Need more input!

Well, it's kind of late right now, but I wanted to write a quick post because I have something on my mind.  I had a conversation today with a coworker about the decline in curiosity in today's generation.  We both concluded that the "instant gratification and answers at your fingertips" lifestyle that today's generation has become accustomed to has slowly killed people's curiosity.  I wrote a post a couple months ago about my own curiosity and how it fuels my own learning, but today I want to examine how others are affected.

What I have started to see with others is how easy it is for anybody to bust out their phone or go on their computer and find the answer to any question they may have.  At first glance, this may seem like a good thing for learning.  And to some extent it is.  But what I really notice is that most people don't take the next step with their own learning.  They stop after finding the one answer they were looking for.  They don't let that answer lead them to other questions.  In effect, they have failed to allow their curiosity to take over, and prevented continued learning and higher level thinking.

We should want to continue gathering input to satisfy our curiosity.  Personally, I'm always looking to learn something and always in need of more input, much like Number 5 from Short Circuit.  But it scares me to think that others don't share the same thirst for information.  I wonder how this might affect our future and if this perceived lack of curiosity will continue to get worse.  What do you think?  Are people less curious nowadays?  Do you have a constant desire for more input?  Feel free to share your thoughts.

Not sure why I decided to include this particular clip, but enjoy.

Great White Buffalo

Last night I watched Hot Tub Time Machine.  The more I see that movie, the more I really like it.  Seriously, it's funny because it's so cheesy.  If you've never seen it I recommend you give it a shot.  But it centers around three guys who are unhappy in their present day lives and then get sent back to 1986 through a hot tub.  They are sent back to a pivotal night in all of their lives, with the vague instructions that they need to do things exactly the same as they did the first time in order to get back to the present.  In their efforts to try to not change anything they are faced with some major questions.  They start taking a look at their present lives and realize how unhappy they are, causing them in turn to wonder if the original choices they made really were the best.  This brings up an interesting question.  If you could go back in time, would you do anything different?  My initial answer to this question is always, "Hell yes!"  But once I think about it a little more, I'm not so sure.  I start thinking about the ripple effects of making one change.  If I change one thing to gain something over here, I may lose something over there.  So you have to think about all the ways your life would be different, not just the one aspect you wish you could change.

The one concept that frequents the movie is the Great White Buffalo, or the one that got away.  Each of the character's has their Great White Buffalo and has to deal with the dilemma of possibly letting her go again.  That got me thinking about my Great White Buffalo.  (I don't think she's reading this, but if you are and you know it's you, call me)  But seriously, would I let her get away if I had another chance?  I don't know.  I know I wouldn't want to, but, again, I'd have to think about the ripple effects.  It's quite the predicament.  But what would you do?  And when was the last time you thought about your Great White Buffalo?  Don't lie, you know you have one.

But it's just something to think about because these are the random things that I do think about pretty regularly.  And check out Hot Tub Time Machine if you get a chance.

The Return of the Useless Facts!

So I realized that it's been awhile since I've recorded a Useless Fact. And then I discovered a really interesting fact while watching a baseball game.  So I decided to record a new one!  Here it is!

What do you think?  If you want me to record some more, let me know!

My Ten Favorite Words

We had a competition at work recently to see who could use the most creative adjective in an introduction of ourselves.  This got me thinking about my favorite words.  Don't judge, you know you have favorite words also.  And now I'm going to share my list with all of you.

1. Platypus
Go ahead, say it.  And now you're smiling.  It's just a really fun word to say.  I can't even explain why, but it tops my list.

2. Woolly Mammoth
I know this is two words, but they fit so perfectly together.  Again, they're just fun to say.

3. Ubiquitous
This is an SAT word at its finest.  Any chance I get to throw this one out there in conversation I take it.

4. Plethora
There are a plethora of reasons why I love this word.  At the top of this list is the fact that it just rolls off the tongue.

5. Orlando
I don't know why.  But when I say it, I get real dramatic... and then smile.

6. Loquacious
I can occasionally be a loquacious person, even more so when I can use the word in conversation.

7. Mellifluous
It means harmonious, just like it sounds.

8. Crayon
Again, I don't know why.  I just like it for some reason.

9. Bodacious
Because when I say it I like to pretend I'm a surfer, or a ninja turtle.

10. Waffle
Not only are they delicious, but they're fun to talk about as well.

So what are your favorite words.  I'd love to hear you all share.