Ideeahs

blink, Chapter Six, Section 2. The Theory of Mind Reading. I enjoyed reading "blink" by Malcolm Gladwell. The book is about the processes that we all follow to make snap decisions. Whether it is deciding that a particular piece of art is one we like, or a particular person someone we just will not get along with, there are certain decision making processes that we can't control. Or can we? The book talks about the difference between the snap decisions of experts in a field vs. those of laypeople. It talks about how we can be primed to answer a question in a specific way by being shown certain images or words prior to filling out a questionnaire. It talks about how when confronted with certain emotions we tunnel (or narrow) the field of interpretation to the very basic ones required for survival. It shows that while some of what happens in the blink of an eye is not controllable, we can, if we are aware of the fact that we have automatic reactions, have some im...

Over the last seven days I devoured a book entitled "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.  It recounts the story of an American man and the work he is doing in the most remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is the story about a man on a mission.  A man with a belief.  A stubborn and fixated individual.  A man convinced of what he is here to do. Against many odds he has done more to help the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan than most (or maybe any) organization be they charitable, private, not-for-profit, governmental, religious. In a time when many westerners are brainwashed into thinking that anyone from the "-stans" is a radical terrorist, this book once again uncovers the truth we all know deep down in our hearts.  The truth that seeps out when we put aside our religious, political, biased views.  It being that all human beings want is peace and freedom.  To live as they wish, to learn.  To be free to express themselves and to rai...