Gently Down The Stream

Navigating the Literary Labyrinth

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...

worth one's salt

Aphorism / Culture and Tradition / Literature

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Worth one’s salt and explore few salty phrases

Salt, as everyone knows, is one of the essential component of our everyday life. From the normal functioning of the human body to its integral role as a flavouring as well as a preservative of food, its uses are many. An unsung hero To be precise, currently, there are about 14,000 documented uses for salt, a startling figure for such a humble commodity. Maybe for the same reasons, salt has found a place for itself in the English language usage as well, reflecting its significance in society. Salty phrases The expression to be worth one’s salt and other few salt-related...

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...

paying attention to inattentional blindness

behavioural science / psychology / Social Science

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Pay attention to inattentional blindness

Pay attention is one of the aptly composed phrases, which needs to be earnestly explored, more so than ever in this tech-friendly era, where chances of getting distracted by are enormous. The surge and complexity of modern life are overpowering to render individuals blind and deaf to the things that occur around them. Not wide, but a tunnel vision We hold on to the mistaken belief that we pay enough attention to, and therefore should notice and remember the world around us much more than we do. Looking without seeing Have you ever thought of how we perceive, remember and...

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...

of pencils and boxes

fables and sayings / Philosophy / Social Science

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Of Pencils and boxes

If you were to explore your creative skills and offer your ideas and imagination about two themes from our daily life, one a pencil and another a box, I’m convinced that most amongst you can propose exciting and impressive ideas that reveal your unique originality and viewpoints.  Reflection of two great writers Before you discover your ideas, let us read up about the creative intelligence of two celebrated contemporary writers. Paulo Coelho’s short story on the pencil  Nassim Nicholas’s aphorism on boxes. Paulo Coelho The proclaimed author who shot to fame with his bestselling novel , The Alchemist, needs no...

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,...