you knoo-o-ow.  Not really.

Gladwell makes some interesting assertions in the second chapter, and today we focused on the effects of interpersonal communication.  He cites a study by Syracuse University that explains the impact of newscasters and their expressions in Presidential races, and explains what makes Tom Gau so convincing.  Derren Brown was brought up, and I promised videos.  Here they are:

Watch Brown’s movements as he talks to the man.  He mirrors his movements, then takes a step back.  The man follows.

This one is a bit off topic, but I think it effectively illustrates just how easily our creativity can be affected by our environment.  As always, you are what you eat, even if you don’t mean to consume it.

 

This one is similar.  You think you aren’t listening, but you are.

 

I’m trying to find video or an article explaining the microemotions explained in this chapter.  If anyone finds something, post it below.

Eh, that was a stretch.

First Hour

Finish chapter six of A Heartbreaking Work.  If you’re interested, here’s the Eggers video from TED.com:

Third Hour

We’ll be reading through page 73 for tomorrow.  To continue the discussion of a book’s impact on how we frame our language, write a journal entry in the style of Charlie.  The topic does not matter, though I would suggest pulling from the previous week’s events.  It is not necessary to think of something exciting.  In fact, a banal event night be best.  Look at it through the eyes of a "Wallflower."  How did the people act?  Why?  Try to "understand" as Charlie does.  He’s grappling with some very new concepts, and has been thrust into a world that he does not always understand.  How is he affected by this?

Charlie mentions reading To Kill a Mockingbird.  He is about the same age as Scout, and they are put into similar situations.  Are their reactions similar?  Why?  Maybe this quote by Shunryu Suzuki can shed some light:

In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind there are few.

Here’s the video we watched today in class:

And one that I talked about in class.  This is one of the most profound descriptions of right/left brain thinking that I’ve ever seen.  Check out TED.com for more videos.

Tonight you should read the rest of the second chapter of The Tipping Point.

*See Wm. Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Act 5 Scene 1

NPR: World Cafe’s David Dye interviews Chris Walla about his newest album, Field Manual.  Have any of you heard it?  NPR: World Cafe Story

This is really amazing.  Dan Phillips creates homes using 85% recycled or reused materials, which is incredible in itself, but Phillips works with the working poor to . . . just watch:

via Treehugger Article check out Phillips’s website.

Anyone looking to major in geology?  Something to think about: NPR Story.

Domingo Martin plays a song using his Moleskine journal as his only instrument.  Video at Moleskinerie.com Article.

Interesting commentary on the current election slogans.  In These Times Article

Library WII.  Gothamist Article

John Marks writes about Stoker’s Dracula and how it reminds him of . . . Easter.  Just check it out: NPR Story.