Mind technology solutions

On April 27th, 2007, a book named the 4-hour work week was published by Tim Ferriss. This was during the time when the Dow Jones Industrial Averages were still above 13,000 and everyone was working. The book was very well received but most people had difficulty applying it.

That same year, renewed printings were circulated by mass email and links posted on the internet on the following critical view about today's human society ( link). The original work began in 1995 from Dr. Bob Moorehead's collection of prayers, homilies and sermons used in his sermons and ministry, "The Paradox of Our Age" in Words Aptly Spoken:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.

We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We've added years to life not life to years.

One night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete. Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

On March 6th, 2009, when the global financial system came to a stop, many wondered if the sun would come up again the next day. Today, small business owners struggle, harmful microbes get increasingly stronger, unemployment is high ... US Congress is in discussions about healthcare reform and globally we are concerned about reforming pollution levels at Copenhagen.

So if you brought up the concept, 'Cheers, Chill out, or Relax and Don't Worry' -it is unlikely to be well received by many.

So should we relax and think about how short life is? Or should we work 7 days a week and dig ourselves out of this mess before we lose out on the opportunity to have retirement?

As a Christian scientist and writer, I've been asked to do a discussion on "How To Balance" for Christians. I've posted a modified version here for all secular and non-secular readers. It is separated into 3 parts. Part 1 is whether or not relaxation and rest is necessary and defined in the Bible? Part 2 analyzes disorders of the brain and asks whether or not relaxation or balance is possible? Part 3 looks into the technological solutions because as a society we have failed to be able to accomplish Part 1. We may want to think about what, why and how it has happened but also how do we come out of the darkness?

Part I: Balance and Rest as found in the Holy Bible

The Sabbath was instituted by God's own example:

" And on the seventh day God ended his work which He had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made" (Genesis 2:2-3).

The very God of the universe chose to cease from His labor. He did this not because He was tired (Isaiah 40:28), but because He wanted to set an example for all of humankind. He specifically blessed and made holy the seventh day as a Sabbath, a day of ceasing, greater than two millennia before the time of Moses and the Old Covenant. Exodus 20:11 gives testimony to this fact:

"For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: Therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it."

Jesus Himself, during His earthly ministry, declared that the Sabbath was made for man (that is, humankind), not just for the Hebrews (Mark 2:27). The Sabbath was not a mere Mosaic statute (Definition: Of or relating to Moses or the laws and writings attributed to him) given only to Israel under the Old Covenant. It was set apart at the beginning, as a memorial of God's creative power. The "Day of Rest" - it was ordained by God's own example as a blessing for all mankind. This reason alone should be sufficient for those who seek to do God's will.

Part II: Disorders of the Brain, can we be balanced?

Many examples of pathological disease of the brain leading to a mental disorder can be found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. To psychiatrists, psychologists and medical practitioners it is better known as the DSM IV.

The following disorders have become well known due to media and film:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) -DSM IV Code: 314.01

Autism -DSM IV Code: 299.00 (less known subtype Asperger syndrome)

Narcolespy -DSM IV Code: 347.00 (characterized by chronic daytime sleepiness)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) -DSM IV Code: 309.81 (characterized as a severe anxiety disorder)

but clearly there are many more examples that are not found in the DSM-IV:

If you watch a C-SPAN discussion on Holocaust Denial Syndromes, you'll also see a discussion where both the listener and the speaker are not communicating. The answers and the questions become mixed and the commentator attempts to moderate.

Road rage is a commonly seen example on the highways.

Video:

Relationships ranging from domestic violence to publications on relationship enhancing approaches have crept up in bookstores, film and even youtube.

Video:

Tales Of Mere Existence "How To Break Up" Given the depth of destructive behavīor that is wide ranging and the lack of individuals willing to agree upon a combined purpose helps to explain the numerous social media, religions and other ways of life that look to solutions.

Part III: The Answers Are Within Us (We just need to take a peek inside):

Homosapiens have a very destructive pattern of behavīor. Researchers are finding that the answers lie within our minds. The brain which is supposed to protect us from fear and hurt is the same brain that has become diseased due to our societal advancements.

We have come a long way as a society and now we can "live happily ever after" with DSM IV and non DSM IV type problems because our brains don't work that way. The Holy Bible talks about a day of rest and we all understand have understood the importance of balance.

Yet we cannot achieve it because we no longer know what rest is.

Is it a day of sleeping? Sleep too much and you have a disorder.

Is it trying different relationships until you meet the right one?

Is it trying different jobs until you find the right job?

What if it is the right one, the perfect match and we don't even know because we don't realize it?!

Example:

You touch hand onto a hot stove and burn your finger.

The brain receives the dangerous input and then creates a reaction that pulls the hand back from the pain to reduce the trauma and damage.

Your hand still hurts and you anguish in pain.

For some people under pain, they desire comfort.

For others under pain, they desire to be left alone.

Some who experience pain will want to substitute with more pain.

And still others who experience pain will want to inflict and deflect the pain to another victim.

What is the right answer? Are these simply survival skills? Should we for the sake of freedom of choice, let all the DSM-IV individuals, road ragers and others loose on the streets?

Research on artificial intelligence is finding that certain parameters outside of normal is unsafe. These parameters when left unchecked and further damaged can create dangerous behavīors that build upon itself. Aggression has been known to be additive and can even be trained.

Society has generally been accepting of disorders because freedom has been a greater desire. However, as dangers become technically advanced and an increasing level of threat where it can bring irreparable damages, governments and the people will be looking to limiting the chance of great catastrophe.

The era of enforcement has arrived and the tools and technology that allow detection of outliers is now possible. Researchers are finding that individuals like a Bernie Madoff and suicide bombers have a certain correlated patterns of thinking that can be destructive.

Neuroscience has removed the fiction from science fiction into actual science of brain scanning. The following video from 60 Minutes is a real story on some earlier breakthroughs.

DNA testing has been allowed.

Hair sampling has been allowed.

Brain scanning will eventually become a courtcase ruling that will indicate it has not violated human rights.

In the meantime, you can start imagining if the brain pattern for "kindness, love and affection" can be measured how much you have, you could self improve or self-limit such actions.

The painful hand could be cured by seeing which areas contributed to pain inside the brain and essentially be turned off using therapy or medicines. Imagine that?

On your select day of resting, you could even check to "see" inside your own head if you're relaxing or fooling yourself into and have underlying stresses about work, relationships etc.

In the next five years, brain chemistry, scanning and solutions will become as known as Google, Microsoft or Hewlett Packard at the business level. And within the next decade, it "could" become commonplace for laypersons.

Some people will feel disturbed by this article and others will embrace it. Feel free to express your thoughts. It is a greater decision that we as a human race must make as a whole and to consider the consequences, risks and rewards.