"If it happens, it must be possible."
Did you hear the news? The The Dalai Lama is at the center of a scientific controversy. The kind of controversy that REALLY gets my goat.
From the NY Times, October 19, 2005
"He has been an enthusiastic collaborator in research on whether the intense meditation practiced by Buddhist monks can train the brain to generate compassion and positive thoughts. Next month in Washington, the Dalai Lama is scheduled to speak about the research at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience.
But 544 brain researchers have signed a petition urging the society to cancel the lecture, because, according to the petition, 'it will highlight a subject with largely unsubstantiated claims and compromised scientific rigor and objectivity.'"
I spent 5 years in the mid 90's running an innovative medical device company, and I encountered the same kind of thinking on numerous occasions. Actually, I shouldn't really call it thinking, because it doesn't originate from a healthy sense of curiosity. It's driven by the ego's need to protect itself; it's standing and status. Nothing more. Nothing less. And I abhor it.
On a more positive note, I'm once again a judge for the Innovation Challenge where 300 teams from over 100 of the top MBA programs in over 20 countries compete for the right to travel to Thunderbird in sunny Arizona for the face-to-face final round of competition. And I just did an interview with competition creator Anil Rathi on how to cut through today's marketplace clutter. You can listen to the podcast at this link.
Posted October 21, 2005
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Tom is timely, thought provoking and all about the new brand vision packaged as a Seinfeld stand up. I went to school on his ideas.
Jeff Taylor, Founder, Monster.com and CEO, Eons.
When Tom Asacker writes, I read. Opportunity Screams is the right message for the right time.
Tom Peters
Yes, I have found this same attitude on people when I talk about Psychoanalysis. It is common to hear that these are not scientific processes.
One of the big mistakes of the scientific culture is that only visible repeated experiences have a validity.
I think a different approach to life helps to transform your soul. I wrote some weeks ago in my blog that change and transformation are different things. Most people just "change" the way they do things while they remain the same.
Worse for them.
Posted by: Felix Gerena | October 21, 2005 at 11:05 AM
I am in whole-hearted agreement Felix. Thanks for that wise input.
Posted by: Tom Asacker | October 21, 2005 at 02:02 PM
I don't get these scientists -why is this considered unscientific - what about the happiness research at UPenn? What about the power of prayer - time to open up the definition of science - and explore these areas - I think more and more people are willing to consider these areas.
Posted by: nellie lide | October 22, 2005 at 05:23 PM