Welcome and Purpose

Welcome to the iRead blog. iRead is a program that was started by Cumberland University's Vise Library in Fall 2008. Our current book selection is A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink. We would like to give special thanks to Lucinda Scanlon to creating the banner at the top of the page and granting us permission to use it. It's not too late to sign up to be a part of this iRead session! Even if you can't attend meetings, you are still welcome to participate virtually. If you are interested in joining the group and receiving a free copy of the book, please email Eloise Hitchcock (ehitchcock@cumberland.edu). If you would like to leave a comment on any of the postings, just click on the link at the bottom of the posting to the left of the envelope. Enjoy!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Recap of the iRead meeting


on Daniel Pink’s book,
A Whole New Mind,

Chapter Nine: “Meaning”

 

Dr. Harvill Eaton, President of Cumberland University, was our guest discussion leader for the chapter on “Meaning.”  He admitted that he had not really given such philosophical issues much thought recently.  He recalled taking a Philosophy class in college and how he was influenced by this experience and by his professors.  Dr. Eaton related to us that he has a connection to many of the people mentioned in the chapter.  He wondered about his own life’s path contemplated how he was pulled back into a small college environment, perhaps due to the values which he finds meaningful. 

Dr. Eaton thought the topic, “meaning,” was a difficult one and posed a series of questions for the group to ponder. 

What is meant by “meaning?” 

Is there an absolute definition of meaning?

If there is meaning, what is it? 

 

As the group explored these questions, our discussion led us to think about the works of scientists and philosophers, such as Siddhartha, Thoreau, Hume, the Dali Lama, Einstein, and others who have contributed their knowledge and wisdom to these

unanswerable questions.

We considered a quote in the book from Dr. Lauren Artess, an Episcopal priest and labyrinth pioneer:  

“We are not human beings on a spiritual path,

but spiritual beings on a human path.” 

 

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Recap of the iRead meeting


on Daniel Pink’s book, A Whole New Mind,


Chapter Eight: “Play”


Our featured discussion leader was unable to attend so the Library staff facilitated this session with an April Fool’s Day Play Party. This chapter supports the concept that “laughter can improve our health, increase our profits and maybe even bring peace to the world.”

As the group toyed with objects and participated in creative activities, we discussed the book. Daniel Pink states that “humor is showing itself to be an accurate marker for managerial effectiveness, emotional intelligence, and the thinking style characteristic of the brain’s right hemisphere.”

The author uses Southwest Airlines as an example of a company with a “play ethic.” Its mission statement says, “People rarely succeed at anything unless they are having fun doing it.”

The book devotes a large section to online gaming. We had discussed in several previous sessions that this popular technology may be effective in education if used for instructional purposes.

The group contemplated words of wisdom from Fabio Sala from the Harvard Business Review: “Humor, used skillfully, greases the management wheels. It reduces hostility, deflects criticism, relieves tension, improves morale, and helps communicate difficult messages.” We agreed but added, to be effective, humor needs to be used appropriately.


Check out the pictures from our play day!