Technology As Innovator

As good as a book index

My summary of the Enneagram, for example, summarizes my knowledge after reading most celebrated books on the topic.

While a summary doesn’t generally provide thorough coverage as a book does, it gives readers an outline of the subject. When the reader have familiarized themselves with topics and terminologies, s/he then can focus on learning what needed.

As good as a trivia

This serious joke on a Marketer is generally considered trivial. However, a seemingly trivial matter, as it often comes from close observation of the world in another angle, may generate innovative ideas, help to spot niche markets or popup interesting surprises.

As good as a fiction

Some articles contain stories; stories tell lives. Articles that tell lives hold metaphors of human values.

This one is a positive guide to help better communication. But more than that, if you read and feel, imagine and think, you will be able to visualize another sophisticated side of the life of some people you have known.

Explore your friends the way you do fiction

As good as a well-established message

When I write about free software, my message is clear: “Use software legally!”

If you want to send a message, write about it and include deep thoughts. The quantity and quality of response you receive proportionate the efforts you spend.

Less is more

My advice for web surfers is not to read more, but to understand more deeply the contents of the articles. If you find yourself not understanding an article you find weirdly interesting, read it again; if you don’t have time to read that many for many times, surf less.

Many articles make up a book

I have read many in-depth blog posts and followed many discussions on Search Engine Optimization. Then just recently I got my hand on a well-written book on SEO. Much to my surprise, most knowledge and insights covered in the book can be found in FREE articles all over the net.

When to refrain from online articles

While valuing the benefits of reading online articles, I don’t encourage replacing reading books with skimming articles though. Articles are scattered, more well-off, many of which contain noises or non-relevant comments. To a beginner in a subject, reading a book cover-to-cover should still be favored, since being able to collect and synthesize scattered knowledge requires information finding and knowledge management skills together with relatively well-formed experience on the (similar) subject.

Another factor should be considered is that “many articles is equivalent a book” can be applied effectively in technology fields where cohesion is within its own logical structure. For social sciences and economics, it is less recommended as reading scattered bits of different schools is an easy way to enter confusion.

Self-help gives your a Weapon

Are you sure that weapon fits you, or have you had the might to wield it?

Self-helps are designed to give you techniques, rather than a foundation on which techniques are applied. Imagine: a foundation of your character is like the base and frame of a house and techniques bricks and mortars. The beauty of the house’s bearing may attract people at first, but it is the base and frame that keeps it stable and functioning as a shelter - a house’s first and foremost purpose. Imagine further: how does someone neglected for his/her inner beauty running around trying every patches of advice look?

Besides, one thing I don’t feel easy about many self-helps or quick fixes is their headlines: “Self-helps for Lazy people”, “How to perform this in 10 minutes”. It’s true that these headlines sell for rushing people. It’s true that some can be more efficient applying these quick fixes, but is it true that one can be truly more effective after some hours? All successful people work hard; differentiation in level of success depends on how smart each individual works. All work hard, no other less painful way. Realize the clear line between selling and helping.

Foundation is your Might

Foundation consists of principles of good living. Many principles are universal across the globe, and stand through time. Integrity, temperance, courage, responsibility… are a few to name. Referring to human, the foundation is your character.

It’s easier to teach ones with firm foundation some techniques and they will continue to develop by themselves.

Foundation is the streamline which guides you through life. Your behaviors, attitude and skills all depend on the foundation you build within yourself. It is what makes your thinking, feeling and doing consistent. Your character is the root answer to any doubts and questions.

Most of all, developing a foundation is neither easy nor quick. No shortcut is available. Reviewing back, self-helps are not corners for you to cut either; they extend and strengthen your foundation.

One example: How to win friends

Certain self-helps teach you to

• Smile
• Remember the name
• Encourage others to talk about themselves
• Talk in terms of the other person’s interests
• Make the other person feel important
• and etc.

What do you notice? They are all actions. What lies beneath to make an infrastructure and bind these actions together harmoniously is the foundation we’re discussing.

One foundation is your genuine friendship. You will win genuine friends if you are a good friend in the first place. Some principles integrated into a good friends include honesty, loyalty, giving. When you are good in nature, you have friends. Applying techniques helps you to hasten and beautify the process.

Principles are primary. Actions and techniques are auxiliary. Do not confuse them.

How to utilize full power of self-helps

Once you have had the internal strength of foundation principles, only then, I believe, will you see the true power of self-helps: like One with Might and Masteries equipped with Good Weapons and Techniques.

Another Illustration

1. When one rapidly add good practice to his doings while the foundation has not been strong enough…

…it is no more than this degenerate

2. Instead, develop your inner strength and you’ll cover them all

It takes a great deal of Confidence and sometimes Courage to be able to grow in a stable and sustainable manner.

“The way to a scientist’s mind is not through his eyes, but his inventions.” - Tai Tran

A Scientist drives his energy into making the best out of Legacies. He strives to understand concepts, then with his creativity and tremendous imagination, forms an Idea.

However, a Scientist rarely communicates his Idea, only to his science fellows if he does. What makes a Scientist different from a Theorist lies in the fact that the Scientist’s primary interest is to apply, more than merely comprehend. A Scientist doesn’t feel comfortable to publicize an abstract idea which he regards raw, less valuable and unready. Instead, a Scientist is driven to build a System, which is usually explainable to and workable on civilizations, on top of his Idea. The System can be seen as a facade to his supporting Ideas and Principles.

After a System is built, the Scientist invites entrepreneurs to apply his System by transforming it into Business; usually Scientists understand very well what they are not adept in: making money. The fact that his System is being used, and that his dedication is recognized and respected by the science bodies has been the best reward for our Scientist.