“I need all hands on the tent RIGHT NOW!!!” Poles crashed to the ground, walls buckled and fell. We’ve been working over 24 hours now with no sleep. In that moment, any lack of sharpness or misstep could have meant death. That was about the time when the jet planes started taking off about 40...
Consider this: Everyone in Japan learns to ride a unicycle. Yes, I’m serious. Here’s the proof: They learn it in school, usually in grades 3 and 4. This surprises almost everyone. Why? Well, we’re not exposed to many people riding unicycles here in North America, so we assume that their scarcity corresponds with difficulty. We...
Years ago, I was asked to work at the Toronto International Circus Festival, in the kids area. There were a few different activities that festival-goers could enjoy, including hula hooping, juggling, vaulting, and aerial hoops. I was asked to work in the vaulting/aerial hoop area. Let me paint the scene for you – this festival...
Years ago, when I was studying psychology in university, I learned that positive reinforcement is significantly more effective in shaping behaviour than negative reinforcement. While the premise seemed pretty clear – we will work harder for a pat on the back than we will to avoid punishment – it also felt rather confusing. It’s part...