Positive emotions rooting in the present

This blog post was created based on the book of Alan Carr called Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness and Human Strengths.

There are two distinct classes of positive emotions concerned with the present:

Momentary pleasures

The pleasures include both bodily pleasures and higher pleasures. Bodily pleasures come through the senses. Feelings that come from sex, beautiful perfumes and delicious flavours fall into this category. Higher pleasures come from more complex activities and include feelings such as bliss, glee, comfort, ecstasy and ebullience. 

More enduring gratifications

Gratifications differ from pleasures in that they involve states of absorption or flow that come from engagement in activities. Sailing, teaching and helping others are examples of such activities.

bliss - perfect happiness

glee - happiness, excitement

ebullience - being very energetic, positive and happy

This blog post was created based on the book of Alan Carr called Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness and Human Strengths.

WALK in English

Conversations - How to start?

I don't know how you feel about starting a conversation with a stranger. Some people feel a bit awkward. So I decided to collect some good questions and tips that can help you out in those uncomfortable situations.

Hi. 

- Do you know anyone here?

- Where do you work?

- Which business are you into?

- How long have you known 'Peter'?

- What drink would you recommend me? / Can I help you to choose a drink?

Ask people about the things they want to be noticed by other people, for example a rose in a woman’s hair. ‘What a nice rose. Do you always wear hair like this?’

If you go to a business meeting, you can start the conversation by talking about the circumstances of your travel. There is almost always something happening on the roads. It’s easier if you are some minutes late. ‘Sorry for being late. The traffic was terrible because of slippery roads.'

Do you have any other ideas in your mind?

WALK in English

Can computer games change the world?

Most of us have preconceptions about computer games. They are usually regarded, mainly by teachers and parents, as waste of time. But children and young adults are obsessed with them and spend more time on playing computer games than on anything else. 

So what can we do? Restrictions don’t seem to work. How about making more meaningful games? Do you think it’s possible?

Read this BBC article about serious games.

While reading the article, try to answer these questions:

1. How are computer games generally regarded?
2. What is the concept behind serious games?
3. Describe the settings of World Without Oil. 
4. How did the players of WWO look at their gaming activity?
5. What roles can you choose in Peacemaker?
6. What was the result of playing the Peacemaker in terms of social relevance?
7. What is the expected outcome of playing Coventry and Warwickshire? Who is the target audience of the game?
8. Why is it important to use innovative techniques in the classroom?

Think through the article again by following the outline of the article:

Three billion hours a week are spent on playing games. -> Can it be given a social relevance?

Examples: 

Direct analysis of the results from a game is rarely fully carried out.

The evaluation of outcomes has been deficient.

Using innovative techniques in the classroom can increase the educational performance.


WALK in English

A drop in the ocean: Location-aware music

Location-aware music. What might it be? Is it a song collection for a particular public space or a music that is instantly created by a mobile app based on characteristics of a location?

Watch this TED video and find it out.

Pre-listening task

Match the following words with their definitions:

a.) to convey, b.) sonic, c.) to traverse, d.) to unfold, e.) an array of, f.) seamlessly, g.) to be intrinsic to sg

1. of sound or the speed at which sound travels in air
2. being an extremely important and basic characteristic of a person or thing
3. happening without any sudden changes, interruption, or difficulty
4. to express a thought, feeling, or idea so that it is understood by other people
5. to move or travel through an area
6. a large group of things or people
7. If a situation or story unfolds, it develops or becomes clear to other people

Definitions are taken from Cambridge Dictionaries Online.

Now, it’s show time. Watch this TED video and find out more about location-aware music.

After watching the video, try to answer these questions:

• What is the concept behind location-aware music?
• What functionality is needed for this app?
• Why can’t people outside the US listen to this music?

WALK in English