can not do math

this is me having a conversation and folding a paper crane at the same time. I decided to learn how to do a crane because it is a bird and it is simple. I like folding cranes while talking to people because, then, I get to give the crane to them when I am done. It is just something I have been doing for a while in preparation and planning for the first Kollekt Party.

Paper folding is basically geometry as an art form, if you ask me. And, full disclosure, I love me some geometry. Actually math and I, in general, get a long pretty well. But that is not because math comes easy to me. Actually, just like my experience with the other second language in my life, I understand math a lot better inside my head. The problems come when I try to express what I understand. I make mistakes and lose my way.

I want to say that math is a subject that can unite humanity, BUT I actually don't think that human history would agree with me. Math may be a good "official language" for a globe-based society of humans, but only on paper, not in the interactions between humans. We can't communicate in only math, can we? I don't want to count anything out, but in the past, humans have not been able to unite around math- like it is a theme. Aristotle doing math vs. Plato doing math is a really good example. So is the B.o.B vs. Neil deGrasse Tyson twitter beef that happened. These differences in the way people understand themselves and the universe are the reasons why I am hesitant to use math as a vehicle to unite humanity.

An issue I do have is this: when I encounter a human exclaiming on the internet about how they can not do math. If you can't math, then use the internet to change that about yourself! It's one of the core sources of knowledge, and you don't know how to understand it, ok, but you are not worried about that at all!? that is not a string of choices that lead to positive effects on the existence of the human race, so I am not a fan.

In reality I think people remark loudly about their inability to do math, because they feel like they lost the opportunity to learn. Cover up your disappointment or embarrassment by making a joke. You laugh instead of understanding why. Why do you care enough about how you "can not do math" to make an announcement?

I know it is scary to face things you have decided you can only fail at. But, truly I tell you, everyone can learn math. There are so many ways that you can look at concepts in math. it just takes the right perspective to understand what is going on. From my experience, when you find that perspective, and truly understand, it feels better than climbing to the peak of a mountain.

DoThis: Vision E001

basic bicycle maintenence

For the first Kollekt parties, one of the activities planned to do for the asylum seekers is a demonstration in basic bicycle maintenance. I have had to rely on a bicycle to travel around for the last five years. I know how to do some really basic things to keep my bicycle functional. So, on the recommendation of someone who knows much better than I what an asylum seeker might find worth their time and discomfort, I have planned and advertised this demonstration. After the demonstration is completed, any party guests who are interested will be allowed to try the techniques that were demonstrated.

Bicycles are one of the parts of our world that can bring humans together into a common interest. They transcend the class gaps of the world. No one on the planet is too rich to use a bicycle. And there are many projects all around the world that try to close the gaps on a financial level as well. There are a variety of organizations that bring older, used bikes from more affluent areas into impoverished areas. The organizers teach and employ locals to fix the bicycles and then resell them. I am not personally planning to pursue this way of uniting humanity through bicycle recycling. Though I would not refuse to partner with someone who was interested. Most importantly, as soon as possible, I would like to hand off the responsibility of the Kollekt Party basic bicycle maintenance demonstration to someone who is more passionate about bicycles than me.

Assuming Kollekt Parties continue to happen at my family house, I would like to build covered outdoor space. I can only fit one or two bikes in the living room of the house. I would love to have an area that fits more bicycles, assuming learning to do bicycle maintenance is something that appeals to the party guests as much as I have been told it will.

We also have been getting feedback from the asylum seekers that they have a desire for quality equipment to maintain their bicycles. But, they don't have access to the equipment, or they can't afford the cost if they can find the equipment.