Author Archives: Terry Johal

A response to opening keynote by Prof Alastair Summerlee at HERDSA2016, or why I worry that Australian students are pragmatic, pessimistic, and petrified

It was a great opening keynote at the HERDSA conference today by Prof Alastair Summerlee. He covered the ground to which I have already been converted, and how am almost zealously evangelical about it – ‘We have to reshape education for … Continue reading

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Book Review: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass

What is the book about? This is the autobiography of a man born into slavery who was separated from his mother early as slaves were. He writes about the ways which slaves were treated by their owners. When he is … Continue reading

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Reading Challenge 2016 – Update

As the mid-point of 2016 arrives, its time to review my mission to read 52 books in 52 weeks in 2016. I have been documenting them as I read them on my Goodreads page, as well as on my Instagram … Continue reading

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My 2015 in books

As 2015 comes to a close, its time to review my mission to read 52 books in 52 weeks in 2015. I have been documenting them as I read them on my Goodreads page, as well as on my Instagram … Continue reading

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Book Review: The Year of the Runaways by Sunjeev Sahota

What is this book about? This book is about four people who have ended up connected and intertwined in each others lives. The book is a the story of the contemporary migrant experience especially the recent wave of the low end … Continue reading

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The how of a speech

In a recent post, I wrote about creating a elevator speech. While that post covers the what of a speech, someone asked me about the how of a speech. So here is a quick post on the how of a speech. … Continue reading

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Creating an elevator speech

A elevator speech is a short speech – usually of 30 seconds – that is a pitch to an accidental meeting in an elevator with someone whom one wants to make an impression on. The objective is to not to … Continue reading

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Book Review: Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty

What is this book about? Caitlin Doughty’s memoir of her time working in a crematorium has the thesis that we need to stop denying the physicality of death, and go back to incorporating death into our lives. She writes about … Continue reading

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At least, he did not shit in my car – a stoic mindset

We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them. Epictetus, The Enchiridion (continued from previous post) One of the axiomatic phrases that I live by is – tomorrow this will be a funny … Continue reading

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Book Review: The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need by Daniel Pink

What is this book about? This is manga about a young man who has begun his job after leaving university. He is struggling and lacking in motivation in his job. A life coaching angel comes his way who he can … Continue reading

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