Clippings

In Search of Memory

Just caught wind of this movie via @BrainLine on Twitter. Will be interested to see this both for what it is and because I've seen Professor Kandel as a host of Charlie Rose's Brain Series.

"Memory is everything. Without it we are nothing," says neuroscientist Eric Kandel, winner of the Nobel Prize for his groundbreaking research on the physiology of the brain's storage of memories. As he explains, memory is the glue that binds our mental life together and provides a sense of continuity in our lives.

IN SEARCH OF MEMORY is a compelling blend of autobiography and history that recounts the life of one of the most important neuroscientists of the 20th century and illuminates scientific developments in our understanding of the brain's role in recording and preserving memory. In addition to archival footage and dramatic re-creations of Kandel's childhood experiences in Nazi-occupied Vienna and his formative years as an emigrant in New York, the film features discussions with Kandel, friends and family, as well as his public lectures in Vienna and New York, which explore both his professional and personal life, especially his emotional ties to Judaism.

Both through its personal journey into the memory of this amazingly spry and witty 79-year old, especially his traumatic experiences during the Holocaust, and a visit to his Columbia University laboratory, where Kandel and his colleagues demonstrate their experimental research, IN SEARCH OF MEMORY examines how the brain stores memories, the difference between short-term and long-term memory, Alzheimer's and age-related memory loss, and structural modifications to the brain that enhance memory.

In revisiting the people, places and objects of Kandel's lifetime experiences, IN SEARCH OF MEMORY reveals how everything we undergo changes the brain, even our genetic make-up, and can determine the focus of a life's work.

“Mentally stimulating and emotionally affecting.” —Michael Phillips, The Chicago Tribune

“This is not just a dry doc about brain functions. Seeger makes a convincing connection between Kandel’s work and his life as a Jew who escaped from Vienna during World War II. Kandel demurs early in the film that he isn’t easy to live with, but he’s certainly a pleasure to spend time with in a doc, and his story and his passion, which Seeger easily conveys, are, if you’ll pardon the inevitable pun, memorable.” —Hank Sartin, Time Out Chicago

"Conveys the breadth of neuroscience and the scientific process." —Alison Abbott, Nature

"Because of Kandel's powerful charm and energy, the science-less and more personal aspects of the documentary add an engaging and often comical texture to this very delicate quest for memory and remembrance." —Stephanie Lee, NYPress.com

"A passionate exploration of the life and work of Eric Kandel, the brilliant and irrepressible neurobiologist, whose pioneering work has illuminated the very workings of memory. But, like Eric, Petra Seeger's film resonates in all directions, illuminating not only the trajectory of psychology and neuroscience in the last century, but the nature of art and science, history and remembrance, work and love, inspiration and achievement. It is an unforgettable journey." —Oliver Sacks

Introverts' speaking style aids leadership?

This Forbes article suggests that introverts make better leaders by playing to their strengths, rather than fighting them--and cites a lot of speaking skills to bolster its point:

  • By using a "think first, talk later" approach, introverts give themselves time to ponder, while appearing measured and thoughtful; this also gives subordinates a chance to contribute and can keep leaders from making mistakes by jumping in too fast.

  • They ask questions and take an in-depth approach to conversations, yielding more learning and understanding.

  • They appear calm, usually through anticipating issues, practicing what to say, and getting themselves in the right frame of mind before communicating.

    • via eloquentwoman.blogspot.com

    The Eloquent Woman tipped me off to another article about introverts, speaking, and leadership styles. It's easy to think of the introverted style as being a handicap, so it's nice to see a catalog of the ways that introversion can be an asset. Click through for the whole post from The Eloquent Woman and for the original article from Forbes,

    Passion Trumps Technique

    Can you remember a presentation that has long stayed with you? What was the secret power that it held? It likely was the passion of the speaker. The presenter was perhaps someone you would consider a good candidate to be a friend – just one of us ‘normal’ folk.

    I found a clip of a speech given by Senator Diane Savino speaking on gay marriage legislation that is/will be voted on by members of the New York State Senate. The clip extends seven minutes. I watched the entire clip. This is unusual for me because usually I get bored and turn off clips within a minute.What makes Senator Savino different? She speaks with passion and believes in her cause. And her passion outstripped her fidgeting and gesturing. The clip received over 327,000 views and over 1300 positive comments.

    This comment was one of the few that was negative:

    Comment on YouTube from:Monkeysniffer08
    wow…. she has some horrible speaking habits…..- pen clicking- fidgeting- rubbing her ear- holding her pen and flinging around with it.

    Monkeysniffer noticed and so did I. But I didn’t care.
    Her message outshone les faux pas.

    Which proves you do not have to be a perfect speaker — just a speaker who speaks with passion and believes in your own words.

    Next post I will write about Senator Savino’s speech and her use of rhetorical persuasion.

    @OliviaMitchell provides another great speaking tip on Twitter and shows how passion trumps technique. This example is from the blog of Janice Tomich, and it shows how the message, the content, can carry a presentation even when a speaker doesn't pay attention to distracting habits. Click through for the video.

     

    What Matters Now: get the free ebook

    Now, more than ever, we need to shake things up.

    Newauthors

    Now, more than ever, we need a different way of thinking, a useful way to focus and the energy to turn the game around. I hope a new ebook I've organized will get you started on that path. It took months, but I think you'll find it worth it the effort. (Download here).

    Here are more than seventy big thinkers, each sharing an idea for you to think about as we head into the new year. From bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert to brilliant tech thinker Kevin Kelly, from publisher Tim O'Reilly to radio host Dave Ramsey, there are some important people riffing about important ideas here. The ebook includes Tom Peters, Jackie Huba and Jason Fried, along with Gina Trapani, Bill Taylor and Alan Webber.

    Here's the deal: it's free. Download it here. Or from any of the many sites around the web that are posting it with insightful commentary. Tweet it, email it, post it on your own site. I think it might be fun to make up your own riff and post it on your blog or online profile as well. It's a good exercise. Can we get this in the hands of 5 million people? You can find an easy to use version on Scribd as well and from wepapers. Please share.

    2downloadfree Have fun. Here's to a year with ideas even bigger than these.

    Here's a lens with all the links plus an astonishing array of books by our authors.

    via sethgodin.typepad.com

    It's time. Stretched yesterday by The Year in Ideas from The New York Times. Today Seth Godin challenges with What Matters Now

    19 Often Overlooked Questions to Propel Employee Conversations

    Smart leaders ask interesting questions. Questions often ignored by many; asked by a few.

    Here are a handful of questions to help you bridge the gap from cubicle to community.

    Your mileage may vary but I wonder which ones might work for you?

    What would happen if we:

    1. Connected disconnected pieces to show the “big picture?”
    2. Created a visual map making it easy for everyone to know where we’re headed?
    3. Shared more success stories?
    4. Showed stories of how problems were solved?
    5. Showed stories of how ideas failed?
    6. Learned to be more trusting?
    7. Invited employees to share their personal leadership tips?
    8. Listened by asking what matters most to them?
    9. Simplified complex business ideas with personal experiences?
    10. Encouraged and told stories that point to something bigger than ourselves?
    11. Presented more personality and humanized our company?
    12. Started thinking “community” instead of “corporate?”
    13. Saw or heard stories of leaders capturing our imaginations?
    14. Told employees why we are in business in the first place?
    15. Demonstrated our values in action when recruiting potential candidates?
    16. Stopped using or creating strategies that don’t work?
    17. Simplified things?
    18. Considered today as the first day we had a communications department?
    19. Integrated employees regularly in our communications?

    What about you? What questions have you used to drive employee conversations?

    Veteran producer and communications specialist Thomas Clifford helps Fortune 100's to non-profits breathe life into their brand story. He believes remarkable organizations deserve remarkable films.
    via fastcompany.com