Gently Down The Stream

Merrily navigating life

Social Science / Well being / Wellbeing

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Crossing paths

We are all passersby in someone’s life as others are in ours and we are meant to part ways at the end of the day. We may have crossed paths on the same road for a nanosecond, waited on the same stopover for a few minutes. Or might have sat next to each other, shared the same class for a couple of years, otherwise, various life circumstances and randomness of life could have allowed us to cross paths. But there is a beauty in meeting everyone, acquaintances, lovers, seasonal friends and even the ones you don’t wish to cross paths...

Culture and Tradition / Interesting Facts / Wellbeing

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Hygge moments

Denmark has topped the world happiness report three times since 2013, which may have much to do with the way of their life, incorporating Hygge in everything they do. Trend-setters Hygge has been a buzzword since then, and its trend has influenced other cultures around the world so much so that you would come across plenty of articles and books based on it. Chances are you are one of those attracted to this cosy Danish philosophy or to the Hygge home decor that has become a vogue among interior creators. The grass is always greener on the other side of...

The Vinegar Tasters

Interesting Facts / Philosophy

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Vinegar Tasters, how beliefs shape attitudes

When it comes to attitudes, people generally have different approaches to life. Some are cheerful, some optimistic, few are perennially pessimistic, others have a default complaining mode, some rational and others emotional. The best way forward You can’t claim one approach to be preferable over the other since many factors like culture, environment, and beliefs influence a person’s outlook on their life.A perfect example to show how even the wisest men stand divided on figuring out the essence of life is depicted in the Chinese allegorical painting “Vinegar Tasters”. Vinegar Tasters-The timeless meaning Have a close look at the picture...

Tar baby folk tale

fables and sayings

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Possible implications of folk tales

Any folklore may look like straightforward storytelling, but most of the time, its implications are diverse. The implications I have drawn are, of course, just a partial list. Keeping the past alive. Folk tales across various cultures were created, keeping in mind the prevailing traditions, religious beliefs and sociopolitical situations. The best way to pass on the traditions over many generations is to create stories based on it. It is a time tested strategy widely used before the technological breakthroughs. Don’t throw me in the briar patch. Have you ever come across these two expressions in English,” Don’t throw me...

behavioural science / cognitive dissonance / fables and sayings

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Cognitive dissonance in sour grapes

People generally use the saying “Sour grapes “ as a disdain expression to point out disapprovingly of those opportunities that slipped through their fingers or to mention the unfulfilled goals and dreams. While their mind may be reeling under unpleasantness and envy, outwardly people balance their behaviour in a manner that reduces their inner turmoil. A peek into the Aesop’s fable. Not intending to narrate the whole story of Fox and grapes here, but in a nutshell, once the fox realised that the mouth-watering “sweet” grapes were not quite attainable, he gives up his efforts, muttering “sour grapes “ and...

absurdity called life

Interesting Facts / Literature / Mythology / Philosophy / Social Science

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Sisyphus, the myth and the absurdity of life

Mythical stories and fables that are weaved from the fabric of life have enchanted humans since the dawn of civilization. For a myth to endure a time-spanning across generations and people identifying with them for its symbolic belief signifies its credibility. Sisyphus myth is one among many that have been reviewed widely in association to work, attitude and in the realm of existentialism. A one-line description of Sisyphus myth can be a man’s perseverance in a senseless repetition of a futile pursuit.   A commoner might remember Sisyphus’ experience as a person who is toiling in vain. Sisyphus, the mythological character ...

The Butterfly Effect

Culture and Tradition / Interesting Facts / Social Science

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When a butterfly flaps its wings

Following a downpour, one might spot bunches of mushrooms sprouting here and there. One may wonder, does it abruptly grow overnight or was it present there all this time, hiding beneath the surface of the soil. Is it the rain that hastened its overnight appearance or something else? Cause,effect Likewise, some of the daily occurrences or happenings that people encounter as individuals, society, or a state might not just happen at once, or it does not happen in vacuums. There are almost always some preceding causes behind it, something akin to the butterfly effect. The butterfly effect Small causes can...

The IKEA effect

behavioural science / Interesting Facts / Social Science

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Ikea and the Ikea effect

Whoever has strolled through the tastefully decorated stalls of the furniture giant IKEA can vouch for their overwhelming feeling of awe and enthrallment that is hard to hide. Aesthetically designed pleasing home interiors, brilliant organising ideas for small spaces, innovative and ergonomic fixtures and appliances, the list of striking layouts and concepts goes on. The urge to splurge and empty one’s pocket is overpowering. You behave like a child in a toy shop, yearning to get hold of everything you come across.  The founder and the brand Swedish furniture retailer Ingvar Kamprad founded IKEA. Most successful entrepreneurs share a cliched...

De Bono's strategy for thinking

behavioural science / Interesting Facts / Social Science

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Wear not one, but six hats. De Bono’s strategy for thinking.

The term thinking cap signifies an imaginary cap to be worn to facilitate the thinking process. According to etymology, the thinking cap is an allusion to the official cap worn by the judges while dispensing the judgments at the court of law.  Edward de Bono, who is famous for parallel thinking, published the Six thinking hats in 1985. The idea behind this is practically scrutinising a problem from all aspects as possible, leaving nothing to chance. Teamwork This method serves as a team-based problem-solving technique. Taking a different perspective or checklist manifesto, benefits to ensure that every problem with the...

Uniquely Human

behavioural science / Interesting Facts / Social Science

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Uniquely human

How do people generally judge or perceive themselves ? Do they presume themselves as a normal, average individual or believe that they have exceptional traits that make them unique compared to others. Most often, people consider themselves to be unique, their behaviour ideal even with all the flaws included. Ideal version  A large majority of people are firmly convinced that he or she is unique. They perceive themselves along the same lines of the Shakespearean ideal, that is, What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculty! in form  and moving how express...

human needs and desires

behavioural science / psychology / Social Science

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Human needs and desires explored with Maslow’s theory.

Man is a perpetually wanting animal, no question about that. It is interesting to know what precisely prompts or motivates humans to behave in a particular manner at any given point of time. The explanation would be plenty and descriptive. The experts from different domains, like the evolutionary biologists or the psychologists or the philosophers, would have their share of insights and knowledge, deciphering the same.  This post is a glimpse into Abraham Maslow’s views and Hierarchy of needs theory, and his perspective on human needs and desires. Goal-based motivation The Squirrel is threatening to take down the internet connection...

Caveat to Conformity and Obedience

behavioural science / Psychological Experiments / psychology / Social Science

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Conformity, obedience and relevant studies.

Evolution taught that belonging is the safest way for survival and to fit in any group, conformity and obedience is the best bet instead of being different from the rest. Animal conformity as social learning The roots of conformity and obedience are deep and vast. As evidence suggests, it’s presence is seen in other species of animals and very young humans. The conformity or imitation in nonhuman is studied by various biologists suggesting that imitation is the basis for cultural evolution, cultural transmission of learning and tool formation. Monkey see monkey do A chimp is likely to copy an action...

to procrastinate is human

behavioural science / Social Science

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To Procrastinate is human

A new year without a few resolutions would appear relatively incomplete. We promise ourselves to exercise regularly, watch our diet, spend money more wisely, stay on top of things, meet deadlines and so forth. However, humans are plagued by the tendency to procrastinate and live by the saying (Mark Twain?) Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow. New beginnings vouch for new promises A new year with resolutions, students commencing a new academic year with a bang, employees joining a new job with the commitment to save more! These self-declarations need not always coincide...

of parents and kids

behavioural science / Culture and Tradition / Literature / Social Science

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Of parents, kids and a borrowed tale

The boundless affection and the intense protectiveness of parents towards their offspring is a distinctly human characteristic. Clearly, varying degrees of this parental instinct is also found in other members of mammalian species as well. The cornerstone Parents, with their absolute love and devotion, act as the bedrock of support for moulding their children into a secure and confident adult. Barring a few unfortunate circumstances where the kids are unloved or abandoned and left to fend for themselves. All that matters There are enough anecdotes from the literature, mythology and real-life accounts, of parents, who were willing to give up...

When the choosing get tough

behavioural science / Interesting Facts / Social Science

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When the choosing gets tough, flip a coin

The ability to choose well is arguably the most powerful skill one is empowered with. The desire to choose is innate and rooted deep within us. It’s a commonplace knowledge that even if you have the complete liberty to choose from, the process itself can be tricky at times. The power of free will The power of choice entails one with the ability to unearth the best possible option out of all. In an individualistic society, the right to choose or free will is assumed to be one of the basic needs required for human happiness. Therefore they formulate their...