thinking thursday.

January 7, 2010 in Uncategorized

Every Thursday, a few links that follow the wanderings of my brain. And a link to the recently named Actor of the Decade.

mind :: my brain and yours

The spirit of cell phones may be wiping away cultural differences.

Music can do incredible things for patients with dementia.

What is in the DNA of an innovator?

I found this invocation of "Engrish" offensive. Even if I appreciated her message, it was very hard for me to get past the "humor." How about you? Next time I can adequately translate Korean or Japanese or Chinese signs into English and pronounce those languages correctly, maybe then I'll make fun. But not until then.

body :: my place and yours

Great advice on navigating the world of getting what you need from customer service reps. (Thanks to Caren Knox)

How many movies did you see in 2009? (Thanks to Marilyn Maciel)

soul :: my heart and yours

Even if for no other reason, here's why we should buy Jason Mraz CDs:
"This Year I Resolve to Join the Conversation on Equality. I will Stand Up and be outspoken about Same Sex Marriage and Let Freedom Sing." Amen, Jason. (Thanks to Russ Capps)

"I asked myself one day, ‘If I had to write an autobiography now, what would be missing from it? What are the things I will need to get done before it takes shape?’" (Thanks to Lissa Boles)

A final thought :: "Let's toast Every rung we've climbed on Evolution's ladder. Whisper, 'I love you! I love you!' To the whole mad world." -Hafiz

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

8 comments to " thinking thursday. "


Square-Peg Karen

January 7, 2010 AT 8:53AM

Hi Patti, I’m somewhat new to your blog – and must’ve never popped in on Thursdays before — how cool! I love this: the sharing from mind, heart and body. Thanks!

The Hafiz whisper (which I think of as a song) – ahhhhh – what a gorgeous way to end the post…going off singing (or whispering).

Kim Mailhot

January 7, 2010 AT 10:10AM

some much thought and love and music here today – thanks for it, beautiful heart !

Em

January 7, 2010 AT 11:17AM

As a lesbian, the same-sex marriage debate & gay equality movement can change my life. It’s hard to talk about it without getting either choked up or preachy, so I’ll just say thank you for mentioning this.

It can change my life. And millions of others.

LauraSue

January 7, 2010 AT 12:15PM

I did not find the Engrish post offensive, nor did I think she was making fun. I thought she was being joyful.

Deb

January 8, 2010 AT 2:06PM

Re Engrish……I can understand the cringe factor. But after reading (and I admit I’ve been immersed in MB for the last 2 weeks), I really didn’t feel it. There is such joy in finding those wee gems of mis-translation, which are equally prevalent from the English world. We just can’t see them! So, find the fun, find the joy. And let’s crank up the hullabaloo!! Let the great rumpus start! Lighten up and enjoy the laugh!

Nancy S

January 8, 2010 AT 4:16PM

I didn’t find the engrish post offensive at all. In typical Beck style it came across as funny and endearing. Mis-translations are sometimes linguistical magic and sometimes just plain funny. But it doesn’t mean I think Asians are stupid because I find thier interpretations funny. It actually makes me curious about what the intent really was and, how, culturally speaking (eh hem) we are so very different and yet all so very human.

Nancy S

January 8, 2010 AT 6:22PM

Actually, to add to my last comment, the one article I did find offensive was the one on customer service. What a condescending, rude and terrible way to treat another person. Lona’s approach is obnoxious and demeaning.

I work in customer service; if someone talked in the manner that Lona espouses he/she wouldn’t get very far. In fact, if someone were acting like that on the phone, I would hide behind company policy until the next millenium. I wouldn’t want to give her one inch. Kindness and patience will get you much further.

I wonder if Lona acts the same way in a face-to-face customer service situations. I would bet my bank account that she doesn’t. It’s really easy to dehumanize people on the phone.

Suzanne Deal-Fitzgerald

January 8, 2010 AT 9:14PM

I also enjoy the way words play when they don’t translate well.

And you betcha…one of my favorites right now is all English…I love it when someone brags about being a “Tea Bagger.”