2024 goals

1. meditate
2. hide cheap bric-a-brac into people's houses each time I visit
3. take more pictures (any device - cell phone/DSLR/point-n-shoot/VHS-C camcorder)
4. watch less YouTube (again)
5. play less video games (again)
6. no more beers after a stressful week of work
7. work: a) be a leader, b) do extracurriculars, c) go to employee group events
8. go to township meetings
9. drink alone at a nice bar
10. find an exercise I enjoy
11. be type-A with hanging out with friends/family
12. dress better (discard bad/unused clothes; wear crazy clothes; make my own t-shirt designs)
13. find church
14. read a Bible chapter (to Mike) each day
15. try (again) to date a girl (female woman)
16. no more kink-shaming

2023 goals: progress, justifications, and next steps

1. Make an app
• Current status: idea phase / drafting user requirements
• Idea: Social media relationship manager. Uses avatars linked to calendars, other posts/content via agglomerated social media API, individuals grouped into 'rooms' made by the user's choosing
• Next step: outsource production via Fiverr
2. Go hunting
• Current status: attempted hunting one time for squirrels (did not see a squirrel; first time on private hunting grounds)
• Idea: make a squirrel jacket, get familiar with hunting - 'grow' into larger game (deer) in the future
• Next step: schedule hunting trip
3. Go to "sticks and pucks" a couple of times
• Current status: none
• Idea: gain skill enough to join a men's hockey league
• Next step: none - I do not want to continue to pursue this goal
4. Do more activities when hanging out with friends
• Current status: doing well - moved from 'dinner plans' to activities
• Idea: increase variety when having quality time with friends/family
• Next step: continue
5. Participate in HCM Program Committee objectives
• Current status: doing well - increased engagement
• Idea: build community engagement, 'give back'
• Next step: continue
6. Have better sleep hygiene
• Current status: doing very well - rarely am I awake beyond midnight
• Idea: sleep is important for physical and mental health
• Next step: continue.
7. Play less video games
• Current status: complete
• Idea: video games are a time sink with little tangible benefit
• Next step: continue. Play video games (only with others) during winter break. 
8. Watch less YouTube
• Current status: attempted
• Idea: same as 'Play less video games'
• Next step: no more YouTube as a 'sole activity' where all I am doing in the moment is consuming YouTube
9. Attend church more
• Current status: none
• Idea: increase community engagement, networking
• Next step: go to church, embrace 'cringe'
10. Blog more
• Current status: some
• Idea: time for introspection, generating content to look back on later
• Next step: write
11. Read more
• Current status: some (1 chapter of the Bible/day, Principles of Life and Work by Ray D
• Idea: increase knowledge and perspectives on the world
• Next step: continue
12. Work out more
• Current status: none
• Idea: increased physical strength/health/appeal
• Next step: embrace 'cringe'
13. Date a girl :3
• Current status: none (scared 3:)
• Idea: build a relationship - ultimate goal = family
• Next step: introspection, try

2023 Goals

In no specific order:

1. Make an app
2. Go hunting
3. Go to "sticks and pucks" a couple of times
4. Do more activities when hanging out with friends
5. Participate in HCM Program Committee objectives
6. Have better sleep hygiene
7. Play less video games
8. Watch less YouTube
9. Attend church more
10. Blog more
11. Read more
12. Work out more
13. Date a girl :3

8 Values Analysis

The results from the 8 Values post are generally aligned with my expectations. I understand that there are costs and benefits with each ideology. It would be foolish to assume a 'perfect' governing structure exists. My opinions regarding the 8 values are directed towards giving individuals the greatest amount of personal freedom while also protecting the nation as a whole.

Economic - Capitalist (78%)

With lower taxes the wealth earned is more powerful. Less taxes also means less government spending on inefficient programs. Overall, government spending is fraught with wasteful spending with good intentions. Social programs can be useful for those who need it. I would prefer a universal basic income (UBI; or a negative income tax) - that way the individuals who are most in need have the ability to spend directly on the items needed the most. Nobody knows what an individual needs more than that individual. I trust that individuals would spend UBI in a way that impacts their immediate needs directly.

I think the State has taken over social programs that were once the focus of many powerful, local, non-profit organizations including churches. I say powerful because these non-profits were able to better understand the needs of their local community. With the increased social programs of the state there is less need for non-profit organizations, volunteerism, and community.

I am cautious about complete deregulation; my thoughts are mixed on the topic. With complete deregulation I am certain companies would harm less powerful communities for the sake of another. How can regulation be made more effective? Perhaps with regulators being privatized... but that also sounds like a path with many consequences - with similar corruption. Sadly, the "winners" in a capitalism with a strong government often lobby to establish regulations which stifle smaller competitors. Compliance with regulations comes with a great cost to the public.

Diplomatic - Nationalist (76%)

One of the government's main purposes is to preserve and protect the welfare of the citizens - not the welfare of the globe. A strong military is necessary to preserve and protect the welfare of the citizens. This does not mean the state should take an expansionist military posture.

A global government would be ineffective attempting to balance the needs for all of the diverse needs from each sub-state. The smaller and more local the government the better.

Civil - Moderate (53%)

I'm surprised I scored so low in "liberty." I think the government should be absent from the lives of individuals including surveillance and censorship. The laws imposed on what landowners can do with the land they own is a travesty (permits and codes needed for everything).

Where I do appreciate strong state power against those who are violent and attempt to limit the liberties of others.

Society - Traditional (65%)

This section provides a false dichotomy - assuming tradition comes at the expense of scientific innovation. Scientific innovation has generally increased the well-being of humanity as a whole. I am excited for the innovations just around the corner.

Moral codes are important for a people - with constantly changing morals it becomes more difficult to navigate an already confusing world. Traditions help a people recognize and reinforce shared values.

8 Values

I completed the 8 Values political quiz (linked) on 21JAN2023.

The eight values are placed on four axes.

Economic

• Equality - those with higher equality scores believe the economy should distribute value evenly among the populace. They tend to support progressive tax codes, social programs, and at high values, socialism.
• Markets - those with higher market scores believe the economy should be focused on rapid growth. They tend to support lower taxes, privatization, deregulation, and at high values, laissez-faire capitalism.

Diplomatic

• Nation - those with higher nation scores are patriotic and nationalist. They often believe in an aggressive foreign policy, valuing the military, strength, sovereignty, and at high values, territorial expansion.
• Globe - those with higher globe scores are cosmopolitan and globalist. They often believe in a peaceful foreign policy, emphasizing diplomacy, cooperation, integration, and at high values, a world government.

Civil

• Liberty - those with higher liberty scores believe in strong civil liberties. They tend to support democracy and oppose state intervention in personal lives. Note that this refers to civil liberties, not economic liberties.
• Authority - those with higher authority scores believe in strong state power. They tend to support state intervention in personal lives, government surveillance, and at high values, censorship or autocracy.

Society

• Tradition - those with higher tradition scores believe in traditional values and strict adherence to a moral code. Though not always, they are usually religious, and support the status quo or the status quo ante.
• Progress - those with higher progress scores believe in social change and rationality. Though not always, they are usually secular or atheist, and support environmental action and scientific or technological research.

Results

Analysis to follow.

OCEAN Analysis

Regarding my OCEAN results.

Reminder: O - Openness, C - Conscientiousness, E - Extroversion, A - Agreeableness, N - Neuroticism

Self scoring - this was not the first time I attempted the OCEAN quiz. My original attempt resulted in high OC and extremely low (single digit) AN scores. The previous results likely contributed to how I recently generated the near-100% OC scores; this may be a form of confirmation bias. Perhaps I subconsciously thought "I scored high OC and low AN. How confusing and uncomfortable different results in a half-year would be! I will answer in a way that confirms the previous results." I hope and trust this is not the case.

Friend's scoring - the only directional difference than my own scoring and the scoring of my friends is E. I understand and appreciate my friends' scoring and their perception of me. I think the most likely analysis is their perception of a higher E score is based on the amount of effort I place into maintaining friendships.

My current understanding of myself is "high OC, low AN, flexible E." The actual numbers have no weight in my understanding.

No score is "bad" or "good." It is how these elements of personality are utilized to make a man great. I humbly accept any positive words from encouragement from the results. Each personality dimension can be utilized with negative consequences. I can identify weaknesses for each of my scores: with high O I do not possess many opinions that I hold extremely strongly - I admire some who believe something to their very core. With high C I sometimes find myself dissatisfied with simply relaxing or may pursue a goal longer than is necessary. With low A I find myself always ready for a healthy debate - some may find a constant debate exhausting. With low N I do not typically focus on self-reflection - imagine the growth potential on more self-reflection!

Consider the limitations of the test. The test is only useful in understanding a small snapshot of one's five tenancies in life. The test consists of only a few questions answered by the test taker. The most relevant test is life itself. A better test would be an analysis of day-to-day analysis of circumstances relevant to the five personality traits. Another test more relevant to an online self-evaluation would be an evaluation with a competent professional.

The scores do not define the taker. Scores can change over the course of one's life and even day-to-day (within some reasonable limit).

The OCEAN test is one step in the journey of  the concept of "know thyself." "Know thyself" is wisdom given to the present time from multiple ancient cultures. All present should listen.

OCEAN

The Big Five assessment measures scores on five major dimensions of personality: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (sometimes abbreviated OCEAN).

Definitions (copied from Truity)

Openness: describes a person’s tendency to think in abstract, complex ways. High scorers tend to be creative, adventurous, and intellectual. They enjoy playing with ideas and discovering novel experiences. Low scorers tend to be practical, conventional, and focused on the concrete. They tend to avoid the unknown and follow traditional ways.

Conscientiousness: describes a person’s ability to exercise self-discipline and control in order to pursue their goals. High scorers are organized and determined, and are able to forego immediate gratification for the sake of long-term achievement. Low scorers are impulsive and easily sidetracked.

Extroversion: describes a person’s inclination to seek stimulation from the outside world, especially in the form of attention from other people. Extroverts engage actively with others to earn friendship, admiration, power, status, excitement, and romance. Introverts, on the other hand, conserve their energy, and do not work as hard to earn these social rewards.

Agreeableness describes a person’s tendency to put others’ needs ahead of their own, and to cooperate rather than compete with others. People who are high in Agreeableness experience a great deal of empathy and tend to get pleasure out of serving and taking care of others. They are usually trusting and forgiving. People who are low in Agreeableness tend to experience less empathy and put their own concerns ahead of others.

Neuroticism describes a person’s tendency to experience negative emotions, including fear, sadness, anxiety, guilt, and shame. While everyone experiences these emotions from time to time, some people are more prone to them than others. High Neuroticism scorers are more likely to react to a situation with fear, anger, sadness, and the like. Low Neuroticism scorers are more likely to brush off their misfortune and move on.

I completed an OCEAN quiz on 07JAN2023(via Truity) and scored myself (left); two of my close friends collaborated (via Truity) in 08JUL2022 to generate the following scores (right):

O: 98% | 79%

C: 98% | 81%

E: 46% | 69%

A: 46% | 35%

N: 04% | 10%

The scores from the self-assessment and the assessment from my friends generally align. I possess high openness and conscientiousness. I exhibit low neuroticism. Agreeableness values are 'low' but not drastically so. There is a disconnect between my perception of my extroversion and the extroversion observed by my friends.