Model of Cultural Imperatives

Resolving conflict is one of the worldwide social problems I have my mind on, under the umbrella of Algorithms for Philanthropy.  This is not a new thing for me.  More than a decade ago, I came up with a set of ideas and suggestions for dealing with conflict and ultimately eradicating it, which I called Model of Cultural Imperatives.

My focus was not necessarily on differences between people, say, in the workplace, but conflict within a country and between countries.  One glance at the news, and we cannot help but face aggression and violence:  Ukraine, Syria, Iraq and Palestine.  These are just hotbeds in Europe and Middle East that dominate the news, but scores of others cause fear, destruction and death.

The broad causes are also not that much of secret:  religious differences, government tyranny, economic disparity.  Something fuels conflict, and perhaps like a nuclear chain reaction it begets more and more conflict, as tempers flare, fighting escalates, and battles spread like an untrammeled contagion.

Model of Cultural Imperatives is an attempt to get to the root of conflict, and pluck it out like so much rank weed, and to do so better than we have to date.  The essence of The Core Algorithm is to grasp a situation sufficiently enough, in order to resolve it effectively.  Kudos to the academicians who have lent theory, research and findings to the whole bailiwick of conflict.  Bless the officials and humanitarians who have put their feet in those hotbeds to stop and control conflict. 

The cultural imperatives are group needs that must be acknowledged, appreciated and understood, then satisfied in one form or another:

Sameness

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In my first year of graduate school, I remember interviewing a fellow student for a course project.  She was Jewish, and she eschewed the belief that just because two people were also Jewish, they had an immediate friendship.  She questioned, in the other words, the imperative of sameness.  True, we as a society must work at tolerating, accepting, and relating with those from different cultural groups.  But I argue that before this can happen, there has to be a common ground among them: which may be religious, ethnic, gender or interest.

Identity

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As a corollary to the first, the imperative of identity means that whether we like it or not, in-group vs out-group is a real human phenomenon.  Psychologically identity is a set of parameters, including physical ones, that define who we are as persons.  Groups have a related set of boundaries, characteristics and values, which define who their members are.  At the same time, groups also delineate those who don't belong.  In other words, inclusion criteria are de facto exclusion criteria, too. 

Safety

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It may be physical, emotional and interpersonal, but safety is another cultural imperative.  Life preservation is fundamental to people and groups.  We may be quick to label someone as defensive or resistant, when he or she doesn't quite follow along.  Worse, we may judge groups as combative, and even dismiss them as ignorant or uncouth, when they fight against us in one form or another.  But the very fact that we are an out-group to them positions us, rightly or wrongly, as threats to their well-being.  Sure, we can fight in response, and thereby escalate the conflict, and ultimately push for a win-lose outcome.

Simplicity

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I spoke to a fellow alumni a couple of years ago, and we were on the subject of Asian-American minorities.  I argued that our broad characterizations of what this ethnic group was about had to do with our limit cognitive capacity.  Humankind may indeed be an intelligent specie on earth, but on average our ability to truly grasp things, connect the dots, and see the bigger picture is modest at best and suspect at worst.  It was more economical mentally to see Asian-Americans, rightly or wrongly, as demure, unassertive, and polite.  The alternative, as some people may see it, isn't so practical:  that is, to get to know them person-by-person.  Simplicity is a practical need and measure for us.  But isn't this the stuff of prejudice and discrimination? 

Remembering with Purpose

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In our house, we pass through the laundry room to get into the garage, and my wife often left me things to take with me, such as documents or packages, right on top of the washing machine or the dryer.  Except that, as logical as it was for her to put these things there, they didn't work for me, at least not initially.  I do a mental check of what I need to bring, and what I need to bring I put on my desk in my study upstairs.  So long before I reach the laundry room, I already have things on hand.  It wasn't difficult of course to shift my mindset, according to what worked best for my wife.  Putting things on the washing machine or dryer helped her make sure not to forget what she had to bring with her.  But it is important to consider what works best for you or a family member.

One time, I must've been going through a stressful stretch, and I seemed to forget to bring my wallet regularly.  It is illegal to drive without your license, so going off in the car without my wallet was a concern.  I am mindful enough that when I am under stress, or when I must absorb myself in work, I avoid little things that can be a minor disaster.  In general, for example, I avoid having drinks while I'm at my laptop, most especially when I oblivious to things outside of what I'm working on.  Alternatively I put a drink at arm's length, so I don't accidentally knock it over.  Two years ago I dropped a hot entree at my father's house, when I was in the midst of a long day of taking care of my ailing mother.  So when I have to transfer a steaming dish from the microwave to the table, I am deliberate about using pot holders and two hands.

What was one thing I would never forget, when leaving the house, I asked myself.  My keys.  It worked perfectly, in that stressful, forgetful stretch, to put the keys right on top of my wallet.  We have hooks for keys right by the door, heading into the garage, so it's convenient and we don't misplace car keys.  But what I discovered long ago has been a convenient mechanism for remembering things: I'd put my keys on envelopes and bags at home, or wherever, and my sisters would do the same thing: that is, put leftovers and other items they want us to take home, right by my keys and wallet.

The Core Algorithm is simple in that we do only what works vis-a-vis whatever it is we want or need to do.  It requires us to be purposeful and mindful, in order to make it work.

Dieting with Purpose

On April 30th 2011, Rabab Khan, an editor with Gulf News in Dubai, e-mailed me:

I am currently working on a story for the Cut the Fat campaign and was hoping you could help me. We are focusing on children and teenagers and trying to understand the impact of what they eat and do in the long run. Having a PhD in Clinical psychology, your expert opinion would help us understand the details behind child behaviour. Could you kindly provide responses to the following questions? I will use these responses in my story.

What you eat as a child/teenager, how does it affect the life long fitness?
Do parents need to focus on children’s behaviour and activities? Why?
What advise would you give to parents?

To which I replied:

Children and teenagers are active sorts, from games and sports, to performing activities like drama and music, etc. So, in general, as far as fitness goes, I encourage parents to help their children on those particular things that naturally keep them interested and therefore active.

Yes, of course, eating habits, learned in childhood, have implications for life long fitness. There are already plenty of good advice on healthy eating in newspapers and on YouTube. But how we eat and what we eat are very much a part of our culture and family life. I hardly see this point addressed in dietary advice. So what healthy eating means for an Arab, an Asian or an European family can be radically different. More specifically, their diet has to suit their palate, and diet experts must account for this cultural aspect or else they risk their clients not following their advice.

For example, one good Arab friend of mine suggested I eat dates regularly during the course of the day, as part of trying to lose weight. I like the sweet taste of dates, and I know they're very healthy. But as a Filipino-American, I found that dates just don't suit my palate and aren't part of my overall culture. So I was not inclined to follow his suggestion.

In sum, then, eating and fitness are founded on a wonderful complex of family, personal and cultural factors. Parents may want more education or advice on this, as the guidance they provide their children and the values they impart around this will have a life long impact on their children.

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Much of what I hear about healthy diets sound very good.  There is no arguing the benefits of fruit and vegetables, for example, over fatty fast food fare.  There is no questioning the merits of modest servings, over heaping platefuls at the all-you-eat luncheons.  But for better or for worse, I was raised on meat and rice, as a Filipino boy, and that is what I love most.  My palate and appetite simply are not geared for yogurt and cottage cheese, salads and fruits.  So give me the best of your scientifically-evidenced, doctor-recommended dietary advice, and it's meaningless to me - and perhaps for scores of others as well - if you don't take into account who I am, where I'm from, and what I like.

The Core Algorithm is simple enough in its 3-step process vis-a-vis dieting:

1. Clarify what you're aiming to do.
2. Map out what you need to do.
3. Do what you need to do.  

The personal, human element is a crucial part of dieting effectively, such as culture and palate.  The lady in the image above says a whole lot with her expression.  Some dietitians may present it just like that:  An either-or proposition between a healthy and an unhealthy plate.  In fact there are a host of options that may suit her better.  If she genuinely loves hamburgers, perhaps she can substitute them with a vegetable burger or chicken breast, instead.  Of she may decide it's workable to weave a couple of juicy hamburgers during the week, in an otherwise healthy fare.  Maybe there are particular fruits and vegetables she loves the most, which can be the mainstay of her diet.  For me, it's bananas and asparagus.  Perhaps there are alternative foods she can enjoy exploring, such as from different countries or cultures, other than hamburgers and salads.

Again, adopt a diet that works best for you and serves your purpose.  This means casting your eyes open and exploring options at your disposal.

Exercising with Purpose

High-Intensity Interval Training, by Neila Rey 

The Micro HIIT 7-day program is ideal for a busy week when fitting exercise in is a challenge. You can still stay active and get fitter, improve your cardiovascular system and your core with these seven easy-to-follow microworkouts. It is perfect for home training and it is hotel and travel friendly. 

It adds 150 extra minutes of training to your week without compromising your schedule.

I exercise daily, and draw on different types of exercises: from T'ai Chi and meditation, to aerobic, stretching and resistance.  I don't have a gym membership, but I do a complete routine that works perfectly for me and costs nothing (e.g., doing push ups, talking brisk walks).  So when I stumbled on Neila Rey's program on Google+, I was curious: not just from an exercise standpoint, but also in relation to The Core Algorithm.

I love her Introduction:

On my stream I share fitness and personal development related content but I also post fun stuff because I believe that laughing daily is just as important as keeping physically and mentally fit.
I do a lot of circuit and bodyweight training, running, boxing and martial arts. I believe in being versatile that way as much as being open to new experiences and new information.

I draw and design workouts and motivational posters and put together easy-to-follow no-equipment training programs. I do my best to make fitness as fun and as accessible as possible, provide solutions for maintaining health and well-being that are reasonable, easy to understand and to follow, and don’t cost you anything.

In person I am somewhat goofy and awkward, like Scrat from Ice Age. I love all things tech, video games, superheroes and science fiction in every shape and form. If it’s got magic and sword wielding, space or time travel, alternate or virtual reality... or Batman in it - I am sold! 

All of my posters and articles can be found at NeilaRey.com, my project’s official website I maintain and run. You can find all of my work - all of my workouts, fitness challenges, recipes, training programs and tips there. It’s a free, ad-free and product placement free health and fitness resource.

Rey does have quite a lot to offer on her website, and I really appreciate that.  The main thing, first of all, is to crystallize in your mind what you're trying to accomplish with your exercise:  Do you have a fitness goal, a weight target, or a health reason for exercising?  It may not be so clear at first, in fact it may take some time and effort before you've crystallized it.  But of course begin with the end in mind.

Second, walk backwards from where you want to be and map the pathway to where you are now.  The main thing about this step is to do only those things that truly work for you and allow you to accomplish your aims.  I often wonder how many times people secure an expensive club membership or dish out a lot for home gym equipment, and end up not using any of it:  It's too inconvenient, it's too far, or it's too boring.  For me, simple, convenient, no-cost works quite effectively.  I can weave an exercise session by walking to a meeting in downtown Chicago, for instance, instead of taking a taxi.  But you may prefer the focus, equipment, trainers and environment of a health club.  If so, and you have the budget, then go for it.  But this second step prompts you to assess honestly what you need vis-a-vis your end in mind.

Finally, it's all about Nike and just do it.  Now that you have mapped that pathway, walk it.  This is the nuts-and-bolts of getting something done.  This is where the rubber meets the road of accomplishing something.  This is the meat to the bone of anything else beforehand.  Analogies abound, yes.  But the guiding principle is doing what you need to do to reach your aims.

The following is a working - AME - guide:

• Ability.  What are you able to do, and what aren't you able to do, right now?  If Rey's HIIT program is too strenuous for you, then dial it down as far as you need to make it work for you, for example, maybe three rounds once a day.  You can build it up, as you get stronger or build your ability.  Of course if it's too easy, then you can readily raise the intensity by doing more rounds or reducing the rest period.
• Motivation.  This is what's in your heart, and it ties into your purpose or aims.  If it's something that is truly and honestly important to you, you will feel motivated.  There are of course a myriad of things that are important to our lives, so it's also a matter of choosing what makes the most sense for you to actually pursue.  Mine was the aggravation of being a bit heavy and stiff, that putting on winter clothing was quite a chore.  I needed to revise my exercise routine and raise the intensity.  
• Energy.  You have the ability, you have the heart, but how able is your body to make exercise happen?  I find that some people and their trainers have a major tendency to overdo exercise, especially at the start.  It may be ego-driven.  They may be so ambitious about reaching their aims that they lose track of where they really are now and what actually works for them.  Contrary to many motivational posts we see, we simply do not have an infinite reservoir of energy.  We must work with what we have, and be sure to rest, recover and replenish that energy.  

The reason this three-step process is an algorithm is because it doesn't prescribe what you ought to do with your exercise vis-a-vis aims.  It's actually a meta-method for deciding what methods will actually work best for you.  So keep this in mind as you scope Rey's program and her offerings.  She has chock-full on her website and on Google+, so you have a lot of options at your disposal.  Go for it mindfully and enthusiastically.

"Everything you can imagine is real"

Theory of Algorithms is about looking at things different, and The Core Algorithm is about doing things differently.

Keep your mind creative, even if you're sitting in a boring meeting

So keeping a creative eye and taking a creative approach is key to a host of aims: achieving goals, solving problems, and rising up to challenges.

Imagine it as vividly as you can, if you want to make something happen

My conceptual framework is also about taking reality as it is, and this includes human reality.  Certainly when we imagine things, the very act of imagining is a real thing.  As an artist, or creator of any kind, you can realize whatever it is you imagine.

Create what you need to create

The Core Algorithm is about making the future, not predicting the future.  If we have a goal in mind, an objective to meet, or a vision to realize, we can take active steps to make any of that happen.

Girls and the Women They Become

I love the following videos, and posted them as a theme on a recent Friday.  Girls, and the women they become, often need encouragement to do well.  But at the very least the rest of us must simply stop doing things that discourage them.  These videos are commercials, but I appreciate the social good that the company or brand behind them is doing.  In any case, they offer useful, practical advice.

Isn't it time we told her she's pretty brilliant, too? Inspire her to change the world.

I am excited to be a part of the movement to redefine 'like a girl' into a positive affirmation. ~Lauren Greenfield

Don't let labels hold you back. Be strong and shine.

Sorry, not sorry...

Je suis désolée
Lo siento
Ik ben droevig
Sono spiacente
Perdóname 

I've heard it all before...

I don't wanna hear, I don't wanna know
Please don't say you're sorry
I've heard it all before
And I can take care of myself
I don't wanna hear, I don't wanna know
Please don't say 'Forgive me'
I've seen it all before
And I can't take it anymore

Madonna is a role model for a successful, empowered woman.

2008 Big 10 Track & Field Championship: University of Minnesota student Heather Dorniden ran a race for the ages!

The Core Algorithm of Arthur Ashe

Michael Sam is a football player who hails from the University of Missouri, and was drafted by the St. Louis Rams two months ago.  He is the first openly gay athlete drafted in the NFL, and if he in fact makes the roster he will be the first active such player.  I don't espouse his sexual orientation, but I respect his right to choose and appreciate him as a man.  I hope he becomes a standout football player, and it will be exciting to see him do his stuff on the field.  

In receiving the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the ESPYs earlier this month, he walked us through following motivational message from Ashe:

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Sometimes I have a crush of things to do at a given time: building relationships and developing business for my consulting firm is tedious yet grueling, problems arise and issues must be deal with, and tension is so high that it's difficult to focus.  

I find some space, take a breath, and simply sit wherever I am.  I practice T'ai Chi, and the meditation I do is one of sitting quiet and still, and letting the murky pond of my mind and body calm down.  The murk settles to the bottom, and the pond slowly clears.  

That's where I start.

I know what I am trying to accomplish, but now and then I have to remind myself or clarify it.  Once I do, I know how to go forward and feel confident about doing so.  Some need to unplug, take a walk, or read a book.  Me, I calm down when I sit at my laptop and think things through, for example, via one of my many journals.  I do love to go for a walk, but taking a break is as simple as watching sports on ESPN.  Which is what I was doing, when I happened to watch Sam's acceptance speech.  

The thing is, I use whatever simple, practical means I have at my disposal to do what I need to do.

One time I cycled up the tough mountain of Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain, one of Dubai's sister cities in the UAE.  My legs in particular are very strong, and I am more suited for speeding on the flats.  Truth be told, though, I am too heavy for climbs, and my slow-twitch muscles are weak.  But I love a challenge, and the way I managed to ride Jebel Hafeet was by focusing on tenths of a kilometer.  For me, it was think big (reach the top) and act small (do one pedal stroke).  

Even if it's just that, one step or one stroke, I do what I can.