The Chi Debate Part 1
Richard Clear asked:
In the West many debates have surrounded the idea of Chi and if Chi really exists. Chi is a Chinese word that when simply translated into English means Energy and or Life-Force. The debate(s) typically starts around the so called manipulation of the chi life force energy. Often, these skills are seen demonstrated by advanced masters during cultural events, festivals or demonstrations etc.
Unfortunately, to the average person these skills then appear to be along the lines of a circus sideshow or magic tricks where trickery or illusion and sleight of hand are involved. Also, many of the techniques of Chi Energy activation and cultivation have been kept secret so little explanation for the seemingly impossible feats of skill are offered and this adds to the idea that some kind of illusion is behind the skills being presented and/or demonstrated. Much of the secrecy is due to specific groups (religious or trade guilds) or families having a history and tradition of skills and practice that is supposed to be kept within the group or family and not revealed to outsiders. This is a part of the heritage and cultural phenomenon of the Chinese people and only in very recent years have these practices begun to come into the modern world of scientific exploration, methodology and measurement.
Most modern Masters of the arts agree that all chi phenomena can be explained and fits well within the realm of modern physics. So, after many years of study and teaching it is my personal feeling that really it is the idea of mind over matter that is at the heart of the debate.
There are other factors that compound the problem of understanding the reality of Chi activation, cultivation and flow. The first problem to be addressed is a language barrier. There are words that describe specific aspects of Chi and Chi Kung (Energy Work) practice for which there is simply no direct translation into English and often Chinese teachers of Chi Kung aren’t proficiently fluent in English like a native speaker so although they may know some English there is still a communication barrier…
Continued in “The Chi Debate Part 2″
In the West many debates have surrounded the idea of Chi and if Chi really exists. Chi is a Chinese word that when simply translated into English means Energy and or Life-Force. The debate(s) typically starts around the so called manipulation of the chi life force energy. Often, these skills are seen demonstrated by advanced masters during cultural events, festivals or demonstrations etc.
Unfortunately, to the average person these skills then appear to be along the lines of a circus sideshow or magic tricks where trickery or illusion and sleight of hand are involved. Also, many of the techniques of Chi Energy activation and cultivation have been kept secret so little explanation for the seemingly impossible feats of skill are offered and this adds to the idea that some kind of illusion is behind the skills being presented and/or demonstrated. Much of the secrecy is due to specific groups (religious or trade guilds) or families having a history and tradition of skills and practice that is supposed to be kept within the group or family and not revealed to outsiders. This is a part of the heritage and cultural phenomenon of the Chinese people and only in very recent years have these practices begun to come into the modern world of scientific exploration, methodology and measurement.
Most modern Masters of the arts agree that all chi phenomena can be explained and fits well within the realm of modern physics. So, after many years of study and teaching it is my personal feeling that really it is the idea of mind over matter that is at the heart of the debate.
There are other factors that compound the problem of understanding the reality of Chi activation, cultivation and flow. The first problem to be addressed is a language barrier. There are words that describe specific aspects of Chi and Chi Kung (Energy Work) practice for which there is simply no direct translation into English and often Chinese teachers of Chi Kung aren’t proficiently fluent in English like a native speaker so although they may know some English there is still a communication barrier…
Continued in “The Chi Debate Part 2″
Video Poker – The Skill Debate
August 10, 2009 by admin
Filed under Online Gambling
David Walker asked:
You will find some die-hard video poker players in any brick and mortar casino or in any online casino who have done their homework on the game. These players have read every book imaginable on the subject and are often convinced that the only beatable game in the casino is indeed video poker. The players have studied every variation of the game and are convinced it can be beaten regularly for profit. These people will never believe that their game of video poker is anything less than a game determined by skill and they are right.
Just as in online Texas Hold’em games, video poker games are supposed to deal random hands and give the player the opportunity to use what they know to make the most out of the hand they are dealt. These random hands are valid poker hands and then give the player the opportunity to control the outcome of their game.
Critics of video poker will argue that the game is on a RNG (random number generator just like slot machines) and therefore the machine is set, just as slot machines are to payout a certain amount within a certain time. These same critics would like for you to believe that while you play video poker online, you will be given the illusion of being in total control over your hand when in fact, you are not.
These claims are rubbish if you think about it. The reason is clear. Video poker machines are set to pay back a percentage based on “perfect play” or near perfect play. You will of course have a more favourable outcome if you learn how to play the hands you are dealt with properly so you have a chance of beating the machine. This is true of any card game and just like in the online version of Texas Hold’em, you will increase your chances for a favourable outcome if you play like you are supposed to play.
The RNG can play a significant role in your starting hands of course but the same RNG factor plays a role in the new cards you receive when you discard several that you won’t need to make a winning hand. This is one of those games which can be debated all day long as being a game of chance, but ultimately there have been enough books written on the subject to prove it is indeed a game of skill.
You will find some die-hard video poker players in any brick and mortar casino or in any online casino who have done their homework on the game. These players have read every book imaginable on the subject and are often convinced that the only beatable game in the casino is indeed video poker. The players have studied every variation of the game and are convinced it can be beaten regularly for profit. These people will never believe that their game of video poker is anything less than a game determined by skill and they are right.
Just as in online Texas Hold’em games, video poker games are supposed to deal random hands and give the player the opportunity to use what they know to make the most out of the hand they are dealt. These random hands are valid poker hands and then give the player the opportunity to control the outcome of their game.
Critics of video poker will argue that the game is on a RNG (random number generator just like slot machines) and therefore the machine is set, just as slot machines are to payout a certain amount within a certain time. These same critics would like for you to believe that while you play video poker online, you will be given the illusion of being in total control over your hand when in fact, you are not.
These claims are rubbish if you think about it. The reason is clear. Video poker machines are set to pay back a percentage based on “perfect play” or near perfect play. You will of course have a more favourable outcome if you learn how to play the hands you are dealt with properly so you have a chance of beating the machine. This is true of any card game and just like in the online version of Texas Hold’em, you will increase your chances for a favourable outcome if you play like you are supposed to play.
The RNG can play a significant role in your starting hands of course but the same RNG factor plays a role in the new cards you receive when you discard several that you won’t need to make a winning hand. This is one of those games which can be debated all day long as being a game of chance, but ultimately there have been enough books written on the subject to prove it is indeed a game of skill.
The Debate Of Using Free Animation For Your Website
MIKE SELVON asked:
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images in order to create an illusion of movement. The most common method of presenting animation is in a motion picture or some type of video program. Not so long ago, if you went on the internet and entered “free animation” as your search, there may have been little to choose from, if anything at all. Today, however, you will see pages and pages of results.
Do free animations mean that no one gets credited with the work or that the person and/or company that developed it have agreed to basically give it away? Works granted as a copyright after January 1, 1978 are protected for the lifetime of the author or creator and for a period of 50 years after his or her death. What about these gif animations, cartoon animations, 2D animations and 3D animations that are found on the internet? Are they really free?
If you come across a web site that claims to have royalty free animation files for download, then you may want to check into it further. It is very tempting when surfing the web to see something that you like and just automatically download it or right-click and “save as.”
Or you may see something interesting and decide to post it on your site or blog. However, don’t ignore the part about linking any of the free computer animations back to them, to give them credit.
As soon as you write a story, draw a character, create any type of graphics computer animation, save a document using Word or record a song, you own copyright to it and are protected by law. What about computer animations or any other type of work that you have created for an employer or client? In that particular case, it is known as work for hire and at times you can claim the right to include the works for display in your portfolio, although you should check to see if they would have any specific objections to allowing that.
Everyone wants their website to stand out so that it attracts visitors, resulting, hopefully, in sales. Many times, if an individual is lacking the skills to create something new and original, then they will use what they assume is free animation from another web site. This type of legal issue has been around since the first public sites starting appearing.
The creators of these graphics and cool animations own them and their permission to use them on your site is needed. Even if someone sees it on your site they will still need permission from the owner before posting it on their own site.
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images in order to create an illusion of movement. The most common method of presenting animation is in a motion picture or some type of video program. Not so long ago, if you went on the internet and entered “free animation” as your search, there may have been little to choose from, if anything at all. Today, however, you will see pages and pages of results.
Do free animations mean that no one gets credited with the work or that the person and/or company that developed it have agreed to basically give it away? Works granted as a copyright after January 1, 1978 are protected for the lifetime of the author or creator and for a period of 50 years after his or her death. What about these gif animations, cartoon animations, 2D animations and 3D animations that are found on the internet? Are they really free?
If you come across a web site that claims to have royalty free animation files for download, then you may want to check into it further. It is very tempting when surfing the web to see something that you like and just automatically download it or right-click and “save as.”
Or you may see something interesting and decide to post it on your site or blog. However, don’t ignore the part about linking any of the free computer animations back to them, to give them credit.
As soon as you write a story, draw a character, create any type of graphics computer animation, save a document using Word or record a song, you own copyright to it and are protected by law. What about computer animations or any other type of work that you have created for an employer or client? In that particular case, it is known as work for hire and at times you can claim the right to include the works for display in your portfolio, although you should check to see if they would have any specific objections to allowing that.
Everyone wants their website to stand out so that it attracts visitors, resulting, hopefully, in sales. Many times, if an individual is lacking the skills to create something new and original, then they will use what they assume is free animation from another web site. This type of legal issue has been around since the first public sites starting appearing.
The creators of these graphics and cool animations own them and their permission to use them on your site is needed. Even if someone sees it on your site they will still need permission from the owner before posting it on their own site.
