It is Obvious, Scientifically Speaking
Popular Science has an article about scientific experiments that were conducted to prove what we consider “obvious”. The article gives two reasons for such experiments. First, what is considered obvious (or common knowledge) is not always correct. Second, having a scientific proof can set the wheels in motion for social change. Some of the experiments are very interesting.
- Too many meetings make you grumpy. I can definitely attest to that. Being in meeting is painful enough for me. Having too many of them is just torture!! I really hope that bosses and “let-us-call-a-meeting” type people take this proof to heart and scale down on the frequency and length of meetings. I believe that an effective meeting has to have two things: a clear agenda and a set time. Not having a clear agenda encourages the participants to engage in side discussions and debate non-related issues. Not having a set time means that the meeting can drag on for an indefinite amount of time with no end in sight. The two requirements go hand in hand. I have been to meetings where all participants knew exactly what the reason for the meeting was and what the expected outcome of it was. Those meeting usually end before the time scheduled for them. I have also been to meeting where the agenda was not clear and without a defined outcome. For example, the meeting starts on one issue and then turns into a brain-storming session for a related issue. Lack of focus is a meeting killer in my opinion. This where the meeting organizer needs to step in and make sure that all the participants are focusing on one topic at a time. Also, the organizer needs to ensure strict adherence to the time limits. I realize that this is not an exact science but having a clear agenda and strict time limit goes along way towards getting the desired result from a meeting.
- Smoking cigarettes costs you money. Here is another one of those “obvious” pieces of information but actually having a hard number to look at might encourage some people to give up smoking. According to the research, the net-worth of heave smokers was $8400 less that that of the non-smokers. Assuming for a minute that this is how much a heavy smoker spends on cigarettes, in ten years the amount would be $84000. Imagine paying so much money for something that has been linked to lung cancer and a host of other illnesses and ailments
- Women like funny men. This is interesting for two reasons. First, it deals with the subject of attraction. Second, the research was conducted at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. That where I went to school (class of ‘93). The research also concluded that men are attracted to women who actually enjoy their jokes. The question now is can someone “learn” to be funny?? or is it an innate thing, you either have it or you do not. I wonder.
You can the complete article Here.