Thoughts and Non Thoughts

Further to  this post on the fear of mortality . The fear of mortality is not so much the fear of a finite life, but rather the fear of a life that passed without significance. But what is significance? Would you rather have a $2 million mansion or win the Nobel prize worth $1.2 million. Is it achieving power and wealth or writing a book that future generations will continue to read? Each one would have a different answer. But what I've seen from most people is that if you ask them which one they preferred - recognition from others such as awards, or the appreciation from their loved ones such as their family - many would choose the latter. The fear of insignificance is not about being insignificant to the world but in being insignificant to the ones we love. We would rather live on in their hearts than on a shelf in a library.

Anatoly Karpov was world chess champion for ten years (1975-1985). Until the arrival of Gary Kasparov, he dominated tournaments and world title matches. His style is described as "solidly positional, taking no risks but reacting mercilessly to any tiny errors made by his opponents." In his own words: "Let us say the game may be continued in two ways: one of them is a beautiful tactical blow that gives rise to variations that don't yield to precise calculation; the other is clear positional pressure that leads to an endgame with microscopic chances of victory... I would choose the latter without thinking twice." (Wikipedia) Sounds familiar? It was only when Gary Kasparov came along that some excitement came back to chess. In the end Kasparov was beaten by a computer and could not stop the deteriorating interest in the game.

... To have a good day."

Beach! Sun! Fun! Less than three hours from Manila. It's more fun in the Philippines!

It's been a week since I upgraded my iPhone 5 to iOS 8.3. I was hesitant at first due to mixed reviews. The consensus seems to have been "wait and see", specially with iOS 8.4 around the corner. But I've been experiencing poor battery life since iOS 7 to iOS 8.2, always having to recharge by midday. So I thought I had little to lose -- most of the issues on iOS 8.3 were related to touchID which the iPhone 5 doesn't have. I'm glad I upgraded. Battery life has been a vast improvement, I'm back to one charge cycle per 24 hours. My guess is the better management of apps in the background. Good job, Apple!

"No crackling fire or chestnuts roasting, But we got some coconuts and rum for toasting Don't need a snowman we'll build castles in the sand I'm in a Christmas Paradise You and me underneath a beach umbrella, we don't need no mistletoe at all No need to hurry we don't have to worry there's no where else to be But the starry sky and the Christmas lights when the sun sets on the sea" - from Christmas Paradise by Carole King

This yearly event has gotten bigger and bigger. It's new home, the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati, is a perfect venue, with a few function rooms occupied by the big set-ups and the demo rooms now occupying two floors.  These Wilsons driven by Plinius amps from Listening In Style are quite impressive and weighty. In looks and in sound. The Focal-based system from AVDI is very good indeed. Detailed and neutral. If I had to choose a cost-no-object system, it would have to be this system from Architectural Audio. Magico Q5 speakers driven by Hegel amplification with Naim as source.  It is very realistic, as if the performance is right in front of you.  Just natural sound, music playback at its best, and what hi-fi should be about. Proudly Philippine made.  The Harana Audio brand can stand toe-to-toe with the megabuck imported brands and systems.  These are built by hand by audio enthusiasts and designers.  This horn-based syst...