Monday 4 November 2013

What You See Next

Today, my first break after nearly twelve months of unceasing work, job changes, new friends, new work, deadlines, grief, joy, turbulence and moments of calm. Seems that life can bloom only in the gap between deadlines. And in this gap, my first blog post in months. There’s lots to share.


A while ago, I’d shared a couple of posts about SelectiveAttention and Perceptual Blindness. Deeper perspectives on the art and science of observation can be found in this write up by Maria Popova (an amazing treasure trove of insights!). She introduces us to the book, On Looking: What11 Experts Tell Us About Seeing Our Familiar City Block with New Eyes, byAlexandra Horowitz

I haven’t been able to get my hands on this book yet, but Popova is a brilliant curator, holding our hands as she walks us through its pages and illuminating the winding pathways,  and helping us understand the truths and insights revealed. Truly simple truths, and a must for anyone in the creative field, it will open up your mind!

Loved this the most and can’t wait to get to the book.

“The thing you are doing now affects the thing you see next.”

These words are echoing inside me and waves are running up and down my spine. Key word NOW. It holds the key to NEXT. These words have put me into a tizzy, and energised me and given me the secret password to changing my course. Change your now, and change your next.  

More to share.
Stumbled upon two wonderful learning resources and signed up for five MOOCs (yes five, and no one to say when - water for the thirsty!) organized by FutureLearn (thank you for making this so very accessible!).

Also discovered, through FutureLearn, bookboon.com and got my hands on some wonderful reading –yes, free books still give me a thrill! 

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

5 MOOCs? I want to know which ones, and how ever will you have time to do them all. I suspect you plan to eschew sleep...? :)
Kavita

Nayana Karia said...

yes, five...in small nuggets of three to four hours a week, through november to feb....sleep begone!

1. Begin programming: build your first mobile game

2. Introduction to ecosystems

3. The mind is flat: the shocking shallowness of human psychology

4. Teaching computing: part 1

and a fifth one...

5. Good brain, bad brain: basics

Such fun! Great tutors, video resources, and access to a good discussion forum. What more does one need?