Joseph's "Just My Thoughts"

The wall feels uncomfortable and unclear primarily because it is vertical. Its thickness and height are not the key issues; what matters is the slope. If the slope is mild, anyone can ascend it, regardless of the wall. Thus, it’s advisable to steer clear of climbing walls and to do hills. Life’s challenges stem from the endless cycles of rising and falling rather than simply from the effort of climbing upward. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

When the caterpillar believed its journey was at an end, it transformed into a beautiful butterfly. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the shell you need to shed and think it marks the end of everything you know. But change is really about embracing new beginnings and discovering a fresh perspective! Although changing ourselves can be daunting and even a little painful, it’s also a chance for growth. The caterpillar that struggles with what to let go of isn’t foolish; it’s simply on a journey of discovery. So, before you stress about your next steps, why not take a moment to reflect on what your shell represents? - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Previously, the medium held exclusive power over the message, making its truth unquestionable.  Now, with digital technology enabling individual media creation, anyone can craft a message.  Essentially, messages have transformed into their own mediums.  When you produce a shareable message, you effectively become a medium yourself.  However, the significance of sending messages is often overlooked.  The perceived value of a message shifts dramatically when people trust the messenger’s identity.  Therefore, to manage Instagram effectively, prioritize establishing a credible identity and consistently sharing valuable content. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

A truly intelligent individual embraces new perspectives, information, ideas, contradictions, and challenges to existing beliefs. If you lack a foundational understanding despite having extensive knowledge, this knowledge may lead to misunderstandings or an inability to connect concepts, ultimately reinforcing stubbornness. As assumptions, facts, and circumstances evolve, it is prudent to adapt swiftly. This quality is known as “Intellectual Humility.” - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

In the future, those who effectively manage the “signifiant” as opposed to the “signifié” will prevail. For instance, if you post food content on Instagram, viewers are not interested in every single menu item. Such details can be found anywhere. Even a self-boarded student prepares and enjoys their meals. If the food represents the “signifié,” then the arrangement of the food itself is the “signifiant.” What users engage with on Instagram is not merely the food but rather the presentation that signifies it. Without a message that stands out, your Instagram is likely to get lost among countless other posts. Remember, the medium is the message, and the message is the medium. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

One hundred seventy years ago, tuberculosis was a lethal disease. This illness posed a significant threat to humanity, resulting in an estimated 1 billion deaths between 1700 and 1900. Notably, traces of tuberculosis have been found in the mummies of ancient Egyptian kings. In the late 1840s, German botanist Hermann Brehmer, confronted with the fatality of tuberculosis, relocated to the Himalayas in search of fresh air. Remarkably, he survived and is believed to have successfully fought off Mycobacterium tuberculosis in that less favorable environment for bacterial growth. As a result, numerous nursing homes emerged across Europe and the United States, including specialized facilities for tuberculosis care and luxury accommodations for the affluent. However, by the 1940s, many of these nursing homes began closing due to the emergence of antibiotics, which drastically changed their economic viability. Throughout history, it seems that economic value often proves transient. - Joseph’s “j...

While our bodies rest, our blood remains active. About 30 minutes into sleep, the killer T cells that combat viruses, bacteria, and toxins start to function, aided by growth hormones that repair damaged tissues. Quality sleep enhances the immune system, which in turn promotes further sleep, creating a beneficial cycle that maintains our health. Therefore, ensuring adequate sleep is essential. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

My mother uses an old cell phone instead of a typical smartphone. My father passed away without ever owning a cell phone. Though they were my parents living in the same era as technology advanced, they struggled to learn how to use a computer. As a result, my parents felt increasingly out of touch. Existing in the same timeframe doesn’t guarantee that everyone experiences the same advancements in civilization. Although time progresses universally, its impact varies among individuals. This variance is shaped by our memories and cognitive perceptions. Thus, the saying, “You don’t miss your water till the well runs dry” remains relevant. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

A Korean AI company developed a language-learning AI for a 5-year-old, splitting it into two systems: one displaying only children’s videos and the other showcasing YouTube videos. After two months of learning, the company was eager to assess the results. They found that children using YouTube, with fewer restrictions, had better language-learning outcomes than those who watched only children’s videos. This raised a thought in me: parents’ efforts to protect their children from certain influences may stem from an unreasonable desire. Striving for perfection can feel woefully inadequate in this world. Isn’t the essence of education about equipping individuals with the knowledge of right and wrong and guiding them to maintain their humanity? - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Self-love is an essential human instinct, prompting us to prioritize our own survival before others. This instinct makes it challenging to make sacrifices for those around us. However, when we deeply love someone, we essentially extend and project our self-concept onto them. In essence, love involves sharing my self-love with another person. Consequently, love fades when I can no longer see myself reflected in that person. When our self-love becomes distorted, it leads to suffering in our relationships with others. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The tallest mountain in the solar system is Olympus Mons on Mars, towering about three times higher than Mt. Everest. Its area, covering 295,000 ㎢, surpasses the size of the Korean Peninsula (220,850 ㎢) and is nearly equivalent to that of France or Arizona. While Olympus Mons has a greater height than any mountain on Earth, its vast area results in an average slope of only 5 degrees. As a result, hikers who ascend Olympus Mons often feel as if they are traversing a flat plain. For humans, the steepness of a climb matters more than its height. For example, ascending a steeper 5 m pole can be more challenging than gradually scaling a 500 m mountain. In life, choosing the right slope to climb is often more crucial than focusing solely on the height reached, whether going uphill or downhill. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Revealing all your attractiveness and skills at once is unwise. This principle is also relevant in business. In marketing, creating “waiting demand” can occur when a superior product model is announced in advance, pressuring customers to postpone their purchases. This phenomenon is known as the “Osborne Effect,” named after the Osborne Computer Company in England, which introduced an excessively innovative computer named Vixen and subsequently went bankrupt the following year because existing products could not be sold. Innovating and guiding your current customers is never a straightforward task. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

When you look out from inside your house, you can see your yard. This is known as the “right of view.” If your view is obstructed, then your yard may feel limited to that boundary. Some people even take legal action to protect their right of view. Cliffs, on the other hand, hold little property value due to their danger and high construction costs. Nevertheless, if you build a house on a cliff, your yard extends as far as the eye can see. For instance, when you purchase land on a coastal cliff and install an infinity pool, the seamless horizon and sky beyond the pool become part of your front yard. It’s essential to bring nature into your home and blend your living space with the blue sea and sky, even if you have only open cliffs and modest infinity pools. Perceived space often holds more value than physical space. Many scenic images on Instagram illustrate this concept of perceived space. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

A heart’s wound heals not through will but through chance. If we fixate on our lingering emotions and pain, we will endure even greater suffering until we encounter that chance. Emptying our minds isn’t just a trendy idea; it’s essential, as clinging to stubbornness leads to futility. I realized this truth after overcoming my stubbornness, which ultimately brought me far more happiness and joy than regret by freeing myself from it. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The format influences the content. Does coffee served in an attractive cup taste better? Short pants look stylish on some occasions, while others seem tacky or absurd. Why do the same jeans have such varying perceptions? Factors like who wears them, the type of fabric, and the context define their coolness or sloppiness. Effective communication relies on a format that is worthy of quality content. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

When classifying relationships, you might identify three types: those that only give, those that only receive, and those that both give and receive. Typically, you would say that relationships characterized by mutual exchange are the happiest. However, various factors can distort these dynamics, such as a person’s circumstances or emotional pain. As a result, some individuals may prefer or find it necessary to engage in one-sided relationships where they only receive. Unlike mathematical formulas, human relationships are not so straightforward. Nonetheless, to achieve true happiness, relationships must be built on a foundation of reciprocity in giving and receiving. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Trust acts as glue, binding individuals’ needs, while money operates like a magnet; when distance is introduced, it attracts unwanted elements. Essentially, trust enhances efficiency, whereas money, in the absence of trust, leads to avoidable expenses. When money substitutes for what trust should fulfill, inefficiency and waste significantly increase. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

When a prominent cultural innovator escapes monotony and creates an alleyway that embodies a fresh cultural identity, a new attraction emerges, making latecomers envious of this hideout. As the number of visitors grows through word of mouth, real estate prices in the area rise, and landlords are quick to seize this opportunity. Ironically, while the initial pioneers revive the area, gentrification follows due to increased rents that force them out. Landlords hike the prices, often unaware of what prompted the rise, leading to another phase of desolation for the neighborhood. The area gains popularity as visitors share photos on Instagram, highlighting that the surge in property values is fueled by social media rather than by the building’s owner. Ultimately, symbols overshadow actual substance. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Media shapes a “perceived space,” which exists not in the physical realm but within our imagination. Businesses that once thrived on in-person gatherings will need to adapt their perception of space to survive in the future. Traditionally, aggregation has served as a primary profit model. However, even in a distributed setting, if a cognitive connection can be established, a cognitive space emerges. While aggregation and variance are tied to physical realities, these distinctions lose relevance in cognitive terms. For instance, cafés inside train stations hold economic value due to the relatively short travel distance compared to those outside. Yet, a café just outside the station, equipped with an LED display providing boarding information, effectively extends the perceived economic value of the train station space. Instagram exemplifies this concept; to reiterate, media creates a perceived space. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The phenomenon of making choices that contradict one’s genuine feelings in order to avoid isolation or blend in with others is termed the “Abilene Paradox.” Such paradoxes occur when a group’s choice results in unfavorable outcomes, even as a member publicly endorses it while secretly criticizing the group’s original decision. This situation often arises from individuals’ fear that voicing their discomfort may disturb others, particularly in settings that suppress authentic emotional expression. This underscores the difficulty of effective organizational communication and emphasizes the vital role that leadership plays in any organization. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”