Comments on: an experiment in simple solutions http://beatingtolstoy.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/an-experiment-in-simple-solutions/ A blog on proactivity Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:47:32 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Relja Dereta http://beatingtolstoy.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/an-experiment-in-simple-solutions/#comment-45 Relja Dereta Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:09:03 +0000 http://beatingtolstoy.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-45 It's true that occasionally it's closed when it shouldn't be, but mostly it's open (even when the door's closed :) ). I know, because for almost two years I've been buying the exam forms several weeks before the exam period. Guess you were unlucky (though that doesn't surprise me at all. As you know, at our faculty sometimes doing even the simplest of things requires perseverance) It’s true that occasionally it’s closed when it shouldn’t be, but mostly it’s open (even when the door’s closed :) ). I know, because for almost two years I’ve been buying the exam forms several weeks before the exam period. Guess you were unlucky (though that doesn’t surprise me at all. As you know, at our faculty sometimes doing even the simplest of things requires perseverance)

]]> By: Marija http://beatingtolstoy.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/an-experiment-in-simple-solutions/#comment-44 Marija Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:59:16 +0000 http://beatingtolstoy.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-44 Relja, I had no idea you could buy papers you needed other than during the pre-exam period. Simply said, I have never, during the 4 years that I hanged around at our faculty every day, seen that door open. It seemed to mysteriously open up only when it is needed the most. I actually tried to open it once or twice other than two days before the exam period starts, and it was always locked. And I even came during the working hours (I.e. between 11h and 14h) Relja, I had no idea you could buy papers you needed other than during the pre-exam period. Simply said, I have never, during the 4 years that I hanged around at our faculty every day, seen that door open. It seemed to mysteriously open up only when it is needed the most. I actually tried to open it once or twice other than two days before the exam period starts, and it was always locked. And I even came during the working hours (I.e. between 11h and 14h)

]]> By: BakaTuljan http://beatingtolstoy.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/an-experiment-in-simple-solutions/#comment-37 BakaTuljan Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:40:30 +0000 http://beatingtolstoy.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-37 mmmm... drinking coffee and complaining is the best... :D why don't you try to solve the problem with some good old fashion violence. people often tend to comply when faced with it :) mmmm… drinking coffee and complaining is the best… :D

why don’t you try to solve the problem with some good old fashion violence. people often tend to comply when faced with it :)

]]> By: Relja Dereta http://beatingtolstoy.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/an-experiment-in-simple-solutions/#comment-23 Relja Dereta Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:18:10 +0000 http://beatingtolstoy.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-23 It's almost as if there's the tiniest smidgen of regret there, having left this awful School of Life for something so functional, but without the, shall we say, colorfulness of every day life? Or it's just plain ole venting :P But yeah, what you say is very true. The Philological Faculty, the way it is now, is a good school in how to overcome numerous stupid obstacles, frustration and lethargy in order to get something you want/need. Hopefully, I'll make a small part of it a more pleasurable experience :) It’s almost as if there’s the tiniest smidgen of regret there, having left this awful School of Life for something so functional, but without the, shall we say, colorfulness of every day life? Or it’s just plain ole venting :P

But yeah, what you say is very true. The Philological Faculty, the way it is now, is a good school in how to overcome numerous stupid obstacles, frustration and lethargy in order to get something you want/need. Hopefully, I’ll make a small part of it a more pleasurable experience :)

]]> By: The Girl with Louis Vuitton http://beatingtolstoy.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/an-experiment-in-simple-solutions/#comment-22 The Girl with Louis Vuitton Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:16:54 +0000 http://beatingtolstoy.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-22 Dear goodness. THE queue. Again. Why should we go for the simple when complicated works just fine? It is what it is supposed to be: complicated. Why messing with its essence? One of the missions of this faculty (ooooooo, yes, it DOES have its missions, you wouldn't believe...) is to remind its students every single day that studying at the Faculty of Philology in Belgrade is demanding, complicated and painful and not anyone can do that - nor should. It is meant to make you stronger and more prepared for the Cruelty of Real Life after you graduate, if you manage to graduate. The diploma obtained at the Faculty of Philology might not be the guarantee of your knowledge, skill or competences, but it definitely tells volumes of your stamina. Dear goodness. THE queue. Again. Why should we go for the simple when complicated works just fine? It is what it is supposed to be: complicated. Why messing with its essence? One of the missions of this faculty (ooooooo, yes, it DOES have its missions, you wouldn’t believe…) is to remind its students every single day that studying at the Faculty of Philology in Belgrade is demanding, complicated and painful and not anyone can do that – nor should. It is meant to make you stronger and more prepared for the Cruelty of Real Life after you graduate, if you manage to graduate. The diploma obtained at the Faculty of Philology might not be the guarantee of your knowledge, skill or competences, but it definitely tells volumes of your stamina.

]]> By: Relja Dereta http://beatingtolstoy.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/an-experiment-in-simple-solutions/#comment-21 Relja Dereta Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:24:44 +0000 http://beatingtolstoy.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-21 You're right. However, it's difficult to go for some sort of physical obstacle solution, because of the huge number of people are my target group - my solution would create a bigger mess than the problem. And you wouldn't believe the ammount of bull I have to go through just to put up one poster on a certain wall (getting approval from the DEAN wasn't enough, I'll have to negotiate with the cleaning ladies) And we don't have hand towel dispensers. This IS the Philological Faculty :) So, it has to be something that most people will notice/be surprised by, but it musn't really inconvenience anyone, because it will be promptly removed, and in any case the problem is such a rare occurance (once every 3 months). After reading your article, I'm thinking of also putting up some posters on the inner side of the toilet door with something like "now that you're having your quiet moment of contemplation, try to remember to buy the application form" and some other sort of joke posters. It could create a sort of word-of-mouth which would trigger a reaction in people to buy the forms before leaving the faculty. However, the insight you gave me is very true and cool, and I'll definitely use it in future projects! Thanks a lot! You’re right. However, it’s difficult to go for some sort of physical obstacle solution, because of the huge number of people are my target group – my solution would create a bigger mess than the problem. And you wouldn’t believe the ammount of bull I have to go through just to put up one poster on a certain wall (getting approval from the DEAN wasn’t enough, I’ll have to negotiate with the cleaning ladies)

And we don’t have hand towel dispensers. This IS the Philological Faculty :)

So, it has to be something that most people will notice/be surprised by, but it musn’t really inconvenience anyone, because it will be promptly removed, and in any case the problem is such a rare occurance (once every 3 months).

After reading your article, I’m thinking of also putting up some posters on the inner side of the toilet door with something like “now that you’re having your quiet moment of contemplation, try to remember to buy the application form” and some other sort of joke posters. It could create a sort of word-of-mouth which would trigger a reaction in people to buy the forms before leaving the faculty.

However, the insight you gave me is very true and cool, and I’ll definitely use it in future projects! Thanks a lot!

]]> By: Jonathan http://beatingtolstoy.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/an-experiment-in-simple-solutions/#comment-18 Jonathan Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:56:23 +0000 http://beatingtolstoy.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-18 Posters are only useful if they conform to the rules of "stickiness". You need to surprise them or force them to break their mindless habit e.g. stuff a few into toilet roll and hand towel dispensers in the bathroom or put the poster on a door then lock it (when they will expect it to be open). It worked here: http://www.combatconsulting.com/cracking-group-habits-or-the-art-of-the-interrupt Posters are only useful if they conform to the rules of “stickiness”.

You need to surprise them or force them to break their mindless habit e.g. stuff a few into toilet roll and hand towel dispensers in the bathroom or put the poster on a door then lock it (when they will expect it to be open).

It worked here:

http://www.combatconsulting.com/cracking-group-habits-or-the-art-of-the-interrupt

]]>