Summer Gems

Summer Gems.

“All human wisdom is contained in these two words – Wait and Hope” ― Alexandre Dumas, Le Comte de Monte-Christo

“We’re looking at a new world. New worlds are always hard on old ideas.” ― Ancient Shores, Jack McDevitt via Jane McConnell

As I did for my Spring Gems I review what caught my attention in July 2024 on media tools and in my personal archives. Here are the insights.

Table of Contents

With(out) Generative AI

“Ever wonder where we’re heading as a society in the era of hashtag#ai? Have you recently enjoyed that wave of relief when a human responds to your help request? #aiisameansnotthegoal” ― Michael Running Wolf

“Linas Beliunas & will.i.am: “It’s sad that we’re going to live in a world … where machines will be more articulate, capable of analytical, critical thinking, banter ability, contextual, deep understanding, while we (humans) have resorted to short tweets, emojis, memes, and stickers to communicate”.

“Sometimes on the way to your dreams, you get lost and find a better one!” via Trish Wilson

“What do you get when you combine brainstorming with roleplays?” ― ModelThinkers

Rolestorming

“Actionable Takeaways

Generate ideas by shifting perspectives.

Ask what would <another person> think/ say/ suggest / do in this situation? Use Rolestorming as a group ideation technique or to reframe a problem for yourself. Use the table above as a starting point and quickly define the person’s worldview and unique perspective before applying it to your current problem.

Challenge your view and shift your habits with Rolestorming.

Beyond innovation, consider how you can challenge and shift your self-identity by asking ‘What would a x person do in this situation?’ Where x might be a person who is healthy, funny, creative, ethical, empathetic, or any attribute you want to improve in yourself. Acting from that place will build up your evidence that you are ‘that sort of person’ and allow identity-based habits to take root.”

Hosting Nudges

“I was speaking at a conference today and one of the facilitators did such a beautiful ice breaker exercise I wanted to share it with you:
* How did you get your name? (First, middle, last)
* What’s the story behind it?” ― Rachel Botsman

“(…) knowing how to create meaning with and for your people is a gift. And it’s learnable. And it’s free.

No matter your age or budget, go have some fun.” ― Priya Parker

“It’s so easy to feel like you’ve missed the chance to connect with someone once a certain amount of time has passed, but the reality is that as long as you’re still receptive, that window has not closed!” ― Claire O’Brien

“How do you improve independent and collective thinking?”

“(…) Diverge, converge, diverge, converge.

You walk away to come back together to ignite something with energy.“

Source: https://substack.com/@rachelbotsman/note/c-61502390?r=1dkqpl

Effortless & Fulfilling Way of Living

“Trying Not to Try” by Edward Slingerland. Insights from Perplexity via Daniel Durrant.

“Major Takeaways and Lessons

Indirect Pursuit of Goals: Slingerland emphasizes that many goals, such as happiness and success, are best achieved indirectly. Trying too hard can lead to counterproductive outcomes, while a more relaxed approach can yield better results.

Integration of Philosophies: The book suggests that both Daoist and Confucian strategies can be integrated to achieve wu-wei. While Daoism provides a more passive approach, Confucianism offers a structured path to internalize virtuous behavior.

Modern Relevance: Slingerland connects ancient wisdom with modern cognitive science, showing how wu-wei aligns with contemporary understandings of the brain and behavior. He argues that spontaneous generosity and authentic behavior are governed by automatic mental processes, which can be cultivated.”

Relevance in Contemporary Context

In today’s fast-paced and achievement-oriented society, the ideas presented in Trying Not to Try are particularly relevant. The book offers a counter-narrative to the pervasive culture of constant striving and self-improvement. By advocating for a more relaxed and indirect approach to achieving goals, Slingerland provides a refreshing perspective that can help individuals find balance and authenticity in their lives.

In conclusion, Trying Not to Try by Edward Slingerland is a thought-provoking exploration of how ancient Chinese wisdom and modern science converge to reveal the power of spontaneity. The book’s insights into wu-wei offer valuable lessons for anyone seeking a more effortless and fulfilling way of living.

“As marine biologist Wallace Nichols wrote in Blue Mind, water tends to induce “a mildly meditative state characterized by calm, peacefulness, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment.” via Adam Grant

Creativity & Agency

“In other words, creativity has a lot to do with agency. Of being asked to make choices that enable the making of creative work and which affect its quality. Choices that affect, too, your experience of this: can you learn from your process? Can you sustain effort? Can you take joy from it, deriving inspiration and momentum that can help you move onto future projects?

This experience of being creative is inflected by agency – how much you have and over what areas of your life. When it comes to choosing how you spend your time alone, how much of your ‘own’ time do you possess? Are you in a position to dictate or negotiate many or some of the day-job conditions that will inform the way in which you live for this time?

What agency can you exercise in the way you respond to whatever conditions with which you are contending? Are you abundantly resourced or bedevilled with hard decisions over how to stretch a tight budget? What obligations do you owe to dependents, partners, bosses, colleagues, comrades, friends, or family?” ― Meredith Lewis

“Have the temerity to experiment with what your nascent creative practice might look like. Prize temerity over success.” ― Meredith Lewis

Imaginize World

From Jane McConnell a fellow seeker and member of the Perpetual Beta Coffee Club, hosted by Harold Jarche:

“I just reviewed the first months results from my imaginize.world podcast. I did a pdf of the homepage, that leads you to person pages with links to videos, audio files and transcripts. Substack wont let me post it, so head over to my own website and grab your copy. imaginize.world

Click on the titles in the pdf and move straight to the guest page. Enjoy – and let me know your thoughts? Any ideas for imaginize.world?

I have saved my copy to reflect on when time permits.

“With every future we wish to create, we must first learn to imagine it.” ― Chen Quifan via Jane McConnell

Along with my summer reading list, I now have a listening list for this Summer and beyond: the Imaginize World podcast hosted by Jane.

Continuous Learning

“The leader’s central task is to design environments that promote knowledge creation, continuous learning, and innovation.

It’s an atmosphere of guided autonomy.” ― Ed Morrison

“70:20:10 is a reference framework and not an implementation model.

70:20:10 simply points out that most learning occurs as part of working and sharing with others (the ’70’ and ’20’ parts) and the model helps organisations design solutions that exploit learning from working and learning with others.” ― Charles Jennings

As I prepare for the return of new courses and workshops in September, two actionable insights are great reminders:

“I strive to connect with students on an individual level and try to find the words and motivation that will unlock something for them. I am always learning from them too, and I look forward to this class every year with both anticipation and fear!” ― Mary Dunleavy via Barbara Shirvis