On Seeking Popularity

"Of all the adversaries and enviers of his (Camillus') glory, Marcus Manlius was the most distinguished... This man, affecting the first place in the commonwealth, and not able by noble ways to outdo Camillus's reputation, took that ordinary course toward usurpation of absolute power, namely, to gain the multitude, those of them especially that were in debt; defending some by pleading their causes against their creditors, rescuing others by force, and not suffering the law to proceed against them; insomuch that in a short time he got great numbers of indigent people about him, whose tumults and uproars in the forum struck terror into the principal citizens." From Plutarch's Lives

Of course, seeing what is happening does not solve the problem. Perhaps this is a danger of prioritizing equality over justice and righteousness.

Personal Brain

I discovered this software earlier in February, but was unable to download the manual due to our aforementioned internet woes. After a nasty bout of the 'flu disrupted our entire household, I took another look at it last week. At present I'm in the early stages of investigating the free trial of a 'pro' version, but I am quite intrigued by the flexibility of this program - I certainly don't plan on forking out $250 for the 'pro' version, but this is much more than simple mind-mapping.

I poked around various 'brains' for ideas (the videos still don't really play) and have started out with a book on education that I am reading - notes, quote, tags, links all fit in and can be related in a variety of ways. For a new brain, I am already starting find to connections and ideas that I never imagined - which is a good sign demonstrating that my thoughts may not be as inert as they some time seem.