#40 – Why smart people defend bad ideas
[First published April 2005] We all know someone who’s intelligent, but who occasionally defends obviously bad ideas. Why does this happen? How can smart people take up positions that defy any reasonable logic? Having spent many years working with smart people I’ve cataloged many of the ways this happens, and I have advice on what to do about it. I feel qualified to write this essay as I’m a recovering smart person myself and I’ve defended several very bad ideas.
The Power of 'Power Posing' - Mission: Innovation
Next-generation space suits, the collapse of Iceland’s banking system, and changing perceptions among Africans about their place in the world were among the dizzying array of ideas that charity leaders and others gathered in the small town of Camden, Me., to discuss—all as part of an effort to stimulate new thinking about social change. PopTech, the New York nonprofit that organizes the annual conference, hopes that exposing participants to work outside their areas of expertise will lead to interdisciplinary collaboration and spark new approaches to fixing social problems. With strains of the “Wonder Woman” theme song opening her talk, Amy J.C. Cuddy, a social psychologist at Harvard Business School, discussed her research on body language and how it can change the way people feel about their status—something that could come in handy for the people nonprofits train to get jobs, and many other purposes.
8 Things Everybody Ought to Know About Concentrating - StumbleUpon
“Music helps me concentrate,” Mike said to me glancing briefly over his shoulder. Mike was in his room writing a paper for his U.S. History class. On his desk next to his computer sat crunched Red Bulls, empty Gatorade bottles, some extra pocket change and scattered pieces of paper. In the pocket of his sweat pants rested a blaring iPod with a chord that dangled near the floor, almost touching against his Adidas sandals.
100 Things You Can Say To Irritate A Republican
Addicting Info does it again. Last time they came up with If you hate taxes, here are 102 things NOT to do. Even though they graciously gave us permission to cross-post, I'd rather tease you and then send you to their place to give them some well-deserved traffic.
10 Awesome Websites to Make You Think
Intelligence is something that must compensate the lack of reflexes and a poor adaptation to the live world. We’re talking here about the humankind. If you look back in history, we’ve had many geniuses. We still have geniuses today. They are big thinkers and they can move the world with a single finger. They fascinate us, and we fascinate others, because we are not equal.
10 Laws of Productivity
You might think that creatives as diverse as Internet entrepreneur Jack Dorsey, industrial design firm Studio 7.5, and bestselling Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami would have little in common. In fact, the tenets that guide how they – and exceptionally productive creatives across the board – make ideas happen are incredibly similar. Here are 10 laws of productivity we’ve consistently observed among serial idea executors: 1. Break the seal of hesitation.
The Top 10 Psychology Studies of 2010
The end of 2010 fast approaches, and I'm thrilled to have been asked by the editors of Psychology Today to write about the Top 10 psychology studies of the year. I've focused on studies that I personally feel stand out, not only as examples of great science, but even more importantly, as examples of how the science of psychology can improve our lives. Each study has a clear "take home" message, offering the reader an insight or a simple strategy they can use to reach their goals , strengthen their relationships, make better decisions, or become happier. If you extract the wisdom from these ten studies and apply them in your own life, 2011 just might be a very good year. 1) How to Break Bad Habits If you are trying to stop smoking , swearing, or chewing your nails, you have probably tried the strategy of distracting yourself - taking your mind off whatever it is you are trying not to do - to break the habit.
11 Exercises that Help Decrease Knee Pain
If your knees are giving you problems, and you feel like the Tin Man from "The Wizard of Oz" when getting out of bed, rest assure that at least you’re not alone. In fact, nearly 50 million Americans feel the exact same way. Knees are the most commonly injured joints in the body. Considering that when you simply walk up stairs, the pressure across your knee joints is four times your body weight, it isn't surprising. Simple, everyday wear and tear can end up hurting your mobility. But it’s not too late.
*bellaMUMMA {life is beauty-full}: 100 ways to UNCOMPLICATE YOUR LIFE
I 'STUMBLED UPON' THIS POST AT 'LIVE THE CHARMED LIFE' AND I LOVED IT SO MUCH, I JUST HAD TO SHARE IT! It begins... You see, when we’re born we see the world in an uncomplicated way. We know what we need, and we ask for it.
Products and Tools for Creative Professionals
For too long, Creatives have suffered from inefficiency, disorganization, and careers at the mercy of bureaucracy. Behance aims to organize, connect, and empower creative careers, so the best ideas can see the light of day. Behance’s “Action” and “Dot Grid” product lines have become indispensable utilities for Creatives at work. Back in 2006, when the Behance team was just imagining ways to organize and empower creative people, they knew that they needed to start with themselves. So the very first thing they designed was the Action Pad. Long before the launch of the Behance’s network and 99U, Behance began with paper and a mission to empower the creative world.
60 Ways / 100 Days - Improve Your Life
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to make drastic changes in order to notice an improvement in the quality of your life. At the same time, you don’t need to wait a long time in order to see the measurable results that come from taking positive action. All you have to do is take small steps, and take them consistently, for a period of 100 days. Below you’ll find 60 small ways to improve all areas of your life in the next 100 days. Home
12 Powerfoods : Diabetes : Mens Health Spotlight : Mens Health.com
Can controlling your blood sugar and preventing diabetes complications be as simple as eating the right foods? Yes. Certain foods are packed with nutrients that stabilize blood sugar levels, protect your heart, and even save your vision from the damaging effects of diabetes. These 12 foods can give you an extra edge against diabetes and its complications. 1.
