What are examples of how “what if learners” learn?

These are examples of how “what if learners” learn:

Research and critical thinking
“What if learners” like to do independent research on topics they are curious about. And they like to analyze what they learn. They examine information, evaluate evidence, and consider alternative perspectives. They learn by challenging assumptions, asking questions, and analyzing the underlying logic behind different arguments or theories.

Role-playing is a popular method for “what if learners” to learn and understand different perspectives. They can take on the role of a historical figure, a character in a story, or a professional in a specific field. By immersing themselves in these roles, learners can explore alternative viewpoints, develop empathy, and gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Creative thinking
“What if learners” like to work on finding solutions to open-ended questions and challenges that do not have a single right answer. They are motivated by the opportunity to explore multiple possibilities. Using their curiosity and imagination, they may ask questions like “What if this event had turned out differently?” or “What if this decision had been made instead?” By considering alternative possibilities, they can gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter and its implications.

“What if learners” like to also experiment with different approaches. For example, physicists often use thought experiments to understand complex concepts in quantum mechanics or relativity. “What if learners” thrive in environments where they have the freedom to pursue their interests. They enjoy exploring new ideas on their own. This can include brainstorming new concepts, imagining hypothetical scenarios, and exploring imaginative possibilities. Creative projects and activities that encourage them to think outside the box can be particularly effective for their preferred ways of learning.

Sharing ideas with other people
“What if learners” often express their ideas and insights through writing, storytelling and/or art. They like to have dialogues with other people – in particular with people who have different perspectives and ideas. Communicating with other people as well as doing collaborative projects provide opportunities for them to explore alternative viewpoints, challenge their assumptions, and refine their thinking.

Practical applications
“What if learners” thrive when they can see the practical applications of what they are learning. They appreciate opportunities to apply theoretical concepts to real-world situations, for example through project-based learning experiences. This hands-on approach allows them to test their hypotheses and see the tangible results of their efforts.

Sources of inspiration
chat.openai.com
you.com

Learning to draw

Participating in a workshop focusing on the foundations of Tibetan art – and more specifically on colorful thangka paintings – this is what I learned:

1. Thangka, which means “recorded message” in Tibetan, is an ancient form of Buddhist art that originated within Tibet around the 11th century.
2. A Thangka is a sacred picture. It is seen as the visual representation of a spiritual reality.
3. A thangka can have many purposes, for example as a teaching material and a help for meditating.
4. Most thangka painters are lay persons who have undergone training.
5. Students start with simple forms – learning the basic proportions of the Buddha’s head and body.
6. A structure such as vertical and horizontal lines is helpful when you draw. When you draw, the most important line  is the middle line, which is also called the Brahman line. This middle line can help guide you when you draw. For example, the middle line helped me find out where to draw the left eye, after I had drawn the right eye.
7. The artist uses pencils and fine brushes to better paint details. During the workshop I used sharpened pencils and found that helpful.
8. Color is of great significance in Tibetan Buddhism. I was positively surprised about the extraordinary diversity of bright colors in the paintings. The use of a few beight colors helped make paintings beautiful, I found.
9. Drawing can serve as a mindful meditation, for exxmple because you focus much on what your hand is doing when drawing, and because you concentrate when you draw. Concentration is particularly strong, when you focus on drawing details, I experienced.
10. Mindful meditation, concentration and seeking support from others / coaches / teachers / guides are three concrete initiatives that can help to overcome the five defilements, which can block your way towards enlightenment. Source.

Examples of thangkas:

Source

Source

What I was drawing during the workshop:

I learned that when you draw it can be helpful, now and then, to turn around the paper you draw on, as you will then see more clearly what you draw:

The workshop room was designed in a way, which helped to create an atmosphere that was beneficial for drawing. For example, table and chairs were useful, and there was good lighting – both natural light and lamps. The large screen on the wall provided inspiration for us amateur artists, as we were learning to draw. And during the creative process, we had good laughs and enjoyed fine Indian coffee.

Additional sources:
https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-process-of-thangka-painting-dastkari-haat-samiti/-QWh8YagYf4tIQ?hl=en
https://education.asianart.org/resources/tibetan-thangka-painting-sacred-pictures/
https://enlightenmentthangka.com/blogs/thangka/thangka-tibetan-art
https://www.invaluable.com/blog/thangka-tibetan-buddhism/

WEF session about electric vehicles

During a WEF24 session about electric vehicles, these are notes I took:

Jim Rowan:
– Cars are unused 85% of the time. Reflecting on this information from Mr. Rowan, I understood that the potential to build more as well as better carsharing solutions is large.
– When a car rolls of a Volvo production line, a digital twin is developed. Everything that the car does can be tracked – including how used the battery is.
– Volvo has stopped diesel.

Brian Kemp:
Georgia in the USA is the 10th US state in terms of solar energy volume. The strong focus on creating more clean energy in Georgia helps to attract companies that want to produce in environmentally ways.

Hilde Merete Aasheim:
– Norsk Hydro produces aluminum based on renewable energy.
– The energy required to recycle aluminum is significantly less than the energy needed to produce aluminum from raw materials. Recycling aluminum involves melting down used aluminum products, such as cans, and reforming them into new products. This process, known as secondary production, consumes only about 5% of the energy required to produce aluminum from bauxite ore, which is the primary source of aluminum. Source.
– Norsk Hydro partners with designers that work on designing cars to be easily recyclable.

WEF open forum about finding innovation solutions to air pollution

Listening to the WEF open forum dialogue Take a deep breath with technology I learned that 99% of the world’s population breathes air that is harmful to their health. These are examples of innovative solutions suggested during the session:

Solutions suggested by Temuulen Enkhbat:
– Include as many people as possible in communities to strengthen the development of innovative solutions. Being invited to participate is important.
– Use more clean energy solutions such as solar energy – and less coal and oil.
– Remain hopeful and take action.
– Instead of using the word climate change, use words that local people can better relate to. A young participant from Pakistan, who studies at Oxford University mentioned that for people in some places in Pakistan air quality is about survival. It is a must have.

Solutions suggested by Peter BenHur Nyeko:
– Use whatever is in the communities. Example: Use waste in innovative ways to create electricity and heating in houses.
– Believe that solutions and innovations are there and allow them to flourish.
– Give out free sustainable cooking solutions so they can switch from firewood.

Solutions suggested by Benjamin Von Wong:
– Use visualizations to make an issue more interesting for people – thereby helping strengthen motivation for people to participate in finding solutions. He asked the question: “What does a beautiful future look like?”
– We need more entrepreneurs that help solve and are paid for solving social problems and environmental problems.
– Benjamin mention Biochar which turns agricultural waste into a resource that not only combats climate change but also heals the soil.

Solutions suggested by Jane Burston:
– Hand held air quality monitors, which are given to citizen scientists, can help people like you and me measure air quality. When people share measurements and photos of what they measure, for example via social media, it can help strengthen air quality innovation.
– Make cycling easier for people.
– Translate large research reports to concrete, locally relevant problems that people can take action on.

Solutions suggested by Ma Jun:
Create more data transparency.
– For example, in China, digital air pollution maps are created that help people to easily find out which places are polluted. The transparent digital pollution maps, which include pollution generated by millions of companies, help people take action, for example by sharing data via social media and taking further action to make sure that pollution is reduced. The digital pollution maps as well as work that people do help people in government provide support that create additional sustainable change.
– Mr. Jun also mentioned the Canadian data transparency solution Air Quality Health Index.

What are the most important contributions of Han Feizi?

Han Feizi lived between 280 and 233 BCE. He was a student of Xunzi. These are the most important contributions of Han Feizi:

Laws that create order
Han Feizi is credited with developing the concept of “fa,” which means law. Fa encompasses a broad range of concepts – including regulations, standards, and techniques of governance. Han Feizi argued that fa should be clear, consistent, and impersonal, and that it should be applied impartially to all members of society.

Centralized power
Han Feizi developed and articulated the principles of Legalism, which advocated for a strong, authoritarian state governed by clear, strict laws and regulations to govern society. He believed that a ruler’s power should be centralized and absolute to ensure social stability and order. In addition, it was the belief of Han Feizi that a strong ruler is essential for maintaining order and stability. Han Feizi was critical of Confucianism – including its emphasis on morality and benevolence as a basis for governance. He found that relying on moral principles was too impractical, and that it would lead to inefficiency and chaos in government. Instead, a ruler should, according to Han Feizi, focus on enforcing fa and maintaining power. In Han Feizi’s view, fa was the only way to achieve a stable and prosperous society.

Hire people based on talent and capability
Han Feizi emphasized the importance of meritocracy in governance, advocating for the selection of officials based on talent and capability rather than birth or privilege. He highlighted the significance of making people, who are employed by the state administration, work with high efficiency.

Motivate people through rewards
Han Feizi argued that people are naturally selfish and motivated by self-interest. Han Feizi believed that the best way to motivate people is to use a system of rewards and punishments. He argued that the ruler should use rewards to encourage good behavior and punishments to deter bad behavior. The teachings of Han Feizi provided practical strategies for rulers to maintain control and power. He stressed the importance of rewarding loyalty and punishing disobedience to maintain order and prevent chaos.

Create design that makes good habits
Han Feizi was critical of the hard punishments that Lord Shang proposed. Why? Han Feizi found that the hard punishments proposed by Lord Shang would create lots of anger, fear and resentment, which would make the state doomed. So Han Feizi asked, instead, this question: What happens if we create worlds that are so good at habituating people that people will come to have their habits as things they assume to be natural, and that those habits will be designed by and for the state to allow it to be effective?

The challenge is, Han Feizi mentioned, that people will just do things without feeling resentment, anger or fear, and that they will not see themselves controlled by an authoritarian state. In other words, states should, in Han Feizi’s view, create clear standards and norms that humans become habituated into doing – because it is the habitual thing to do. An example: When the traffic light is red, you stop. When the traffic light is green, you drive. Such a habit that came about through a law, rule and design, leads to a harmonious world that everybody benefits from. Reflecting on this I came to think of the book Nudge.

In this regard, Han Feizi was inspired by Laozi, who suggested generating situations by doing many small things that create a certain trajectory. Han Feizi wanted to take that insight from Laozi and move it from the personal level to the state level.

Sources
bard.google.com
chat.openai.com
edx.org

What are specific examples of how people express their love of beauty?

These are examples of how people express their love of beauty:

Appreciating the beauty of simple things in life
People can express their love of beauty by taking time to appreciate the beauty of, for example, a sunrise, a flower, or the sound of a bird singing. They can also find beauty in simple things such as the smell and taste of a cup of coffee. People can also express their love of beauty by complimenting others. For example, they may tell people how much they enjoy spending time with them because of their inner beauty. In addition, people may support businesses that create beautiful products.

Using digital media to make beautiful creations
Many people express their love of beauty through digital media including blogs and other websites as well as through the production of videos. In this work, aesthetics play an important role in creating engaging content. The use of functionalities on various digital platforms such as Instagram and TikTok can help people express their love of beauty. People create art in many different forms – including taking photos, writing, drawing and/or making music.

Decorating their homes
People use their homes to express their personal style and create a space that is beautiful and inviting. They may decorate their homes with comfortable and beautiful furniture and use decor that are visually pleasing and harmonious. People may also like to paint their walls in colors that they find appealing.

Appreciating nature
Nature is full of beauty. People express their love of nature by, for example, walking / jogging and/or swimming in nature. They also appreciate the beauty of nature by bringing nature indoors, for example by having plants and flowers in their homes and/or on their balconies.

Clothing and self care work
Many people express their love of beauty through their clothing. Fashion choices can be means of showcasing an individual’s sense of aesthetics. People choose clothes that flatter their figure and make them feel confident. They may also spend time on their hair, makeup, and accessories. Self-care work including personal fitness work and skincare can be a form of self-expression and self-love. Some people like to invest time and effort into looking and feeling their best.

Sources:
bard.google.com
chat.openai.com

What does the word “hygge” mean, and why is it important?

Hygge is a unique Danish and Norwegian term that does not have a direct translation in other languages. It is about ways to live well. Hygge has gained international popularity, especially in cultures that value well-being and self-care. Hygge can be enjoyed throughout the entire year. However, in Scandinavia, where winters can be long, cold and dark, hygge is a particularly useful strategy to counter the effects of the Nordic Winter weather. Danes and other people, who like hygge, find hygge important for several reasons. Some examples:

1. Creating cozy indoor spaces
   Creating cozy indoor spaces is an important initiative to help strengthen hygge. Creating cozy spaces can be done in several ways. I experienced that many Danes create cozy indoor spaces using candle light and other beautiful lighting solutions. Also, for many Danes comfortable furniture is important to strengthen a feeling of hygge.
2. Finding joy
   Hygge emphasizes the importance of finding joy in simple everyday moments. Danes and other people, who like hygge, believe that by creating a warm, cozy, relaxed inviting atmosphere, both physically and emotionally, people can experience a sense of joy and warmth in our hearts. Doing things, which bring comfort and joy, can help combat negative emotions such as sadness, which people may feel during Nordic Winters or in other periods.
   
3. Reducing stress
   Hygge is important because it can have a positive impact on our well-being. By focusing on comfort and well-being, individuals can reduce stress and anxiety. Thereby, we will feel more connected to ourselves and others. Hygge can also boost our mood and improve our sleep quality.
   
4. Simplicity
   Hygge emphasizes the beauty of simplicity. It encourages people to appreciate the little things in life and find joy in small pleasures such as reading a book in a sofa with a blanket.
   
5. Self care
   Hygge promotes self-care and self-compassion. It encourages people to prioritize their well-being. Hygge is about being true to yourself and your own definition of joy. It doesn’t matter what other people think, hygge is about what makes you feel good.
6. Appreciating the moment
   Hygge encourages people to be present, i.e. engage in the moment. It is about appreciating the small pleasures in life, for example enjoying a cup of coffee or walking through a park.
   
7. Connecting with people
   Hygge often involves spending quality time with people, we love, in a relaxed and comfortable setting. Hygge implies strengthening relationships with other people, for example through conversations over a meal.

Searching for photos using the term “hygge” these are some photos that came up. I also found this one:

Source

Sources:
bard.google.com
chat.openai.com
you.com

What does it mean to think strategically?

Key elements of strategic thinking include:

1. Developing a vision
   Strategic thinking includes developing a clear vision that makes sense. It focuses on the big picture as well as long-term goals and outcomes.
   
2. Inviting others to contribute
   Strategic thinking involves considering multiple perspectives and involving various stakeholders in the decision-making process. It includes inviting people to contribute and ensuring that everyone believes in the strategy and feels a part of it. Collaboration ensures that decisions are well-informed and have the buy-in of those affected by them.
   
3. Analyzing information
   Strategic thinkers gather and analyze relevant information, for example about needs users and potential users have as well as about technological changes and other changes happening in the environment.
   
4. Creative thinking
   Strategic thinkers invite people to come up with new and innovative solutions to problems and participate themselves in thinking creatively. They are open to exploring new ideas and approaches and are always looking for ways to do new things that create more value and/or do things in new ways that may be able to create more value.
   
5. Anticipating change
   Strategic thinkers are able to think ahead and anticipate potential problems. They are not afraid to ask questions including “what if..?”. And they are able to change plans when things do not go as previously planned. Strategic thinkers are good at identifying potential shifts that happen and can anticipate how these changes might impact the organization as well as what to stop doing and/or start doing.
   
6. Risk management
   Effective strategic thinking involves evaluating potential risks and rewards associated with different courses of action. How will decisions impact future outcomes? This includes assessing the likelihood of success, potential obstacles, and how to reduce potential negative outcomes.
   
7. Flexibility and adaptability
   Strategic thinkers understand the need to adapt and adjust plans as changes happen. Flexibility is important in a dynamic and evolving business environment.
   
8. Prioritization
   With limited resources, strategic thinkers prioritize initiatives and allocate resources in a way that maximizes their impact on achieving long-term goals.

Sources:
bard.google.com
chat.openai.com
you.com

What are top 5 attributes of a coffee cup for left handed coffee drinkers?

During a really interesting online event about strategic perspectives for generative AI, a question we explored was top attributes of a coffee cup fore left handed coffee drinkers. Asking ChatGPT the question, the response came immediately from the generative AI machine:

1. Handle placement:
   The position of the handle is crucial for left-handed coffee drinkers. Ideally, the handle should be located on the opposite side of the cup’s body, allowing left-handed individuals to comfortably grip the cup without their fingers obstructing the view of the logo or design.
2. Ambidextrous design:
   A coffee cup with an ambidextrous design is versatile and suitable for both left-handed and right-handed individuals. Such cups typically have symmetrical shapes and handles that allow for easy gripping regardless of the dominant hand.
3. Ergonomic shape:
   An ergonomic shape is important for any coffee cup, but it can be particularly beneficial for left-handed individuals. A cup with a well-designed shape fits comfortably in the hand, providing a secure grip and minimizing the risk of accidental spills.
4. Insulation:
   Left-handed or not, coffee drinkers appreciate a cup that keeps their beverage at the desired temperature. Insulated cups, such as double-walled or vacuum-sealed options, help maintain the heat of the coffee for longer periods, allowing left-handed individuals to enjoy their drink at their own pace.
5. Drip-free rim:
   A coffee cup with a drip-free rim can be advantageous for left-handed coffee drinkers. Cups designed with a smooth, curved rim prevent liquid from dripping down the side or onto the user’s hand when taking a sip, ensuring a cleaner and more enjoyable drinking experience.

During the event I learned that with the development of generative AI – and AI more broadly – customization opportunities will increase. Reflecting on this, I would also think that for some people, the need to simplify life may also increase.

What I found valuable about the event was also that a) high quality content about generative AI was provided by two experts, b) that participants could ask questions in the zoom live chat, and c) that the event was very well moderated. In this regard, I noticed that competent moderators picked out some of the questions and passed them on to the experts.

Testing chocolate nuts by taucherli

I admit that I am a chocolate lover. Recently, I decided to test Schoggi Nüssli (chocolate nuts) by taucherli. This is what I learned:

The crunchy, roasted hazelnuts were coated in the finest dark organic chocolate of taucherli and lovingly hand-wrapped.

From ChatGPT I learned that dark chocolate is healthier than milk chocolate. ChatGPT mentioned, for example, that dark chocolate contains a higher concentration of cocoa solids and generally has a lower sugar content than milk chocolate. Source.

Asking ChatGPT what is healthy about hazelnuts, the fruit of the hazel tree, I learned that hazelnuts are packed with essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and that hazelnuts are low in carbohydrates and contain a moderate amount of protein. Source.

Studying the taucherli website I noticed that it includes lots of colorful photos and interesting stories. What I also like is their creative use of social media such as Instagram. And I found it useful that it was unproblematic to order the chocolate in the digital taucherli shop.

Thank you for a good experience.