Be Humble.

A lady worked at a meat distribution factory. One day, when she finished with her work schedule, she went into the meat cold room (Freezer) to inspect something, but in a moment of misfortune, the door closed and she was locked inside with no help in sight. Although she screamed and knocked with all her might, her cries went unheard as no one could hear her. Most of the workers had already gone, and outside the cold room it's impossible to hear what was going on inside. Five hours later, whilst she was at the verge of death, the security guard of the factory eventually opened the door. She was miraculously saved from dying that day. When she later asked the security guard how he had come to open the door, which wasn't his usual work routine. His explanation: "I've been working in this factory for 35 years, hundreds of workers come in and out every day, but you're one of the few who greet me in the morning and say goodbye to me when leaving after work. Many treat me as if I'm invisible. Today, as you reported for work, like all other days, you greeted me in your simple manner 'Hello'. But this evening after working hours, I curiously observed that I had not heard your "Bye, see you tomorrow". Hence, I decided to check around the factory. I look forward to your 'hi' and 'bye' every day because they remind me that I am someone. By not hearing your farewell today, I knew something had happened. That's why I was searching everywhere for you." The moral of the lesson to reflect upon is: Be humble, love and respect those around you. Try to have an impact on people who cross your path every day, you never know what tomorrow will bring. Ask yourself whether you are here to influence others or to be influence by others. It doesn't take a lot of minutes to greet and smile to people, doesn't take a lot of time to be kind to people. When you have the heart, nothing is too difficult to do.

Be wise as a Serpent Be as gentle as a Dove.

Be as wise as a serpent

Be as harmless as a dove

Do not throw away your life

Don’t throw away your tomorrows

Don’t hurt others

Be gentle and quiet

Be wise and harmless

The quiet learn more

Only the gentle are loved

The serpent sits silently and watches for an opportunity

The dove never troubles anyone, no one is its enemy

The heart of a dove is as white as its heart

The serpent is a silent stalker

Life gives an opportunity, stalk it and take it silently

The dove minds its own business, it hurts you not

Hurt a dove and the serpent strikes

The Magic of Email: Paradoxically, it is not all that it seems to be.

The magical power of email knows no bounds it seems. How often has your query received the response “well I emailed you about that !” (Since when did email become a substitute for effective communication ?)

Email does seem to be more and more magical these days, for example

- financial service providers (banks, insurance companies, pension funds / super annuation administrators etc) can start, stop, handover and change your account at will via email ... they don’t need you anymore they just need your money 😳 (some of them don’t seem to have a section in any of their internal manuals under the heading “customer service”

- some people even have the ability to end (break up)  all sorts of relationships over email

- it seems in some cases you can even deliver feedback / someone performance review via email (and you don’t have to worry about how harsh, negative or damaging it is)

The reality is that when you are dealing with real people (by that I mean you and I ... and the people we work / share our lives with) email really doesn’t have these magical powers. Email is just an excuse for communication ... it’s a supplement at best to communication that has already taken place verbally

If you want to have a meaningful conversation or relationship or exchange with anyone it cannot rely solely on email 🤔

Creativity and Innovation: The Mind Unleashed.

What is Creativity? What is Innovation? We can define creativity as the spirit, attitude and bravery to try something new, to open to the unexpected. Creativity is the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. Creativity is characterised by the ability to perceive the world in new ways, to find hidden patterns, to make connections between seemingly unrelated phenomena, and to generate solutions. Creativity involves two processes: thinking, then producing. Creativity is the thinking process and innovation is the production process.

We can define innovation as the implementation of something new. We can further expand on its definition by describing innovation as Innovation is the implementation of a new or significantly improved product, service or process that creates value for business, government or society.
Some people say creativity has nothing to do with innovation— that innovation is a discipline, implying that creativity is not. Well, I disagree. Creativity is also a discipline and a crucial part of the innovation equation. There is no innovation without creativity. The key metric in both creativity and innovation is value creation.

Creativity is connected to various parts of the brain. Each part provides the thinking ability needed for each type of creative thought process.

Creativity can be described as ; Deliberate and emotional, deliberate and cognitive, spontaneous and emotional and spontaneous and cognitive.

1. Deliberate and emotional creativity is related to taking control of emotions in all kinds of stressful times, including the most stressful ones. This can be such as during a relationship break-up and then as quick as a flash a sudden insight about oneself. It is an "AHA" moment. It has to do with feelings and emotions. The cingulate cortex is the part of the brain that processes complex feelings that are related to our interactions with others and our place in the world.
The cingulate cortex along with the pre-frontal cortex, which it is attached to, are active with this kind of creative activity.

In this kind of creativity, we lay aside things and allow ourselves a block of time to focus on a challenge.

2. Deliberate and cognitive creativity is requiring vast amounts of knowledge or a high degree of knowledge and lots of time.  This kind of creativity is related to working over long periods of time in a specific task or discipline. This can be such as those of the efforts of Thomas Edison who invented the light bulb. 

The PFC in the brain gives this sort of creativity. The PFC allows us to do two things: pay focused attention and make connections among information that we have stored in other parts of our brains.

3. Spontaneous and emotional creativity is the kind associated with musicians and artists. It cannot be designed for. It is a creative and powerful moment such as an epiphany, religious experience, a great artistic or musical moment. 

It comes from the amyglada in the brain. It is where emotions are processed. When the conscious brain and the PFC are resting, then it is possible spontaneous ideas and creations to take place.

4. Spontaneous and cognitive creativity requires stopping work on a task or a problem and getting away from it. It cannot be designed for. It does need a body of knowledge. 

This can be seen in cases such as that of Issac Newton who watched an apple fall from a tree and conceived the laws of gravity. It can like where one leaves a difficult task or a problem and go for a jog, a walk or for lunch and a flash of insight arrives about how to solve the problem. 

This kind of creativity involves the basal ganglia of the brain. During this kind of creativity, the conscious brain has stopped working on the problem. Hence, the unconscious brain has had a chance to work on it instead. By doing a different unrelated activity, the PFC is able to connect information in new ways via the unconscious mental processing.

Innovation has myriad definitions. It can be defined as the introduction of something new. It can be defined as a significant and positive change with not just creating an idea but also implementing it so that it creates value.

Innovation requires a lot of hard work, patience, and perseverance. Creativity is an active process and an important block for innovation. It is at the heart of innovation. 



Creativity vs Innovation

1. Creativity is the bravery to try something new. Innovation is the implementation of something new.

2. Creativity is related to imagination and innovation is related to implementation.

3.Creativity is the ability to produce and innovation is the introduction of new things.

4. Creativity is bringing into existence an idea that is new to you. Innovation is the practical application of creative ideas.

A Poem to Proud Men.

Be proud and confident

Be content but humble before the crowd

Never frown on those with less

Not all men have what you have

Just because you have a beautiful wife,

Just because you have a big car

Just because you have a big bank account

Just because you have high academic qualifications

The sum total of you is measured by much much more

It is your true character that wins true respect

Be clever and work hard

Be a source of inspiration and help

Be not arrogant and stomp on others

The macho man is a man who is blind to one thing

It is something he cannot see but it is there

It is his downfall that he can't see

That insidious pitfall that will be his undoing

You never know what is waiting for you around the corners of life

Life is too short to be smug

Disaster can befall you at some unknown moment

Not all of us have what you have

Should you be a macho arrogant asshole

Wait, they will gloat when you fall

Another man will take your beautiful wife

The bank will take your house and car

Your academic qualifications will be worthless

Penniless, you will be the worst off

A laughing stock even for those who had less

They will jeer at you, saying they have now got more than what you have now

Never beat a woman

You were born from a woman

Not all men had the chance to make something of their lives

Some were born into poverty

Some made mistakes when they were young

Many were punished too severely for their mistakes

Many were denied opportunities to become better

The tears of the unfortunate men

Their tears are worth more than your sweat

Our Struggle: Our Kampf

Our Kampf: Our Struggle

We suffer great defeats

We make unwise choices

We are denied redemption

We are denied salvation

We are humiliated

We are trampled upon

We are scorned upon

But our struggle continues

Every time opportunity strikes

We leap in faith and sieze it

To the triumphant end or the bitter end

We will struggle, unfazed undeterred without fear

It might be heaven or it might be hell

It might be victory or it might be defeat

It might be good or it might be bad

Our Kampf must never end

Into the breach we charge

Into the future we charge

Till our deaths we charge

Humility

Humility

Never look down in those who have less than you
The ground you will be buried in or the fire that burns you are the same
No one can live as happily as you
No one will have the same intelligence as you
No one will have the same talents as you
No one will have a beautiful wife as you
Look at your hand, all your fingers are not the same
Whether you believe it or not, no birth in the afterlife is the same
It will be lesser
Humility is a wise choice
You do not offend any enemy
Mind your own business
True respect is given to the humble
If not, in stealth an enemy will come when you boast

Wormholes: Travelling through space and time.

Imagine being able to travel from Earth to Mars within the time span of a day. The distance of the Earth to Mars is 54.60 million kilometres. The distance between Earth and the Andromeda galaxy, which is the galaxy nearest to out milky way, is 2.537 million light years. The time taken to travel from the Earth to Mars is between 150 and 300 days while the time taken to travel between Earth and the Andromeda galaxy is 2.5 million light years. So, imagine taking only days, months or weeks to get to Mars or the Andromeda galaxy! Imagine also, being able to travel from one universe to another universe. According to Dr Michio Kaku, a theoretical physicist, it is possible to travel, theoretically, that it is possible for more than one parallel universe to exist. 

So, what would allow us to travel from one point in space to another in a relatively short span of time? The answer is a wormhole. A wormhole is a hole in the fabric of space and time. It is a theoretical construct, meaning that it is a theory constructed to test a hypothetical concept. Theoretical concepts exist to define a certain concept which exists only in theory and are not observable phenomenon and are used by scientists to study things that cannot be observed. Science studies things and defines them, that is it describes them as real, if they are in someway observable. This includes seeing them, measuring them, smelling them, or sensing them using various kinds of apparatus. A wormhole can be best explained by taking a sheet of blank paper and putting two dots opposite each other at each end of the paper. Imagine that is the distance from your planet to another planet and that is the distance. Now fold the paper so that the two points meet each other. Imagine that a black hole is between the two dots. The dots are now nearer to each other. So space travelers travelling between two world located over vast distances of space can now enjoy speedier travel between once distant worlds.

Wormholes are described by scientists as tunnel-like connections in the fabric of space and time. They originate in Albert Einstein's Theory of General Relativity. Wormholes unusual properties pique the interests of theoretical physicists who study their mathematical properties of time and space. Wormholes possess strange geometries. Their study can assist to further the boundaries of behaviour permitted in the Theory of General Relativity, meaning the types of behaviour or things that some phenomenon by theory is supposed to do , and possibly give insights into the effects of quantum gravity. 

What does a wormhole look like? What is its configuration? A wormhole is a tunnel like structure with a mouth as an entry point and another mouth as an exit point. These two points are connected by a 'throat", and by theory, permits a traveler into the wormhole to travel through to a distant point in space and time. Now the path through the wormhole will have several routes to the exit point. Scientists describe the different exit points as topologies. These distinct topologies give a traveler through the wormhole many different paths to exit the wormhole to his or her destination. It is like as if an ant that enters an anthill will have many different paths before it to travel through in order to reach its destination. However, I ask these questions;

Imagine being able to travel from Earth to Mars within the time span of a day. The distance of the Earth to Mars is 54.60 million kilometres. The distance between Earth and the Andromeda galaxy, which is the galaxy nearest to out milky way, is 2.537 million light years. The time taken to travel from the Earth to Mars is between 150 and 300 days while the time taken to travel between Earth and the Andromeda galaxy is 2.5 million light years. so imagine taking only days , months or weeks to get to Mars or the Andromeda galaxy! Imagine also, being able to travel from one universe to another universe. According to Dr Michio Kaku, a theoretical physicist, it is possible to travel, theoretically, that it is possible for more than one parallel universe to exist. 

A. How do we know which path to take through the wormhole that will lead us to our destination?

B. how do we know if we will reach our desired destination or will we end up in some other place?

C. will we age when we travel to our destination?

D. will there be a difference in time when a traveler exits a wormhole?

The picture below shows a wormhole with its entry and exit mouths and a throat? 

E. Will a traveler reach his destination in this universe or another universe? 

The picture shows a wormhole with its entry and exit points. The channel between the entry and exit points. That channel is the throat of the wormhole

In science fiction, a wormhole is seen as a shortcut between two worlds resident in the same expanse in space and time just as the other planets in or solar system exist with our planet. It is supposed to shorten the time taken to travel between planets at any distance from each other. Suppose we want to travel through a wormhole to Mars in order to shorten the trip from a couple of months to perhaps just a day, then we can plunge through the wormhole in order to achieve this. But there is no particular reason why the distance between two worlds should be shorter through a wormhole. On the contrary, the distance could be even longer. The route could be twisted and lengthy but the entry and exit mouths being closer. Just imagine a worm entering a fruit, it makes its way through the fruit but when it exits, its exit point is closer to the entry point on the surface of the fruit. As described earlier the routes through a wormhole are called Topologies.

Wormholes can also exist within the classical black holes found in Einstein equations. But these are worthless when it comes to space travel. They can easily collapse before a spacecraft can enter them, leave alone a ray of light. Additionally, black holes are formed from collapsing stars have no associated wormhole at all.

A problem with wormholes has been postulated by some scientists. They postulate that worm hole geometries are inherently unstable. They postulate that the only way to keep them stable and not collapsing is material that has negative energy density- dark matter perhaps. However, they think that it is possible that quantum fluctuations in various fields might have the chance to keep them stable. The British scientist, Stephen Hawking conjectured that if at all worm holes were created, they cannot be used for time travel. Even if some exotic matter were used to stabilize them against instabilities. He argued that even the smallest particle could destabilize them sufficiently fast enough, thus preventing their use. Perhaps a type 2 or a type 3 civilization might invent a clever way to stabile them for use in space and time travel. Nonetheless, there is no experimental evidence for them

Wormhole geometries are inherently unstable. The only material that can be used to stabilize them against pinching off is material having negative energy density, at least in some reference frame. No classical matter can do this, but it is possible that quantum fluctuations in various fields might be able to.

To conclude, wormholes are an interesting scientific concept. It is theoretical and probably impossible to create, at least with contemporary scientific knowledge. It is good material for science fiction writers, but apart from that it is wishful thinking that we could ever create a stable wormhole. But as long as science brings forth exotic theoretical concepts, the imagination will be unleashed. 

Reasoning in Critical Thinking.

What is reasoning? According to Butterworth and Thwaites (2013) reasoning is the process where we move from the knowledge already know and understand to new knowledge and understanding. According to Butterworth and Thwaites (2013) reasoning is a higher skill. It forms the basis for reflection and creative thinking apart from use in critical thinking. They argue that it is bedrock of human advancement. Scientific and academic logic and thinking uses two principal types of thinking; deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning. A third type is abductive reasoning.  

Deductive reasoning is a form of valid reasoning. It is sometimes referred to as a "top-down approach". Deductive reasoning works from a general theory or hypotheses, then by examining the possibilities we reach a specific and logical conclusion.


  

Deductive reasoning is a form of valid reasoning. It is sometimes referred to as a "top-down approach". Deductive reasoning works from a general theory or hypotheses, then by examining the possibilities we reach a specificand logical concuclusion by means of testing the possibilities. We can narrow down even further as observations are collected to address the hypotheses. This ultimately leads to the testing hypotheses with specific data. In other words, we start with a general statement or hypotheses in an area of interest and narrow down into more specific hypotheses that we can test. Therefore, deductive reasoning is a top-down reasoning approach. It is more close-ended and narrow in nature and is concerned with hypotheses testing. Deductive reasoning or logic is concerned with the validity of arguments; an argument is deductively valid if and only its conclusion follows a logically necessary consequence of its premises. Usually deductive reasoning follows the steps of a premise and a second premise and finally an inference or conclusion. A common form of deductive reasoning is called Syllogisms. In syllogisms, there are two statements, a major and a minor premise that reach a logical conclusion. For example, All dogs are mammals. An Alsatian is a dog. Therefore, an Alsatian is a mammal.

Deductive Reasoning:

Source www.socialresearchmethods.net

Inductive reasoning works in the reverse to deductive reasoning. It is a "bottom up approach " to reasoning. Inductive reasoning makes broad generalisations drawn from specific observations and measures, patterns, regularities are distinguished, some tentative hypotheses are articulated for exploration and investigation, and finally arriving at developing some conclusions or theories, and finally arrive at constructing some general conclusions or theories.

Therefore, inductive reasoning is a bottom-up approach that uses specific observations and moves to broader generalisations and theories.It uses data , then conclusions are drawn from the data. In inductive reasoning, if the premises are true, then the conclusion is probably true. Inductive reasoning has its place in the scientific method. It is used to form hypotheses and theories. Deductive reasoning is used to apply theories to specific situations.

Inductive Reasoning:

Source www.socialresearchmethods.net

Abductive reasoning is used to address the inherent weaknesses of deductive and inductive reasoning. Specifically, deductive reasoning is criticized for the lack of clarity in terms of how to select theory to be tested via formulating hypotheses. Inductive reasoning, on other hand, criticized because “no amount of empirical data will necessarily enable theory-building”. Abductive reasoning, as a third alternative, overcomes these weaknesses via adopting a pragmatist perspective. 

Abductive reasoning:

Source https://research-methodology.net/

Abductive reasoning usually starts with an incomplete set of observations and proceeds to the likeliest possible explanation for the group of observations. It is based on making and testing hypotheses using the best information available. It often entails making an educated guess after observing a phenomenon for which there is no clear explanation. 

Abductive reasoning is useful for forming hypotheses to be tested. Abductive reasoning is often used by doctors who make a diagnosis based on test results and by jurors who make decisions based on the evidence presented to them.

In conclusion, reasoning is the basis of logic, creative thinking and  critical thinking. Deductive reasoning begins with a general statement or hypothesis and narrows down further as observations are made to address the hypothesis. It is used to test a hypothesis. Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations that lead to broader  generalisations and theories. Abductive reasoning starts with an incomplete set of observations and proceeds to the likeliest possible explanation for the group of observations.

References:  Butterworth.J and Thwaites.G (2013). Thinking Skills:Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Second edition. Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Alina Bradford (2017). Deductive vs. Inductive Reasoning

Retrieved from 

https://www.livescience.com/21569-deduction-vs-induction.html

Alina Bradford. Deductive vs. Inductive Reasoning

Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX3OXwpEpl8&t=16s

Deduction & Induction Resources. (n.d.). Retrieved from 

https://socialresearchmethods.net/kb/dedind.php

Research Methodology. (n.d.). Retrieved fromhttps://research-methodology.net/

Design Thinking: A Paradigm of Creativity and Innovation.

Design thinking is an innovative design methodology that provides a solution-based approach to problem solving. It is a methodology that is well-suited to solving ill-defined and unknown complex problems. It seeks solutions by understanding human needs. It reframes problems in human-centred ways, by creating ideas through brainstorming sessions, by adapting a hands-on approach in prototyping and testing. Design thinking is anchored to a skill set consisting of five stages or phases: empathize define, ideate, prototype and test. 

There is nothing new to the approach as it has been in existence for a long time. However, it has recently seen an uptake. It is a process that is fast gaining ground.

Design thinking is a five stage or phase iterative approach. Each stage or phase forms parts of the process of solution development.

1. Empathize: Understanding by empathizing in order to help define the problem. This done in order to gain an empathetic understanding of the problem. The phase involves consulting subject matter or problem area experts about the problem area. It is done with observing, engaging and empathizing with people in order to understand their experiences and motivations. Also, the solution designer immerses himself or herself in the physical environment so as to gain a deeper personal understanding of the issues involved. Empathy is a crucial part of a human-centred design process. It is what allows solution designers to set aside their assumptions about the world and gain insight into the users and their needs. Contingent to constraints of time, as much information is gathered at this phase so that it can be used during the next stage, and to develop the deepest and best possible understanding of the users, their needs, and the underlying problems of the development of a solution or a product.

2. Define: The define stage is where the information obtained in the empathize stage is put together. The observations from the first stage/phase are analysed and synthesized in order for the core problems to be defined. Problems are defined as a problem statement in a human-centred manner. Suppose an automobile manufacture wants to " increase the sale of economy sedan by 15% over the next three years", the problem can be defined in a human-centered manner as "Economy sedans are much more economical to own and maintain". The define stage allows for effective ideas to establish features, functions, ad any other elements that will allow solution designers to solve the problem or if not permit the users to resolve issues themselves with minimum difficulty. 

3. Ideate: At the ideate stage, solution designers are ready to start idea generation. The solution designers have grown to understand the users and their requirements in the Empathize phase. The end-users needs have been analyzed and synthesized from the observations made at the Define Stage and would have evolved a human-centered problem statement. When these have been completed thus begins ideation. Ideation is simply "thinking out of the box" in order to find or identify new solutions to the problem statement. Ideation is conducted using myriad ideation techniques such as; Brainstorming, Brainwrite, Worst Possible Idea, and SCAMPER. Ideation must generate as many ideas or solutions as possible from the onset of the phase. 

4. Prototype: At  the prototype stage many versions of a solution or scaled down versions of a solution are or a product are produced. Prototypes are shared and tested among team members or with people outside the team. This is to investigate and analyse the problem solutions generated in the previous stage. The prototype phase is an experimental phase in which the best solution is derived. The solutions produced at this phase are implemented one by one , they are investigated and either are accepted, rejected, modified or improved all based in the users experience. By the end of this stage the solution developers will have a better idea and understanding of the constraints inherent to the solution or product and the problems that are present, and have a clearer picture of how real users would behave, think, and feel when interacting with the end product.

5. Test: This is the final phase in the of the five phase model. However, it is an iterative process and the design thinking is a non-linear approach to design. It is an iterative process where at various phases results generated during the testing phase are often used to refine one or more of the problems and inform the understanding of the user, the conditions of use, how people think, behave, and feel and to empathize. The test phase  sees the rigorous testing of the complete product or solution using the best solutions identified in the during the prototyping phase. This stage can still see modifications, alterations and refinements to products and solutions and derive as deep an understanding of the product and its user as much as possible.  

Source www.careerfoundry.com

In conclusion, design thinking is a human-centred and collaborative approach to designing  solutions or products. It is amind-set that empathises. It is about learning , experimenting, with permission to fail and retry. It allows for the evolution of new ideas and is highly creative and innovative. It asks for feedback and is iterative. It is non-linear. It stimulates creative confidence and is defiant of failure. It is optimistic in the processes it employs.  

References:

5 Stages in the Design Thinking
     Retrieved from www.interaction-design.org

Please send comments to the author.

The Indian Diaspora : A Poem.

To lands far away our ancestors traveled
To strange lands all our fore-parents traveled, so far
To distant shores, so far away from our motherland
Oh! Mother Bharat, farewell
Never will I see you again
Our sons and daughters will be born on distant shores
But in our hearts and minds we are of one blood
Our Bharat was once mighty and rich
Not a beggar was to be seen on a street
Till the Europeans came, only then was it was laid low
Even the Arab and the Turkmen could not so
Our hearts should beat as one
For we are all really one
Oh! Mother Bharat, you are in our hearts and souls
You are the spiritual home where all our souls reside 
Though not on your sacred soil we reside
When we see ourselves in the mirror
Our hearts flutter because we are of Bharat 
Across great oceans and lands we have spread 
But in our hearts and minds ,we will never forget
Till our dying day we will remain 
An Indian till our final breath

The Wise Serpent: A Poem.

You are a wanderer in the desert

The desert of loneliness

The magical spirits watch you

They watch in silence and thought

Not a word, not even a whisper.

You are a wanderer in the desert

The desert of loneliness

The wise serpent knows his way in the desert

But you do not, so you wander

Not a drop of love to quench your mighty pang of thirst

You thirst from the emptiness of life

The wise serpent knows where the fountain of the water of love is

So, he makes his way in happy knowledge

But you slither in abject sorrow and ignorance

So, he makes his way in knowledge

But you slither aimless in ignorance

You do not, you thirst

There is nothing you have to fill the chasm that is the void in your heart

The wise serpent cares not for this

But you care, you desperately want to, but you do get to escape, so you despair

Lonely wanderer, endless desert