# units

title: Unit 24
subtitle: The Role of Media 2
emoji: 📰
status: available
description:
  چامسکی تاریخچه تبلیغات دولتی رو از ویلسون تا هیتلر بررسی می‌کنه — و نشون می‌ده چطور رسانه ذهن رو کنترل می‌کنه.


title: Unit 31
subtitle: Emotionally Intelligent Husbands
emoji: 💞
status: available
description:
  دکتر گاتمن: شوهرهای هوش هیجانی نسل بعدی تکامل اجتماعی‌ان — احترام، نقشه دنیای همسر و تمرکز روی "ما" به جای "من".


# lessons

slug: a-kiss
title: A Kiss
emoji: 💋
level: Level 1 · Lesson 1
text:
  Carlos buys a new car. It's a very expensive car. It's a huge, blue, fast car. While driving down the street, Carlos sees a girl on a bicycle. She has long blond hair and is beautiful.

  He yells to her, "What's up?"
  She ignores him.
  He yells, "How's it going?"
  She keeps going and ignores him.
  He yells, "Hey, why won't you talk to me? I want to go to dinner with you. I'll take you to an expensive restaurant."

  The girl turns, gets off the bike, and looks at him. She says, "I don't want to go to dinner. But if you give me your car, I will give you a surprise."

  Carlos says, "OK!" He jumps out of the car. He gives her the keys and says, "Here are the keys."

  The beautiful blond takes the keys and then kisses Carlos on the cheek. Then she jumps into the car and drives away.

  Carlos stands on the sidewalk. Now he has no car and no girl. He says, "That's it, just a kiss on the cheek?"

  He gets on her bike and rides home.


slug: secret-love
title: Secret Love
emoji: 💌
level: Level 1 · Lesson 2
text:
  I am a single woman in my early 30s who has never been married. I recently fell in love with a wonderful man with whom I spend a great deal of time. He is unaware of the intensity of my feelings, and I'm afraid of telling him out of fear of rejection.

  There are a couple of additional concerns: He is 15 years my senior and a medical doctor. I am a social worker in a lower economic class. In addition, we are of different religions, but we have similar spiritual beliefs and values. He is also my co-worker.

  I am very interested in pursuing a deeper relationship with this man, but would like to hear your advice first. Thank you for your thoughts on this.

  -- LONGING FOR MORE IN CHICAGO


slug: changed
title: Changed
emoji: 💔
level: Level 1 · Lesson 3
text:
  My husband of 39 years no longer hugs me or shows me any affection. I have seen him through cancer and diabetes. We have four grown children, and we have been seeing a therapist for a year and a half. He is kind, generous and friendly, but there are no compliments or any of the flirtatious banter we used to enjoy.

  He swears he's not having an affair, and he doesn't know why he has changed. Perhaps you do?

  -- GRACE IN PHOENIX


slug: intimacy
title: Intimacy
emoji: 💑
level: Level 1 · Lesson 4
text:
  My husband, "James," and I have been married only three years. We are both in our 20s. Everything is really great between us -- except our sex life. As far as he is concerned that's fine, too, but I am not satisfied. It may seem odd to hear the female wants to have sex more frequently than a young and healthy male, but that's the case in our relationship.

  Abby, I work with the public and I get frequent remarks about what a beautiful woman I am. This makes it hard for me to believe that I don't attract him at all. I have expressed many times that I wish we were more intimate. I have even expressed it to him in more than one letter, hoping to reach him.

  I am at a total loss as to how to make him realize how important this is to me. Is there something wrong with my body? I just don't know who to turn to for advice on this subject. Please help me.

  -- SHORT ON INTIMACY IN OHIO


slug: drag
title: Drag
emoji: 🏢
level: Level 1 · Lesson 5
text:
  Twenty years ago, my sister and I bought a business from our mother. We all love and respect one another and get along well. We will be finished paying off the business in two years.

  Our problem: Mom, who is now 77, still draws a salary from us above and beyond the payment for the business. Her workload has lessened greatly, as it should. She could do all of her work in one day and lessen the burden of her salary. However, she says she'd "go crazy" if she retired. We don't want that. She could still come in as often as she wants and do her personal paperwork, banking, letter-writing, reading, etc. These are all things she does at "work" -- on the clock.

  If we try to discuss this, Mom gets hurt and says, "Just let me know when I'm not worth the money." We don't want to do that. We would hope she would see the fairness of this and suggest it herself.

  Business expenses are going through the roof, and there are updates we should make, but we can't do it as long as we are paying Mom at the level we are, on top of the money for the buy-out.

  -- DAUGHTERS DEAREST


slug: bubbas-food
title: Bubba's Food
emoji: 🐱
level: Level 1 · Lesson 6
text:
  Sara Smith, who lives in San Francisco, went shopping for cat food.

  Sara is 30, and lives at 3037 Market St. She has lived there since 1990. Sara is married. She is married to a man named John. She has been married for 7 years.

  They have two children, and one very big cat. Their son Bob is five years old and their daughter Nancy is three. Their cat, Bubba, is 2 years old. Bubba is huge. He weighs 258 pounds (117 kilos)!

  At 9am, Sara got into her car and drove to the pet store. She bought 68 bags of cat food for $10 each plus tax. The regular price was $15, so she got a good deal. The total was $680. She paid by credit card.

  On her way home, Sara stopped at a convenience store to buy milk. Bubba loves milk. The milk was $3.00 for one gallon, and Sara bought 30 gallons. She paid $100 and got $10 back in change.

  Sara got home at 11 a.m. Bubba was waiting at the door. He was very hungry.


slug: day-of-the-dead
title: Day of the Dead
emoji: 💀
level: Level 1 · Lesson 7
text:
  I arrive in Guatemala on The Day of the Dead, November 1st. I'm curious about this holiday, so I go to the cemetery to see what's happening. What I find is quite interesting.

  The atmosphere is like a party. There are people everywhere. Families are sitting around the graves of their dead ancestors. They clean the graves and add fresh flowers. I walk through the cemetery and admire the beauty of all the colorful flowers.

  There is also color in the sky, because many kids are flying kites. Some families are having a picnic next to the graves. They eat, drink, and chat together. People laugh and smile.

  In the Unites States, cemeteries are always somber. We certainly never have festivals or parties next to graves. We don't laugh or play music or fly kites in cemeteries either.

  I find that I prefer the Guatemalan approach. I like the way they remember and celebrate those who have passed away. I like that they acknowledge death, instead of denying it the way Americans do. I like that there is life, as well as death, in their cemeteries.

  Guatemalans call it "The Day of the Dead", but it is also a day to appreciate life.


slug: bad-choices
title: Bad Choices
emoji: 💔
level: Level 2 · Lesson 8
text:
  Dear Dr. Tracy,

  I am a 33 year old divorced woman with four kids. I was married for 12 years and I have been divorced for approximately 3 years. I met my new boyfriend during my divorce. We hit it off and have been together ever since. He is a 44 year old divorced man. When I met him he had been divorced for 2 years. Well, I met his ex-wife and she seemed to be an okay person. What I found out 3 months into my relationship with him was that he was fooling around with his ex-wife again-- who also at this time had a boyfriend of her own. I figured that since I did not have a committed relationship with him, I had no place to say anything. The problem is it continued further into our relationship, up to the point when I found out I was pregnant. At the same time I found out that he and his ex-wife planned to go to his family reunion together. Of course before all of this, I drove by his house one night and saw her car parked outside his home. The excuse I got after all of this was that they were considering getting back together. I thought it was very funny that as soon as she met me, she found interest in him again.

  I guess my issue is the fact that now I am still in this relationship. I have brought a child into this nonsense and I hate the fact that he keeps in contact with her. My boyfriend has taken responsibility for her son from a previous relationship. His excuse for having so much contact with his ex-wife is because of that boy. I know this is not true but I have no real proof otherwise. I have also dealt with him taking women to hotels and my gut tells me it was her, but he promises it was not her.

  I have tried to get over all the cheating. I know that she is very close to his family and I also know that his family does not like me because I stand up for myself. I guess the bottom line is knowing how much contact his ex-wife has with him and the fact that he knows I can't stand her. Am I in a weird relationship with a man that wants to have his cake and eat it too? Or am I being paranoid and need to trust him when he says he does not want her. I have never had so much animosity towards two people in my life. I do love this man, but I feel like I have put myself back in an unhealthy relationship with a man that is trying to lie to me.

  To be totally honest, now that I have his child I even hate the fact that he helps her son. She never has to ask for anything regarding that boy, but I have to constantly remind him when our son needs something. He does it for the other boy without thinking, but my son is a second thought even when I have said, "Look at your son. He is in dire need." I was married to a cheating man and hooked up with another cheating man. I wonder if it's just my bad choices in men.

  Bad Choices


slug: double-standard
title: Double Standard
emoji: ⚖️
level: Level 2 · Lesson 9
text:
  FAMILY IS UNEASY WHEN ONE SISTER DATES OTHER'S EX-LOVER

  DEAR ABBY:

  My sister, "Jane," and I are both in our mid-50s. Jane has had numerous affairs over the past several years after her third divorce, and was involved in an "intimate relationship" with a terrific man, "Will," that lasted about three months. Jane broke up with Will several months after she decided he wasn't what she was looking for, and she's presently engaged to be married to a very nice man ("Sam") and seems very happy.

  I dated Will several times before he and Jane became involved. We weren't intimate at that time, and we started seeing each other again over the last month. This time we have fallen in love.

  My problem is Jane is upset that Will and I are together and says I have "betrayed" her. She is worried about having her former and current lovers present at family gatherings, and our parents are also concerned. They say it's "just weird." The fact that my sister was intimate with Will doesn't bother me or Will, but it sure bothers them.

  Abby, I have always been the "good girl" in the family and bowed to their pressure, but my relationship with Will is more than I could have ever imagined, and I don't want to give up my future happiness just to make my sister and my parents more comfortable. My adult children have all met and approve of Will and our relationship, but Jane and my parents won't budge. Any suggestions?

  -- WANTS WILL IN WALLA WALLA, WASH.

  DEAR WANTS WILL: Perhaps it's time to stop being the "good girl," begin acting like a woman who knows what she wants, and confront the double standard in your family. If your sister was "sophisticated" enough to have serial affairs, and your parents have been so worldly they have turned a blind eye to it, then they should all be adult enough to realize that you are entitled to your happiness, too.

  Although this may make for some awkward first few family gatherings, as grown-ups, everyone should be able to get past it. But if they can't, you are going to have to decide whether you want this man, or to be a people-pleaser for the rest of your life.

  Double Standard


slug: greek-family
title: Greek Family
emoji: 🏛️
level: Level 2 · Lesson 10
text:
  WOMAN WILL NEVER BE GREEK ENOUGH FOR HUSBAND'S FAMILY

  DEAR ABBY:

  I married a Greek man whose family never accepted me. Being young and naive, I tried everything to fit in, converting from Catholicism to the Greek Orthodox faith, attending all family functions, including them in our lives. It was never enough.

  My husband and I traveled to Crete with his family to visit his relatives there, and some extended family members refused to share the dinner table with me because I was not Greek. One of those family members was a priest!

  Our daughter, "Athena," was born four years later. What broke the camel's back for me was a Christmas dinner when she was 6. My father-in-law gave cards with $100 to all the grandchildren of Greek heritage. Athena received nothing and cried for hours wanting to know why her grandfather didn't love her. My husband just tried to stay neutral.

  Abby, how far should someone have to go to fit in with their husband's family?

  -- IRISH AGAIN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

  Greek Family


slug: longtime-affair
title: Longtime Affair
emoji: 💍
level: Level 2 · Lesson 11
text:
  LONGTIME AFFAIR APPEARS SET TO LAST FOR LONG TIME TO COME

  DEAR ABBY:

  I'm married; he's married. We're in love and have been for eight years. We've tried breaking it off several times over the years, but a force bigger than both of us keeps bringing us back together.

  I never believed in soulmates or true love until we met. Our love is deep and unconditional; our roots are intertwined. It's a shame that it happened late in life, but it happened nonetheless. He treats me like a queen.

  Neither of us is leaving our spouses or family. We are both in our 50s and sometimes act like we're in our 20s. It's magical!

  Is it wrong? Do we go on until something changes? Do we try for the 100th time to break away? An affair, no matter how you slice it, will never be accepted in the eyes of traditional society, so it will be perceived as unacceptable. What's your opinion?

  -- BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEWILDERED IN NEW YORK

  Longtime Affair


slug: lost-custody
title: Lost Custody
emoji: 👶
level: Level 2 · Lesson 12
text:
  YOUNG MOTHER IS FRIGHTENED BY THREAT OF LOST CUSTODY

  DEAR ABBY:

  I am 22 years old and have been married 17 months. "Derek" and I have a 23-month-old son. Derek hasn't worked for about a year and refuses to help support our family. He also belittles me whenever he talks to me. I am not happy in this marriage, but I am not sure what to do about it.

  On our honeymoon, Derek told me if I ever divorced him that he'd make sure he would get custody of our son. And his mom already said that she would tell the judge that I was an unfit mother.

  My son is my world, Abby. He doesn't even let his daddy hold him, so I know he wouldn't be better off with Derek. But because I am on disability, I don't know if I have a good chance of getting custody if I leave. I don't feel Derek loves me or my son.

  What should I do? Stick it out with my husband or take the chance of losing my son?

  -- TRAPPED IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

  Lost Custody


slug: obsessive-behavior
title: Obsessive Behavior
emoji: 🧼
level: Level 2 · Lesson 13
text:
  PARENTS DENY PROBABLE CAUSE OF SON'S OBSESSIVE BEHAVIOR

  DEAR ABBY:

  My nephew, "Vincent," is 16 and has had problems with obsessive handwashing for years. I have enough professional experience to strongly suspect that he suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

  My brother and his wife refuse to believe their child has a problem and will not take him to get help. My nephew's hands are chafed and raw, and his parents reprimand him for this behavior when he really needs professional help.

  His mother is the biggest problem. She nixes all issues that suggest a problem, and my brother will not stand up to her. What can I do?

  -- WORRIED AUNT IN FLORIDA

  Obsessive Behavior


slug: nudist
title: Nudist
emoji: 😳
level: Level 2 · Lesson 14
text:
  NEIGHBORS GET AN EYEFUL WHEN NUDIST STEPS OUTSIDE

  DEAR ABBY:

  We have a male neighbor I'll call "Flash" who frequently walks out to get his newspaper -- or the mail, or to retrieve something from his car -- while he's as naked as the day he was born. (He's in his late 50s and divorced.)

  Some of the women in the neighborhood know not to look toward Flash's home if they're out for a walk. They have discovered that he is most likely in the buff, standing at his glass door or sitting at his front office computer with the door open.

  Flash is otherwise a likable and helpful neighbor. We hesitate to say anything. We do not want to say anything that might destroy that relationship. It's not against the law to be a nudist, or for a woman to go topless in public in this city. However, to see a fella streak to his car is a little surprising and unsettling, even for another adult.

  In the normal course of things, he may be spotted in the nude once a week. I can only assume this goes on daily, but thankfully, our paths don't cross more than once a week. Is this something we should be concerned about?

  -- STARTLED IN AUSTIN, TEXAS

  Nudist


slug: meddling-mother-in-law
title: Meddling Mother-In-Law
emoji: 👩‍👧
level: Level 2 · Lesson 15
text:
  WIFE READY TO WASH HER HANDS OF MEDDLING MOTHER-IN-LAW

  DEAR ABBY:

  How do I politely tell my mother-in-law to stop doing my laundry? It all started when I was on bed rest due to my pregnancy. I didn't mind her doing an occasional load to help us out. But now she does it anytime she's over to watch the kids.

  I'm very picky about how I do my laundry, and this is the main reason I don't want her doing it. Also, I'd prefer she spend time playing with the kids than with the laundry!

  She also puts things away in the wrong places. She does it with my dishes, too. Once I told her not to worry about my laundry because I wasn't done sorting it. She took it upon herself to do it anyway.

  She's very strong-willed. My husband and I have had problems with her not respecting our parenting, too. She often takes things the wrong way. What's the best way for us to tell her that her help is not needed?

  -- DIRTY FAMILY LAUNDRY

  Meddling Mother-In-Law


slug: tpr-listen-first
title: TPR & Listen First
emoji: 🎯
level: Level 3 · Lesson 16
text:
  Foreign language study has not been as successful as it should be. In fact, students are dropping like flies from foreign language programs. J.H. Lawson reports that the dropout rate in foreign language programs for American high school students is as high as 85% by the third year and 95% by the fourth year.

  Another study by John B. Carroll found that students who had studied for two years had a less than satisfactory proficiency as measured by standardized tests, which means that the first two years did not allow the student to become proficient enough to hold a conversation in the language. L.A. Jakobovits also found that most students who study foreign languages will probably never become fluent. Not only will most students have low proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening-- they will actually experience negative learning. That is, they will learn to avoid the foreign language and culture at all costs. This is because of the many frustrations and failures they experience during their foreign language study.

  Perhaps the major reason for the lack of success of foreign language programs is the method used. The audio-lingual and grammar-analysis methods are popular approaches that came into wide use after World War II. These methods consist of memorizing grammar rules and dialogues and engaging in pattern practice drills. These methods do not produce communicative skill because language is "creative" and therefore theoretically infinite. Consequently, it is logical to conclude that since language has infinite possibilities, the methods of language instruction should teach the student to communicate creatively. A number of powerful methods have been effective doing just that. These include TPR, TPRS, Focal Skills, ALG, The Natural Approach, and The Effortless Way.

  The first of these, TPR, was created by Dr. James Asher. TPR stands for "Total Physical Response". Learning a language through TPR approximates the acquisition of your native language. This acquisition follows the order of listening first, and then speaking. Finally, the learner learns to read and write. In the receptive listening stage, the child hears different "sounds" such as "Pick up your truck", or "Drink your water". As the child hears these "sounds", they physically respond. After a period of perhaps 12 to 18 months, the child begins to speak. At this point, understanding is far in advance of speaking and it will remain that way for many, many years.

  In TPR speech and writing are delayed until comprehension has been extensively internalized. Research by Valerian Potovosky supports the theory that delaying speech is beneficial. The results of his research show that overall proficiency in Russian was significantly better when oral practice was delayed at the beginning of language instruction until comprehension of spoken Russian was extensively internalized. This learning method is often called a "listen first" approach.

  In sum, research and educational experience show that traditional grammar-analysis methods fail up to 95% of the students who are taught using them. Natural methods, especially those that use a "listen first" approach, are much more powerful and effective.

  Therefore, when learning English or any other foreign language, focus most of your energy on listening until you can quite easily understand native speakers using the language. Only after that should you change your focus to speaking or writing. As for reading, it is an ideal supplement to listening activity as long as listening remains the major focus.

  If you are an intermediate or advance learner, but feel that your listening skills are weak-- its best to go back to square one and focus on listening for 6 months or more-- until you can understand native speakers well. Then you can return to extensive reading, writing, and speaking.

  TPR & Listen First


slug: storytelling
title: Storytelling
emoji: 📖
level: Level 3 · Lesson 17
text:
  TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling)

  "Suppose you want to remember a list of words... you will more readily remember the words if you make a sentence or sentences connecting the words in the form of a short story. You would remember it even better if the story was easy to visualize and best of all if you could picture a story that was dramatic, or vulgar, or comic, or in some way involved your emotions.

  A story is in fact a good mnemonic, and the more elaborate the story the better. A story links words to be remembered and it causes you to build up scenes that have visual, aural, and sensory associations for you." (Collin Rose, 1985)

  While Effortless English is simple, it is also, in fact, designed according to research-proven methods. The major emphasis of the Effortless English approach is to help students acquire English thoroughly and effectively.

  One way to do this is with mini-stories. At first glance, the mini-stories may seem silly. They are usually kind of foolish and are quite simple. Another thing that may seem strange is that I ask a lot of questions as I retell the story. These questions can seem redundant, ridiculously easy, or pointless. But they have a purpose.

  The mini-stories are structured to help you more deeply remember the new vocabulary. I use silly or exaggerated stories because they are easier to visualize; and visualization aids memory. I use short and fairly simple stories because they are also easier to remember and picture. They are also easier for the learner to repeat and retell.

  The questions, likewise, have a purpose. First, the questions provide more repetition of the target vocabulary. Repetition is important.

  Various research shows that we need to hear and see a new word about 30+ times, in a meaningful and understandable context, to remember it and be able to use it. The questions increase your exposure to these new words-- getting you closer to the needed 30+ repetitions.

  Another purpose of the questions is to force your brain to participate in the story. As you listen, you should try to immediately answer the questions as I ask them. This will trigger your memory more quickly than if you just passively listen.

  By working through all of the Effortless English system you will learn new words, phrases, and grammar forms more thoroughly. Read the articles and scan the word list. Listen to the articles several times. Listen to the vocabulary lesson a couple of times. Listen to the mini-story several times- and quickly answer the questions as I ask them. After completing the mini-story, stop your iPod and try to retell the story out loud, in your own words- trying to use the new vocabulary as much as possible.

  By following all the steps, you will learn the new material thoroughly and completely-- not just at a surface level.

  You will then find it much easier to actually use what you have learned.

  Storytelling


slug: new-years-resolutions
title: New Year's Resolutions
emoji: 🎆
level: Level 3 · Lesson 18
text:
  So, have you made your New Year's resolutions? What are your goals for the coming year? Do you have formal, written resolutions- or just a vague plan?

  The tradition of the New Year's Resolutions goes all the way back to 153 BC. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was placed at the head of the calendar.

  With two faces, Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans asked for forgiveness from their enemies and also exchanged gifts before the beginning of each year.

  The New Year has not always begun on January 1, and it doesn't begin on that date everywhere today. It begins on that date only for cultures that use a 365-day solar calendar. January 1 became the beginning of the New Year in 46 B.C., when Julius Caesar developed a calendar that would more accurately reflect the seasons than previous calendars had.

  The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances. He was always depicted with two faces, one on the front of his head and one on the back. Thus he could look backward and forward at the same time. At midnight on December 31, the Romans imagined Janus looking back at the old year and forward to the new. The Romans began a tradition of exchanging gifts on New Year's Eve by giving one another branches from sacred trees for good fortune. Later, nuts or coins imprinted with the god Janus became more common New Year's gifts.

  A New Year's resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until the goal has been achieved, although many resolutions go unachieved and are often broken fairly shortly after they are set.

  Many New Year resolutions in the Western world involve maintaining peak vitality, physical fitness, or appearance. For example, one person's goal might be to reduce or to eliminate intake of alcohol or tobacco.

  The most common new year's resolution is weight loss. A student may make a resolution to stay focused in class or to complete all of his assignments. Resolutions to eat sensibly or increase exercise are also quite common.

  New Year's Resolutions


slug: worthy-goals
title: Worthy Goals
emoji: 🎯
level: Level 3 · Lesson 19
text:
  There I was, trapped in a tiny office, staring at the clock. Time seemed to go at a glacial pace. I turned back to the computer, put my hands on the keyboard, and stared at the screen. I sat like that for hours- doing no work. But if someone walked by my office, it looked like I was working on the computer.

  Day after day, I did the same mind numbing routine. It was the most miserable job I ever had-- working for IBM.

  Is it possible to make a living in an honest, inspiring, interesting way? Is it possible to have freedom and autonomy in one's work life? Does work have to be boring and degrading?

  Last night I watched the movie "Office Space", a comedy about office workers. It was very funny because it was so true. As I watched, I remembered my experiences working for IBM- many years ago. The movie captured the sterility, the numbness, and the pointlessness perfectly.

  Sadly, most jobs are like this. Most jobs, in my opinion, are factories of degradation. The workers' spirit and soul are crushed. Over time, people who work in such jobs become empty- depressed, heartless, and boring. Hakim Bey once wrote that "work is the most oppressive force we face, the greatest source of misery in our lives." This has certainly been true for me. I hated my job at IBM. I hated the sterility. I hated the insincerity. I hated the drab offices. I hated the boredom and humiliation.

  Since then, I've been on a quest for a better livelihood. I've been searching and searching for a good job- for something I love to do. I found that in teaching English. I love doing it. I love working with the students. They excite and inspire me. I love my time in the classroom.

  Being an English teacher is much better than working for IBM, but its still not what I consider a "Right Livelihood". As an employee, I must still follow administrator's rules. I must still use their textbooks, even when i think they are terrible. As an employee, there is always an element of humiliation, always a whiff of command and control.

  After many years of searching and thinking, I now believe that self-employment is the only way to have a right livelihood. You simply must be your own boss or you will never be able to live according to your own principles. Truthfully, this is the major reason I launched Effortless English. I was sick of teaching the way other people wanted me to teach, sick of using useless textbooks, and sick of expensive schools that failed their students.

  I suddenly realized that I had to take the risk and follow my heart. I had to have the freedom to do what I loved.

  Its a little scary when you start to pursue your dream. There are no guarantees. People tell you that you are crazy. The spectre of failure always hangs over you. For the first time in your life you and only you are responsible-- completely responsible.

  I once read that a worthy and powerful goal should both terrify and inspire you. If you don't feel both excited and scared, its probably not a worthy goal. I agree. Perhaps you also have big dreams. Maybe you also dream of starting your own business.. or writing a book.. or going on a great adventure.. or asking out a girl or guy... or studying abroad. Perhaps you've hesitated to try because actually pursuing the dream terrifies you. Or maybe the fear of failure scares you.

  If so, you should realize that this is good. The fear is good. Your terror is a good sign, it means you have chosen a worthy goal.

  My best advice to you is the accept that fear. Accept it, but don't let it stop you. Whatever your dream, be terrified, but don't give up. Be terrified, and then do it.

  Because the best antidote to fear- is action.

  Worthy Goals


slug: validation
title: Validation
emoji: 📊
level: Level 3 · Lesson 20
text:
  I'm sitting at the table in my apartment, looking out the window. I turn back to the papers stacked in front of me. "Interesting", I say, "very interesting".

  I glance over the test scores again-- the pre-test numbers, the post-test numbers, and the amount each student improved.

  "Good, good", I say as I notice that all of the students improved over the course of the semester. All the post-test scores are higher than the pre-test scores. Most students improved by a couple of points... but my eyes are drawn to two sets of numbers.. two names: Kyoung and Jin. These two students improved dramatically more than all of the others. Their post-test scores show a big jump.

  "What did they do differently?", I ask myself.

  At the final class, I ask them. Since all of the students had the same in-class experience, I focus on what they did outside of class. Most students followed traditional study methods. They studied textbooks. They used vocabulary books. They went to traditional English (ESL) classes.

  But Kyoung and Jin followed a different approach. In fact, they actually followed the method I continually harangued the class about. They focused on repeated listening and reading for fun. Both students said they took my advice seriously and therefore listened to English podcasts and audio articles 1-2 hours every day. Kyoung joined The Linguist and faithfully uses their system. Both students also read for fun-- mostly "easy" materials such as "National Geographic For Kids", adolescent novels, etc.

  In TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) jargon, these two exceptional students followed an "input-based approach". The bulk of their study time was spent reading and listening to understandable and interesting English materials.

  Most students and schools follow an "analysis-based approach". The bulk of their time is spent analyzing the language, breaking it apart, memorizing grammar "rules", and doing drills.

  Plenty of research shows that input-based methods are faster and more effective than analysis-based methods. I knew this- which is why I always nag and cajole my students to focus on comprehensible input. But it was still thrilling to see this knowledge illustrated quantitatively, in such dramatic fashion, by my own students.

  The truly interesting part is that the pre and post-test I gave them (The Michigan Test) measures listening, vocabulary, and grammar. I'm not surprised that Kyoung and Jin improved their listening skill. But that section was only 20% of the test. The remaining 80% tested both vocabulary and grammar. In other words, their vocabulary improved dramatically faster than the students who specifically studied vocabulary books and lists. Their grammar improved dramatically faster than the students who specifically studied grammar textbooks.

  This is not an isolated incident. Many research studies replicate these findings (see www.sdkrashen.com for the most thorough summary of these). In study after study, input-based approaches beat analysis-based approaches- as measured by general English tests, such as the TOEFL, TOEIC, or Michigan Test. These tests measure vocabulary, grammar, listening, and in some cases, speaking and writing.

  Though I'm aware of this research, I've never seen this phenomenon so starkly illustrated in person in a quantitative way-- mostly because I've never had the opportunity to pre and post-test my students.

  These results are a small but powerful validation of my own teaching approach- and the methods I continually exhort my students to follow.

  I will now carry this plea to you: Do not analyze English. Do not use analysis-based methods. Do not rely on textbooks. Do not focus on grammar rules.

  Use an input-based method. Listen to understandable English. Listen repeatedly. Listen one hour every day and listen every day. And read. Read a lot. But don't read textbooks. Read easy materials that are fun and interesting to you.

  Many students, for some reason, don't follow my advice. But those that do, such as Kyoung and Jin, improve much more quickly than those who don't.

  Follow this method, and you too will improve faster, just like Kyoung and Jin.

  Validation


slug: no-belief
title: No Belief
emoji: 🤔
level: Level 3 · Lesson 21
text:
  This remark was made, in these very words, by John Gribbin, physics editor of New Scientist magazine, in a BBC-TV debate with Malcolm Muggeridge, and it provoked incredulity on the part of most viewers. It seems to be a hangover of the medieval Catholic era that causes most people, even the educated, to think that everybody must "believe" something or other, that if one is not a theist, one must be a dogmatic atheist, and if one does not think Capitalism is perfect, one must believe fervently in Socialism, and if one does not have blind faith in X, one must alternatively have blind faith in not-X or the reverse of X.

  My own opinion is that belief is the death of intelligence. As soon as one believes a doctrine of any sort, or assumes certitude, one stops thinking about that aspect of existence. The more certitude one assumes, the less there is left to think about, and a person sure of everything would never have any need to think about anything and might be considered clinically dead under current medical standards, where absence of brain activity is taken to mean that life has ended.

  My attitude is identical to that of Dr. Gribbin and the majority of physicists today, and is known in physics as "the Copenhagen Interpretation," because it was formulated in Copenhagen by Dr. Niels Bohr and his co-workers between 1926-28. The Copenhagen Interpretation is sometimes called "model agnosticism" and says that any grid we use to organize our experience of the world is a model of the world and should not be confused with the world itself. Alfred Korzybski tried to popularize this outside physics with the slogan, "The map is not the territory." Alan Watts, a talented Oriental philosopher, restated it more vividly as "The menu is not the meal."

  Belief in the traditional sense, or certitude, or dogma, amounts to the grandiose delusion, "My current model" -- "contains the whole universe and will never need to be revised." In terms of the history of science and knowledge in general, this appears absurd and arrogant to me, and I am perpetually astonished that so many people still manage to live with such a medieval attitude.

  Briefly, the main thing I have learned in my life is that "reality" is always plural and mutable.

  "Reality" is a word in the English language which is (a) a noun and (b) singular. Thinking in the English language (and in many Indo-European languages) therefore subliminally programs us to imagine "reality" as one entity, sort of like a huge New York skyscraper, in which every part is just another "room" within the same building. This linguistic program is so pervasive that most people cannot "think" outside it at all, and when one tries to offer a different perspective they imagine one is talking gibberish.

  The notion that "reality" is a noun, a solid thing like a brick or a baseball bat, derives from the biological fact that our nervous systems normally organize the dance of energy into such block-like "things," probably as instant survival cues. Such "things," however, dissolve back into energy dances -- processes or verbs -- when the nervous system is joined with certain drugs or transmuted by spiritual exercises or aided by scientific instruments. In both mysticism and physics, there is general agreement that "things" are constructed by our nervous systems and that "realities" (plural) are better described as systems or bundles of energy functions.

  So much for "reality" as a noun. The notion that "reality" is singular, like a sealed jar, does not jibe with current scientific findings which, in this century, suggest that "reality" may better be considered as flowing and meandering, like a river, or interacting, like a dance or evolving, like life itself.

  Most philosophers have known, at least since around 500 B.C., that the world perceived by our senses is not "the real world" but a construct we create -- our own private work of art. Modern science beginning with Galileo's demonstration that color is not "in" objects but "in" the interaction of our senses with object, understands that "reality" is created by our own brains.

  No Belief


slug: mind-maps
title: Mind Maps
emoji: 🧠
level: Level 3 · Lesson 22
text:
  A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks or other items linked to and arranged radially around a central key word or idea. It is used to generate, visualize, structure and classify ideas, and as an aid in study, organization, problem solving, and decision making.

  It is an image-centered diagram that represents semantic or other connections between portions of information. By presenting these connections in a radial, non-linear graphical manner, it encourages a brainstorming approach to any given organizational task.

  The elements are arranged intuitively according to the importance of the concepts and they are organized into groupings, branches, or areas. The graphic formulation of the information may aid recall of existing memories.

  Mind maps have many applications in personal, family, educational, and business situations, including notetaking, brainstorming, summarizing, revising and general clarifying of thoughts. For example, one could listen to a lecture and take down notes using mind maps for the most important points or keywords. One can also use mind maps as a mnemonic technique or to sort out a complicated idea. Mind maps are also promoted as a way to collaborate.

  Software and technique research have concluded that managers and students find the techniques of mind mapping to be useful, being better able to retain information and ideas than by using traditional 'linear' note taking methods.

  Mindmaps can be drawn by hand, either as 'rough notes', for example, during a lecture or meeting, or can be more sophisticated in quality. There are also a number of software packages available for producing mind maps.

  Mind map guidelines

  Tony Buzan suggests using the following guidelines for Mind Mapping:

  1. Start in the center with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colors.
  2. Use images, symbols, and codes throughout your Mind Map.
  3. Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters.
  4. Each word/image must be alone and sitting on its own line.
  5. The lines must be connected, starting from the central image. The central lines are thicker, organic and flowing, becoming thinner as they radiate out from the center.
  6. Make the lines the same length as the word/image.
  7. Use colors – your own code – throughout the Mind Map.
  8. Develop your own personal style of Mind Mapping.
  9. Use emphasis and show associations in your Mind Map.
  10. Keep the Mind Map clear by using radial hierarchy, numerical order or outlines to organize your branches.

  Mind Maps


slug: media-1
title: The Role of Media 1
emoji: 📺
level: Level 3 · Lesson 23
text:
  What is the role of the media in contemporary society? To answer this, we have to ask: what is meant by the media? And in what sense are we using the word "democratic"?

  Let's begin by counter-posing two different conceptions of democracy. One conception of democracy has it that a democratic society is one in which the public has the means to participate in some meaningful way in the management of their own affairs and the means of information are open and free.

  An alternative conception of democracy is one in which the public must be barred from managing their own affairs and the means of information must be kept narrowly and rigidly controlled. That may sound like an odd conception of democracy, but it's the prevailing conception.

  The way it is put by one of the leading democratic theorists, Walter Lippmann — he's a major American intellectual of the 20th century — is that what he called a "revolution in the art of democracy" can be used to "manufacture consent." That is, to bring about agreement on the part of the public for things that they don't want.

  The logic is clear: the public are a "bewildered herd" — and we have to protect ourselves from the "trampling and roar of the bewildered herd." The responsible men, the "specialised class," must make decisions and must be insulated from the public. The public is to be distracted and kept out of the way.

  In this system, the media serves the interests of state and corporate power. The media works in a system of filters — it screens out what is not acceptable, passes through what is.

  The choices made by editors, reporters, commentators are largely within the framework that is set. The propaganda model, as we call it, suggests that the media functions to mobilize support for special interests that dominate state and private activity.

  Now in what sense is this "free" press? Well, in the narrow sense: there is no official censorship. Anyone can say anything they want. But the filtering system, the way the media is structured, largely guarantees that the "right" point of view will prevail — that the specialised class, the responsible men, will keep to the narrative, will frame the issues in the right way, will treat acceptable and unacceptable notions accordingly.

  This is the role of media in contemporary society: not to inform, but to disinform — to manufacture consent, to marginalize dissent, to keep the bewildered herd from trampling the managers of society.

  The Role of Media 1


slug: media-2
title: The Role of Media 2
emoji: 📰
level: Level 3 · Lesson 24
text:
  Early History of Propaganda

  by Noam Chomsky

  Let's begin with the first modern government propaganda. That was by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson's government. Woodrow Wilson was elected President in 1916 on the slogan "Peace Without Victory". That was right in the middle of World War I. The population was extremely pacifistic and saw no reason to become involved in a European war. Wilson's government was actually committed to war and had to do something about it.

  They created a government propaganda commission, named the Creel Commission, which succeeded within six months in turning a pacifistic population into a hysterical, war-mongering population... a population that wanted to destroy everything German, tear the Germans limb from limb, go to war, and save the world.

  That was a major achievement, and it led to a further achievement. Right at that time and after the war, the same techniques were used to whip up a hysterical Communist (Red) Scare-- which succeeded pretty much in destroying unions and eliminating such dangerous problems as freedom of the press and freedom of political thought. There was very strong support from the media and the business establishment, which in fact organized much of this. In general, it was a great success.

  Among those who participated actively and enthusiastically in Wilson's war were the progressive intellectuals, a circle that took great pride, as you can see from their own writings at the time, in having shown that what they called the "more intelligent members of society" (themselves) were able to drive a reluctant population into a war by terrifying them and eliciting fanaticism.

  The means used were extensive. For example, there was a lot of fabrication of atrocities by the Germans-- Belgian babies with their arms torn off, all sorts of awful things that you still read in history books. Much of it was invented by the British propaganda ministry whose goal was to (as they put it) "direct the thought of most of the world".

  But most crucially they wanted to control the thought of the more intelligent members of the United States, who would disseminate the propaganda that they were concocting and convert the pacifistic country to wartime hysteria.

  That worked. It worked very well. And it taught a lesson: State propaganda, when supported by the educated classes, and when no deviation is permitted from it, can have a big affect. It was a lesson learned by Hitler and many others, and it has been pursued to this day.

  The Role of Media 2


slug: cafe-puccini
title: Cafe Puccini
emoji: ☕
level: Level 3 · Lesson 25
text:
  My favorite spot in San Francisco is Cafe Puccini- located in the North Beach neighborhood of the city. North Beach has a long and interesting history. It was originally the neighborhood for Italian immigrants in the city- and even today it has many Italian people, cafes, and restaurants. As a kid, the famous baseball player Joe Dimaggio lived in North Beach.

  The most famous period for the neighborhood, however, was in the late 1950s and the 1960s--when North Beach served as the center of San Francisco's literary renaissance. In particular, North Beach was home to the Beat writers and poets. The Beats developed a new, free, open style of writing. They also challenged the conservative society of America in the 50s, and helped create San Francisco's uniquely liberal culture. Many credit the Beats as the fathers and mothers of the 1960s cultural renaissance in America.

  Among the most famous Beat writers were Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and Gary Snyder- all of whom lived in North Beach at various times in their lives. The focal point of the movement was City Lights Bookstore- owned by the anarchist poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti. In the 1950s, City Lights made history when they published Allen Ginsberg's controversial poem "Howl"- which shocked mainstream Americans at the time. Soon after, Jack Kerouac followed with his books "On The Road" and "The Dharma Bums"-- and the Beat movement was born. Ferlinghetti is still the owner of the bookstore, and City Lights is still a popular independent publisher.

  And North Beach is still home to artists and writers, although it has become much more expensive and now attracts wealthier residents as well as tourists. Even though the literary scene is not what it used to be- North Beach still has many family owned cafes. You'll find artists, writers, poets, entrepreneurs, musicians, businesspeople, and tourists relaxing together in them.

  My favorite is Cafe Puccini, which is named after the Italian opera composer. The cafe owner is Italian. He often plays opera music, and every day he sits at a table in the back and chats with his friends. They hold long animated conversations in Italian, adding to the music of the place.

  I go to that cafe often. I usually get a mocha, find a small table, and then write articles for Effortless English. Sometimes I study a little Spanish or Japanese. Sometimes I read. Sometimes I just watch the people walk by the windows. The staff never seems to mind that I stay a long time- they are always friendly.

  On sunny days I sit at a table on the sidewalk, but now, during the winter, I stay indoors.

  If you get a chance to visit San Francisco, stop by Cafe Puccini. Its located near the intersection of Columbus and Vallejo streets, in North Beach. Be sure to bring a book by Kerouac or Ginsberg. Sit, enjoy the opera music, and relax for a while. No one will hurry you.

  Cafe Puccini


slug: first-battle
title: First Battle
emoji: ⚔️
level: Level 3 · Lesson 26
text:
  A howl from the opposing army..... swords thudded against shields... thunder beat in unison. Hearts pounded. I gripped my sword... and braced the shield against my shoulder. Giddy tendrils raced through my gut and chest....... a wild grin broke upon my face. I began to bounce.... knees spring-like.....standing on toes. A racehorse in the gate.

  A wild shout went up to my left..... I turned to see a wiry warrior clad in sparkling scale and a green cape..... carrying a coffin shaped shield. He strode the front of our lines, turned to our enemies and threw insults against them, "Cowardly vermin of Trimaris, prepare to die"... he shook his sword and our army let out a cackling howl. Goose bumps spread across arms and belly..... I thudded the butt of my (rattan) sword on the inside of the shield.... our lines advanced.

  The enemy continued drumming their shields, and likewise strode forward. Full of adrenaline, eyes wide with awe, muscles tense as steel....... I approached my first battle... almost forgetting that none of this was "real". No one would die. No one would kill.

  This was my introduction to the SCA, or the "Society for Creative Anachronism". The SCA is a collection of oddballs who dress in medieval clothing, strap on armor, and beat each other with wooden swords. They also dance, sing, and create works of art. The group is a collection of outlandish creatives, hyper-intelligent geeks, talented artists, hammish performers, history buffs, academics, poets, social misfits, and folks who simply refuse to succumb to the drudgery of being "normal". I was a member for nearly ten years.... and loved every minute.

  The heart of the SCA is the weekend "event"..... an affair that revolves around a number of semi-historic activities, usually held at a state park. Typically, a battle or tournament is the centerpiece of the "event". My first battle was small by today's standards..... each army had only 100 people. The group now hosts battles which involve thousands of participants... the largest is held annually in Pennsylvania, in August, and is known as the "Pennsics War". As the Pennsics example implies, SCA groups and events are spread throughout the United States. In fact, the group is growing internationally, especially in Europe. There are also groups in Japan and Korea.

  The SCA divides the US, and the world, into a patchwork of regional organizations, called "kingdoms". Georgia, for example, is part of the "Kingdom of Meridies", which also includes Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi. North and South Carolina are the "Kingdom of Atlantia". California is in the "West Kingdom". Each Kingdom is further divided into local groups, called Baronies or Shires.

  The function of local groups is to host events, welcome newcomers, and teach medieval skills. Skills include arts such as calligraphy, jewelry making, woodworking, and costuming; craft arts such as armoring & blacksmithing; performing arts such as medieval dancing and singing; and martial arts such as hand-to-hand fighting and archery. Most groups host a weekly business meeting and various "guild meetings" to practice these arts.

  Since I joined, the organization has expanded tremendously and is now a full-fledged counter society: with its own government (a monarchy- with rulers chosen by combat), its own economy (some members make a full-time living selling their arts), and its own social system (a system of titles, clans, knights, and nobles). Every member of the SCA develops an alternate persona: a medieval character they become during events.

  The combined effects are stunning. At times, I felt I'd been transported back in time. My first SCA battle produced all the nerves, all the excitement, all the intensity of entering a "real" battle: pounding heart and manic energy and fear of being "killed".

  For some, the SCA is an exercise in living history. Many members are meticulous researchers- accomplished experts in a chosen discipline of history. Others join the group for its unique social characteristics-- its embracement of eccentricity.... its community and camaraderie. But for me, the SCA was an act of jubiliant defiance: an enthusiastic refusal to surrender to tedium.

  I did not, and do not, want to abandon the creative flow of childhood. I am convinced that play.... fantasy and creativity for its own sake... is a deep and profound human need; one we, as adults, must nurture and maintain. Play is not an escape.... it is a celebration. Play is the essence of creativity.

  We, as adults-- for the sake of our happiness and our souls, should re-discover it.

  First Battle


slug: jack-kerouac
title: Jack Kerouac
emoji: 🛣️
level: Level 3 · Lesson 27
text:
  Jack Kerouac was an American novelist, writer, poet, and artist. While enjoying popularity but little critical success during his own lifetime, Kerouac is now considered one of America's most important authors. His spontaneous, confessional prose style inspired many other writers, including Tom Robbins, Lester Bangs, Hunter S. Thompson, and Bob Dylan.

  Kerouac's best known works are On the Road, The Dharma Bums, Big Sur and Visions of Cody.

  He divided most of his adult life between roaming the vast American landscape and living with his mother. Faced with a changing country, Kerouac sought to find his place, eventually rejecting the conservative values of the 1950s. His writing often reflects a desire to break free from society's structures and to find meaning in life.

  This search led him to experiment with drugs and to embark on trips around the world. His books are often credited as the catalyst for the 1960s counterculture.

  Kerouac was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, to a family of French-Canadians.

  Jack didn't start to learn English until the age of six, and at home he and his family spoke French. At an early age, he was profoundly marked by the death of his elder brother Gérard, an event that later prompted him to write the book "Visions of Gerard".

  Kerouac's athletic prowess led him to become a star on his local football team, and this achievement earned him scholarships to Boston College and Columbia University. At Columbia, he wrote several sports articles for the student newspaper, the Columbia Daily Spectator.

  His football scholarship did not pan out and he went to live with an old girlfriend, Edie Parker, in New York. It was in New York that Kerouac met the people with whom he was to journey around the world, the subjects of many of his novels: the "Beat Generation", including Allen Ginsberg, Neal Cassady, and William S. Burroughs. He wrote his first novel, The Town and the City, as well as his most famous work, the seminal On The Road, while living in New York.

  The Town and the City was published in 1950 under the name "John Kerouac" and earned him some respect as a writer. Unlike Kerouac's later work, which established his Beat style, it is heavily influenced by Kerouac's reading of Thomas Wolfe.

  Kerouac wrote constantly but could not find a publisher for his next novel for six years. Building upon previous drafts tentatively titled "The Beat Generation" and "Gone On The Road", Kerouac wrote what is now known as "On the Road" in April, 1951. Publishers rejected the book due to its experimental writing style and its sympathetic tone towards minorities and marginalized social groups of the United States in the 1950s. In 1957, Viking Press purchased the novel, demanding major revisions.

  The book was largely autobiographical, describing Kerouac's road-trip adventures across the United States and Mexico with Neal Cassady. Kerouac's novel is often described as the defining work of the post-World War II.

  In 1954, Kerouac discovered Dwight Goddard's "A Buddhist Bible" at the San Jose Library, which marked the beginning of Kerouac's immersion into Buddhism. He chronicled parts of this, as well as some of his adventures with San Francisco-area poets, in the book The Dharma Bums, published in 1958.

  Kerouac developed a friendship with the Buddhist-Taoist scholar Alan Watts. He also met and had discussions with the famous Japanese Zen Buddhist D.T. Suzuki.

  In 1955 Kerouac wrote a biography of Siddhartha Gautama, entitled Wake Up, which was unpublished during his lifetime but eventually serialized in Tricycle magazine, 1993-95.

  He died on October 21, 1969 at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. His death, at the age of 47, resulted from an internal hemorrhage caused by cirrhosis of the liver, the result of a life of heavy drinking. He was living at the time with his third wife Stella, and his mother Gabrielle. He is buried in his home town of Lowell.

  Jack Kerouac


slug: neo-bedouins
title: Neo-Bedouins
emoji: ☕
level: Level 3 · Lesson 28
text:
  A new breed of worker, fueled by caffeine and using the tools of modern technology, is flourishing in the coffeehouses of San Francisco. Roaming from cafe to cafe and borrowing a name from the nomadic Arabs who wandered freely in the desert, they've come to be known as "bedouins."

  San Francisco's modern-day bedouins are typically armed with laptops and cell phones, paying for their office space and Internet access by buying coffee and muffins.

  San Francisco's bedouins see themselves changing the nature of the workplace, if not the world at large. They see large companies like General Motors laying off workers, contributing to insecurity. And at the same time, they see the Internet providing the tools to start companies on the cheap. In the Bedouin lifestyle, they are free to make their own rules.

  "The San Francisco coffeehouse is the new Palo Alto garage," declares Kevin Burton, 30, who runs his Internet startup "Tailrank" without renting offices. "It's where all the innovation is happening."

  The move toward mobile self employment is also part of what author Daniel Pink identified when he wrote "Free Agent Nation" in 2001.

  "A whole infrastructure has emerged to help people work in this way," Pink said. "Part of it includes places like Kinkos, Office Depot and Staples." It also includes places like Starbucks and independent coffee shops, where Wi-Fi -- wireless Internet access for laptops and other devices -- is available.

  "The infrastructure makes it possible for people to work where they want, when they want, how they want," said Pink.

  Pink calls it "Karl Marx's revenge, where individuals own the means of production. And they can take the means of production and hop from coffee shop to coffee shop."

  "There is nothing more free than being a Web worker," Om Malik says. "There is no boss. You work for yourself. This is the new Wild West. The individual is more important. That's the American way. It's about doing things your own way. Web workers represent that. ... It's the future, my friend."

  Ritual Roasters in San Francisco's Mission District is in many ways the epicenter of the bedouin movement. Ritual, on Valencia Street near 21st Street, is almost always packed with people working on laptops.

  Every bedouin seems to have a Ritual story. There's the time someone buzzed through the cafe on a Segway scooter. Rubyred Labs, a hip Web design shop in South Park, had its launch party there. Teams from established Web companies such as Google Inc. and Flickr, a photo sharing site that's now owned by Yahoo, meet there. "You'd never know these guys were millionaires," said Ritual co-owner Jeremy Tooker.

  As for why they're there, Sean Kelly said, "I'm visiting with my friends instead of being locked up in a big building in the South Bay."

  Using a cafe to run a business is nothing particularly new. Venerable insurance firm Lloyd's of London was actually started in a coffee house, Kennedy points out. According to the Lloyd's of London Web site, "Edward Lloyd opened a coffee house in 1688, encouraging a clientele of ships' captains, merchants and ship owners -- earning him a reputation for trustworthy shipping news. This ensured that Lloyd's coffee house became recognized as the place for obtaining marine insurance."

  Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote some of their best work in Parisian cafes. And in San Francisco, writers and poets of the Beat generation, such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, wrote in the cafes of North Beach.

  Caffe Trieste was among the most popular North Beach hangouts. "To have a cappuccino, you come to North Beach, to Caffe Trieste," says Giovanni "Papa Gianni" Giotta, the founder.

  Now Caffe Trieste has joined the ranks of Wi-Fi cafes. It would figure that the one laptop in action on a recent afternoon belonged to an art dealer. "A cappuccino for overhead isn't bad," said David Salow, 33. He struck out on his own three months ago, and has yet to open a gallery. "Sixty to 70 percent of what I do can be done with the standard tools available to everyone -- a phone, a computer and a laptop connection."

  Neo-Bedouins


slug: lifestyle-diseases
title: Lifestyle Diseases
emoji: 🥗
level: Level 3 · Lesson 29
text:
  by Shiori Iwagaki

  The major contributing factor to life style related diseases, typified by diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, is often obesity. Therefore, we have to think about losing surplus weight.

  When I was watching TV the other day, I found a program which tried to introduce a way to cook low-calorie dishes. It showed food images for a full hour. Then they let 3 overweight guests eat 3 full servings of curry-rice (Japanese style curry with rice). The dishes were made with lower calories than normal but that "tasting" totaled 1,800 kcal.

  If you have a chance to visit to America, in which many people are struggling to lose excess weight, try watching TV. You will find it is filled with food commercials and medicines that are supposed to help you lose fat.

  However, the best way to lose weight is not by eating low calorie food, but by reducing the amount of food you eat.

  It is really difficult to reduce your meal portion sizes while surrounded by actual food or images of food on TV-- unless you have an unbelievably strong will. So, it is very important to keep away from this toxic food environment. But avoiding food advertising images is still not enough. Because if you who want to lose weight, changing your physical environment is not be enough. What is most important is to keep your mental environment free of unhealthy food images.

  This is important for all of us. We have to find a way to shift our mental focus from food to healthier foci such as sports, reading or music.

  Perhaps instead of calling them "life style related diseases" we should call them "thought related diseases", for thought and emotion are the true root causes of these diseases.

  If we are always worried and anxious we may eat as an outlet for these feelings. If we constantly think of failure and problems, we may eat as a way to distract ourselves from these thoughts. Therefore, it is our negative thoughts and emotions, and our inappropriate way of dealing with them, that is the true cause of obesity and "lifestyle related diseases".

  So our challenge is to shift our thoughts and emotions-- and to handle the negative ones in a better way. This is the best way to lose weight and gain health. We can enjoy the satisfaction of finishing a really fat book. We can enjoy the achievement of passing a difficult exam. We can enjoy the exertion and effort of sports. Of course, we can enumerate many more positive pursuits. The point is, changing our mental focus is the key.

  There are many ways to cultivate a healthy mental environment. We don't even have to wait. Today, or tomorrow, we can start to think in a different way.

  Lifestyle Diseases


slug: disobedience
title: Disobedience
emoji: ✊
level: Level 3 · Lesson 30
text:
  "Law never made men more just; and, by means of their respect for it, even the well-disposed are daily made the agents of injustice. A common and natural result of an undue respect for law is, that you may see a file of soldiers, colonel, captain, privates and all, marching in admirable order over hills to the wars, against their wills, indeed, against their common sense and consciences. They have no doubt that it is a damnable business in which they are concerned; they are all peaceably inclined. Now, what are they? Men at all? Or small movable forts, at the service of some unscrupulous man in power?

  The mass of men serve the State thus, not as men mainly, but as machines, with their bodies. They are the standing army. In most cases there is no free exercise whatever of the judgment or of the moral sense; but they put themselves on a level with wood and earth and stones; and wooden men can perhaps be manufactured that will serve the purpose as well. Such people command no more respect than men of straw, or a lump of dirt. They have the same sort of worth only as horses and dogs. Yet such as these are commonly considered good citizens."

  -- Henry David Thoreau (Civil Disobedience)

  Many of the abominable problems in the world are the result of obedience. In our personal lives, in the media, we cry and moan and blame "our leaders" for the problems of the world. We shift responsibility to them. But are they solely responsible? What about the thousands and millions who are actually carrying out their orders? These people are the ones actually doing the terrible things that their leaders want done. These people have abandoned their conscience and have abandoned their responsibility.

  Can such people be considered adult human beings at all; or are they still children, or dogs-- dutifully obeying their master-parent?

  Think of the American soldiers currently in Iraq. In the end, it is not George Bush who is pulling the trigger or dropping the bombs or torturing the prisoners. He merely gives the orders- orders which no particular man or woman must follow. For while they might be discharged or put in prison for refusing an order, no one will be hurt or killed for doing so.

  Isn't Thoreau correct? Aren't our true heroes the ones who disobey unjust laws? Aren't the true heroes the ones who follow their conscience? Here in America, it is our rebels who are our historical heroes- those who refused to support injustice: Martin Luther King, the heroes of the American revolution, John Brown, Malcolm X, Susan B. Anthony, Vietnam War resistors....

  In the present, such people are always condemned. They are attacked, called unpatriotic, imprisoned, and vilified. Yet history is usually kind to such people, and harsh to the unjust. In the 1950s, Martin Luther King was vilified as a radical. Today, he is celebrated as a hero, while the authorities he resisted are now viewed as the worst kind of scum.

  Thoreau, and later Gandhi and Martin Luther King, all believed that individual conscience was more just and powerful than law. All three encouraged people to break unjust laws; and to instead have respect for what is good, right, true, and just. Though all three men are now dead, their message is as important today as it was during their lifetime.

  "Thoreau was a great writer, philosopher, poet, and a most practical man, that is, he taught nothing he was not prepared to practice in himself. He was one of the greatest and most moral men America has produced."

  -- Mohandas Gandhi

  Disobedience


slug: emotionally-intelligent-husbands
title: Emotionally Intelligent Husbands
emoji: 💞
level: Level 3 · Lesson 31
text:
  by Dr. John Gottman

  My data on newlywed couples indicate that more husbands are being transformed. About 35 percent of the men we've studied fall into the category of "emotionally intelligent husbands". Research from previous decades suggests the number used to be much lower. Because this type of husband honors and respects his wife, he will be open to learning more about emotions from her. He will come to understand her world and those of his children and friends. He may not emote in the same way that his wife does, but he will learn how to better connect with her emotionally. As he does so, he'll make choices that show he honors her. When he's watching the football game and she needs to talk, he'll turn off the TV and listen. He is choosing "us" over "me".

  I believe the emotionally intelligent husband is the next step in social evolution. This doesn't mean that he is superior to other men in personality, upbringing, or moral fiber. He has simply figured out something very important about being married that the others haven't yet. And this is how to honor his wife and convey his respect to her. It is really that elementary.

  The new husband is likely to make his career less of a priority than his family life because his definition of success has been revised. Unlike husbands before him, he makes a detailed map of his wife's world. He keeps in touch with his admiration and fondness for, and he communicates it by turning toward her in his daily actions.

  This benefits not only his marriage but his children as well. Research shows that a husband who can accept influence from his wife also tends to be an outstanding father. He is familiar with his children's world and knows all about their friends and their fears. Because he is not afraid of emotions, he teaches his children to respect their own feelings-- and themselves. He turns off the football game for them, too, because he wants them to remember him as having had time for them.

  The new type of husband and father leads a meaningful and rich life. Having a happy family base makes it possible for him to create and work effectively. Because he is so connected to his wife, she will come to him not only when she is troubled but when she is delighted. When the city awakens to a beautiful fresh snowstorm, his children will come running for him to see it. The people who matter most to him will care about him when he lives and mourn him when he dies.

  The other kind of husband and father is a very sad story. He responds to the loss of male entitlement with righteous indignation, or he feels like an innocent victim. He may become more authoritarian or withdraw into a lonely shell, protecting what little he has left. He does not give others very much honor and respect because he is engaged in a search for the honor and respect he thinks is his due. He will not accept his wife's influence because he fears any further loss of power. And because he will not accept influence he will not have very much influence. The consequence is that no one will much care about him when he lives nor mourn him when he dies.

  Emotionally Intelligent Husbands


slug: thriving-on-chaos
title: Thriving On Chaos
emoji: 🌪️
level: Level 3 · Lesson 32
text:
  "It is easy to understand why many teachers revert to textbooks or worksheets when things around them are in constant, challenging motion, but they must learn to be in motion, too. The students are being loud; they are having a hard time paying attention to each other; they are having a hard time paying attention to the teacher. We all know that telling students to turn to page 37 and answer the questions can relieve chaos and make the room quieter for a time. I've recently heard of a new trend of teachers using wireless microphones in an effort to keep students' attention and be heard above the other noise in the classroom. Education is not about who can speak the loudest. It's about the students and teacher wanting to listen to each other. A truly personalized, small school allows that to happen.

  Another reason I look to my friend Tom Peters for ideas on how to deal with the tough moments is because he entitled one of his books "Thriving on Chaos". Tom told me it took him a long time to land on that word "thriving". But he was looking for a way of saying you must be ready for and enjoy the process of change. Our schools must be thriving environments, thriving on the chaos and on the beauty. We all need to re-examine our situations from time to time and make sure we are not sticking to old patterns in new situations."

  -- Dennis Littky

  I like the phrase "Thriving on Chaos". As we all know, the world is constantly changing and its changing quickly. Science, education, travel, technology, and human relationships are evolving rapidly. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming.

  In fact, many people do become overwhelmed by the pace of change. They may become depressed. They may dig in and become very conservative in an effort to stop.... or at least slow the change. Some people even become quite bitter about it. Others try to keep up, but can't.

  Without a doubt, human societies have changed. Its no longer possible to thrive by doing things the way they have always been done. "We've always done it that way" is no longer a reasonable explanation. In fact, it's an excuse that is a recipe for failure.

  So how can we thrive on chaos? How do we not only survive these rapid changes, but learn to enjoy them? How do we use change to enhance our lives?

  It may seem antithetical, but one of the key ways to thrive on change is to have a set of unchanging principles. A principle is not a rule. Rules are inflexible. They are limiting. They slow us down and make it hard for us to adapt quickly when circumstances change. Principles, on the other hand, are highly adaptable. A principle is a general value -- a commitment to something that is deep and meaningful. "I must always shake hands when I meet a new person" is a rule. If you meet a Japanese person and you have this rule, you may become confused. "I will try always be kind and respectful" is a principle.

  Principles are easily adaptable to new circumstances because principles are generally not concerned with specific actions or details. There are many ways to show respect, for example. In the past, schools, companies, and individuals often focused on rules. The problem is, students, employees, society, and individuals have changed. The old rules don't work anymore. What we need to thrive in this tumultuous age are deep principles-- and the flexibility to change the way we follow them.

  Another vital skill for this age of chaos is reflection. Reflection means thinking deeply about something-- usually yourself, your life, and your actions. Many people have been taught to first think, then act. But I think its better to do the opposite-- first act, then think. If you think first, it's easy to get lost in a theoretical world of abstract ideas. The education field is full of these kinds of people. They think, talk, write, and debate-- but its all theory-- all in their head. These people actually have no idea what is happening in the world and what would happen if they tried something new.

  If you act first, however, you then have something concrete to think about. Your thinking is grounded in the real world. When you act first, its harder to become caught up in speculation. Another tremendous advantage to acting first is that actions often have surprising consequences. When we think, we often believe we have thought of every possibility. But then, to our surprise, we discover that lots of unexpected things happen when we actually try something new.

  These surprises are the seeds of innovation and creativity. Unimaginative people often label the surprises as "failures"-- simply because the results were not as expected. But in the words of Tony Robbins, there are no failures-- there are only results. In fact, so-called failures are often more valuable than what most consider success. Failure gives you new ideas and new input. "Success" often just reinforces your old ideas.

  And so, to truly thrive on chaos, we must act first and then think. We must also discard labels such as "failure" and "success" and instead think in terms of "interesting results", "possibilities", and "opportunities".

  The time for rigid, rule-centered thinking was 100 years ago. In the churning, hyper speed digital age-- the only way to thrive is to stick to your principles, act without fear, and embrace interesting failures. Those who thrive on chaos are those who learn to enjoy the ride.

  Thriving On Chaos


slug: universal-journey
title: Our Universal Journey
emoji: 🧭
level: Level 3 · Lesson 33
text:
  A cat with an "incurable" kind of cancer. A job that is always tenuous. Human relationships that are fragile, unpredictable, and sometimes tumultuous. My own body, seemingly healthy- but still subject to disease, fatigue, and aging.

  Life is unpredictable. However much we think we have a handle on it, the truth is we never really know what's to come. Everything can change in an instant. This is a tough truth to accept, for though we know intellectually that all things in life are impermanent, we often don't feel it instinctively. We persist in our attempts to control life- we imagine that we can predict and manipulate future events. We imagine that we control, or at least have a strong influence on, external events.

  But this is not really the case. In fact, all that worry, manipulation, and attempted control is mostly wasted energy. We are not the masters of the external world. We cannot predict the future. Our best laid plans are always subject to catastrophic failure.

  There is no security to be found in the outside world. There is no secure job, or relationship, or situation of any kind. Everything changes. We can, conceivably, lose them all in the blink of an eye. Where then is true security to be found? Certainly not in the external world, but rather, internally.

  "Trust yourself to react appropriately when catastrophe happens. Failure of nerve is really failure to trust yourself." -- Alan Watts

  This is the only true security- the security of trusting yourself, the security of flexibility and adaptability, the security of spiritual and emotional self-reliance. Rather than obsess over external events, we better serve ourselves by obsessing over our inner resources. Our security and happiness come from our inner peace-- our ability to accept any situation, adapt to it, use it, learn from it, and (perhaps) overcome it.

  The more we do this, the more confident we grow and, in time, we develop a true sense of security in our lives... one that is completely independent of external circumstances. Practically, this implies that our task is to seek out new experiences and build our capacity to adapt to them. This is the reason I think of travel as a potentially spiritual practice. Travel-- especially long, challenging journeys-- expands our ability to accept and adapt to the unexpected and the unknown. This kind of travel is a concentrated training exercise in impermanence and change.

  Joseph Campbell, the famed mythologist, identified the common thread running through the mythological journeys found in most cultures. He noted that while these stories are always presented as external journeys, they are in fact symbolic of the inner journey we must all make.

  In the end, we must all leave home (the safe and comfortable), we must all face life-changing challenges, we must all face loss, and we must all arrive at our own understanding of impermanence, and our own wisdom. This is the universal journey.

  Our Universal Journey


slug: ms-censorship
title: Microsoft's Cyber Censorship
emoji: 🔒
level: Level 3 · Lesson 34
text:
  From Amnesty International

  In December 2005 Microsoft cooperated with Chinese authorities to shut down the controversial blog of Zhao Jing (Michael Anti), a Beijing-based researcher for the New York Times, and an active critic of censorship in China.

  The blog, which was hosted on servers located in the United States, was removed and was therefore censored not only in China but globally. Reacting to criticism, Microsoft claims to have implemented a new set of standards to ensure that they will only remove blogs when they receive formal legal notice from the Chinese government and that access will only be denied to users in China.

  Microsoft's search engine MSN China filters the results of searches for politically sensitive terms, displaying a message in Chinese which states 'Certain content was removed from the results of this search'. Searches undertaken in June 2006 by AI produced this message for the words 'Falun Gong', 'Tibet Independence' and 'June 4' (the date of the Tiananmen Square massacre).

  Furthermore, Microsoft has admitted that it responds to directions from the Chinese government by restricting users of MSN Spaces from using certain terms in their account name, space name, space sub-title or in photo captions. At the same time the company asserts that MSN Spaces do not filter blog content in any way. Amnesty International considers this claim to be at odds with the facts.

  When Microsoft launched MSN Spaces in China in June 2005, attempts to create blogs with words including 'democracy', 'human rights' and 'freedom of expression' were blocked, producing the following error message (in Chinese): 'You must enter a title for your space. The title must not contain prohibited language, such as profanity. Please type a different title.' Tests by AI carried out in 2006 demonstrated continued blocking of certain terms including 'Tiananmen incident' in the title of blogs.

  As a result of such actions, Microsoft users in China are denied the ability to access the full range of information available internationally on human rights topics, including websites and web pages of Amnesty International and other human rights organizations.

  Microsoft's Cyber Censorship


slug: vipassana
title: Vipassana
emoji: 🧘
level: Level 3 · Lesson 35
text:
  It felt like two hot knives were stabbing me in the back-- right into my kidneys. It was a burning pain-- unavoidable.

  As my mind scanned this area of my back, it imagined two white-hot spots searing through my flesh. My knees also burned. My ankles burned. My feet were numb with a dull ache. But my back was the worst.

  I felt a wave of panic-- butterflies in my stomach and a tremendous urge to get up and run away. I gulped, refocused my mind on the sensations in my body, and remained still. I tried to follow the advisors instructions-- don't flee from the pain, go deeply into it. My mind concentrated on the burning kidneys. I tried to observe the pain dispassionately. What was it exactly? What is pain? How, exactly, did it feel? How large was the painful area? How deep?

  As I delved into the pain, an amazing thing happened-- the panic and fear drained away. My body heaved suddenly with a long, slow, very deep breath. As I exhaled, I felt a deep sense of calm wash through me.

  A natural, unforced smile crept onto my face. My mind remained focused and suddenly the intense pain didn't seem "painful". I noticed that the pain was, in fact, an area of more intense vibration--- but I was no longer experiencing it as something to escape or avoid.

  That was the moment I broke through-- at the end of the 8th day of a 10 day Vipassana meditation course.

  Vipassana is a form of meditation, sometimes translated to English as "Insight Meditation". It consists of a deep and systematic observation of one's mind and body. Vipassana has many variants and is taught by many different meditation schools, teachers, and groups.

  The course I took followed the methods of S.N. Goenka. Goenka learned Vipassana in Burma and was so amazed by the transformations it caused in his life, he wanted to teach others. After some time, Goenka developed a 10 day course. The course is very intense. Participants do not speak during the course and they meditate from 4 AM to 9 PM, with only short breaks.

  The focus of the course is on the direct experience and practice of meditation rather than theory or philosophy. Another unique aspect of the course is that it is free. At the end of the course, participants may give a donation if they wish to help others do the course-- but this is voluntary and there is no coercion.

  When I finished the course I felt a powerful sense of calm. I felt centered. My mind was clearer than it had ever been. The course was one of the most powerful experiences I've ever had in my life-- and one of the most positive.

  Unfortunately, that was almost 3 and a half years ago. Initially I continued to meditate after the course. But slowly I got out of the practice. Its been quite a while now.

  As a result, I feel my mind and emotions have grown volatile and unstable again. Which, lately, has gotten me thinking about Vipassana.

  There are Vipassana courses and centers all over the world, so it would be easy to find one.

  Vipassana


slug: hitch-intro
title: Hitch Intro
emoji: 🎬
level: Level 4 · Lesson 36
text:
  Basic principles:

  No woman wakes up saying: "God, I hope I don't get swept off my feet today."

  Now, she might say, "This is a really bad time for me."

  Or something like, "I just need some space." Or my personal favorite: "I'm really into my career right now."

  You believe that? Neither does she. You know why? Because she's lying to you, that's why. You understand me? Lying.

  It's not a bad time for her. She doesn't need any space.

  She may be into her career... but what she's really saying is, "Get away from me now." Or possibly, "Try harder, stupid." Well, which one is it?

  60 % of all human communication is nonverbal-- Body language.

  30% is your tone. So that means that 90% of what you're saying... ain't coming out of your mouth.

  (Toby! Shit!)

  Of course she's gonna lie to you. She's a nice person; she doesn't wanna hurt your feelings. What else is she gonna say? She doesn't even know you. Yet.

  Luckily, the fact is, that just like the rest of us... even a beautiful woman doesn't know what she wants-- until she sees it.

  And that's where I come in.

  My job is to open her eyes.

  (Toby! Oh, my God! Is this what you're looking for?)

  Basic principles: No matter what, no matter when, no matter who.. any man has a chance to sweep any woman off her feet.

  Just needs the right broom.

  Hitch Intro


slug: hitch-2
title: Hitch 2
emoji: 🎬
level: Level 4 · Lesson 37
text:
  Now, on the one hand, it is very difficult to make a woman feel like she is the only person in the room.

  On the other hand, it's not.

  Step 1: No matter what, when you come in, you are not going out.

  Okay, going in for a guy is like going into battle. It's scary, it's dangerous. And if she sees exactly what you're doing... you're doing it wrong.

  Do you understand what I'm saying? If she can tell you're working, it ain't working.

  Step 2: At no point during the evening are you to take your eyes off her.

  Most guys are so concerned with being smooth they forget to look at the girl. And the girl is going, "Oh, he doesn't really like me."

  Now for some it's an outgoing personality -- that's their thing.

  For others it's a sense of humor -- that's what makes them appealing.

  Now, if you don't have that thing at all, you can't get it all at once. It's just not possible.

  Step 3: You don't have to like me. And you know what? I don't care if you like me. But you will respect me.

  Let's face it: at no point in time has any of that ever worked... Right?

  Now, some people might think we're just hitting on women. But we're not. We're just starting conversations. And conversations are fluid.

  Some people think I'm heartless, I'm not. I'm not.

  I got blown off again, didn't I? You were gonna blow me off. You were.

  Wow. Okay. Oh -- so what, I just leave my number and wait by the phone hoping you call?

  That is not going to work for me.

  Hold on. You're going to mess it up?

  Look -- is she hot?

  Me: She's really more like...

  She's hot. Okay.

  Me: She's really more like them.

  Oh. Well, then. They're really me.

  Now it's getting interesting.

  Hitch 2


