Success - Is it Luck, Preparation or a matter of Timing?

Dear Students and Parents;

First off, I know that watching this post is going to take up a 100 minutes of your life just to watch.  However, this is very likely the most significant video posted on this entire blog - chiefly because it synthesizes what I have been trying to get across since my very first post.  It is about being unique, being brilliant and being able to get along with people.  More than that, it speaks to what it takes to be a success - in whatever one chooses to become.

Louis Pasteur, the scientist who 'discovered' the process of milk pasteurization said, "Chance favors a prepared mind."  

If you have the opportunity, I also encourage you to read all of Malcolm Gladwell's books, but the focus of this video is his book, "Outliers."

Here is my incentive for any of you students who want to receive credit for the entire semester; all you have to do is watch, and give me a written commentary on this one, single video.  In doing so, you will receive credit - for the entire semester's requirement for 12 feedback assignments, or you can also just read, "Outliers" and give me a book review.  My only requirement is that you;

1]  Give me a synopsis - minimum three paragraphs.
2]  Share your thoughts in an intelligently written essay - you choose the approach, all I ask is that you wow me with your brilliance.  I assure you, this will not be difficult.  You have all the brilliance it takes to shine in this assignment. 
3]  The due date for this assignment is 15 December, and the entire paper cannot be less than 1500, or more than 10,000 words.  Some of you people are prolific writers.


For those Seventh and Eighth graders who might think this challenge is out of your league; I do not agree.  I have seen you tooling along all semester, and you are more than holding your own.  As a matter of fact, the best outlined notes I have seen this semester are from seventh and eight graders.  This is what Gladwell talks about when he refers to, 'restriction of range.'

Some of you might argue that this is unfair to anyone who has completed feedback assignments throughout the semester.  My response is that you have an even greater advantage because you have banked some phenomenal information that no one can ever take away from you.  You have already upped your chances because you have invested in preparation.  You are doing what Louis Pasteur talked about.  I assure you that, once you have watched this video, you will better understand why there really are no short-cuts.

I sincerely hope every student takes advantage of this opportunity - think of Wayne Gretsky as a baby, or Gladwell's story about the runner who wanted to run up a hill backwards.  I also hope you share the time to watch this with each other, your parents and your friends.  I even encourage you to work together as a family to write this up, because working together is a good thing.  My reason for encouraging this is also embedded in the video.  There are hundreds if not infinite tangents you can take regarding this assignment.  Its the 'brick-and-blanket' test.

That is why there is no way to 'cheat' this assignment; your reward is directly correlated to your personal investment and contribution to this Feedback Response.  Only you will know if you deserve it.  Make it yours.

It will be interesting to see who takes up this challenge.  Will it be the established die-hards that always give me Feedbacks?  Will it be the tortoises or the hares?  I can't wait to find out. notwithstanding, this offering comes to you on the shiniest night of November 2012.  It just worked out that way.  Let's just call it Malcolm's Moonlight Madness.

Now, grab some popcorn and a note pad... 

Happiness - The Surprising Science

Here is a partial transcript that summarizes Professor Gilbert's findings on happiness and strategies to achieve it:

"... in other words, 'yes,' somethings are better than others.  

We should have preferences that lead us into one future over another.  But, when those preference drive us too hard, and too fast because we have overrated the difference between these futures, we are at risk.  

When our ambition is bounded, it leads us to work joyfully.  When our ambition is unbounded, it leads us to lie, cheat, to steal, to hurt others, to sacrifice things of real value.  

When our fears are bounded, we're prudent, we're cautious, we're thoughtful.  When our fears are unbounded, and overblown, we're reckless and we're cowardly.  

The lesson I want to leave you with from these data is that our longings and our worries are both, to some degree, overblown because we have within us, the capacity to manufacture the very commodity we are constantly chasing when we choose experience."

Dan Gilbert PhD
Professor of Psychology - Harvard University

Some things to ponder:  

What is the lesson you take away regarding happiness and short-term decisions?

• How does this apply to your 'pursuit' of happiness?
• Is it plausible that, when the potential rewards are immediate, we tend to lose sight of how a quick decision affects a long-term outcome?
• Can this explain why we tend ignore the potential damage because a short term reward eclipses long-term goals?  
• Being aware of this reality, are we better armed to handle quick decisions?
• Are quick decisions bad?  Why do you suppose humans are wired to make quick decisions?
• Os there an evolutionary benefit for quick decision makers?
• Is making a decision to decide and sticking with it really that simple?  
• Would you be willing to try it for a short period and see how it works out for you?
• Does deciding to decide seem like settling for second best to you?  Why or why not?
• What does this tell us about cheating?  Choosing the best answer on a test?  Saying the wrong thing because we are inclined to respond quickly rather than thoughtfully? 

Note: This video qualifies as a 5 point maximum extra credit paper for your semester's final Science grade - that's a half a grade added to your final grade.  

However, it must meet the following criteria:  1500 word minimum (to 10,000 words maximum) to include a summary of the video and an exposition that discusses a topic of your choice mentioned in the video.  Make sure it is copy edited, spell checked and set-up in a word document.  

Should you elect to take this challenge, your essay on this post ought to be fun, and rewarding for you.  If you take any other approach to it, or if it ceases to be fun, then you are doing something wrong.

Innovating to Zero - Bill Gates

 

The good news is you will one day make decisions about your world.  The bad news is that one day, you will have to make decisions about your world.  You will be held responsible for the decisions you make.  

Being educated enough to know how to spot a miracle and make a miracle happen "in a very short time-line" will be to your benefit.

Something to ponder:  

What does this mean?  

CO₂ = P x E x S x C

Please discuss.

Note: This video qualifies as a 5 point maximum extra credit paper for your semester's final Science grade - that's a half a grade added to your final grade.  

However, it must meet the following criteria:  1500 word minimum (to 10,000 words maximum) to include a summary of the video and an exposition that discusses a topic of your choice mentioned in the video.  Make sure it is copy edited, spell checked and set-up in a word document.  

Should you elect to take this challenge, your essay on this post ought to be fun, and rewarding for you.  If you take any other approach to it, or if it ceases to be fun, then you are doing something wrong.

The Golden Circle - How to Inspire Action

"People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it..."

How does the "Law of Diffusion of Innovation" relate to the video called, "How to Start a Movement." (click here to see)

Items to ponder:

1]  What is the significance of Simon Sinek's statements: "
     A  There leaders, and there are those who lead."  ... Those who lead because they inspire us...
     B] We follow them, not because we have to, but because we want to." ?

2]  Can you make any connections between what Sinek is talking about and
     A]  people significant in your life? 
     B]  your teachers and this statement?  

3]  How about the recent elections?  How does this awareness effect your perspective on the November 6 results?

4]  Can you make a connection between this talk and the video you first saw at the beginning of the semester regarding how to start a movement? 

5]  Can you draw any connections between what you are seeing here and any of the other blog posts you have seen here?  
  A]  Example:  Explain how this video is tied to, "Long Division Style." (click here to see)

6]    Can you give an example of how Sinek's talk might be something you can you use this knowledge in your future? 

"We are, and will be, The United States of America."

"... I want to thank every American who participated in this election. Whether you voted for the very first time — or waited in line for a very long time — by the way, we have to fix that.  Whether you pounded the pavement or picked up the phone  — whether you held an Obama sign or a Romney sign, you made your voice heard and you made a difference...

 ...But despite all our differences, most of us share certain hopes for America's future.

We want our kids to grow up in a country where they have access to the best schools and the best teachers — a country that lives up to its legacy as the global leader in technology and discovery and innovation with all of the good jobs and new businesses that follow.

We want our children to live in an America that isn't burdened by debt, that isn't weakened up by inequality, that isn't threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet.

We want to pass on a country that's safe and respected and admired around the world, a nation that is defended by the strongest military on earth and the best troops this — this world has ever known —  but also a country that moves with confidence beyond this time of war to shape a peace that is built on the promise of freedom and dignity for every human being.

We believe in a generous America, in a compassionate America, in a tolerant America open to the dreams of an immigrant's daughter who studies in our schools and pledges to our flag — to the young boy on the south side of Chicago who sees a life beyond the nearest street corner — to the furniture worker's child in North Carolina who wants to become a doctor or a scientist, an engineer or an entrepreneur, a diplomat or even a president...

...We are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions and we remain more than a collection of red states and blue states. We are, and forever will be, the United States of America..." 

Barack Obama
44th President of the United States
Election Night Victory Speech 
6 November 2012 

Dog Physics - A Smart Lab

What dogs really do when we are not home watching them...

From the dog's point of view, his master is an elongated and abnormally cunning dog.  ~Mabel Louise Robinson

Long Division Style...

A Little Perspective Please...

 

Double click on the image in order to read it.

Let's Talk Teflon

For those of you studying Chemistry and Physics, this video offers interesting insight regarding Teflon; what it is, how it works and whether it is Carcinogenic.

 

Now, this kid isn't going to be knocking off a Grammy anytime soon, but his song is real my fellow brainiacs.  His science is solid.  I love the shout out he gave to his teacher.  See if you can tell me what her name was.

Do you feel it, yo? Get low!  ...Lowest coefficient of friction, that is.