REFLECTIONS on Previous Seminars

Australian General Semantics Society

"Applications of general-semantics”

September 2007

“The Goldilocks Enigma”

Why is the world so perfect - Did God make it just for us?

If God did not make the world, then who did?

Is there any role for "Intelligent (non-God) Design"

Why do people get all het-up about Evolution / Creationism?

Led by Robert

The Programme …

1. Catching-up

2. How we manage probability and risk - Homework reports!

3. Managing Change - "Laurie's SMDS" Examples

4. David Russell, and RJ's Synchronicity!

5. "Roads Gone Wild" - Managing Risk!

*** Luncheon delights ***

6. A Non-Verbal Experience!

7. The Goldilocks Enigma

8. AGS AGM

~ Close ~

ooo0ooo

1. Catching-up

We exchanged news on diverse issues including maintaining a structured life in retirement, managing diabetes, handling dangerous chemicals, and disbursed families.

2. How we manage probability and risk - Homework reports!

Homework was set as follows:

Date: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 12:23

Subject: AGS meeting -Saturday 15 September

Hi guys,

Yep, looking forwards to seeing you all there again. Thanks, Gavan, for the reminder, and in anticipation, for yr ongoing hospitality. This weekend I expect to be there without JJ (who works Sat), and Frank may be coming.

It's our AGM, so give some thought to how you'd like to take a role as an office-bearer in this august organisation!

Before we get onto Goldilocks, I'd like to start the day with some consideration of personal reflections and experiences in the area of our response to (exploitation of) uncertainty and risk. Perhaps we could do some homework in considering eg:

1. Do you embrace uncertainty with enthusiasm, or seek the solice of the familiar?

2. Does the unknown fill you with the exhilaration of the prospect of new discovery, or fear and dread of misfortune? Have your expectations in the past been justified?

3. How have you adapted over time (decades!) - Have you become older and bolder, or has the "young punk" just developed into an "old clunk"?

4. Think of a time when have encountered real uncertainty in facing Decision Time - What was at stake, how did you assess the risks/probabilities and how did you respond "emotionally"? What was the outcome? What did you learn from this experience? Have you been able to use this lesson to benefit later? What GS principles were you able (or not able) to apply?

5. Think of something of great value that you learned from others (parents, friends, books etc) which would have been much more difficult or dangerous to learn for yourself (eg handling of firearms!) How does this demonstrate the value of timebinding?

6. What do you have which may be of particular value to pass on to others, based on your own experiences? How might GS principles be part of this process?

There are many more questions to be asked, but that'll suffice for the moment.