still reading

The ‘train your brain’ mantra is gaining power again, with activities, books and even games!

Simple ways to make yourself far cleverer. Denis Campbell says that doing ‘brain exercises’ or taking a shower with our eyes closed can make us all up to 40 per cent cleverer within seven days.
[ Guardian article ]

Video games for the elderly: an answer to dementia or a marketing tool? Nintendo product proves addictive to over-45s anxious to ward-off effects of old age.
[ Guardian article | Brain Age at Nintendo | PQ: Practical Intelligence Quotient, on PSP ]

“Mind Hacks is a collection of probes into the moment-by- -moment workings of our brain with a view to understanding ourselves a little better and learning a little more, in a very real sense, about what makes us tick. It’s by Tom Stafford and Matt Webb, and published by O’Reilly.”
This one is loveable, with herds of hacks, we’ve actually used some of these even in ‘classic’ e-learning materials.
[ the blog of the authors | the book on Amazon | sample chapters at O’Reilly ]

O’Reilly released recently a seemingly related title that I’ve just ordered, Mind Performance Hacks. I’m gonna update this entry when I’ve checked it.
[ the blog of the author | the wiki that led to the book | the book on Amazon | sample chapters at O’Reilly | the wiki of the book ]

“In much of our lives our minds operate in autopilot. Rather like the tourist who repeats the same words louder each time the local doesn’t understand, we tend to continue thinking and behaving in similar ways, even if it isn’t getting us what we want.”
Mind Gym has a very smart layout and typo, different paths to get lost in your mind while improving it and a decent online support. They’ve released their next book, “Give Me Time”, now that’s also waiting to be shipped.
[ official site | the book at Amazon | the new book at Amazon ]

While tinkering around I’ve found an Open University site titled Mind Gym. I wonder if they have any connection, but the content seems nice, anyway.
[ Mind Gym at O2 ]

Karen is a sound social network theorist, much like practicioner. I’ve stumbled upon her through an interview, then shortly rolled up some basics on her.
[short bio]

The interview seemed a bit watered down for me at the first sight, perhaps the interviewer wasn’t in a top mood.
[Trust in Transition: An Interview with Karen Stephenson]

The Tipping Point popped up quite easily in my mind on the mention of Malcolm Gladwell. His concept of Connectors, Mavens and Salesmen seemed quite similar for me.
[Malcolm Gladwell: The Tipping Point @ Amazon | excerpt titled ‘Are you a connector?’]

Gladwell actually covered her principles in The New Yorker.
[Malcolm Gladwell: Designs for Working]

For a more detailed description of her concepts, check out Art Kleiner, her book is sold out.
[Art Kleiner: Karen Stephenson’s Quantum Theory of Trust – PDF | Quantum Theory of Trust @ Amazon]

“So I’ve decided to take my work back underground, To stop if falling into the wrong hands.” (The Prodigy)

Best kept secrets are always revealed. I’ve decided to make a reading diary of the various printed materials I study at my kitchen desk, on the subway and at various transitional places.