timtcm's Xanga

A Very Useful Kind of Commerce

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:16:23 GMT

Introduction to Part 3:

It is an old remark, that all arts and sciences have a mutual dependence upon each other. ... Thus men, very different in genius and pursuits, become mutually subservient to each other; and a very useful kind of commerce is established by which the old arts are improved, and new ones daily invented.

—William Brownrigg, London, 1748
The Art of Making Common Salt

The Two Best Stories

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:10:06 GMT

I've been reading Mark's book for a while now, and his closing lines of the introduction still stand out to me.

In every age, people are certain that only the things they have deemed valuable have true value.

The search for love and the search for wealth are always the two best stories. But while a love story is timeless, the story of a quest for wealth, given enough time, will always seem like the vain pursuit of a mirage.

Tim

11,713 days

What Muhammad Actually Taught

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:10:39 GMT

From Chapter 1:

It must be said that not all Muslims fast during Ramadan or even bow toward Mecca, Saudia Arabia, five times each day in Islam's mandatory daily prayers. They don't trouble themselves to arise before daylight to get out their prayer rugs and kneel before Allah.

Few of them have an inkling of what a parched throat feels like when one has been denied liquids when Ramadan falls during hot, dry periods. Their bodies have never ached with cold because they abstained from body warming foods when the temperatures fell below freezing. They don't have a clue about the fullness of what the Koran says and what Muhammad actually taught.

It is these types who foolishly assert that Islam is an ideal religion, because they have never inconvenienced themselves to suffer the disciplines that it takes to be a true Muslim.

Dale Carnegie, Part 4: Be a Leader

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:12:54 GMT

Last night I finally finished reading Dale Carnegie's book. To summarize part 4 of 4:

A leader's job often includes changing your people's attitudes and behavior. Some suggestions to accomplish this:

1. If you must find fault, this is the way to begin

Begin with praise and honest appreciation.

2. How to Criticize--and not be hated for it.

Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly.

3. Talk about your own mistakes first

Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.

4. No one likes to take orders

Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.

5. Let the other person save face

Let the other person save face.

6. How to spur people on to success

Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be "hearty in your approbation and lavish in your priase."

7. Give a dog a good name

Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.

8. Make the fault seems easy to correct

Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.

9. Making people glad to do what you want.

Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.

How to Win People to Your Way of Thinking

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:01:33 GMT

After reading parts 1 and 2, I finally made it through part 3 of Dale Carnegie's book.

You can't win an argument.

The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.

A sure way of making enemies--and how to avoid it:

Show respect for the other person's opinions. Never say, "You're wrong."

If you're wrong, admit it.

If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.

A drop of honey:

Begin in a friendly way.

The secret of Socrates:

Get the other person saying "yes, yes" immediately.

The safety valve in handling complaints:

Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.

How to get cooperation:

Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers.

A formula that will work wonders for you:

Try honestly to see things from the other person's point of view.

What everybody wants:

Be sympathetic with the other person's ideas and desires.

An appeal that everybody likes:

Appeal to the nobler motives.

The movies do it. TV does it. Why don't you do it?

Dramatize your ideas.

When nothing else works, try this:

Throw down a challenge.

Win People

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 01:06:16 GMT

I've been reading Dale Carnegie's book How to Win Friends and Influence People. I've been following his suggestion of reading each chapter twice, so I'm not flying through it, but I've read the first two parts now, and find it to be quite helpful.

Summaries of the book, such as what's found in Wikipedia, miss the set up at the beginning of the chapter, and the principles found at the end. So, to capture some of that here, I've included both.

Part 1 - Fundamental Techniques in Handling People

"If you want to gather honey, don't kick over the beehive."

Don't criticize, condemn or complain.

The big secret of dealing with people.

Give honest and sincere appreciation.

"He who can do this has the whole world with him. He who cannot walks a lonely way."

Arouse in the other person an eager want.

Part 2 - Six Ways to Make People Like You

Do this and you'll be welcome anywhere.

Become genuinely interested in other people.

A simple way to make a good first impression.

Smile.

If you don't do this, you are headed for trouble.

Remember that a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.

An easy way to become a good conversationalist.

Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.

How to interest people.

Talk in terms of the other person's interests.

How to make people instantly like you.

Make the other person feel important--and do it sincerely.

Micro-blogging

Sat, 11 Aug 2007 08:45:14 GMT

In case you were wondering, I've been doing less blogging and more twittering lately. That's why this and my other blogs have been quieter lately. I added a Twitter badge here to the side of my Xanga to fill the void.

Facebook is my latest social platform of choice, so feel free to Facebook me.

Now watch, I'll start blogging more! Actually, I do plan to catch up my political legislative blog today.

Tim
11,024 days

The Bible: 1 head; 1,634 tails

Thu, 31 May 2007 02:18:16 GMT

From Chris Anderson: The Long Tail of Bible People (AKA Jesus is #1!)

There are 1,634 people named exactly once in the Bible.

That's actually more than I thought or would have expected, especially considering that's of the 2,987 people named, or names mentioned. That means 54% of the people named in the Bible are only named once.

I've come across a couple of these names recently, too. One of them is Rephael. His name is Hebrew for "God has cured."

It would be very interesting to translate all those unique names.

Tim
10,951 days

Birthday Hunger Awareness

Wed, 09 May 2007 14:39:30 GMT

The Senate wants to recognize my 30th birthday as National Hunger Awareness Day. Interesting timing. I think it's getting to be lunchtime, too!

S.Res. 186 - A resolution designating June 5, 2007, as "National Hunger Awareness Day"

Tim
10,930 days

DC Bible Reading Marathon

Tue, 01 May 2007 22:40:28 GMT

Since Sunday evening, the Bible has been read continuously from the beginning at the United States Capitol. The DC Bible Marathon is currently in Isaiah.

You can listen live online. Click the yellow play button here.

I hope to read/recite the first part of Romans tomorrow.

Tim
10,922 days