Last Diaryland Entry
when did the definition for free change...because the definition in the dictionary and the way it is used don't seem to match anymore...this will probably be boring wierd or someting, but i give you a comparison...the definitions from merriam-webster vs. how it is misused today in reality...warning, this will be long and perhaps dry
Merriam-Webster's Main Entry:
1free
Pronunciation: 'frE
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): fre·er; fre·est
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English frEo; akin to Old High German frI free, Welsh rhydd, Sanskrit priya own, dear
Date: before 12th century
1 a : having the legal and political rights of a citizen
b : enjoying civil and political liberty -free citizens-
c : enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination
d : enjoying personal freedom : not subject to the control or domination of another
this appears simple, but think about it...first citizen of what nation(assume the united states), how many people actually know what those rights are today(this changes as defined by the supreme court, remember)...we don't truly have either civil or political freedom here(there are rules and limits)...free from outside domination(not hardly)...and every law makes us subject to someone's control(even when they are not violated...the minority is always dominated by the majority)
2 a : not determined by anything beyond its own nature or being : choosing or capable of choosing for itself
b : determined by the choice of the actor or performer -free actions-
c : made, done, or given voluntarily or spontaneously
some of us are more free than others, because you must be willing to take responsibility for chosing and live with your choice....too many want someone else to choose for them
3 a : relieved from or lacking something unpleasant or burdensome -free from pain- -a speech free of political rhetoric-
b : not bound, confined, or detained by force
everyone has some burdens and or pain...we are all bound by laws enforced by confinement(unless you are O.J.), and we are very free compared to most nations
4 a : having no trade restrictions
b : not subject to government regulation of foreign exchange
c : not subject to restriction or official control
there is no such animal anywhere i know of in any way as defined here
5 a : having no obligations (as to work) or commitments -I'll be free this evening-
b : not taken up with commitments or obligations -a free evening-
i admit..this does exist pretty much, although it gets abused so badly in common usage that most people lay false claim to it(if you make plans it is no longer a free evening, just a less structured one)
6 : having a scope not restricted by qualification -a free variable-
only in pure math and science
7 a (1) : not obstructed or impeded : CLEAR (2) : not being used or occupied -waved with his free hand-
b : not hampered or restricted in its normal operation
ok, this one is still properly used
8 a : not fastened -the free end of the rope-
b : not confined to a particular position or place; also : not having a specific opponent to cover in football -a free safety-
c : capable of moving or turning in any direction -a free particle-
d : performed without apparatus -free tumbling-
e : done with artificial aids (as pitons) used only for protection against falling and not for support -a free climb-
mostly still properly used although "e" is an oxymoron(leave it to an athlete to invent this usage)
9 a : not parsimonious -free spending-
(rare, but still valid)
b : OUTSPOKEN
(very rare...after all there are always consequences to being outspoken)
c : availing oneself of something without stint
(once again find where it happens)
d : FRANK, OPEN
(see outspoken)
e : overly familiar or forward in action or attitude
f : LICENTIOUS
I wonder when they slipped these last two in...they seem to be obvious contradictions)
10 : not costing or charging anything
here is the really fun one...how much is truly free...postage and handling is a cost...%20 more free is really just paying less for the rest(after all you can't get just the free %20)...buy one get one free is really half off...your time, btw, is also worth something to someone(think about it)
11 a (1) : not united with, attached to, combined with, or mixed with something else : SEPARATE -free ores- -a free surface of a bodily part- (2) : FREESTANDING -a free column-
(back to math and science here)
b : chemically uncombined -free oxygen- -free acids-
c : not permanently attached but able to move about -a free electron in a metal-d : capable of being used alone as a meaningful linguistic form -the word hats is a free form- -- compare 5BOUND 7
(ok, i am really confused here)
12 a : not literal or exact -free translation-
(ok, we found the one free that is in overabundant existance)
b : not restricted by or conforming to conventional forms -free skating-OXYMORON...if you don't understand, then see what comprises free skating in the olympics)
13 : FAVORABLE -- used of a wind blowing from a direction more than six points from dead ahead
(ok, another real use left if you sail)
14 : not allowing slavery
(what about indentured servitude)
15 : open to all comers
(no such thing...eveyone places some restrictions on who is welcome...even me, hell especially me)
so as you can see while so many things are claimed to be free, nothing really is...free speech, not a chance...free choice, dream on...free will, maybe if you are a total anarchist...free lunch, you may not pay money, but i bet you pay somehow...just remember in this world "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch" and at least you won't be left wondering how to pay when the bill comes due
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been reflecting on the sad state of education here in texas...it can be hard not to think about it when there is something in the paper nearly every day after all...things are in a rather sad state(no pun intended) here these days...between trying to find a superintendant of schools and teachers being in shorter demand than water in the desert, and a bit of violence, some intoxication, a few other minor transgressions and of course TAAS, the lessons being taught in school are not the ones i think were intended...i was trying to figure out the problem and i came to the conclusion it is the damned "new math"
new math is very interesting stuff...how else do you explain spending over $250,000 in a district where teachers earn well below the national average in wages...where the school board is a bit late in renewing their contract with the HMO resulting in drastically higher premiums for these same underpaid teachers...where the important thing is that TAAS scores are higher as are college entrance scores, although strangely they have not improved in relation to the national average...wherethere is always enough money for more prisons, but never enough for more quality education
but they get a good education you say(ok the politicians say)...look at the scores...well you know scores don't make an education...after all it is much easier to study a test than to learn how to think(if you don't believe me just look at the large number of MCSE's who don't understand computers)...see new math dictates that quantity beats quality any day...new math says that there is no class size too large...after all if the average student teacher ratio should be 15 to 1, why then 30 to one is twice as good and 45 to one is 4 times as good(oops 3 times)...makes perfect sense...why waste time teaching those boring old basic foundations...forget training students to think...we can teach them to pass a standardized exam for less
oh yes let us not forget discipline...we dont need that either...just make the rules simpler and tell the teachers to enforce them, but don't upset any parent while doing it, because junior is always right(as long as they leave their gun at home)...new math even seems to say that you can rewrite history if it offends someone(must be politically correct after all)...forget those difficult literature assignments, because we have banned all those books anyway(besides who needs books, when you have a computer), after all reading is a waste of time anyway, TV is much better...new math even teaches civics...break a rule(NO TOLERANCE) and get sent to remedial school(unless you can afford to sue), because we must fill those slots we paid for
hell new math has even redefined the constitution and the dictionary...yes really...under new math it is now ok to hold prayer before a school football game, as long as it is led by a student and is spontanious(that is what they call students organizing it beforehand here)...discrimination now means not being able to opress the few with out being critisized(so says sante fe)...what a wonderful state we live in...well at least new math hasnt' rewritten science(creationism as valid scientific theory) here yet, but i'm sure it is only a matter of time
maybe everyone will figure it out(oops that requires old math skills) before it is too late...if not, who knows, they may legislate learning back into school...you might have to earn a diploma...we may even elect an honest president...peace might break out...you never know
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well...i'm back after a bit of a hiatus...seems like life has this odd habit of reminding me that i shouldn't take things for granted...especially not those small things like having a job, a home or sanity(tho this is a relative thing anyway)...i have to remember to stay alert for that other shoe dropping...i admit that it was my own fault, i got a bit cocky...i forgot that although you can make yourself irreplacable at work, this does you no good if you company mismanages themselves out of the contract you work on(btw, being able to say "i told you so" doesn't pay your bills)...if you are not working, then unfortunately you often no longer have a home(if you can't pay the rent they throw you out of the kitchen)
I also sold too many of my friends short in too many ways...some(ok almost all of them) i expected too much out of them...i have this problem with holding others to the same impossible standards i hold myself...it isn't like i am a perfectionist(well not exactly), but i have very high standards for my behavior and actions(i disappoint myself frequently, alas)...i also don't cut myself much slack when i fall short(yes, this leads to lots of problems), and am very hard on myself when i fall short...needless to say i am disappointed in myself all too often, and alas get disappointed in others quite often too...i should not blame some one for taking advantage of me, when i spoil them...if you consistantly let some one bend your rules, you should not be surprised when they break them...this is probably not one of my better similies, but i hope you get what i mean
My most foolish mistake though was in thinking that some members of my family had changed....hrmmmmm....changed how they dealt with me, or perhaps in how they relate to me is more accurate...i really should know better, after all i haven't changed much in how i relate to them, so why should they change...these expectations lead to occasional disapointments of monumental proportions...which sometimes leads to loss of things like a sense of who i am, or having self esteem and so on ad nauseum...anyway im back and will be writing again(for good or otherwise)...so until next time
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