Tikno Viewpoint

In ancient Greece, Socrates was known to have great knowledge and was very honorable. One day, a woman met him and said, "Do you know what I just heard about your best friend?" "Wait a moment," Socrates answered; "Before you tell me anything, I will give you a simple test called the Triple Filter Test." The first filter is TRUTHFULNESS: "Are you sure that what you are going to tell me is true?". "No, actually, I JUST HEARD ISSUES about it," the woman replied. "Good," said Socrates. "So you're not sure it's true? Ok, now I'll give you the second filter." The second filter is GOODNESS: "Is what you are going to say about my friend something good?" "No, quite the opposite..." answered the woman. So, Socrates continues, "you will tell something bad about him, but you are not sure whether it is true. Well, you still have one more chance; there is still one more filter, namely the third...

I classify science into two: exact and non-exact science. I am sure you have known mathematical formulas to calculate area, volume, profit and loss in business, etc. This field is known as exact science which requires logical thinking. Beyond exact science such as philosophy, theology, social, politic, in my opinion there is no exact formula. Am I correct? Well, what if we make a mathematical formula to calculate the level of sincerity. Can it be? Let's try it. For this one I made the following illustration. I am aware that the hypothesis above has not yet been scientifically tested, therefore I allow the researchers to test it. For readers of this blog, please understand and prove it yourself from your own viewpoint. Perhaps you are imagining the formula above is a form of bill to calculate the expected result of your good deeds to God. Ohh... that is up to you because I am not forcing you to do that.

Have you ever loved or hated someone? One must be very pleasant, and the other must be very unpleasant. You definitely want the unpleasant ones to be thrown away or forgotten. But both still remain in your memory. Religious teaching or a motivator certainly will give advice to forget all the bad things. Maybe you consider it a normative suggestion. In philosophical viewpoint there are those who says that the difference of love and hate is very thin. Love can be hateful, and vice versa. Buddhist philosophy says that everything in the world is temporary. But I want to try from a scientific viewpoint to explain this philosophical view. Love and hate have in common, both equally was the unforgettable memories in our brain. But over time, both of them will gradually fade after we become senile, as the brain cells that save the memories of both love and hate will going death one by one. At this stage you already do not have a sense of love and hate anymore, maybe forget the name of your own ...

This is a special guest post. The grievances and notice from Mr. Money that share it in sorrow to readers. Please read carefully below: My name is Mr. Money (sometimes called Dough). My face is just plain, and my physical appearance is also weak, but I can overhaul the world order. I'm able to change the behavior of human nature because humans idolize me. For my sake, many people change their personalities, betray friends, sell their bodies, or even abandon their faith. That's not my command, note that! I really do not understand the difference between pious and depraved people, but humans using me as a benchmark, determine who is rich or poor, honorable or lowly. Blame it on humans, not me! I am not a devil, but I wonder why people often do abominations for my sake. So, I ask for justice, who is the real devil? I'm not the third person who makes them divorce or makes children and parent quarrel. I beg the judge to re-examine this case. It is very clear that I am not God. ...

Maybe this post can be used as a reflection of how you deal with logic and faith (unlogic). After that, let people know of what you think. Just see how you react to this post.If you're very religious people (almost fanatic) then I guess your reaction will be very different to those who think more logical in response to various occurrence in these universe or even to your daily life. Take an example on a plane crash. Logical approach would yield the answer that lead to "human error" or "engine failure" and then find ideas to fix it. Religious approach will yield the answer that lead to "God's will (fate)". Or... perhaps you are in between them which it called moderate. Can you compare or even combine the two of the flowchart above? If you can, then I will say you are being in best efforts. Why? Because... even sophisticated computer was run based on the combination of two signals namely positive and negative. What distinguishes human from robot is a...

What is Ph.D.? Yes I know it is a prestigious academic degree. Only that? Hmm... I think NO . It's hard to describe it in words. You better focus on the illustration below: And... the things that made me fall silent is what was said by Matt, below: "If you zoom in on the boundary of human knowledge in the direction of genetics, there's something just outside humanity's reach. My wife and I chose to start funding these graduate students after we learned that our son has a rare, fatal genetic disorder. It may be too late for my son, but it's not too late for other children. Even one child suffering is one child too many. The only way to end this kind of suffering is science. And, the best way to do science is through graduate students." What a beautiful thought that touched my heart. Note: This work was originally from The Illustrated Guide to a Ph.D. by Matt Might.

Indonesia will celebrates 65th Independence Day on August 17, 2010. Various events like game competition, ceremonial, decorations, and excitement happening on all over the country to welcome this special day, making the atmosphere felt more patriotic. I do not know why current atmosphere triggers my thought to ponder a simple question like this: "What is the meaning of independence?" This question is in the context of a country. It is also possible to reflect the meaning of independence for a country out there, not only for Indonesia. In popular sense, the meaning of independence is being free from colonialism. That sense was popular at the time of World War I and II, but for present century I tend to use a different approach. So to ponder the question, I take an example of a smallest entity of a state, namely a family. A family (assuming a father as the head of a family) can be said to have been independent if : Independent to give love, peace, and harmony equitably to a...

A story about enemy (an essay). When the fierce battle between two group of armies has ended, there's someone who still confused and then asking two question to each soldier on the both side: "Did you know anyone who you kill?" Then, each one on the two group answered NO. "Well, did all your victims on this battlefield ever make any mistake on you?" Again the answer is NO. So my question to readers of this blog : Who is your real enemy? A story about friend (true story). Long time ago I had a friend who was rich and charitable. I know he had a lot of friends when he still in good condition. But then he was often sickly and most of his wealth has depleted due to medical treatment. One day I met him at his house. I felt like he live lonely. Along with our talk, I suggest him to call his friends to gather together with the hope he will feel good after that. Did you know of his answer to me? He said: "I feels most of my friends just like stay in my memory. They...

The effect of global warming is like the effect of smoking. Both of them no immediately impact. The impact of smoking will slowly but certainly will reduce your quota to live. Maybe the impact of global warming / climate change will not immediately or directly affecting present generation but I believe it will inherit a huge disaster (like time-bomb) for the next generations, that is our own descendants. Human habit is likely not concern to (neglect) the matters that has no fatal impact immediately, like discard old batteries in the gutter, the use of bombs or potassium cyanide to catch fish, as well as drinking alcoholic beverage and smoking habits. If the effect of global warming has its direct impact immediately on human life, then I'm sure those cynical groups on this issue will come together with us. I'm aware that this post is just a small contribution to raise the awareness of global warming issue. I have inspired by Neil who already create a special page on his blog wi...

Brother Dasanrangarajan has very kind sharing a good contemplation through our discussion on Blogcatalog. I feel good after read it many times. I think, it's good if I share it here. I do not intend to bring you referring to a particular religion / belief, but only want to share the good things. Hopefully you will also feel good with the contemplation below: I asked Lord Krishna to do away with my vices. Krishna said: They are not there for me to take them away. They are there for you to resist them. I asked Lord Krishna to complete my body. Krishna said: Your spirit is complete, your body is only temporary. I asked Lord Krishna to give me patience. Krishna said: Patience is a byproduct (side products) of difficulties. It is not given but learned. I asked Lord Krishna to give me happiness. Krishna said: I give blessings. Happiness depends upon you. I asked Lord Krishna to free me of pain. Krishna said: Suffering makes you go far away from this world and brings you nearer to me. I ...

Why I write this post?? Because I see a lot of enmity actions, ugly debate, until the human tragedy that is the attack on the twin tower of World Trade Center (often referred to as WTC 9/11). Also flood disaster in China, India, United States, Indonesia and other countries. There were many horrifying incidents throughout the history of human life until today. What the wrong? Okay... okaaay, you can says that is the foolish question. Here, I write several happening which I worry about. According to you whether it is true of the cause and effect below: CAUSE -- EFFECT -- CAUSE Global warming. Cause: gas emissions of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). I ever heard a joke: Too many human cause human body also produces warm. Just feel in a room (3x4 M) with 1 person and with 20 person. Flood and landslide. Cause: cutting down the forest carelessly. Conflict, war, terrorism. Cause: egoism, claim on the truth. Pssst... I rarely heard the claim on the mistake (ha..ha..)....

Two days ago I experience a small accident on the road. A mother by taking her child by a motorcycle suddenly crash with my car. They fall beside of the car's tire, crying and shout out for help. Several people around us, including me, immediately help them. In fact the mother's wound was not serious, only a little scratch on arm and her child is fine. Her motorcycle has a little crack at splash guard part. Several people around ask me to be responsible (wow... though I am on the right side). They said, "Who bigger (car) should yield to the small (motorcycle)". Their intentions is who own the car should yield against who own the motorcycle. "What the crazy? Her motorcycle that hit my car, not me to her", I said with mumble in my heart. Here, I often found irrational opinion on several case of the road accident if crashes to an pedestrians. If you who drives the vehicle (car or motorcycle) then you who must be responsible anyway, even if you are true. But... ...

This is the proverb about money that I like the most. With MONEY we can buy a house, BUT NOT home-sweet-home. With MONEY we can buy a clock, BUT NOT time. With MONEY we can buy a bed, BUT NOT sleep-well. With MONEY we can buy books, BUT NOT knowledge. With MONEY we can buy good hospitalization, BUT NOT health. With MONEY we can buy a position, BUT NOT respect. With MONEY we can buy blood, BUT NOT life. With MONEY we can buy sex, BUT NOT love. I received this proverb by mail from my friend Steven. As a workaholic, I begin to wonder if money is something superior in this capitalist era, where many people are deifying money. This is in line to the saying: "money is the king". If you have read it word by word, then it is possible that this proverb has inspired you. Indeed, life needs money, but I think life more need the love of people around us especially family. Perhaps you also know many rich people whose life feel empty. Easy example of a couple who do not have children.