I didn’t post this to foster debates about which culture is better. I posted it to show that two people, whose viewpoints are quite different, can nonetheless engage in an intelligent, peaceful conversation. Remember, it’s cogent dialogue (not rioting, reviling, and shrieking) that moves us forward.
“Laura,” she told me matter-of-factly when I asked why we had bonded so quickly, “The Finnish don’t believe in talking bull[stuff].”
What she neglected to tell me, however, is that Finns think if there’s no important topic to discuss, there’s no conversation at all. In fact, one of their national sayings is ‘Silence is gold, talking is silver’.
Click BBC – Travel – How the Finnish survive without small talk for the rest of the article.
BNTE66 Helsinkis single line underground train at a station
“Just 10 minutes of light physical activity is enough to boost brain connectivity and help the brain to distinguish between similar memories, a new study suggests. Scientists at the University of California studying brain activity found connectivity between parts of the brain responsible for memory formation and storage increased after a brief interval of light…
Skimming has led, I believe, to a tendency to go to the sources that seem the simplest, most reduced, most familiar, and least cognitively challenging. I think that leads people to accept truly false news without examining it, without being analytical. One of my major worries is that when you lose the novel, you lose the ability to go into another person’s perspective. My biggest worry now is that a lot of what we’re seeing in society today — this vulnerability to demagoguery in all its forms — of one unanticipated and never intended consequence of a mode of reading that doesn’t allow critical analysis and empathy.
Click A neuroscientist explains what tech does to the reading brain – The Verge for the rest of the article.
“Obesity can affect brainpower, and a study in mice may help explain how…” Click How obesity may harm memory and learning | Science News for the rest of the article… But note, it isn’t a high fat diet that causes obesity. It is a moderate to high fat diet in the presence of moderate to…
“Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor – or BDNF for short – is a naturally occurring growth hormone that is responsible for neurogenesis: the creation of new neurons. Higher levels of BDNF are associated with increased intelligence, mood, productivity, and memory along with decreased risks of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s. Keep reading to see why expert…
“As a society, we have a quest for increased performance, learning and memory. In fact, our ability to remember and use the information we are learning is a powerful form of currency. This article will dive into the major neurotransmitter responsible for memory and highlight 7 ways to improve memory.” Click 7 Ways to Improve…
“Perhaps the only thing more frustrating than shrinking leg room on airplanes is when a passenger reclines their seat, further encroaching on already tight space. While the impulse is understandable, the shift in angle can lead to severe discomfort. So what should you do when someone decides to lean back into your knees or laptop…
Spiritual Wrestlings 