Day 224 – Dual Coding Theory
From Bodybuilding to Cognitive Psychology Allan Paivio was a fascinating figure I encountered during my undergraduate studies. Not only was he a bodybuilder who clinched the title of Mr. Canada in 1948, but he also owned a gym and health studio in Montreal. However, his most significant contribution lies in the realm of cognitive psychology. […]
Day 223 – The Symbol of the Launchpad
When I was a young boy, my slightly older uncle had a fascination with launching rockets. His room was filled with various rocket models, and to me, this was the epitome of cool. I would sneak into his room while he was at school, captivated by the array of rocket parts from his numerous test […]
Day 222 – Consider the Long Tail
I collect what I refer to as “idea books.” These are books where the author expands on a concept that provides a unique perspective on an issue or problem that many people are trying to solve. I do this because these books usually receive a warm reception, often hitting best-seller lists before eventually fading into […]
Day 221 – AI, Turkeys and David Hume
In my early days of college, I had a professor with an unusual mission: to prove that eating turkey for Thanksgiving was wrong. She owned a pet turkey and aimed to convince each class that our minds had been shaped by 200 years of cultural indoctrination. Though she largely failed in her efforts, her class […]
Day 220 – Your Problem is that You Need a MacGuffin
When I was a child, I remember watching a film called Jason and the Argonauts. It aired on a public broadcasting channel, one of the only four channels available to me in the mid-70s. Made in 1963, the film’s special effects were astounding, especially considering the era—it was like the 60’s version of The Lord of the […]
Day 219 – What is Your Alter Ego?
When I was a child spending time with a group of lawyers, I learned several Latin phrases. You see, to add gravitas to their prose, lawyers often sprinkle in Latin expressions. This practice not only lends credibility but also bestows a certain stature on the attorney who can seamlessly incorporate such phrases. One such phrase, […]
Day 218 – The Four Pirates – Boredom, Impatience, Fear, and Confusion
I’ve been really sick for the last two days. My daughter brought something home from school, and suddenly I was feeling under the weather. It’s just a head cold, I believe. However, is it just me, or have head colds become a lot stronger? Maybe I’m just getting older and not as resilient as I […]
Day 217 — Innovation Myopia or Sitting on Gold
In my experience, many people and companies are unwittingly sitting on mounds of gold. Instead of recognizing this wealth, their gaze is fixed on a distant vista—an elusive ideal they believe will yield riches. Yet, often, they are already atop the treasure they seek. This frequent oversight involves various elements-new business models, market strategies, or […]
Day 216 – The Rule of Thumb
Yesterday, while fixing a door on a cabinet in my disorganized garage, I couldn’t find a measuring tape. Instead, I used the width of my thumb to estimate where to drill the holes for the new hinge—about three thumbs wide. This makeshift solution made me wonder about the phrase ‘rule of thumb.’ Though it wasn’t […]
Day 215 – The Apostrophe In Mother’s Day
I recently heard someone claim that Mother’s Day was merely a concoction of the greeting card industry—a belief easily fueled by today’s commercial frenzy. Indeed, it’s expected that consumers will shell out approximately $35 billion on cards, jewelry, and flowers each Mother’s Day. Despite its commercial veneer, the holiday wasn’t birthed from the profit-driven schemes […]