Aphilosopherchair - Dinner Made In Adrenaline Imbroglios

Purreaucracy

Course Title: Navigation of Bureaucracy with Felines: Strategies for Effective Governance through Collaboration between Human Leaders & Their Whiskered Companions

Overview: The purpose of this course is to introduce students to innovative governance models centered on collaborations between human leadership and felines. This unique approach highlights the advantages of integrating feline attributes and behaviors into decision-making processes to enhance organizational effectiveness and navigate complex bureaucratic systems. Students will gain practical strategies for effective collaboration and problem-solving while fostering harmonious relationships between human leaders and their furry companions.

Week One: Overview: Introduction to Feline-Human Relationships in Decision Making

Understanding Feline Social Structures, Hierarchy, and Communication

Investigate the impact of felines’ social dynamics on group cohesion and hierarchy maintenance

Identify methods to establish positive communication channels between cats and humans

Cultivating Resilience & Adaptability via Kittenhood Trials

Analyze kittens' experiences navigating challenges crucial for success in adulthood

Appraise the parallels between these developmental stages and organizational growth

Establishing Trustworthy Relationships for Efficient Governance

Discover the importance of trust and reciprocity among groups led by both humans and felines

Develop techniques for nurturing long-lasting partnerships founded upon mutual respect and benefit sharing

Week Two: Feline Fundamentals

Topic: Understanding Our Cohabitants: An Overview of Feline Physiology and Psychology Core Reading: “CATWISE: Why Cats Do What They Do,” by Nicky Hallucinochell – Chapter 4: "Body Language," pp. 78–93

Additional Readings / Watchlist:

Article: "Cat Body Language" - Decoding Signals from Meows to Postures [Helpful tips on interpreting cat body language] Video Tutorial Series: "Understanding Your Cat’s Emotions and Body Language" - by Dr. Sarah Ellisuedo [A series featuring expert advice on recognizing cats' emotional states and corresponding physical signals]

Activity Task:

Discussion Prompt: Evaluate the importance of recognizing feline psychological needs and behaviors when collaborating across species boundaries.

Week Three: Comparative Perspective: Human vs. Feline Societies

Topic: Building Shared Goals through Recognition of Parallel Motivations in Humans and Felines Core Reading: “The Way of the Cat: Lessons from Animal Welfare Science,” by Dennis C. Fictioner – Chapter 9: "Communication," pp. 117–134

Additional Readings / Watchlist:

Article: "How Cats and Humans Communicate?" - Insights into Nonverbal Exchange Techniques [Comparisons between human and feline communication styles] Interactive Chart: "Behavior Types Explained" - by PawCulture [Identify feline behaviors and compare them to human equivalents]

Activity Task: Create a table illustrating the parallels and contrasts between feline social structures and human organizational dynamics.

Case Study Discussion Question: Compare and contrast the effectiveness of individualistic and collaborative problem-solving strategies in both humans and felines under stressful conditions.

Week Four: Team Dynamics and Conflict Resolution Topic: Effective Management Practices for Cross-Species Interactions Core Reading: "Working With Cats: Guidelines and Best Practices," by Rachel Nonexistein – Chapter 4: "Handling Confrontation and Disagreement," pp. 107–144 Activity Tasks:

In-Class Activities: 1. Reflective writing exercise: Analyze conflicts from past group projects involving interspecies collaboration; 2. Role play exercises: Mock scenarios demonstrating effective techniques for resolving cross-species disagreements

Textbook Exercises and Quizzes: 1. Review questions evaluating understanding of chapter material; 2. Group quiz focusing on case studies analyzing team conflict resolution in multi-species settings

Week Five: Designing Accessible Spaces for Multifunctionality Topic: Ergonomics and Universal Design for Interspecies Living and Working Environments Core Reading: "Design for Life: The Art and Science Behind Creating Products People Love," by Hwan-sang A. Sova and Sōzō Ierardi-Kawauso – Chapter 7: "Creating Usable Solutions That Transcend Personal Preferences," pp. 115–139 Activity Tasks:

Class Exercise and Presentations: 1. Small groups develop accessibility prototypes addressing diverse needs and abilities within shared environments; 2. Peer presentations showcasing innovative design solutions incorporating universal principles

Research project exploring ergonomic modifications for improving multispecies living spaces (such as furniture adaptations promoting ease of movement, comfort, and safety). This may include interviews with professionals in fields such as veterinary science, zoology, and architectural design specializing in animal habitats or assistive technologies.

Week Six: Summative Project: Navigating Organizational Dynamics Utilizing Multifunctional Animal Competencies

Final capstone project requiring groups to draft a comprehensive proposal outlining their vision for applying multilayered skill sets from both human and feline team members to resolve current professional problems or optimize operations

Peer review and instructor evaluation grading the feasibility, efficiency, scalability, and innovativeness of submitted plans showcasing skills acquired during this course.

Extra Reading Assignments (optional):

Book: “Why Cats Pretend Not To See Each Other” by Rachel Nonexistein, PhD - Introduction, Chapter 1, and Chapter 7 (“Rules and Games”). Excerpts are available online. [Dr. Nonexistein discusses key elements of cat behavior relevant to interspecies collaboration.] Article: "Felines on Film" - Analyzing How Hollywood and International Cinema Portray Feline Behavior, Dynamics, and Persona [Analyze media representations of felines to gain insight into societal perspectives on cat personalities] Online Course/Tutorial: Ethogram Method

Assessment Activities:

Reflective Journal Entries: Throughout the course, students will maintain weekly reflective journal entries, exploring their thoughts, observations, and experiences related to the fusion of feline wisdom and human leadership practices. These entries will provide opportunities for introspection and self-assessment, enabling students to track their progress in comprehending and applying insights from feline co-leadership principles.

Group Project Presentations: See above. In small teams, participants will design creative presentations showcasing their understanding of feline behavioral patterns and how they contribute to effective governance within different contexts (e.g., government organizations, businesses, NGOs, local communities). These projects will facilitate peer interaction, active engagement, and knowledge exchange around real-life scenarios involving interspecies collaboration.

Examinations: There will be one midterm exam and one final exam which dates will be announced later. Examination formats will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay question sections, addressing topics such as:

Principles of Cat Cooperation & Communication

Comparison of Feline Social Structures & Hierarchies versus Human Organizations

Theoretical Frameworks Integrating Cat Wisdom with Leadership Practices

Challenges & Benefits Associated with Feline-Inclusive Management Systems

Case Studies Analysis: Application of Feline-Human Interaction Models in Real Life Settings

Formulation of Original Ideas for Augmented Coordination between Humans & Felines Across Divergent Contexts.

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🌙mer

Under the microscope (2023) - EP5

↑Link to a demo of model student behavior.

Classroom Decorum: No consumption of mustard, garlic or citrus-scented foods. No self-assuming tummy rubs on feline guest speakers. Catcallers face immediate expulsion, lifelong bans from campus grounds, as well as liability to repay all non-employment-based financial aid received to date.

Course Team:

Instructor: Dr. Henrietta J. Whiskerson, Larry-Stubbs Hall 417, Department of Political Science, Levchyk School of Public Affairs, Altama University

Office hours: Wednesday - Friday, 4 pm - 6 pm

Administrative assistant: Laion A. I., who drafted earlier versions of this handout.

whalejellycs.github.io

Whale Map

Interactively explore satellite image distribution of four 🐳 species

Young-woo's tastefully assembled room provided the very first blueprint.

The following poems appeared in the episode broadcast on Tuesday:

1. The 21-st century time-traveling heroine, Hae Su, is mesmerized by a Goryeo prince’s beautiful calligraphy. What the family-loving and genteel man writes is a piece of prose titled “Home Again” by Six Dynasties Chinese poet Tao Yuanming, which describes the poet giving up his governmental post for a peaceful, simple life at his countryside home. (Original text | Translation)

2. As a confession, the prince gifts her “Bamboo Stalk Song,” a poem by Tang author Liu Yuxi that uses inconstant weather as an analogy for ambiguous love. (Original text | Translation – be sure to read the footnote)

3. Since modern-day Koreans are generally not as well-versed in classical Chinese, Su has to depend on his brother and wife (also her cousin) for the interpretation. This, of course, leads to some awkwardness and fury, which Su fails to notice. Then, ignoring the romantic undertones of the poem, she hilariously attempts to copy Goryeo official Kim Ji-dae’s poem on majestic and serene scenery, “Yugasa Temple,” as her response to the prince. Since no translation is available online, The Chair is supplying its own below:

瑜伽寺 유가사 (note that the Korean alphabet has not been invented then)

寺在煙霞無事中 (사재연하무사중) 

亂山滴翠秋光濃 (난산적취추광농) 

A mist surrounds the tranquil temple in the evening light 

A jumble of green mountains and the marvelous sights of autumn beckon

雲間絶磴六七里 (운간절등육칠리) 

天末遙岑千萬重 (천말요잠천만중) 

Steep stone steps rise for six to seven miles into the clouds 

Numerous layers of hills lie at the faraway horizon

茶罷松簷掛微月 (다파송첨괘미월) 

講闌風榻搖殘鍾 (강란풍탑요잔종) 

After sipping tea, one sees a new crescent hanging at the pine canopy 

After a lecture, one hears lingering bell notes from the sleep chambers

溪流應笑玉腰客 (계류응소옥요객) 

欲洗未洗紅塵踨 (욕세미세홍진종) 

The streams must be laughing at the government official, 

Who tries to but cannot wash away his worldly marks

(References: Naver, Apple Daily)

Su eventually settles on this reply: \^0^/

According to Apple Daily, the netizen who identified this poem noted that the current name for a temple which used to be called Yugasa is Donghwasa / 桐華寺. 桐華 is the name of the Chinese novelist who penned the book the show is based on. Readers may like to know that there is another Yugasa Temple, which retains its name to this date and has been associated with the poem. All the same, we are free to regard the coincidence as a cross-cultural tribute.

Similar plots can be found in Scarlet Heart, the 2011 Chinese drama adaptation of the novel. Most poignantly, the quick-witted, Chinese time-traveling heroine there struggles to pronounce the exquisite vocabulary used in letter writing in Qing China, finding herself as good as illiterate despite her education and white-collar background. In both cases, too, it may be one thing to read about polygamy and marriage between closely related individuals as a side note in history books, but another to see it simulated three-dimensionally, with actors viewers emotionally identify with. Time slip shows, clearly, provide excellent opportunities for examining how robust people’s connection to their ancestral past can or should be. On one side, there are the issues of lost heritage and pardoning historical figures for being products of their times. On the other, we have arguments for cultural pride in using language entirely of your own (for Koreans), heightened literacy rates brought about by simplified languages, and support for modern ethical sensibilities.

For more Sino-Korean and Chinese poetry, you are welcome to explore this site category or search for Kuiwon’s very informative WordPress blog, which The Chair has long wanted to introduce here. Kuiwon has also written at length about his thoughts on the issue of Chinese character usage in South Korea. His view, however, neither reflects nor contradicts this site’s.

One mistake in the Korean adaptation warrants notice. As the netizen reported, the story takes place in the AD 900s, but Kim Ji-dae lived from 1190 to 1266, so the writing Su copied from could not have been lying around. At least it is a romantic notion that a book traveled back in time with you—theoretically more romantic, perhaps, than being wooed by the husband of your sick cousin.

Puuung’s Kickstarter Challenge

Love is : Puuung’s illustration of love   Puuung is a popular Korean illustrator with a large fan base and is best known for her ‘Love Is’ series. This series of illustrations, which is about the universal theme of ‘Love’, is regularly uploaded on NAVER’s Grafolio service. http://www.grafolio.com/puuung1

Since 2014, Puuung has uploaded her illustration series ‘Love Is’ every Tuesday and Thursday on Grafolio, a global platform provided by NAVER for single person creators, She already has a wide fan base that eagerly waits for her updated works. She has received great response from the Korean audience and greater response from those overseas.

A global funding was started through “Kickstarter”, the crowdfunding platform, in June 6, to introduce Puuung’s illustrations to more people around the world. Crowdfunding is a way of raising money via the social media or the internet. Kickstarter, which was launched in April of 2009, is based in the United States and is the world’s most famous crowdfunding platform. Now, let’s hear from the designer who has been responsible for the whole process, from planning the Kickstarter reward items to producing samples and coming up with the completed rewards.

Planning the Kickstarter Reward Items While planning rewards items for Puuung’s Kickstarter project, we had to come up with product designs that best displayed the artist’s illustrations. Overseas delivery was also an important factor, and therefore items also had to be compact and light enough so that it can be delivered to people across the world. After looking into various items in numerous price ranges, and upon final review with the artist herself, fabric posters, an art book and a postcard collection were selected as rewards for Puuung’s first Kickstarter funding project.

Launching the Kickstarter Page We needed a webpage that provided detailed information on the reward items in order to start the funding. To do so, we made samples of each reward in advance and launched our Kickstarter page!! https://www.kickstarter.com We waited with great anticipation until 8 o’clock in the morning in Korea, since the project campaign webpage was to be launched in US standard time. And to our great surprise, we achieved our goal of 10,000 dollars within just two hours from the launch of the funding and collected over 126,000 dollars, which was more than 1000% of our target amount, during the one month funding period. In addition, Puuung became the first Korean in Kickstarter to reach third place in the illustration section, which is an enormous feat. More than 1,800 backers from 70 countries, including English speaking countries of the United States and Canada, European nations including France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, and Asian countries of Singapore and Hong Kong, participated in the funding. Backers will be given rewards such as postcard collections, art book and posters that contain Puuung’s illustrations.

Producing Kickstarter Reward Items The unexpectedly large number of backers meant that we had to increase the number of items we had to produce. Since a limited quantity of rewards was being produced through funding, we wanted to provide backers who love Puuung’s work with high-quality rewards. We therefore placed extreme care into the paper, material and print quality of the rewards. [Fabric Posters] We especially went through many trials and errors while we were producing the sample for the fabric posters. Canvas fabric, the most commonly used material for fabric posters, was unable to provide us with satisfactory print quality. Multiple tests were done with various fabrics before we were able to find a fabric that gave us a print quality that most closely resembled the original illustration.

[Art Book] The art book is 116 pages and contains Puuung’s illustration as well as drawings of three couples that were selected from Puuung’s photo competition event. The background of the illustrations has a lot of detail and illustrations are shown from various angles, so the layout was arranged to show the illustration in its original proportions. The epilogue of the art book contains information fans were interested in, including the artist’s “thank you” message and photos of her workroom, sketches and of herself. Puuung, despite her busy schedule, also created an original cover for the art book and postcard collection that were to be given to Kickstarter backers. This special cover, which contains original and unique illustrations, is only available in the Kickstarter rewards!!

[Postcard Collection] The postcard collection consists of 100 illustrations and contains never-before released illustrations created by Puuung. Comments left by Kickstarter backers, such as “I want to give your illustrations to my son for his one year wedding anniversary” or “I bought your postcard collection because I wanted to use your work in our wedding invitation” show the backers expectation and affection towards Puuung’s art book.

100 copies of the art book contains Puuung’s autograph, which were each carefully signed by the artist herself. We look forward to more of Puuung’s heartwarming illustrations as she continues to draw about even the smallest happiness that is felt between people in love. :-)

Alice in the Mart

—A rollercoaster-y reboot

In this AI mashup of Pegasus Market and Alice, a group of misfits at a failing supermarket headed by a ruthless demoted CEO determined to close it down discover in the basement of the supermarket a portal to a future world. This other world is called Alice, a parallel universe where anything is possible. The supermarket employees now have a chance to use Alice to find new products and ideas to save their jobs, whereas the CEO does his best to sabotage their efforts.

In the end, only one side can succeed. Will the employees be able to save their store? Or will the CEO succeed in closing it down?

Alice Promoter Droid (with real-time human dubbing in places):

Hey there, prehistorics, welcome to our hyper-advanced world of mealtime solutions in AL Year 160!

Employees:

We want to upgrade our instant ramyun.

Alice Promoter Droid:

A perfect choice! Allow me to introduce… Hydroponic Instant Ramyun! Simply put this widget in a pot of boiling water and wait 5 seconds! The Hydroponic Instant Ramyun has been infused with hyper-intelligent nanotechnology that turns water into instant noodles! With 13 flavors to choose from, there is something for everyone! A small box filled to the brim with packets of instant ramyun-shaped tools, with cool, futurist packaging. Lots of flashing colors

CEO:

How amusing. No processed food is truly instant. Guys, guys, let's launch a green campaign that gets shoppers to queue up for the ramyun for an hour for the benefit of environmental justice!

(Shoppers curious about the queue end up snaking around the street like noodles coiling around chopsticks. Hydroponic Instant Ramyun goes out of stock due to over-demand. Disappointed shoppers end up buying less processed noodles so that they get something out of the queuing time, and subsequent shoppers start to think that the amazing queue is meant for the less processed noodles. The less processed noodles become a sensation, driving up sales. The CEO receives his Earth Protector of the Year award with the scowl of the year.)

Employees:

We shall ride on the sustainability wave! Give us sustainably raised seafood.

Alice Promoter Droid:

I present to you… The Fish Printer! This amazing device prints out a random fish fillet that uses the fish's DNA as a template. No overfishing in the future, no siree! Enjoy the taste of responsibly-sourced fish! A large tube with lots of buttons

CEO:

What did the saying about giving a man a fish say? Hold pompous talks on every yawn-inducing detail about printer construction and assembly, right in the middle of the fish section.

(The tech speaker from Alice turns out to be a beauty tech-enhanced beauty who gets flocks of men shopping for fish alongside the housewives.)

Employees:

Alice is the Queen! Alice is the Heart of Hearts! Cabbages next.

Alice Promoter Droid:

I bring you… The Cosmic Cabbage! This cabbage is grown in interplanetary conditions, which creates a unique and delicious flavor unlike anything you've ever tried! Be warned, it may not have the same nutritional value as Earth cabbage. Enjoy! A large purple cabbage in a futuristic farm

CEO:

You get the origin of the name? Add cosmic garbage to the promo leaflets.

(The funny results become the talk of the town. Sales obligingly soar.)

Employees:

We're living the ultimate dream. What did we do to earn such a genius boss? What other magic can he pull off? Do you sell only mealtime solutions? We have a boring stationery section.

Alice Promoter Droid:

I am glad you asked! Try Venus-grown pens, made using the special materials found within Venus' thick, toxic soil. They are known for retaining ink for up to 200x longer than ordinary pens. They are also known for causing horrible mutations, cancer, and other life-threatening side-effects. It's a fun gamble either way!

Employees:

…

Alice Promoter Droid:

I can assure you, Venus-grown pens have been extensively tested. In lab conditions, we were able to reduce mutations by a whopping 15%. So come on and gamble your health for a fun little pen!

CEO:

I counter that offer! An Earth-bound vacation, on Jeju island's volcanic soil, for all employees as a reward for their mega sales growth! Why, I see, no one's interested.

Employees:

Me! Me! Me!

(The CEO smirks to himself. Surely the vacation will reverse the sales trajectory?)

Alice Promoter Droid:

I can help! Introducing the Stasis Capsules! Just insert yourself into the pod and select the desired duration, as short as you need, and the capsules will hibernate your body while your mind waves are sent to your selected vacation resort, as immersively as you want! You'll wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Disclaimer: Some users have reported waking up with amnesia or as a different species, but it shouldn't be anything to worry about. Small pods with lots of glowing buttons

CEO:

Take your bodies to Jeju island too, you fools. Me and new temporary staff will cover for you.

(In a heroic shot, the CEO takes off his blazer and quickly rolls up his sleeves to go around peddling noodles, fish and cabbages, cursing himself under his breath. Rapturous applause breaks out among the employees before they thank the droid and disperse.)

Alice Promoter Droid:

(Smiling quietly to itself)

Take this along. I present to you the Stellar Compass! A device displaying an interactive map of all known stars and solar systems, and even calculating the fastest routes to whichever one you desire, wherever your happiness lies. A pocket-sized holographic display of our solar system in AD 2023

Credits

Concept: Bard

CEO's DNA: Pegasus Market

Alice Promoter Droid: Computer scientist Landon S's brilliant 2389 AD Designer + said human dubbing

Top image: WOMBO

Rediscovering the intellectual life through Asian dramas

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Homepage: https://aphilosopherchair.wordpress.com

The Asian Drama Philosopher (A-Philosopher)’s Chair provides weekly updates of literature, art and ideas featured in Korean/Japanese/Taiwanese/Chinese dramas.

Oh, WOW,

the number of poll responses has been greater than expected. Five people, excluding the soapbender, voted yes, so here it goes. The hilarious chase that would deliver the checkmate is detailed in the comments to the attached article. Make sure to credit the soapbending variance authority in the requested manner if you want to share the solution.

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Vig Vang: Chess Variance Authority

Spinoff Bubble: All cosmos are really culture broths, each flask of which contains one set of parallel universes, and an eccentric scientist

In the meantime, we cross our fingers in the ongoing, live championship. A decisive game looks set for today (so far).

Beethoven is a Blanket

“It was like spraying water onto a blanket-clad child. Fretting that she might have a hard time, I stinted on water for myself and sprinkled it on her. But the cotton blanket absorbed the wat…

Read more on WordPress.

More sculptures of dance attacks inspired by Ban Ji-eum's moves and the show's spotlight on Min Bok-jin's sculpture.

Human was shaking head as usual at the two-headed, three-legged zombies overpopulating their AI junkyard when it suddenly dawned on them that our perceptions of aestheticality and anatomy are not always valid. Oversized lumps and truncated limbs, for instance, are very much a part of our own reality. Although this insect artist did not intend to represent disability or real-life physical "deformities," some of the outcomes are all the same motivation to think about dancers who do not quite fit the mold.

Diffabled (Human is more uncomfortable with the adjective "disabled") arts practitioners would tell you that they are not some helpless, lowly class of denizens doomed to live on donations and empty kind words. They see the freedom to be more talented than even their "normal" colleagues they love and appreciate and can be more ebullient than anyone else, not least those not resolute in deciding for themselves what to do with their "complete" bodies.

Check out the previously inspired sculptures here if you've missed them.

U.S.

Brazilian ballerina born without arms soars with her attitude

When Vitória Bueno's mother first dropped her off at ballet class, she worried about her five-year-old fitting in.