Joseph's Almanac

I've written a book, "Joseph's Almanac" and it is available at Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Josephs-Almanac-Joseph-Oppenheim/dp/1448658535/ref=cm_lmf_tit_12

Genealogy

Genealogy, the study of one's ancestral roots and family tree, can be quite an informative tool, to understand oneself, one's family, and understanding history better - especially how one's family relates to it, but perhaps more importantly - to obtain a deeper understanding of humanity. Plus, since it requires developing strong investigative skills, it can be a good tool for keeping and enhancing one's intellect.

There are basically two kinds of genealogy, one through standard investigation - interviewing people, finding records, analyzing records, organizing the information, then reporting on it - either for one's own benefit or for the benefit of others. The second, and newer form of genealogy, is molecular genealogy - which involves having one's (and/or other possibly related people's) DNA tested by a testing service, which allows one to collect all kinds of other information from health and related traits to paternal (Y-chromosome DNA) and maternal (mitochondrial DNA) ancestral paths going back thousands of years. Using both forms, enhances the overall effort.

Besides gathering the information because it is interesting, some things become evident enough to spark other research into the science which might confirm or disprove the clues obtained frm doing the genealogical research.

For example, my experience with genealogy made evident how many talents, personality traits, etc can follow certain family lines, hence implying a physical/genetic connection to some things otherwise thought to be more due to how one has experienced life and/or just went on to develop those skills or talents. Maybe, we have less free will than we think we have, anyway that does seem to be true from what I have learned.

In summary, genealogy is quite an educational hobby/effort, with many benefits.

Money

Money may not be the most important thing in life, but it is certainly key to coping with one's life. So, not number one, but either number two or has to be remembered when making other decisions.

There is always an economic consideration to life. Even wanting to help others, money can play a part. Money plays a different role with different people. Some think of it as a form of love, either being received from others or using it as a form of self-love, or loving others. Others think of it as a way to provide security. Others, as allowing a degree of independence. Others, as a way to help others, making the world a better place, etc. First, one has to recognize what money means to the person, then make plans on how to handle it.

But, it must be remembered that money is but a tool, a way to acheive other ends, not an end in itself. Plus, here again, mathematics plays a part. To handle money wisely does require some basic math skills, probably not higher than an eighth grade level, but some dexterity with numbers is needed. Anyway, I do have a blog, "Joseph Oppenheim Investing" where I do tackle some specifics about the topic.

Spirituality

There are many definitions for spirituality. For me, it means the unknown. There is some force or forces greater than humans, so I'll go with that force, or forces, being called God. Further, I'll go with the concept that God really belongs to the concept of the infinite, and back to math, since infinity is a mathematical concept, although one can never reach any limit in understanding it, there is a way to handle it with reason. So, spirituality involves trying to form an understanding of the unknown, the infinite, God. And, with the infinite, one begins with the finite. Then, by adding to the finite, which happens every day, as something else is new, a new child, a new book, a new idea, some new event, etc, etc., the totality of the finite gets closer and closer to the infinite, though never reaching it. Also, making it possible to get closer and closer to understanding God, the infinite, that force or forces which have some ultimate power over us.

Back to math and reasoning, which lends itself to the concept of deduction. Rather than using induction, basically looking at real things, events, etc and trying to come up with conclusions, laws, etc, deduction involves just thinkng about something, coming up with some theory, then going about trying to see real events and seeing if the theory plays out, proved.

For instance, Heaven, what is it? Someone once said that it exists in the here and now. So, I'll go with that, and, at least for me, it really does. It really is possible to live in a state on contentment. Plus, with the new science of neuroplasticity, it has been shown that the emotional part of the brain can undergo permanent changes, like a person can train the mind to remove the emotion of anger. Plus, as for immortality, which is also assumed by some to go with Heaven, that, too, exists, at least depending on how one wants to understand it. For example, if one creates a good name for oneself, that person will exist for many years, both in the thoughts of others and in influencing the actions of others. Even a thought on a tombstone can last many, many years, and eventually the thought passed on to someone else who passes it on, and on. Think, George Washington, for instance. Plus, it has also been said that humans are nothing but appendages to their DNA, so as long one has a child, and that cycle continues, the DNA continues on. Anyway, there are many aspects to what Heaven is, and certainly not limiting ones, possibly infinite dimensions to what Heaven is.

Further, whereas religious scripture is mainly focused on the ways to live one's life, concerned with finite things like laws - not to steal, etc, things like wisdom, love, etc are not defined finitely. So, that is where spirituality comes in, handling those concepts for a person, and thus requires a form of focused thinking, or meditation, to define for oneself what it means, and hopefully, constructively passing on the thoughts to others.

Anyway, Spirituality is all about trying to focus on the unknown and finding ways to handle it. I'll think more on the subject and probably add more to this post, but for now, this is it.

Mathematics

The more I learn, the more it seems that mathematics is the key to understanding most everything, at least to the best that we can. Plus, math is an art, not a science. That is why BA's and not BS's are granted in the study of pure math. Also, key in math, are infinity and mathematical paradoxes. They allow both infinite possibilities and also opposite realities to exist at the same time, ie. dualities.

What is important about the "art" part, is that it encourages deductive thinking in addition to just inductive thinking. There have been times when science centered on inductive thinking, basically observing things and coming up with laws based on them. However, great advances have come from just envisioning something creatively, then seeing if it can be proved by observances.

So, one is encouraged to think about anything, then see where that leads. In fact, the real purpose of encouraging the study of pure math, is basically to teach a student "how" to think, not "what" to think. It is about wiring the brain to think analytically, deductively. Thinking that way is the key to critical thinking. That is also why research universities focus on the theoretical side of math, to prepare students toward doctoral programs which are aimed at discovering new things, thoughts, etc.

So, I'll begin there, but will refer back to math as I go on to other areas.

My Book Reviews

To get started on this blog, go to the link, on the left, to my book (and other) reviews at Amazon.com. They provide an insight to the most recent books I have read and the main thoughts I have taken away from them.