The Art of Possibility, is quite possibly one of the more interesting reads I have had the pleasure to read in recent days. Coincidently I have been discussing and exploring many of these principles with a few colleagues. I had an idea to provide a new type of service online that led us to similar conclusions as the authors of this book. I find it interesting to see how the authors of the book applied it to educational purposes though while we focused mainly on the business aspects.
The Assumption of Measurement, is probably one of my favorite concepts from the reading. The idea that we are constantly making passive and subconscious decisions of measurement to establish a cognitive narration is thrilling. The text calls upon the reader to ask the following questions:
What assumption am I making, that I'm not aware I'm making, that gives me what I see? What might I now invent, that I haven't yet invented, that would give me other choices?
This switch from a passive state of measurement to a more active state is something that I came across in my research as well. I should take a moment to briefly describe the nature of the new service that I am going to be offering to clients. I began by asking how effective was my presence on the Internet. I have my own website and I use multiple forms of social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc) but I really didn't know how effectively they were branding me as a person on the Internet. So I wanted to develop a strategy of creating an electronic identity that would more accurately portray me at a personal and professional level.
In the second chapter of the book the authors pose yet another question:
How are my thoughts and actions, in this moment a reflection of the measurement world?
Again this was right along the lines of what I was thinking. At this point however I began asking how I could use this idea to make money. I already offer social media campaigns and SEO to companies and organizations, but I wanted to branch out to start helping everyday people as well. Sort of like an online identity tutor that helps people get the most out of their online experience.
At this point in the process my research goes a completely different direction than the book. However I did like the concept of Giving Yourself an A. I think it's an idea, I might begin to implement on my own.
Joshua,
ReplyDeleteThe idea of humans constantly using forms of measurement to compare themselves to others as a way to set personal value was something I focused on as well. It seems to be such a simple concept, yet is one so easily overlooked. Since reading that chapter, I have noticed the compulsion to compare using different forms of measurement.
I am intrigued with your application of these ideas in branding yourself online. I am curious about what you plan to do with the branding. Ignorance, I am sure, about what an individual does with the branding concept. I presume you would be making yourself more identifiable so as to market your skills/products and am interested in knowing more about what you are marketing.
The grading ideas were also of interest to me both as a teacher and as a person. I would like to do some work with that idea and try to incorporate it into my daily life as well as the attitude about mistake and any other potentially negative situation being "fascinating" as an opportunity to learn.