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Definition: Myopia Theory

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Myopia Theory

Theorizes that when under influence of enough alcohol, the here and now is not only what matters most to you, but also influences what matters to you. That is, you don’t think much about the future and potential consequences, but that also in not thinking, you let your environment determine how you act and feel such that you experience very different things under the same influence if in a quiet bar by yourself versus a crowded and rowdy frat party.

 

More formally…

A cognitive-physiological theory on alcohol abuse in which many of alcohol’s social and stress-reducing effects, which may underlie its addictive capacity, are explained as a consequence of alcohol’s narrowing of perceptual and cognitive functioning.

 

The first explanation is a lot easier to understand, in my opinion. I got it from Malcolm Gladwell in this podcast episode below, talking with Oprah Winfrey.

https://twitter.com/digitalcitizen/status/1180875837727498240

 

Definition: Informal Urbanism

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Informal Urbanism

The production of urbanization independent from formal frameworks
and assistance (if they exist) that do not comply with official rules and regulations.

 

Less formally, DIY alterations to urban spaces, especially public spaces, by people.

 

Here more about it, and many examples positive and negative, in the 99 Percent Invisible podcast episode below.

 

https://twitter.com/digitalcitizen/status/1180610556581036034

Vocabulary: Hard Problem of Consciousness (and Qualia)

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Hard Problem of Consciousness

The hard problem of consciousness is the problem of explaining how and why sentient organisms have qualia or phenomenal experiences — how and why it is that some internal states are felt states, such as heat or pain, rather than unfelt states, as in a thermostat or a toaster.

 

Basically, how and why do conscious organisms have experiences, with feelings some of the time, while some don’t.

 

Qualia

In philosophy, qualia are individual instances of subjective, conscious experience.

 

From this enlightening TEDRadio Hour podcast

https://twitter.com/digitalcitizen/status/1170393451889942529

Definition: Flexitarian

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Flexitarian

Someone who follows the Flexitarian Diet, which is a style of eating that encourages mostly plant-based foods while allowing meat and other animal products in moderation. It’s more flexible than fully vegetarian or vegan diets.

 

A nice and beneficial option to vegan or vegetarian diets.

 

From the impressive Solvable podcast below…

https://twitter.com/digitalcitizen/status/1175954623536013312

Definition: Parkinson’s Law (for meetings)

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Parkinson’s Law (for meetings)

Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.

 

In other words, if you allot an hour for a half hour meeting, there’s a good chance it will take an hour. That’s not a “law” scientifically, but research has shown this to be true more times than not.

 

From this excellent podcast on how to have better meetings.

https://twitter.com/digitalcitizen/status/1176288845517791233