

I doubt I’m the first to see the similarities:

Both used viral techniques to spread
Both used low-budget handycam’s for the entire film
Both used young adults as stars
Both used darkness as an atmosphere
Both were horror
Both endings were lame

Can’t say that I remember the characters of Blair Witch, but Cloverfield gave us two more guys to poke fun at.

I’m pretty sure this was the 1000 scifi film that took place in NYC. Congrats Manhanttanites, the alien world hates you.

I give it a 3 out of 5. I hate sappy romance drama. And guys that wear blazers to parties (unless he is Asian). On the plus side, lots of death (won’t say who or what); it used creative ways to criss-cross midtown (one of the only redeeming parts of I Am Legend)… and the best part: less than 90 minutes long. Oh, and Hud has some [accidentally] funny lines.

Many of the expats and Westernized asians that I am friends with keep up with North American politics, primarily the US presidential race.

Back in Texas there were very few instances that the topic of politics was broached at a bar (at least the cool ones I visited). However, in both Seoul and Kaohsiung many of the headline issues are openly discussed by non-citizens. For instance, the owner of the local Belgium pub that I frequently visit is quite the news junkie. As are most of his patrons. You should hear them talk about the Taiwanese independence movement…

Anyways, most of the expats I’ve met along the way have all pretty much have a hard on for Che Guevara and other “lovable” socialists. And in the current election if they are not pulling for Nader or Gore they’re quite the Obama fans.

I mention this because about the only two or three economic issues that we all agree on are: against maintaining an empire, anti-(corporate) welfare, and anti-central banks. [note: my own thoughts are over at the Mises blog.]

However out of all 20 or so presidential candidates from this past year, there were only two iconoclastic congressman from both sides of the political isle that also represented the views from above: Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich. And the weirdest thing is that I’ve met a couple expats that seemed up-to-speed about these two guys, lauding their positions over pitchers of beer.

And as luck would have it, both recently won in the primaries and will remain curmudgeons in the House. Thus, giving foreign observers like my Belgium friend another reason to enjoy watching CSPAN.

Over the past several year I’ve mentioned the neuro-supercomputer project jointly being developed by IBM and a biological research team in Switzerland.

Now someone has finally gone to great lengths to detail the latest and greatest results. And for any geek that thinks about a future singulitarian world with cyborgs or even just lots of computronium, you’ll enjoy this piece: Out of the Blue.

Lots of good nuggets that made a skeptic like myself believe these scifi possibilities could possibly take place in the next 50 years.

One of the few television shows that broadcasts most of its material in English is the National Geographic channel (very similar to Discovery and Animal Planet).

Last night I was flipping between it and that incredibly awesome Sandra Bullock film: The Net.

Anyways, this episode on NG dealt with sexual selection in the age of cosmetic surgery. While I’m not saying you shouldn’t go under the knife, the researchers noted that because plastic surgeons alter us to look super sexy, the ugly genes are still passed on. (see: professor Randy Thornhill of the University of New Mexico in “An In-depth Look into Sexual Attractiveness in Humans”)

For instance, while not everyone in LA with fake boobs fell off the ugly tree, the secondary sexual traits (like big lips and mammaries) send a false positive to men. Because nature has trained us men to look at certain body parts for strong and healthy partners, the beauty is literally skin deep. As a result, the guys that end up fathering children with these unnatural beauties could ultimately create a generation of uglier than normal kids.

While cosmetic surgeons will certainly be able to tune their progeny up to snuff, everyone is going to have to wait until genetic engineers figure out a way to replace the fugly parts of the genome with the fantabulous.

Note: if you are debating whether or not to spend money to look extra sexy, I’d err on the side of sexiness. Jameson might be fake but she’s definitely not ugly.

See also: Heikegani crab

Some odd things I’ve seen and experienced here in Kaohsiung:

- Although the behavior can be found in most of the developing world, every day I see up to 5 people crammed on a little scooter. Talk about putting all eggs in one basket. With any luck the Tata Nano will help bring safety to families with modest budgets.

- A 20 story commercial building was unable to find any tenets, except a rock climbing entrepreneur. They turned the bottom 4 floors into dozens of gigantic climbing walls. While I’m hardly the expert in this area, I’ve climbed numerous walls in my day and many of these walls are creatively steep. Perhaps someone can turn the top floors into a urban paintball arena.

- Hair style is even nuttier than Seoul. Both guys and girls look as if they were electrocuted yet this is the super cool sexy look. Thus, clubs and bars are quite the sight to see for Westerners. Oh, and speaking of which, one of the more popular clubs (”Dreams“) has odd contests. For instance, two weeks ago they sponsored a club wide arm-wrestling match at around 2am. Weird. Then this last weekend they put together a huge lap dance competition. While I’m not complaining it is weird to see a normal hip hop club turn into something you might see in one of those sappy high school drama movies.

- I’ve woken up to several earthquakes. Not big ones, but I could feel my building sway back and forth. My girlfriend slept through one and thought I was making it up. But an observatory in HK recorded the same phenomenon.

- Feral dogs run around all over the place looking for food and they are surprisingly friendly, letting you pet them. They even get along with some of the monkeys up in the hills. It was kind of weird to see monkeys walking around hiking trails, but they are used to both humans and dogs as well. Here is a photo of what they look like (the place is on the west side near the straits and is called Monkey Mountain). Here is a video of some of the trails (fast forward 25 seconds).

- Here are some other observations I’ve written elsewhere: 1 2