Melvin Benson’s Post

https://lnkd.in/eFxfKHrj 'Silo' Beautifully Adapts One of Sci-Fi's Best Books The new Apple TV+ series Silo is set in a massive underground complex full of mystery and danger. Screenwriter Rafael Jordan was immediately gripped by the concept of the show. “When I saw the initial marketing, I was very excited for it, because I just love bunkers,” Jordan says in Episode 545 of the Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy podcast. “Any kind of sci-fi or horror story set in a bunker, I’m in. I know I’m really weird when it comes to this stuff. I would Airbnb the Silo if I could. Why would you even want to leave?” Podcast https://lnkd.in/eSXr9pGx RSS iTunes Download Silo is based on the 2011 novel Wool by self-publishing star Hugh Howey. Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy host David Barr Kirtley was excited to see one of his favorite books turned into a big-budget series. “For years any time someone says, ‘Oh you do a science fiction podcast? What’s a good science fiction book I should read?&#8217...

“Not the end of the world” I enjoy following Michael Liebreich and his work (if you don’t know him and his work yet, I recommend checking it out, eg his podcasts ‘Cleaning Up’: https://lnkd.in/gaAMBVgy). A recent podcast with Dr Hannah Ritchie inspired me to buy her new book, which was just published in January (https://lnkd.in/gA542QyW …..ideally, you watch an earlier episode with Johan Rockström first: https://lnkd.in/gfzjhGNp). This book may help many to re-think…..and especially for all those among us that have their fair share of dark moments given our focus area (I have a quite few per week…), please consider reading this book. It is very data-driven, with a powerful narrative and enlightening graphics. -         Humans have never been sustainable. -         We will not be the last generation. -         But we may be the first generation…..the first one that truly lives sustainably. Dr Hannah Ritchie also pre-empts the expected criticism, and among others, describes two types of optimism: 1.)   Type 1: a child awaits gifts. 2.)   Type 2: a child dreams of a tree house and thinks that if it got tools and some friends to help out, and puts efforts into it, she could actually build it. “These problems are big. But they are solvable. We are not doomed. We can build a better future for everyone. Let’s turn that opportunity into reality.” Thanks Michael and Hannah.

“The problem that we’re trying to solve is that there are rich teams, and there are poor teams, and then there’s fifty feet of crap, and then there’s us” 🎞 This line uttered by Brad Pitt’s character Billy Beane in a scene from the film “Moneyball” is an excellent example of “Framing” a decision well. Why? Welcome to a little experiment from The Decision-Making Studio called “Decision Reactions” in which I react to examples of decision-making in the real (or in this case cinematic) world and provide some quick commentary on the quality of those decisions based on our FOCUS framework. The first element of this framework is “Framing” or setting the context of a decision and linking the decision to one’s purpose, values, objectives, and understanding the overall stakes (the other elements are Options, Cognitive biases, Uncertainty, and Selection). The aim of Decision Reactions is to try and bring quality decision-making to life – which is where the line ‘fifty feet of crap’ line comes in because it frames the decision at hand incredibly well. My initial thinking with these was to react to a short video. However (and bearing in mind this is an experiment), the video portion of episode 1 isn’t great (you can still find a link to it here: https://lnkd.in/eabHB-X4). 🎙 However, it also works very well as a short audio podcast (the full 14 mins is here and you can also find it here -> https://lnkd.in/eigMukT4 or wherever you get your podcasts. ⚠ Warning – there is some salty language so if you are listening or watching the video in your office or a public place, make sure you have earphones on! This is relatively short. Do let me know what you think – especially if you like the idea and if you’d like for me to react to a specific scene from a film or show, or a decision in real life. If you like the idea, I’ll do more – and will get the video quality up to standard too! And you can get a primer on the FOCUS framework by joining The Decision-Making Studio’s mailing list here: https://lnkd.in/exrHTMXj #decisions #decisionmaking #decisionreactions #cognitivebias

During my in-laws annual Christmas Eve dinner the question was posed: What was your favorite or most influential piece of media you consumed in 2023? It can be a podcast, book, movie or show. My mind immediately went to two different thoughts: 1. The Book “Good to Great” by Jim Collins. I reflected back on my earlier thoughts of what is my personal Hedgehog Principle? What flywheel do I want to start pushing on in my 20s? How does the company I work for implement these ideas? 2. How many pieces of media did I consume in 2023 that I have completely forgot. How many movies or shows or podcasts did I listen to? Did or learn or get entertainment or did I just numb my mind? Thoughts as I wrap up the first month of focusing my hedgehog principle and push on the flywheel. What was your favorite piece of media you consumed in 2023?

The All-Nighter #11 (Credit: Comixology, an Amazon company Originals) is featured on this edition of Parlay Points, the comic book review blog to the ODPH Podcast! #amazon #comixology #supernatural #superheroes #newrelease #newcomicbookday #pop #popculture #entertainment #podcast #podcastlife #podcastshow

REALLY Important to get this

I recall words from my therapist that continue to ring true, shifting the paradigm for me. When I told her that I was having a difficult time recalling people's names after being introduced at parties or large functions, she gave me the reason and brought all the receipts! After some time chatting about it, we discovered that these events triggered intense anxiety. for me My therapist explained that my body was going into fight/flight/ freeze mode. When the body perceives there is imminent danger, all of the energy rushes to protect the internal organs to preserve life. (Apparently my brain is not as high a priority.) Because the anxiety of being overwhelmed when meeting new people and wondering what they thought of me, thinking they were judging me, or simply feeling inadequate, the anxiety caused my brain to go into autopilot (general nondescript small talk) and my mind wasn't retaining anything. My therapist said that 1 in 3 people have this same anxiety. And, she suggested, that those I'm introduced to at these functions are most likely in the same flight/fight/freeze mode; they aren't processing my name either... and for the same reasons. Understanding that others are suffering in the same way has made a huge difference when I walk into a party, attend an event, ect. I remind myself that 1 out of every 3 people I meet is also struggling with the same anxiety. Empathy kicks in and I'm able to be more attentive, more open to speaking with others, and more focused on helping them to be at ease. Speaking kind words, affirm their achievements, being attentive in their presence. I might ask them questions about those things that are easy to speak of, things we may have in common, and treat them as if they were the only person in the room… even if just for a moment. This approach has made all the difference. Focus off me and on to others. Kindness kills a lot of anxiety!

Insight: the great human skills! Thx Simon!

Leadership is all about personal connections. Not just connections: GENUINE connections. What a great lesson: Stop worrying what do people think about you and start realising that they are worrying about what do YOU think about THEM !