About

This was going to be a blog dedicated to exploration of the symmetries, similarities, and synergies that may be found between the philosophies of Dialectical Materialism (as discussed by Karl Marx and Fredrich Engels) and Systems Theory (as discussed by W. Edwards Deming and Russell Ackoff). However, since I’ve been in school studying for a Masters in Knowledge Management I just haven’t had the time to do justice (read research into) the issues I thought would be interesting to tackle.

Also, I really want to have a blog other than the one I have that gives vent to the dark side of my personality (no . . . not giving that one away. Sometimes anonymity is the best strategy). So I think I’m going to redo this one a bit and start blogging more frequently. We’ll see how it goes from this point on.

Rick

PS – I have since graduated and received my Masters degree (with distinction!) in KM from California State University, Northridge. Now if I could only remember what I ostensibly learned. I was enjoying getting my head back into work in a way I haven’t been able to do for two years, when I was struck with a life-threatening situation that, fortunately, has resolved itself for the better. It required a bit of soul-searching (and some surgery). Perhaps when I’ve synthesized all it’s done to me, I’ll write about it. For now, what matters is my death is not quite as imminent as it may have been. Onward and upward!

PPS – Well, now another wrinkly has appeared in the fabric of my life. The company I’ve been working at for 21 of the past 23 years (took some time out to rejoin a family business in an ill-fated attempt to return to self-employment), Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, is suffering the effects of the end of the Space Shuttle program and the anticipation of NASA’s new direction. As a result, they have been cutting back on contractors and, just recently, decided to offer those of us who are 60 years old or older (I’m 62) to severance package. I have decided to take it. On May 14, 2010 my employment with PWR will end and on June 1, 2010 I will start receiving my pension from them. I may also have to file somewhat prematurely for Social Security as well, but the cut in benefits I’ll be forced to take will be somewhat ameliorated by the fact my children will be eligible for an amount totaling my monthly benefit. I will still need to work if I expect to not fall behind, but I am hopeful I can find a variety of different engagements to keep me busy and make up the difference. I expect to be experimenting a bit more with this blog, as my interests remain eclectic. As well, I am hopeful this blog will become a vehicle for presenting what I have to offer in the way of analysis and common sense (a stretch, I know