Ed's FAQs July 1, 2009

Friday, July 10, 2009 Guitar Break - Music Video Dear Ed, I thought you would enjoy this true story, turned to music video. Clip: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/ United-Breaks-Guitars-a-Smash- Hit-on-YouTube.html?yhp=1	Thank you for the URL.
Friday, July 10, 2009 EcoNowMics Chief, Thank you for the update. The EcoNowMics page evolution continues to provide greater clarity of system thinking. Nick's exercise provides additional insights for me. Thank you for your guidance.	Thank you for your support.
Thursday, July 9, 2009 ICAGR Dear Ed, Thank you for looking at this problem. After hearing back from other members, I search the Web for info on ICAGR (not much). Then I come across your system math document which I printed out several years ago, but do not revisit until today. Voila! ICAGR defined! My previous TSP EA 150/15 result of 0.0527 is the annual compounding equivalent of the 0.0514 instantaneous compounding rate shown on your spreadsheet. I learn something new. I do not yet understand why ICAGR is more useful than the annual compounding method. But I do see that instantaneous compounding is always in the now so perhaps the consistency with TTP is its value to us practitioners. My TSP EA result is now correct to the penny and the IGR and Benchmark IGR are correct to 4 decimals, same as your results. There appears to be a $107.74 rounding error in Excel's calculation of the Benchmark, but that is acceptable as it is only 3.29 x 10^-6 percent of the total Benchmark end value. Thanks to you both. Your comments help me across the finish line! ORIGINAL MESSAGE: Thank you for passing my feelings on to the group. I have two handicaps when I look at your Excel. I have no experience with Excel, and I have no Excel on my Linux machine. I am not clear on how well Open Office captures the intricacies of your calculation. I attach a screenshot of what I see when I open your file. I chase the formulas around a little: =$Equity_Log.G5874 -> =G5873*(1+$Summary.$G$10)^$Metrics_Log.AA5874 -> =Z5874-Z5873+IF(AD5874="true";1;0) -> =IF(AC5874=1;1;0) -> =IF(AB5874="TRUE";IF(AND(MONTH(Z5874)=3;MONTH(Z5873)=2);IF(DAY(Z5873)<29;1;0 );0);0) Then I wonder if there is a more straightforward way to do this. I wonder if you can tell me the formula you use to calculate the offending ICAGR.	OK.
Thursday, July 9, 2009 TTP and Fatigue Dear Ed, I send you a follow up of "TTP Goes to School (Thursday, June 25, 2009)". The patient visits me a second time. She is the one who consulted [me] due to fatigue after cancer treatment, and together we find out that fatigue is OK and it helps her to avoid overwhelming requirements from her adult children. This time I just ask her how she is doing, and she expresses that she wants to work further on her feelings. She mentions having a difficult communication with her current husband, who is jealous of her children (he has no children of his own). I then wonder what her problem is. She mentions (in her own words) that the discussions with her husband arouse a feeling that she dislikes, a pressure in her chest. I tell her that I cannot change the husband, and also do not consider it appropriated to try change her, I just [want] to assist her in experiencing the feeling. I test her willingness several times, and encourage her to feel more of the feeling. However, it is difficult for her and she is stuck in the process. I then stop suggesting her to increase the form (pressure in the chest) and switch to "total acceptance modus", where I do not mention her form and only fully enjoy and accept the other person being the way she is. I learn this "modus" after taking myself the hot seat on the issue "I cannot get what I need from others". I observe that if I fully give up my needs, what I get from others is everything that I need. I just mention to her how nice and enjoyable the feeling is, and that rejecting the feeling is like rejecting her nose or the beating of her heart. This complete acceptance of mine does the trick, and she lets the feeling flow "like after opening the bottle", in her words. One week later I see the patient casually. She mentions that her fatigue (which we indeed did not "fix") is substantially improved. I suggest to her that she can decide to feel fatigued or not, as she wants.	Thank you for sharing your process. Fatigue is sometimes something else. Clip: http://media.photobucket.com/ image/jim%20carrey%20in%20a% 20tutu/iluvdirt_2006/ATT00049.gif
Thursday, July 9, 2009 Day Trading Fantasies Dear Ed, In the FAQ dated June 11 - 21 you wrote: 'I have as yet to see a profitable long-term track record of an automatic day trading system' Please define what you mean by 'profitable' and 'long term'. I trade a completely automated day trading system that scales to making at least 10 million dollars a year. I'm currently up to a million dollars in my account, and I estimate its going to take me another two or three years to reach $10 million. My underlying system is quite simple but incorporates several expert-trading rules that I have added to the software over the years. If I am ever lucky enough to meet you in person, I will show you my track record.	How about a record of every trade, every deposit and withdrawal and the MAR for a continuous period of 18 months. Some long-term traders have such records for five or ten times as long. Day Trading is typically a way to cover up deeper feelings. Clip: http://media.photobucket.com/image/jim% 20carrey%20in%20a% 20tutu/iluvdirt_2006/ATT00049.gif
Thursday, July 9, 2009 Integrating Trading in Life Ed, My marital situation is greatly improved, I have a much better communication with my children, I have a new professional and existential perspective with TTP, I sleep better, stop drinking coffee, drink almost no alcohol (maybe a quarter glass wine every two weeks)! At the same time, I enter a trade, place a stop immediately, move my stops as the price increases, have some small losses in the current choppy markets, have a huge winner with crude oil. I don't need to look at the screen 20 times a day, I don't need to spend sleepless nights worrying about not having stops in place. The whole is passionless, emotionless, and FUN! Again: Thanks, Chief!	Thank you for sharing your process.
Thursday, July 9, 2009 EcoNowMics Dear Ed, Thank you for reporting your progress. I read the new material twice and have a better understanding of the System Dynamic model of the Milk Glass Game. The step-by-step process helps me. Thank you for updating the model and defining Dt (delta time). I continue to read and reread the material. I continue to support you.	Thank you for your support.
Thursday, July 9, 2009 Wants Tricks See Previous Dear Ed, I have no doubt whatsoever that, if you ever decide to share this with me, you will know what it is that I am after. In my copy of Market Wizards on page 159 part of your reply to a question from the author is as follows: "ALSO, AS I CONTINUED TO INCORPORATE MORE "EXPERT TRADER RULES," on page 160 part of your reply to a question is as follows: "(2) MY MECHANICAL PROGRAMS HAVE FACTORED IN MORE AND MORE "TRICKS OF THE TRADE." I cannot make this any more clear. Keep healthy Chief.	FAQ does not ... offer specific trading advice ... or recommend specific trading system parameters ... See Ground Rules, above. Tricks typically emerge effortlessly, after years of practice. Clip: http://www.magicpete.net/images/ magician_01.gif
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 Cash For Your Ears Dear Ed, I thought you might like this clip of Johnny Cash singing Hurt... English-German translation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIbepKZC7Po	Thank you for the link.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 From Regretful to Loving Dear Ed, In a control-centric relationship we drive people away from us even if we are still together especially if we want them to change. My "AHA" came when I realized the only person that I can change is myself. It may take much consistent effort for a partner - child - coworker - friend (plug in what fits) to trust again. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmVAWKfJ4Go Johnny Cash sings the deep feelings of regret above for us all. I wanted a deeper loving relationship with my father so I became the loving daughter I would want to have in my life. When I changed everything else changed. It is amazing what can take place - quickly too.	Thank you for sharing your process.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 Some Proof - Reading Dear Ed, The text column is too wide in recent FAQ section. EcoNowMics section: Modeling spelling different in "Modelling the Milk Glass..." title as compared to other titles in section. For consistency purposes may want to keep all the same. In the second challenge section correct Item #2 mid paragraph: "We we cannot model..." Hope this is helpful to you. Have a great day.	Thank you for the catches.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 Say How It Is Hi Ed, I love your new song "Say How It Is". I am playing it over and over and over again until it is automatic. Soon I will be singing it in my sleep. LOL. I had my earphones on humming and snapping my fingers to it while shopping last night. The message is so simple in the title. What a more honest world when we communicate in the now moment and say how we really feel. Thank you for your continuing inspiration and example "Stealth Master".	Thank you for your support.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 Wants Lyrics of "Say How It Is" Ed, May you put the lyrics of the new song "Say How It Is" on the site as you did for the "Whipsaw song"? I read English well, but I usually understand about 80% of what an English speaker speaks to me. Now, I act in the ever evolving moment of now to decrease the delta.	You might consider having someone who speaks native English explain the lyrics to you. Toast can be a metaphor. Clip: http://www.eyetricks.com/ stereograms/toast.jpg
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 Some AHA's Dear Ed, I [have] a spread sheet of my progress report. I complete FAQ 2003 to date and I have several "AHA"s. A Tribe is essential to TTP processes. There is no active Tribe in [State] and surrounding states. I commit to start one. Secondly, An essential process in TTP is receiving. I practice receiving in my ET, social circles and business. The results are gratifying. Thirdly, to find out what may work in the markets, back test ideas, optimize and simulate. Fourthly, I gain new insights every time I repeat reading FAQs. Lastly, I gain more by focusing on one thing at a time. I read the FAQs exclusively this past few weeks and I am able to finish it and gain clarity about TT, TTP and my self.	OK.
Monday, July 6, 2009 Process Report Ed, Thank you for your ongoing support in my big wave journey. Below I show my process. Developments: Now working directly with my mentor learning his trading systems and his style of trading (long/short equity fund manager) Currently managing one of my mentor's smaller accounts, where I can test my trading systems to see what systems are working best Working to automate my trading processes and screening processes for positions (I have now built a few screener systems, based on technicals which I can very quickly run). Began reading the book "The Saint, the Surfer, and the CEO" by Robin Sharma - very interesting book about life and really enjoying it. I spend considerable time setting up accounts with Interactive Brokers and learning how to use the platform more efficiently. Originally, I do not enjoy using the platform, but now begin to like it. I feel it may be the most efficient platform for managing a small fund as IB can do all of the back office work associated with the fund (does anyone else use this?? seems like a good way to operate a small fund to minimize expenses). I intend to operate my fund from [City], as I would like to have greater exposure to [Country]. Currently testing a few systems which only use buy signals and then trailing stops to exit positions only versus methods which buy and sell using a system with less use of stops. Issues: I spend time working with TBlox (although not as much as I should) and get frustrated by how slow the optimization process is. I then revert back to coding my own systems so I can optimize faster. I realize TBlox can be a useful tool, but must decide how I will narrow my system design - do I / do I not waste time with TBlox. I still do not have an accurate log to track my process. I spend the majority of my time working on my Big Wave and have difficultly splitting work into meaningful buckets for labeling. I feel I must clearly define these buckets and think about them so I am not wasting time in non-productive areas. I am considering different fee structures to keep things as simple as possible. With the use of a high watermark, I consider using something like x% of assets under management and x% of monthly profits versus annual profits (not sure if others use this strategy??) I feel it will keep a stronger focus on reducing drawdowns and trading smaller when down to fight back to profitability.	Thank you for sharing your process.
Monday, July 6, 2009 Typo in iThink Milk Model Ed, I noticed a "typo" in the "Verify the Model" section of the new iThink MGG model. In the table in this section, it lists the Transfer Function of the Steady Fill Policy as "65/4 = 8.125." It may be more accurate as "32.5/4 = 8.125." Thank you for all the information and education.	Thank you for the catch.
Monday, July 6, 2009 TSP SYS-EA to the Penny Hello Ed, Results: I complete the SYS-EA TSP exercise with results accurate to the penny at 150 / 15 and 325 / 85. The optimum Bliss (frequency) for the system occurs with parameter values of 325 / 85. Comments: I find that the Benchmark graph online uses 15% CAGR. The instructions say: “For visual comparison, the system also sketches a curve of the initial equity growing at a compound annual growth rate of 10% per year.” Am I in error using 15% to attempt to match your results? My results have two problems. 1) the 15% growth result is $107.74 greater than yours and 2) both of my IGR calculations differ from yours in the 3rd decimil place. I cannot tell whether these are Excel or computer rounding errors, or formula errors on my part, so I welcome your feedback on that matter. Thank you very much for building these TSP exercises. Solving this SYS-EA problem is a very instructive activity. Now I go back to Trading Blox to see if I can get it to deliver an exact solution, and on to the Support / Resistance exercise as well. After that I attack this in C#, my ultimate system development platform goal.	You might check to see if you are using single-precision or double-precision variables in your computations.
Monday, July 6, 2009 Tribe Meeting Report Ed, I report about a curious meeting. Well, most of the meetings in our group are curious - Here we go. We are two participants, (A) and me. (A) takes the hot seat first. He mentions that he has several issues he wants to work on. His first issue is "people calling me with a nickname which I don't like". I tell him that I do not understand what the real problem is, maybe people are just expressing their affection. However, he doesn't like the nickname. He turns more and more emotional. After some trying, I find out that the real problem is people exerting their power on him and he being powerless against people. I ask him to show me the form which he relates to the issue. I help him to increase the form, which consists of shaking his body and kicking the armchair with his head. I accept him and enjoy him being the way he is; I encourage him to increase the feeling / the form until he likes it. He mentions that he feels like achieving something important by "cracking" the feeling, however he does not mention an "Aha". He then works on a physical problem: clenching his teeth while sleeping. He does not associate the problem with a feeling. I suggest that the feeling that he does not want to experience is "not clenching my teeth while I sleep" and hence suggest him to show me the feeling of not being able to clench his teeth. He starts moving this mouth and his skin with more and more energy, until he explodes in a burst of laughter. We both realize that maybe the two actions, to clench his teeth and increase it or not to allow him to clench his teeth, both likely lead to the same form. I learn that maybe it is not necessary to find out the exact issue, for Fred uses the body to express whichever emotion he needs to show in any way he finds. I am next on the hot seat. For several days I feel that I am close to a breakout and that I have to experience a very important and deep feeling. I bring the issues "my wife cannot give me what I need" and "I accept people the way they are /I do not exert control on them". Somehow I feel that both issues are related. I sit down on the floor and start rocking my body with more and more energy while (A) encourages me to feel the feeling. I go deeper and deeper in the form. During the process we frequently see images of our childhood. I have previously reported experiencing a situation which is not related to me, but maybe it is archetypical or something I have seen. However, the experience is very real (Saturday, March 21, 2009; TTP and Breathwork). This happens again: I see a Buddha-like figure in front of me and feel that I am confronted with something very deep and majestic. As I face something so much bigger than me, which is timeless and beyond my experience, I feel horrified. I realize that the feeling is "fear of completely giving up myself" and "fully accept the others, the way they are and what they have to offer". I open my eyes. (A) says "something strange is going on, I cannot concentrate and I feel as if I were in the process myself". The same thing happened to me once before: as a process manager I could not concentrate during a hot seat. We were working on "greed" and I realized that greed, to me, was a bad feeling, because I was taught to share. I then asked a receiver to switch places with me. He managed the process successfully. At its end, I realized that greed is an important feeling, because you only can share what you own: the more you own, the more you can share. The problem is not greed but, what to do with the stuff. To me, it's obvious that (A) cannot support me because he's not ready with the issue "I completely give up myself". Who is, in fact? I tell (A), very calmly, that he can rest while I finish my own issue and after that I am going to help him. I increase the form until I enjoy the fear of completely giving up myself. I then re-start the (A) process. But this time I am a different person. I fully accept him and do not need to suggest him to increase his feeling or the form: I just tell him to be spontaneous, to allow to be himself. I almost do not encourage him, I do not push him, but he gets so intense that he almost explodes. I say maybe five or six sentences, in a completely calm and soft voice. It is the most weird process management I've ever done. I observe him pushing the air with both hands in deep distress and realize that he is experiencing "fear", fear to accept the feeling. I tell him "poor boy, you are just afraid of feeling a feeling, it is like resisting your heart pumping or your stomach digesting. Fear is okay, resist the feeling if you want, but maybe you can try to see how it feels to experience the feeling ". I am so relaxed, so calmed - (A) increases the form until he enjoys this feeling, a feeling that he cannot define. After the process, (A) mentions that he was not aware of experiencing fear and even did not believe me as I said it, but after some moments he realizes that he is actually feeling "fear". To me, it was obvious, but not to him. As we check out, we both concede that our hot seats are digging deeper and deeper, while they are more and more calm. I realize that my way of managing process has radically changed in the last weeks. I suggest that TTP allows to reach extremely deep contents, if the person on the hot seat is willing to accept the feelings.	Thank you for sharing your process. People Who Go It Alone may feel that others cannot support them. Clip: http://images.paraorkut.com/ img/pics/images/a/alone-13004.jpg
Monday, July 6, 2009 Exploding Hello Ed, Thursday I visited the [City] tribe as a pollinator and had a very expansive hotseat. The tribe leader invited me to report on my experience, and I do that now. My hotseat was about a theme that emerged in me immediately upon sitting on the floor of the meeting space. I identified it as fear of “exploding”. I was feeling a tightness in my abdomen, and the moment I tuned into it, moving my hands to that region of my body, I felt heat and a dark heaviness expand from the center of my navel and spread quickly outwards into my limbs. My throat then constricted and I think I started making noise from there, feeling a struggle internally over the darkness and heat spreading so rapidly. My mind left the equation altogether, so recalling what actually physically happened in detail is not possible. I remember snatches of forms; know there were a series of them. I moved around a lot, and made a lot of noise. Each time I would reach an apex or wave of outward expression, the tribe members would tell me I was doing well, and hold the space for me to gather myself, then encourage me to go deeper – or to integrate. I kept going deeper for a while, and then went into putting the numerous forms together, until I reached a big warm no-mind space that was basically my body telling me there were no energy reserves left. As I lay there on the floor focusing on pulling air into my lungs, with my eyes closed, I felt a stunning expansiveness spread through me - I felt my awareness spread beyond my body and began sensing the presence of each of the tribe members in their spots on the floor. I felt the awareness of there being no separation between myself and them, as if the edges between my body and theirs did not exist (the containers being an illusion), and I felt a smile spread across my face and felt tears come to my eyes. I remember saying something like “how could I not want to share this with others?”. I had a strong desire, after some seconds or perhaps minutes, to sit up and position myself so that I could look into each of my receivers’ eyes. I wanted to acknowledge them for sharing that space with me, for doing me such honor to support me in going to that space and find myself in it. I wanted to somehow transmit that spaciousness by looking into their eyes. I wanted to communicate with no words – words felt so limiting just then (but I spoke anyway, I think…). I wanted them to know how much I appreciated their gift of presence. I’m not sure I did that at all. In check out, I spoke about what the “exploding” theme had meant since I dived right into it on the hotseat without talking much at all. The fear of exploding is associated with a mental habit I have of over-analyzing and thinking too much, in successive layers that tend to spiral in a negative vortex and make me feel as if I’m drowning myself or overwhelming any effective motion towards my goals and desires. The specific goal that placed me in the presence of this tribe as a visiting pollinator is outlined in the next paragraphs. After meeting you in early 2005, I began formulating the concept of creating a nonprofit organization to disseminate a generic “brand” identity for TTP so that a much larger portion of the population might be reached and educated about the process and its potential catalytic power. When I told you about my desire to do so, you said you were fine with it as long as I didn’t call it TTP. On another occasion that we spoke of my creating the nonprofit, you joked about curing me of my “poverty mentality”, and we had a lively discussion about that with another tribe member. I have had many internal issues to clear out through tribe and other processes, to activate my readiness for leading this nonprofit organization. I am happy to report that here I am, years later, activating around my snapshot for this nonprofit organization. I am on a cross-country road trip to participate in as many active tribes as will have me as a pollinator, and to gather information from any current or former tribe members who wish to tell me about how doing TTP has impacted their lives. I am writing a book that will include this information, along with an array of information to persuade and educate readers about our society’s current patterns with emotional suppression and how humans could benefit from a radical transformation of these long-standing dysfunctional patterns. This most recent hotseat has supported me in anchoring my goal in a satisfyingly tangible way. I am extremely grateful to the tribe for allowing me into their session and supporting me through a very effective hotseat. I am continually grateful to you, Ed, as well - for your generous spirit, and for your sharing of this “hobby that took over your life”. Thank you. In the next email I send my request and intentions for joining the IVTT on my journey across the country.	Thank you for sharing your process. If you are thinking to purvey a brand of therapy or personal growth experience, you might consider taking you feelings about <showing a profit> to Tribe. While you are free to use and modify and re-name TTP processes, you may not conduct your business in such a way that indicates you are delivering TTP or that you imply any kind of endorsement from me or from the Trading Tribe. Making a Profit is consistent with delivering service. Clip: http://www.mansfield- charts.com/Images/profit.gif
Monday, July 6, 2009 EcoNowMics Feedback Thanks Ed for the update. This material is great! I spend 3 hours last night going through the milk model and intend to spend more time this week. If I can think of any other ideas, I will surely email you!	Thank you for your support.
Monday, July 6, 2009 How It Is Song Ed, I enjoyed your new song. Good job.	Thank you for your support.
Monday, July 6, 2009 FAQ Error Hi Batman & Ed, I notice that the <title> on FAQ page for July 1 - 10, 2009 reads "June 21 - 30".	Thank you for the catch.
Monday, July 6, 2009 Wants a Static Index Column Hi Ed, I have two comments. 1) The new milk model game clarifies a lot. I usually have trouble understanding abstract text, but once I do the game, I know exactly what you mean with level, optimal policy, rate, bliss function, etc. 2) I have trouble seeing the structure and organization of EcoNowMics. I miss some sort of static contents index in the left column with a link for each item, like a run-of-the-mill website. Seeing the structure as per a static index column makes it easier for me to understand the meaning of specific text while I am reading it.	Thank you for your suggestions.
Monday, July 6, 2009 Send - Receive Dear Ed, Would this be considered Control based Sending / Receiving? Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=7YwLQSTo_ow&feature=related This seems to be very close to my father’s form of communication when I was growing up. I ask if I can go out on Friday night, that is the essence of the dialogue that follows about going out or any “request” that involves permission. That is definitely the stare / silence. This has been his basic form of communication as long as I can remember to myself and other family members. On June 23, 2009 I share on FAQ: I notice these videos (one on FAQ) I think about anger and expressing anger. (the video of the guy bashing the computer monitor). I notice I feel numb, somewhat, in that I suppress a lot of anger or medicate the anger. I wonder if I, in my current state would have attended the Boston Tea Party or been aware I was getting screwed by King George? My favorite all time movie and character is William Wallace in Braveheart - to me, I relate with this character as he is both sensitive but very focused and brave. I feel I want that balance and utilize "righteous anger" when appropriate. "Righteous anger" meaning anger that is appropriate in the face of injustice or to protect myself, my family or country. Ed says: “You might consider taking your feelings about <anger> and <insurgency> to Tribe.” I still feel confused about anger and how to respond. Growing up I feel, because of all the “religious” ideas I grew up around that I was basically taught that anger was wrong and I do not recall ever being allowed the freedom to express that emotion in a very constructive sense. As I suffered some abuse in childhood I recall that anger was suppressed until it reached a boiling point then once it was out, it was all out. If I was picked on in school I would ignore it, take the abuse until I could no longer avoid it and felt pushed into a corner - seems this is related to the “last minute” process. Questioning authority was not allowed. I feel now that I may extend good will too often and I somehow do not feel it when I am being manipulated or used, and if I do recognize that I tend to hold it in rather than perhaps saying “NO”. I see the same transaction now if I am in a relationship with someone who is committed to some type of control or abuse centric methodology. They may at first say “oh, I am just here to help” or “I am doing this to help you” or “I love you” but they are really just hiding behind a mask ready to reinitiate “the game” of “fighting” or “guilt trip”, etc. if I receive them - so why would I put a snake in my pocket? I feel angry when someone does not keep their word and “breaks promises”. In my rocks process I receive the technology to respond in many ways to “abusive situations” I am learning what is worth confronting and what is not. I want to stay in the NOW, stay direct, receive but also “cut my losses” when I need too I have feelings about insurgency. My feelings are to respect and follow the governing authorities unless the established authority reverts to severe abuse of power that would be considered a universal violation of basic justice and even then to work through the system that is in place to remedy the situation if an isolated abuse takes place for instance, in Braveheart a law that dictates that any marriage must be consummated by a English Lord clearly violates a higher law. I am sure imperfect decisions of a father cause “gaps” that provide a reason for a child to resent a father. I see that in my own children and I see progress in closing these gaps. Insurgencies, according to Eizenstat et al. grow out of "gaps".[34] To be viable, a state must be able to close three "gaps", of which the first is most important: 1) security: protection "against internal and external threats, and preserving sovereignty over territory. If a government cannot ensure security, rebellious armed groups or criminal non-state actors may use violence to exploit this security gap—as in Haiti , Nepal , and Somalia ." 2) capacity: The most basic are the survival needs of water, electrical power, food and public health, closely followed by education, communications and a working economic system.[35] "An inability to do so creates a capacity gap, which can lead to a loss of public confidence and then perhaps political upheaval. In most environments, a capacity gap coexists with—or even grows out of—a security gap. In Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo , for example, segments of the population are cut off from their governments because of endemic insecurity. And in post conflict Iraq , critical capacity gaps exist despite the country’s relative wealth and strategic importance."[36] 3) legitimacy: closing the legitimacy gap is more than an incantation of "democracy" and "elections", but a government that is perceived to exist by the consent of the governed, has minimal corruption, and has a working law enforcement and judicial system that enforce human rights.	Thank you for sharing your process. You might consider taking your feelings about <avoiding feelings by analyzing things> to Tribe.
Monday, July 6, 2009 Positive and Negative Ed, From Key lesson 1 of ithink Milk Model, it says "A negative feedback loop acts to decrease the delta whereas a positive feedback loop acts to increase the delta". Does it mean that if I want to lose weight I use a negative feedback loop; and if I want to increase my trading account, I use a positive feedback loop? Please could you explain the importance of the negativity or the positivity of the feedback loop.	The "importance" of something has to do with how you view it. You might consider taking your feelings about <what matters to you> to Tribe.
Monday, July 6, 2009 Hard Work Dear Chief, Thank you for sharing your progress. I sense that you are working hard with the website and the TT. I love the new music. You are inspiring me.	Thank you for your support.
Monday, July 6, 2009 Losing It / Being Spontaneous Dear Support Team, First of all thank you for your ongoing support. Schedule & Measurement Report 1) Spend 10 hrs per 2 weeks on meeting & talking to strangers, or talking to people I usually only email. Report: I spend 3 hours and 30 minutes during the past 2 weeks on social events in order to meet people, and I actually talk to strangers for another 1 hour and 36 minutes. 2) Have 14 occasions per 2 weeks of starting a conversation with strangers, or with vaguely familiar people, or being brushed off, told off, or rejected Report: I actually have 13 such occasions, mainly by talking to people in the neighborhood. I also have my first lesson with a personal voice coach. Feelings Report My confidence is currently at an all-time high. Especially women seem to notice this and act either very shy or very friendly. My girlfriend does not notice my change consciously. When I ask her whether she notices a difference she says no. However, she behaves differently, by expressing her love and dedication much more frequently than she used to, as if she fears losing me. In our relationship she now behaves much more like a passenger than a driver or co-pilot. Despite this progress in confidence, I experience disappointment for not being able to achieve my Big Wave (Big Wave = The confidence to be spontaneous). It seems that I make the wrong assumption, namely that I can increase spontaneity and courage to express myself by increasing confidence. It looks like the correlation between the two is ZERO. My aim for spontaneity is in fact part of a broad push to regain my creativity; verbal creativity (i.e. sense of humor), artistic creativity, and business creativity. Until age 13 I am very creative, but during puberty I lose it. I have a strong sense that I can still be very successful and very motivated in life if I regain my creativity. But merely being very confident is not going to do the trick. As a result I deem my current Schedule & Measurement Report (as above) no longer relevant for achieving my Big Wave and I stop reporting it in its current form. I am going to take my issue to Tribe and see if I can re-define my Big Wave, and maybe come up with a new way to schedule & measure it.	Thank you for sharing your process. You might consider taking your feelings about <losing it> to Tribe. Losing It is another name for being spontaneous. Clip: http://ephemerist.files.wordpress.com /2008/12/karaoke.jpg
Monday, July 6, 2009 Relationship With Wife Evolves see previous Dear Ed, I report on my Big Wave while I listen to the Chaconne from the Partita for Violin #2 by Bach. It reflects my mood. The past week was beautiful. I see how joyful, how richening, how satisfying the relationship with my wife can be. On Sunday, she says “Don´t expect it to last, as soon as I am again stressed by my work it will be different”. On Friday I have several long conversations with my wife about what we both expect from our life and from our marriage. I observe that I have concrete ideas about what we would do, the time we would spend together and with the children and how we would interact. I could yield a description of a day which I enjoy, including all its activities. For her, it is rather a global idea ("to have a harmonic, nice relationship"), but she has no concept about how it should look like in the reality. I tell her "I don't know what you would like to do in (this and that) aspect". I find out that our ideas are quite different. She is plainly not interested in things that to me are essential and richening in a partnership. I tell her that all of these years I had an idea about "normality" and tried to change her, and that this time I just accept her views and her needs. At the same time, however, I see that they are different from mine. She tells me that at night (about 8 PM) she is usually exhausted, and just wants to go to bed. She mentions many “obligations”, which must be fulfilled before she can do joyful things. For me, most of these “obligations” are menial house chores, which are mostly superfluous or delegable. I remember that I offered my help many times, and she refused to accept it. I offered hiring a gardener and a maid, and she refused to do it. She rejects to hire a babysitter to allow us to go out. She prefers to do everything by herself. I wonder if for her it is better to be exhausted and overwhelmed than to spend her time with me. It seems to be the case. On Friday we talk for more than 2 hours. The conversation is painful to me. Several times she tries to stand up and leave. I [remind] her that we committed to try to resolve our problems. I remember [that I am] always the one who tries to resolve a problem, who starts the conversations. But maybe it is only my problem, and she is perfectly happy with herself and with the way we live. However, I would like to have many things that I do not get from her. I ask her what she would do in my place. She mentions "You can reduce your expectations". OK. Another possibility? "Look for another woman". OK. A third possibility? "No". OK. I tell her that I want to support her, to help her, to grow with her, to share our problems and needs. That makes me a man, her husband, and not just a guy, a silly child looking for someone fulfilling her needs. I would like to know how she imagines her role in our relationship. I am very sincere in what I am saying. She mentions that she is too tired to carry on and goes to sleep. On Saturday I talk with a friend and a lady friend. My friend advises me to take a room in a hotel for some weeks and let her see what she wants from me and from life. My lady friend yields two opinions which to me seem contradictory. First, she says “Maybe you are too tolerant with her”. And after that “I think that it is understandable: having a job and three children, she is just overwhelmed and exhausted”. I commit not to be her fourth child and not to put expectations on her. She can give me what she has to give, and I accept it without asking for more. On Sunday evening we have a very long talk again. My wife says that she feels that we are talking in circles, that I am repeating always the same. I don't think so. She mentions “this weird Seykota stuff” and “it is all too complicated to me” (her IQ is 142). I ask her about her impressions in the last weeks and months. She tells me that she feels much better, but she feels that I do not, that sometimes I also feel really bad. I ask her how it comes that she feels much better. She answers that I am taking care of her, that I take [care] of her feelings, that I listen to her, that she feels supported. I ask her how it can be that I do not feel better. She has tears in her eyes. She says that some years ago she would have been open to change, to share her feelings and to accept mine, but now, she does not know. She asks me to leave her alone. I do. At this point, I sincerely don't know how our marriage should "work" if we both have different expectations and needs. I don't know if "a working marriage" will mean a frustrated person and an overwhelmed person living together and yielding each other with feelings they do not want to experience. To me, this does not mean "I am not working on it anymore": I just let the process evolve, while I give my wife and children all my support to be themselves. I enter the third week after my visit to IV. I remember Ed guessing that after about three weeks I would see a substantial change in the communication with my wife. His forecasts regarding me and my relationships have always been very precise. I keep on working on myself. I thank you for your support.	Thank you for sharing your process.
Sunday, July 5, 2009 Say How it Is ... (See Music Link, Above) Dear Chief Ed, Just can't stop listening to it ! Every time you say how it is, that's the way it's going to be for you. WOW !!! Thank you for all the inspiration and positivity that is now central to our lives.	Thank you for your support.
Sunday, July 5, 2009 Having the DT's Ed, I read your piece. Very interesting.... But can get quite complicated. One thing I did not understand in the equation (and you have not defined it) was "dt".	Thank you for the feedback. You are helping to steer the project. The article now has further explanation of DT and its relationship to the moment of now.
Sunday, July 5, 2009 Wants to Manage Money see previous Dear Ed, I have received a letter of proof from IG-Index plc and I have posted it off to your PO Box. I am still awaiting a response to my emails of July 30th June and 1st of July. Considering the time I have spent on preparing this information, it is courteous to give a response even if your intention is not to proceed.	Thank you for your kind offer. At this point, your "system" does not seem to fit in with my portfolio. Rejection can be a win. Clip: http://tickledbylife.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/rejection.gif
Saturday, July 4, 2009 Likes to Blow Up Beaver Dams Dear Ed, Here are some Fireworks: Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=sl7gkBrmIOs Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=gx_LzC51LCY&feature=related These shots of blowing dams is similar to what I have done with big beaver dams. I remember we discussed briefly about beavers and the damage they can produce at tribe. It is interesting what changing the water level does in a normally flourishing forest. Changing the level changes the environment dramatically. Seems inflation has the same effect on the financial environment leaving everything fairly desolate until the level is adjusted - usually the big trees may survive but the little ones go under. Happy Independence Day everyone.	I wonder if your definition of the "environment" includes beavers and their work - or - if you view beavers as entities outside the environment, changing it in a way you don't like.
Saturday, July 4, 2009 SF Exploratorium Levitator Ed, I observe a so-called Bernoulli Levitator at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. It is really neat how the disk is suspended by the radial expansion of air. I am looking for the manager to suggest to them they change the name of the exhibit!!	In my conversation with the curator of the SF Exploratorium, he informs me that he, too, is uncomfortable with the explanation and that he does not wish to engage the political process necessary to make such a radical change in the exhibit.
Saturday, July 4, 2009 Comments of EcoNowMics Article Hi Ed, I greatly enjoy reading the EcoNowMics Model Building article. I read it completely once. I learn that I too have limited understanding of the same things with which you initially struggle. Your words increase my comprehension of key System Dynamics principles. I commit to reread the article and other work and to develop my version of the Milk Model and others on EcoNowMics until my understanding feels complete. Your format using SVO-p combined with Key Lessons, instructive and clear graphics, and a concise summary makes for very easy comprehension. I find your process very instructive as a didactic method – 1) attempt to solve a problem, 2) recognize mental roadblocks, 3) get instructive feedback from a mentor (teacher), 4) solve it yourself and 5) share the experience. Note that “didactics” include an “entertaining” element. You succeed there too. I check the spelling, grammar and phrasing of your work. Excellent overall. One sentence appears to be incomplete or mis-phrased. You may want to consider rewriting it. “I also mention that the characteristic behavior of negative feedback systems as either asymptotic growth or exponential decay towards a target.” Thank you for sharing your process!	Thank you for your feedback. I am passing your comments along to the author.
Saturday, July 4, 2009 "Might Consider" / "Should" Ed, In your meaning, what is your difference between "you might consider..." and "you should..."?? Where many people use "you should....", you always say "you might consider..."	"You might consider ..." encourages by invitation; it appears in the language of intimacy-centric relating. "You should ..." implies more of a requirement or demand; it appears in the language of control-centric relating. In TTP we offer suggestions and we test frequently for willingness. In the Control-Centric Model people "should" all over each other. Clip: http://thehamptons.files.wordpress.com /2007/06/pointing-men-referee.jpg
Friday, July 3, 2009 Chicago - A Photo Album Dear Ed, I thought you might like this: Clip: Chicago.pps (Slide Show)	Thank you for the photos. The Chicago Board of Trade is one place at which people still set a price according to free and open outcry (although some of the crying transmits through electronic media).
Thursday, July 2, 2009 Working Through Father Issues Hi Ed, I receive an email from my father bashing and blaming me for all that is wrong in the world it seems. I recognize it as his way of initiating “fighting”. He periodically sends a letter, fax or email to one or another family member listing everything wrong with them and blaming them for some reason. I feel the pain of the words and it brings back memories of an abusive childhood, of verbal and physical abuse. I initially feel the urge to respond and to defend myself or let him know a few of his faults. I write this out in an email, expressing my feelings and bringing clarity on the childhood I endured and also for the dishonesty he shares in his rendition of reality. The rock kicks in after the initial rush of adrenaline, I send back; "Thank you for sharing your feelings about this. What else are you feeling now?" It comes to me after this about the Breathwork and the issue I want to bring is about “quitting, giving up, dying / suicide” that I become extremely anxious if there is a possibility of making an error. My father made sure every job is done right and to perfection. I still fear making a mistake. When I noticed the sprinkler that was damaged at your home, which I obviously bumped with the aerator, my immediate response was of fear. It was after five that evening or I was planning to go to the local stores and find some parts to make the repair myself. I notice and observe your response is one of curiosity about correcting the problem and not attaching blame. When I was younger I reacted differently than now with my own children. Usually getting upset and angry when a mistake was made or something was broken. It feels like a prison trying to live up to this inner standard of perfection. I work on my new home with my sons recently and mistakes are made, but I notice since attending IVTT that I am very patient and we work through the mistakes in a curious fashion and learn from the process. I find myself feeling very sad tonight about a lost relationship with my father; a relationship that never was, but was longed for. My son, who has had a lot of problems with addiction, drops by to see me out of nowhere. We talk, he wants a hug. He seems to be getting better little by little which I am thankful for. Thank you Ed and tribe members for your support, love and acceptance.	Thank you for sharing your process. Receiving Anger Without Judging it ... ... can Help Transform the Relationship Clips: http://img.thisismoney.co.uk/i/ pix/2008/11/fatherson_203x150.jpg http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/ upload/news/080608_p16_crossing.jpg
Thursday, July 2, 2009 Intending to Complete Dear Ed, Ed says: on May 2…You might consider getting up to speed with the System Dynamics Work (build a pendulum model), Defining a "Big Wave" and demonstrating willingness to hop on the hot seat. I have the intention of completing both of the other remaining items - my “Big Wave” is still evolving some from my experience at IVTT and I will complete the model and description shortly also.	Thank you for sharing your process.
Thursday, July 2, 2009 FAQ Error Fri, 7 Oct 2005 Dear Ed, The "20 day" Lag of ATR uses a Time Constant of (n + 1)/2 = 11.5 days. I get (20 + 1) / 2 = 10.5.	Thank you for the catch.
Thursday, July 2, 2009 New Band Hi Ed, One immediate, tangible result during the most recent IVTT series is creating a new band. Though we rehearse only a few times, the band members are very committed, and are already making magic. I get what I want!	Thank you for sharing your process. You might consider sending one of your originals to FAQ for the Music page.
Thursday, July 2, 2009 Wants a Knowledge Pass Dear Ed, I'm trading Forex market for almost two years now. I'm 28 years old, and would like to trade for a living. Many things I learned about market till now, but it seems like something is still missing, and therefore I would like you to be my mentor and to pass your knowledge and experiences to me. I am ready to repay you in whichever way you wish, as I strongly want to succeed in this business.	You might consider starting by reading through the FAQ - and working through the exercises on the the TSP and the EcoNowMics pages. A Receiver who is ready, willing and able helps to complete the pass. Clip: http://factoidz.com/wp-content/themes/gabtheme/images/how-to-make-a-one-handed-football-catch.jpg
Thursday, July 2, 2009 Wants Vendor Names Hello Ed, I am a new trader eager to try a trading system. But what software do you use to write it? And were do you get the data feeds to test your models on?	FAQ does not endorse people or commercial products. -FAQ Ground Rules See Ground Rules link, above.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 We Are the World - Song - Many Famous Musicians Dear Ed, I thought you might like this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=WmxT21uFRwM&eurl=http% 3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ecare2%2 Ecom%2Fc2c%2Fgroups%2Fdisc %2Ehtml%3Fgpp%3D15678% 26pst%3D1291752&feature= player_embedded	Thank you for the link.
Thursday, July 2, 2009 Including the Wife Hi Ed, FAQ Sat. June 6th 2009 – “Hesitates to tell his wife”, Ed says; - I wonder if you are willing to include your wife on your journey. - TTP Can Assist You In Moving from control-centric relating to intimacy-centric relating I find the reply confronting and annoying. My solution is to say, “oh, to hell with it all, this is just too hard, why should I even bother” and “Who cares about IV tribe anyway” I purposely delay answering this FAQ reply because (really) I don’t know how to respond. I don’t want to explore the reasons why I don’t want to respond. However, your reply stays in my mind and refuses to leave until I address it. This is what I shall now attempt to do. . . 4 weeks later! I marry a woman who is dependent on me. If the equation Intention=Results holds true, then this is my intention and I get the result that I want (i.e. to have someone dependant on me). So how do I motivate her to be dependant? In other words, what actions do I take and what signals do I send out that make her dependant? - I sometimes don’t let her do what she wants if I think it’s not appropriate. - I don’t tell her about my interests in TTP/IV (i.e. ‘she wouldn’t understand’) - I get angry if she does something that I think is stupid. - I ‘advise’ her on what study course is best for her. - I veto her ideas of starting her own business with various excuses (i.e. too risky, too expensive, you don’t know how, wrong timing, it’s a recession etc.) - I don’t allow her to participate in our financial planning (i.e. it’s too hard for you to understand). - I remind her that I know best on how to get things done. - (and this is the crazy one) I keep telling her to stop being dependant. “Show some independence [expletive], but when it is shown I stomp all over it. I don’t want to give the impression that she is some kind of docile little puppy, because she is not and more often than not she tells me to F--- Off!, but that does not stop me from trying (very hard) to impose my will on her. This is exactly how my father was with my Mother and his children. Father knows best, END OF STORY!! Now writing these thoughts down I am confronted with the following question; “Why would I want someone to be dependent on me?” My answer is so that I can be in control, so that I can give the orders, so I can be the King! I like being in control. I like things being done my way, the ‘right’ way. Strangely enough, even though I acknowledge that I am a control freak, I still honestly believe my intentions are good. I convince myself that what I do is for the greater good of all. (i.e. the benevolent dictator - not unlike Stalin, Pol Pot, Mao, Hitler, FDR etc - all had ‘good’ intentions I’m sure). In closing, I will also mention that my mother lives with us due to her having dementia. She is more or less dependent on me for her daily care. Sure she could go to an aged care facility, but I prefer her to be with us. Obviously some of this is genuine concern with the level of ‘care’ in aged care but some of it may have to do with Intention=Results, namely to have someone dependant on me so I can take control, once again. Family members that don’t conform to this model usually experience friction and tension with me. This may be a reason why our daughter left home a few years back and may explain our strained relationship. She simply would not do as she was told! Once again, Father knows best. Repeating from Ed’s reply above “TTP Can Assist You In Moving from control-centric relating to intimacy-centric relating” Yes of course, and intellectually I understand this, but I seem to have a vested interest in Control and this is what makes it difficult for me.	Thank you for sharing your process. TTP provides tools for moving from control-centric living to intimacy-centric living. TTP does not recommend one over the other. People in Control-Centric Relationships intend to be there. Clip: http://www.sawf.org/Newedit/ edit12172007/argument.jpg
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 TTP at Home Hi Ed, On page 49 of TT there is an example of "TTP Solves Software problem". In that example only 2 people are involved. I don't have a tribe in Melbourne and the book says that you need a tribe to go through the TTP. Are 2 people enough for a tribe ?	In this case, the father (a Workshop participant and an IV-TT member) is at home, receiving the son's block about how to operate some software. The block disappears and the son then quickly finds the answer to the software problem. As People Integrate TTP it disappears as a conscious act and emerges in the process of life itself. Clip: http://www.dyslexia-parent.com/boy_learning.jpg
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 EcoNowMics Evolves Ed, I love the evolution of the Milk Glass Game. I definitely prefer the name "Milk Glass Game" to "Milk Model". The first time you told me "See the Milk Model", was the 12th of May. The EcoNowMics were not yet on the site at that time. The EcoNowMics have been on the site about 2 days after if I'm right. I feel stupid, but I have to tell you that I went to Google to search "Milk Model" right away, thinking that Milk was a cousin of "Milt Friedman" or someone else. Then, the first days of the Milk Model were not that clear. There was no picture of milk pouring in the glass, no pictures of milk as now, so I did not understand anything the first time. Now, I feel and understand dynamic system and my presence as being an element of THE system wherever I am. Good evolution. About the Tracker, now I support my brother who is very fat. He has been trying to lose weight for 12 years and never succeeds. He has been looking for a "secret" system which brings him the highest gain as soon as possible, definitely much faster than the realistic time constant.. His last idea is to put a gastric band or gastric ring in his stomach. Your last sentence on the Tracker is "This is similar in structure and behavior to the "wedge" pattern in technical charting", can you explain more please? Than you Great teacher.	Thank you for sharing your process and for your suggestions. The EcoNowMics project is an on-going process.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 Vapor Cone Hi Ed, Thought you might be interested in this brief new item about the vapor cone around a supersonic boom: Clip: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ ivescience/20090630/sc_livescience/ whatsupersoniclookslike	Thank you for the link. I am currently designing an experiment to demonstrate a connection between the vapor cone and radial momentum. See the Levitator link, above. For more on model building, see the EcoNowMics link, above.