Research Topic Of The Week

During the week, certain thoughts, words, ideas, etc., pop into my head. Most of these I let flitter away. Some, however, stay with me. Those I deem interesting enough, I Google to find out more.

This week's research topic is "Git". What exactly is a "git"? How is it insulting? And does it make any sense?

Interestingly, there are a few definitions for GIT...

GIT is short for Geoscientist In Training. They have demonstrated academic qualifications, but are still working toward gaining the required 4 years of geoscience experience for P.Geo. registration.

GIT is short for Group Inclusive Tour. Which is a group tour that is offered only if a minimum number of people book for it. And all along a pre-set itinerary.

GIT is short for GastroIntestinal Tract. And is how medicos refer to it. I'd call it medical jargon.

GIT is short for Global Information Technology. Of course, you would first need to define "Information Technology" to understand this one.

GIT is short for GNU Interactive Tools - tools for interacting with the GNU computer operating system.

GIT is a shortened version of GEAT which is used in founding and which is the channel or spout through which molten metal runs into a mold in casting.

Git is technically an insult but has a twinge of jealousy to it. You'd call someone a git if they'd won the Readers' Digest Prize Draw, outsmarted you in a battle of wits or been named in Bill Gates' Last Will and Testament because of a spelling mistake - but done with friendly undertones.

There is a claim it derives from Arabic, where it describes a pregnant camel, of all things.

And that it is a contraction of the word "illegitimate".

And also a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible.

Most times it is used as an insult and often with the word "silly" in front. So you would call a person "a silly git." Or even a "dumb git".

If we take the last meaning of git (despicable) and the meaning of silly (harmless; innocent; inoffensive; weak; helpless; frail; plain; simple; humble; weak in intellect; destitute of ordinary strength of mind; foolish; witless; brainless; unwise) then we see the term "Silly git" doesn't really make any sense. Because to be despicable indicates forethought. And you cannot be weak of intellect and totally witless and a simpleton who can simultaneously have the brain capacity to plan despicable acts.

Of course just because "silly git" doesn't make sense under this meaning, doesn't stop people from saying it. Look how many American's say "I could care less". When the actual thing that would make sense is "I couldn't care less" indicating that you care so little you could not, in any way, care any less than you do. But as the American's say it, it doesn't make any sense. So maybe the American's are a bunch of silly gits for saying things that don't make sense. HA! (No offense intended - and git is used in this instance with friendly undertones.)

The Art of Giving Up

If there is something I find incredibly annoying it is this: not attempting to do a thing because you think it cannot be done, and you have never even attempted it before.

I find it annoying because in almost every occasion, when the thing is attempted the person discovers that it can, in fact, be done after all.

That is why my underlying philosophy is simply

It's worth a try. Everything is worth a try. The only way to know for sure is to give it a go.

Sometimes people come to me with ideas for businesses and ask me "what I think". In variably I always say something like, "it's worth a go, that's the only way you will know if it is going to work."

It's in the "giving it a go" stage that many people become unstuck. Often discovering that there is a LOT more involved - or it is going to cost more money - than they initially thought. But that's ok. At least action is being taken.

The other day I did a joint "job" with another business owner. We are both in the same line of business, although in slightly different niches. So it was natural for us to come together on this job.

It was kind of funny to see his thought process change as the job progressed. Initially he was more of a "it won't work" kind of guy. At the end he was more of a "let's give it a go and see" kind of guy. And I think a lot of it stemmed from my continual insistence to "let's give it a go and see" approach to the job. And that more often than not, after we did give it a go, it actually worked out.

And once we had done the first half of the two-stage job, both he and his assistant commented their surprise at what we had done. Because both hadn't thought what we had done was possible.

It follows on then, that a word group I find annoying is "I can't." That is, when people say "I can't", as in "I can't do it", "I can't understand" and so on. I find it annoying because it is a signal of giving up. To accept that you can't automatically gives you the excuse to not even try. "I can't do it, so I won't even bother trying any more, case closed."

It annoys me because it is not a true reflection of reality. And if I am present and push, low and behold, the person discovers they CAN after all.

I guess, to me, it is about being true, or real, to yourself.

Sure the person might not be able to do a thing right at that very moment. But that does not mean that will always be the case. Yet saying "I can't" is like admitting to the self that the current condition will always be. And that is just not true.

I know that "what one man can do another can do" within the realms of natural physical abilities and all other things being equal. So statements of "I can't" are lies to the self.

I am also annoyed when people try to put their own limitations onto me. Telling me whether something can or cannot be done. And always answering with a "no" when I ask them if they have ever done it before. I feel like Yoda, "So sure are you it cannot be done, when you haven't even tried."

"I could never write a blog, it takes too much time and I have nothing to say."

What, like I have all the time in the world what with my many business interests and "staff" to baby-sit. Then those same people will gossip all day long and share their strong opinions about all manner of things. Yet they reckon they have nothing to say or time to say it in.

More accurate would be, "I really can't be bothered because I would rather gossip" because at least that would be being honest with themselves.

Next time you are apt to say or think "I can't" or "it can't be done" why not pause. Stop the thought in mid think, and actually give it a go and see for yourself. You might just find you can do it, and it can be done, after all. The plus side is, you will have smashed a self-imposed limit. And that is always a good thing.

Protecting The Motherland, Russia Homeland, America

During the days of the USSR, the "homeland" was referred to as the Motherland. All good citizens (comrades) had a duty to serve and protect the Motherland. They were required to carry ID cards at all times. And no interaction with the soviet govt could take place without the state issued ID cards. Communism in action. Welcome to Orwell's 1984.

Interestingly, in Orwell's 1984, the govt is always at war with, what appears to be, a never defeated enemy. This enemy also has a personal face in the guise of one man - Goldstein. And much, if not all, of govt wording is doublespeak - The Ministry of Peace in charge of War, the Ministry of Truth in charge of propaganda and changing the truth, and so on.

When George Orwell wrote 1984 it was pretty much thought to be a commentary on the USSR. The book kind of shocked people. That such a state of affairs could come about seemed, at the time, highly unlikely.

Sorry to tell y'all this BUT, George Orwell's 1984 is here and now. And it is the USA.

Previously I have written that unless the people of the USA woke up and did something, they were doomed to a life far worse than the USSR had been. But I have given this some additional thought and now change my position.

There is nothing you can do about the current tyranny and erosion of your freedoms. Nothing short of another civil war - or, and this would be my preference for anyone there - leaving the country, denouncing your citizenship, and becoming a citizen of another land.

I have nothing against the people of the USA. I think many of them have a wonderful "can do" spirit and a "get up and go" that the people's of other countries do not have. No. My beef is NOT with the citizens. My beef is with the govt of the USA. And when I say beef I don't mean I have any kind of agenda to get rid of them, I mean I do not like what they are doing. For what they are doing is stripping away all property rights one by one. And legitimizing it with doublespeak. All the while turning the citizens into ignorant happy slaves.

What purpose does it serve in this War on Terror to issue children born in the US with Dept of Homeland Security issued birth certificates? What purpose does it serve in this War on Terror to disallow a child access to public schooling unless they can show their Dept of Homeland Security issued birth certificate? How does it help in the War on Terror to FORCE a social security number onto the child the moment it is born? These are all things the recently signed act will bring in. Talk about Big Brother.

Motherland USSR, Homeland USA... little difference these days.