A nexus of art and technology

Thank you Mr. Plass

Image versus Substance; What we see as opposed to what really is...

 

In this video short, Malcolm Gladwell discusses his reinterpretation of the Old Testament story about David and Goliath - the basis of his most recent book entitled the same.  Gladwell offers nuanced insights regarding how apparent underdogs may not necessarily doomed because shortcomings only appear so because they are based on a of frame of reference that is set by prevailing perspectives.  

Gladwell echoes a phenomenon discussed by Nassim Nicholas Taleb in his provocative, ground-breaking book, "Black Swan".  Taleb's premise is that we develop a sort of veiled consciousness because we are unprepared to see what may not be obvious.  Why?  Because we are locked onto seeing a different kind of obvious that has its roots according to currently held conventions.

I have always found it fascinating that weaknesses can be strengths and vice versa - and that is what this book explores. 

Endnote: You may receive Feedback Credit for submitting commentary on this video under the 1/12 posting criteria, or you may receive the full 5 points if you decide to submit a 1200-1500 book review for the Gladwell book.  Just let me know your intent via e-mail.

Meaningful Work - The Utility of Outlined Notes

I like Dr. Dan Ariely.  I like him because he has the ability to explain what motivates Humans.  

I understand this is a 20 minute video, and I understand you have many things that you could probably be doing, but this video is important for two reasons; 

1]  It helps you understand the reason behind my requirement for notes.

2]  It helps you come to realize that your the quality of your education depends on what you put into it.  Simply requesting a re-take for your Assessments, Quizzes and Tests does little for you unless you put some work into understanding the reason for requesting a re-take.  

Something to keep in mind...

Your reward is not in getting the re-take.  Rather, it is in having the opportunity to learn from your mistakes on an immediate level; Learning, and by extension, school is about making mistakes.  The more mistakes you make, the more opportunity you have to learn.  Just so long as you realize that your learning requires that whatever challenges you face must be meaningful.

Now, what I have written here relates to my reasoning behind requiring notes, there are many ways you could interpret this video.  And that is the beauty of learning how to learn; you can apply these lessons to many different situations in life.  These concepts work for relationships, for work, and for motivating people to do something, and even for establishing policy or running organizations from small businesses to government.

Here at SAMS, we have an agreement; you work and we make sure your work is at a certain quality.  Each teacher has a different approach, and mine includes, "Trust but verify."  This means, I want you to do you work, but I cannot force you to care about your work.  

This is why I do not require notes to be turned in at the end of the semester.  Yes, it gives you the opportunity to walk away from your responsibility.  However, it also gives you an opportunity to get "paid" a potentially higher grade.  My question is, If someone offered you an opportunity to paid more for just trying harder, why wouldn't you take it?  The way I see it, you would have to be nuts to not get paid for just loving your job! 

Finally, remember anyone can copy and paste - but your challenge is to make what you have learned your own.  It makes no sense to have beautiful notes that someone else put the effort into.   Using notes created by others makes as much sense as expecting a plant to grow from planting cut flowers.

I would love to know what your thoughts are on this video, how it relates to you, and how you think you can apply this knowledge to your life, or how this information can be related to others in your world.

For those of you who would like to read more about the phenomenon of meaningful work, this is the book where Dr. Ariely explains it in more detail.  I will offer 5 points - that's a half a grade added to your end of semester grade - for anyone who reads the book and gives me a 1200 - 1500 word summary and discussion of what you have learned from what you have read.

Cooperation and collaboration - what is possible when people work toward a common goal

I hope to see someone try this in the SAMS cafeteria some time soon.

You kids amaze me.

Science Connections for you to consider:

• Neurobiology
• Mirror Neurons
• Neural Pathways
• Sound transmission
• Neuromuscular synchronization
• Vocalization

Aside:  I've been following Kia Grannis for probably 5 years, when she was just a kid.  You ought to look up her Valentine song - click here.  Also, her cover of Rhianna's, Disturbia - click here - is also pretty neat.  And one of her first covers was Jason Mraz',  "I'm Yours"  - click here.  I am glad she is finally realizing the success she deserves.  Let's see if anyone reads this far...

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? 

Playing For Change - Stand By Me Videos

Stand By Me

The Producers of this video came up with the idea of creating a music compilation of music where they first recorded one street performer who lived in Santa Monica, California.  They took his song first to New Orleans and then around the world, and simply let other street performers listen to it and then add their contributions to the song.

Unlike the Piano Guys, these street performers never gathered in one place.  Instead, they just listened to the recordings through headphones and added in their pieces to the musical puzzle.  The result was creation of a richly flavored song by a virtual band of people who never met in person while the compilation was being made.

"Stand By Me," an old fifties song first recorded by Sam Cook, was the first song put together by the producers who called their innovative experiment, "Playing for Change." whose title has a double-meaning.  "Playing for Change" not only refers to what street musicians usually get paid; spare change, it also reflects the producers desire; to use music as a means of reaching across borders.  Their aim was to have people from various walks of life and different cultures who would otherwise never had the chance to meet, and create peace through the shared experience of music. 

As you watch this video, see if you can catch the New Mexico connection.  

Incidentally, the gentleman, Roger Ridley - click here to learn more about him - who introduces the song at the video's beginning - if I recall correctly, died of a heart attack on the day this video was released.  He never got a chance to see what his little performance in Santa Monica would become.

Notice also, how many times this video has been seen.

Next, is also a Playing for Change video of, "Chandamama". I have been told it is a popular folk song for children in India.  If any of you can verify, or add more to this conversation by translating the words for me, I would really appreciate it.

Enjoy!

Piano Guys - Michael Meets Mozart

The Piano Guys

This video, Called "Michael Meets Mozart," by The Piano Guys, two musicians who produced an entire song electronically through creating recorded loops and adding to them successively until they ended up with an entire musical composition.

Some of you mentioned that you would like to know more about how, "Michael Meets Mozart" was made.  Here is their behind-the-scenes video.

I have taken the liberty to set up this blog and have some fun and to use it as a forum where we can express ourselves in a positive way.  I expect your responses to be professional.  Furthermore, attacks and insults are not welcome here, and they will be not be approved when I review them for posting.

If you are a Star Wars Geek, you might find this video entertaining: