Creative commentary plus crafty composition

Archive for the ‘Behaviour & Relationships’ Category

Virtual Unreality

Not long ago we were hearing and seeing examples of virtual reality technology in testing stages. Now, for example here in Ottawa, there is at least one popular shopping centre which has limited virtual reality gaming in one of its stores.

We have also become exposed to video games, in person, through advertising, or on TV or movie screens. Many games not only exhibit a dramatic range of scenarios putting the player’s POV (point of view) into the action, but also have hugely expanded the dimensions of war and other fighting themes, complete with reams of carnage. (more…)

Category:

Behaviour & Relationships, Social & political commentary, Uncategorized

Tagged with:

Debate Do’s & Don’ts

We have seen, perhaps participated in, debates in one format or another over the years. (I can recollect my first was while a youngster in school.) In the political arena this has become a vital part of the election process.

As we get older, and especially if the stakes get higher, we should expect to incorporate life experiences or lessons to handle ourselves more effectively. Making a positive connection while speaking is paramount to feeling confident and performing better, whatever the stage. (more…)

Category:

Behaviour & Relationships, Humour, Social & political humour, Uncategorized

Tagged with:

Tinted Behaviour

Are you one of those adults who secretly (or, perhaps, not so privately) unwinds with coloured paper images?

This subject is the focus of an article in the current issue of Psychology Today. The rather reflective subheading is “Buyers may come in for the nostalgia but stay for the inspiration”. (more…)

Category:

Arts commentary, Behaviour & Relationships, Personal Development, Uncategorized

Tagged with:

Technically Absent

One of the biggest modern challenges for couples and their attempts at maintaining intimacy, or at least regular contact, is technology – more specifically, our plugged-in world.

As discussed in the August issue of Psychology Today, the ascendency of what we call smartphones has created “a lower level of conversation in (their) presence” as well as “diminished empathy” due to their habitual use. It’s worth reflecting on this evolving reality: “they make other relationships and interests more salient than those directly in front of us”. (more…)

Category:

Behaviour & Relationships, Personal Development, Uncategorized

Tagged with:

If It’s Good Enough for Athletes…

According to an article in the August issue of Psychology Today, there are numerous excuses athletes may posit for cheating, such as by doping – obviously a high profile issue in any spotlighted athletic competition such as the current Summer Olympics.

The catch-all category of ‘moral disengagement’, based on disconnecting one’s behaviour from negative emotions such as guilt, has emerged as the strongest defence. It has at least six manifestations: (more…)

Category:

Behaviour & Relationships, Social & political commentary, Social & political humour, Uncategorized

Tagged with:

Life Lessons from ‘The SIMPSONS’

A TV show that has been around as long as THE SIMPSONS has had its own life cycles, disguised by its animated construct.   Although the characters technically haven’t aged, the way they appear, and the increasingly tangential nature of their world, have gone through a version of evolution. Even the annual “Treehouse of Horror” satires and parodies have gone past exploring easier source material (such as with the classic “The Shinning”) to the extent that even the aliens don’t appear as regularly as they used to. Ah well, that’s show biz. (more…)

Category:

Arts commentary, Behaviour & Relationships, Humour, Social & political humour, Uncategorized

Tagged with:

PASSWORD Was Once (mainly) a Game Show

Our lives these days are filled with passwords, exacerbated to the extent that we conduct aspects of our affairs on-line.

There are many theories and rules-of-thumb about establishing passwords: use different ones for everything (but where do you safely store the list?), use the same core, but not easily deciphered, pattern so it’s easy to remember (but what if someone figures out the first domino?), frequently changing them, etc. (more…)

Category:

Arts commentary, Behaviour & Relationships, Personal Development, Social & political humour, Uncategorized

Tagged with:

Getting Carded

It seems the art of sending and getting greeting cards is a declining one, certainly insofar as customary paper manifestations. Hanging up fewer and fewer Christmas cards results in less decorative ambience than it once did.

I find that on-line access to services such as Hallmark e-cards (for a minimal annual fee) provides a key benefit missed by the traditional card, namely immediacy. (more…)

Category:

Arts commentary, Behaviour & Relationships, Humour, Uncategorized

Tagged with:

The Three-Step On-Line Process

We intrinsically realize there is a process to making purchase decisions. If the purchase is small, especially a repeat, the procedure is rather narrow, straightforward; simplicity is magnified by convention. The more significant the product or service, wherein lacking expertise makes us more vulnerable to outside influences, the more elaborate the operation becomes. (more…)

Category:

Behaviour & Relationships, Financial commentary, Uncategorized

Tagged with:

Now Presenting

Anyone who has made a presentation to groups more than once knows how important it is to project confidence, speak clearly with vocal variety, and use language appropriate to the circumstances. (Like in so many settings, first attempts often have a built-in mulligan.) These elements help to establish stage presence, evoke credibility, and ultimately enhance the likelihood of positive reception. (more…)

Category:

Behaviour & Relationships, Personal Development, Uncategorized

Tagged with: