Gathering and Discerning Information in the 21st Century
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“Each of us believes himself to live directly within the world that surrounds him, to sense its objects and events precisely, and to live in real and current time. I assert these are perceptual illusions. Sensation is an abstraction, not a replication of the real world.” Vernon Mountcastle

Quote from YouTube Video: Kavli Prize Laureate Lecture – The Restless Brain

The Home Renovation Planner

Contractor Payments:

In most cases you will not need to pay anything up front but if you are installing special equipment like appliances, hot tub or custom wood work, etc. then you may be expected to pay a good portion to show your commitment. Avoid paying cash. Contractors that ask for cash are probably trying to avoid taxes or something which demonstrates dishonesty and should be a major red flag for you. Be sure to make payment with a cheque and to the correct person of the company and always get a receipt at the payment moment. Make sure payments are clearly spelt out in the contract. See section 6, Financing for more details on financing and the tax advantages regarding your home improvement project.

This is a portion of the actual Builders Lien Act in BC. (See Section 7, Resources for more detail) It states that 4 (1) The person primarily liable on each contract, and the person primarily liable on each subcontract, under which a lien may arise under this Act must retain a holdback equal to 10% of the greater of :

(a)the value of the work or material as they are actually provided under the contract or subcontract.

(b)the amount of any payment made on account of the contract or subcontract price.

***This hold back is some added consumer protection and you should check with your province or state for amount and the time allowed to hold back. Do not make final payment or sign a completion document until you are completely satisfied and all the work is complete and all equipment is working properly.

Science-fact-theory-hypothesis

Definitions key to discussions:

  • Fact: A fact is a statement that is true and can be proved with evidence.
  • Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon that can be tested by the scientific method. A hypothesis has not been tested.
  • Theory: Scientific theories are distinguished from hypotheses, which are empirically testable conjectures, and from scientific laws, which are descriptive accounts of how nature behaves under certain conditions. Theories have been rigorously tested and widely accepted by the scientific community who agree the theory best explains the observations or phenomenon we experience.
  • Scientific Method: The scientific method is a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
  • Empirical Evidence: Empirical evidence is the knowledge received by means of the senses, particularly by observation and experimentation.
  • Reality: Reality is the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them.
  • Delusion: A delusion is a belief that is held with strong conviction despite superior evidence to the contrary.
  • Insanity: Insanity, craziness, or madness is a spectrum of behaviors characterized by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns.