The Literate Caveman

In today’s episode of The Literate Caveman, we discuss Bodily Kinesthetic Intelligence, from Frames of Mind, by Howard Gardner.  In this chapter of his excellent books, Howard Gardner explores research and empirical data that supports his view that Bodily Kinesthetic Intelligence, is an autonomous intelligence that works synergistically with our other capacities.  

In today’s episode of The Literate Caveman, we discuss Spatial-Intelligence, or what some researchers term ‘Visual-Spatial Intelligence,’ from Howard Gardner’s excellent book, ‘Frames of Mind.’   This chapter takes examples from a wide range of cultures, from the frozen and sparse terrain of the Inuit, to the lush and tropical islands of the Puluwat navigators of the Caroline Islands in the South...

I have given one version or another of this lecture since sometime in the mid 1990’s.  I have polished it quite a bit, and I have learned a lot since those early days.  Here I give a version of one of my lectures focusing on verbal interviews.  Criminals will use a variety of means to select victims, these can generally be classified as physical interviews- based more on body language- or verbal i...

In today’s episode of The Literate Caveman, we discuss Logical-Mathematical Intelligence from Howard Gardner’s Frames of Mind.  In this chapter, Gardner discusses his research and how it agrees with, and at some points disagrees with, the work of Jean Piaget.  He also discusses the brevity of the careers of most career mathematicians, and I compare that to what I have learned about the careers of...

Today we are discussing Musical Intelligence, from a chapter by Howard Gardner’s book Frames of Mind.  Frames of Mind, first published in 1983, collects over 30 years of research and theories on the idea of multiple, fairly autonomous intelligences that work together, as opposed to a single, overarching intelligence.  

Howard Gardner is an American researcher and Professor of Cognition and Education.  Frames of Mind, first published in 1983, collects over 30 years of research and theories on the idea of multiple, fairly autonomous intelligences that work together, as opposed to a single, overarching intelligence.  It also challenges the widely accepted importance of IQ tests.  Today we are discussing Linguistic...

Howard Gardner is a researcher who has long worked on the idea that intelligence is not limited to a single, overarching quality.  He also has some interesting thoughts on the limitations of IQ tests, and education.  His research has led him to believe there is a strong possibility that intelligence is more complex, and that humans possess several different facets of intelligence that work togethe...

The Chronicles of Narnia are one the best loved children’s story collections of all time.  However, most of the people who are aware of the series, have not read all seven books.  Today we are going to have a (mostly!) spoiler-free quick discussion about this remarkable series, the order in which C.S, Lewis wished them to be read- which is quite different than the order they were originally publis...

In today’s chapter of The Literate Caveman, we are closing out our immediate discussion of The Book of Five Rings with an overview of some of the key principles from the book.  First we will look at the six principles translator William Scott Wilson feels are central to the text, and then I will discuss the three principles that I feel stand out as central to Musashi’s themes.  

In today’s chapter of The Literate Caveman, we review the Wind Chapter of the book of Five Rings, with a quick look at the Emptiness Chapter.  In this chapter Musashi discusses the shortcomings he saw in other styles of his day, listing out nine specific subjects that he felt led to particularly less-desirable frame of mind for martial artists.  As we review this, we discuss some thoughts on how i...

In today’s episode of The Literate Caveman, we discuss the Fire Scroll, of Miyamoto Musashi’s Book of Five Rings.  In the Fire scroll, Musashi discusses his thoughts on battle, sharing mindset principles and tactics that he learned over the course of his life, winning over 60 duels and fighting in at least three major battles.  

In the Water Scroll, Miyamoto Musashi discusses the mindset and principles that characterize his style of swordsmanship.  In today’s episode, we will discuss this mindset, and how it differs fundamentally from the way many martial arts are taught in modern times. 

In today’s episode of The Literate Caveman, we continue our discussion of Miyamoto Musashi’s Book of Five Rings with an examination of the Earth Chapter, or scroll.  In this chapter, Musashi lays down the principles for his practical approach to swordsmanship and life, and he introduces fundamental principles such as rhythm and preferences, that he will discuss throughout the text.  

In today’s episode of The Literate Caveman, I am introducing The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi.  This book is very well known, but I suspect not studied very much.  I have talked to a lot of people over the years who have heard of it, but very few who have read it or studied it.  This is recognized as one of the best books on strategy, and in my view it is one of the best books on mindset...

In today’s episode of The Literate Caveman, we conclude our review of The Logic of Failure by Deitrich Dorner.  This episode overviews some of the challenges we have in managing complex problems, recognizing that we need to strive to do what is appropriate at the time.  As Dorner phrases it; “Everything at its proper time and with proper attention to existing conditions.”  Finally, the author wrap...

In today’s episode of the Literate Caveman, we near the end of The Logic of Failure.  In this chapter, author Deitrich Dorner reviews more interesting studies, including one that suggests people can easily drift from their moral and ethical standards, especially when they feel they do not have control of a situation.  

Today, we are diving deeper into the planning process, and discussing some ways in which we can narrow our focus as we select the best strategies for dealing with complex problems.  

“Catastrophes seem to hit suddenly, but in reality the way has been prepared for them.”  In today’s episode of The Literate Caveman, we continue our discussion about how human beings have difficulty predicting events over the course of time.  We review three different studies in this episode, ranging from refrigeration units, to hyenas, and finishing with predatory wasps.  All related from The Log...

Exponential growth happens when a variable is multiplied by a specific amount over a period of time.  This is much different than linear growth, but the two are often confused.  In the Logic of Failure, author Dietrich Dorner uses the idea of exponential growth to discuss how people have a challenging time predicting and tracking change within complex systems over time.  

In today’s episode of The Literate Caveman, we continue our review of The Logic of Failure by Deitrich Dorner.  Today we are going to look at how abstract thought helps to form generalizations- and examine some cautions about taking this too far.  We will also discuss how context is critical when selecting a strategy to solve complex problems.

In today’s episode of The Literate Caveman, we continue our review of The Logic of Failure by Deitrich Dorner.  Today we discuss how Positive Feedback and Negative Feedback work by themselves, and how they can work together.  We will also discuss the difference between Critical and Indicator Variables. 

In today's episode of The Literate Caveman, we finish our review of Chapter Three of the book.  In this section, Dorner introduces the ideas of 'Goal Inversion' and 'Conceptual Integration'.  He also explains how people can fall back on conspiracy theories to pass the blame for their own failures.   

In today’s episode of The Literate Caveman we continue our review of The Logic of Failure by Dietrich Dorner.  In this episode, we review the idea of ‘Repair Service Behavior’ ‘Flow Experience’ and look at some of the consequences of allowing an implicit goal to displace a primary goal. 

In today’s episode of The Literate Caveman, we review some different categories of goals and their requirements. 

In today's episode of The Literate Caveman, we continue our review of Dietrich Dorner's book The Logic of Failure.  This episode outlines some of the parameters for dealing with complex systems, and helps lays the foundation for the authors advice on goal setting