Showing posts with label Argentina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Argentina. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

The Power of Relatability and Human Connection in Information Acceptance

Individuals are more inclined to accept information when it comes from sources they can relate to or have a human connection with. In my field, it's quite often that people (for example, psychology students, friends) ask things like: what is the main tool that is used to help your clients during the process of therapy?  obviously there is active listening, context, empathy, warmth and a seemingly limitless array of more technical tools gathered from a lifetime of studying, training and working. Yet the single most important thing for me, personally is connection. And intuition. Throughout years of experience, the most magnificent outcomes with my patients have occurred as a result of that connection. 

Have there been times when there was no connection? yes, definitely which is why it's important to find the right fit for you.

Although the production and dissemination of information is essential for the betterment of clients and society the reception and acceptance of factual information is influenced by various factors, including, connection, values, the other´s ideology and how these things relate to the information being shared.

 The emotional connection between the source and the recipient being crucial in effective communication.


The Role of Relatability:

Relatability is the extent to which individuals perceive commonalities or shared experiences with a source of information. People tend to be more receptive to information when they can relate to the source on a personal level. This relatability is often driven by factors such as shared values, experiences, or identities.


The Impact of Human Connection:

Human connection goes beyond mere relatability; it involves the establishment of emotional bonds and a sense of trust between the source and the recipient. When individuals have a human connection with a source of information, they are more likely to accept and internalize that information. Such connections are often built on empathy, authenticity, and a genuine understanding of one another's perspectives.


Psychological Mechanisms:

Several psychological mechanisms underlie the phenomenon of information acceptance based on relatability and human connection. These mechanisms include:


a. Confirmation Bias: People are more receptive to information that aligns with their existing beliefs values and ideology. A relatable source is more likely to present information in a way that resonates with the recipient's worldview.


b. Trust and Credibility: Human connections often engender trust and credibility. Information from a trusted source is more likely to be accepted without skepticism.


c. Emotional Resonance: Emotional connections create a deeper impact and foster a sense of empathy, making it easier for information to resonate with the recipient on an emotional level.


Implications for Effective Communication:

Understanding the importance of relatability and human connection in information acceptance has several practical implications:


a. Education: Educators and communicators can enhance the effectiveness of their messages by building connections with their audience, thus facilitating the acceptance of factual information.


b. Public Health: In public health campaigns, relatable and empathetic messengers can effectively convey critical information and promote healthier behaviors.


c. Social Movements: Advocacy and social movements can benefit from utilizing relatable spokespeople who can connect with their target audience on a personal level, thus garnering greater support.


d. Marketing and Advertising: Relatable and emotionally resonant advertising campaigns can foster brand loyalty and encourage consumer action.


e. Political Communication: Politicians and leaders who establish genuine connections with their constituents can effectively communicate their policy initiatives and ideas.


Conclusion:

The phenomenon where individuals are more likely to accept factual information from sources they can relate to or have a human connection with is a significant aspect of human psychology and communication. Recognizing the power of relatability and human connection in information acceptance can inform and improve various domains, including education, public health, advocacy, marketing, and political communication. To promote a more informed and connected society, it is crucial to leverage these factors to facilitate the acceptance of factual information, ultimately leading to positive outcomes and societal progress.





Thursday, October 18, 2012

film & architecture



The other day I saw "El Hombre de al lado" (English: The Man Next Door) a very good Argentinian film if you ask me. The entire movie takes place in this location (seen on the photos) "Casa Curutchet" is the only house Le Corbusier* built in South America. It's located in La Plata, capital city of the province of Buenos Aires. Do you like it?




 *Le Corbusier (October 6, 1887 – August 27, 1965), was an architect, designer, urbanist, and writer, famous for being one of the pioneers of what is now called modern architecture. He was born in Switzerland and became a French citizen in 1930. His career spanned five decades, with his buildings constructed throughout Europe, India and America. He was a pioneer in studies of modern high design and was dedicated to providing better living conditions for the residents of crowded cities.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

HAPPY WORLD ANIMAL DAY

















In this photo, the Argentinian Jaguar in extinction. Sadly, there are fewer than 200 wild jaguars left in all of Argentina. They have been hunted almost to extinction for their fur and pushed out of their territory for developments.

Soon, the only remaining populations will live in zoos. Although jaguars have a reputation as man-eaters, there are numerous stories about men being followed for miles through the forest by solitary jaguars. These stories give credence to the theory that these animals prefer to escort men off their territory rather than attack them.

These (and all animals) are amazing. I love animals and wish people would take more care of them.

Have a nice day!

Monday, June 18, 2012

On GNP and GNH

A question I read on the Sunday paper inspired this post. The question was: "will we ever replace GDP for the Happy Planet Index as a mirror in which we can see the well-being of our nations?"



GNP Measures count goods and services that are exchanged for money. 


So I read some more and I found this quote:

"Yet the gross national product does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages; the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage; neither our wisdom nor our learning... it measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile."

- Robert F. Kennedy on what GNP means.
March 18, 1968

Then I found this...

- GNH (Gross National Happiness)




















GNH Measures the extent to which countries deliver long, happy, sustainable lives for the people that live in them.

"Everyone accepts that GDP (Gross Domestic Product) alone cannot tell us anything of substance about how we are doing as a species. It tells us nothing of the state of our planet, or the wellbeing of its people. It is simply an indiscriminate measurement of economic activity. The Happy Planet Index is a step towards developing alternatives."

- Zac Goldsmith MP

What do you think? my question is: why can't both, GNP and GNH be considered when trying to understand the well-being of a nation? Does it have to be one or the other?

HAPPY MONDAY!


Tuesday, May 1, 2012

La Fortuna



















Someone I met many years ago recently purchased a beautiful property about 200kms away from the city of Buenos Aires. I was invited to visit the property yesterday and I wanted to share some photos with you. "La Fortuna" (the fortune) is not just another Argentinian campo. It is a truly beautiful place with high energy that has managed to maintain the classic charm of the Argentinian campo mixed with exceptional comfort and modern luxuries.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Happy Monkeys





















According to a recent study* published last week by La Nación newspaper, being happy is the main goal for Argentinians. The importance of happiness is greater than love, even, and much greater than wealth, recognition and power.
The study tries to approach different dimensions of happiness. In this part of the study (the second of three parts) the study focuses on the importance of happiness versus other life objectives which are commonly considered vital.

As a first conclusion of this second part of the study, results reveal that being happy is the main objective for Argentinians. Happiness (which was presented to individuals in a list with other words considered equally important in life, such as love and peace) was mentioned in the first place. Love and peace got second and third place. Other words such as recognition, power and wealth were in the last place and considered the least important by the respondents.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Ernesto Neto

















































Just before leaving Buenos Aires I went to Faena Arts Center to see an exhibition by Brazilian artist, Ernesto Neto. The installation invites us to interact with it in a playful way. First step is taking your shoes off and going into the heart of this work: a labyrinth of colorful ropes, soft balls underneath your feet and a beautiful combination of colors that intensify the experience.

The spiderweb- like installation called "a bug suspended in the scene" takes up the entire exhibition space creating a special, intimate and soothing atmosphere.

It's a great feeling to walk suspended on air! Hope you like it.
x


Where?
Aime Paine 1169, C1107 Buenos Aires, Argentina.


Kisses from Punta!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

2011



















“A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction and at such a speed...

It feels an impulse...this is the place to go now.

But the sky knows the reasons and the patterns behind all clouds, and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough to see beyond horizons.”

- Richard Bach

Friday, November 4, 2011

Malnatti




















This is an interview to Daniel Malnatti, an Argentinian journalist I read in La Nacion, which made me laugh so I thought I’d share it with you:


I read on the internet that as a child you wanted to be a priest, is that right?

-Yes, I am a believer. I have a natural tendency to believe. I need to believe. As a teenager I wanted to be a priest. Then I believed in justice and became a lawyer. Now I’m in a world of beliefs which is a bit more complex, a private religion called neurosis.

Private-Why?

-Because everyone adapts it to his or her own life. You have the person who walks without stepping on the lines of the sidewalk tiles to the perfectionist who stays up working all night.

And you are…?

-I prefer not to answer.

Well ... we're all a little neurotic.

-Yes, 94.9% of Argentina's population is structured with a neurotic personality


Aha. This data is very accurate...?

-It is. This is official data of the Psychoanalytic Association of Argentina and the Artemio Lopez consultants, who are the only ones authorized to speak.

How is this picture completed?

The other 5% of the population shows decidedly psychotic features. And it is precisely this equation that makes the production and GDP remain high.


Reviewing: the neurotic 94.9%, 5% psychotic, and the remaining 0.1%?

-Schizophrenic. People who question and answer themselves.

Revealing


Monday, October 24, 2011

Film @ Malba


















Malba Museum, Buenos Aires.


A film is an art form based on the present. It’s also an experience that we are unable to process 100%. A good film has the virtue of making us think. It contains stories, poetry and images that we can often relate to. This is what the critics that organize the Simultaneous Film Festival 4 + 1 say.

The idea of this festival is original. The project consists of presenting the same films simultaneously, in different countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Spain. The idea is to approach the audience with these amateur films that have been awarded but have not had enough diffusion.

For the curious minds interested in good films- regardless of their popularity - head to Malba from October 26th to 30th.

Buenos Aires Jazz














Jazz is to Americans what tango is to Argentinians (uhm… or some say its country music?)

Jazz was born in New Orleans (that’s right, not Chicago, not NYC) just as tango was born on the banks of the Rio de la Plata in Buenos Aires. Like tango, Jazz is also a product of diversity. New Orleans was French, then it was Spanish, then it went back to being French until it finally became American (although, you know what they say in Nola: “third world and proud of it”). Anyone who has been there, has probably noticed how different NOLA is from the rest of the US. In many ways, it's more like Argentina.

New Orleans Jazz was created by immigrants from Africa who met to sing religious hymns, but in the process, their voices started to merge generating different harmonies. Thus, variations on these melodies came to life.

While European music requires careful listening and who interprets it must remain faithful to the score - even in the execution of the expression, in jazz, there is a kind of game. Musicians follow certain rules, but mostly improvise and put their own vibe into the music.

To those who are eager to expose their ears to the sharpness of this genre and also those who simply want to enjoy the pleasure of hearing this music without much thinking, we invite you to the Fourth Edition of the Festival de Jazz de Buenos Aires. Advance ticket sale starts today, while concerts start the following week.

Enjoy!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Buenos Aires Photo 2011


























If you love photography, this month, don't miss Buenos Aires Photo. It's an opportunity to check out some of the best photography in Latin America and the world. The exhibition will take place from October 27- 30; hosted by Palais de Glace in Recoleta.

Photos kindly provided by: Gachi Prieto Gallery & Elisi del Rio Arte Contemporáneo - stand 19 - featuring works by Carolina Magnin, Gaby Messina, Lena Szankay, Arturo Aguiar, Daniel Kiblisky and Simón Altkorn.

Enjoy! xo

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Visual Arts Prize


















One way for Argentinian artists to become known is to win the Visual Arts prize that the Salon Nacional awards each year in any of its 8 categories (painting, etching, sculpture, drawing, photography, ceramic arts, textile arts and installations).

Salon Nacional was founded in 1911, with the idea of fostering Argentinian artistic development and this is what they've done for the last 100 years. Salon Nacional has always been recognized as a very important space where pieces of art are legitimated and aesthetic parameters are set.

Only a few days remain before the exhibition of the works of this years winners are taken down (October 16), if you have time, it is worth a visit.

Where? At the Palais de Glace, Libertador Avenue 1248.

Enjoy!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

living it up




















Photo: "hot springs" by Ryan McGinley



The concept of a bon vivant is associated with the idea of leading a good life, to live well. But what is to live well?

The other day I read an article on LNR where they talked about the good life with Argentinian chef, Mallmann.

For some, the concept of a bon vivant is overly idealized. It means having a life of luxury, 5 star travels, eating at expensive restaurants, buying big brands, a socially important status and collecting art.

For me, that sounds about right, but I also think a good life is related to living life with passion and intensity. To find the beauty in whatever you do. Whether it’s appreciating a painting, feeling the music with your eyes closed, reading, enjoying a good meal, the smell a flower, dancing, visiting a new place, laughing with a friend, reaching a goal and celebrating the love you receive and that you give every day.

That's also happiness.

In this article that I read, Mallman said something that I'd like to share:

A bon vivant "is a person who tries to live romantically, a person who likes to live each day the best way possible. It has to do with your mood, with who you are, with the time of the year, the clothes you like to wear, where you go, what you eat...”

When I was writing this post, I also ran into this definition: "a bon vivant is someone who can say, I live very well, my children are alright, I am not the richest but I can still do pretty much everything that I want to do; I have a partner who has always loved me and who I love and have fun with, I have achieved most of my goals and I'm satisfied"

Finally, I leave you with the definition that Coco Chanel gave when they asked her: "what is fashion?"

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

Well said Coco! I love this definition of fashion and I find that it has much to do with the concept of a bon vivant. But more importantly, what is it to you?

Enjoy today!




Post by: Valeria Mendez Cañas

Thursday, September 29, 2011

it's complicated



















Argentine singer, Andrés Calamaro, wrote this song called "One can't live just from love"


I bought this great book by Walter Riso "A Guide to Avoid Dying from Love. Ten Principles of Emotional Survival". I found it tough yet excellent. A short and perhaps interesting read for those who say you can work out relationship- related problems on your own and that getting psychological help has never crossed your mind.

I may be wrong, but I checked and did not find a version of this book in English, so I’m quoting some interesting points I found. I hope it helps those who are looking for a relationship, those who are already in one and all you love birds who may be thinking of ways of making your love life even better.

"Feelings do not cover everything in a relationship. Specialists say that 'Love isn't enough' and they may be right. Our choice of a couple should be more thought out and less visceral: "I like a lot of things in you, I want you, but I am still not sure weather you fit in my life or not, even though my body and my being push me towards you in a confusing way'. I am sorry for love fans but for people who live in an earthly world and have not transcended yet, love isn't usually that unconditional (the amount of deserters in the subject gets bigger every day) nor it moves mountains, if you don't pay enough attention to it, if you don't know how to handle it, it crushes you, it overwhelms you.

You should put your enthusiasm aside for a moment, before making a blind decision and connect to a more controlled processing system (I am saying you can stop being so hippomaniac or in love for a few moments, you can try to relax voluntarily). Once you have arrived back on earth, you should consider the advantages and disadvantages, pros, cons and expectations and try to see reality as it is (not blinded by love). This, will allow you to, in the future, be able to integrate feelings, reality and emotions and to realize when one is missing or excessively present.

Functional and healthy couples love freely (they are able to use their own time however they please), in a non possessive way (no one belongs to the other) and without the need for the other to be present at all times (they can be on their own, do their own thing). If you are capable of deciding about your own timing, if you don't feel you are 'owned' by someone and at the same time you feel you can walk through life on your own, you have entered the grounds of mature love.

A good relationship requires at least three factors to work at the same time: desire / attraction; friendship and tenderness. If your relationship is lacking one of those components, it could be going down hill. Analyze them and make your own decisions.

The following, is a phrase by Stendahl that has always caused a great impact on me because of its beauty and realism: 'Love is a very beautiful flower but you have to have the courage to go look for it at the edge of an abyss.'

In love you sweat, you fight, you make up, you create day by day. If you are a very romantic person, you will have a minimal resistance to the hardships love brings.

Some think that love causes suffering, others are naïf enough to believe in the ingenuity of romantic love. Realistic love, however, may be half way between those two poles. Love, in a relationship, isn't always a fairy tale though some insist on calling it that. It brings good and bad times, you will have to learn to deal with.

If behaviors and negative attitudes go over the limit, you will have to jump; if there is respect within what is acceptable and feelings are sponsored by solid love, you go on in your relationship. Love grows and develops.




Post by: Valeria Méndez Cañas

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Café

















Café Tortoni, Buenos Aires, 1910


Many moments are born and re lived in the cafés of Buenos Aires: life stories, friendships, love, battles, sports, arts, etc., that’s why in a tango song that I like, the café is called "the school of all things."

In Buenos Aires, you can spend hours enjoying a “cortado” (short coffee) without the waiter asking if you’d like to order something else. The café moment is often long and comes with more than one activity: reading the newspaper, studying, meeting friends or work colleagues, talking, people watching, debating, etc. It's a ceremony.

Historically, cafés have been linked to the most famous Argentinian writers and artists who gathered there to discuss their ideas, read their stories and share their views on all aspects of life.

In 1998 a law was passed in order to preserve the cafés of Buenos Aires that are associated with significant cultural relevance for their age, architectural design and local character. As a result, some cafés got the title of "Notable Cafés of Buenos Aires".

While the flavor of coffee served in "Cafés Notables" is not as developed as those of most current cafés, the "Notable Cafes" have a story, a mythic, a je ne sais quoi that we invite you to discover.


* Café Tortoni *

Carlos Gardel, Quinquela Martín, Juan de Dios Filiberto, Alfonsina Storni, Marcelo T. Alvear, Federico Garcia Lorca, Arthur Square, Luigi Pirandello, Conrado Nale Roxlo, Xul Solar among others have passed through its doors.

Founded in 1858 by Mr. Touan, a Frenchman who named it in memory of Paris Tortoni. It was the first streetside café in Buenos Aires and Avenida de Mayo - where the café is located, was the first avenue in South America.

Address: Avenida de Mayo 825 / 29 Montserrat


* La Ideal
*

Preferred by characters from the cultural, political and artistic scenes, it has two floors. On the ground floor is the coffee shop, on the first floor, the tango salon. Alan Parker filmed scenes from the film "Evita" there; Sally Porter did the same for "The Tango Lesson" and Carlos Saura's immortalized it in his tango shots including authentic, Porteño milonga dancers in the film "Tango".

Founded in 1912, by Manuel Rosendo Fernandez from Spain.

Address: Suipacha 384, downtown.


* Las Violetas
*

Many political personalities, artists and sports figures have attended. Famous for its vitraux and delightful tea time.

Founded in September, 1884.

Address: Rivadavia 3899, Almagro


* La Biela *

You often have to wait for a table especially if you intend to sit outside, under the most beautiful Gomero tree on earth. The cafés privileged location facing the Church of Pilar in La Recoleta make a coffee there as desirable as a meal in the nearby Munich. In the 40’s La Biela was frequented by motorists who started and ended auto racing there.

Founded in 1850

Address: Avenida Presidente Quintana 600, Recoleta


* Alvear Hotel Bar
*

Located on Avenida Alvear, Buenos Aires most elegant avenue, this café is a meeting point for people from Recoleta including politicians, entrepreneurs, artists and tourists.

Founded in 1932

Address: Avenida Alvear 1891


Post by: Valeria Mendez Cañas