Elizabeth Baker
Single Mum to two children. Busy at work, busy at home; Never stop! Always looking for challenging and new experiences. X
Twitter : BethBaker@Hummingbird357
Location St.Helens, Merseyside, U.K.
Activity
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Elizabeth Baker replied to Emma Wright
I can imagine hearing Take That singing re-light my fire wouldn't inspire me either! R4 will be my choice in the morning to see what inspires me! Lets hope they're not talking about the US presidential campaign! Now there's a story that doesn't need to be written! ha ha
Its odd though as I'm usually like that but tonight the words have been flowing.... -
Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I remember.....listening for his car to start. Hardly drawing breath lest I miss hearing him go. Another car on the street. Already accelerating. Then as it moved away...nothing. Straining for a sound. Nothing. He had gone. And she hadn't even felt the yawning pain of his departure as she heard his car dive away.
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Elizabeth Baker replied to Wendy Stewart
I agree! Who would have thought starting with something like that could lead to such rich writing!
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Emma said....she was bored of baking. She didn't know who she baked for anymore. She used to enjoy baking, and the comments she got from those lucky enough to savour her experimental flavours. It gave her a temporary fix of attention. Filled a gap. It was only filling the gap left by him. What now. What hobby now.
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I really like that advice. Like they've said earlier, sometimes the everyday situations make things more interesting.
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
The cookies, tumbled from the plate like loose change from an unwashed trouser pocket. Scattered on the floor like leaves in autumn.
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
She always looked forward to this time. Her daughter climbing while she was able to sit in relative silence bar the occasionally shouted instruction or children’s laughter. The smell of coffee and bacon wafted up from the counter downstairs and her writing tools set out like an orthodontists glimmering tools waiting to be utilised. Perfect.
She always...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I decided to open my mind when I listened to that segment. I did what one of the writers mentioned and just wrote. I wrote words that came to mind in my newly chosen "journal" to harness at a later stage. Raging, Sensuary, Sincere, Slips, Profound, leave, spun, saracon. Lets see where these take me. I am an early bird but I think my head is far too active in...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
This was difficult! Here goes!
3 facts; 1 fiction
“But I am happy! Why do people feel that if someone doesn’t have a partner their life somehow isn’t whole?” Once again she found herself defending her self-preservation techniques. She wasn’t asking for advice or support, but people seemed compelled to give it. She actually felt occasionally sorry for... -
Elizabeth Baker replied to Victoria Stephens
I like your first one. Good opener; makes the reader wonder what it is. I like the last sentence too. I can relate to it so it makes you feel you understand what the writer is saying.
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Thank you! I agree that just changing the word "try" to "commit" place a different spin on it and should work better. :0)
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Im looking forward to trying the attention switching technique tomorrow. I feel like I may already do it in most cases but I'll focus on it and find out! :0)
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Ill keep trying this Bernie. I guess like bringing my mind back it will become easier :0)
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I enjoyed doing this and did find it easier to do than when im just trying it myself. Heres hoping my puppy starts to learn and becomes a loyal pup!
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I find it really difficult to bring my mind back. I even picked my phone up while was watching the video of Richard! ha ha how bad is that! I realised what I was doing of course and put it down and turned it over. Im hoping bringing it back will get easier as I do struggle. Any tips anyone? Im sort of visualising, like Richards hand, physically pulling it...
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I agree with Melissa. I find it best to distract myself with something that I need to put thought into. Sometimes I'll tidy but little thought process there so my mind wanders easily as nothing to focus on really. (I did try last week but difficult to focus on mopping the floor!) Always helps me to write things down too - maybe write down how you feel and how...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I really enjoyed this course. Thought provoking and inciteful.
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I looked at the ratings a few times but know what I like and don't when it comes to art so I wasn't influenced at all.
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I really enjoyed this video too! Liked the sailing analogy. Makes a lot of sense when applied to other events also.
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
My head hurts again! But an interesting summing up. I felt it gave me an "ahhhh" moment of enlightenment!
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Elizabeth Baker replied to jo clark
I agree and related his reference to being dropped into another society to my most recent job change. I knew how to do the job but quickly learnt that I had to learn how to do it in the new organisation given a different grouping of people, policies etc. Took me a while before I felt comfortable suggesting / making changes. Good job I wasn't a termite Jo! Gulp...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Took me a while to get into this video but I persisted and it paid off. v. interesting and informative.
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I get fidgety when I have a stress response and cant settle or sit still. I cant concentrate in the matter at hand and its nor productive. I hate it so Im very much looking forward to trying itout.
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Elizabeth Baker replied to Dilly Warman
Well done Dilly! Go Girl! x
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I really liked this video. I replayed some parts of it to understand it more. I go into default mode and worry about relationships, or money or weight gain. All stuff that isnt in the present and not conducive to my wellbeing! I'll try some of this tomorrow when my mind begins to wander and it most certainly will :0(
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Ill try to be mindful when:
Washing the dishes; putting my shoes on; drinking my coffee in the morning; drying my hair. Ive been struggling recently to listen to a particular friend talk. Im not sure if im tired as im usually a good listener. -
Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I actually found it easier to concentrate on his than the body scan last week. My mind wandered less as I was concentrating on one thing. My body felt lighter afterwards. But then my dog started to tickle my foot with her whiskers so I came out of it quite quickly ha ha I'll try this instead of the body scan.
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I feel I am still curious! Im 46 but love to take close up photographs of the outdoors. Budding flowers, creatures. I love to talk to people who can tell me something new. I love to watch my dogs, and any wildlife so I can see theirs behaviours. I'll try anything new to experience it. And I listened to my breath today as I was singing and knew I needed to take...
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Elizabeth Baker replied to Andrew Wilson
Im the same.Worst scores this week. I really had no idea on some of them but maybe thats because I didn't engage well with the theory this week. My least favourite week so far. I struggled to get through it and it didn't hold me attention. . The only thing is seemed to tell us was there is a difference between us and animals in the way that "we think". ha ha...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Maybe its just me again but I dont understand what we were trying to do here. It quickly became apparent that it was just odd one out, rather than, in my mind what everyone else would choose. What everyone else would choose, for me would be preference, rather than just odd one out. Why give us a picture of a lion statue with three horse statues and ask us to...
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Elizabeth Baker replied to Robert Collins
Ha ha i agree on that one! I wondered why they picked 6! What was that about? I picked 2 also which was the furthest on the left and I thought "everyone likes 2" lol
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Elizabeth Baker replied to k b
Thank you Kathleen :0)
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Fab round up and feed back from Craig and Richard.Some good tips too which I can use to enhance the whole experience. Heres hoping we all get a lot of good from this! See you next week everyone! x
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Elizabeth Baker replied to Sophie Cr
HI Sophie, Where were the full stop and comma exercises? I didn't see them.
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Elizabeth Baker replied to Anne Stewart
I agree Anne. Im going back to Richards until ive had more practice with it.
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Elizabeth Baker replied to k b
I hope I can be determined enough to do this everyday and feels the effects you have Kathleen! I think I tend to feel I dont have the time, but recognising the benefit would make me free up the time!
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Ive purposely held back from posting on this one as I wanted to try it for a few days to see what the effects, if any, were. Ive done the 5 minute body scan in the AM and PM for 2 days now. Did I function better? I actually dont know! I had to do a lot of organising yesterday and was very focused and as a result recognised that identified quicker and easier...
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Elizabeth Baker replied to Jules Harrison
That's fabulous Jules! Ive just laughed out loud :0) Well you can have the banana and the apple and probably feel a bit sick when you've eaten them to which Id say " awe, poor you" but secretly be pleased. But, you don't know that I really don't like either and have a tangerine, which you would prefer too but didn't tell me so I'm going to eat that right in...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I understand this and likened it to some relationships. Where perhaps neither individual is sure what the other wants, ie their objective which leads to interpretations of your partners actions based on your own objectives. These can be way off mark if there is no joint agreement on the objective which can lead to collapse if not discussed. Sounds good to me!!
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Ok, am I the only one who struggled with this? I tried to stick it out but struggled because I was already lost. I did rewind a few times but nope. Nothing. Ive even ready some of the comments below to see if they helped....that's when I realised most people understood this. Therefore the good things is that Ive not been influenced to say otherwise based on...
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Lets keep trying it Shelly. Hopefully it'll become easier :0)
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I like that - observer of your life. Is it six sheets? Id better go fill the printer before it splutters! :0)
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I struggle too Ana, as I forget or feel I dont have the time but it should help us. Lets give it a go!
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Well, I had to attempt this three times due to distractions! Once I became aware the dog was staring at me ha ha and then my daughter burst in to tell my that Sewing Bee was on! Cant miss that :0) so ive just done it (6:50 AM) as it suggested in then morning. My thoughts wandered and wandered. I used an analogy of sweeping he thoughts out like Cinderella with...
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Elizabeth Baker replied to Elizabeth Baker
I'll do it again tomorrow and report back on how ive managed!! :0) Thank you!
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Id like to learn how to stop worrying and wasting precious head space on relationships! I really seem to be in control and self compassionate about most other situations but these. How come? I have no idea. I do feel these are negative and non productive thoughts so if Im self compassionate about them then do I say "Its ok to feel like that" but so what? What...
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Heres hoping this course helps us all Catherine. A heartfelt posting. I agree we dont listen to our bodies, but I worry that we are so caught up in trying to achieve and juggle everyday life that we forget we need to look after ourselves! I look after my two children on my own, my elderly mum and a high pressure job. Ive only recently started to run and cycle...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
My phone is the big distraction. I have it with me in work and respond to friends as soon as I can. Funnily enough, I switched it off today.....and when I got home there was a message from one of my friends saying she was worried about me as she hadn't heard from me!!! ha ha Did it help me turning it off? Probably not today as I was constantly wondering what...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Hmmm....I do find that period of high activity at work which, as long as nothing bad is occurring, are good stress for me. I work quickly and productively, but I did have a period like this in the last four months of last year and I think the longevity of it caught up on me without me knowing and took its toll making me indifferent and complacent which wasn't...
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Im gonna struggle with this one.....I've had to turn my phone over now so I cant see it flash ha ha ....Ok I've moved it away Aaaargh! How am I going to do this! ha ha
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Well....Ive just switched the sounds off on my phone :0) Step 1!!
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Very much looking forward to re-training my brain. My mind wanders too much at the moment and generally about relationships which isnt conducive to anything least of all the relationship!
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I've enjoyed this week but am aware that Ive not contributed to discussions as much as normal.
1. Do I believe I answer honestly? Yes, I do. Or am I lying? aha!
2. Am I concious of how I make decisions? I suppose its a mixture of mood, past experience and influence from others.
3. Where am I on the scale of belief? Hmm I'm getting there. I reckon I'm a... -
Elizabeth Baker made a comment
How interesting! I was in the honestly group and did answer all of them honestly. I did think early on though, that there was an option to lie about whereto I was correct or not. I wouldn't have done that (I'm a good girl I am). But the last answer about the most viewed video on youtube made me think they were influencing our answer! I put the assasination of...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Im surprised about the content of the Tax letter having an effect. I sometimes get tradespeople knocking on my door with regard to double glazing, or driveways, and one of the first things they say is "We've just done a job for someone further down your street" Do I care? No. Do I believe them? No. If I was one of the individual sent the tax letter saying...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I agree with the latter of Nicks options that it requires effort to become a stable character. Having suffered a number of personal losses my thought process was that I almost harden myself for self preservation. The emotion I suffered I wouldn't allow myself to feel again as it effected everything about me so badly. My genetic or automatic personality told...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I really liked this video! The story concept here is gelling with me! Im trying to apply it to relationships (ho hum) Some days I'll just be running and flowing smoothly and not thinking about an individual, but some times, if something occurs which appears I don't understand, I try to puzzle it out to determine my next move. I cant of course because its in...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Hmmm...Interesting. I agree with the being influenced by others examples with the jelly beans. I saw this myself and posted it in the discussion at the end of week 1 I think where we had to estimate how much we agreed with the concept of the course. I estimated I was a 2 and before I posted it looked at others comments which seemed to be a little higher. I...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I like the crossword analogy regarding solving one clue and another becoming easier, but isn't this just if were trying to solve a large problem? Like a process map?
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One of my habits I'm afraid! Cut through the hedge trimmer wire a fee weeks back! But does this imply that I cant focus on one thing or that im clumsy! Either way, its not a good habit ha ha
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Will that help me save money too! I wish! ha ha
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
So if Nick is now saying we think or perform differently under lab conditions why was this not stated before we saw and commented on all of the experiments? They could have said "Ok, look, this might be a load of tosh in comparison to what we think in the real world,but, regardless, under lab conditions this is what the results were" No wonder so many of use...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
"Week 4 in the mind is flat house and some of the participants remain cynical but continue to drink increasingly insipid coffee and swap bananas with pears with apples with bananas." (Gee, it was tough to get that into 120 characters for Twitter ha ha )
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Thanks you! I did that today......... but now I'm feeling like I need to treat myself tomorrow for being so good!! I'll keep trying tho. :0) I'll try what NIck said in his round up video too and step out of the situation and imagine how I'll feel later :0)
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I feel like Ive leapt one to a solid 3 this week! I do understand that individuals can be irrational but I also feel I am mostly rational (ha ha how certain was that!) Still enjoying the course immensely and loving the debates being posted mostly! Thanks gang! x
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I reckon I did the same amount of risk taking and caution. I don't subscribe to throwing caution to the wind when were winning and in a good position. If I was winning Id play safe to make sure I didn't lose it. Ended up keeping £35 and winning £40 so very similar.
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I don't think they're hindering us as they will always look for things to create which would make us say "Ooh , I need that! That'll make things easier for me!"" It wont necessarily hinder us but we don't necessarily know what we want so were being led by the market!"
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ha ha I love that!!! OK, i'm just going to update my profile pic using a selfie stick and then I'll heat my wheat germ socks in the microwave to warm my feet ha ha.....I'll remember to take my feet out first this time tho....hmm....maybe I need something to help me remove my socks quicker...... :0)
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I liked interview but was a little bothered that Mat said "people"can say what they need now but they are really quiet bad at knowing what they'll want in the future. If were not designers or at the forefront of technology how would we necessarily know?! We may be able to determine what would help us in the future in the line of work we are in as we have to...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Hmmm.....One word seemed to be missing from this....but I may be wrong....MOTIVATION? We need to have the motivation ourselves to do some things. Or if a group of us wants to achieve the same goal. I wanted to lose weight last year and did struggle but continued till I found a diet that worked for me and lost a stone. One of my other objectives is to spend...
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Elizabeth Baker replied to jo clark
I feel the same! And agree with your points Jo re: those that didn't hand over their receipt and doing another on a different day! Maybe it was a warm day or a Friday and more people thought "I'm feeling good, why not take the higher one" And who wouldn't if its not going to cost you anything and its only 50p you'd win on the less risky one! I'm sure if it was...
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Elizabeth Baker replied to Katy Lees
Oh don't be Katy! Its good to find things that complement something were doing isn't it! ! I went to my sons parents evening this week and have to admit to that the big draw for me was the home made shortbread they always have there! (And its free!) I'm a big foodie myself so I totally understand the chicken dinner comment!!! :0) x
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Elizabeth Baker replied to Caroline Powles
Hope your night was worth the hangover Caroline :0)
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I think this is down to the individual and also influenced by disposable income. Its about weighing up the benefit for yourself in terms of well-being, to financial cost. If I were to buy an expensive item of jewellery Id buy it to feel good wearing it, not to flaunt it to others. I wouldn't care if they thought it was a cheap or expensive version. I buy...
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Elizabeth Baker replied to Katy Lees
Im laughing out loud at that Katy! I didn't get it really either but I don't care now after reading your chicken dinner comment! :0) I'm the same though! small things can influence us greatly even if the price is hiked up a bit more than other options because those small things make it a more enjoyable experience!
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Elizabeth Baker replied to Elizabeth Baker
You're right! I may try a new variety they've brought out which seems to be branded as almost as good as the premium version but a little cheaper......hmmmm haven't I heard that somewhere before? ha ha "Say NO to the money pump!" ha ha
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Elizabeth Baker replied to Lee Parkinson
Im tending to think that if I won the coin toss he'd shoot me anyway so Im still going with giving him the fiver in the first place! ha ha
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I must be tired! None of this is making sense tonight!
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Oh dear, Sorry guys, I would have given him the fiver and the house example with the curtains I just didn't get. I kept replaying it to see if I could but I couldn't. Everyone else seems to get it but me! Didn't he say that if things are going well we play safe?Individuals in casinos / tracks etc don't tend to do that do they and they may not have an addition....
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I agree Elizabeth! I buy what I [i] where esp. if its a relatively insignificant sum like a chocolate bar (And I take advantage when my favorites are on offer! :)) Lets all go to Elizabeths for fabulous chocolate cake gang! :0)
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Elizabeth Baker replied to B K
Couldn't agree more! Im open to my own opinion on that being challenged and taking part in an experiment even to see if im wrong but without that I cant see how people would behave in that way. Maybe thats just me feeling im a more rational being than I actually am and feeling I have more control of my behaviour and my mind isnt "flat"! But I guess my now...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Im going to copy a comment I read about a video earlier in the course. "What on earth was that all about?" When on earth would the choice for cheese come in if you wanted chocolate pudding and found out there was no apple crumble??! Making myself laugh now. Why talk about the circular money pump theory if its taken as unlikely that people will fall for it in...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
The money pump idea is confusing me, If A is full flavour and gradually it changes but we recognise E to be insipid we must at some earlier point recognise its not as flavoursome and go back up the range and stay there? Or perhaps on given days money permitting. We wouldn't just keep going round would we if we knew what was going on?
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Of course we think in a relative way if we don't know the absolute! How much would we get done if we googled how many car accidents there had been from London to Edinburgh and what roads to avoid!! Why is this any surprise? Im not amazed at my irrationality and inconsistency! I know I think in relative terms and that can change based on even the weather!
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Oooh, I also wanted to add the best question so far has been in this video and it was "so what?"
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
How interesting. I thought about a number and came up with 2 and then scrolled down to see what others had said....and thoughts about changing it to a 3! Whats that about! Maybe it should be a 10 then!!! Oh dear.
This is the first indication that ive had though that we can actually use what this course implying to our advantage! This is what I was looking for. -
Totally agree with Elizabeth and Valerie. I've posted that before. If its a big decisions or lots of money I take more time and care over my decision. If its a £3.00 coffee but im seeing a friend for a gab its more than worth it to make the event even better! I could have a tap water, but hey its good coffee :0)and if im buying Im not going to buy them a...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Well, I got none of the answers right for height weight etc! But Im terrible with heights weights in general anyway! And to be honest, have little need to know those things- other than stopping distances etc! and they tend to be in car lengths now! Im still struggling to understand what the questions are really proving when I know Im shocking at them and my...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Hmmm....Are societies getting richer but not happier? I dont think wealth makes someone happier, but I do think comparability of wealth could make you gauge whether you perhaps should be happier. Economic growth is of course good but I think people generally put too much emphasis on money. Am I happier than some of my ancestors who worked in a mill in...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Still struggling a little as like Patricia below I feel we use much more to aid us in decisions. I feel though that the above example of shoes really isn't an important judgement to make and therefore were not going to put much thought / experience into to. If we would potentially be effected by our decisions, such as the operation example, we would. Was...
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Happiness I feel is subjective, but this is the first video in the course that has actually resonated with me as it is comparable too! How can in not be? BUt then I hate it when my friends use the term "retail therapy" as if something you buy could truly make you happy. Ok, it might improve your well being if its a more reliable car. or better boiler, but a...
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Elizabeth Baker replied to Elizabeth Baker
Ah, again, I feel I take the time I can to justify my decisions, particularly important ones, like a tattoo, and therefore if anything happens in the future which challenges my decision I don't regret it as I justified it. And yes, so far the pain has been worth it as it only lasts for a short while and I'll have something unique that means something to me. :)
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Elizabeth Baker replied to [Learner left FutureLearn]
What an interesting analogy! The mind is flat concept is making me wonder if theyre likening us to "Bots" ! no real thought or depth other than methodically taking in what others have said in interactions with us and spewing it out without much thought!! How scary!
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Im struggling with this one too. Nick said at the beginning that pain didn't go away and someone wouldn't say"After 60 of these shots I could take them all day". Is that not implying that pain inst relative but the experiment was saying it is? I think it is relative and comparable as having had a further tattoo recently the pain at the beginning was...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Hmmm.. interesting. Holding on to my comments for now until I hear more. x
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
OK, Rolled my sleeves up...deep breaths....here we go gang!!!
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Well, Im struggling with the concept, as I do justify my decisions I feel, where I have insight and knowledge already. I know some people have left so far but im going to stick with it as I want to gain something from this and always finish what I started so I can learn from it. Although my bathroom lights need changing.......and have done for 3 months...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
Interesting; But i'm not really sure how it relates to what they're trying to tell us in the course. We wouldn't expect to be able to see such small changes instantly would we? I remember my Mum used to play the memory game with me- items on a tray then she takes one away while i'm not looking and I've got to try to remember what it was. Even with a gap there...
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Elizabeth Baker made a comment
I recently went onto a price comparison website to change my gas / electricity provider (Yes, I finally did it :)) The interview with Dr Stott stated we would be influenced by rank in using these sites - I was because it was ranked by cheapest first, which is obviously the main reason I was switching providers. But then I saw that some of the cheapest weren't...
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Elizabeth Baker replied to Rachel K
Im the same here. Dislike adverts as they're just trying to sell me something. If I want or need something i'll make my own decision and therefore if its the wrong one I only have myself to blame rather than feeling I've been influenced badly by those trying to influence my purchase.
