Homeschool Routines Win

Why we’re doing the opposite of the home-learning advice we’ve heard

I feel like a hypocrite to write this, because my last few days have been anything but productive or systematic. There have been heavy sicknesses here however (Strep for two, plus an ear infection for the youngest). My family is now recovering fine and last night we got our first night of sleep! The rest of this info holds true even if I’ve not been a shining example…

Humans don’t always have the best understanding of what we want, or how to get there.

Continue reading “Homeschool Routines Win”

A New Look at Prospect Theory

9:22pm

Saint Paul

 

Hey there. I was just thinking — PRL readers are the best.

This past weekend I emailed about Mindset and letting Reality flow—

“Don’t force a round peg into a square hole” kinda thing (actually it was exactly that).

Anyway, one Mr. Haris P. wrote back to agree:

Mindset is everything, you are right. When I get stressed I stop and think of the Prospect Theory that has been fascinating me since I first read it some years ago.  To make a long story short, we always judge situations comparing to something else (point of reference).


When I am stressful at work for example, I stop and think how is my life, what are the real things I value (family, friends and health basically). Suddenly all other issues seem unimportant and trivial. Everything has a solution (apart form health problems) so I should just carry on, find the strength and courage to face my hesitations and fears.


In a few words, I change the mindset and everything seems crystal clear.

Second off, I agree completely with Haris.

Perspective, framing, and contrast all help us to see the situation and get a handle on our emotions and mindset.

But backing up to First off… my immediate reaction was whoa. I hadn’t thought of Prospect Theory quite like that before. Continue reading “A New Look at Prospect Theory”

Just Give Away all the Library Books!

I just finished reading the Saint Paul newspaper.

It seems our mayor wants to do away with library fines.

New fines, old fines, all of the fines… out the door.

Here we are, a society that can’t accept enough responsibility to iron a shirt…

and now we’re removing one of the few driving forces that encourage people to return books on time?

I think it’s… ridiculous, pandering, expensive… and… after thinking it over…

possibly a great idea! Continue reading “Just Give Away all the Library Books!”

I Smell a Rat! The Prisoner’s Dilemma

Did you know the original Universities were designed as Prisons to keep unruly young men caged up while their hormones drove risky behavior that threatened the local social harmony?

Rather than allow young people to take risks that help them to grow and experience life, we continue to indoctrinate them with social rules to help keep the order.

The risks available to busy students are far less violent than what may be the alternatives.

I don’t remember everything from University. There certainly weren’t a lot of dangerous risks in the small town where I studied.

Dorm life was a party — and we could smoke indoors! A “career” after graduation seemed a lifetime away. Econ 101 taught me the benefits of Free Trade.

I hated this class! Photo "Amherst63-012" by NealeA, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
I loved this class! Photo “Amherst63-012” by NealeA, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

And while I learned a lot I’m sure, there is plenty that I didn’t learn.

Maybe you, too?

•We didn’t learn how to start a business in university — the mindset of an entrepreneur.

•We didn’t learn how to create and maintain a budget — the mindset of habit.

•We didn’t learn to negotiate — the mindset of persuasion.

This is the reason I’ve started PersuasionReadingList.com — to learn what I should know to understand what moves the human mind, and to share these concepts of influence with you. Continue reading “I Smell a Rat! The Prisoner’s Dilemma”