Wandering the World…

I went to an official Finnish university ceremony today. I found out that, first of all, there is no college graduation ceremony in Finland - you just kind of get your degree and that’s it (although every four years after that there is a “promotion” ceremony). But instead of getting a robe and a hood (like happens in the US), you get a hat (that looks like a velvety top hat - somehow it is a symbol of freedom) and at one of the promotion ceremonies you get a sword (a symbol of the sword of knowledge, I believe). Feel free to correct me, if I am wrong about any of this.

The sword part is pretty cool, huh?

Much better than New Zealand at least, where a man from there said all they get is a bright red floppy hat, that I kind of imagine looks like a wimpy pirate hat. But I guess New Zealand has so much else good going for it, that PhD apparel probably isn’t a big concern of theirs.

The ceremony today was very somber, no smiling really even, and the woman who was translating for me said she thinks the somberness comes from the Finish Lutheran tradition of putting off this life so that you could have a much better after-life. She was funny and told me that she thought most people endured the ceremony for the refreshments, but I think that is typical of most countries I wondered if part of the somberness was because you were afraid someone was going to whip out their sword.

Actually, maybe the PhD sword is how the professors keep order in the Finnish classrooms? I should check into that…

I love to talk about Finland!

I am surprised by how little most people in the US know about Finland (including myself before about two years ago). It seems like the ones who do know about it love it, are passionate about it, and know quite a bit about it (I even personally know two men with Finish saunas built into their Utah houses!).

On the other end of the spectrum are people who I wonder if they can even identify their own state on a map (see Miss South Carolina try to answer a question)! One girl, upon finding out I was spending so much time in Finland, was concerned about whether I would be able to communicate, and so asked me: “Oh, do you speak European?”

I suppose I do speak at least one “dialect” of “European” - I’m pretty good at the version that they use in the England part of Europe. But even that, I’m not quite sure.

Well, I am finishing up my last night of another round-the-world tour. I ended this trip in Turkey and now China. Since I don’t seem to have anything inspirational to say, I think I’ll simply post one of the funniest signs from the trip.

It is a tough choice deciding the winner. For example, on a cable car ride in GuangZhou, there is a warning that: “People with hypertension, cardiac, psychopath or bibulosity may not be allowed to ride the ropeway.”

Phew - I’m glad people “with psychopath” are banned. Any ideas what “bibulosity” means?

On that same ride there was a rule that “splitting and lettering are forbidden” - it took me about a half hour before I realized they probably meant “spitting and littering are forbidden.”

On a beach in Turkey, there is a sign that says: “Parents responsible from their children.” Perhaps it was more a statement of the state of how things are rather than a request.

My friend John got a gift from a Chinese boy named “Forrest Gump” (guess what movie he watched over and over in order to learn English?). He was actually very hospitable in showing us his university, and afterward we gave him a thank you gift. Later that night we found a gift waiting at the hotel for us. It was crickets encapsulated in a heart shaped plastic mounting that said “Congratulotion.” That might be a great new name for a Johnson & Johnson product.

But I think the winner is the sign for the toilets on the way out of the historical ruins at Ephesus. Although most likely intentionally funny, I have never seen a sign like this in the world. Some young marketing genius in Turkey not only charges for the use of toilets here at this opportune spot, but does it in an add-value way that makes it hard to pass up:

Greetings from Athens and the UEFA finals!

I am currently at a conference in the Colorado mountains (preparing to give a keynote address at PIDT), and near the lodge of the place we are staying one of my colleagues (Peter Rich) pointed out this sign:

Instead of saying what we should do or should not do (e.g. “Don’t walk on grass” or “Stay on sidewalk”) the sign simply tells people the consequences for a certain choice - and then those who posted the sign must simply trust and hope people will act in a way that evokes the best natural consequences.

What a great concept: “Teach people correct principles and then let them govern themselves.” (Joseph Smith)

With most areas of our lives: work (in my case teaching, instructional design, consulting), parenting, friendships, etc… it seems that we would do well to spend more time discussing natural consequences for actions rather than dictating to others what we want them to either do or not do.

On a funny note, driving up here we also saw a sign (that I want to get a picture of) which said:

“In case of flood, climb to higher ground.”

I’m trying to think of how this sign might have been changed to warn of danger and teach consequences without dictating choices… Any ideas?

OK, so people may wonder why the name of my blog…and it is a valid wonder.

In my dissertation defense I was giving some background information regarding the way that culture impacts learning. I used as an example of differences in perception a study referenced in Nisbett (2003) where Japanese and American learners watch an aquarium scene and then report on what they saw. The Japanese referred to background objects, even inanimate objects 60% more than the Americans, and they also typical started talking about the context: “It looked like a pond.” On the other hand, the Americans usually started by talking about the focal fish in the animation: “I think it was a trout.”

Well, every defense should have some comedic relief to diffuse some of the tension. In this case, it was provided by a great mentor and friend of mine, Dr. Cliff Mayes, who was on my committee. He said he liked the sound of “Focal Fish” and recommended I start a band by that name.
Everybody laughed.
Then Jeremy Brown suggested that I start a website by that name, having quickly checked the availability right then on his wireless laptop.

I suppose I ended up compromising and at least having a blog by the name. What do you think - is it a catchy name for a blog? Or should I leave academia and follow the path of a rock star?:)