I’m more actively engaged in learning more now than I ever was in college but there are college intellectual experiences that I often reflect on. Learning about psychologist Robert Alexrod’s 1984 experiment, The Prisoner’s Dilemma is one of those.

This experiment taught me about decision making and the role that emotions play. It taught me about human nature and the nature of relationships.

The hypothetical prisoner’s dilemma is as follows:

You and a friend have committed a crime and have been caught. You are being held in separate cells so that you cannot communicate with each other. You are both offered a deal by the police and you have to decide what to do independently. Here’s the deal:

• If you confess and your partner denies taking part in the crime, you go free and your partner goes to prison for ten years.
• If your partner confesses and you deny participating in the crime, you go to prison for ten years and your partner goes free.
• If you both confess you will serve six years each.
• If you both deny taking part in the crime, you both go to prison for six months.

What will you do?

Analyzing potential outcomes of this experiment guided me down the path of critical thinking. This type of experiment helps teach you how to think. Learning how to think is much more valuable than the usual Western school tasks that induce short+term cramming and short+term memorization. This type of experiment sparks curiosity and improves brain functioning. This type of learning creates engrained lessons that last.

So, what would you do if you were faced with The Prisoner’s Dilemma?

The “upside down map” since “north” is arbitrary. For more great maps, see — here.

Truly amasing (with an “s”). Thanks to Twisted Sifter for the link.

Sound is energy. Music changes us. We respond to the sound waves and vibrations of music. Music can uplift us and give us positive energy — if we listen to the right kind.

“Classical music is boring.” Is that what you’re thinking? Up until two years ago, I would have agreed with you.  In this post, I’ll explain how you can escape the “boring” aspect and come to appreciate the music.

But first, here’s a look at the health benefits of classical music:

• Increased Tranquility and Focus (many surgeons listen to classical music while performing surgery)
• Positive Energy (London government played classical music in dangerous neighborhoods and robberies decreased 33%, assaults decreased 25%, and vandalism decreased 37%) read more in Malcom Gladwell’s fantastic book: Outliers
• Increase in vitality and well being (in a 1973 experiment, plants grew towards and intertwined themselves around speakers playing Hayden, Beethoven, Brahms and Schubert. But, in a similar experiment where violent music was played, the plants died)
• Better Sleep (Hungarian researchers showed listening to 45 minutes of classical music before bedtime helped students from 19 to 28, who had problems falling asleep)
• Increased Intelligence through improved information processing and memory (studies show heightened IQ scores)

But here’s the best part: Classical music doesn’t have to be boring! If it’s foreign concept to you, start by listening a blend of classical and new age music by 2Cellos.  Connect by recognizing the familiar song and by appreciating the beauty of the art of music. I shared this link with friends and they loved it and can’t stop listening!! After enjoying 2Cellos for a couple weeks, you’ll naturally be expanding to beautiful pieces by Yo-Yo Ma, Bach, Brahams, etc. in no time !!

Stay lucid ~

Outstanding pictorial & textual guide to beginning & advanced asana backbends:

http://www.mryoga.com/backbends

Benefits of backbends: Improves spinal flexibility and strength creating better posture, stimulates the central nervous system, abdominal organs and aids in digestion, tones the adrenal glands, kidney, pancreas and liver thyroid gland, abdominal organs and lungs, stretches the chest, lungs, upper and lower back, throat, shoulders, hip flexors, can relieve menstrual cramping and menopause for women, and calms the mind.

“When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”

~ Maya Angelou

http://www.andrewoswald.com/docs/Young-faculty-researchers-PhDs-talk-Oswaldapril2013.pdf

“If everyone likes your work, you can be certain that you haven’t done anything important.”

“Conflict and pain go with the territory.”

“The main difference between world-class researchers and sound researchers is not intellect; it is energy, single-mindedness, more energy, and the ability to withstand what will sometimes feel like never-ending disappointment,  tiredness and psychological pain. Tenacity is almost everything.