Big Tony

For those who are familiar with mayer-briggs, and Jung Typology.

The word intuition should be a description of type of brain function. The ability to consider multiple variable and come up with a summarizing conclusion rather than focus on individual aspects and the finite details of each variable.

Some say it is more instinct than pre-thought and quick brain process, others believe that it is the work of the 18K synopsis firing in our brains other than the 2K synopsis of forebrain/ front cerebral firing that is usually considered conscious thought. Inversely, unconscious thinking process that come up with conclusion and injects into the forebrain or human consciousness is considered intution.

Blink is a look into how this may work, and the best way to make quicker and accurate seemingly instinctive decisions.

I have yet to read the book, however I can see how Hicks law would play into this.

Hick’s law states that response times (RTs) increase in proportion to the logarithm of the number of potential stimulus-response (S-R) alternatives. We hypothesized that time-consuming processes associated with response selection contribute significantly to this effect. We also hypothesized that the latency of saccades might not conform to Hick’s law since visually guided saccades can be automatically selected using topographically organized pathways that convert spatially coded visual activity into spatially coded motor commands. We evaluated these hypotheses by examining three response modalities for their compliance with Hick’s law: saccades directed to a visual target (prosaccades), saccades directed away from the target (antisaccades) and manual responses in which each digit was associated with a specific target location (key-press responses). Both antisaccades and key-press responses conformed to Hick’s law but saccade latencies were completely unaffected by S-R uncertainty. The significance of these findings is considered in terms of the processes of response selection and premotor programming. Saccades is: The rapid eye movement occurring during reading and when viewing visual patterns, and considered to betray the thought process, and show up as a "tell" in poker. This is why Poker players will use sun glasses during game player.

The interesting this conncected to the last posting is that reaction speed slows drastically, when Sympathetic Nervous response is triggered, and the % of success of choosing the right response is down to only a 57% chance.  The optimal heart rate for dealing with decisions is 115 to 140. From 140 to 220, the bosy basically starts shutting down and breaking down. (This is referred to as Choking)

A good human interface, or "user friendly" is one which lowers the Reaction Time, to anything by making the choices and process seem intuitive.

As " conncectors" referred in Tipping point close the gap of 6th degree of separation to be able to reach anyone on the planet, quick decision references, trained responses, precepts, and minimizing the choices is the way to lower reaction time, and utilize intuition to maximize Hick’s law.

If looking at a decision matrix and decision tree, limiting the acceptable factors, and creating criterias (sweeping assumptions) would lower the number of choices and therefore make it easier to compute a logic decision. If done, with the sub-conscious, then the thought process is considered "intuitive".

THE DECISION MATRIX

RELATING THEORY TO PRACTICE

The "decision matrix" is a useful tool to help make choices between complex alternatives. This particular heuristic can serve a different purpose at each stage in our work. First, it can help to an analyze the problem, the task, or the objective by having them broken down into a number of requirements. Once the requirements have been determined, the heuristic helps sorts them in their relative importance or weights.

  FIGURE 1 Decision Matrix

The same heuristic can be used as a "sub-matrix" for combining the various benefits that constitute a complex requirement and for noting their relative contribution towards meeting this requirement. Finally, the heuristic provides a framework for evaluating various courses of action, or choices, in order to select:

1. The best combination of desirable characteristics for a given level of resources, or
2. A given combination of desirable characteristics for the least cost in resources.

More important, enumerating and putting the requirements into this framework makes people think about the requirements and the alternatives at a detail level. The matrix, of course, does not make decisions, it simply lines up the information for the exercise of judgment by the person responsible.

It serves as a two-dimensional checklist which forces one to consider, one at a time, the major factors leading to a decision. For instance, they must choose between the best combination for the given resources, or the least resources for a given combination. Trying for both the best combination and the least resources is like trying to get both ends of a seesaw to go up at the same tune. No technique of can achieve this.

Where to Start

Whether studying a wafer-thin integrated circuit or a new aircraft, design must start by identifying and evaluating what are the important attributes of the objective (customer wants, the desired benefits etc.). These are listed along the top of the matrix shown in Figure 1.

The letters and their subscripts are simply addresses on the matrix. They are used for discussion to identify location. They do come in handy in understanding all sorts of arrays presented in this fashion.

In each locations labeled B₁ to B_n write each of the desired attributes. Using only those which differ among the various alternatives being considered. If all the alternatives are equal with respect to an attribute, obviously it would not be meaningful evaluating the alternatives.

Weighting Technique

Under objective, at W₁ to W_n, is put a number, the weighting, showing the relative importance of the attribute with respect to the others. It should be emphasized that the sum of the weightings must equal unity. The weighting cannot be add indiscriminately without adversely changing the others.

If we are very familiar with the product and the requirements, the weights may be assigned directly. Otherwise, we can start by dividing 1 equally among the requirements, and then varying the weights as the relative importance of each requirement is compared with the others, keeping the sum always equal to 1.

Normalized Utility

The e in the cells represents the "normalized utility" of the alternative with respect to the requirement heading the column. "Just how well does this alternative satisfy the requirement heading this column." If we refer to e₁₂ (e one,two), we mean how well does alternate C₁ meet the requirement B₂.

Commensurable Units

We cannot compare alternatives with respect to different attributes and simply add them up. We must consider each alternative with respect to one attribute at a time in terms of a normalized utility scale.

The Standard Scale

Fully as important as finding the commensurable utilities is the standard scale. The normalized utility scale extends between two agreed upon values. These values establish upper and lower limits for the parameter and their utility.

Simply put, the limits set at the least acceptable measurable value of the parameter, and the best practical value (Fig. 4). The direct measure of performance can be related to utility by first identifying the values at which the performance, (a) begins to improve the product and, (b) beyond which it cease to improve the product. These are the performance values that correspond to the minimum and maximum values on the normalized utility scale.

Adjusting for Utility

When Daniel Bernoulli wrote in 1738 that the utility of money to a man declined in proportion to how much money he already had, and that this decline was not uniform but logarithmic, he was stating the law of marginal utility. For our purpose it simply means that the line on the graph which transforms raw data into commensurable units may not always be a straight line or a pat mathematical function.

The fact that economy of production may decrease at a different rate than the increase in price is shown by the curvature of the graph in Fig. 5. This curve not only normalizes the "dollar-cost of production" into the 70 to 90 normalized utility scale, but it also adjusts the dollar figures to take into account the "utility" of money to the customer.

It turns out, however, that the concept of utility goes beyond money. The utility of dimensional accuracy is not uniformly proportional to the actual change in tolerances (Fig. 6), and the value to the user of decreased weight is not uniformly proportional to the change in weight (Fig. 7).

The Final Choice

By multiplying the normalized utility e_n in each cell by the weighting factor W_n heading its column we get that the contribution that the alternatives performance with respect to that requirement makes to the overall value (utility) of that alternative. All that remains is to sum the utilities along the row and find a number expressing the relative utility of the of that alternative with respect to the others. This relative utility includes a balance consideration all the requirements.

In the example Fig. 2, it is seen that electroforming provides the highest expected value, for this particular application. And the reasoning is visible. Others can also see the reasoning that went into this numerical rating. They also see that fabrication could have been the best choice, had cost been more important than dimensional accuracy.

This example illustrates another valuable property of this type of matrix. It is not only useful in ordering our alternatives in a rational manner, but it makes our reasons for the choice visible. persuading others that the preferred alternative should be implemented becomes much easier.

Example Decision Matrix for Leaf Disposer

  FIGURE 8 Alternate designs

FIGURE 9 Matrix Form 

FIGURE 13 Finished decision matrix.

The order of the "SUM" gives the order of preference according to the listed criteria.

1. Leaf Bailer at 79
2. Vacuum Collector at 75.7
3. Chemical Decomposer at 68.8
4. Shredder at 65.9

The optimal decision here is 79.

However, what if one automatically tossed out anything with a too low utility or too low weight?

and decreased choices down to just 2. The calculation of each option would become much more simple, and faster, and therefore decreasing reaction time, according to Hick’s Law.

Decision Tree: (The visually represented decision method)

Decision Tree Analysis
- Choosing Between Options by Projecting Likely Outcomes

How to use tool:

Decision Trees are excellent tools for helping you to choose between several courses of action. They provide a highly effective structure within which you can lay out options and investigate the possible outcomes of choosing those options. They also help you to form a balanced picture of the risks and rewards associated with each possible course of action.

Drawing a Decision Tree
You start a Decision Tree with a decision that you need to make. Draw a small square to represent this towards the left of a large piece of paper.

From this box draw out lines towards the right for each possible solution, and write that solution along the line. Keep the lines apart as far as possible so that you can expand your thoughts.

At the end of each line, consider the results. If the result of taking that decision is uncertain, draw a small circle. If the result is another decision that you need to make, draw another square. Squares represent decisions, and circles represent uncertain outcomes. Write the decision or factor above the square or circle. If you have completed the solution at the end of the line, just leave it blank.

Starting from the new decision squares on your diagram, draw out lines representing the options that you could select. From the circles draw lines representing possible outcomes. Again make a brief note on the line saying what it means. Keep on doing this until you have drawn out as many of the possible outcomes and decisions as you can see leading on from the original decisions

 

Calculating Tree Values
Once you have worked out the value of the outcomes, and have assessed the probability of the outcomes of uncertainty, it is time to start calculating the values that will help you make your decision.

Start on the right hand side of the decision tree, and work back towards the left. As you complete a set of calculations on a node (decision square or uncertainty circle), all you need to do is to record the result. You can ignore all the calculations that lead to that result from then on.

Calculating The Value of Uncertain Outcome Nodes
Where you are calculating the value of uncertain outcomes (circles on the diagram), do this by multiplying the value of the outcomes by their probability. The total for that node of the tree is the total of these values.

In the example in Figure 2, the value for ‘new product, thorough development’ is:

0.4 (probability good outcome) x £500,000 (value) =	£200,000
0.4 (probability moderate outcome) x £25,000 (value) =	£10,000
0.2 (probability poor outcome) x £1,000 (value) =	£200
+	£210,200

Figure 3 shows the calculation of uncertain outcome nodes:

Note that the values calculated for each node are shown in the boxes.

Calculating The Value of Decision Nodes
When you are evaluating a decision node, write down the cost of each option along each decision line. Then subtract the cost from the outcome value that you have already calculated. This will give you a value that represents the benefit of that decision.

Note that amounts already spent do not count for this analysis - these are ’sunk costs’ and (despite emotional counter-arguments) should not be factored into the decision.

When you have calculated these decision benefits, choose the option that has the largest benefit, and take that as the decision made. This is the value of that decision node.

Figure 4 shows this calculation of decision nodes in our example:

In this example, the benefit we previously calculated for ‘new product, thorough development’ was £210,000. We estimate the future cost of this approach as £75,000. This gives a net benefit of £135,000.

The net benefit of ‘new product, rapid development’ was £15,700. On this branch we therefore choose the most valuable option, ‘new product, thorough development’, and allocate this value to the decision node.

Result
By applying this technique we can see that the best option is to develop a new product. It is worth much more to us to take our time and get the product right, than to rush the product to market. It is better just to improve our existing products than to botch a new product, even though it costs us less.

Key points:

Decision trees provide an effective method of Decision Making because they:

• Clearly lay out the problem so that all options can be challenged
• Allow us to analyze fully the possible consequences of a decision
• Provide a framework to quantify the values of outcomes and the probabilities of achieving them
• Help us to make the best decisions on the basis of existing information and best guesses.

As with all Decision Making methods, decision tree analysis should be used in conjunction with common sense - decision trees are just one important part of the decision making process.

One can see multi-areas where quick elimination of choices, and pre-assumptions, choosing limits would decrease choices. Hick’s Law says that the less number of large options, the faster the decision can be made.

The rule of 4 says, that any choice with more than 4 variable would become hard to calculate for a human. This means choosing less than 2 weights, and 2 utilies, would make for much faster calculation.

The difference is simple.

calculating the 124323.50925803 x 98791.294924 becomes much simplier if it is simplified to 124000 x 98800. It become even more simple if we said that any factor that has a variable less than 100000 just won’t be considered. (For instance, anything with a less than 60% chance of success will not be considered), decreases the number of total calculations that needs to be made.

Quick assumptions and quick pre-calculated answers (conclusion from experience) will further toss out options, or act as a calculator or excell sheet to the decision making process, therefore making the decision easier to reach.

Therefore the basis for the book Blink. (I believe)

Tony

Tony Soprano and Anxiety Attacks as a result of the sympatheric nervous system of the automatic nervous system not being able to relax. A version of this is the Post Tramatic Stress Disorder, where the body gets stuck in Sympathetic response overdrive.

A state of shock, loss of a loved one, constant insecurity and fear of danger, or a sudden lack of safety will result in the Sympathetic nervous system to kick into over drive.

For many people the business world is something of a war zone. A place where dogs eat dogs, and sharks rule the waves. A competitive environment where only the financially fittest survive. This is the jungle that we find ourselves in, trying to sidestep the booby traps and dodge the arrows of misfortune. It is not as powerful a stimulant as war, but in the long run it is equally dangerous. There are an abundance of businessmen who can never really afford to let their guard down, who never really have the time or ability to relax. They have their indigestions, their bad backs, their heart conditions, but ‘when needs must, the devil drives’ they tell themselves. Sadly, it is not so much the devil as their own over-active Sympathetic Nervous System that is driving them straight down the fast lane to an early grave. They do not see in their own tics, sleepless nights, stomach knots, palpitations and cold sweating a call to slow down, to take it easy. In their high-flying and sophisticated ways they do not see the simple truth that for a man to work well he must rest well. They do not seem to realize that health requires balance, harmony and equilibrium between body and mind.

The inner life of the body cannot be controlled, it can only be encouraged. If you continually try and make your body do what it doesn’t want to do, it will rebel like a slave-uprising. Many people believe, for example, that the common cold is Nature’s (or the ANS’s) way of slowing us down and releasing accumulated toxins. This would certainly explain why many people feel better than ever after recovering from an illness.

When people are ruled by their Sympathetic Nervous Systems life slowly becomes more and more uncomfortable. It is imperceptible at first because all they are aware of is the hardship and the oppressive situation, or the thrill and the adrenaline rush. Over time, if the Sympathetic has the perpetual upper hand, it will slowly become more and more difficult to relax and give in to the Parasympathetic. Once caught in this vicious circle, sleep and appetite become affected. Alcohol and other kinds of suppressants may be sought in a vain attempt to give the sufferer an imitation of what their own Parasympathetic is waiting to give them. Later on, backache may appear, or migraine, repetitive strain injury or peptic ulcer. The list goes on and on, and does not include the different types of mental illness that can result from this unfortunate situation.

To the extent that the Sympathetic is dominant, life will seem to lose its expansive quality. Things will feel tighter, harder, more constricted. Alternatively, life may feel dangerously dramatic, explosive, despairing. Either way the various anxiety states will be felt all too keenly. These can be experienced as numbness, palpitations, stomach knots or less easily definable but equally unpleasant sensations. These are all signs that the switch to the Sympathetic Nervous System has got stuck. If stress is continually layered on top of this block, emotional and digestive disorders can develop. The ANS is out of balance, and therefore is in a weakened state. It no longer has the ability to do its job properly. A crowbar has been jammed between the cogs of its engine. Toxins are not being cleared away, internal combustion has been affected and pressure is building up. No wonder stress can make us have fantasies about escape and suicidal feelings. They are no different to thinking about lifeboats when on a sinking ship.

The most important point to remember about stress is that it is literally a nervous reaction. It occurs within the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The ANS is a vast network of nerves branching out from the spinal cord, reaching and directly affecting every organ in the body. It is responsible for maintaining the equilibrium of our internal environment. In fact, it is responsible for anything and everything that we experience automatically. The sexual urge, as well as the pleasure of its gratification, is manufactured within the ANS. The surge of determination, or dread, when faced with a threatening situation comes from the ANS, as well as the feeling of peaceful contentment that some people are fortunate enough to experience. If you feel it, you feel it with the ANS. All instinctual reactions, such as hunger and sleep, have their home here. Anything commonly called human is likely to have its roots in the ANS. Anything that is universally felt, or known, comes from this place. But, as we are about to see, the ANS is a double-edged sword.

The ANS divides into two distinct systems: the ‘Sympathetic’ Nervous System and the ‘Parasympathetic’ Nervous System. To put their functions simply, read ’stressed-out’ and ‘chilled-out’ respectively. Often, nerve fibres from these two systems supply the same organ, one stimulating and the other sedating. They tend to be mutually exclusive since one system is concerned with the mobilization of forces to meet an emergency (the famous ‘fight or flight’ response) while the other is to do with the relaxed, regenerative states.

Thus, in a healthy organism we have these two branches of the ANS maintaining a Yin-and-Yang-type balance. The Sympathetic Nervous System allows us to deal with stressful situations. Whenever we perceive danger it will tense our musculature, constrict our blood vessels and speed up our thinking process, amongst numerous other activities. Then, after the danger has passed, the Parasympathetic Nervous System will take over, decreasing heartbeat, relaxing blood vessels and clearing away metabolic waste products such as adrenaline and lactic acid. This is how it should happen: action followed by relaxation; the tide of life ebbing and flowing, expanding and contracting within the ANS.

The secret of Fear Factor and the addiction is the vykarious kick in to the Sympathetic Nervous Response for the audience, with the reward of the Parasympathetic Nervous Response, that acts like smoking weed after watching the show.

For everyday life, health and vitality are the natural result of the harmonic interchange between the Sympathetic and the Parasympathetic. Unfortunately, in our world this tends to be the exception rather than the rule. In this culture, with all its inherent struggles and strains, people’s Sympathetic systems very often stay on guard, unable to give in to the softer, more gentle flows of the Parasympathetic. And if this condition becomes chronic, it can lead to a whole variety of stress-related symptoms and, later, illnesses.

The ANS becomes disturbed and out-of-balance whenever the instinctual response to any situation is denied, be it ignoring our tiredness or overriding our rage. The word instinctual implies something that is automatic, even unconscious. Often we do not have time to work it out, and sometimes it defies analysis. It is simply the way in which we have reacted to this situation. The way we feel is part of our nature, and we can do ourselves a great disservice by riding roughshod over it too often. We need to remember that we are more than just a conscious choice. We all have a depth of feeling, individual needs, tolerances and preferences. We have the ability for gut feelings as well as analysis. We have a heart as well as a head. For there to be true health there must be a healthy respect for both.

A vivid example of a healthy nervous system can be seen in a cat when it comes face to face with a dog. Immediately the Sympathetic goes on red alert. The whole of its body is mobilized in a fraction of a second. Its fur stands on end, it spreads and straightens its legs, it hisses violently and holds the impulse to scratch the dog’s eyes out until just the right moment. If the dog has enough sense, it sees the futility of a fight and trots off. With amazing speed the cat then finds somewhere to stretch out and starts licking its fur. The Parasympathetic is now taking over.

If we continue to hold on after the Sympathetic has been activated, and after the danger has passed, the Parasympathetic will be unable to take control and restore peace of mind and well-being. This, regrettably, is the norm. We humans are not blessed with the simple life of cats. It is quite common for us to lay awake at night in a silent Sympathetic frenzy worrying about money or the state of our relationship.

If, for whatever reason, the Parasympathetic is unable to take over, slowly there becomes a build-up of toxins and stress by-products trapped within the system. The muscles become ever more tense and contracted. This not only happens to the six hundred and twenty skeletal muscles, but also to the smooth musculature that can be found throughout the vast network of tubes within the body systems. The blood vessels as well as the intestines all go into a state of contraction when the Sympathetic is in control. If, however, the Parasympathetic is able to take over, the gateway to another world is opened.

Let’s travel gently into the realms of the Parasympathetic: the home of all relaxing, warm and contented feelings. If the Sympathetic is what we need to be in the world, then the Parasympathetic is what we need to be in Heaven. When it is in control it immediately begins to manufacture a sense of well-being. It brings peace where there was conflict. Like Mother Nature nourishing Her offspring, the Parasympathetic does everything in its power to restore harmony and equilibrium. As it relaxes muscles, blood vessels and internal organs, so the flow of all body fluids becomes easier, smoother, fuller. The intestines expand and the peristalsis (those gurgles of digestion) begins to process the waste products that the Sympathetic has created. It slows the heartbeat and deepens and softens breathing. It calms and changes the brain’s waves and patterns, bringing the quieter, more expansive states of mind that are so conducive to imagination and creative thinking. Slowly, under the right conditions, the Parasympathetic ensures that everything falls or clicks back into place. Everywhere that has been overstretched gets pulled back into line. Everything that has been contracted, begins to expand. And this expansion is experienced as pleasure. A really good night’s sleep is a perfect example. As unusual as it might be for most of us, waking up feeling refreshed from a thoroughly pleasant night’s sleep is solely the work of the Parasympathetic.

We move into the Parasympathetic when we have relinquished control, and when the Sympathetic has finished its job, i.e., when we have expended all that energy by fighting or by running as fast as our legs will carry us. However, if we have used up some of the energy, and we are not too stressed-out, the Parasympathetic will do its job while we are watching TV or sleeping.

If you imagine the ANS as an ocean, then the Sympathetic would be the waves, the tides, the storms; while the Parasympathetic would be the ocean’s depths, its stillness, its abundance. It is always the power of the Parasympathetic that restores calm to the surface, harmony to the mad ups-and-downs of life. And it is imperative for our survival, let alone our happiness, that we learn to awaken and develop this great healer within.

ll holistic therapies aim at strengthening the Parasympathetic. There is an army of professional people out there whose purpose is to awaken this all-too-often dormant part of us. The Cranio-sacral Therapist, with great sensitivity, works directly at unwinding the deep tensions that keep the ANS out-of-balance. The Homeopath, with her potent little pills, also seeks to restore harmony within the ANS. If there is an emotional block, the Holistic Psychotherapist works at identifying and resolving the buried conflict within the ANS. The Biodynamic Massage Therapist, with great flexibility, uses whatever technique is appropriate to harmonize the ANS. Acupuncture, Shiatsu and most forms of quality massage also have similar effects on the Autonomic Nervous System.

It is this same system that yogis seek to purify and manipulate. Pranayama, a higher branch of Hatha Yoga, is a good example. It has as its goal union with God through breath control. Using highly sophisticated techniques and incredible discipline, devotees work toward strengthening and developing their Parasympathetics to such an extraordinary degree that all the systems and senses of the body become saturated with vitality and well-being. The true potential of the brain is thus harnessed, and consciousness takes several leaps beyond our imagination.

Of course, most of us aren’t ready for such spiritual acrobatics. We just want to feel happier and more relaxed; less easily wound-up, less given to worry and more optimistically inclined. Most of us would like to trust in the process of life a little more.

In fact, most of us are looking for a way to relax and be happy, without giving up any of our pleasures and without putting too much effort into it. Fortunately, this is the optimum way to proceed. The Parasympathetic does not respond to denial, or to efforting. Like an abused child cowering under the bed, it needs to be coaxed out of its hiding place. It needs soft words and gentle assurances; a little bit at a time so it is not overwhelmed. It requires the most patient determination. Whatever New Age claims you may have heard, it is only through the regular and consistent practice of relaxation that the Parasympathetic can be brought back to its former glory.

As a culture we have systematically trained ourselves to override the ANS, our instinctual life, in favour of a faster, more "convenient" lifestyle. Unlike the bristling, hissing cat, not many of us give full vent to the Sympathetic. As a race, we tend to be a little frightened of our instinctual reactions. We do not enjoy our heart racing, our hair standing on end, our legs trembling, and so we tend to tense against such disturbing sensations. This often makes us feel in control, and gives the illusion of security. But we are cutting off our nose to spite our face. If the ANS is inhibited, it will inevitably get stuck in its mode of operation. This does not imply that we should become like animals or small children. It simply means that, in the interest of our health on all levels, we should respect our feelings.

Our conscious mind, or head, should be able to overrule the ANS, or heart, because it is not always wise to do exactly what we feel like doing. And this process works fine, so long as the control exerted is relaxed after the stressful situation has passed. The problem comes when this does not occur. When we continue to hold on and to disallow the ANS its natural functioning, stress is the not-so-natural result. When the Sympathetic is activated it produces a lot of energy which is designed either for fighting the threat i.e., standing up for ourselves, or for running away from it. It is an animal or instinctual response, and it doesn’t matter how rational or intellectual we become, we cannot change the reality of this fact.

Yet how can the natural desire to sleep be honoured when we have to work all the possible hours? How can we surrender to our bowel movements when there is a long queue in front of the toilet? How can we express the anger and irritation we feel toward our client/partners/boss when we know it will have an impact on that which feeds us? We cannot, and we are not supposed to. Our will power is there for just such emergencies. The healthy use of it is called ‘deferred gratification’. It allows us to hold on to the impulse until we find an appropriate place to express it.

It is a gift to have the ability to control the life that is flowing through us. Stress is the abuse of this gift.

Partially taken from excerpts from: Robin Sands is a qualified Biodynamic Therapist, who received his training in Biodynamic Psychology and Biodynamic Bodywork under Gerda Boyesen at the Boyesen Institute in London. He maintains a private practice and facilitates workshops on holistic stress managment.

Comments from Tony Hsieh

Cousin Albert just moved back from LA on Monday, and my aunt took us out to dinner at Nolo in Palo Alto.

Albert, is the baby cousin that I grew up with. His friends from the neighborhood all came out, and all of them are 23. One is just back from Iraq, after going through west point.

Time flys.

Been working out, and feeling good lately, but have to constantly remind myself that I have to keep this up for another 15 month, and gain about 15 pounds of muscle to get to my healthy body composition.

One of the rules I have made is that, nothing should jiggle if body fat % was about 15, so if it does, then I a still need to stay on regime.  (I tell you , this was never an issue at age 18).

Can’t wait for Sin City.

HOT!!!!! gotta make a run for Brazil!

Angels running wild in America!

Met up with Fred, Ivan, Mikio, and Danica last night. Got home at close to 5am.

Wow, SF is kinda cool. Grace drove the entire night, and since she is a size zero - 95 lbs, and a cheap date, she got hammered on 1 drink.  But before that, we had great food @ Paragon, near South Beach, (SBC Ball Park) where the neighborhood is absolutely happening.

Nice apt, view of bay bridge, ball park, gourmet food, etc. Apparently the aptments there are now 500-600K USD. I am still not on US$ scale at the moment, really only wishing to live my life in RMB. ( no really, the denial is weird.) Down payment for a 600K place is about 120K which is approx 1 mil RMB. (Strange how I convert everything back to the currency which currently comes into my bank acct the most).

So food and drinks at the Paragon , on Townsend, was good, if not expensive. We ended up going to a element party @ the Westin St. Francis. Lots of security, good DJ, all asians that was about 600 people. 25 USD cover @ 600 ppl is 15k max. 6 USD drinks @ approx 1200 drinks is 7.2k USD. Cost of Venue, Security, and Drink/ Split with St Francis nets them about 8K? to be split among 2-4 guys. Guys walking around with Clip boards, reminds me alot of our guys in Shanghai.  Guess, it’s still a way to make a living. In SF, 3-6 of these larger events happen during the weekend, but there is still large enough of a crowd.

Did see Danica’s x-fiance at the event. He is suppose to be moving to Shanghai with a law firm called Sherman? Pretty sure that guy is not over her yet, because he was definitely a bit pent up around us. Sigh, I guess that’s how it is when a ring is given, but end up not tying the knot.  Hope, I don’t ever have to walk that particular road.

We ended up at a classic diner Mels on Gerry near Japan Town, and had another low carb, high protein diet @ 3:30 in the morning. Ivan and Grace were locked in a fast shooting , who can talk more shit contest, and neither really wanted to back it up. Fun to watch.

Been having some crank candid conversations with Grace, on just about everything. Known her since she was yeah tall, and spunky. She’s still a shit talker with a I don’t give a f**k attitude, but a sweet and intelligent one. Danica and her hit it off well, which I am happy about. The two have enough in common to chat about life, and for whatever reason, they actually look alike, at least to security checking ID with a flashlight.

Why I have connected for so long with Grace, must be some sort of weird cosmic thing, because I really only see her once every blue moon. It’s consistently in very condensed doses, and always based more on the conversation then anything else. I been a listener and good friend, although in the last 7 years, she has sort of been my driver/ body guard to keep me in check when I get back from Shanghai with my jaded prospectives. A wise cracking, and slightly naughty Kato, and me, sort of the Alfred/ Bruce with a sorted past, and slight dark sides. She calls that the Shanghai Tony. Other times she is the maternal parol officer who really wanted to be a social worker, and looks like Alley McBel but must carry on Lucy Lu’s legacy. 

This time back, she has got some big rock on her finger. Guess , I can’t really be surprised, because it is about that age, and her boyfriend is a good man. (Pretty certain, Grace is a good judge of character). Looks like she is about to walk off into the sunset and start the next phase of her life, and I have got to say that it is exciting.

Wonder how little Lainny will walk? and if I will witness it in person.

Tony

Been thinking about making the new balance in Tony’s life more efficient, and came upon the following thoughts.

1. Duo-Tenancy for SF, with an interest payment only mortgage for a new high rise apartment in the 2 bed, 1050 square feet range is probable more realistic.

2. When buying food, look for Cal/ serving and / price. No reason to pay a high amount for fatty and high cal food, when all you want is the taste sometimes. A bag of chips is 700 cals. I spent 1.2 hours at the gym today, and I am pretty damn sure that I only burned about 400 cals. I been adding cals up for all the food I eat  because 2200 cals/day is just too easy to surpass.

3. We usually burn 90 cals just for being alive. So when an exercise burns 300 cals/ hours, really the net change there was only 240 cals used extra.

4. Decrease time to healthy percentage of fat/ total body mass by gaining muscle. The trainer specifically said that the loss of muscle will result directly in the gaining of weight/ year because, the more muscle lost, the less calories burned/day, if total cal intake is not decreased. It looks like the fastest way to get to the 8-15% body fat is by gaining 15lbs in muscle. This could be done in between 8-2 month. 2 month if I was on human growth hormones. At 31 years old, my testostrone has been lowering 5% every year since the age of 23. However, I will still need to be @ 205lbs-221 lbs even with a 15 lbs of extra muscle which is a change of about 30-15 lbs.

Tony	start	Gain 15 lbs muscle/8% fat	Gain 15 lbs muscle/15% fat
Non fat mass	160	175	175
Fat	76	30	46
Total mass lbs	236	205	221
Total mass kgs	107	93	100
Change Lbs	0	31	15
Change Kgs	0	14	7
		Months needed	Months needed
1 lbs/week	0	8	4
2/lbs/week	0	4	2

Looks like I am hitting the iron in the next 3 weeks.

5. I actually like the smaller gym with less people. Tried the super sports 24 hours gym today, and realized, that bigger is not better. The bigger gym was in a building that used to be a super market, and the machines looks like rows and rows of aisles. Except now, you have the meat and vegetables all mixed into one sweaty bunch. The smaller gym seem to provide less pressure, and so easier work out.  I wonder if this is because I have yet to lose the self-conscious insecurities from my adolesence? or is it just because there were less people/ machine and more young pretty ladies? We will see…. the conclusion of this, may push me to move my gym membership in Shanghai to a completely different location for a better work out.

______________________________________

On a completely different subject.

I bought half of a smoked ham, and will be making Easter Ham tomorrow.

God it’s so easy to eat good, and healthy without breaking a budget.

Be going up to SF, seems the city has 6-10 prolific party promotors. I thought Shanghai was busy.

Tony

So, I haven’t really experienced affairs, and drama for a while. Sex dramas don’t count, players. So, I been celebate for the last couple of weeks, and it’s been purifying. My brother leaves for Taiwan/Japan today to see his GF, he seemed to be concerned about leaving me in his house alone and elated that he is gonna get some sex. I hope he doesn’t think I am gonna have a HouseParty up in here, so I can get laid…. Oh no… that would be teenie boopies thing to do.

I AM going up to the city tomorrow (Sat) with hopefully Grace, Howard, Ivan, Mikio, Danica, Lily, Shin-Win……..and Victor.

asian party at the westin in sf on saturday? is what I hear from someone on Friendster. Guess, Ivan and Grace should know.

Been on the phone, lately talking more business. Property in SF, business in LA, etc, but mostly nonsense. Starting to get the itch again, I guess, although the novality of Sf area has not worn down yet, to the point where I miss Shanghai. And maybe this is where the maturity comes from, but it’s possible that at age 31, I can now enjoy SF for SF, instead of thinking that’s where the family is.  Is SF the new SH for me?

Well………… here is "cheers" to my Shanghai friends!, and "cheers to Tom and Jerry" in Taiwan. (hehe).

Tony

Went to the gym the first time today.

Nice place. For some reason, I felt relaxed, and not pressed for time or equipment. No one was there to social, people work out and leave all in a very short amount of time.

10 minute by bike.

20 minute rotating on the machines.

25 minute on a stairmaster/ or bike.

10 minutes to Bike home.

400 Cal or so at least, maybe 450.

So, I had my high school and College girl friends come by. One has a huge fucking rock on her finger now. She is talking about Gloria, who has a kid, with the second coming, living 40 minutes north of SF. Nice place, nice home, and happy life. Non of them have changed for god sakes.

Except that they are all getting married.

I had them chopping veg, and making dumplings. Su Mai too, but mostly with Wonton skins, and Dumpling skins. Rock Shrimp/ Tomato/ Turkey filling. Feta with Turkey and Veg fillings. Beef and Green Been Noodles filling. Basically gourmet dumpling/ravoli.  BS all the way through, the little dumpling party.

Great conversation, they sowed their oats in the Bay area and finally settled down. I pressured Grace to get a Broker and Agency license, since she just passed her BAR and also has an MBA. Taiwanese American ABC are so different. They don’t necessary have the drive, but they either have the smarts, or they are perfect as Wify. Sometimes, they will get the degrees just to show you they can, and then do the Wify thing. Wifes that can run your back end of the family finances, and the family, while still being supportive, without haveing the absolute need to run a career, if they don’t need to.

It’s funny, these kids, turned sister, turned gals, turned ladies, I have such a great time just chatting with. You know, sometimes, there is nothing better than just having old memories to bring up or relate to. She calls me the bad influence and , I call them the princess.  Their guys don’t know what the hell hit them.

Tony

Body Composition:

Just got back from a Korean place with my childhood friend Jerry, and my brother Tom. Boy can Jerry drink. Soju, an not show it.

Anyways, it looks like the Tanita Analyzer says that I am only suppose to take 2200 calories a day, so that sort of blows my original food intake plans.

Guess, 500 cal/meal, and 2x 100 cal/snacks. For those of you guys who care, 1 piece of bred is 100 cal.

Anyways, looks like I am 160 lbs of pure muscle, and bones, and I have about 78 lbs worth of fat. I am only suppose to have 14lbs to 40 lbs of fat. Since I am now 236lbs, this means, I need to lose 40-50 lbs to be healthy.

Guess that means, at 1-2 lbs a week, it would take 20-50 weeks. 5-13 month or so to get all of it done.

Trainer tells me to not look at the weight scale, because we all start building muscle first, before losing fat. Actually, she says that for every 4 hours not eating, we all starting buring muscle… sort of scary , but that’s what she said.

Anyways, this 24 hour fitness gym cost a pretty penny, but it’s right across the street from a Junior College, and I figured, there has got to be some traction with the College gals. Haha, not entirely my motivation, but at least one that will get me to do a 1 hour work out a day.

Tony

Chats with an old friend till 6am in the morning. Soothing.  The man has recovering salt water coral 90 gallon ecosystems, in which he has cultivated spliting rose anemones and other coral critters. His nephew who we held in our arms as a baby and adored is now 18 and going to a local JC. We definitely felt old. Recounts of my friend as a wayward Peter Pan finding Neverland, brought back to earth by tragity and the real subsequent events of life and family has put a slight urgency on moving on with our own 30something lifes. Sighs glore. Dessembling a .40 caliber semi-auto of S & W design, the simplicity of a weapon with only 5 parts, and the weight of it in our hands, signified absolute nothing at 4 am in the morning, except it may have been a relection of states of minds.  Peter Pan doesn’t need a gun, but 30something may.  Before parting, we promised to meet @ a shooting range this week to gain more respect for the 5 piece. Have we really gotten that much older? One wonders?