When You’re in Charge, Your Whisper May Feel Like a Shout

It has been said that good parenting is less about following rules and more about assessing your child’s needs; so it goes with the storyteller’s drive to command attention from an audience. When we identify the needs and interests of our audience, we are able to bring both surprise and familiarity to the engagement, which transports them to a place that is new and imaginative, but also safe and comfortable.

As leaders, we know shouting uses the element of surprise, which can be effective. However, if all you do is shout, eventually you don't get heard. To whisper is to use the element of familiarity. But without trust, a whisper is only a whisper. 

This week, a look at how authority amplifies words.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "It is characteristic of all deep human problems that they are not to be approached without some humor and some bewilderment." - Freeman Dyson (US (English-born) physicist, 1923 - ) 

   When You’Re in Charge, Your Whisper May Feel Like a Shout

The sound of old people laughing: lol

Laughter is a form of communication that is universally recognized. It's thought that laughter may have occurred before humans could speak as a playful way for mothers and infants to communicate, as a form of play vocalization, or to strengthen group bonds. Even today our brains are wired to prime us to smile or laugh when we hear others laughing.
 
It doesn't matter what my digital laughter looks like, does it? Or does it? Am I old? Don't answer that. I'm still laughing and I don't care how it looks in print.
This week, Part 3 of 3 on Laughing in the Digital Age.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "Fools rush in where fools have been before." - Unknown

   The Sound of Old People Laughing Lol by fredwine

The Not-So-Universal Language of Laughter

Big data is a broad term for data sets so large or complex that traditional data processing applications are inadequate. What happens when big data meets eLaughter? More than we may want to know, but I'll admit the data is interesting, in a geeky way of course.

This week, Part 2 of 3 on Laughing in the Digital Age.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "I have only one superstition. I touch all the bases when I hit a home run." - Babe Ruth (US baseball player, 1895 - 1948)

   The Not-So-Universal Language of Laughter by fredwine

Hahaha

Anyone who knows me knows I like to laugh. It takes less resources that crying (typically no tissues are involved) and it can be considered exercise for those of us who limit themselves to jumping to conclusions, carrying things too far or pushing our luck.

It's relatively easy to laugh in person, but how about through social media? Digital technologies have changed everything (or so we're led to believe), so how about laughter?
 
This week, Part 1 of 3 on Laughing in the Digital Age.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "Language is the source of misunderstandings." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery (French writer, 1900 - 1944)

   Hahaha by fredwine

A New Map of How We Think Top Brain Bottom Brain

You may have heard people describe themselves as strictly "right-brained" or "left-brained," with the left-brainers bragging about their math skills and the right-brainers touting their creativity. The brain is divided down the middle into two hemispheres, with each half performing a fairly distinct set of operations.

In general, the left hemisphere is dominant in language: processing what you hear and handling most of the duties of speaking. It's also in charge of carrying out logic and exact mathematical computations. When you need to retrieve a fact, your left brain pulls it from your memory.

The right hemisphere is mainly in charge of spatial abilities, face recognition and processing music. It performs some math, but only rough estimations and comparisons. The brain's right side also helps us to comprehend visual imagery and make sense of what we see. It plays a role in language, particularly in interpreting context and a person's tone.

While brain asymmetry allows the two sides of the brain to become specialized, increasing its processing capacity and avoiding situations of conflict (where both sides of the brain try to take charge), isn't it the whole brain that matters? Two halves make a whole, right?

This week, another look at how we look at the brain.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't." - Eleanor Roosevelt (First Lady, US diplomat & reformer, 1884 - 1962)

   A New Map of How We Think: Top Brain / Bottom Brain by fredwine

Fear of Ruin as Disease Takes Hold of Italy’s Olive Trees

First it was Europe’s ash trees under threat from disease. Now it’s the continent’s olives in the firing line. A killer pathogen that has established itself in southern Italy is now “very likely” to spread, posing a major risk to European olive trees.

This week, a look the peril facing Italy's olive trees.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colours. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns." - Sir Winston Churchill (British politician, 1874 - 1965)

   Fear of Ruin as Disease Takes Hold of Italy’s Olive Trees by fredwine

For an Aging Brain, Looking for Ways to Keep Memory Sharp

In many ways, the mind is still a scientific mystery and we are constantly trying to understand it more. One thing is certain though: your brain can deteriorate if you don't take care of it. 

Hey, it's not all bad news. Some studies show the aging brain is more capable than its younger counterpart at creativity and innovation, which means my best days thinking are yet to come. But memory tends to be fleeting, regardless of which side of the study you tend to favor.

This week, a look at how to keep your memory sharp as the brain ages.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "If a dog jumps in your lap, it is because he is fond of you; but if a cat does the same thing, it is because your lap is warmer." - Alfred North Whitehead (English mathematician & philosopher, 1861 - 1947)

   For an Aging Brain, Looking for Ways to Keep Memory Sharp