Policies and Actions Goals List—dynamically updated

Update summary as of July 14, 2020: Items 1, 2, and 3 established. This is a list of recommended government and corporate policies as well as societal actions, which seem to me would benefit persons as individuals and improve the general welfare. Remove cannabis from Schedule I. Cannabis use may be part of a larger …

Design for 360 Degree Camera

Camera enclosures for outdoor use require associated mechanical pan and tilt equipment if the camera is needed for anything further than just general area coverage. Not only do these mechanical devices take critical seconds to slew to position, they also require regular maintenance. What if the pan and tilt functions could be done purely electronically, …

Context of “Only Son”

Let’s start by considering our humanity vis-à-vis the currently known universe. The great hymn, How Great Thou Art, includes the stars as evidence of God’s “power throughout the universe displayed.” And what person doesn’t feel like the psalmist: When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,the moon and the stars that you …

Personal Agency is Essential to Difficult Conversations

To be clear, this is about those difficult conversations about correcting white privilege and the systemic oppression that routinely places persons of color into situations of existential gravity. The word “systemic” is not hyperbole or overwrought in this case—it’s merely accurate. We need to talk about it. In order to do talk about it successfully, …

“ANCSA” for African Americans—a Proposal for Reparations

I would like to contribute the following thoughts about the most proper and effective way to compensate African Americans for the suffering of their ancestors under slavery and the continuing racist oppression they experience today: Model relief and compensation to African Americans on the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971. While acknowledging that …

Neurochemicals are not Spirituality

Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, Endorphins and a multitude of other chemicals either are used to treat specific mental conditions or have known effects on the functioning of the human brain and nervous system. In the hands of competent medical professionals, properly administered medications can relieve genuine suffering of mental illness patients. There’s a lot scientists have …