Reality is in the mind of the observer

Just remember: perspective (or what you THINK you see) is a matter of what your brain says to your capacity to view an idea, object, or concept. Just because someone says "This is how it is" does not make it real. To that individual, it IS. But the capacity to change one's perspective is just as important. 

The story is told of the blind men and the elephant. 

There were once six blind men who stood by the roadside every day, and begged from the people who passed. They had often heard of elephants, but they had never seen one; for, being blind, how could they?

It so happened one morning that an elephant was driven down the road where they stood. When they were told that the great beast was before them, they asked the driver to let him stop so that they might see him.

Of course, they could not see him with their eyes; but they thought that by touching him they could learn just what kind of animal he was.

The first one happened to put his hand on the elephant's side. "Well, well!" he said, "now I know all about this beast. He is exactly like a wall."

The second felt only of the elephant's tusk. "My brother," he said, "you are mistaken. He is not at all like a wall. He is round and smooth and sharp. He is more like a spear than anything else."

The third happened to take hold of the elephant's trunk. "Both of you are wrong," he said. "Anybody who knows anything can see that this elephant is like a snake."

The fourth reached out his arms and grasped one of the elephant's legs. "Oh, how blind you are!" he said. "It is very plain to me that he is round and tall like a tree."

The fifth was a very tall man, and he chanced to take hold of the elephant's ear. "The blindest man ought to know that this beast is not like any of the things that you name," he said. "He is exactly like a huge fan."

The sixth was very blind indeed, and it was some time before he could find the elephant at all. At last, he seized the animal's tail. "O foolish fellows!" he cried. "You surely have lost your senses. This elephant is not like a wall, or a spear, or a snake, or a tree; neither is he like a fan. But any man with a particle of sense can see that he is exactly like a rope."

Then the elephant moved on, and the six blind men sat by the roadside all day, and quarreled about him. Each believed that he knew just how the animal looked; and each called the others hard names because they did not agree with him. People who have eyes sometimes act as foolishly.

 

Film Comedy - a lost skill

I wanted to take a course in college once on the history of film.  One of the papers I would have written would be the legacy and history of burlesque: the art of slapstick comedy and the reasons why it could not be performed today in the same way.

One of the reasons was that the performers were more realistic; the nature of the film industry has changed greatly with the changes made with technology, computers, and special effects.  Another reason was the chemistry between the cast members:  it's as if innocence has been lost over the years. There just isn't the same kind of dynamics.

And finally, there just aren't the same kind of comedy teams working the circuit of theaters because the movie industry itself has changed:  the promotion of DVDs and other home entertainment systems have altered the way we view the world. 

One of the acts was the Three Stooges. To me, the example of their personalities and appearance being so absurd as to be believable; it was to their credit that it seemed ANYONE could be smarter than these guys.  It was also because of the timing of their routines; notice in the film short that it's one gag after another, and that they appear totally surprised at each new one.  Nor did the remake of the Stooges story in a movie make the same impact: even though the actors had very similar appearances, the gags just weren't the same because the personalities weren't the originals.

It's hard to imagine holding one's composure and reflexive response NOT to duck when a pie is coming! "Oh, me! Never have I been through such a lion fight!" The self-control and timing of the cast are superb.

The penultimate classic for me is "Niagara Falls", which was later copied by Abbott and Costello. (It says volumes to me when another great team copies another's routine.) In "NF", we see the years of timing that Moe, Larry, and Curly built together: from the build-up of Moe's intense distress, Larry's outrage, and Curly's dismay at becoming the unwitting target of their emotional outbursts when they finally explode. And then...and THEN...it's as if they were best buddies--UNTIL...ONCE again!--THAT WORD!

And through it all, to his credit, Curly keeps his sincere nature and sweetness intact! It's a credit to all three that they performed this for an audience that really appreciated their humor and acting.

ASL students: learning to communicate in their own unique way

Not everyone has the chance to say directly what he/she feels, thinks, understands, or values.

For these young boys and girls, it's just a matter of finding a different way to share those qualities. They have to use ASL: American Sign Language--because they were born deaf and unable to hear.

But if you listen closely, you can understand every word they are saying.

Giant prehistoric insects: don't bug out on me!

Ambergris: the expensive ingredient for perfume

 She called, crying: "Help! I found your web site--and I have to do a scholarship essay statement--no more than 30 words! What do I do?"
I thought about it: she needs a thesis--and replied, "It's worth $20/gram. That's $25,000 for five pounds. You must report it if found in the U.S. or Australia. And it's sperm whale digestive garbage--or ambergris." Twenty-seven words.
She replied, "How much? Where? It's what? Ewww--but that works! Thank you."

(I wanted to tell her she wears it--but she would have hung up on me. That is, she would have--unless she knew it's used in fine perfume. Oh well.)

https://ambergrisconnect.com/identification.html#two

Why Animals Get Creepier the Deeper You Go in the Ocean

The Creative Classroom PowerPoint Video for a thesis

 So I've found that a PowerPoint can be tough for some people to see--but they can watch a PowerPoint video instead. With that in mind...here's something I crafted for students and instructors on how to brainstorm an idea for a thesis. Enjoy!

Oh. So someone asked, "What's that 'Double-Dutch Twist/Irish Treat' idea regarding Money? Is that a new form of coffee?"

I saw this while teaching in China: my students were furiously studying a paper in MY class that was for their NEXT class in finance. (I was teaching public speaking.) So I asked to see what was so interesting: and they showed me the article with that title--and begged me to help. So I read it in a few minutes and then translated the idea, although I don't know finance:

The article stated that Apple, Inc., was sending pre-tax profits to two banks in the Dutch West Indies in the Caribbean. It was then re-routed (after a lower tax rate for deposits) to a bank in Ireland--and then sent back to Seattle as a means of--shall we say--"legal money laundering"?

PS: I told the students, "Don't tell your instructor that I figured it out. YOU take credit for it and pretend like you had the idea down cold and impress him for it."

My point: If you can READ something, you're likely to understand it if you know how to "think outside the box". 

"HSBC ad for learning foreign culture"

I had fun at Jiangxi University in China when I showed this to my business English students. They got the point that THEY also had to learn the culture of the country where they were assigned in graduate school. I also show this to my MBA students who are learning in a module about international business culture--and why it matters to know it.

I DID know how to use chopsticks because I had been to Japan 40 years earlier, but the difference in food styles between central China and southern China is quite remarkable. And I was served sea worms--twice at one banquet--as an "honored guest."

And yes, I ate them. I also think I ate stir-fried Godzilla because I had NO idea what it was, but I know it came out of the ocean.

How to Negotiate Your Job Offer - Prof. Deepak Malhotra (Harvard Busines...

Take a Seat in the Harvard MBA Case Classroom

Ball's Pyramid - an ocean-volcano remnant

 

Oh. My. Gosh. If I was a captain of a ship in a heavy fog and saw THIS, I'd be screaming "Reverse engines and get us out of here!" It's absolutely incredible--and it's real. Sometimes the magnificence of Nature is beyond belief when we realize how many amazing places exist on Earth. It's really part of an ancient shield volcano that has eroded away.

Ball's Pyramid - Pacific Ocean near South Wales, Australia

Explainer: Why these women woke up with a foreign accent | 60 Minutes Au...

The Mystery of the Octopus

On speaking a foreign language for business or travel

 One of the questions I asked as a judge at a masters degree contest at an international business university: "What three languages would you learn that you do not speak now--and why would you use them for international business?" (My answers, just for the record: "Spanish, Portuguese, and French." (I chose Spanish and Portuguese for South America, and French because it is spoken in so many other countries.)

I've also recommended for college-university credits that if someone is already fluent in a foreign language and it is offered by their college-university of choice, take it at the basic level and ace the class for elective credits.

The Creative Classroom Kitchen: food that prepares itself on command!

 (Sigh. THIS totally makes my efforts look like I'm out of my league in the kitchen.)

Panda punctuation: Eats, Shoots & Leaves book

 

A panda walks into a café. He orders a sandwich, eats it, then draws a gun and fires two shots in the air.
"Why?" asks the confused waiter, as the panda makes towards the exit. The panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over his shoulder.
"I'm a panda," he says at the door. "Look it up."
The waiter turns to the relevant entry in the manual and, sure enough, finds an explanation.
"Panda. Large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China. Eats, shoots & leaves."

It's available on Amazon.com and also abebooks.com. Go get a copy.

This is also my defense of the Oxford comma. But in this case, the first comma is wrong and should not have been included.

Crafty commas cause commotions in creative classrooms

In a commotion over a comma? I agree that the comma is a VERY hard thing to understand, but try and be calm about it. (Just ask Grandpa, who has now realized that he's been invited for dinner instead of finding himself AS dinner.)
Try these rules (and spare the old man's life and your error in meal choice!)

Between words or word groups in a series
  Example: Medical supplies, food, blankets, and clothing were rushed to the flood area.

To separate parts of a compound sentence
 Example: Many homes were flooded, and owners had to be rescued by police. (You can make two sentences: the comma helps split them apart.)

  To separate a direct quote from the rest of a sentence.
  Example: “We’re going home,” said Nick. She answered, “No, I’m staying.”

  When you speak to someone, use a comma to set apart their name.
  Example:  “Alicia, please come and help me.” 

 IF YOU BEGIN A SENTENCE WITH “Yes,” “No,” “Well,” “Oh,”…..

1.  “Yes, I want to get better grades!” “No, I did not forget!”
2.  “Well, I’ll just try it again.”
3.   “Oh, I did my work yesterday.”

     * The “Oxford” Comma

 Used with three items:
Example:  “Peter, Paul, and Mary were a folk group during the 1960s.”
 *(This often appears as “Peter, Paul and Mary.”)
  (But this is the reason for the Oxford comma: otherwise, how do we separate the 2^nd and 3^rd members or items?)

 Transition phrases get help from commas

1.  Example: Generally, one can see a transition phrase followed by a comma.
2.  Example: Moreover, they are at the head of a sentence.
3.   Example: However, there’s always someone who forgets them!
4. Example: Therefore, use them with a comma!
5. Example:  In fact, they work much like transitions.
6. Example: On the other hand, they lend a big hand to a sentence.
7. Example: For that matter, they handle the work of a smaller phrase.
8. Example: All things considered, they are useful.

 BIG intro phrases get commas

1. Example: As far as I’m concerned, it’s just about obvious that a comma makes a difference.
2. Example: In spite of the best intentions, students still argue and fuss that they don’t understand them.
3. Example: After all the presentations are done, I’m sure everyone grasps the idea—or else.

If two or more adjectives describe or modify the same noun, make sure they work separately if appropriate:

1.   “He was a bashful, sleepy kid.”
2.   “The eager, radiant princess kissed the slimy, vile frog.”

  (Each adjective works by itself)

  Other uses of commas
In addresses, to separate smaller from larger units: Washington, D.C.
 Albertville, Alabama

 Date (if day/month/year is used. NO if only month-year):
 June 14, 2006, was a very good day for a wedding.

Rescuing Vietnamese refugees at sea: 1980 with the U.S. Navy

 Yesterday marked the anniversary 46 years ago when I raised my hand and entered military service. This is one of my best and most meaningful memories.

History lesson for anyone born after 1980 and for those who ask "what is freedom?" It is the right to choose and make decisions for the well-being of oneself and one's family. It is the opportunity to find success by the efforts that are made by the individual. It is the acceptance of one's beliefs, values, and standards as long as they are in harmony with society and one's chosen country, provided that there are no significant and unbiased restrictions on those beliefs or values. It is the ability to be accepted regardless of one's skin color, even though it may be disliked or not welcomed by those with shallow minds. It is the chance to live in the United States of America.

I was aboard the USS Blue Ridge, the 7th Fleet flagship, the day these people in the movie were rescued. It makes my throat close up with memories of how hard we searched for the people who fled Vietnam in 1979-1980 in these small boats. They crammed aboard with limited food and water, and some did not make it safely to rescue efforts. On my first ship, the USS Oklahoma City (CG-5), we worked 20-hour shifts in flag administration to get the logistics and coordinated efforts of the officers who were involved in planning these rescue operations, especially in planning the P-3 Orion planes who were sent out on reconnaissance missions. 

I remember the public address call that asked us for clothing donations. I gave up some dungaree pants, and I remember seeing them on one of the men who was rescued. I am so thankful that I was a sailor in the U.S. Navy.

Creative Easter eggs!

I know some teachers (and parents) like to do creative things for Easter. Just remember: if you want to eat the eggs, just swap out shaving cream with whipped cream--and enjoy the fun!

National Geographic Documentary - Prehistoric pig: the Enteledont