Propagator

The concept of personal relevance needs to be challenged and perhaps more importantly, the path-dependency of these filter algorithms needs to account for the ‘true preference’ of people. In any case, no one is going to know, and the profit-maximization rule of thumb here doesn’t work that well for social benefit maximization. Eli proposes no solutions but an appeal for the media companies to stay in line with the principles of ‘importance’, ‘other viewpoints’, etc.

I stumbled upon this a couple of months back and was positively moved by it. The story has all the important elements about taking on challenges, overcoming obstacles and in general, making a difference, especially when it is thought to be impossible. My personal blog is fast becoming a video sharing stream, which makes it easier and more convenient. Still, I hope, it’s a good place for inspiration. All the hardcore writing stuff are now on ERPZ, and I write very regularly on the ERPZ Blog.

Ron Gutman speaks about smile on TED. Some amazing fact tidbits:

• A smile gives you the same amount of stimulation to your brains as 16000 pounds of chocolates
• Or £25000 of cash
• Smiling makes you happier and healthier while reducing stress and blood pressure
• Smiling helps people feel you’re competent

In any case, it’s great that the talk makes you smile anyways.

A couple of months back, when I first saw Brene Brown’s talk, I was deeply disturbed and confused, much the way she was when she was first confronted with her discovery. In many ways, in the process of growing up, most people have inherited the message that they must be close to perfect – it could be subconsciously acting according to the expectations of their parents, or a perception of the realities of the world (if you’re not the best then you’re just one of the rest). But we don’t have to be. I’m not sure if Brene’s point about putting yourself in a vulnerable position or exposing your vulnerability is right, but I think it is important for us to accept ourselves as the way we are, and have the confidence to grow ourselves towards perfection bearing in mind that we are moving along an asymptote – always going towards perfection but never quite ever reaching it.

Sometimes you re-read the things you’ve written in the past and you find some gems you don’t believe were actually penned by you. Here’s one about motivation and learning:

[...] nothing can be a better substitute for passion as a source of motivation for learning any single subject. – Kevin in Economics Essay Guide, 2010

It is found in the afterwords of my Economics Essay Guide which is freely available for A Levels students (especially those doing the Singapore syllabus) hoping to have a more structured way of approaching Economics essays.

Well, the examinations are finally here. Actually not ‘finally’. I haven’t exactly been looking forward to it and the speed at which it has come really surprised me. I got a bit worried about my lack of experience with LSE examinations and decided to read the examinations procedure just to ‘pacify myself’. And LSE really has a strong marketing and branding team whose influence infiltrate even the least public documents of the school:

Please note that examinations are intentionally difficult, and feel more so under the pressure of timed conditions. The cachet of LSE degrees, in the eyes of other universities and employers, is at least in part based on the School’s rigorous academic standards. You should not therefore be surprised when your examinations feel more difficult than the previous years’ papers from which you have been revising. Examinations may contain questions that surprise you and that are unlike past examination questions. This is intentional: the examiners want to test that you have understood the material well enough to cope with new types of problems. Though challenging and difficult, the examination will also be fair. – Examination Procedures for Candidates 2011

I do hope the whole affair is quickly done and over with though. And that, is the life of an LSE student. It’s just that I am a little atypical.

The recent General Elections back in Singapore got me watching Channel News Asia over the net and I realised I sort of miss being back in Singapore and with all that stuff happening. And exams are here, which makes it more logical to miss home. I’ve already decided on the things I want to eat when I’m back in Singapore in July. This list will probably grow but for now, it includes: Tau Kwa Bey, Stir-fry 4-Seasons Bean, Fried Tiny Asparagus with mushrooms, Pork Congee with Yu Sheng, Chicken Rice (from any hawker center anywhere will do), something from IKEA restaurant, Cai Fan (better if I could get it from Yong Chye) and many more I have not yet thought of.

Meanwhile, Improv Everywhere is a really interesting concept and my favourite is still the ‘I love lunch’ musical.