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Idea
The concept of an idea
 
  It remains a fundamental truth that the greatest advancements in human civilization have come from the harnessing of the creative potential of the human mind. It is also now sadly a truth that the greatest destructive potential yet harnessed on Earth also came from that same potential of the human mind.  
  That humanity can be so creative and yet so destructive remains the central paradox of what is called the 20th Century of human history.  
  We have the atomic bomb, created from the minds of great scientists in the early parts of this century. An idea, when put into action can result in the total mass destruction of an entire city in minutes. The mass death of millions upon millions of individual lives, individual families. Millions of lifetimes destroyed in only minutes.  
  We have the fibulator for restarting hearts, that has resulted in paramedics saving of tens of thousands of individual lives around the world. I have the humble toaster and even the personal computer as examples of the genius of human minds.  
  Isn't it strange then that you forget that so much of the world you live in- the car, the phone, the TV, the stereo, the music, the computer, the kitchen, the packaged foods, the house all came into being because someone put down on paper an idea?  
2.2.1 The concept of models
  What shall we call ideas that are put into action? There are a number of terms you could use. however let us consider using the word "model' to describe ideas once they are put into action. I shall then define more clearly the word "model" in a moment.  
  So now, we can call the electric light bulb a model, and the computer a model, and the telephone a model, and physics a series of models and religions as models.  
2.2.2 The daily and constant use of models
  Whoever you may be, whatever age, you use models to meet our varied needs every day, every waking moment.  
  You may use a model of religious thought that provides a means of understanding how the Universe, the human species and your life makes sense. You may use a model as a means of achieving meditation. You may use a model as a means of creating a method of transport such as a car, or a way of cooling food, such as fridge. You may use a model of how light travels to create TV or the phone. Or simply, you may use a model to live and work at a particular location in a particular society.  
  The average human in the world today may use over a thousand different models a day, most of the time without thinking about each model. For instance, when was the last time you stepped into a bus, car or plane and asked "why does the model on which this is based work?"  
  Yet models are practical and necessary tools in our understanding and shaping of the environment around us.  
2.2.3 The whole world is made up of millions of ideas, millions of models
  Now if you extend what we have just said to it end, we can honestly say that the world is made up of millions of ideas in action (models)!  
  It sounds like a strange concept at first, but it is true. The light globe, our car, the clothes we wear, the food you eat, the music you enjoy, the places you meet and the sheets on our bed. All were once ideas on a page.  
2.2.4 A clear definition on the purpose of models
  All models share one common purpose: A model is a construct of laws and principles that seek to influence matter and measure it in some way.  
  Whether it be a philosophy, or model to build a toaster, both influence objects. One may influence how you think, and then how you deal with people at work or at home. The other seeks to cook bread to a certain crispness as required.  
  In addition, all models share the need to: Target purpose, Target outcome.  
  That is to say a model must be seen in terms of its target purpose and what is the desired outcome.  
  For instance if we consider a car, its target purpose is as a means of transport. The target outcome is that when you turn the ignition and there is sufficient fuel (providing the general mechanics of the car are working) then the car will take you to where you wish to go. Similarly, a philosophy on the meaning and purpose of life is a model requiring a target purpose and a target outcome.  
  The target purpose may be to understand where you fit in and what is required. The target outcome may be to find purpose and reasoning of your existence and therefore potentially lead a fulfilled and happy life.  
  Alternatively, you may have a model for mathematics in the form of a calculator. The purpose is to add up your tax bill. The outcome is to have a number that adds up all the component parts after you have punched in all the numbers and pressed the equals sign.  
2.2.5 Measuring the usefulness of models
  Taking the definition of a model, we see that its purpose is to influence matter and/or measurement in some way, once you have a target purpose and a target outcome.  
  We can therefore see that models are simply tools. Even if we forget to remind ourselves of that from time to time.  
  (1) Meeting desired target outcome  
  The 1st measurement therefore of the usefulness of a model is in terms of o meeting an individuals target outcome  
  We say individual, because a model can only be measured from starting with individuals and building up.  
  A personal computer may be extremely useful for people living in a 1st world city, but totally useless to a bushman in Africa, with no access to electricity.  
  An explanation of how the planet revolves around the sun may be extremely useful for scientists tracking objects and planning space probes, but totally useless for a woman suffering the effects of a family trauma.  
  (2) Utility of a model  
  Most models today have a certain range of utility. That is to say that as our needs change, the model can provide a range of target outcomes.  
  We have kitchen appliances that are able to dice, slice, grate, heat, etc. I have watches that can tell seconds, days, months, years. We have cars that can tow a load via bull bar as well as auto control for long haul trips.  
  Utility of a model is a measure of a model's usefulness in different situations.  
2.2.6 Why don't we replace certain models when they don't seem to work?
  Remember we spoke about the personal pain when our beliefs come under attack? well, if these are beliefs you adopted from a model and they don't work properly, you should in theory be able to replace them.  
  Certainly if you had a broken computer and it was still under warranty, you could send it off to be repaired. If a light globe breaks, you buy a new one.  
  Humanity as a whole has shown it is prepared to throw out the old to adopt the new. In the late 1940's the city of Los Angeles removed its entire tram system is a classic example of "out with the old and in with the new".  
  So how come we don't do the same when we' re not happy with a model of philosophy- such as a model of God, or of relationships, or of who I are?  
  The answer unfortunately is that overall, there hasn't been the shiny new replacement philosophy sitting in the corner store window.  
  Science for example, is yet to agree on a complete unified theory of the forces and energy. Few religions give physical road map directions to their version of heaven and while archaeologists have found the lost city of Troy, medicine is yet to fully show us what makes up our self consciousness.  
  No one has come up with a satisfactory model that links physics with metaphysics and ethereal concepts. Instead, in many parts of our life we are told to rely on "faith" and "hope". No wonder we may get so stressed.  
  Let us then look at the importance of Words in conveying important ideas and meaning.  
     
 
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