It’s not yellow fever! December 26, 2007
Posted by Niels in : Life, the universe, and everything , 1 comment so farI promised this follow-up to a much, much earlier post on cognitive dissonance.
Despite being half-Chinese, I made it through college with ever really being attracted to an Asian girl. It was nothing personal, it just never happened. My friends used to joke about it, especially because I don’t feel any ties to my Chinese heritage either. (To be fair, I also feel no ties to my European heritage.)
Then, one day in grad school, I hooked up with an Asian girl. She was cute, it had been a while, and it was fun. I figured that was that. But no. Cognitive dissonance sets in, and all of a sudden I start noticing attractive Asian girls everywhere! (Not disporportionately, mind you, just seeing what I had missed before.) It was like a switch had gone off and my brain decided, “Oh, I guess I am the sort of person who likes Asian girls, after all.”
Cognitive dissonance is a funny mistress.
Your thoughts?Why picking up girls is like getting punched in the face December 26, 2007
Posted by Niels in : Personal , 1 comment so farDon’t let your instructor feed you any bullshido about their techniques being “too deadly” or “too dangerous” to practice either. Martial arts and pickup have a lot in common. It’s not about knowing more techniques or having more routines. Martial arts and conversation are both about timing, which you have to develop against resisting opponents and actual people. Muhammed Ali wasn’t a great fighter because he could do a spinning reverse backfist, he was a great fighter because he had perfect timing, which he got from sparring every day. You get good at socializing by talking to girls - and guys - every day.
Drilling techniques in the air or against compliant partners and expecting to be able to defend yourself is like practicing routines in a mirror for six months and then expecting to be able to carry on a smooth conversation the first girl you talk to.
Matt Thornton of the Straight Blast Gym calls this concept “aliveness”. He’s got a great, great, great video explaining it.
My sister is engaged! December 24, 2007
Posted by Niels in : Personal , add a commentBest Christmas present ever.
Your thoughts?Christmas Eve! December 24, 2007
Posted by Niels in : Personal , add a commentI’m spending today surrounded by friends and family. I hope you are too!
Your thoughts?I want to start writing again December 21, 2007
Posted by Niels in : Personal , 1 comment so farI woke up at 6:30 Wednesday morning to hear Gene Weingarten, humor writer for the Washington Post, former editor of the Style Invitational, and discoverer of Dave Barry, speak to the students of Montgomery Blair high school’s student newspaper, Silver Chips. It was an inspirational talk. Hearing Gene speak reminded me how much satisfaction I get out of writing.
I’ve turned my blog into a journal of sorts where I can jot quick notes to remind myself of the interesting things in my life. Eventually, I do want to write an autobiography, at which point I’ll have my blog to remind me of the dumb things I did when I was younger.
But after hearing Gene, I’m inspired to add a weekly entry in which I really but some thought, effort, and time into the writing. After all, what do I have now if not time?
Your thoughts?