A new addition to Chemistry’s Periodic Table

This little gem came to me via email this week.

Research has led to the discovery of the heaviest element yet known to science. The new element, Governmentium (Gv), has one neuron, 25 assistant neurons, 88 deputy neurons, and 198 assistant deputy neurons, giving it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons. Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert; however, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A minute amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction that would normally take less than a second to take from four days to four years to complete.

Governmentium has a normal half-life of 2-6 years; it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neurons and deputy neurons exchange places. In fact, Governmentium’s mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neurons, forming isodopes. This characteristic of moron promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a critical concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as critical morass. When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium, an element that radiates just as much energy as Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.

Just because…

It’s the silly season, right? So check this out. Make sure you watch to the end.

Why blog?

I’ve said it before - these guys are great, and this latest video about blogging is worth a look.

The winds of change

After 11 and a half years Australians elected a new government last week. There’s a new sense of optimism; a feeling of lightness, of possibility, excitement even - all yet to be realised of course. This time frame nearly matches my own journey as an independent consultant, which makes it a good time to embark on some new ventures. As summer unfolds so do ideas - ideas for connecting and reconnecting, for ideas long ago set aside, for new ways of being and doing.

As Harrison Owen describes it, I’m entering a period of open space: the past is behind me, the future ahead - and I’m occupying a space somewhere inbetween where I’ve not yet let go of the past nor embraced the future - a space I have not occupied for a long time. It provides an opportunity to be present, to be authentic - just to be…

I’m looking forward to wherever the journey takes me. And you’re welcome to come along for the ride.

A few random thoughts from Banff

The AIN (improv) conference in Banff was a source of many ideas and connections. Here’s just a few.

• Ecoductions - introducing yourself using place as the focus; a way to avoid the trap of defining yourself based on what you do and to revisit the way the environment shapes who we are.

• The Medici Effect - intersectional innovation: bringing together diverse perspectives to the centre. This is one of the ways the Banff Centre helps people discover their leadership potential. Practically, it means bringing art to the centre - sculpting clay, singing, movement, improv, being in the environment - as ways to discover personal truths about leadership.

• From ‘de-storyation’ to ‘re-storyation’: “Just as clear cutting of forests leads to deforrestation, our culture has also been devastated by the loss of storytelling.” (Richard Stone). Story seems to have lost some credibility over the years. Re-storyation is about rediscovering the power of story in our personal and professional lives.

• Alistair McIntyre: “I can’t answer the question what am I to do till I answer the prior question of what am I a part.” via Nick Nissley, Executive Director, Banff Centre.

• Strategic ambiguity - allows space for…anything really.

• Notice your first thought and act on your second. (Patti Digh & David Robinson) In other words, be pro-active rather than re-active. Slow down.

• Also from Patti & David: Wicked problems and tame solutions… When wicked problems are unearthed, deal with them, rather than impose a tame solution. Tame solutions provide immediate gratification but don’t effectively deal with the wicked problem which will re-emerge.

• Do one less thing - thanks to Johnnie Moore for again reminding me how powerful this can be.

I’ve been surfing too

I love the picture Chris used on his site taken by Jeremy. I’ll see your Canadian pic and raise you this Aussie Bells Beach one.

Where do they get these ideas?

My partner is a scientist who works with quite a few PhD students. This week he was reading a final thesis and making some significant suggestions about the writing style - especially the length of sentences. Long, convoluted sentences don’t really help with understanding the writer’s point. So he broke down some of these very long sentences into shorter ones, some with only five words (shock! horror!). Her response? It can’t be a proper sentence if it only has five words.

Eh? Where do they get these ideas?

Drafts

My ‘write page’ has lots of unpublished drafts. Is this common in blogging?

Out of the loop

Yesterday I joined Facebook - it’s an interesting diversion (as if I need another one!!!) and interestingly, I can find very few of my friends. I suppose it’s an age thing. Or else I have very few friends!

What the %&#!!!

In my previous post I talked about the battery charger saga. I’m now the proud owner of the ‘Omnipotence Travel Charger’ Made in China.

Here’s what it says in the ‘Operation Step’.

1. play the slice the charger first to aim at the plus or minus pole of battery. good battery of cover.

2. press the “test” key. “confirm” the bright elucidation of light is normal to refresh. If the “confirm” the light is not bright, press the “the conversion” the key convert the power supply’s pole, then normal refresh.

3. normal refresh, refresh the light flicker; battery saturation hour. the saturated light is all and bright, and refresh the light to put out. Refresh time general for 4 hours, add result of an a 1-2 more good.

4. this charger can circumscribe link the line. direct opponent machine to refresh. Can refresh the pond with the charger cellualr phone at the same time.

Glad we got that sorted!