Recent books of interest...

When you have the chance, check out:

"Affluenza" on downshifting...

"The Corporation"on the dangers of the corrupt agents of capitalism...

"The Quarterly Essay" on our tendency as a society to medicate depression that is often little more than life stress.

The Birth of Plenty

From time to time, there are books that we need to read. Sometimes it is someone significant who gives us these books (as my Grandfather did for The Fountainhead, The Ugly American, and A Brief History of Time). Other times, it is when a book stands out to us when we happen to flick through a bookshop. The latter is the case here, with The Birth of Plenty.

William Bernstein explains how the prosperity of the modern world was created, and identifying four requirements for its continuance in the developed world and its foundation in the developing world:

1. Property rights to offer the incentive to create,
2. Scientific Rationalism so that we have the tools to innovate without fear of retribution for disruptive innovations,
3. Capital markets to fuel the conversion of ideas into reality, and
   
4. Efficient movement of ideas and goods.

Consider those parts of the world that are successful, and observe how these four factors are present. Contrast to the developing or impoverished and even starving parts of the world, where one or more of these are missing.

On Property Rights
Without reinforcement for desirable behaviours, organisms and complex systems will tend to chaotic wastefulness. Unpredictable rewards and punishments leaves us feeling helpless and activity pointless. When instrumentality is managed effectively, organisms are motivated towards desirable activities and actions; With the recognition and rewarding of efforts, with the belief that an individual should benefit from their efforts, efforts will be increased. Where pirates, foreign powers and governments are able to change the rules and ownership at a whim, individuals will not be motivated to produce the superordinary returns necessary for wealth and abundance.

On Scientific Rationalism
The Islamic world of the European dark ages flourished under an era of great thought and growth-focus, though this enlightenment disappeared when new interpretations of Islam were ceased and Orthodoxy enforced. Likewise, observe the Western Christian world - with its secular tolerance of ambiguity, uncertainty and debate - in contrast with the Eastern Christian or Orthodox world, so heavily focused upon conservativism and maintenance of tradition. Where free thinking is permitted and encouraged, great abundance may follow. Where aberrant behaviours and disruptive thinking are persecuted, poverty and tyranny remain. While adherents will tend to encourage a society based around strict obedience to their religious truths, without questioning in any way that underlying spiritual truth, such obedience impedes and inhibits development.

On Capital Markets
Ideas are powerful, yet need capital to drive them; Capital in terms of financial backing, and in terms of the human and intellectual resources that financial backing also facilitates. Clear thinking and a good understanding of the market enable us to increase the probability of success in our ventures. Access to capital on the basis of the merit of the idea promoted (rather than familiarity or proximity) maximises the value of that capital, increasing value throughout the system.

On the Free Movement of Ideas and Goods
At the dawn of the 19th century, nothing moved faster than horseback. At the dawn of the 21st century, we expect communication to be instantaneous around the world, travel faster than the speed of sound, and rely upon the internet to break down international legal and geographic barriers to allow for ever more fair valuations of work and utilization of capital.

If this is true, wealth is a choice, a choice bound by rules and principles. Should we not give the developing world the opportunity to profit from our experience... Not just to receive loans and food? Where lies the line between social engineering and being a good citizen of the world?


An idea, once thought, can never be un-thought.
What does this mean for you?

Fwd: Positive Psychology Update

Positive Psychology is contributing directly to the quality of people's lives. Here's some great information that I just came across...
_______
Author: News@AuthenticHappiness.org
Date: 16th November 2005 9:19:26 pm

AUTHENTIC HAPPINESS E-MAIL
November 2005

Severe Depression and ReflectiveHappiness.com
Jeffrey S. Levy, M.D.

Positive Psychology is founded on the belief that people want more than an end to suffering. People want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play. Dr. Martin Seligman has been creating a science and a profession that not only heals psychological damage but also builds strengths to enable people to achieve the best things in life. This e-mail reports important research findings in the field of Positive Psychology.

Over the last 10 months, www.reflectivehappiness.com has been working with Dr. Seligman to deliver scientifically tested Positive Psychology exercises in an interactive online format. We found that after taking the first online Positive Psychology exercise, 94% of severely depressed members had a decrease in depression (on average greater than a 50% reduction) and 92% increased their happiness. These large changes in depression and happiness occurred, moreover, in an average of just 14.8 days. These results are comparable to the beneficial effects ofantidepressant medications and cognitive therapy.

Click here, http://www.reflectivehappiness.com/, to find out more about ReflectiveHappiness.com

Click here, http://www.reflectivehappiness.com/HappinessCenter/Newsletters/2005-05.htm,
to read Dr. Seligman's full description of the study mentioned above.

New Research Projects:

Over the next year, Dr. Seligman's Positive Psychology Center will be undertaking several studies to ask if:

• The positive psychology exercises, singly or in a package, delivered on the web, break up well-diagnosed major depression compared to appropriate controls
• The positive psychology exercises, combined with medication or therapy, amplify the anti-depressant effects of these well-established treatments

If this turns out to be so, the effectiveness of treatments for severe depression may be enhanced and the public health benefits in terms of cost and accessibility to treatment could be very substantial.

Caution

Since major depression is a serious problem with potentially lethal complications, it is essential to under-interpret this preliminary data until all the methodological flaws are corrected. Do NOT even think about stopping drugs or psychotherapy based on these early findings.

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To subscribe, visit http://www.authentichappiness.org and click on the orange "register" link in the dark blue bar.

Making things happen...

In reengineering an organisation, here are some of my thought processes:

1. Identify stakeholders
2. Identify stakeholders' needs
3. Distill into handful of key deliverables/ benefits
4. Link benefits back to meeting structure, financial plans, education program and significant events
5. Design "involvement experience" for an 'ideal' or 'model' new member, tracing their key benefits and the value placed upon these

Values in this process:

• MECE
  Ideas and strategies should be Mutual Exclusive and Collectively Exhaustive.
• Outcome focused
  Focus attention on the desired benefits first, only referring to the existing conditions after the ideal has been identified.
• Manage risk deliberately
  There are places of uncertainty and ambiguity, and circumstances that rely upon individual talent. Strive to build strength into the system, rather than relying upon brilliant individuals.
• Summarise, evaluate and operationalize the ideas generated
  There are two causes of strategic failure: Poor strategy and poor execution...No matter how great the strategy, success relies upon excellence in execution.

Romantic Adventures

Women are challenging and confusing to us all. While hoping that the following doesn't give the 'game' away, here are a few things that I'd suggest worthy of consideration...

1. You want her to feel good. The content of interactions is not irrelevant, yet only offers a context in which you can guide and even lead her imagination.
2. Tell stories... Stories designed for her to experience specific emotions that serve you.
3. Care for her.
4. Trust comes from commonality; respect from difference. You need to add something... Make her life better for you being part of it... Connect and associate with her hopes, dreams and values.
5. Most important: be picky and patient... There are millions of beautiful women in the world and only one of you!

Hope that helps... Good luck!

The Genius Project

Since starting to teach students how to Learn Faster, Think Smarter and Communicate more Powerfully with the establishment of Effective Learning Solutions in 1998, I have been expanding my thinking and exploring how to get the very best. I am fascinated between the difference between the good and the great, the intelligent and the brilliant, the hard workers and those who change the world.

I am going to start putting some of my favourite notes and thoughts into this arena. You will find them linked to dates that I first publically thought about them; mostly during 2003.

Good luck!

May you realise your own genius...

Playing Neil Strauss' Game

I can hardly believe that this stuff is really out there. Apparently even in sleepy old Brisvegas, there are groups of Pick Up Artists searching out suitable targets... Note that this in unabashedly male-focused - perhaps even disturbingly so.

Please note that the below is not my opinion - rather a few notes from the recent book entitled "The Game".

Basics of The Game:

• Have something to offer a potential partner or mate... Dress sharp, speak well, maintain good posture (eg work out and do some yoga)
• Act like the Alpha male: dominate men and women without offending or controlling, lest resentment creates resistance
• People are moved by emotion rather than by reality: Manage their emotions by capturing and leading their imagination
• Knowing The Rules frees us to look for more than superficial relationships that will not heal the fears of inadequacies that drives men to look for sex as validation of their value
• The first problem is not to learn, but to unlearn
  

Mystery's characteristics of the Alpha Male

1. Confidence
2. Smile: you're together, fun and 'somebody'
3. Well groomed
4. Sense of humor
5. Connect with people
6. Social center of a room

• Some learn this "naturally"; others can learn logically
• Don't make 'her' feel special: let them feel that you could have anyone. Likewise, disarm with accidental back handed compliments and ignoring their obvious assets - disdain that which you don't or can't have.
• Control the outcomes and options
• "Phase-shift": up the ante... "would you like to kiss me?"
• Take the spotlight... Be the centre of attention
• Punish undesirable behaviour by removing stimulation; reward desired behaviour
• When approaching a group, ignore the person that you want to speak with to start with. Convey personality...
• Relationships are more challenging than picking up... They require openness, honesty and caring.

Structure

1. Select a target
2. Approach and open
3. Demonstrate value
4. Disarm the obstacles
5. Isolate the target
6. Create an emotional connection
7. Extract to seduction location
8. Pump buying temperature
9. Make physical connection
10. Blast last minute resistance

That's up to Step 3 - more to come...

Living your own life...

In Sydney, I came across this little shard of wisdom. Some of it is quite interesting, if challenging to me. What do you think?

Excellence is a way of life, a relentless pursuit of better and better standards. It is not something that some have, it is something we all ought strive towards.

Be in control, part of the ruling elite, rather a victim of those who are. Control gives freedom.

Live your life with passion... Do what you want, and make your dreams a reality... Learn and grow and look to discover new directions. In particular, challenge your mind - train it to be disciplined, focused and aware of the world, rather than getting lost in structured limitations... Those are the traps for the unwary created by the frightened to protect the weak. Don't avoid something you are scared of on the pretence of not wanting it: that merely deludes yourself and traps you.

You are loved. I tell you this to give insight into my thinking and suggestions for you to consider... Living your own life is challenging, uncharted and fraught with dead-ends; we all strive to profit from the wisdom of those around us, rather than learning it all from experience. And, I believe, we can explore this together.

... It's amazing the things you can find lying around Sydney airport!