rajafacesbothways

Thinking Fast and Slow--a review

Thinking Fast and Slow (2011) by Daniel Kahneman. A brilliant thinker and winner of the  2002 Nobel Prize in Economics, Kehneman dedicated many years of research to examine and explain the two systems that drive our thinking.

System 1 (automatic) is fast, intuitive and emotional. System 2 (effortful) is slower, deliberate and logical. However in both systems mental glitches rule. Both systems build the best possible story from the information available and if it's a good story, one believes it. Convictions that we can make sense of the world rests on our unlimited ability to ignore our own ignorance.

The world makes less sense than you think. WYSIATI (what you see is all there is) often guides thinking. And in judgment and decision making, individuals and groups often make an additional investment to enforce their thinking because they do not want to admit failure.

Despite the intellectual subject, this book is readable, thought-provoking and enlightening. Kahneman involves the reader in exercises that experiment with both modes of thinking, adding to the enjoyment of the book.

And as an optimistic person, I've been forewarned: optimism is a blessing and a risk--so be happy and wary.

rank:****

Thankful Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving weekend was a delight--mainly because my grandson, Cory, drove up from GA to be a part of it. There was lots of food, great camaraderie and many laughs at this table.

Cory, who has lived in France, discovered and dusted off a bottle of wine in my rack--an 1986 french Bordeau  that had increased in value temendously and could have been fabulous or tasted like vinegar.

Fabulous won. Three of us savored it while one guest stuck with his 2010 Dr, Pepper.

And to prove that Kentucky isn't just about bourbon, i introduced him to the Beer Trappe in Lexington. I believe that alone could have made his trip worthwhile. A beer lovers heaven.

And I was the beneficiary of his computer and iPhone skills--he showed me wonder with apps, etc. I had no idea what they were for.

Next time I see him he'll be en route to Korea so this was definitely a visit to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving

Am chopping, grinding, mashing, stirring, etc. for our dinner tomorrow. Four of us have gathered here for the past several years and a huge additional treat this years will be my grandson, Cory, who is driving up from Fort Benning, GA where he has completed his Army Ranger training and will soon be headed to Korea. A  ROTC graduate from Saint Thomas College, MN, he's smart, funny, and has worked for Apple so he'll fit right in.

So Happy Thanksgiving to all. It's my favorite holiday--no gifts, religion, politics. Just food, food, food--enjoyed with friends and family.

Bathroom Cabinet Meeting

My bathroom is small and boring, so after my shower this morning, I decided to skip dance and  began drawing marchers carrying "Occupy Wall Street" signs outside the medicine cabinet and police standing on the other side of the cabinet with bully clubs. All are headed into the cabinet labeled Wall Street.

F.Y.I. there are no drugs or meds in the cabinet for them to confiscate--I don't use either.

Hmm---it's not even winter yet--what will this place look like when I am snow/ice bound? May not be a problem. If my landlord sees this, I may no longer occupy Main Street!

 

Still a work in progress, but this should give you an idea what I'm doing.

Season's End

On my way to dance on Thursdays I stop at a farmer's stand from southern Shelby County. Since frost is in the air, the season is over and today was my last opportunity to load up on his incredible fresh veggies.

The good news:  I scored sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, tomatoes, radishes, red potatoes, onions, a squash, beets and romaine lettuce--all freshly gathered from his farm.

The bad news:  I'm going to have to eat with the enthusiasm of Peter Rabbit in order to make refrigerator room for a turkey before Thanksgiving.

Occupy Main Street?

What are the chances? We have three banks on the corners but all are local. We have a steady stream of marchers, but they are in the many parades featuring fire trucks, horses, Santa Claus, various queens, Jesus, local leaders,etc. None carry protest signs.

The closest to protest in town were a couple of Tea Party rallies at the Court House, mostly involving gray haired, overweight Republicans whose major goal is to get rid of Obama.

Everett, Ralph, Mr. McIntyre, all local old-timers actually occupy the Main Street benches in front of Favas daily in good weather, but 5 old guys do not a protest make. Besides, they served in Okinawa in World War 2 and in the Korean War-- they have nothing more to prove..

First Attempt

Lots of pounding, grinding, chipping and ripping  from workmen downstairs resulting in my being off in a cloud dust in my loft.

Escaped it last Saturday by being in a show in Oxford. Sold a couple of photos and have now downloaded my first iPhone photo to this blog.

Easy!

Election Day

L-o-n-g day of course, but the Democrats won.

To sum it up I ate: yogurt, a glazed donut, banana, coffee, hot chocolate, sausage biscuit, vegetable soup, chili,  potato chips, a coffee mocha, an apple, caramel sauce and pimento cheese and crackers.

A beautiful day and as the "sheriff", I could get outside and patrol the area for signs and politicing. Otherwise I probably would have had more to eat.

Art, Politics and Literature

I will be spending the next several waking hours beginning with art--photo club meeting where we will be sharing photos expressing "time" and "skies" plus a demonstration by a young member who teaches physics at Georgetown College.

At 5 a.m.tomorrow I will report to the Court House, to be bored for about 14 hours serving as an election official (sheriff, once more having sworn I've avoided any duels since the last election) as Kentucky has a gubernatorial race this fall. Thereafter I will head to the library to lead our book group's discussion, A Singular Woman--the Untold Story of Barack Obama's Mother by Janny Scott.

All this should free me up to do nothing of importance for the rest of the month.

The Last of the Summer Vines

Took advantage of the warm weather to take a walk, clean out the mini garden and have a beer on the rooftop. The morning glories went into mourning and were cut down--only a mum plant survives outside.

But the sparrows continue to devour 20 pounds of seeds every week so life goes on.