Gently Down The Stream

Navigating the Literary Labyrinth

Category: Interesting Facts

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...

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...

Bouquet of Aphorisms

Aphorism / Culture and Tradition / Interesting Facts / Literature

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A bouquet of Aphorisms

An aphorism is not just a string of words, but purest distillation of mind and insights contemplating itself. A strong aphorism seduces,surprises and sinks in like a quickly digested morsel. Popularity Literary history of aphorisms are as old as humanity. Many literary laureates have tried their part in creating such short aphorisms, that are the bedrock of insights. Ancient folks, who had the luxury of time, were less educated. So they benefited from the brief portrayals, that could be easily assimilated. Short and condensed philosophy of insights is more suited for the modern men, who though educated are time-crunched for...

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...

honesty a sinking social trait

behavioural science / Interesting Facts / psychology / Social Science

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Honesty, a sinking social trait

We come across reports of deception and corruption almost every day that it doesn’t affect or surprise us anymore. The news varies from the trivial accounts of towels being stolen from hotel rooms to profound large-scale financial scandals.   How as a society, or as a country, we came to be tainted by this much widespread dishonesty? How we see ourselves  We consider ourselves to be honest, honourable people—rational thinkers with a built-in moral compass and the capacity of understanding of what’s right and wrong. The illusion of one’s morality  Do you think that the dishonesty we witness in our society...

conquering fear

behavioural science / Interesting Facts / Social Science

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Stress, stress and more stress

Stress that saves, Stress that harms, And the stress that we love. Varied kinds of stresses surround us ! Day to day stresses  When people mention the term stress, they invariably imply chronic stress, the silent killer of modern, fast-paced life that wreaks havoc on your health. In this post, let’s see how stress evolved, and know about a third kind of stress that people seem to enjoy. Dichotomy of stress The acute stress response is an adaptive mechanism designed to tide over any dangerous situations, which is, in fact, beneficial, a real-life saviour. Chronic stress, an outcome of modern,...