Period: The Real Story of Menstruation – Kate Clancy
Menstruation is something half the world does for a week at a time, for months and years on end, yet it remains largely misunderstood. Scientists once thought of an individual’s period as useless and some doctors still believe it’s unsafe for a menstruating person to swim in the ocean wearing a tampon. Period counters the false theories that have long defined the study of the uterus, exposing the eugenic history of gynecology while providing an intersectional feminist perspective on menstruation science.
Blending interviews and personal experience with engaging stories from her own pioneering research, Kate Clancy challenges many of the myths and false assumptions that have defined the study of the uterus. There is no such a thing as a “normal” menstrual cycle. In fact, menstrual cycles are incredibly variable and highly responsive to environmental and psychological stressors. Clancy takes up a host of timely issues surrounding menstruation, from bodily autonomy, menstrual hygiene, and the COVID-19 vaccine to the ways racism, sexism, and medical betrayal warp public perceptions of menstruation and erase it from public life.
Offering a revelatory new perspective on one of the most captivating biological processes in the human body, Period will change the way you think about the past, present, and future of periods.
TED Talks are videos that present a great idea in 18 minutes or less. They’re filmed at flagship TED conferences, independent TEDx events, and other special events. The goal of a TED Talk is to inform and educate global audiences in an accessible way. Scientists, researchers, technologists, business leaders, artists, designers and other world experts take the TED stage to present “Ideas Worth Spreading” including valuable new knowledge and innovative research in their fields. Most of the TED talks are filmed at flagship TED conferences, independent TEDx events, partner events and salons.
In June 2006, TED released six talks recorded at its conferences on the Internet. Since then, every talk delivered at a TED event is reviewed by the research, editorial and curatorial teams for publication on TED.com. And because of these videos, TED has attracted an international following that has grown into the millions with the talks now viewed or listened to more than 3 billion times annually.
A lot goes into researching and creating a TED Talk. Most TED Talks are edited, lightly but carefully with the first few sentences of warmup chatter, and excessive ums and uhs removed, but the speakers’ meanings are not distorted. Editing an 18-minute TED Talk, takes almost an entire day. Almost every TED Talk has full subtitles and a snazzy clickable time-coded transcript.
Below are 10 TED Talks that are a must-watch for anyone seeking to broaden their horizons and gain valuable perspectives.
Do Schools Kill Creativity? by Sir Ken Robinson In this iconic talk, Sir Ken Robinson discusses the importance of nurturing creativity in education. He challenges the traditional school system and advocates for the development of diverse talents and passions. This talk has sparked a global conversation on reimagining education.
The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown Brené Brown explores the concept of vulnerability and its transformative potential. Through her personal stories and research, she reveals the importance of embracing vulnerability as a path to authentic connection, courage, and resilience. Link: The Power of Vulnerability
How Great Leaders Inspire Action by Simon Sinek Simon Sinek uncovers the “golden circle” of inspiration, highlighting the significance of starting with “why.” This talk delves into the essence of influential leadership and encourages individuals to find and communicate their purpose.
The Danger of a Single Story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie shares her personal experiences and explores the impact of stereotypes and limited narratives. Through her poignant storytelling, she emphasizes the importance of embracing diverse perspectives and resisting simplistic judgments.
The Puzzle of Motivation by Dan Pink Dan Pink challenges the traditional notions of motivation and rewards in the workplace. Drawing on psychological research, he introduces the concept of intrinsic motivation and its ability to drive creativity, engagement, and innovation.
Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are by Amy Cuddy Amy Cuddy explores the influence of body language on our self-perception and interactions with others. She reveals the power of “power posing” and demonstrates how simple changes in body language can impact confidence and success.
The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz Barry Schwartz delves into the paradoxical nature of choice, arguing that an excess of choices can lead to anxiety, dissatisfaction, and decision paralysis. This talk encourages viewers to reconsider the relationship between choice and happiness.
The Hidden Influence of Social Networks by Nicholas Christakis Nicholas Christakis explores the profound impact of social networks on our behavior, health, and happiness. This talk sheds light on the interconnectedness of individuals and the ripple effects of our actions within social systems.
The Happy Secret to Better Work by Shawn Achor Shawn Achor shares insights from positive psychology and presents actionable strategies to cultivate happiness and well-being in the workplace. This talk challenges the conventional notion that success leads to happiness and offers a fresh perspective.
The Art of Misdirection by Apollo Robbins Apollo Robbins, a renowned pickpocket and entertainer, showcases the art of misdirection. Through his mesmerizing performance, he reveals how our attention can be manipulated, reminding us to stay vigilant and mindful in our daily lives.
TED Talks have the power to transform the way we think, inspire new ideas, and encourage personal growth. The 10 talks shared here, which is not by any means an exhaustive list provides diverse perspectives on creativity, vulnerability, leadership, diversity, motivation, body language, choice, social networks, happiness, and attention. By watching these talks, one can expand their knowledge, challenge their assumptions, and gain valuable insights that can positively impact their lives and the world around them. If you know of other such talks which can add to one’s perspective, please share them in the comments section.
American bestselling author, motivational speaker and sales trainer Zig Ziglar is credited with today’s quote. Ziglar’s teachings emphasised the importance of a positive mindset, goal setting, continuous learning, and taking action and believed that success was not merely a result of external factors but was influenced by one’s thoughts, beliefs, and actions. In this quote, Ziglar conveys the idea that having a vision or a dream is the first step towards achieving it. The quote emphasises the power of belief, determination, and the capacity of individuals to turn their aspirations into reality. He suggests that the ability to conceive an idea or a goal in one’s mind is essential. Dreams serve as a source of inspiration and motivation, fueling the desire to accomplish something meaningful. However, the quote’s true essence lies in the second part, and here Ziglar implies that dreams alone are not enough; they must be followed by action and effort. With dedication, hard work, perseverance, and a belief in oneself, individuals have the potential to transform their dreams into tangible accomplishments.
This month, I decided to walk a minimum of 10 km every day, and I am happy to announce that I achieved it! I reached my home in Mumbai at the beginning of the month, and by the end of the month, I was less than 50 km from the town of Kolhapur in Maharashtra and about 60 km from the border between Maharashtra and Karnataka. My stats for the month include more than half a million in the number of steps I took and more than 300 km covered during the month
I read only four books this month, but they were fairly long books, so no complaints there. At the halfway point in the year, I am at almost 80% of my reading goal for the year. And if there are no major disruptions, I should not only meet the goal but exceed them.
GG is still working and thriving there. As she does more internships, she will be able to figure out exactly what she wants to do. BB is enjoying himself at home, given that he will not be enlisting anytime soon. We came to know that he will be enlisting only in October.
That’s all from me this week. Take care and see you soon!
How to Lose a Country: The 7 Steps from Democracy to Dictatorship – Ece Temelkuran
‘It couldn’t happen here’ Ece Temelkuran heard reasonable people in Britain say it the night of the Brexit vote. She heard reasonable people in America say it the night Trump’s election was soundtracked by chants of ‘Build that wall.’ She heard reasonable people in Turkey say it as Erdoğan rigged elections, rebuilt the economy around cronyism, and labelled his opposition as terrorists.
How to Lose a Country is an impassioned plea, a warning to the world that populism and nationalism don’t march fully-formed into government; they creep. Award winning author and journalist Ece Temelkuran identifies the early-warning signs of this phenomenon, sprouting up across the world, in order to define a global pattern, and arm the reader with the tools to root it out. Proposing alternative, global answers to the pressing – and too often paralysing – political questions of our time, Temelkuran explores the insidious idea of ‘real people’, the infantilisation of language and debate, the way laughter can prove a false friend, and the dangers of underestimating one’s opponent.
She weaves memoir, history and clear-sighted argument into an urgent and eloquent defence of democracy. No longer can the reasonable comfort themselves with ‘it couldn’t happen here.’ It is happening. And soon it may be too late.
It’s Friday and time for some Pinterest humour. This time, it’s all about books. So sit back and laugh and start your weekend with a burst of laughter!
Memories and Such 