Tag Archives: dogs

Thoughts on Occam’s Razor

Posted on by

Stop for a moment and make a list of your daily annoyances. Now give them some thought. Can you talk yourself out of being bothered by them? Is there something you can do to eliminate them? Or are they just a part of life you have to live with?

Since merging households with my youngest daughter, her husband, and their three teens I’ve had a lot of adjustments to make after living on my own for twenty years. Like sharing a bathroom with two teenage girls. Opening a cabinet for a glass or a drawer for a fork or spoon to find them all missing since the kids are allowed to eat in their rooms.

Being a cat person more than a dog fan, their three big dogs (a Doberman, a husky, and a 50+ pound “puppy” that’s a mastiff-pittbull cross) were probably at the top of the list. Especially their propensity to get into the kitchen trash can and scatter garbage all over, taking their best finds into the living room to enjoy on the couch. 🤦‍♀️😖

If you’re not familiar with what Occam’s razor is, here’s what googling it says:

Occam’s Razor is a problem-solving principle that suggests, when presented with competing hypotheses, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected. It essentially favors simpler explanations over more complex ones, when both explain the same phenomenon equally well. The principle is often summarized as “the simplest solution is usually the best”. 

“Here’s a more detailed explanation:

“Parsimony: Occam’s Razor is also known as the “law of parsimony“. Parsimony, in this context, means being economical or frugal with assumptions.”

Dealing with my various frustrations was generally pretty simple, once I sat down and did some basic problem solving. The bathroom issue “is what it is” and can’t be changed. Solution: Get over it.

The glass and silverware situation won’t go away until the kids move out, which will be awhile. The solution: Keep what I need in my room.

The dogs getting in the trash issue went on for a long time. Our usual solution was to place an empty cardboard box on top between the lid and overhang of the kitchen island. The problem with that was that often the box was not in place, plus one of the dogs (the husky) learned to push it aside.

The situation was actually solved by my daughter, who works in a hardware store. For pocket change, she brought home a metal hook and eye and installed it on the trash can.

Problem solved.

So what’s my point?

There is plenty to get spun up about these days. The world is pretty crazy, and as an astrologer, I can see what’s going on out there in the cosmos and that it’s not going to change any time soon. In other words, much of what may get you spun up is entirely out of your control.

How much of what’s going on out there really affects your daily life? Does it really matter?

Even if it does, there isn’t much you can do about it.

Thus, it’s a good idea to take care of those things that you can.

For example, if your daily commute is a nightmare, try listening to music your love, your favorite podcasts, or something else you enjoy to upgrade the value of time spent in a situation you can’t control.

Decide what matters and what doesn’t. Take control of what you can. This crazy planet isn’t going to get better anytime soon.

Namaste.

“The Last Dog” is Sci-fi at it’s Best, Especially if You’re an Animal Lover!

Posted on by

lastdogcvr

5stars

The Last Dog

by Dawn Greenfield Ireland

This story is not only original, but science fiction at its absolute best. While the story is suitable for young adults, it has enough substance to satisfy even a hardcore science fiction fan like myself. Animal lovers will especially love it, since one of the main characters is a dog.

The story is set in the 2080s in a dystopian setting. The author provides background in the prologue, which explains how different events in the 21st century, of both a political and natural disaster variety transformed the United States. It was a story in itself, which was not only tremendously interesting and entertaining, but showed how much thought and creativity the author has invested to develop this outstanding story.

Probably the most important technological angle is the development of the Dot, invented by one of the main characters, Bill Maxwell, which enables dogs to talk. The human birth rate has been greatly compromised, so few are able to have children. Thus, having dog and cat “children” is the norm. Anyone who’s ever had a beloved pet knows they are like our children. Then add the ability to have them talk to you and you can imagine how amazing that would be.

However, another disaster comes along, which kills millions of people as well as nearly all the dog and cat children, except a puppy named Abby, who belongs to Bill and Teresa Maxwell. However, Abby is taken by the government under the pretense of trying to find any other canine survivors and cloning or otherwise finding a way to re-establish the canine population. Meanwhile, a robotic dog has also been created, which is endowed with artificial intelligence. One of these in particular, named Rex, is another major character who is entirely endearing.

While all of this probably sounds pretty far-fetched, the author has done a fantastic job of creating a futuristic world where it all comes off as believable. Furthermore, if you’re an animal lover, chances are you already talk to your pets and can imagine them talking back. The gist of the story relates to if and how the Maxwell’s and Abby will ever be reunited. I absolutely loved it and know that I will someday read it again, which is the highest recommendation I can ever give a book because my TBR is so long, it’s a rare book indeed that I indulge in more than once.

If you’re a science fiction fan you’ll love the technologies and if you’re a dog or cat lover, you’ll love the pet angle. I highly recommend this heart-warming and original story from one of my favorite authors.

Pick up your copy on Amazon here.