cd /etc/fonts/conf.d
rm 70-no-bitmaps.conf
ln -s ../conf.avail/70-yes-bitmaps.conf

misc-fixed fonts in gnome-terminal

~/.fonts.conf

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!DOCTYPE fontconfig SYSTEM "fonts.dtd">
<fontconfig>
  <dir>/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc</dir>
  <selectfont>
    <acceptfont>
      <pattern>
        <patelt name="family">
          <string>fixed</string>
        </patelt>
      </pattern>
    </acceptfont>
  </selectfont>
</fontconfig>

EventShuffle now in alpha testing!

My latest venture, EventShuffle, is now in alpha testing! Contact me if you want an account invitation.

/etc/inputrc

set show-all-if-ambiguous on
set show-all-if-unmodified on
set match-hidden-files off
set mark-symlinked-directories on

Life-Changing Books

I figured that I will post the books that have truly been life-changing books for me, particularly on improving my health. Hopefully others will find them as beneficial as I did.

If you are interested in knowing the scientific basis behind low-carb, this is the number one book you should read. It is well written, is packed with references to peer-reviewed research articles, and will open your eyes on how the standard "healthy lifestyle" recommendations are really not. This book is a must read if you are interested in understanding how your diet affects your body. Hint: low-carb is not just about losing weight.

This book shows you how dietary cholesterol and saturated fat are NOT dangerous for your health. It is packed with references to peer-reviewed research articles, and present conclusions that are very different from conventional nutrition advice. It also talks about the dangers of statin drugs that are commonly prescribed to suppress your body's natural cholesterol production.

This book tells you everything you need to know about managing your sleep habits, how your circadian rhythm interacts with your sleeping schedule, and the adverse effects of not getting adequate sleep. Once you read this you will never again take lightly the prospect of staying up late or sacrificing sleep for any other activities.

This book helped me healed my RSI injuries, and taught me everything I know about proper ergonomics. This is a must-read for anyone who suffers from or wants to prevent RSI.

I never thought I would ever quote from the bible, but here is a brilliant new English translation of a particular passage that I came across:

Do not eat the fruit of the technology¹
that makes edible² the inedible³,
for when you eat it you will surely die.

Genesis 2:17


Notes on Translation

1. English for "Tree of Knowledge" from Greek tech (weave) and nology (of knowledge).


2. In ancient Hebrew synonymous with "good".


3. In ancient Hebrew synonymous with "evil".

What is the interpretation? Many of the common food items that we are accustomed to are not edible in their natural state; they only became edible with the acquisition of food processing technology. Since the acquisition of such technology is a relatively recent phenomenon in human evolution, we are finding out (as would be expected) that humans are poorly adapted to such food items, and they pose a detriment to the poor humans who consume them.

Examples of such food items are grains, beans, and potatoes. All three are inedible for humans in their natural state. They only become edible through processing with technology such as fire and pottery. All of these foods are highly toxic in their natural state and inedible for humans. Cooking renders them edible, but still does not destroy all of the toxins. Is it a mere coincidence that Genesis 2:17 can be translated as above?

Credit for the translation goes to the book
NeanderThin: Eat Like a Caveman to Achieve a Lean, Strong, Healthy Body.

Gout: The Missing Chapter from Good Calories, Bad Calories

Gout: The Missing Chapter from Good Calories, Bad Calories