What is gossip?

Phạm Hồ Thanh - Talk

What is gossip?

  • Can-can – it’s a form of trivializing things;
  • Something you want to keep secret from a person;
  • It is addressed to the person, not to the work;
  • It’s an abandonment, a loss, an admission of failure – „I declare myself defeated, I have to say this, I have no other solution”. (although, usually, most often even, you have!)

For example the private life of a great author.

Another example: something someone tells you X said about you. It’s still gossip.

Another one: you say something about X, which you wouldn’t say in front of X, and which spoils his image.

It can be funny, but it’s a serious matter.

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Some quotes on reading ebooks/books efficiency vs. listening to audiobooks efficiency

Susan Jane Golding - The Listeners

Some books are better to consume over audio than over text. I find that conceptual books and biographies are better off consumed over audio than text. (via – 7 Reasons Why You Should Listen to Audiobooks – Asian Efficiency)

 

But a study conducted by the Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior (Reading and listening to high and low imagery sentences) found that our brains are actually more likely to create meaningful imagery when we listen to a story — as opposed to when it’s read in a traditional format — because it allows more room for our brain’s visual processes to kick into gear. (Are Audiobooks Good for the Brain?)

 

According to a study from University College London, people have a more emotional reaction when listening to a novel than they do when watching an adaptation. When we listen to a story, our brain has to create more content, such as imagery, to supplant the words. (Are Audiobooks Good for the Brain?)

 

Whether it’s household chores, your workout of choice, or your daily commute be it driving or headphones on mass transit, there’s no question that audiobooks help busy readers read more. When I’m multitasking, I find that audiobooks work best when the task doesn’t require you to pay too much attention to anything else. (via: Audiobooks vs Reading: The Rules Are, There Are No Rules | Book Riot)

 

Adult Americans spend more than seven hours a day looking at digital screens. This leads to blurred vision, eye strain, and nearsightedness.

When you read your book your eyes don’t relax. This can often lead to headaches due to reading! By listening to an audiobook you allow your eyes and mind to relax.

(via: Is An Audiobook Faster Than Reading? [Here’s the Truth!])

 

I have observed that I can’t listen to a non-fiction audiobook. This is because whenever I come across something particularly important, I like to highlight and make notes.

[…]

That is why I have stuck only to fiction for audiobooks of late. This was a conscious decision because I realised I wasn’t getting much out of non-fiction or self-help audiobooks when I was listening to them.

(via: 7 Tips to Effectively Listen to Audiobooks | by Anangsha Alammyan | Publishous | Medium)

 

Goodreads has an option to “like” a quote. Once you do that, it will be stored in your profile, and you can come back and read whenever you wish.

Sure, this does not compare to underlining and highlighting in a physical book. But, in a way, isn’t it wonderful that all the passages you found useful would be stored in a place where you can go back any time and re-visit?

(via: 7 Tips to Effectively Listen to Audiobooks | by Anangsha Alammyan | Publishous | Medium)

 

So, here’s my suggestion: pick a chore you hate doing and listen to audiobooks while you are at this. This way-

  • Your mood won’t be affected thinking how much you hate what you are doing.
  • You will be able to concentrate better on the audiobook because your brain wants an escape.
  • You will find a magnificent way of multi-tasking, without actually investing too much time or effort.

(via: 5 Reasons Why Every Reader Should Listen to Audiobooks | by Anangsha Alammyan | Books Are Our Superpower)

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The 40-70 rule of decision-making

Adam Y Zhang - Decision Time

Former secretary of state Colin Powell: His 40-70 rule says that leaders should be taking decisions when they have between 40-70% of the information required for taking a decision. According to him, when you take a decision with less than 40% information, then you are shooting from the hip, which literally means to speak or act quickly based on first impressions, without carefully studying the background information.

(via: The 40-70 rule of decision-making | The Financial Express)

I like this rule a lot. You don’t need too many details, you also don’t want to make a decision by having too little data.

40-70%? That’s the sweet spot.

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Quiz contests

Ikhlasul Amal - Questionnaire

I don’t agree with quiz contests – asking questions in order to receive a prize for the best question.

This motivates you not to ask something stupid. You’ll try your best to ask a „smart” question.

But what does a bad question look like?

And – If there are no bad questions, why not reward all of them?

If there are no bad questions, how do you separate a good from a bad question?

I don’t need the world to agree with me, it’s just a frustration I have.

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On hatred

Adam Y Zhang - Love and Hate Relationship

On hatred: it’s amazing to see just how important the social factor is in all the annoyances of others towards you.

Why do you care about some people?

Because they’re different. And because they don’t follow the rules. And sometimes it’s good to be able to say stop, get out of the routine, have that ability. If you break the rules, you are a rebellious person, the person in front of you takes a risk – you can break the rules, and annoy him. If you’re a boxer, it’s a guarantee – you don’t break the rules, but you’re definitely boring.

People are looking to follow the social in the case of masks as well. I respect the law more than I value my health and the health of others.

A man of courage, with insensibility, will also look for shortcuts, and sometimes he will succeed. He will not be afraid of risks, of failure, of humiliation. He’ll have the guts, and maybe he’ll succeed.

A shy, frightened, panicked man will go down the beaten path, and he will certainly not win. The brave man has a chance of success. The shy man has a certainty of failure.

Compared to the prodigal son who has fun and is brave.

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