Right Attitudes

Ideas for Impact

Archives for November 2024

Lee Kuan Yew on the Traits of Good Political Leaders

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'The Wit and Wisdom of Lee Kuan Yew' by Lee Kuan Yew (ISBN 9789814385282) Leaders are assessed through a nuanced blend of factors, primarily focusing on the long-term effects of their decisions. Their effectiveness is judged by the quality of their policy outcomes, the individuals they’ve mentored, and the culture they’ve cultivated. Naturally, these evaluations are subjective and can vary depending on personal perspectives, values, and historical contexts.

When Lee Kuan Yew began his eighth and final term as Singapore’s Prime Minister in 1988, he announced it would be his last, outlining his plans for the next two years before passing leadership to Goh Chok Tong. Lee also highlighted the significance of exit strategies and smooth transitions in evaluating political leaders. Watch a segment from his speech delivered on September 13, 1988.

Political leaders are judged first by how effectively they have exercised their authority in the interests of their people. Second, by the way in which they have provided for continuity so that a successor government will continue to protect and advance the interests of their people. Third, by the grace with which they leave office and hand over to their successors.

Lee Kuan Yew was a remarkable leader who, through visionary governance, turned Singapore from a struggling backwater into one of the world’s most affluent nations. Though he faced criticism for his strong-handed approach, his leadership will continue to be acclaimed for its vision, pragmatism, and enduring impact.

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Unlocking Your Creative Potential: The Power of a Quiet Mind and Wandering Thoughts

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Unlocking Your Creative Potential: The Power of a Quiet Mind and Wandering Thoughts

Some of the best ideas pop up when you’re not actively trying to solve a problem. A relaxed mind has the freedom to wander, making unexpected connections and sparking creativity. This delightful phenomenon, known as “incubation,” involves taking breaks or diving into unrelated activities, allowing your subconscious to tackle challenges with surprising effectiveness.

A calm mind is more receptive to creative thoughts. Research on “associative activation” shows that easing mental stress encourages innovative thinking. For instance, 19th-century chemist Friedrich August Kekulé famously envisioned the structure of the benzene molecule while dreaming of a snake biting its own tail—that was a major breakthrough in organic chemistry.

Quieting your mind offers significant benefits. If you’re feeling stuck, even simple tasks can ignite new ideas. Take Archimedes of Syracuse, who famously discovered the principle of buoyancy while taking a bath, realizing he could measure volume by the water displaced.

If you’re feeling frustrated, take a break—both physically and mentally. A little pause can do wonders, leading to unexpected insights and solutions. J. K. Rowling, for instance, came up with the idea for the Harry Potter series during a train ride from Manchester to London in 1990. As she allowed her thoughts to wander, her characters materialized in her mind, along with the outline of the entire story. That moment of inspiration set her on a path of several years of hard work, ultimately resulting in the beloved books we cherish today.

Idea for Impact: The next time you hit a wall, step back and give yourself a breather. Whether it’s a shower, some time with a pet, light chores, or a stroll in nature, embrace the stillness and let your thoughts drift. You might just uncover some valuable ideas!

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Inspirational Quotations #1075

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All of us have so much more time than we use well. How many hours in a life are spent in a way of which one might be proud, looking back?
—Walter Kaufmann (German-American Philosopher)

Paradise is surrounded by what we dislike; the fires of hell are surrounded by what we desire.
—Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (Persian Muslim Mystic)

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
—Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (Austrian Novelist)

True courage is not the brutal force of vulgar heroes, but the firm resolve of virtue and reason.
—Alfred North Whitehead (English Mathematician, Philosopher)

God loveth a cheerful giver.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

Decision is the spark that ignites action. Until a decision is made, nothing happens…. Decision is the courageous facing of issues, knowing that if they are not faced, problems will remain forever unanswered.
—Wilferd Arlan Peterson (American Author)

Trust, but verify.
—Russian Proverb

Learning is wealth to the poor, an honor to the rich, an aid to the young, and a support and comfort to the aged.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (Swiss Theologian, Poet)

The moment of near despair is quite often the moment that precedes courage.
—Christopher Hitchens (Anglo-American Social Critic)

Words are a wonderful form of communication, but they will never replace kisses and punches.
—Ashleigh Brilliant (British Cartoonist)

Nothing is so beautiful as spring—when weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush; Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring the ear, it strikes like lightning to hear him sing.
—Gerard Manley Hopkins (English Poet)

I think that one should recognize reality even when one doesn’t like it; indeed, especially when one doesn’t like it.
—Charlie Munger (American Investor, Philanthropist)

Intuition becomes increasingly valuable in the new information society precisely because there is so much data.
—John Naisbitt (American Trend Analyst)

God was invented to explain mystery. God is always invented to explain those things that you do not understand.
—Richard Feynman (American Physicist)

How prudently most men creep into nameless graves, while now and then one or two forget themselves into immortality.
—Wendell Phillips (American Abolitionist)

Avoid the Trap of Desperate Talk

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Avoid the Trap of Desperate Talk Whether you’re hunting for a job, negotiating a raise, or seeking a romantic partner, exuding confidence is key. But keeping up that confidence can be tough when you’re feeling desperate.

Desperation often leads to fixating on a single goal, which can create overwhelming pressure and cloud your judgment. This can make the stakes seem higher than they actually are.

Watch out for words and phrases in your thinking that convey desperation or a high level of pressure, such as “must,” “always,” “have to,” “need to,” “cannot afford to,” “unacceptable,” “critical,” and “urgent.”

  • Instead of stressing, “I can’t afford to mess up this interview,” try thinking, “I’ll prepare as best as I can and give it my all. Whatever happens, it’s a valuable learning experience.”
  • Instead of “I must please everyone,” tell yourself, “I’ll be considerate and respectful to everyone’s opinions, but it’s okay if I can’t make everyone happy all the time. My main focus should be staying true to myself and my values.”
  • Instead of pleading, “You must let me help you,” say, “I’d really like to help. If it’s not a good fit, no worries—there are others who might benefit more.”

Just like the proverbial mouse with only one hole is easily trapped, relying on a single option leaves you vulnerable if that option fails. Having alternatives or backup plans helps you avoid being caught off guard by unexpected issues.

If you’re going to a job interview, continue seeking other opportunities. Before asking for a raise, consider other requests like training, flexible hours, or an assistant. Before renegotiating your salary, explore the market—there might be other employers eager to offer you a competitive salary.

Idea for Impact: Build redundancy and flexibility into your plans to ensure greater security and resilience. Keep your options open and avoid putting all your eggs in one basket.

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  5. Affection Is No Defense: Good Intentions Make Excellent Alibis

New Rules of Language for the Digitally Baffled: Summary of Gretchen McCulloch’s ‘Because Internet’

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New Rules of Language for the Digitally Baffled In Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language (2019,) Canadian linguist Gretchen McCulloch explores the ever-evolving dynamics of language in the digital age. She explains numerous quirky details about how people type in text messages—those oddities you’ve probably noticed but never really understood.

The shift toward brevity and the informal nature of online communication have reshaped the way we interact, often giving the impression of a decline in linguistic standards—much to the frustration of prescriptivists who cling to traditional language rules.

Internet writing is a distinct genre with its own goals, and to accomplish those goals successfully requires a subtly tuned awareness of the full spectrum of the language. … Language is a thing that lives in the minds of individual humans at individual points in time, a thing that can’t be fully encompassed in a static list of uses like a game of chess.

McCulloch presents an engaging analysis of how new words, phrases, and slang continue to emerge and spread globally at an unprecedented rate, driven largely by social media. Rather than lamenting the habits of “kids these days,” she embraces the evolution of modern language, encouraging a fresh appreciation for the quirky, unpredictable, and often amusing ways we now communicate online.

'Because Internet' by Gretchen McCulloch (ISBN 0735210934) Throughout the book, McCulloch uncovers the curious nuances of texting—subtle details you’ve likely noticed but never fully understood. As an exercise in descriptivism, the book provides keen insights into the fluid nature of language in the digital age: why sparkly tildes became shorthand for sarcasm, how emojis are replacing words, and the linguistic significance of internet dialects like doge, lolspeak, and snek. You’ll also learn why your teenager replies “LOL” when nothing funny was said.

Now more than ever in history, communication extends beyond mere words; it’s about how we connect. It’s a game of linguistic dodgeball, filled with fast, cryptic slang, witty retorts that often mean the opposite of what they say, and so much brevity that half the message gets lost. You’re never quite sure if someone’s complimenting you or subtly roasting you!

Read Because Internet if you’re a writer, reader, social media user, or just someone who enjoys a good language deep dive. This sharp and witty blend of humor and analysis will have you second-guessing every text, status update, and tweet you’ve ever sent—often revealing more about yourself than you realized! It’s the perfect guide for anyone eager to stay “in the know” and navigate the ever-shifting, often bewildering language of social media culture.

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Inspirational Quotations #1074

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The course of true love never did run smooth.
—William Shakespeare (British Playwright)

People who make no mistakes lack boldness and the spirit of adventure. They are the brakes on the wheels of progress.
—Dale Turner (American Congregational Priest)

Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.
—Anton Chekhov (Russian Short Story Writer)

Happy people are ignoramuses and glory is nothing else but success, and to achieve it one only has to be cunning.
—Mikhail Lermontov (Russian Novelist, Poet)

All achievement, all earned riches, have their beginning in an idea!
—Napoleon Hill (American Author)

Heaven and God are best discerned through tears; scarcely perhaps are discerned at all without them. The constant association of prayer with the hour of bereavement and the scenes of death suffice to show this.
—James Martineau (English Unitarian Theologian)

The wisdom of one generation will be the folly of the next, and yet we persist in making preceding generations dictate to the succeeding ones.
—Joseph Priestley (English Clergyman, Scientist)

The fool thinks himself alone and commits sin. But I know of no lonely place at all… . Of a bad action my “Self” is a witness far more sharp-sighted than any other person.
—The Jataka Tales (Genre of Buddhist Literature)

Everything is evil. I mean, everything that is, is wicked; every existing thing is an evil; everything exists for a wicked end. Existence is a wickedness and is ordained for wickedness. Evil is the end, the final purpose, of the universe…The only good is nonbeing; the only really good thing is the thing that is not, things that are not things; all things are bad.
—Giacomo Leopardi (Italian Poet)

Unrest of the spirit is a mark of life; one problem after another presents itself and in the solving of them we can find our greatest pleasure.
—Karl Menninger (American Psychiatrist)

Truth is the breath of life to human society. It is the food of the immortal spirit. Yet a single word of it may kill a man as suddenly as a drop of prussic acid.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (American Physician, Essayist)

Care not for time and success. Act out thy part, whether it be to fail or to prosper.
—Sri Aurobindo (Indian Mystic, Philosopher, Poet)