In this post, I'd like to share my findings for a preliminary study as a partial requirement of a paper to be published. It is related to the use of some popular online tools for business and professional purposes.
Study Approach: I selected 10 active online profiles from my networks. These are the co-networkers whom I established personal trust via a number of correspondence over 12 months. The sample is gender agnostic, representing only English speaking countries (USA, UK, Australia, and New Zealand) with business and professional background. I interviewed these 10 people via Google, MSN, Skype, Yahoo, and Facebook chat tools in an informal way approximately half an hour. I also confirmed some of conflicting and contradictory views via email follow-ups. My key questions were about their current beliefs on Ecademy, Facebook, Google, Linked, Twitter, Yasni and Youtube in terms of the contribution of these tools to their business or profession.
Findings: There were a number of interesting views that I will make available in a paper progressing on these tools. However I'd like to share the key common findings for each online tool related to their profession and business as of 7 April 2010 to validate my findings with a wider sample:
1. Google is the main source of information for their profession and business. They use it everyday.
2. Youtube is secondary source of information for their business. They use it everyday.
3. Twitter has done nothing for their business as yet. However they see it as third important source of information.
4. They all are in Facebook. They believe to have some potential for their profession and business even though they haven't used it for business purpose as yet.
5. Linkedin is seen as a business card or CV collection and they sometimes use it to check some contact references.
6. Ecademy is only known to them by the blogs they saw in Twitter and some email invitations. They have no idea so far how Ecademy can help their profession but they all are interested to explore the possibilities further.
7. Yasni was heard by 4 of them in various online sites but none of them knew its scope and contribution for their profession and business. They all indicated interest to explore the possibilities further.
I have some impressions, perceptions and personal views established based on my experience but what do these findings tell or mean to you? Can you comment on the points you are familiar with? If you prefer your views to be kept confidential; please send me a personal mail linked to my Google profile.
Regards,
Mehmet Yildiz
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Back to basics and cost effective solutions for our sanity
Solutions in technology and science to help us survive, feel better and stay sane are ubiquitous. The progress is fascinating to follow. Each day I explore new studies, new approaches, new ideas leading towards desired solutions.
Interestingly, we appear to go back to basics; natural, simple and cost effective solutions. For example, "exercise is a magic drug for many people with depression and anxiety disorders, and it should be more widely prescribed by mental health care providers, according to researchers who analyzed the results of numerous published studies". This was highlighted by the SMU Research recently.
In addition, cost effective and simplistic solutions are attracting our attentions. It is great to know that researchers in Penn State University developed a low-cost behavioral assessment that can clue someone in to Alzheimer's disease at its earliest stage. More information could be obtained from this link.
I'd be interested to obtain your views and examples of basic, natural, simple, inexpensive yet efficient solutions from your experience that you can comment here.
Interestingly, we appear to go back to basics; natural, simple and cost effective solutions. For example, "exercise is a magic drug for many people with depression and anxiety disorders, and it should be more widely prescribed by mental health care providers, according to researchers who analyzed the results of numerous published studies". This was highlighted by the SMU Research recently.
In addition, cost effective and simplistic solutions are attracting our attentions. It is great to know that researchers in Penn State University developed a low-cost behavioral assessment that can clue someone in to Alzheimer's disease at its earliest stage. More information could be obtained from this link.
I'd be interested to obtain your views and examples of basic, natural, simple, inexpensive yet efficient solutions from your experience that you can comment here.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Would attitude for everyday activities make us healthier?
Exercise is an inevitable part of our lives. It is essential for us to stay healthy. We are recommended 150 minutes of aerobic activity throughout the week by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. My health consultants so far recommended at least an hour of walking which I have been following and enjoying the outcome.
What I found more interesting is the research through gaining exercises at unconscious level. I'd like to highlight a recent study conducted by the Penn State University. The media release is titled "Attitude toward everyday activity important for healthy lifestyle". David Conroy (associate professor of kinesiology) said "It wasn't the overall level of activity we focused on, it was specifically the unintentional activity -- those little things that you don't even think about that help you burn those extra few calories. If you aren't in the habit of being physically active, you can run out of energy trying to force yourself to do it everyday but if you can make physical activity habitual, being active becomes a lot easier."
What I am more interested in their further research is "exploring whether there are ways to promote or encourage physical activity without a person knowing it".
What I found more interesting is the research through gaining exercises at unconscious level. I'd like to highlight a recent study conducted by the Penn State University. The media release is titled "Attitude toward everyday activity important for healthy lifestyle". David Conroy (associate professor of kinesiology) said "It wasn't the overall level of activity we focused on, it was specifically the unintentional activity -- those little things that you don't even think about that help you burn those extra few calories. If you aren't in the habit of being physically active, you can run out of energy trying to force yourself to do it everyday but if you can make physical activity habitual, being active becomes a lot easier."
What I am more interested in their further research is "exploring whether there are ways to promote or encourage physical activity without a person knowing it".
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Another factor or manifestation of smoking : Low IQ and its implications
IQ (intelligence quotient) is a measure of a person's intelligence as indicated by an intelligence test; the ratio of a person's mental age to their chronological age (multiplied by 100).There are many factors believed to be affecting IQ such as genetic, environmental, parental, schooling, breastfeeding, external stimulus, malnutrition, and so on.
It is interesting to read about a media release titled "Proof: Smoking Is Dumb" by Tel Aviv University which shows links between cigarette smoking and lower IQ.
I was thinking whether it may mean that lower IQ could be a cause of addictions? Or does that mean something else? The answer was provided in the article. Interestingly, Prof. Weiser claimed that "People with lower IQs are not only prone to addictions such as smoking, these same people are more likely to have obesity, nutrition and narcotics issues. Our study adds to the evidence of this growing body of research, and it may help parents and health professionals help at-risk young people make better choices."
This study is a kind of warning and targeting certain groups who are at risk. This sounds good in theory but the practice of this may have many implications on young people's lives. Your thoughts on putting this knowledge into practice by addressing the implications in a favourable way? I also posted a discussion blog on Ecademy asking "Is smoking dump" from a different perspective; you are welcome to participate with your views and experience on this.
It is interesting to read about a media release titled "Proof: Smoking Is Dumb" by Tel Aviv University which shows links between cigarette smoking and lower IQ.
I was thinking whether it may mean that lower IQ could be a cause of addictions? Or does that mean something else? The answer was provided in the article. Interestingly, Prof. Weiser claimed that "People with lower IQs are not only prone to addictions such as smoking, these same people are more likely to have obesity, nutrition and narcotics issues. Our study adds to the evidence of this growing body of research, and it may help parents and health professionals help at-risk young people make better choices."
This study is a kind of warning and targeting certain groups who are at risk. This sounds good in theory but the practice of this may have many implications on young people's lives. Your thoughts on putting this knowledge into practice by addressing the implications in a favourable way? I also posted a discussion blog on Ecademy asking "Is smoking dump" from a different perspective; you are welcome to participate with your views and experience on this.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Impact of words in pain
Words and pain...a lot could be said about these two words and their relationship.
I'd like to highlight an interesting a media release about a recent study titled "Do Words Hurt?" by the Institute of Psychology of the Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena in Germany.
For the first time, the this science team demonstrated that painful memories and associations set our pain memory on the alert for example when a nurse say "don't worry it will not hurt" whilst injecting a needle to a patient. Prof. Weiss said "even verbal stimuli lead to reactions in certain areas of the brain. As soon as we hear words like "tormenting", "gruelling" or "plaguing", exactly those areas in the brain are being activated which process the corresponding pain."
Of course having a memory of painful experiences is beneficial for human being in order to avoid painful situations however what their research results shown that verbal stimuli have a more important meaning than they have thought so far. There is a discussion of this on chronic pain. The team will further study the conversations and their impact on pain.
From your observations, do you think words have strong impacts on your feelings and emotions? Are there any words making you feel instantly uncomfortable or instantly putting you at ease?
Regards,
Mehmet Yildiz
I'd like to highlight an interesting a media release about a recent study titled "Do Words Hurt?" by the Institute of Psychology of the Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena in Germany.
For the first time, the this science team demonstrated that painful memories and associations set our pain memory on the alert for example when a nurse say "don't worry it will not hurt" whilst injecting a needle to a patient. Prof. Weiss said "even verbal stimuli lead to reactions in certain areas of the brain. As soon as we hear words like "tormenting", "gruelling" or "plaguing", exactly those areas in the brain are being activated which process the corresponding pain."
Of course having a memory of painful experiences is beneficial for human being in order to avoid painful situations however what their research results shown that verbal stimuli have a more important meaning than they have thought so far. There is a discussion of this on chronic pain. The team will further study the conversations and their impact on pain.
From your observations, do you think words have strong impacts on your feelings and emotions? Are there any words making you feel instantly uncomfortable or instantly putting you at ease?
Regards,
Mehmet Yildiz
Monday, March 29, 2010
Relationship between overlooking and tolerating
My choices make me who I am and who I want to be.
According to William James, "The essence of genius is to know what to overlook". Life is complex and hectic for most of us. It is made harder to live when noise pollution become a matter. I can hardly bare extreme noisy environments. People like me will either neglect those environments or overlook the situation if they had to be in it.
What else we could overlook? I think mistakes or so called failures as I don't believe in failure. The word failure still does not make sense to me after many years of hearing the word almost everyday. I have come across an interesting saying from Doug Larson who claimed "a true friend is one who overlooks your failures and tolerates your success.”
There may be some kind of relationship between overlooking and tolerating. Have you notice yourself tolerating something which you were supposed to overlook? Or vice versa?
According to William James, "The essence of genius is to know what to overlook". Life is complex and hectic for most of us. It is made harder to live when noise pollution become a matter. I can hardly bare extreme noisy environments. People like me will either neglect those environments or overlook the situation if they had to be in it.
What else we could overlook? I think mistakes or so called failures as I don't believe in failure. The word failure still does not make sense to me after many years of hearing the word almost everyday. I have come across an interesting saying from Doug Larson who claimed "a true friend is one who overlooks your failures and tolerates your success.”
There may be some kind of relationship between overlooking and tolerating. Have you notice yourself tolerating something which you were supposed to overlook? Or vice versa?
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Are we responsible for effort or outcome?
Seeing another interesting cartoon of Leunig in the Age with the following words in it, inspired me to say a few words about outcome: "The world is full of outcomes. Each day delivers more. At breakfast time there’s only two. By lunchtime there are four. By dinnertime there will be eight. At bedtime there’s sixteen; So many, many outcomes and I don’t know what they mean. And so we live our lives away. With outcomes big and small. Until the final outcome comes. With no outcome at all."
Outcome is an overused term in our daily lives. It may mean results, consequences or in more scientific terms a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon.
In Information Technology or Computing fields, outcome could be the result of the performance of a function or process in the system and it is usually measurable and mapped to service levels.
In psychology, it is linked to many factors but two important ones highlighted by the grandfather of modern psychology (William James)attitudes and beliefs obviously play an important role. For example, about attitudes, he said "It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult undertaking which, more than anything else, will determine its successful outcome”. And about beliefs he said "Our belief at the beginning of a doubtful undertaking is the one thing that assures the successful outcome of any venture”. Let's remember that James was famous with his pragmatic approach in philosophy.
From quality perspective Edwards Deming created the principle that "we should work on our process, not the outcome of our processes”. So my question stands as whether we are responsible for effort or outcome; or both or none of them?
I'd also be interested in your views in my question here.
Outcome is an overused term in our daily lives. It may mean results, consequences or in more scientific terms a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon.
In Information Technology or Computing fields, outcome could be the result of the performance of a function or process in the system and it is usually measurable and mapped to service levels.
In psychology, it is linked to many factors but two important ones highlighted by the grandfather of modern psychology (William James)attitudes and beliefs obviously play an important role. For example, about attitudes, he said "It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult undertaking which, more than anything else, will determine its successful outcome”. And about beliefs he said "Our belief at the beginning of a doubtful undertaking is the one thing that assures the successful outcome of any venture”. Let's remember that James was famous with his pragmatic approach in philosophy.
From quality perspective Edwards Deming created the principle that "we should work on our process, not the outcome of our processes”. So my question stands as whether we are responsible for effort or outcome; or both or none of them?
I'd also be interested in your views in my question here.
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