Part of this entry was done two weeks ago, but as often happens, lots happened, and I am just now catching up and ready to send out a GCP/EGG update notification.
Several new events are now in the results table (linked also from the "What's New" box on the home page), including an attempt to capture something of the ongoing tragedy caused by flooding in Pakistan. Our new Egg host in Islamabad provided some dates that seemed emblematic, but we really don't know how to look at long, multi-day, or as in this case, multi-week disasters. The Middle East tension has long been a similar situation, with years characterized by a persistent bubbling of anger and fear that occasionally bursts into violence. We have only been able to probe by taking such bursts as samples. With a natural disaster like a flood, there are no "bursts" -- just a growing perception of the misery.
We see a somewhat different picture in the Chilean mine cave in, which trapped 33 men 600 meters down. Though this will take at least two or three months to resolve, there was a powerfully emotional moment when a small drill hole reached the miners and it was learned they are all alive. Similarly, there was a singular moment in the history of the long Iraq war (more than seven years). At last it has come to an end, as declared in a speech by President Obama. This event is the 8th in a series where he is a central figure, and it has been added to the "Obama Effect" composite. We are now looking at roughly 1000 to 1 odds against chance for this dataset. I wonder what the White House would make of this were they to take a look (and, of course, believe the premises and the data). For my part, I think it means that Obama has a truly big megaphone. If the Eggs pay attention, his voice matters: it changes the world at a deeper level than radio or TV can reach.
A couple of new videos have been uploaded to my YouTube channel. One is by Adrian Nelson (no relation that we know of) comprising extracts from an interview that is part of a longer film he is doing. Another is a brief description of the GCP, some discussion of implications, and a little information about the Noospheric Ethical/Ecological Constitution. The latter is a substantial legal document that provides guidance for creative and productive interactions among peoples and nations. It is the work of several people in Russia and other countries, led by Dr. Liubov Gordina. She also is the organizer for Section 5 of the World Forum of Spiritual Culture, to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan October 18-20, 2010. I will be going, and will present GCP results and implications as supporting evidence for the Noo-Constitution. proceedings paper for this forum is available as a pdf file.
And now for something different. For some time I have wanted to have a random quote on the GCP website, and finally set it up. A quote appears below the menus in the left-hand column on the home page. Just now it says, "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." quoting the inimitable Mark Twain. If you have one or two favorite quotes that in some way reflect what the GCP is about, or some special wisdom, please send them on. Shall we try one?
The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature. -- Marcus Aurelius
