A quick note to say that I've set up my Business blog, to be able to speak with a clear voice on both personal and work issues (i.e. by having separate blogs).
The fifth in a series of posts detailing those resources I’m finding useful on my own particular (life) journey.
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I did Biology A Level, back in the mists of time.
To much of how science is presented seems to be a fait accompli. I prefer to create my own understanding from the evidence that’s out there, and how it evolves over time.
The List
The rationale
Chaos – I remember reading this and being inspired, daunted, and made tearful with frustration. Top notch popular science.
Genius – Dick Feynman’s life combined tragedy, playfulness, profound insightful and periods when he lost his way. Another powerful account of leaders willing to speak truth to power (i.e. the final chapter).
Emergence – seemingly a ‘parallel’ track to Chaos. Another breakthrough and disruptive discipline in the Sciences. You might be spotting a theme here…
The Fractalist – part autobiography, part inspirational story of survival, part the midwifery of a new branch of science / maths. Inspirational exposition of success in the face of huge challenges, combining a gentleness of manner with first-class determination and courage.
You are the Placebo – important insights into the way we create our identity from within. The challenge is doing something about this, though
Mycelium Running – a powerful story of how fungi
To read:
At Home in the Universe – I’ve started reading, but got side-tracked. More insights, this time from complexity theory (cf Emergence above)
Gut – having a dairy intolerance, I have an interest in things relating to my gut, the microbiome, and all things relating
Learning from the Octopus – I must get beyond the initial chapters. It’s about how we can learn from the natural world
Soft-Wired – there are too many determinists out there. Our brains alter according to how we use them.
The Arrow of Time – I need to read this to understand why time only goes one way
Relativity – I started this, but got stuck with time going faster and slower depending on where you are #drat
Quantum Theory – I want to understand more about entanglement et al.
Systems View of Life – how to bring things together as a whole
The Storytelling Animal – humans as narrative making and seekers
The Task
The Scientific Method offers powerful ways to understand ourselves and the Cosmos.
However, scientists are humans – after all – so IMHO we should take responsibility for our own synthesis of whatever insights we have gleaned so far from the natural world, and beyond.
Actually, my immediate task is to read more of these books – both on my Kindle, and from my bookshelf... #oops
Feedback
Any thoughts, additions, amendments – whatever – please add in respectful and constructive comments below. Thank you!
The fourth in a series of posts detailing those resources I’m finding useful on my own particular (life) journey.
Meta
I did Economics A Level, back in the mists of time.
Since then I’ve done a Psychology degree and an MBA.
Humans are not rational actors seeking to maximise their economic utility.
We’re meat bags, and (too) often meat puppets. Let’s treat each other – and our Selves – on the basis of that insight. I.e. with understanding, compassion, and a pinch of salt!
The List
The rationale
Predictably Irrational – i.e. humans are irrational, but in predictable ways
The Lean Startup – a business passion of mine, and a means to experiment your way to success. Has turned business failure into something valuable – if in the context of continual learning
Business Model Generation – essential complement to The Lean Startup. When I first read it, half way through I thought: “this is McKinsey quality material”. Not sure if McKinsey knows a great deal about this domain though… #discuss
On the basis of reading Moneyball(and watching the film), I am a huge Michael Lewis fan. His lighthearted style turns non-fiction subjects into page-turners. A pleasure and an indulgence to read his work
To read:
Nudge - the book that started the Behavioural Economics movement, and brought groundedness to stale academic debate
Liar’s Poker – Wall Street excess and nuttiness
Flash Boys – the operations (or not) of high-frequency financial trading
The Undoing Project: A Friendship that Changed the World – shining a fond light into the professional collaboration of Amos Tversky & Danny Kahneman. This will be a reward for doing something special ;D
The Big Short – Michael’s treatment of one of the pivotal moments of this century so far
The English Constitution – Walter Bagehot’s take on the UK’s unwritten constitution
Lombard Street - according to Wikipedia: "Bagehot was one of the first writers to describe and explain the world of international and corporate finance, banking, and money in understandable language"
The Madness of Crowds – definitely not rational economics actions, surely undercutting efficient market theory…?
The Smartest Guys in the Room: epic folly, cynical pyramid schemes, and still on my shelf. The Enron story and the subsequent collapse. Whistleblowers everywhere -
The Task
Let’s learn how to empower ourselves to make the best decisions possible, and de-mystify the jargon and de-fang the prognosticators – based on our own experiments!
Students everywhere: take control of your own learning in this domain, bring it to life with stuff more readily intelligible, and become passionate about such as important topic.
Feedback
Any thoughts, additions, amendments – whatever – please add in respectful and constructive comments below. Thank you!
The second in a series of posts detailing those resources I’m finding useful on my own particular (life) journey.
Meta
I’ve chosen these books to hopefully be an accessible way into cultivating inner knowledge, and valuing our inner teacher [or whatever you would like to call it…].
IMHO there is no ‘correct’ way to live, only continual experiments in vulnerability and courage.
I’ve come to believe it’s a life-long practice, with many speed bumps along the way #crikey
The List
To grow, as I come across new materials and / or think of additions.
The rationale
Daring Greatly: Brené is reframing vulnerability so that we can welcome it as a superpower. I’m coming to the belief that vulnerability is a vital stepping stone to presence, and that we are fortunate to live in a time to absorb her wisdom for ourselves.
A Hidden Wholeness – Parker’s work powerfully resonates with me. I’ve attended three retreats – and counting – based on the insights of the Centre for Courage and Renewal. Their ‘Clearness Committee’ format is the most respectful and dignified way to hold other people which I have come across.
What shall I do with my Life? – I remember reading this and thinking: that’s actually really helpful.
Sophie’s World – IMHO we should teach philosophy to Primary Schoolers. A brilliant way to create a coherent understanding of the major schools. These are thinking skills and a mind gym we can all benefit from.
Mindset [& Bounce] – a vital contribution from Carol Dweck about the Growth Mindset. Aka all feedback is an opportunity to learn, no matter how difficult it might be at the time.
When Things fall apart [and they often do] – Ani Pema’s synthesis of this Buddhist lineage will be something I expect to return to time and again. In fact Ani Pema’s ability to convey profound wisdom is something I greatly value. I plan to return to her work in different formats, in future.
Man’s search for meaning – out of some of humanity’s darkest hours emerges some rays of light. Night, by Elie Wiesel, taps into the same elemental forces.
Quiet – I came away from reading this by thinking that I could well be an introvert, with extrovert tendencies. Perhaps an ‘ambivert’. A fascinating reframe…
The Hero with a Thousand Faces – who would have thought that humanity shares many ways of thinking about our existence, when so often we (collectively) seek to differentiate our wisdom traditions?
The Art of Asking – just ‘take the doughnuts’: aka let people help you. Something I’ve found very useful myself!
Heart Sutra – something to come back to whenever needed. I understand the preamble better than I do the Sanskrit…!
Update: Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness meditation for everyday life - Jon created the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) class [something I've done, and continue to practice].
The Task
It’s been said that there are many ways to live life. Our individual challenge is to figure out a way that works for us, at our deepest levels (and even to discover them in the first place…).
Onwards!
A quick post about a recent discovery I made, and grateful for the serendipity that brought me!
I recently gained a new Twitter follower, @kabbenbock, over at @souterconsults. I usually find out about new followers through an e-mail alert, and those with bios that resonate with me I check out, and follow back, as appropriate.
I felt flattered to be followed by someone like Andy, and checked out his Twitterstream before tweeting my thanks for the follow. One of his tweets was:
Ironically, the sharing of one’s vulnerability with trusted others is one of the prime gateways to overcoming shame according to the star of one of the ten most watched TED talks, Brene Brown. In Daring Greatly, she describes the paradoxical power of embracing our vulnerability and acknowledging our fears as a path towards being more courageous and connected with others. That means letting go of the need for certainty and control.
This intrigued me, and I sought out Brené’s TED talk.
Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW is a research professor at the University of HoustonGraduate College of Social Work. She has spent the past decade studying vulnerability, courage, worthiness, and shame.
Brené is a nationally renowned speaker and has won numerous teaching awards, including the College’s Outstanding Faculty Award. Her groundbreaking work has been featured on PBS, NPR, CNN, and has appeared in The Washington Post,Psychology Today, and many other national media outlets.
The videos are below. The first has now reached 6.1m views; the second is on its way towards 1.5m. Half a dozen of these combined views are from me! ;-)
Brené Brown studies human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity. A talk to share. (Filmed at TEDxHouston.)
Shame is an unspoken epidemic, the secret behind many forms of broken behavior. Brené Brown, whose earlier talk on vulnerability became a viral hit, explores what can happen when people confront their shame head-on. Her own humor, humanity and vulnerability shine through every word.
IMHO even more powerful than the first talk. I love Brené’s admixture of vulnerability, insight, and joy. Thank you, Brené! :-D
I've put in YouTube versions of these talks as they're easier to tweak to fit in the blog design...
Videos for further context
I've gone a bit crazy with all these videos, but this for me is extraordinary stuff! Let me know if it takes an age to load...
TEDxKC - Brené Brown - The Price of Invulnerability
I’m a big fan of podcasts, and have listened to the Smart People Podcast interview with Brené. The first 5 minutes or so are context, which I’ve fast-forwarded when I’ve listened to the podcast again! ;-). Direct link
On of the key outcomes for Brené’s research has been that some people are what she calls “wholehearted” – in summary, they are confident that they are ‘enough’ and worthy of other people’s love.
I guess that’s the point of her writings, so I plan to read them after Loving What Is by Byron Katie, and Coming to Our Senses by Jon Kabat-Zinn. The books-to-read pile is growing! ;-)
Graphics
These are some graphics from Brené’s website which I am posting here to bring to a wider audience. I’m seeking to “be the change I’m trying to create”.
Wash up
I’m sharing these materials as they have resonated strongly with me. Whilst I’m keen to read all three books straight away, I sense that part of me is seeking in them “the answer” which I am coming to realise doesn’t really exist. I am confident that they will, however, be part of the solution!
I also like the idea that they are something to ‘move towards’, rather than ‘move away from’ – in the words of a buddy of mine. That puts Brené’s work in the same category as the positive psychology movement, in that it is creating new skills, rather than sorting out the past. Time to leave the past and create the future!
UPDATE 06/10/12: Added link for podcast interview with Koren Motekaitis.
Having prevaricated for several days, I thought I'd get going with an introductory spiel about why I'm starting this personal blog.
Firstly, a tip of the hat to Tarek Nseir, Boss of TH_NK, who was the prime mover, suggesting that I start writing to share my ideas and passions.
I'm an ideas-led fellow, and look forward to the opportunity to pass on what interesting tidbits and trends I'm looking into at the time of posting.
I would like to think that, in writing this blog, I can tap into the ever-growing wisdom of an increasingly self-aware "crowd" that is the Internet - and that this will encourage a two-way flow of ideas. :-)
Potential future topics for discussion:
Fungi
Emergent Complexity & Self-organisation
The works of Steven Berlin Johnson
Crowd-sourcing
Virtual Worlds
Information & Knowledge Management
A bit of politics (emphasis on "bit")
fyi, I've subscribed to The Economist for ten years, so consider myself socially liberal, economically conservative
n.b. there may be the occasional rant when I get particularly frustrated!
Graphic design, typefaces and the like
Mountain biking
Emotional, spiritual and psychological toolsets - my undergraduate degree was Psychology
That's probably about it for now. "Wellbanked" is derived from the house name of my dear Granny, Frances Gwendoline [name withheld], God bless 'er. :-D
I'm from the North East of England, and like mountain biking, sailing, golf, tennis, and the open countryside!
I'm also interested in emerging trends, particularly scientific ones like Emergent Complexity; my latest "things" are the use of Fungi to help plants grow and to restore polluted land.
