Level Up: Paint.NET: Create Large Image From Small Image Source

In trying to create a logo for my newest game, I had a few images that were 32x32 pixels. So, my first thought for the logo was just a mash up with all of them. And, that looked something horrific, like:

A mashup of small pixelated icons

And, if that were scaled up to the size I needed, it would be even more pixelated, which I did not want for this game. So, I thought for a few seconds to determine what I were to do if I weren't lazy. Using my design background and my like for being minimal, I've decided to just create an image of my own that wouldn't be pixelated. If I were to just blow up an 32x32 image to 1000x1000, here's what it would look like:

This is worse than pixelation

Solution, in order to capture the essence of the game in just a single simple icon, I determined that the bomb disguised as a coin would best represent most of the game. Hopefully, it would also provide a little bit of intrigue to get users to click on it.

Final image, using only my own circles, lines, and rounded rectangles. Oh, and the practical use of Gaussian Blur for the level up! =]

Btw, you can play the free beta version at Simply Advanced Games. Coinqueror is coming soon for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.

~ Danial Goodwin ~

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Five Logical Fallacies That Make You Wrong More Than You Think

I don't always want to impress my thoughts unto others, I'd just prefer others to think for themselves and truly understand both/all sides of an argument/view better. That's why I'm not going to go into details of this article that I just read. It doesn't matter what the source is, just that it presents readers with another perspective.

Here are 5 Logical Fallacies That Make You Wrong More Than You Think:
1. We're Not Programmed to Seek "Truth," We're Programmed to "Win"
2. Our Brains Don't Understand Probability
3. We Think Everyone's Out to Get Us
4. We're Hard-Wired to Have a Double Standard
5. Facts Don't Change Our Minds

Maybe, maybe not. But, it is a good read.

http://www.cracked.com/article_19468_5-logical-fallacies-that-make-you-wrong-more-than-you-think.html

~ Simply Advanced ~

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Procrastination Hack: Think With Your Future Self

The present you and the future you are two different people. The future self has more experiences than your present self.

It is easy to think with your present self, and that's what most people do.

But, consider this, your future self:

• Understands more than your present self
• Knows more about what is better for yourself
• Can see in retrospect

So which self would you rather think with?
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Now, to tie this with a practical example -- the procrastination hack part.
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What would your future self say at the present moment?

What does your present self want to do right now? Social media? YouTube?
What would your future wish you did right now? Learning? Went out with friends?

Remember, your future self will always be smarter than your present self. So, go ahead and raise your IQ, live a better life by thinking with your future self.

Comments welcomed.

~ Simply Advanced ~

ps - Another way of thinking about this is, what would you say to your younger self? How would you do things differently? Is there something that you wish you could change from the past?

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Talking to Myself

We all talk to ourselves whether it is aloud or not.

Another word for "talking to yourself" is "thinking". When you are thinking, there is typically a conversation of whether or not something should be done or what should be said.

The only time you aren't talking to yourself is when you are strictly doing, which is a tough thing to do. Certain substances limit inhibitors. Which, in turn, arguably allows for more creativity. Free writing is also great practice in "strictly doing" aka creativity.

~ Simply Advanced ~

ps - My initial seed of an idea for this post was just "Talking to myself = Thinking from different perspectives." And, originally, that's all this post was going to say. I didn't want to talk about creativity in this post because I have a lot to say about it, but not enough time. Hence, the abrupt stop.

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Quick Notes - 20130221

• "The Presentation of Self" by Erving Goffman (1959)
• We define situations.
• Microsociology, Erving Goffman
• Wallflower, Perks of Being a
• Movie: "Tootsie"
• I now have a proper name for what I've been calling group think (peer influences), which is Solomon Asch and the Asch conformity experiments, aka Asch Paradigm.
• It seems to be hard to overcome first interactions/experiences. Perhaps, that's because it is when our brain connections are first formed around the new topic. It's harder to break those connections than create new ones. Those new connections group/form around the initial connection. So, that initial feeling will be there for a long time.

• The only "real" theories we have are based upon a human defined topic (i.e., Euclidean geometry where a line can't intersect itself and parallel lines don't cross)
• I have tons of excuses, but none is sufficient enough excuse
• Being deaf-ish in one ear, but still able to detect where sound comes from [audibly]. Perhaps the timing of sounds is used rather than the intensity of sound.
• People who don't change their desktop background screen may be considered as "not tech-savy", but I haven't changed my screen from the default because I've gotten past procrastination. Changing the background does not significantly effect my ability positively enough to warrant time to look through the great choices of wallpapers that I have used in the past and the many more I have saved.

~ Simply Advanced ~

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Blame the Brain

It's not my fault that my brain decided not to remember _______.

EDIT: "I tried, but my brain took over."

EDIT2: Dang conscious thinking not as smart as sub-conscious thinking.

EDIT3: "The brain didn't name itself, I did."

EDIT4: Talking to myself too.

~ Simply Advanced ~

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Holding My Breath

I just randomly decided to time how long I can hold my breath. I was thinking somewhere in the ballpark of one minute. But, at about 1'35" I looked at my watch and I was still holding on. Then, I just decided to stop right on the two minute mark because I wasn't sure if I was doing something wrong...

I've always wondered how long I could hold my breath, but I never expected it to be this much. My previous max was maybe something like 1'45" when I was a lot smaller and swimming more often (I pretty much don't swim nowadays unfortunately).

Some things that may have contributed to my current two minute record:

• Randomly, I hold my breath as long as I can. No reason that I can think of.
• I slowed my respiratory rate down the minute before timing.
• And something I read about before but never had the opportunity to test.. Take about four really deep quick breaths right before going for the record.

It works.

~ Simply Advanced ~

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Procrastinating Productivity - It's a Good Thing

It seems the more I feel unproductive, the more I want become productive.

I was just thinking of this because two days ago I played some awesome volleyball for six hours straight. It was great relaxation and social time. And right afterwards I was motivated for some all night Android coding. The entire all-nighter was productive.

It was definitely worth it to take that half-day break.

This is not the only case of having pure productivity, it happens all the time. But, there are certain conditions necessary first. Mainly, having a clear goal/plan-of-attack. Spending 5-10 minutes to create a definite list saves you from unproductive time.
And, my personal condition for productivity is having a clear/clean workspace where I can easily concentrate on only one thing at a time. (I know a few people who can work in messy areas, so whatever works.. make it so)

Someone who has read enough about productivity that any more would be unproductive,
~ Simply Advanced ~

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