6ix Passions

Eye Gazing

Ok for this edition of Show ‘N Tell, I’ve decided to talk about something unusual. Jason, the initiator of this project, told me last time there are no rules and I can talk about what I want. Remember Jason, you told me so ;-)

I’m currently reading the book of Timothy Ferris, The 4-Hour Workweek. Probably one of most important book that has been written since the Internet exists if you ask me.

In one of the chapter, Tim introduces the Comfort Challenge. Most important actions are never comfortable, but according to Ferris you can condition yourself to the discomfort and overcome it by doing a series of uncomfortable exercises.

I’ve decided to play along and accept each of his challenges as I read the book.

The first one was Eye Gazing. For the next two days you had to gaze into the eyes of others - whether people you pass on the street or conventional partners - until they break contact. Some of his hint goes from blinking from time to time for not looking as a psychopath, to maintain eye contact while speaking and to practice it with people more confident or who impress you.

What did I discover? With all the technologies around us, we are more and more distracted and we are lacking attention and focus. The first victims of this technological omnipresence are the persons around us. By keeping an eye contact with them, we learn to really focus our attention and be more present. So it is not only giving you more confidence, it’s giving you the edge of reading the other person mind and body language by keeping all your attention at them and to what they say. They will also be more interested to you and tell you more about themselves.

Since I’ve done that exercise for two days, I’ve decided to always keep a regular eye contact with most around me. Some will ask you why you are looking at them, but then you simply need to smiles to distract them.

That was my little Show ‘N Tell contribution of the week.

Instapaper - The iPhone Killer

This week, it’s the Instapaper blog that I have suggested in the Tumblr Directory.

Lately Marco has spend some time explaining the how and why he has chosen to implement some new features in his new Instapaper 2.2 iPhone app and why he has chosen not to listen entirely to his customers.

I particularly like the posts explaining the reasoning behind the pagination zones and the scroolback features.

As I wrote in my personal The Setup profile, Instapaper is the iPhone Killer for me:

If I had to choose a single app on my iPhone, it would be Instapaper to read the Web while I’m commuting. I would even buy an iPhone for that application alone (yes even before the possibility of making calls - I know, I should buy a iPod Touch then). Because of it, I read more (or should I simply say: I take the time to read). It is the most valuable application I ever used. Period. And I mean it.

Continue the good, great, awesome job Marco.

Thanks!

Your are most welcome Marco! It comes from the heart.