You probably already know how easily life flows when you’re happy. Would you be surprised to know that some people choose happiness? You might even know someone who chooses unhappiness. It’s a lot easier. For the people around them, however, their constant complaining is draining.
Yep, it’s a choice to be happy. It’s not always easy.
We don’t get to choose what happens in the world.
We do get to choose our reactions. As the Tao Te Ching puts it: (more…)
#fbi #hollywood #nocebo #meditation #framing #mobilephone #focus
The Secret calls it Living in Bliss.
Tony Robins calls it Living in a Beautiful State.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi calls it the Flow.
Lao Tzu wrote about Tao, the Way of the Universe, in the 4th century BCE.
Whatever name you give it, when you are happy your life is much better. Time disappears. Everything seems easier.
Imagine a pleasant summer morning. The world seems a bit lazier today. You hear the birds singing as you make your way to work. The sunlight warms your head. You hear your favorite song just before you arrive. Your smile is mirrored back to you by a coworker.
You know it’s going to be a great day. Confirmation bias will help to ensure it. (more…)
#cuba #masshysteria #computersimulation #fear #russia
You like things? I like things! It’s hard not to, am I right?
Liking others, and being likable, is essential in the art of persuasion. People don’t help or support those they dislike.
But what if the things that someone likes aren’t capable of reciprocating that affection? They’ll forever support that, too.
People will dismiss an opportunity for improvement or learning if it means they might have to question their behavior… or their access to a favorite treat.
I could never eat healthy — I like cookies too much!
I love my morning Frappachino!*
Well, I don’t smoke that much.
This represents the most insidious of all the Liking: Consumables. Food, soda, beer, drugs.
*It’s 2017 — is Frappachino still a thing? (more…)
#confirmationbias #nazi #colors #morals #panic #calm #focus #probability #bodylanguage
#morals #focusingillusion #sugar #marketing #kanye
I decided long ago that I like Coca Cola products.
First, I enjoyed the flavor of Coke. That sweet, sweet fizz… Soon I “liked” everything the company produced. I advocated for Coca-Cola products of all varieties, even the ones I didn’t drink!
By extension, I decided I didn’t like Coke’s rivals. I avoided them, to match my new public identity.
Cognitive science has demonstrated that once someone publicly announces a position on a topic, that person rarely changes his mind. Any new evidence or challenge against that believe will backfire, causing the believer to dig in deeper.
Think about it — how many arguments have you really won? People almost never change their minds! (more…)
True, simplicity is not proof of truth. But since we can
never understand true reality, if two models both explain the
same facts, it is more rational to use the simpler one. It is a
matter of convenience.
Scott Adams’ book God’s Debris introduces us, the reader and first-person narrator, to the world’s smartest person sitting in a rocking chair, Avatar.
You (the narrator) and Avatar hold a wide-ranging conversation about God, religion, science, and probability.
And it’s persuasive.
Join us for a book summary on PRL!