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Random Musings of a West Coast Canadian
Tali Sharot: The optimism bias
Are we born to be optimistic, rather than realistic? Tali Sharot shares new research that suggests our brains are wired to look on the bright side — and how that can be both dangerous and beneficial.
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The Worst Advice Ever
Another wonderful blog post by Brené Brown, PhD. Brene is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She studies vulnerability, courage, worthiness, and shame. The worst advice. EVER. “You can rest when you’re done.” This is the single worst piece of advice that I’ve ever received. I’m not even sure where or when I heard it…
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How Many Things in the World are 18 Minutes and 20 Seconds Long?
I went up to the gym the other day and hopped on the elliptical machine for a ‘run’. I set the timer for 25 minutes and got going. I was flipping through my iPhone looking for a good song and all of a sudden there it was, one song that would take me through an entire time slot on the…
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Breathtaking Alberta
You know, I have to admit it, we are all pretty smug and self assured that we British Columbians live in the most breathtaking place on earth. Certainly the best in Canada. And then you see a video that challenges that assumption. But of course, when you watch this, you will certainly realize that these fabulously amazing places in Alberta…
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The Ocean’s Shifting Baseline
Daniel Pauly is a Professor in the Fisheries Centre & Zoology at the University of British Columbia, and is the Principal Investigator of the Sea Around Us Project (see www.seaaroundus.org), funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, Philadelphia, and devoted to studying, documenting and promoting policies to mitigate the impact of fisheries on the world’s marine ecosystems. He was the Director of the…
Read more »The battle between your future and present self
Definitely more interesting than the last video I watched and posted. Similar topic, similar theories, but this one had a fascinating discussion on the drawbacks of using commitment devices and self-discipline (ex owing $5 for failing to stick to a commitment/goal). “To abstain from the enjoyment which is in our power, or to seek distant rather than immediate results, are…
Read more »Saving for tomorrow (tomorrow)
Interesting video, although it would have been interesting to get his take on how to define “enough”. It seemed a little truncated to me. I’ve always liked the Wealthy Barber’s approach. Pay yourself (save) 10% of all that you earn and invest it for long-term growth, build your RRSPs, and pay down your debt with any extra money. Regardless, of…
Read more »A ‘Happy’ Secret
I LOVE this video!!! I try to visit TED for some inspiration and mind expansion every so often, and today I stumbled on this talk. It was funny to have come across it now, since I had been doing some journaling on something akin to the subject and hadn’t had the time to post it. After reading this I went…
Read more »Perfectly Imperfect!
We all strive for some level of personal best, in at least something anyway. Are we trying to be perfect? If yes, it’s a lost cause because perfection is highly subjective and fluid. Imperfection is so much more interesting and fun. Rather than curse our faults, embrace them, find the wonder in them, and revel in them. Just a happy…
Read more »Tail of the Dragon
Fascinating road that I’ve heard many talk of, but not one that I think I’d feel the need to challenge, at least not at any velocity on a motorcycle, maybe on four wheels though, if only just to experience it. Highlights, yet again, the stupidity of doing something just because you feel the need to prove that you can. Just…
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