The Sydney Recollection - Part I

The world is our book, an unwritten book ready for us to unravel. Our lives are merely constructed from what we perceive around us, in us and between us. A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving. We travel to see sights, sounds and essentially take away and store memories and experiences from places that we travel to, in our hearts and in our minds. This is the culture of wanderlust. There are not set plans in stone, but rather, an exploration, of the mind, of the soul, of our lives. Perhaps we travel to leave behind a place has not future for us, and towards a place that is full of opportunities. Perhaps there are subtle forms of escapism, a need to leave behind past and create a new future. 

But we travel to go away, so that we can come back with new eyes and extra colours. It is often said that people who want to explore their inner experience need solitude to do so and letting the joys of curiosity take over. For those that have a high openness to experience, requires time to investigate our own intellectual and emotional life, which means leaving from societies and people's demands on our ears, eyes and mind.

We travel to learn, to see different things, to bring that back with us to our home. People will see you differently, more cultured, more worldly knowing. A collection of experiences hidden deep down with a touch of subtlety in emanating those experiences through every interaction. Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow, people you met, things you see and food that you eat. This is the story of my first solo travel to Sydney. 

Wednesday the 17th of December 2014

6:30pm

I disembarked on a trip, knowing that this will be a educational trip, a business trip, a trip to explore and wander someplace more familiar and navigable yet unknown, a trip that has no real set plans, but rather learning to follow with the flow.

The sun was setting calmly in the background as I stepped onto the JetStar Boeing 737-800 flight from Brisbane to Sydney. Although this was not my first solo flight, it was one that was the first step to an adventure, a trip to remember, a trip to experience the bad and the goods that this world has to offer.

9:32pm

I arrived at the Sydney (Kingsford Smith) airport code IATA: YSSY.

I was briefly picked up by my friend Tanya and her dad who had heard about my hunger complaints before I left Brisbane. He kindly cooked braised beef with rice as a meal for me.

We left and headed to the hostel.

They had an event to head to Side bar. An international party filled with backpackers and travelers from other countries. Many of those there were lost, looking for love, to fill in that gaping dark hole and seeking adventure. I'll leave this story for another time.

Thursday the 18th of December 2014

In a new big world city, with merely one trustworthy friend, I set my sights on establishing and forming some friendships with the fellow travellers. I stayed at Bounce Hostel, a surprisingly clean hostel which costed a handful more than other places, but was definitely worth it. I was set in room 201, which I was briefly greeted by two German travellers. There was another British girl, and a French Laos girl who abruptly scurried past me and briefly said hello giving away her distinct accent.

I headed to the rooftop to wait for Tanya to come so that we could check out a brunch place that her friends had recommended.

Devon Cafe at Surry Hills

Just a brief walk away, we arrived at our brunch place named after an county archaically known as Devonshire from England. I will type up my review of the place later with pictures included [to be updated].

I had been contacted by a private planing firm at Lindfield to discuss planning matters and needed to head off by a 45 minute train ride to the north of Sydney. I spoke with the director there who had a wealthy knowledge and experience in the private, public and academic sectors, he also provided penetrating insight into the planning industry in Sydney [to be updated].

I headed back to Central station to explore the city with Tanya who had visited her friend. This was my first glimpse of inner-workings of the city with a completed planning and urban design background.

We headed to the state library to complete my plans for the rest of my stay in Sydney.

She later took me to the 'best pho restaurant in town', which was unfortunately disappointing to say the very least, but a memorable experience, for every time I walk past or see that restaurant, it brings dark memories of the battle I struggled with the bland and poorly cooked beef noodle soup.

Scubar [to be edited].

Friday the 19th of December 2014

I woke up rather late this day. I readily got ready for the 2:30 free guided tour offered from the start of town hall, which led me through the sights and sounds of the city to learn the history and gain a local insiders knowledge to Sydney. This led me through town hall, to the waterfall with eternity written in it, to the Queen Victoria statue, to the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) to the central of the city area, to the office areas, to circular key [to be edited].

The tour ended at the end of Darling Harbour. One thing I must point out is the gigantic and enormous sight of the cruise liner that stood majestically among the world icons of the Opera house and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

I embarked towards the Rocks, an urban locality, tourist precinct and historic area of the Sydney's city centre. It has quite an interesting historical background, for it was established shortly aft erthe colony's formation in 1788, with many beautifully built sandstone buildings. The place surprisingly used to be a slum, frequented by sailors and prostitutes. From there I stumbled across a bizarre markets, an 1920s inspired  market full of awe and eccentricity, characteristics that I quite admire. I will continue this post later as I have to head out for a brand new day.

Pictures will be added soon.

House

A lighthouse powerhouse

I believe in being a man.

I believe in taking responsibilities of myself and others.

I believe in a greater good that we must work towards.

I believe that time is essential, and it should not be wasted.

I believe that each interaction should be dealt with sincere heart and interest.

I believe that good can be brought out in others. 

I believe in respect and kindness, but also discipline and rigour. 

The search for our golden fleece is a never ending journey.

I believe that each individual has their purpose aligned to their values.

I believe that with an open-mind, determination and discipline many things can be accomplished. 

For our search always continues, but it is the act of searching that empowers. 

I believe that deep down, we all have a light.

A light that we can choose to hide, or choose to shine.

For me, I have chosen to let it shine as a beacon.

A beacon that lights up the world, and those around me.

Even among those who are in the dark.

For with light we can see.

Lighting the pathways ahead for all those around me.

But at the same time, I am also a powerhouse.

Generating power for myself, and those around me.

Empowering the community, and the people.

A powerhouse that powers forward in adversity.

With not just idle dreams, but goals.

Each goal, lit up and accomplished.

Next one comes.

Next one goes.

This is our search for the golden fleece.
As a lighthouse and powerhouse. 

Surrounded by those around me.

We are the light, strength, rigour and determination.

Bring on Christmas

Feliz Navidad

A dance of minds

關喆 Grady - 想你的夜

Autumn 

The Difference Between American and British Humour

Apart from the spelling of the word, obviously

It’s often dangerous to generalize, but under threat, I would say that Americans are more “down the line.” They don’t hide their hopes and fears. They applaud ambition and openly reward success. Brits are more comfortable with life’s losers. We embrace the underdog until it’s no longer the underdog.We like to bring authority down a peg or two. Just for the hell of it. Americans say, “have a nice day” whether they mean it or not. Brits are terrified to say this. We tell ourselves it’s because we don’t want to sound insincere but I think it might be for the opposite reason. We don’t want to celebrate anything too soon. Failure and disappointment lurk around every corner. This is due to our upbringing. Americans are brought up to believe they can be the next president of the United States. Brits are told, “It won’t happen for you.”

There’s a received wisdom in the U.K. that Americans don’t get irony. This is of course not true. But what is true is that they don’t use it all the time. It shows up in the smarter comedies but Americans don’t use it as much socially as Brits. We use it as liberally as prepositions in every day speech. We tease our friends. We use sarcasm as a shield and a weapon. We avoid sincerity until it’s absolutely necessary. We mercilessly take the piss out of people we like or dislike basically. And ourselves. This is very important. Our brashness and swagger is laden with equal portions of self-deprecation. This is our license to hand it out.

This can sometimes be perceived as nasty if the recipients aren’t used to it. It isn’t. It’s play fighting. It’s almost a sign of affection if we like you, and ego bursting if we don’t. You just have to know which one it is.

I guess the biggest difference between the U.S. version and the U.K. version of The Office reflected this. We had to make Michael Scott a slightly nicer guy, with a rosier outlook to life. He could still be childish, and insecure, and even a bore, but he couldn’t be too mean. The irony is of course that I think David Brent’s dark descension and eventual redemption made him all the more compelling. But I think that’s a lot more palatable in Britain for the reasons already stated. Brits almost expect doom and gloom so to start off that way but then have a happy ending is an unexpected joy. Network America has to give people a reason to like you not just a reason to watch you. In Britain we stop watching things like Big Brother when the villain is evicted. We don’t want to watch a bunch of idiots having a good time. We want them to be as miserable as us. America rewards up front, on-your-sleeve niceness. A perceived wicked streak is somewhat frowned upon.

Recently I have been accused of being a shock comic, and cruel and cynical. This is of course almost solely due to a few comments I made as host of last year’s Golden Globes. But nothing could be further from the truth.

I never actively try to offend. That’s churlish, pointless and frankly too easy. But I believe you should say what you mean. Be honest. No one should ever be offended by truth. That way you’ll never have to apologize. I hate it when a comedian says, “Sorry for what I said.” You shouldn’t say it if you didn’t mean it and you should never regret anything you meant to do. As a comedian, I think my job isn’t just to make people laugh but also make them think. As a famous comedian, I also want a strict door policy on my club. Not everyone will like what I say or find it funny. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. There are enough comedians who try to please everyone as it is. Good luck to them, but that’s not my game, I’m afraid.

I’m not one of those people who think that comedy is your conscience taking a day off. My conscience never takes a day off and I can justify everything I do. There’s no line to be drawn in comedy in the sense that there are things you should never joke about. There’s nothing that you should never joke about, but it depends what that joke is. Comedy comes from a good or a bad place. The subject of a joke isn’t necessarily the target of the joke. You can make jokes about race without any race being the butt of the joke. Racism itself can be the butt, for example. When dealing with a so-called taboo subject, the angst and discomfort of the audience is what’s under the microscope. Our own preconceptions and prejudices are often what are being challenged. I don’t like racist jokes. Not because they are offensive. I don’t like them because they’re not funny. And they’re not funny because they’re not true. They are almost always based on a falsehood somewhere along the way, which ruins the gag for me. Comedy is an intellectual pursuit. Not a platform.

As for cynicism, I don’t care for it much. I’m a romantic. From The Office, and Extras to The Invention Of Lyingand Cemetery Junction, goodness and sweetness, honour and truth, love and friendship always triumph.

For me, humanity is king.

Oh and for the record I’d rather a waiter say, “Have a nice day” and not mean it, than ignore me and mean it.

Source: The Difference Between American and British Humour - Time Magazine

Celebrations

Riverfire

Heaven

Stunning timelapse of the Milky Way galaxy overhead Spain's highest mountain, El Teide (3718m) captures a story paired with the minimalist classical music Italian pianist and composer, Ludovico Einaudi.

Goal setting

Time to set my priorities right and do some goal setting. Something different from the insightful and introspective posts that I usually do. A quick list of goals to keep me in direction.

Long term goals

Career progression - Management / Ownership

Independence with no sort of assistance

Finance/partner/family & dog

Insurance

House/Manageable mortgage

Annual holidays

Retirement fund

Passive income

Goals for this year

Work hard

Continuously learning

Develop stable social support

Earn more money

Continuously further knowledge on philosophy

Save, save, save

Invest, invest, invest

Make the most of each moment
Self actualization 

Maslow's hierarchy of needs

Important to consider achieving the hierarchy of needs in order to achieve self-actualization.

Time

A further twist on the Myer Briggs

I recently completed this test which explores Jung dimensions of (I-E S-N F-T J-P), as to who I am, who I prefer to be, and what I am attracted to. 

The test can be completed here.

The results are shown below.

Actualized type: INTP

(who you are)

Introverted (I) 55% Extroverted (E) 45%

Intuitive (N) 68.57% Sensing (S) 31.43%

Thinking (T) 53.85% Feeling (F) 46.15%

Perceiving (P) 73.33% Judging (J) 26.67%

INTP - "Architect". Greatest precision in thought and language. Can readily discern contradictions and inconsistencies. The world exists primarily to be understood. 3.3% of total population.

Preferred type: ENTJ

(who you prefer to be)

Extroverted (E) 57.14% Introverted (I) 42.86%

Intuitive (N) 51.16% Sensing (S) 48.84%

Thinking (T) 56.25% Feeling (F) 43.75%

Judging (J) 51.28% Perceiving (P) 48.72%

ENTJ - "Field Marshall". The basic driving force and need is to lead. Tend to seek a position of responsibility and enjoys being an executive. 1.8% of total population.

Attraction type: INFJ

(who you are attracted to)

Introverted (I) 60% Extroverted (E) 40%

Intuitive (N) 69.44% Sensing (S) 30.56%

Feeling (F) 59.09% Thinking (T) 40.91%

Judging (J) 66.67% Perceiving (P) 33.33%

INFJ - "Author". Strong drive and enjoyment to help others. Complex personality. 1.5% of total population.

Reflection 

I've completed this test numerous times and know most of the questions back to front, so there could be some bias going on, but I did complete the test with my gut instinct. The results are surprisingly accurate and consistent with what I usually get on tests. It is still important however to keep in mind that this is pop psychology, and that the results are not statistically valid, and rather act as a stereotype, in which we believe in those stereotypes because of the forer effect which entails believing in general traits that everyone has. However, I've been looking into the functions of "dominant, auxiliary, tertiary and inferior" and found it's made general sense to me as an quick and easy way to understand people and I've been trying to cross compare to find patterns.

1. My introversion / extroversion is usually quite close, so it's accurate.
2. My intuitiveness is usually quite high over sensing.
3. My thinking and feeling is quite close, which sounds about right.
4. My perceiving is quite high, which is extremely accurate.

My preferred type also matches well with the theory. Theory says that I can further develop my functions from observing well developed ENTJs. It makes so much sense now why I always admire executives and really want to be one, but I've noticed I just struggle to become one and I always end up trying too hard.

I'm not surprised that the test shows that I'm attracted to INFJ's. I noticed I am naturally drawn and attracted to complex personalities with strong altruistic and benevolent values. I always had this irresistible pull towards judgers, which I didn't know before, but now that I've understood the MBTI, it makes more sense. But it's definitely those with strong altruistic and benevolent values that causes butterflies, makes my legs go jelly and I completely lose myself into a dream state just from their presence.

I noticed that I am deeply attracted to goodness, but also rebelliousness as well. There's just something enticing about rebellious girls who don't live and adhere to the expectations and pressures of society. They are usually aware that most things in the world are merely perceptual constructs of society, and thus they exist in a timeless sphere and create their own abstract or rational perception of the world independent of the commonly accepted pop-culture views of society. That abstractness and eccentricity is irresistibly alluring.

The only sensing type that I've been attracted to is the ISFJ, based on personal experience and observations. I believe it's their sensing component which is very systematic and maintenance oriented, which is my complete opposite given that I am intuitive. They are very grounded in the present and are value driven. So we end up being a very compatible couple, in that one person helps maintains and keeps things organised and is very practical and keeps an eye out on the small details, while the other is the thought powerhouse, the big picture thinker, that is filled with endless and useless information, but also full of goals and dreams to be achieved. This is truly a combination of two different functions that leads to a practical compatibility, of which can really achieve much and be of success.

However, I do really admire most intuitive feelers (NF) and can get along with them. Usually with intuitive thinkers (NT), there is always some friction of which I can never figure out why, as it seems that long distance debate, criticism and analysis occurs on things, and sometimes we end up with a certain conflict, but if our views are the same or that they are superior in their thinking and logic, I have the utmost respect. I have the most respect for intuitive thinkers (NT) for they like myself, are always on a pursuit for truth and knowledge, one of values I highly respect moreso than material possessions and social status which are common for sensing types (S). They are willing to sacrifice the many luxuries of life, while pursuing a cause much greater than themselves which is also common for intuitive feelers (NF) who have very complex, deep and strong values that they are guided by. I believe that I may also have traits of intuitive feeler, as there are many things which I feel deeply about as I noticed I am usually driven by certain values, rather than following an objective goal independent of values, it is usually a mix of both.

An Eye for Personality

How does one perceive the world and make decisions? 

The largest project that I have been working on this year is gaining a thorough understanding of the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator, and to be able to quickly identify patterns and interconnecting links between interests, needs, values, careers, motivation, decisions and even down to the way people dress, walk and their facial expressions and movements. 

The Myer-Briggs is a four functional psychological functions which were extrapolated upon Carl Gustav Jung's typological theories in his book Psychological types.  

The four main function that we have are:

1. Extraversion vs. Introversion 

2. Sensing vs. Intuition 

3. Feeling vs. Thinking

4. Perceiving vs. Judging

Individuals are born, and develop certain ways of perceiving and deciding. Here are the summary of each function:

Why is it important?

It is frequently used in pedagogy (education), career counselling, team building, group dynamics, professional development, marketing, family business, leadership training, executive coaching, life coaching, personal development and marriage counselling. 

Extraversion vs. Introversion

Extraversion:

• Operate in the external world of behaviour, action, people and things
• Draw energy from action (Prefers to act, reflect, then act further)
• Inactivity leads to decline in motivation
• Flow directed outward toward people and objects
• Action oriented
• Breadth of knowledge and influence
• Frequent interaction
• Initiating, expressive, gregarious, active, enthusiastic 
• Outgoing or people's person
• Comfortable in groups
• Wide range of friends and know lots of people
• Jump too quickly into activity without thinking it over

Introversion 

• Internal world of ideas and reflection
• Expend energy through action (Prefer to reflect, then act, then reflect)
• Energy gained through quiet time alone, away from activity 
• Directed inward towards concepts and ideas
• Thought oriented
• Depth of knowledge and influence
• Receiving, contained, intimate, reflective, quiet
• Reflective, reserved
• Prefer just to know a few people well

Sensing vs. Intuition 

The gathering of information, how that information is understood and intepreted.

Sensing

• Trust information that is in present, tangible and concrete
• Understood by five senses
• Distrust hunches
• Details and facts
• Concrete, realistic, practical, experiential, traditional
• Remember events as snapshots
• Solve problem by working through facts
• Pragmatic and look at bottom line
• Facts to bigger picture

Intuition 

• Trust information that is more abstract and theoretical
• Association with other information (wider context or pattern)
• Interested in future possibilities 
• Underlying theory and principles
• Abstract, imaginative, conceptual, theoretical, original
• Solve problem by leaping between different ideas and possibilities
• Interested in doing things new and different
• See big picture, then find out facts

Thinking vs. Feeling

The decision-making preferences. 

Thinking

• Decides things from more detached standpoint
• Reasonable, logical, casual, consistent decisions following rules 
• Logical, reasonable, questioning, critical, tough
• Objective truth, natural at deductive reasoning 
• Technical or scientific fields with logic
• Task-oriented, uncaring and indifferent

Feeling 

• Come to decision by association or empathizing with situation
• Looking from "inside" to achieve, greatest harmony, consensus and fit
• Consider the needs of the people involved
• Empathetic, compassionate, accommodating, accepting, tender
• Place an emphasis on issues and causes that can be personalized 
• People or communications orientation
• Tactful vs. Cold Truth
• Idealistic, mushy or indirect

Judging and Perceiving

Extraverts (E) have a dominant function when paired with (J) or (P). Introverts (I) have an auxiliary function. 

Perceiving

• Keep decision open, staying open to final decision in order to get more information 
• Flourish in flexible learning environment stimulated by new and exciting ideas
• Flexible and adaptable lifestyle
• Open to new experiences and information 
• Stay open to respond to whatever happens
• Loose and casual, minimal plans
• Work in bursts of energy
• Stimulated by approaching deadline
• Adaptable, relaxed, disorganized, carefree, spontaneous, changes tracks midway, procrastinates

Judging

• Planned, orderly way of life
• Information gathered is organized and structured
• Motivated to complete assignments to gain closure
• Structure and decided lifestyle
• Things must be settled and organized
• Task oriented, things to do, get work done before playing
• Decisive, controlled, finishing, organised, scheduled, quick at tasks, closure

What is interesting is that Isabel Myers was working on an more advanced scoring system before her death and includes more subscales of which includes:

Comfort-Discomfort (Links to neuroticism)
Guarded-Optimistic (also T/F)

Defiant-Compliant (T/F)

Carefree-Worried (T/F)

Decisive-Ambivalent (J/P)

Intepreid-Inhibited (E/I)

Leader-follower (E/I)

Proactive-Distractible (J/P)

What I've may have missed in my research is that the the best judge is ourselves, in that a Reported Type may not be representative of the truth. People often mistake that a type is also a trait, in that Person A is 'thinking' person, therefore he is good at 'thinking', which is irrespective of the truth. It is preference rather than aptitude that is being explored here. What many people mistake is that one type is better or worse than the other, but in reality, they are all gifts that are differing. 

I have treaded dangerously on ethical grounds in that I may have been unethically compelling people to take the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator test, when it should always be taken voluntarily. I have also unethically been experimenting and intentionally interrogating individuals by exploring and testing their functions without their consent. I am deeply sorry for the people that I have experimented with in the past given year. However given this, if I were to tell others about this test as I previously have to some individuals, they may become guarded, paranoid or suspicious of your motives, intentions and actions. I am not a trained administrator, so I have also given very dodgy and possibly incorrect feedback. 

What I also need to dwell into is the type dynamics. In accordance to my main source, Wikipedia, there has been little empirical support to substantiate its viability as a scientific theory. In the early stages of life, there is one function that is the most dominant. The secondary of auxiliary function is evident during teenage years. The tertiary function during midlife, and the inferior function remains least consciously developed. The inferior being the most associated with the unconscious (most evident in situation such as high stress).

However, it has been criticise that type dynamics has persistent logical problems, and relies more on anecdotal problems, and fails most efficacy tests. It does not reveal the real behaviour of people. I have yet to explore the functions from dominant, auxiliary, tertiary and inferior in detail. 

Functions

1. Dominant 
2. Auxillary
3. Tetiary
4. Inferior

There are some correlations to other instruments which include:

Keirsey temperament (SP, SJ, NF and NT) and the Big Five (extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and emotional stability)

• Extraversion correlates with E-I (0.74)
• Openness correlates with S-N (0.72)
• Agreeableness correlates with T-F (0.44)
• Conscientiousness correlates J-P (0.49)

Another interesting result is that personality disorders correlates modestly with INTP and ISTJ (OCD). 

Criticism

Statistical validity has been the major issue. There has been inconsistent findings between type preferences and managerial effectiveness. The reliability of the test is quite low, and the test is subject to falsifiability in that a statement, hypothesis or theory has inherent possibility to prove it false which results in confirmation bias when interpreting the results. I have fallen victim to this as many of the things make rational sense or describe me, but at the same time it can also describe the majority of other people as it is inherently difficult to prove false.

Summary and Conclusion 

Hopefully, I am able to devise a better test that will explain things in clearer, I have been exploring many different personalities and finding patterns and consistencies. 

More to come... from this, I'd like to extrapolate some theories that I have come up with that may link with certain personality types such as interests, style of walking, handwriting, preferred dress-styles, ease-of-influence, music preference, romanticism, worldviews, political preference, muscle structure... the list goes on.

INTP out.

Note: I purposely titled this article as an INFP would, using metaphor and hidden meanings, but given the discussion and pondering with some logical inconsistencies, this article may seem to be written by an INFP trying to gain a better understanding of the world. Given my close T and F preferences, and E and I preferences, I believe that this creates a complex character that is difficult to interpret and understand. 

Standing EGG - 햇살이 아파 with 한소현 (of 3rd Coast)

Skypoint Q1

Skypoint Q1

Transfixed by Beauty

Transfixed by Beauty

Lake Moogerah, QLD

Point Cartwright Sunrise

The beautiful pieces by Ludovico Einaudi 

The Expanding Universe: does the Big Bang breakthrough offer proof of God?

The Big Bang, Philosophy and God

If you've been following the news of the Malaysia Airlines MH370, you may have been like me trying to theoretically deduce the mystery behind what happened. But a larger mystery lurks behind the scenes. It is possibly one of the most important scientific discoveries of mankind.... we have come across evidence that opens new doors regarding the mystery behind the beginning of the universe and how we came into existence... I am so glad that this has happened in my lifetime. 

We have now come across hard evidence supporting the theory big bang. 

As soon as I heard about this discovery, my heartbeat dropped and I had to find out more.

Astrophysicists at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center have observed gravitational waves — the first ever direct evidence of the Big Bang, the theory that the entire universe sprung into existence from a tiny spot in the universe 13.8 billion years ago. These ripples in space, point towards we came from a big bang. 

Whilst this confirms the views of many atheists that we came from nothing (ex nihilo), it will be interesting to see many muslims, christians, jews, hindus and other world religions to come out with their own reasoning that may adapt to this new discovery. 

A new debate begins. Fire is added.

So what are the religious and philosophical interpretations and implications? 

Can the existence of God be demonstrated through scientific data and logical reasoning?

Are the universe, the laws of science, universal phenomena, living beings and we ourselves the products of sheer coincidence or are we designed? 

The answers we reach will have decisive effects on what we must believe and whether life has meaning or not. The beliefs we hold and our concept of life influence formative aspects of our lifestyle such as ethics. Our opinion of the universe is consequential. Our view of it shapes the view we have of ourselves, which is but a fragment of it.

I'd like to keep this for a future blog post where I do some research into this, but at the moment it seems that the majority of religions are offer rather pseudoscience explanations behind the mechanisms of our world, perhaps a result of cognitive dissonance? I believe the the truth lies in gaining the widest perspective and firm grounding in facts and rationality involving links between science, philosophy, cosmology, physics and mathematics. But given our humanness, I believe some room may be given for discrepancy for beliefs as long as they are not extreme and bring positivity and benefit to the world, for it's not the truth that matters, but rather how we live our life towards enlightenment and satisfaction. 

More of the discovery can be found on livescience here.

Finally mainstream music is going somewhere.. :)

Calligraphy

Achieving dreams and goals

Courage.

Hard work. 

Discipline.

Benevolence. 

Passion. 

Ambition. 

Loyalty. 

Culture. 

Love.

What does 'Ponyo' mean?

What does 'Ponyo' mean?

His name is a riddle wrapped in enigma, tied with a pretty ribbon of obfuscation. 

"If you raise your level of positivity, then your brain performs significantly better. Your intelligence rises, your creativity rises, your energy levels rise. In fact, every single business outcome improves."

We believe that we should work to be happy, but could that be backwards? In this fast-moving and entertaining talk, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that actually happiness inspires productivity. 

Shawn Achor is the CEO of Good Think Inc., where he researches and teaches about positive psychology

Chase your passions