ThinkWORKS: Because Thinking Is The Hardest Work There Is.

We all think we understand what time is, but both Relativity and Quantum Mechanics suggest that our understanding of Time may need to be more flexible! This episode considers the nature of time, asks is it possible to travel through it and if so how, and looks at how theories from Einstein and Hawking challenge what we perceive is reality. Come and join in the discussion at https://www.darreninfor...

Warning: this episode can seriously mess with your mind! In the 1999 movie 'The Mummy' Imhotep says 'Death is only the beginning!' and a new paper in Psychology Today seems to agree with him! Death, it seems, may just be a transition from one conscious reality to another and so this episode discusses the reasoning behind this bold claim and explains some of the principles behind it. Join the the d...

From my forthcoming book 'You 2.0: Build Yourself Better', I discuss the Gaia Principle, the idea that we are part of a virtual eco-system, and whether in work, professional, personal or community life, we should try to break free of silo-thinking to deliver greater benefits whilst minimising the negative effects of change. Join the discussion at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voi...

Panpsychism is a philosophical theory that suggests that consciousness is a fundamental and ubiquitous feature of the universe. According to this view, all matter, regardless of its complexity, possesses some form of consciousness or experiential quality. This means that even the smallest particles, like atoms or subatomic particles, have a form of consciousness.  This idea challenges the traditio...

This episode we talk about some of the developments and concepts being put forward that could improve transportation, reduce congestion and the environmental impact of transportation, but also considers the potential negative impacts of these developments. And stay tuned for an anecdotal discussion of a possible futuristic technology that might be here sooner than you think... Join in the discussi...

In another of our 'Unexplained Mysteries' series, we take a look at the field of cryptozoology, and consider the existence or not of such creatures as Bigfoot, the Yeti, the Chupacabra and the Loch Ness Monster as we discuss why humans are still fascinated with the whole idea of monsters out there in the wild.  Join in the discussion at  https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/d...

The Unexpected Guest is the 13th Principle in my new book 'You 2.0: Build Yourself Better' and is all about how you must ask on a regular basis a simple but powerful question: What event, no matter how unlikely, should it occur destroy my professional or private life (or product or service or business or community and so on) literally overnight? Think Nokia and Apple, Tran-Pennsylvania Rail and th...

This week we discuss one of the Principles from my new book, 'You 2.0: Build Yourself Better', namely Principle 5: The Kill All Monsters Principle! In other words, don't wait for the monstrous looking egg to turn into a Godzilla-size monstrosity that stamps all over your life or business! Join in the discussion at https://www.darreninform.com/forum/2-thinkworks-voiceworks/discussion/9c3e7b1b-ee25-...

Few areas of the planet create a feeling of dread and hold a fascination of the mysterious, as much as an area of sea known as 'The Bermuda Triangle', a place where ships and planes noted for generations strange occurrences, fires in the sky and  disappearances that left no wreckage or survivors. This episode, part of our series within a series, looks at the Unexplained Mystery surrounding this se...

As we conclude our look at Indian & Eastern philosophy, we discuss discourses and thought experiments around consciousness & awareness, and bring the whole field to the modern world and how these ideas apply to AI and the growing search to create Artificial Consciousness. Comment at Discussion - 2: ThinkWorks & VoiceWorks | darreninform with you own thoughts on this subject!

Many people think that Einstein was just a simple scientist who went about formulating the laws that govern the Universe, but he was so much more than that. Apart from being the man who had the greatest single impact on the advancement of our understanding of the laws that govern the physical universe, Einstein was also a philosopher king! From my new book 'You 2.0: Build Yourself Better', we look...

We continue our mini-series on Eastern & Indian philosophies and consider the nature of reality in Hindu, Buddhist & Taoist teachings, and how they are both similar to and differ from Plato's Allegory of the Cave. Join in the discussion at  Comment Here for ThinkWORKS Episode 58 Indian & Eastern Philosophy 101 Part 5 The Nature of Reality | darreninform

Few mysteries have captured the American psyche more than that of the mysterious disappearance of a whole colony of English settlers in 1590, leaving behind only one word, Croatoan, which was carved into a log within the deserted colony. It was only natural therefore, that your hosts, Darren Smithson & Steve Lowe, discuss the story behind the colony, possible causes of its disappearance, and t...

Continuing our series on Eastern & Indian philosophies, this edition of ThinkWORKS examines the Hindu & Buddhist discourses on the nature of identity and continuity, which offer both complimentary AND competing visions on the nature of self in a reality that is either permanently fixed OR constantly changing. Join in the discussion at Comment Here for ThinkWORKS Episode 56 Indian & Eas...

The Buddhist beliefs about the 4 Noble Truths and the 8-fold Noble Path form the foundation of a deeply profound philosophical doctrine with parallels and connections to other Asian philosophies. This episode explains what the Noble Truths are and how they can be achieved by following the 8-fold Noble Path. Join in the discussion at  Comment Here for ThinkWORKS Episode 55 Eastern & Indian Phil...

Continuing our introduction on the principle themes of Indian and Eastern philosophy, this episodes discusses some more of the considerations we need to have before we delve properly into their key philosophical discourses on the nature of reality, truth and enlightenment. Join in the discussion at  Comment Here for ThinkWORKS Episode 54 Eastern & Indian Philosophy An Introduction Part 2 | dar...

At last, we pick up the threads of our Philosophy 101 by looking at the traditions put forward in Indian and Eastern philosophy. Part 1 discusses the main tracts of their philosophies and compares and contrasts them with the themes put forward in modern Western philosophies, all by way of introducing this new series of episodes. Join in the discussion at  Comment Here for ThinkWORKS Episode 53 Eas...

His gruesome murders have gripped the psyche of humanity for generations, with detectives both professional and amateur spending tens of years trying to discover just who was Jack The Ripper. Join ThinkWORKS host Darren Smithson and regular contributor Steve Lowe as they present the first in a 'series within a series', as ThinkWORKS becomes 'Unexplained Mysteries' to discuss the horror of this inf...

If we accept that science and technology will continue to develop new frontiers across all aspects of our life and work, what ethical frameworks should we insist are developed to protect and serve the wider humanity? This episode picks up from episode 50s discussion of the near future. Add you own view to  Comment Here for ThinkWORKS Episode 51 The 50 Year Horizon: An Epilogue! | darreninform

Looking to the edge of what is predictable before accuracy starts to fall away, this episode discusses the idea of 'the 50 year horizon', the impact of Arthur C Clarke, the visionary who really give this concept traction, and attempts to make some predictions about scientific and technological advances over the coming 50 years. Join in the discussion at  Comment Here for ThinkWORKS Episode 50: The...

A plan without the strategies needed to achieve the goal of the plan, is a document without a purpose! This episode discusses one of the ideas in my new book 'You 2.0: Build Yourself Better', and explains how best to employ necessary strategies for managing you work, personal life or projects.  Join in the discussion at  Comment Here for ThinkWORKS Episode 49 Strategy Wins Every Time! | darreninfo...

Since its publication in 1897, Bram Stoker's Dracula has both horrified and inspired countless generations and numerous adaptations across all media types, from film, TV, music and comics, to plays and new books. But 'Dracula' also spoke to the fears and anxieties of its Victorian audience, and provides a lens into a world seemingly still locked in those fears. This episode discusses the Count and...

Why do monsters fascinate us? What makes humans create legends, stories and myths around Krakens, Sirens, Mummies, Zombies, Vampires and Aliens? This episode delves into the deep psychological need humans have to both explain unexplainable events AND live cathartically through chills and thrills. Join in the discussion and share with us your favourite monster and why it is, at   Comment Here for T...

Wait, don't run away! This episode we take a look at why you are good at maths but probably don't know it, and how maths shapes everything around us from days of yore to the furthest reaches of space. All that and we have a quick introduction to the famous equation e=mc2 (energy = mass x the speed of light squared). If you want to know how to take control of your mathematics in life, tell us in th...

We all joke about making executive decisions, but the reality is that we’ve created a climate of fear that most definitely dissuades us from making key decisions just in case we make the wrong one. In effect we’ve got into a state of learned helplessness. You see like any muscle, decision making has to be done consistently other wise the ability to make decisions becomes weak and flabby. This epis...