Seemingly Useless

Embrace Possibility

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 04:31:00 +0000

Thank you for your support of the Seemingly Useless blog. I am going to take a break for a while on this blog while I work on my main blog - Embrace Possibility Blog, which will contain articles focused on helping people reach their full potential by integrating five core areas in their life: Personal Development, Professional Development, Health, Relationships and Financial Freedom. For more details, please check out the My Philosophy page on my main website - Embrace Possibility.

Thanks again!

Robert

Warning: Get Some Sleep!

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:39:00 +0000

For the past few months, I've been logging my hours of sleep per night and also my general mood for the day and I've begun to see a correlation. Although this is no mystery that people that lack sleep are generally more irritable and stressed, I believe these are merely the symptoms of the bigger problem: weakening of our self control.

When I lack sleep, I find that I become undisciplined and give into my impulses and whims. I am unable to resist foods that I shouldn't eat, I cut my exercise routines short and I can't reign in my negative emotions (fear, anger, frustration, etc). I also can't control what I want to say despite knowing the consequences. Being in this state is a vicious cycle that leads to bad decisions and actions which leads to even more frustration not only because of the situation itself but my apparent in ability to stop the downward spiral.

The oft quoted line of the Greek Stoic, Epictetus, "It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.", truly holds the secret to happiness. Unfortunately when I lack sleep, I no longer have control of my reactions. Now this doesn't mean that I should not be held responsible for my actions because I definitely am accountable. I lack sleep due to the choices I make (working late, hanging out with friends, waking up early, etc). The good thing is that now that I have made this connection between sleep and self control, it impresses upon me the importance of a good night's rest and on the occasions that I don't get enough sleep, I need to be extra cautious of the things I do and say and be more vigilant with myself.

Now for all of you statisticians that argue correlation is not causation, you are correct. At the same time, my belief is no "cum hoc ergo propter hoc" (latin for correlation proves causation) but rather a function of my experience and intuition. Not very scientific but you always have the choice to agree or disagree with my views.

For those who has experienced the connection between sleep and self control and want to improve their sleeping habits, here is a link on How to Sleep Better.

Ok, time for me to get ready for bed.

Be Individual! Be on the edge...always

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 04:45:00 +0000

In this society, most people blend in because that is what is easy and comfortable. Everyone wants to belong to a group (even those who claim they don't want to conform to a group belong to a group that "doesn't like conforming to groups"). But what is valuable (something/someone that creates real value) is not conformity and people who always stay within their comfort zone but rather those who push to their outer limits and test themselves by being always on the edge of failing. The ones who truly succeed are the one that actually push so far that they fall off the edge and fail but know that it is a necessary step if they always want to expand their potentials.

In light of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, where many people lost their lives due to no fault of their own, it serves as a painful reminder to not waste the time we have because we really do not know how much we have. I encourage everyone to

Live, Work, Eat, Sleep, Play, Read, Pray, Love on the edge.

Enough of the somber. Here is a video by an artist working on the edge (Perfect for fans of creativity, breakdancing and cinematography). Enjoy!

How to Think Outside of the Box - Blending In

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 03:31:00 +0000

Here is some creative art that was sent to me recently that I thought was worth posting. It is really inspiring to see the out of the box ideas that people come up with and a good reminder that it hasn't all been thought of yet.

Artist Liu Bolin at the Supermarket

It took me a while to realize that these were all real people.

The Power of Choice - Liberating or Crippling Social Growth?

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 01:04:00 +0000

I recently stumbled upon this video by RSA: Ideas and Actions for the 21st Century Enlightenment which I thought was very interesting. In addition to the unique method of animation, the message was thought provoking. The basic premise is that having the ability to choose is actually very crippling. Since there is always a loss of other opportunities when you make a choice, the fear of losing actually paralyzes people from making the best choice for both themselves and society. Enjoy!

The Shocking Truth About Poor People - Something for Nothing Syndrome

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Thu, 26 May 2011 03:26:00 +0000

There are many diseases out there in the world, but there none of them have affected as many people as negatively as the "Something for Nothing" syndrome.

Let's face it. No matter what some may say, almost all of us want to be rich and successful.

Now for some good news and bad news:

Good news: Anyone can become rich and successful as long as they can offer more value than what they get paid for. (that's it)

Bad news: Many people end up doing the exact opposite (myself included)

And the result is that most people don't end up where they want to be.

Before speculating why this happens, let's first look at some manifestations of the "Something for Nothing" syndrome:

1) The Lottery: We're all seduced by "a dollar and a dream" but every time I've bought a lottery ticket, I've been left with "an expired lottery ticket and disappointment". Trying to get $383 million with $10 is a bit far fetched but millions of people are still playing every day. The same goes for other forms of gambling such as blackjack, poker, roulette, stock market speculation, sports betting, etc.

2) Cheating: Top scores without studying; Ponzi Schemes (Madoff anyone?); Use of performance enhancing or weight loss drugs; The long term results are usually pretty poor.

3) Slacking off: People who try to do as little as possible in their jobs and find ways to get through the day doing nothing. (There are people who actually brag about their prowess in this)

The list can go on and on (even extreme bargaining is a form of this syndrome) but one thing all of these examples have in common is that most of the people engaging in such activities are NOT rich or successful. Go to any casino and look around you - what type of people do you see? Usually the low to lower middle class, trying to "make it". I would not be surprised if the same demographic made up the majority of lottery players. The same goes for the slackers and the cheaters, how many of them do you know have been able to sustainably become wealthy and successful.

Yes, there are cheaters, slackers and gamblers that get rich but the key word is "sustainable". At the same time the percentage of people with the "Something for Nothing" syndrome that do get rich is extremely small if any.

So why does this happen?

People are motivated towards pleasure and away from pain and the "Something for Nothing" syndrome appeals to both of these motivational directions. When you can obtain something without doing anything, you have gained pleasure without incurring any pain. Secondly, anyone who enjoys taking the easy way out or wants to be rich immediately will be prone to activities such as gambling because there is no other place where you can get a 100% return on your investment (if you can call it that) in less than a minute.

Unfortunately for those suffering from this syndrome, the natural law is that for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction so if you give nothing, naturally you will get nothing. On the other hand, if you give more value, you should receive more money in return.

Despite learning that "There is no such thing as a free lunch" in my first economics class more than a decade ago, I've been afflicted with this syndrome myself and only recently realized the power of being "valuable". I use to brag about working only a few hours a day, winning at the casino or getting a crazy bargain but now I realize that all those things have worked against me in becoming truly successful. I now constantly look for ways I can add value for my employer, friends, clients and loved ones and I have found life much more enjoyable.

Directions for being successful: Just add value.

Thomas Jefferson's Guide on How to Behave!

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 23:29:00 +0000

Much like Poor Richard's Thirteen Virtues, our third president and author of the Declaration of Independence also had his own rules of conduct. Despite it being over 200 years old, many if not all of these ideas are still relevant today. I believe that taking advice from one of the founding fathers of this nation is never a bad thing.

Here are Thomas Jefferson's Rules of Conduct:

Never put off 'til tomorrow what you can do today (Very useful if you really want to get things done)
Never trouble another for what you can do for yourself (Self-help is the common denominator of all successful people)
Never spend money before you have it (We've all learned the value of this rule ... or have we?)
Never buy anything you do not want because it is cheap (Good response to Groupon, Living Social and any other deal sites that tempt you to buy things you don't really want)
Take care of your change; dollars will take care of themselves ("Sweat the small stuff")
Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst and cold (I think it is safe to assume we all know how expensive and costly pride can be)
We never repent for having eaten too little (I've never had a good feeling walking out of a buffet - also I hear those who eat less calories/day live longer)
Nothing is troublesome that one does of his own volition (Have a passion and you'll never be unfulfilled - what's mundane to one person may not be so to another)
How much pain has cost us the evils which have never happened (Stop worrying - you're just wasting energy that can be better used)
Take things always by their smooth handle (Always use tact and go for win-win outcomes)
Think as you please, and so let others, and you will have no disputes (Don't judge, everyone has their own truth and perceptions so respect that)
When annoyed, count 10 before you speak. If very annoyed, count 100 (Works every time, just try it)

The actual document from www.monticello.org

6 Laws of Persuasion (Part 6) - Scarcity

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 14:38:00 +0000

Ever shop for flights online and see the tag "there are only 2 tickets left" or how about informercials that claim it is for a limited time only or that there are only X amount left.

Wonder why antiques are so expensive?

It all comes down to our last social influence in our 6 part series: Scarcity

Basic Premise

Things seem more valuable when their availability is limited.

Scarcity can turn garbage into prized possessions.
When you ban something, there is a loss of freedom which makes the banned item more appealing (teenage rebellion, prohibition and drugs).
Scarcity has a stronger effect when:

the item was previously abundant rather than being constantly scarce (look at the salt rush due to the nuclear incident in Japan).
people are in competition with other people for the item (auctions usually generate higher prices especially when there is more than one bidder).

How People Take Advantage of Scarcity

Long line for Chicken and Ginseng Soup

As mentioned in the introduction, sellers usually use a deadline and/or limited number technique where you better act fast before the few items left are sold out or before time runs out and you lose out on the special offer.

If you have ever bought real estate, you've probably experienced the sudden "unknown buyer" who has come in to bid for the same place you're bidding for. This is a perfect example of trying to create competition for the item.
Long lines at a restaurant or club also gives a sense of scarcity because it shows that there is only so much space and "everyone" wants to get in.

Best Defense

Realize that the joy is not in experiencing the scarce commodity but possessing it so you need to ask yourself why you want to own this item: Ownership or Utility? If for usefulness, remember that scarce things are no more useful than things in abundance.

Objectively evaluate the item for its real value and don't overvalue it simply because it is scarce.

Seemingly Useless Closing Remarks:

With this article we have concluded this 6 part series on Persuasion:

Reciprocity, Commitment/Consistency, Social Proof, Liking, Authority and Scarcity.

Writing these articles have furthered my awareness in the social influences that surround me everyday. I hope it will make you a better consumer just being aware of the various tactics your are bombarded with on a daily basis and on the flip side, provided you with a arsenal of effective tools you can use next time you need to persuade someone.

Feel free to leave comments on your thoughts about the article.

6 Laws of Persuasion (Part 5) - Authority

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 02:35:00 +0000

Me: My lower back hurts.

Doctor: You need a MRI for that lower back pain.

Me: OK

How often do I just blindly obey doctors, policemen and other authority figures? Pretty much all the time (except when I was a teenager but I grew out of it). It is so natural for most people to willingly go along with an authority figure (See Milgrim's famous experiment) that it is the Part 5 in this 6 part series on persuasion.

Basic Premise

Adults are extremely willing to to follow the commands of an authority figure. This is so for a couple of reasons:

We are taught from when we are young that obedience = good behavior.
Mindless obedience is a decision making shortcut

Appearance of authority is usually enough: Titles, Clothing, Belongings, etc.

Compliance with small favors usually increases susceptibility to incrementally bigger favors.

How People Take Advantage of Authority

Ever watch commercials where an "expert" comes on to discuss the benefits of the product and to lend "false" credibility. Usually this expert is in a scientist's/doctor's coat.

Use of authoritative appearance to gain compliance: Uniforms, expensive suits, medals and other status symbol items (expensive cars, watches, jewelry, etc). I guess it really pays to look like a million bucks.

Best Defense

Ask yourself: Is this person really an expert? Are they honest?

Ask yourself: How truthful do we expect the expert to be here?

Separate the symbols of authority and status with the actual evidence of credible authority

Next Principle of Influence: Scarcity

6 Laws of Persuasion (Part 4) - Liking

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 19:57:00 +0000

Why do companies hire sales people who are attractive, charismatic and courteous? Why are sales people always smiling, dressed well and complimenting you?

It is because they all want to influence you and they want to do it using the social influence of Liking (Part 4 of this 6 part series on persuasion.)

Let's examine how you can use this influence to your advantage and also how you can protect yourself.

Basic Premise

People respond positively to people they know and like (think of your friends)

As humans, we want people to like us so we are automatically inclined to like people who like us

How People Take Advantage of Liking

Good looking people are better liked and seen as possessing better personality traits and intellectual abilities. This is why companies hire attractive sales people and why good sales people always dress very nicely.

Even world leaders practice mirroring!

People like other people who are similar to themselves so one effective technique that many sales people or anyone building rapport uses is "mirroring", which means that they mimic the other person's gestures, body language, expressions, tones, etc. (You probably don't even realize this is happening)

Since people like others who like them, compliments are used to get on the "good side" of a client although this may backfire if it doesn't seem sincere.

Effective persuaders will build an "allies" approach because it creates more rapport. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend"

The more familiar you are with something or someone, the more you like it. This is why visibility in a company is important. Basically, you want to be seen frequently but only in a positive light. This is how persistent guys get the girl but remember persistence is only one part of the equation, the other part is that the girl needs to see you in a positive light during each encounter. (Also see my post titled An Insight into Attraction)

Humans usually associate the nature of news to the messenger (weatherman, "killing of the messenger") so good sales people associate themselves with positive things such as lunch and goodies (have you ever attended a pharmaceutical sales meeting?)

Best Defense

Be very sensitive to a quick or deep liking to a sales person (reflect on the sales person's behavior)

Separate the salesperson from the merits of what he is trying to sell

Seemingly Useless Commentary: As you are probably noticing, many of these influence principles are not difficult to use (and abuse). It is important to remember that these are tools and like a gun, they can be used for both good and evil (how cliché I know). It is up to you to decide how you want to use such information but one thing that can't be argued is that awareness already gives you a layer of defense against being influenced by these tactics.

Next Principle of Influence: Authority

6 Laws of Persuasion (Part 3) - Social Proof

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 04:11:00 +0000

You've been there before. A crowd gathers and you can't help but walk over and before you know it the crowd is growing exponentially. In part 3 of this 6 part series on persuasion, we're going to look at one of the most powerful influences: Social Proof.

This is slightly related to "unconscious imitation" which I discuss in one of my earlier posts (Monkey See Monkey Do). Anyways, "no man is an island" and our need for social acceptance and belonging has been used against us probably too many time and in too many ways.

But like most of these influences, awareness is the first step to take back control:

Basic Premise

People determine what is correct by finding out and observing what OTHER PEOPLE think is correct (that's why laugh tracks were invented)
Looking to others provides us with a shortcut for determining how to act ESPECIALLY when the "others" are viewed as being similar (Showing shy kids films of other shy kids actively interacting with other children can have a powerful effect; On a more morbid note, the fact that suicide rates go up on highly publicized suicides)
This influence is also very powerful in unfamiliar or ambiguous situations (just think back to the last time you were in a foreign country or restaurant - this is why Yelp is so popular as well)

How People Take Advantage of Social Proof

"Everyone is doing it...Everyone owns one..." - It was known as peer pressure in my adolescent days but whatever it is called the good ol' Bandwagon effect exists because everyone wants to belong
Want to golf like Tiger Woods, Want to look like Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie, Want to join our club? then (fill in the blank)- Who doesn't want to be cool or do what the "smart money is doing"?
As you can see, anyone that recognizes the power of this influence can take advantage of it by providing an environment where people act a certain way or needs to act a certain way in order to be accepted

Best Defense

Be firm in your own beliefs and instincts and be aware that others may be misinformed or may have a hidden reason for the action they are advocating

Try to think back to when "similar" people were doing the opposite and recognize that you are free to make your own choices

When joining any group (club, company, culture), remember that they may be susceptible to group think

Now that you are aware of this influence, recognize when social proof is being deliberately faked to achieve a certain purpose

Some Seemingly Useless Advice: For anyone in an emergency situation where a crowd is present, dispel the uncertainty of the crowd by pinpointing an individual and directly asking for help (i.e. "Call an ambulance", "dial 911", etc) . If you leave it up to the crowd, then if most people are not doing anything (bystander effect), most likely others will follow suit and if you have ever heard of Kitty Genovese, Hugo Alredo Tale-Yax or Simone Back, you know the results can be very tragic.

Next Principle of Influence: Liking

6 Laws of Persuasion (Part 2) - Commitment and Consistency

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 03:31:00 +0000

In the last post, we saw how someone can completely influence another by giving a small gift and requesting a disproportionate favor in return. In part 2 of a 6 part series on Robert B. Cialdini's six principles influence ("You've Been Had - the Power of Persuasion" article), we'll see how something as innocent as trying to be consistent can make you susceptible to influence.

Basic Premise

People fool themselves in order to keep thoughts, attitudes and beliefs consistent with their words, decisions and actions.

Hypocrisy is shunned by society - (e.g. Eliot Spitzer)

Consistency provides a heuristic short cut for complex decision-making - (e.g. Judicial Precedents - what did we do before)

How People Take Advantage of Commitment and Consistency

Toy stores "sell out" of the hottest toys but then overstock after the holiday season to trap parents who promise to buy their kids the "hot" toy while also buying them a "substitute" toy during the holidays

Expert salesmen start by obtaining small commitments and then building on these commitments: change a person's self image and his actions will follow

Those who go through a great deal of pain to obtain something tend to value it more than those who attained the same thing without effort (e.g. military/fraternity hazings) thus

Commitments are most effective when they are ACTIVE, PUBLIC, EFFORTFUL and MADE FREELY -> Personal responsibility makes it difficult to refuse a request consistent with your commitment (e.g. Person committed to fight AIDS will donate time and money to AIDS charities in order to remain consistent with his commitments)

People may become stuck to their initial commitment despite changing conditions and act contrary to their own best interest

Best Defense

Trust your gut instinct: Don't be pressured to accepting requests for something that you don't want to do, no matter how small or inconsequential the commitment may seem (e.g. signing a petition or putting a politician's sign on your lawn)

Ask yourself this one question: "If I could go back in time, would I make the same decision again?" - Use this when you feel that you may be acting "foolishly" consistent.

Next Principle of Influence: Social Proof

6 Laws of Persuasion (Part 1) - Reciprocity

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:31:00 +0000

Ever wonder why anyone that is ever selling anything is always giving something small away for free or how a "random" gift is usually followed by a request? Well look no further, in the first of Robert B. Cialdini's six principles influence ("You've Been Had - the Power of Persuasion" article), we'll see exactly why this happens.

Basic Premise

People feel indebted to others when they receive something from another person - "I scratch your back, you scratch mines"

Those who do not reciprocate are seen as "takers" and suffer social disapproval as being greedy or selfish

How People Take Advantage of Reciprocity

Unequal exchanges where someone gives a small gift but asking for a substantially larger favor in return - Ever get a free T-shirt but had to sign up for a credit card with an annual fee

Most people take advantage by choosing both the indebting first favor AND the nature of the debt canceling favor

Compromise => Concession Process where you make an extreme request first (one that is likely to be rejected) and then after the refusal, "conceding" to the smaller but actual intended request. "Heads I win, Tails you lose"

Best Defense

Realize that there is no need to repay tricks/sales schemes with favors

Be prepared to reject favors, concessions and offers no matter how small

Next Principle of Influence: Commitment and Consistency

6 Laws of Persuasion Series (Part 0)

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 20:54:00 +0000

One thing that most people strive ardently to avoid is being "taken in". No one wants to be manipulated but yet so many people (myself included) are secretly influenced all the time.

Whether it is shopping at the supermarket, negotiating a contract or deciding where to go on vacation, we are bombarded by persuasion techniques that we are not aware of.

So how can we protect ourselves? Well, learning and recognizing the principles of influence may provide a good starting point.

Robert B. Cialdini is a world famous psychologist who has extensively studied influence. He categorizes influence into six principles (click on the links for each principle):

1) Reciprocity

2) Commitment and Consistency

3) Social Proof

4) Liking

5) Authority

6) Scarcity

When I first read this book, it really opened my eyes to how often I am hit with influence tactics. Some of this stuff is intuitive but it helped to know what each tactic is and what I could do to protect myself. Over the next 6 posts, each of these principles will be defined and put into a context that you can recognize along with ways to defend yourself against such tactics.

As we go through these principles, remember that there is a fine balance between cynicism and gullibility. I personally believe it is no fun going through life distrusting others but it is up to you to decide what is best for you.

Recommended Reading: Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini

How to Define Success

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 20:04:00 +0000

Success is what you make it to be. When you don't have a dream, you end up taking on someone else's dream. If you ever needed a template for success, Mr. Emerson provides a good starting point (remember - you need to create your own)

"To laugh often and love much;

to win the respect of intellingent persons and the affection of children;

to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends;

to appreciate beauty;

to find the best in others; to give of one's self;

to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation;

to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived - this is to have succeeded."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Get Smart! Get Advice from the Greats

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 02:39:00 +0000

Here are some quotes that I find to be somewhat appropriate in today's global environment:

Moving too fast?:

"What is the use of running if you're not on the right road" - Anonymous

If only people listened to Ben (and I don't mean Bernanke. Anyways, for more of Poor Richard's pearls of wisdom click here):

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" - Benjamin Franklin

Come on now, it isn't all bad:

"We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it in full" - Marcel Proust (this one is too true)

"Good judgment comes from experience and experience usually comes from bad judgment" - Anonymous (I'm more experienced than I thought.)

Here is a Bonus Quote (On first reading I thought it was pretty useless but after further observations this quote was only seemingly useless):

"There is nothing in which people more betray their character than in what they laugh at" - Johann Wolfgang van Goethe

So, if you really want to get to know someone, take them to a comedy show and see what jokes they laugh at. You will be surprised at how right Johann was.

Great Firewall of China

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:11:00 +0000

For those who regularly read my blog, I would like to apologize for not having written any recent articles. I was in China and have just returned to the United States. Censorship is still an issue in China and I have not been making any new posts due to the Great Firewall of China. Although I doubt my material will raise any concerns, I felt it more convenient to leave nothing to chance. I will be returning to China and therefore, future articles will be written intermittently as I hope to slip in articles here or there during my trips outside of China.

Drowning in Information

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:42:00 +0000

"We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom"

- from Consilience by Edward O. Wilson

How I Became Healthy Update Part 3 - Transformation

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Fri, 30 May 2008 21:32:00 +0000

It has been about three months since I started to change my eating habits in accordance with my self-designed Seemingly Useless Diet and I have decided to provide yet another update (The first and second update and the Seemingly Useless Diet FAQ can be found here).

I have lost about 20 pounds (12% of my body weight) and I am definitely much leaner. I have managed to lose mostly body fat without sacrificing muscle strength. This is confirmed not only by the physical appearance of my body but also the fact that I can lift more weights and perform more intensive cardio workouts than before I started this diet. I still have not had any problems staying away from deep fried foods, junk foods, pork and candy. I believe this is due to the psychological approach mentioned in the Seemingly Useless Diet article.

Also my yearly checkup has shown that I am the healthiest I have ever been with very good levels for cholesterol and blood pressure. I was initially afraid that I would not get enough nutrition but I am actually at healthier levels for the necessary bodily vitamin levels.

I think the key point is focusing on what you CAN eat rather than what you CAN NOT eat. It is much easier to compile a list of things you should stock in your fridge and pantry and then stock only those things than to always have to choose and put your willpower to the test. Any food that is not on the "approved" list, should not be considered as food anymore. Would you put anything but gasoline into your car?

Dieting is not hard and I think there are many ways to get there. The key point is do you really want to get there.

The Big Secret: You CAN Achieve More by Doing Less

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Wed, 28 May 2008 03:57:00 +0000

Recently I stumbled upon an interesting book by Tim Ferris called The Four Hour Workweek. With such an inviting title, how can I resist? In his book, he touches upon Pareto's Law or what is more popularly known as the "80/20 Principle". This principle was founded when Pareto noticed that 80% of a country's wealth was owned by 20% of the population. The interesting and most important aspect of this principle is its widespread presence over a variety of matters such as: 80% of all sales revenues come from 20% of the customers, most people spend 80% of their time with 20% of our friends, 80% of gains in a stock market portfolio comes from 20% of the stocks in that portfolio and etc. To encompass the infinite other examples (I am sure you can think of a many examples of your own), here is a basic definition of Pareto's Law or the 80/20 Rule: "In ANYTHING, a FEW (20 percent) are VITAL and MANY (80 percent) are TRIVIAL".

Here is a graphical representation of the Pareto Effect:
This Pareto Principle has been used heavily and effectively in business management (online resource based on Richard Koch's The 80/20 Principle) and quality control (Six Sigma) but many people rarely apply this rule to their own personal lives. In the work place, one can use Pareto's Principle to work "smarter" and more effective by focusing on the 20% of the work that is truly important. Another way to use this rule is to use it like Ferris did in his book by evaluating your life. He did so by asking two Pareto questions:

Which 20% of sources are causing 80% of my problems and unhappiness?
Which 20% of sources are resulting in 80% of my desired outcomes and happiness?

Take some time to answer these questions on your own, you might just surprise yourself and find out that you're a living example of the Pareto effect. Many people tend to associate being "busy" or doing more as being productive, but if many of things (80% to be specific) that you do are trivial, how productive are you? It is important that you BE SELECTIVE with your time and efforts. Find out what things in your life pull the most weight and focus on those things while deemphasizing things that do not have much effect in your life. If you can't differentiate between what is vital and what is trivial, start by making a list of your day to day activities and evaluate each activity and its "real" importance. The hardest part about this is being honest with yourself because contrary to your own belief, you will probably find that you do spend most of your time doing ineffective things. When I mean ineffective, I am not referring to hanging out with friends or doing things you enjoy but rather activities such as checking email every 15 minutes or spending 5 hours preparing for a minor meeting.

Here are some quotes that might inspire you to perform a self-Pareto evaluation:

"There is never enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time to do the most important thing" - Brian Tracy, Self-Help Author

"Short as life is, we make it still shorter by the careless waste of time" - Victor Hugo, Author of Les Miserables

Lastly, the 80/20 Rule is a great way to get rid of the clutter, not only mentally but physically, in your life. Most of us wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time, so why not clear up some closet space by donating your unused clothes to the local church or Salvation Army. Your trivial clothes can become part of someone's vital wardrobe. Cleaning up the clutter in your life will definitely reduce stress in your life and invite clarity into your thoughts. Give it a try! (Check out CutterClarity's 21 tips to removing clutter)

Feel free to leave personal experiences and ideas on the Pareto Principle in the comments section below. Achieve more now by doing less today!

Recommended Reading: The 4-Hour Workweek : Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferris and The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Success by Achieving More with Less by Richard Koch

Can We Really Trust Ourselves? Monkey See Monkey Do

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Mon, 19 May 2008 21:56:00 +0000

I'm not a proponent of evolution but maybe we have more in common with monkeys than we would care to admit. When imitation occurs as a result of conscious thought it can represent the sincerest form of flattery but more often than not people are actually "victims" of unconscious imitation.

Innately, humans have a strong tendency towards imitation. Just look at children - they were never told to imitate but they just do - it is the way they learn and it's natural. As we progress in brain development and age, we have had enough experiences to generate "unique" behaviors and outwardly cast off "child-like" imitation behaviors (this is especially prevalent in the Western hemisphere where individuality reigns supreme).

Like all natural urges, what may be suppressed in the conscious mind (ego) may not necessarily be restrained in the unconscious mind (id). This is the reason why we have so many fads, fashion and partners that are beyond the comprehension of reasonable thinking. One example of imitation gone wild is the popularity of faded designer jeans. These days, jeans that look like they would have normally been thrown out due to extensive wear (stained and faded with holes) are being sold as new and bought at ridiculous prices. Despite our common sense (jeans do not cost over $100 to make), we can not help but to imitate everyone else and buy these jeans or at least have the desire to buy them.

Another interesting example of unconscious imitation is the "groupie effect" (For more on human attraction, check out Like Dissolves Like). The basic premise for this effect is that men/women are attracted to women/men that other men/women find attractive. This is why musicians and celebrities "seem" attractive and have groupies despite their actual physical appearance. So for anyone that is single, a good way to increase your chances of success in meeting someone is to have an "opposite-sex" wing person. This effect can be explained by what scientists call "mate choice copying". Finding a suitable partner is time consuming so taking cues from other is an effective mating shortcut. This also explains why women view men who are married or have a girlfriend more attractive than men who are single.

The last example that exemplifies unconscious imitation, desiring what others consider desirable, can be found in free capital markets. In the year 1634 in Holland, the price of tulips (yes, the flower) traded higher than the price of gold. This occurred because people wanted tulips for the sole reason that everyone else wanted tulips. They disregarded their common sense, much like we do with "holey" jeans, and prices for tulips sky rocketed. As with all fads, the demand for tulips faded and a panic ensued causing the price to plummet and financial ruin for many. Now tulip mania or tulipomania is used to refer to any large economic bubble. In hindsight, one can almost laugh at the absurdness of the Dutch, but with many brought to financial ruin when the tech bubble burst and many suffering through the bursting of the current housing bubble, are we that much different?

Unconscious imitation can certainly be dangerous but it can also be helpful. One way to take advantage of your natural desire to imitate is to surround yourself with people you want to be like. If you want be a better basketball player, play with people better than you. If you want be more religious, surround yourself with religious people by consistently attending religious services and events. Unconscious imitation requires no "work" on your part but this can be a double edged sword. Since you can't help but be affected by those around you, it is important to evaluate the people and media (visual- television, audio- radio/mp3 and print- books) that you surround yourself with.

"When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends." - Japanese Proverb

Recommended Readings: Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Charles Mackay

NYC Water Board Approves Major Rate Hike in WATER

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:08:00 +0000

The New York City water board just approved a 14.5% rate hike, the second double digit increase in the last year, in WATER.

It has already begun...the Impending Water Crisis

Warning: Relieving Stress CAN Hurt - The Cost of Stress Relief

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Wed, 14 May 2008 03:20:00 +0000

The recent unfortunate disaster in China's Sichuan Province awakens us to the power of Mother Nature. Most living things, especially humans, are "Earth's surface-centered". There is usually a disregard to happenings beneath the Earth's surface and a general disinterest (when was the last time you heard from NASA) in occurrences outside of the Earth's surface (outerspace). That is until something, such as yesterday's destructive earthquake or the impressive 1833 Leonids meteor shower, reminds us that there is more to the Universe than the surface of the Earth.

Earthquakes are characterized by tremors in the Earth's crust. Seismology, the study of earthquakes, attributes naturally occurring earthquakes to movements of tectonic plates, located in the lithosphere, that "float" on the athenosphere (thick liquid layer above the upper mantle). The boundary where these plates meet are called faults which are categorized into three categories based on "sense of slip": normal faults, thrust faults and strike slip faults (see picture to the right courtesy of USGS). The plates creating these faults are pushed together very tightly which causes them to lock due to friction. As pressure mounts, the force of the friction is surmounted causing fast and abrupt slippage between the plates. This quick displacement of the Earth's crust releases energy in the form of seismic waves that are responsible for the physical manifestation (vibrations) of earthquakes. Basically, earthquakes are the Earth's way of venting and releasing pent up stress. Despite greater understanding about earthquakes, they are still unpredictable. Although some areas (major fault lines such as the San Andreas Fault, New Madrid Fault or Great Sumatran Fault) are more susceptible to earthquakes than others, the exact timing of when an earthquake will occur still remains a mystery.

Thomas Homer-Dixon, in The Upside of Down, makes a very interesting analogy between earthquakes and social breakdown. He insightfully states that "population, energy, environmental, climate, and economic stresses affecting our world are just like tectonic stresses: deep, invisible, yet immensely powerful; they're building slowly; and they can release their force suddenly without warning." Much like earthquakes, social stresses can be released quietly or catastrophically. When societies' institutions and systems (political/economic) become "rigid" and "lock up" (read articles concerning Complexity), pressure escalates until something finally gives (example: the 1989 revolutions in Eastern Europe). Social breakdown is also similar to earthquakes in that "stress triggering": stress release in one area can "dramatically" and "often unexpectedly" increase stress in other areas leading to a devastating domino effect (example: the 1997 East Asia financial crisis that was triggered by Thailand's currency devaluation which culminated in a default of Russian sovereign debt which led to the collapse of Long-Term Capital Management). The characteristic that makes both earthquakes and social collapses dangerous is the unpredictability. Although "foreshocks", minor tremors that precede an earthquake, do sometimes occur, they do not happen consistently enough to predict quakes. Earthquakes, geological and social, can change our lives and our way of thinking because it shatters the very foundation we build our homes and lives upon, respectively. Terra firma and one's society are both suppose to be stable entities, so when its strength fails, one can not help but be terrified.

Here are some notable facts about earthquakes (full list can be found at USGS):

The hypocenter of an earthquake is the location beneath the earth's surface where the rupture of the fault begins. The epicenter of an earthquake is the location directly above the hypocenter on the surface of the earth.
Mountains and Volcanoes are created by tectonic plate movements.
Each year there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world.
The world's deadliest recorded earthquake occurred in 1556 in central China. It struck a region where most people lived in caves carved from soft rock. These dwellings collapsed during the earthquake, killing an estimated 830,000 people. In 1976 another deadly earthquake struck in Tangshan, China, where more than 250,000 people were killed.
You can track the latest Earthquakes with a 5.0+ magnitude here.
According to the American Red Cross, the best thing to do during an earthquake is: Drop, cover and hold under a sturdy piece of furniture (table or desk).

Seemingly Useless Commentary:

So what are the major "faults" (some pun intended) of our society today? The energy crisis and the scarcity of natural resources (oil and precious metals) are definitely one of the major faults where pressure is building (price of crude oil hit $127 today). The battle between capitalism and the environment is definitely another major fault. Heavy industries are causing irreparable damages to the world's water (water crisis article), forests, air and land. Changes in the global ecosystem will increase the rate of species extinction and these shifts in the environment will cause climate to change dramatically. Economic faults such as the widening wealth gap and the subprime mortgage debacle are also creating pockets of dense pressure. Much like Monday's earthquake in China, the mounting pressure of any one of these faults may be released at any moment and unfortunately it is almost a certainty that there will be casualties.

As always, feel free to comment with your own ideas and opinions concerning earthquakes and/or social breakdowns. With all these pressure points, is a collapse inevitable?

Recommended Readings: The Upside of Down: Catastrophe, Creativity, and the Renewal of Civilization by Thomas Homer-Dixon

Useful Websites:
USGS Earthquake Website

The One Skill Everyone Should Use

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:14:00 +0000

The more that you read,
the more things you will know.
The more that you learn,
the more places you'll go.

(by Dr. Seuss from I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!)

Living in the era of the Internet, it seems that reading has become somewhat obsolete and drab. There seem to be less and less people picking up a book to read and compare to the glitz of television and countless online media, a regular book seems to go the way of vinyl records and Commodore 64s. Although it would be hard to argue against this popular technologically driven trend, I would still like to propose reasons for the usefulness of reading for this current generation and for many generations to come.

Why We Should Continue to Read

1) Reading Uses the Brain - Our brain and its network of neural processors are still far above and beyond the best supercomputers out there (Computer vs. Brain article). Like most parts of our body, the brain strengthens with continual use and exercise. When you read, the brain will automatically access your imagination and conjure up images to the words you are reading. When you watch videos or other visually intense media, the brain is actually becoming less active because it no longer has to create images but rather just passively observe them. The more dependent one becomes on visual images as opposed to those the brain creates, the weaker the brain's imagination becomes. It is similar to someone attempting to gain driving experience just by sitting in the passenger seat of the car. For those who watch movies of popular books (Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The DaVinci Code, Chronicles of Narnia, 21, Jurassic Park or Harry Potter) instead of reading the actual books, you don't know what you are missing. I have personally never watched a movie that was better than the book.

2) Stand on the Shoulders of Giants - Most material from the great people of history are chronicled in books. Reading their stories will not only advise you on what to do but also on what not to do. Many pitfalls common to the human race have been written about countless times and those who have read such stories are able to avoid the "hard way" of learning life's lessons. Secondly, there are books about every subject out there. If you want to learn more, reading is a must. "Don't follow your mentors, follow your mentors' mentors" (David Leach)

3) Successful People are Avid Readers - On almost every list describing successful people, reading seems to be a prerequisite to success. "Leaders are Readers" is a popular slogan amongst motivational speakers and it is not hard to see why. Reading is perhaps one of the best (simple, effective and cheap) ways to broaden our horizons and to expose ourselves to new thought patterns. These new thought patterns are then fused with our current patterns thus expanding the capabilities of our mind. It is no coincidence that noteworthy CEOs (Steve Jobs - Apple, Phil Knight - Nike and Dee Hock - Founder of VISA) have libraries proportionate to their success.

If you want to make a positive change in your life and break out of your current state of affairs, I recommend picking up a book to read to stir up your thinking. Most people that want to change their lives usually pick up "self-help" books but again you fall into the trap of becoming passive and simply following instructions. Read books of all genres and pick something you enjoy. Sometimes if you want to change your circumstances, you don't need a change of environment but rather a change of thought. Although you can certainly find things to read on the Internet, books, especially time tested classics, are held to a high standard as oppose to some information on the Internet, which is largely unregulated. Don't get me wrong, the Internet has made access to quality information a lot easier than before but the "uploaders" of content are not screened and misinformation is easily guised as expert commentary.

Perhaps my elementary school librarian was right all along: Reading IS Fundamental (RIF)

To make things easier, most libraries have upgraded to systems where books can be requested online to be sent to a library location convenient for the patron. If you are not sure what to read, check out the Seemingly Useless Recommended Readings or the NY Times Bestsellers.

Recommended Readings: Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence and Rubáiyát by Omar Khayyam

The Truth about Complexity - A Necessary Evil

noreply@blogger.com (Seemingly Useless) — Tue, 06 May 2008 04:24:00 +0000

In my previous article (The Fall of Rise and Fall), I cited complexity as a main reason for the Fall of the Roman Empire. It seems that any growing society is eventually going to become complex. According to Joseph Tainter (author of The Collapse of Complex Societies and Complexity, Problem Solving and Sustainable Societies), there are four basic premises needed to understand the reasons complex societies arise and why they collapse:

Human Societies are problem-solving organizations.
Sociopolitical systems require energy for their maintenance.
Increased complexity carries with it increased costs per capita.
Investment in complexity as a problem-solving response often reaches a point of declining marginal returns.

So based on these concepts, Tainter suggests that societies become increasingly complex as a solution to unmet challenges and problems. When all the simple and most effective answers are exhausted, complex and less effective answers are used. The issue with complex answers is that cost is directly proportional to complexity but the effectiveness of complex solutions declines with increasing complexity. Initially, small investments in complexity produce great benefits but due to diminishing returns, larger and larger investments yield less and less benefit. Eventually, costs and complexity rises without any increase benefit and more energy is required to merely sustain the status quo. It is at this point that a collapse becomes likely because any crisis can be the proverbial "straw that breaks the camel's back" due to the decline in the society's resilience.

When complex solutions are first applied it is believed they will only be for the short term but inevitably they perpetuate and the long term costs compound. A great example is the current energy crisis. With crude oil prices at all time highs, more complex but less effective alternatives (ethanol, solar, wind, geothermal and nuclear power) are gaining momentum. In addition to alternatives, more complicated and expensive methods for oil extraction (oil sands extraction, deep sea drilling and Fischer-Tropsch process) are also being used.

So are we all doomed at the hand of complexity? ... maybe

Society can avoid collapse by getting control of a new source of energy, either by technical innovation or by conquest. Eventually, however, it becomes impossible to maintain this because of diminishing marginal returns on any strategy that is pursued. The good news is collapse of complex societies does not always equal Armageddon. It usually results in a return to simpler times and a lower level of complexity.

It seems that increasing complexity is a necessary evil for societies dealing with unsolved problems. This complexity increase will eventually crescendo and fade back to a simpler time. The problem is a return to simplicity from complexity is usually preceded by a collapse which affects all parties negatively. The perpetual cycle of societies going from complex to simple is reminiscent of the Yin Yang balance (read Yin Yang Markets) found in Chinese philosophy. Just as night is darkest before dawn, so a society is most complex right before reverting back to simplicity.

It is important to understand that complex solutions are unavoidable in an energy scarce society but individuals need to prepare themselves and increase their own resiliency as complexity increases and society as a whole becomes less resilient.

Recommended Reading: The Collapse of Complex Societies by Joseph Tainter