CONFUSION

A confusion is a collection of unpredictable randomly moving particles. Everything is moving, nothing is standing still.

If you are in the middle of a traffic jam in a foreign country where you don't know the traffic rules, that would adequately illustrate a confusion.

What makes a confusion confusing is the lack of stable data.

A stable datum is an predictable datum or particle. Something that remains stable and predictable while other things are moving.


In the traffic jam, if you knew some of the rules by which the car moved you could probably sort out the confusion. Or if you used one car as reference point and worked out what the other cars did in relation to it, it would be less confusing.

Confusions can be resolved by stable data. If you start somewhere, anywhere, and you get to know something stable about one part or one particle then you have a starting point. Then you can relate other parts to that and pretty soon you have more stable data. If you keep doing that you will eventually know all about the confusion and it will no longer be confusing.

Any subject can seem confusing at first. But as you build up a structure of stable data about it, it will become less and less confusing.

In studying you are building up a structure of stable data about the subject. With that structure of stable data you will become more and more able to handle confusions in that area.

It is wise to evaluate data well before one assumes them as stable data. The best stable data you can have in a subject are the actual basic principles it is built on.

If your stable data are shaken the feeling of confusion will return. You will stay confused until you re-establish your stable data or assume new ones.

For example, if you based your study of airplanes on the datum that they fly because they have engines and propellers, you might feel confused if somebody shows you a glider plane.

So, if you run into a confusion the reason might be:

1. You went too fast into a subject you don't have enough stable data about yet.

2. Some of your existing stable data were shaken.

As mentioned, you will fare best if you choose your stable data carefully.

Sometimes you will be forced to re-evaluate existing stable data. That is not necessarily comfortable, it might include a temporary state of confusion. But if you have previously chosen false information as your stable data it will be necessary. Changing them might feel like taking one step back, but it would be followed by two steps forward.

MASS

In study, the mass is the actual subject matter. It is the physical places, objects, and activities that it is about.

If you study auto mechanics then the mass is the actual cars, engines, and parts.

The mass is very important to any kind of study. It is basically what it is all about. It is what you will be expected to handle when you are done studying

Studying will work best if you are exposed as much as possible to the mass. If you have the subject matter available for you to interact with you won't lose track of what it is about.

This is not just to help you understand better. There is an actual physical phenomenon connected to it. Studying without mass will give you physical reactions.

If you study with too little mass available you will feel squashed, dizzy, bored, or exasperated. You might even get sick.

The greatest incidence of suicides is likely in a field of study where the mass is absent.

The remedy to lack of mass is to supply the mass.

The best mass to provide is the actual thing. But, if that is not always practical there are suitable substitutes:

• pictures

• movies or video

• models

• drawings

• demonstrations

Written materials do not constitute mass. The written word is significance. What we are trying to accomplish is a balance between mass and significance.

In lack of adequate study materials the student can produce his own representations for mass.

Making drawings at certain intervals while studying is quite useful. You can demonstrate for yourself what you have studied and you can introduce at least a shadow of application by making drawings and diagrams.

Demonstrations is another very useful method of getting more mass. As you study you can demonstrate the use of the materials with random items at hand. You can show yourself or others how principles word with rubber bands or paper clips. Or you can make clay models that illustrate what you are studying. More on that later.

The Symptoms of Lack of Mass:

Dizziness

Boredom

Dead feeling

Exasperation

Sickness