Action Figure Daniel

Category: Notes

  • Rufus Griscom and Alisa Volkman: It’s time to explode 4 taboos of parenting

    Though I am not a parent, this lecture still provided some useful insights. Taboo 1 was particularly insightful. The taboo is, “You can’t say you didn’t fall in love with your baby in the first minute [you saw them].” Conventional wisdoms says that you love your child the same from the moment they arrive on forever. Alisa commented (and they have a chart to show) that her love for their first child increased over time. Rufus, on the other hand, noticed that he loved their son less 6 months after birth but started an exponential increase a year after birth, meeting Alisa at about year two and remaining in step with her.

    Here is the great insight: as Rufus made the observation of his reduced and then skyrocketed love, Ailsa commented that she thought this might be because there was little Rufus could do to tend for their new son during those first months. Later, as their son got older, Rufus could care for and play with him more, thus increasing his love for him.

    Rufus Griscom and Alisa Volkman: It’s time to explode 4 taboos of parenting (TED)

  • John Hodgman: A brief digression on matters of lost time

    Hodgman’s lecture has little intellectual value, but is still rather entertaining in a high class way.

  • Pamela Meyer: How to spot a liar

    In addition to providing some tips on identifying some of the signs of deceit, Pamela advocates the pursuit of truth. She commented that deception is always a game for two: the one deceiving and the one who accepts the deceit. By changing our attitude from accepting deceit to one who accepts truth we can step away from the biologically programmed game and enjoy a more fulfilling life.

    Pamela Meyer: How to spot a liar (TED)

  • Dan Pink: “Drive”


    Contrary to popular business practices, employees do not perform better just because they are offered more money (often in the form of incentives and bonuses). This methodology is holds true for basic manual tasks but it actually hampers productivity and creativity for problem solving and solution finding.

    Dan Pink gave the lecture twice, once at TED and once at RSA. The RSA also made a short, illustrated recap of his lecture.
    Daniel Pink on the surprising science of motivation (TED)
    Dan Pink – Drive (RSA)
    RSA Animate – Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us

  • “Evil Genes” by Barbara Oakley

    An interesting examination as to how genetics can effect our mental disposition. Honestly, I did not like the book too much as the author tried to weave threads of personal drama into the text, after which I would look up and wonder why she had wasted my time with the personal interlude.

    Interesting tidbit: Something happens in the brains of young people between 20 and 25 that significantly decreases the chances of them remaining religiously vigilant (beyond going to church because their parents tell them to).