Michael Jordan, Failure

Michael Jordan, Failure

The Appearance of Value and the Value of Appearance

As the abundant and continual revealing of the economic debacle of the financial industry shows, not all is as it seems. In the most egregious cases of the Ponzi schemes, the appearance of value is all that was needed to create enormous wealth for the defrauders and liquidate the same amount (not to mention the opportunity cost of actual investment) for the defrauded investors.

Let us turn our eyes to another kind of appearance of value, one that the multi-millionaire and University of Hawaii School of Business benefactor has created. Mr. Jay Schidler (pronounced “shy”d-ler) has apparently offered the secret of his success in commercial real estate. I have heard reports of this formulation from various fora in which he has spoken.

First, he buys low, that is, shabby and run-down office buildings and the like. Then he does four things: paints the walls, adds tasteful new signage, adds plants, and adds lights to the plants. In viewing the other changes at his now eponymous College of Business, he also repairs the walkways (which sometimes requires reworking the drainage as well).

The leverage of these items is to increase the appearance of value. It points as well to the more important value appearing after these changes, which is the value that people hold to appearance, the aesthetic of our surroundings. This is the true value which this successful businessman creates. One we can learn from.

Taken psychologically and as an extended allegory:

* What are the drainage situations to fix, either in our physical surroundings, or our psychological environment and work practices? Drainage issues tend to show up regularly (when it rains) and can be represented by clogged and overflowing communication that does not have effective disposal processes in place.
* What plants could be added, making the surroundings more conducive to integration with the natural world? How should we better understand of what the natural environment consists? Please, let’s not use the tired phrase “sustainability” as that has been emptied of value. How can we make the planet, its variety of species more viable? How about only one plane flight per year? This would add plants by removing them from the “subtract” column.
* What signage should be added or enhanced? What are the symbols which point to the greater value present? More than a “new” font or logo, how can signage act as an inspiring aspect of our work, one that points the way forward?
* What lighting is needed, the bright light of the media or the dimmer background illumination of a website or social media presence? How can these lights show the integration with nature and the enhanced signage? What aspects of our work should be illuminated, not merely championed in public relations terms, but celebrated for doing things the right way?
* What walls need painting, and walkways need repair? Sometimes it is a matter of cleaning up old graffiti, such as removing the potty mouth or negativity that appears in online conversation. Monotony and repetition, while extremely valuable when it is about core values and mission, becomes tired if it is merely the repeated hawker’s cry combined with “this is new” “this is important” exhortation. Less is more.

Thank you Mr. Schidler for the inspiration.

Power law and second language acquisition

The original formulation of [Zipf's law](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zipf%27s_law) was based on naturally occurring word frequencies and their rank order in a given English language corpus. For one example, merely 135 words accounted for 50% of the total word frequencies. This could be extended to phrases as well. For foreign language learners, this means that there is [some limited set of words](http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Wiktionary:Frequency_lists) and phrases which account for a large percentage of word and phrase occurrences.

If we leverage the [mnemonic tools previously discussed](http://jeffmcneill.com/2009/03/01/mnemonic-devices-memory-remembering-learning-cognitive-architecture-application-areas-and-mnemonic-techniques/), we can spend time to create a set of entry level learning tools which will be extremely relevant (and therefore worth the time in creating).

## Suggested tools ##
For given words and phrases identified

* [Phonemic imagery](http://www.buildyourmemory.com/foreignlanguage.php)
* Iconic images (simple drawings)
* Canonical script, including for alphabet
* “[Town language](http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTIM_10.htm)” Roman room mnemonic, extended as a metaphor via the Pattern Language of Christopher Alexander (at the level of vocabulary, and eventually as grammar)

Startup Metrics for Pirates – Feb 2009 – Dave McClure

Startup Metrics for Pirates (FOWA/Miami, Feb 2009)

View more presentations from Dave Mcclure.

The Six Mistakes of Man – Cicero

1. The delusion that personal gain is made by crushing others.
2. The tendency to worry about things that cannot be changed or corrected.
3. Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it.
4. Refusing to set aside trivial preferences.
5. Neglecting development and refinement of the mind, and not acquiring the habit of reading and studying.
6. Attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do.

I’ve been living outside of the United States for eight months now. The first 3.5 months were in Vancouver and Victoria, BC, Canada. The last 4.5 months have been in Bangkok (one week) and Chiang Mai, Thailand.

As someone adapting to different cultures on a 24/7/365 basis, the 2nd, 4th, and 6th of Cicero’s Mistakes of Man are particularly apt. Some farang who have lived in Thailand for 3 or 5 years still appear to make these mistakes with regard to the local culture. It’s comedic. Buddha save me from this fate…

Mnemonic Devices, Memory, Remembering, Learning – Cognitive Architecture, Application Areas, and Techniques

On January 1, 2009 CNN published [an article on memory](http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/01/01/memory.helpers/). It is already March 1st, and so now would be a good time to review and expand on that article, in the hopes of improving our own memory.

It may be useful to conceive of [the Art of Memory](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_of_memory) as having four broad __application areas__, a set of __techniques__ (often called __mnemonic devices__), and the underlying __cognitive architecture__ which indicate how and why such techniques work in the first place. Ultimately __mnemonic devices__ promise a significant return on cognitive and temporal investment — spend time learning these techniques and save a lot more time and effort over the application area.

## Background on Mnemonics ##
According to Aristotle, the art of memory was considered a part of rhetoric as much as dialectic in classical antiquity. Apparently, many mnemonic devices such as the __Method of Loci__ and the __Major System__ were taught in schools until at least the 19th century. It appears we have _forgotten_ these memory systems. Now may be a good time to recall them to mind.

## Underlying Cognitive Architecture ##
The underlying cognitive mechanism which are the basis for much of the mnemonic devices include the following elements, among others.

* __[The Von Restorff Effect](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Restorff_effect)__ seems to be the basis for many other phenomena. The main point is that things that stand out are more likely to be remembered. This has many implications

* __[The serial order effect](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_position_effect)__ includes two features: __primacy__ (things first in a list are more likely to be remembered) and __recency__ (things last in a series are more likely to be remembered).

* __[The Picture Superiority Effect](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_superiority_effect)__ indicates that according to dual-coding theory, memories can exist as verbal and/or visual, and therefore pictorially represented ideas have the advantage of being coded twice, enhancing memorability. __Use pictures and words when possible__.

* __[The Levels of Processing Effect](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levels-of-processing_effect)__ is a complex phenomena. It proposes that depth of processing increases memorability. __Semantic learning__ (meaning) is deeper than phonemic (sound) and orthographic (writing) learning alone.

* In addition, __specificity__ (the same medium of recall and production, such as auditory learning and recollection) increases depth. __Self-reference__ indicates a connection between the object of learning and the subject doing the learning. Self-reference increases depth as well. __Make learning specific in terms of medium, meaning (semantics), and learner self-reference (meaningfulness to the subject)__. _This could be termed the three Ms of Memory: medium, meaning, and meaningfulness._

* __Implicit recollection__ is easier than explicit recollection. Implicit recollection effectively has context and other scaffolding features rather than requiring recollection without any related stimulus. However this effect does not have clear-cut support.

* There is a hierarchy of sensory inputs for recall. __Vision__ and __touch__ are strongest with sound and smell less powerful sensory inputs. __Incorporate vision and touch into sound-based memory inputs and outputs when possible__.

## Mnemonic Devices and Techniques ##
* The __[Mnemonic Link System](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic_link_system)__ can be considered the basis of the __Loci__, __Major__, and __Dominic__ systems. The main idea is to create connections between two unrelated things, thereby forging a memorable connection.

* __[Peg systems](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic_peg_system)__ are a memorization of visual associations with numbers, such that the numbers can be recalled by recalling the visual associations in a given order.

* __The [Major System](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic_major_system)__ is a handy and flexible way of encoding numbers in sounds that can be memorized in words, and then decoded later to reproduce the original number. Created around 300 years ago, this is the most flexible system, though as it relies on sound it has a greater cognitive load rather than a straightforward peg system. However, it can be supplemented with software to help generate the most appropriate words to link to the target numbers. See also [this article](http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTIM_07.htm) and [this free software](http://got2know.net/2Know/index.html) that can help with numbers-to-words association to help with major system.

* __[The Dominic system](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic_dominic_system)__ is a shorter version of the Major system and associates numbers with letters, and pairs of letters with people. Then the idea is to memorize a set of people performing interactions, which can then be reversed back into the original number. (See also [this phonetic mnemonic system](http://memory.uva.nl/memimprovement/eng/phon_peg.htm).)

* __[The Method of Loci](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method_of_loci)__ is ascribed to the classical orator Simonides, who was speaking at a banquet, was called outside, when the roof collapsed. The bodies were so damaged they could not be identified, but he was able to identify the victims of the disaster based on where the people had been sitting. Loci (locations) are a well-known visual space which can be recalled readily to mind. The idea is then to picture objects in these places. The strengths of visual imagery and self-reference are combined to construct a powerful mnemonic.

## Additional Practical Aspects ##
* In the book __Aspects of Memory: The Practical Aspects__, there is an interesting article __”[Memory Aids, known how, knowing when, and knowing when not](http://books.google.com/books?id=Vg4K3QUmPgcC)”__ introduces and discusses various memory aids (mnemonic devices) and their effectiveness compared with rote learning.

* Another article in the same book, __”[The Facilitation of Memory Performance](http://books.google.com/books?id=Vg4K3QUmPgcC)”__, discusses various memory and non-memory issues. Memory issues include using __warm up__, __presentation rate__, effective __instructions__, __repetition__, __distributed study trials__, use of __external memory aids__, and __physical presence__ of objects.

* Non-memory issues include __physical__, __emotional__, __motivational__, __environmental__, and __social conditions__. All of these non-memory issues are meant to increase both arousal and selective attention. __Physically__ we are faced with the obvious importance of enough, but not too much, sleep, food, and water. __Environmental issues__ include bathroom facilities, heat and cold, seating or standing, lighting, auditory and visual elements, and other comfort issues. __Emotional state__ regards stress and relaxation training including yoga, meditation, and exercise. __Motivation__ is a complex component best dealt elsewhere. __Social environment__ has to do with interaction with others to reduce shyness and provide positive feedback and support.

## Mnemonic Application Areas ##
* Remembering __Faces and Names__ are particularly important for rather obvious reasons. There are a few related systems, which usually rely on unique visual combinations, related to names, as well as previous memories and experiences, using the notion of self-reference.

* __[A reviewer of "Remember Every Name Every Time"](http://www.amazon.com/review/R1DCV2IFLS05H5/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R1DCV2IFLS05H5)__ appears to provide most of the content of a given book, namely the two methods for remembering, the observational and associational systems.

* There are several resources available as technique variations. The useful __[Nutt's How to Remember Names and Faces](http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=DRls6770CHkC)__ is now in the public domain. There is a __[video on how to remember names](http://www.videojug.com/interview/remembering-names-and-faces)__. A blog entry on __ThinkSimpleNow__ has __[seven hacks to remember any name](http://thinksimplenow.com/productivity/7-hacks-to-remember-any-name/)__. And an additional site has __[more hints for name memory](http://www.psywww.com/mtsite/remnames.html)__.

* The __Major__ and __Dominic__ systems are designed for __numbers__, as well as reversing any __peg system__.

* The linkword system is perfect for __learning foreign language vocabulary__. There has been useful research (constrained to case study) which indicates significant difference in using the linkword system. It is important that the linkwords, usually a visual combination based in L1 (first language) be focused on for a specific amount of time. Some studies indicate a 10 second time interval is useful and there is anecdotal evidence for great gains. Unfortunately, if native-speaker-level pronunciation is desired (which it usually is) then the linkwords must be created by bilingual teams who can work out the correct pronunciation. As we know languages have different sound sets, so even there a trained native speaker must conduct the listening and production aspects. For more thoughts on this topic, see [this](http://www.buildyourmemory.com/foreignlanguage.php) and [this](http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTIM_10.htm).

* __Textbook and Course Content__ is an obvious application area, though there is a sense that cramming is good enough for the majority of students, who don’t want to commit to memory much of their higher educational experience. There is a useful resource on __[mnemonics for textbook memorization](http://www.ict4us.com/r.kuijt/en_masteringtextbook.htm)__.

* Another site provides some techniques for __Listening__ in the article __["How to listen for memory](http://www.ict4us.com/r.kuijt/en_counseling.htm)”__.

## Final Note ##
To paraphrase Mark Twain, I didn’t have much time, so I wrote a long article. A shorter one will be forthcoming once I boil this down into a few simple techniques and guidelines.

Jeff McNeill Wordle for February, 2008

Jeff McNeill Wordle for February, 2008, originally uploaded by jeffmcneill.

The Future of Dating

The Future of Dating, originally uploaded by jeffmcneill.

Font Comparison – Free and open source Fonts – Legibility, Professionalism and the Resume

## Introduction ##
Fonts have to perform in a variety of settings, in particular on computers (pdf and web) and in printed documents. Are there open source alternatives to proprietary fonts? Short answer: Yes!

## Two kinds: Serif and Sans Serif ##
Serif fonts have squiggly things on the letters, and sans serif do not (sans means “without). That’s the basic difference. The standard Serif font is Times New Roman and the standard Sans Serif font is Arial (with its younger sibling [Helvetica](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helvetica)). (For the true typographic geeks, there is a [eature-length film on Helvetica](http://www.helveticafilm.com/) and global design issues.)

## Comparing Serif Fonts ##
The Serif oldie is Times New Roman. The new one from Microsoft is [Cambria](http://bit.ly/KLk32). (For the Serif fonts, Georgia was inadvertantly left out. It can be considered in the place of [Verdana](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verdana) but for Serif fonts.) [Liberation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_fonts), [Droid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droid_fonts), and [Libertine](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_Libertine) are three open source offerings. [Droid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droid_fonts) was designed for the Google An[Droid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droid_fonts) platform.

I have found good reaction to the use of [Cambria](http://bit.ly/KLk32). It is legible, and recognizable as a serif font, yet has enough of a difference to evoke an aesthetic response. I find it simple yet elegant.

## Open Source Serif Fonts ##
How do these three open source options compare? [Liberation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_fonts) has less spacing between the letters. At first this might appear a disadvantage, but we read in chunks of words and phrases, not individual letters. The same is with [Droid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droid_fonts), which when one shrinks down the size of the font more and more, retains much greater legibility. Overall, [Droid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droid_fonts) is more narrow, [Liberation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_fonts) taller than [Cambria](http://bit.ly/KLk32) which becomes squat, but retains legibility.

## Linux [Libertine](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_Libertine) ##
Linux [Libertine](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_Libertine) is an excellent comparison font at 6-8 point size. [Libertine](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_Libertine) retains a sense of 19th century elegance, which it is meant to. The Capital Q and W and lowercase w and the upward slanting tail on the lowercase u and the handles on either side of the capital T are all interesting. Because of the 19th century old school/steampunk sensibility, this is a great font for logos and taglines.

## [Droid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droid_fonts) Serif ##
I find the [Liberation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_fonts) font to have some problems with the u and m. When they get small, legibility is hampered. As such, the [Droid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droid_fonts) Serif becomes my choice for reading text, including the Resume, if Serif is chosen (which signals more traditional and conservative sensibility as opposed to sans serif which is more modern and up-to-date).

## Comparing Sans Serif Fonts ##
[Verdana](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verdana) has been a solid update of Arial and great for web and print work. It is a safe font to use in many situations, though it is becoming a bit dated. [Calibri](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calibri) is the Microsoft replacement to Arial. Calibri has better spacing than [Verdana](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verdana), and is therefore more legible and a bigger font when provided the same number of linear inches. This makes it a more narrow font. [Verdana](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verdana) has a more square feel and uniform spacing per character.

## [Liberation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_fonts) Sans ##
Unfortunately [Liberation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_fonts) Sans does not fare well. The y appears to be too short compared with the z. The a is a bit out of place. And when comparing the letters o w and n in brown, the w appears to crowd the n but not give too much space to the o.

## [Droid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droid_fonts) Sans ##
[Droid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droid_fonts) comes out very strong against all other options. It has an interesting letter c and a. It doesn’t have as optimal a spacing as calibri but compares favorably with [Verdana](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verdana). It is a bit more narrow and taller.

## Bottom Line ##
I prefer [Droid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droid_fonts) Sans, [Droid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droid_fonts) Serif, and Linux [Libertine](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_Libertine) to compare favorably with Microsoft’s [Cambria](http://bit.ly/KLk32) and Calibri. Open Source offerings rise to the challenges and meet the typographic needs of today.

P.S., Don’t forget to embed the fonts in any PDFs you create. For Windows users, the free [CutePDF](http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp) application adds a nice PDF printer driver to create great PDFs.

Font Comparison, originally uploaded by jeffmcneill.

Note: this comparison is with different font sizes, chosen to achieve a similar line length in Sentence case.

* Don’t like these fonts? Make your own with the Open Source tool [FontForge](http://fontforge.sourceforge.net/).

The Famous Tuktuk

The Famous Tuktuk, originally uploaded by SR Eyes.