olidays that they will effectively do causeway coastal route hop on to the wild atlantic way below the peninsula or vice versa that they will go ugh you know is it really worth going all the way up there and down and that's why specific focus has to be put on the initial 100 to make them realize that yes you do need to do this or actually you can just come and do this shorter route and not go near the causeway route or the wild atlantic way is that really what's led to you i know you've outlined it but i just want to be really clear in my own head that's really where we're at well i mean the fear is that uh somebody coming in with a long journey ahead of them you know we're all on behind schedule that happens especially when you're on holidays and you know picking up the car goes wrong or whatever whatever goes wrong goes wrong you get to the to the to muff and you decide well we just cut across here will we go on to letter Kenny will we go to the west in the county you know are we really going to go up there what's up there you know we've read the reviews and the reviews are saying there's nothing at bambus crown don't bother yourself that's just really what happens now bam you know mallinhead is supposed to be one of three signature points along the wild atlantic way there's no investment there a signature point is supposed to be a point of great interest that spurs the tourist to make the effort to travel there now the tourist that goes there they're getting there they're not even sure are they there and they're subsequently writing reviews saying don't bother yourself you know so we have to we have to shout louder right now and we must we must get the investment necessary for the signature point and we must get the investment for the any show in 100 yeah uh who has to take the ball by the horns here like in other words is this fault to arland is this the council is this in the shown tourism because obviously this needs to be marketed if if your if your wishes were to be followed through on this has to be marketed nationally and internationally so what what agency do you think needs to to take this on board these calls on board well think firstly it must start on the ground so you know with the tourism operators locally then with the elected representatives then we should make the approach to falchireland and tourism arland and i think that each municipal district should have a representative on the falchireland board and they should be regularly invited to attend and they should be maybe in the employment of falchireland but at present i don't believe that we are getting the investment that we that we truly deserve and until that happens we are going nowhere so i will shout up every tree and i implore the other councillors to to you know to join in and help deliver the message to those that need to hear that we need proper representation proper proper and fair marketing of our attractions and our routes just for us to remain in existence you know it's it's it's of grave importance now that the businesses in any shown get the most footfall in this upcoming season or else they won't be there next year it's simple as that johnny thank you very much for your time i appreciate it um what do you think i'll wait 60 25 000 that's uh uh councillor johnny mcginnis of finnegale does that let's get some comments here now does that make it okay today greg history does not make the levels of service today acceptable that comes in from neem of course it doesn't but what i'm saying is is if we look retrospectively and say oh well in this it was like this then right you know that that's not realistic either or to say it's like this in switzerland again we say that but let's dig into that say is that the case uh were things better in the past because we always feel they are i mean anyone who's got parents will know their parents told them about how things used to be great but you look into the history books were they it's not a contradictory point it's trying to tease out a broader conversation uh greg you cannot speak for shin fane as they haven't got the chance to run the country and i think they have yet to get the chance to prove themselves good or bad then you can speak coming from union not speaking for shin fane but what i'm saying is is what mark is aspiring to no political party is promising that or or hasn't in previous elections if you listen to what he was actually stating i mean obviously parties are promising to improve mental health services to improve education but uh the the wider point as to a completely different way as to how we view the country in terms of what you heard mark what he was talking about how being uh money orientated and all that type of stuff uh you're a hundred percent right we have illusions of democracy that we would need it every community stand a local person to challenge each seat let the present parties know that we've had enough and it's time to listen to us for change and not the EU the corporation not big tech and civil servants the parties don't care they promise one thing and don't really care what's selected time to change the civil service within the parties they seem to have more control in some cases mark speaks excellently but if you allow the governing parties to ride rough shot through democracy uh democratic equality measures like the intensive marketing conditions like polls to get etc they'll continue to get away with it the fabric of society is changing and not for the better i totally agree with mark there needs to be more voice for change and stop accepting the status quo um we have a td in our town who shouted constantly about what he'll do when he got into power yet i don't see him delivering anything this country was wrong better 40 years ago i totally agree with mark i think it's time to see more individuals starting to stand for election and bringing collective change political parties are only self-interested the island we want is not the one we are living in but then if you look at independence often people might say and i'm not saying this of any independence in in donningall but you know there may be there there to feather their own nests or for their own interests as well um it's complicated because then you have people who get behind someone and then they turn on each other as well because everyone when you think a certain way it's very hard to get an awful lot of people that align with the way you think you know it can be divisive uh caller says the only way we're going to change governments is you don't phone to any of them in a game but the ordinary joe soap in the door like paddy diva who was instrumental in getting that micro situation uh there in the public eye with the ordinary people see what's needed but the government look after themselves not us we uh sure see that in a show and the forgotten people yeah sure time for change get them all out that being said again the majority of people may well be saying or a good portion of them is that you know the measures brought in in terms of electricity are working i see from the credit union the um sentiment is is through the roof you know an awful lot of the same people will be returned after the next general election you know so not everybody is anti this that and the other or pro that uh this that and the other either uh hi greg my daughter just back from venice four nights and flights guess how much a hundred and seventy euro why would anyone holiday in arland last weekend donig all one hotel was looking for a hundred and seventy nine euro for one night stay for myself and my wife 170 for four nights in venice that's all right isn't mark is right our elected rep should listen to what the people want but the problem is that too many are apathetic uh greg great interview with mark all his points that were made were correct and other government should set up a section to get to know people's needs it's easy to talk about what's available but is anyone asking what the people need it's a very good point too how can you service deliver uh if you don't know exactly the services that people require let's hear shin fain justify their election expenses where's the voice of donig all shin fain today well we had um a journalist on that talking about them uh next time uh we have a shin frame rep on um at all rev of course we'll be asking them those questions good morning greg super shocked by a home electricity bill received yesterday 479 euro for two months for a family of five now we had a caller earlier on whose bill was 500 there is 479 for two months it was self-submitted reading so was 100 correct it wasn't estimated what i did notice was that a third of the way through the bill the unit rate went from 0.33 cents effectively 33 cents per unit to 444 cents so a big jump in costs their suppliers and energy i wonder could any listener or experts give advice on the best value supplier at the moment thanks for all your team and for you uh okay listen thanks for the comments i won't read them out but i appreciate it uh if you have access to the internet if you go on to a switching website they will give you the costs the estimated annual costs per electricity supplier i think that's the best way uh really to do it um so go on to any of the switcher websites you input your details it'll give you your calculated bill how much you can expect to pay over the year and it will tell you what you can expect to pay from other suppliers simply switching in and of itself uh can be enough uh to save you money everyone's complaining about there being no wealth or sorry being no health or housing but if you look at all the extra people in the country no wonder there's no country can cope with it again i get what you're saying but our problems predate um predate the arrival of 70 000 people i mean we have a population here of uh in excess of five million now um and before an extra 70 000 people came in and that's the figure uh 50 odd from uh ukraine 20 000 um international protection people 70 000 people across the country of this size with a population of an excessive five million uh percentage wise in terms of the increase in population what's less than two percent the country was pretty in a in a bad state if it can't absorb that isn't it i mean when we see other countries like germany and belgium millions of people they've taken in uh our figure is is minute we must have been in a bad state if an extra 70 000 people especially when you consider how many extra we can accommodate in the summer for example millions in the summer no problem plenty of space then uh but 70 000 people seems to have brought us to a halt to a standstill it's as if housing and education and health were perfect before these 75 but and i'm not in any way taken aside in that debate what i'm saying is is that you know how bad was it that that was the tipping point uh morning greg we're heading down the country for three nights bed and breakfast in the hotel 40 euro a night in may that's all right isn't it not bad hi greg young and middle-aged people are living this godfors are leaving this godforsaken land as they describe it this was all part of a plan to give migrants a vote because the majority of irish will not be voting can i just say there's no logic some people say that that uh some people say that people are being brought into this country to upset elections again for example uh ukrainians the majority of uh not half of them are children okay they can't vote uh the other half make up about 30 000 people um and then you have got 20 000 um international protection people who don't have a vote okay so whatever about the conversation please if you think that our government in any country would be capable of importing the right people to vote for them uh i mean also you can't dictate how they vote they might well vote independent or shin fane who's to say they would vote for the government again i don't mind i i really appreciate the text but it doesn't make any sense um that you try and get young irish people to leave and then offer international protection to other people in some way to swing an election it doesn't make sense to me but if you see how it makes sense please text in 08 660 uh 25 000 um meville panto group good luck tonight with allison wonderland they're running 11 shows all the best from a proud mommy there's another thing i was asked to mention here as well while i was at it where is it um it is a fundraiser yeah okay it stars in their eyes it's a native clay community hub it's taking place on saturday the 4th of february saturday week isn't it uh the special guests on the night uh it's followed by a dj to late it's an on green on hotel which is a beautiful venue of course so what are you doing saturday the 4th of february the couple of things on but you might want to go to stars in their eyes in clay community hub uh tickets are on sale from facebook via paypal uh mats takeaway mclean fuels and the alt bar uh and we've got contact numbers for you here as well so sounds like a good night out stars in their eyes followed by a dj and he's supporting clay community hub there uh can the poor counselors who travel to the mica 100 redress demonstration claim expenses from the council for their trip no and they can't it's uh not like that all right listen but i appreciate your gesture presumably uh your suggestion it's tongue in cheek i imagine um okay back with more shortly watch the show live now on youtube facebook and at highland radio dot com the nine till noon show brought to you by kelly's Toyota with over 45 years of experience trust us to help you on your electric journey go full needle for a trolley full of savings clean up with w five sponges cleaners furniture polish wipes and formal detergent capsules all for a sparkling 838 and all for less than one pack of personal three and one non-biocapsules 26 washes and tesco don't get rinsed go full needle to shop without compromise needle more for you urgent news the house proud group stock disposal sale at the straban store must end this sunday all remaining clearance stock has been transferred to the store and final price cuts made with drastic reductions on furniture for every room the massive stock disposal sale at house proud abacorn square straban sale ends 6 p.m sunday also at the oma store don meat set to buy kildare chilling for more in your farmer's journal is paul mooney we look at what the deal means for sheep and beef farmers bore be it to ratchet up farm audits for all farmers we reveal factory prices vary by over 300 euros for the same animal sheep farmer squeezed as costs rise and prices fall we have the latest on the controversial quilt your forestry deal and could virtual fences be a game changer for farmers only inside this week's irish farmers journal you cannot afford to miss it at esp networks we're connecting our land to a clean electric future and as part of the national smart metering program we're now installing smart electricity meters in your area your new smart meter will reduce the need for estimated bills help you to manage your electricity usage more efficiently and enable you to access smart electricity products and services we'll contact you before your meter is installed find out more at esp networks dot ie slash smart meter the ceo application deadline of first of february is fast approaching don't miss the opportunity to add our land's highest ranked university to your ceo choices trinity college dublin offers over 100 undergraduate degrees 170 clubs and societies and so much more our world-class lecturers and beautiful campus in the heart of dublin city have been inspiring generations for over 400 years visit tcd dot ie forward slash ceo and be inspired that's tcd dot ie forward slash ceo okay uh following up on a story that's emerging this morning and that is the uh death of a uh donag allman in uh castle re prison uh we run to the prison service just to try and get more details for you and receive the following reply the irish prison service can confirm that there was a death in custody of a person in the custody of the irish prison service on the 26th of january and the next of kin have been notified they say this death in custody will be investigated by the irish prison service the inspector of prisons and on goddess yukana where circumstances uh circumstances warrant the cause of the death is determined then by the coroner's uh office uh greg one billion per annum uh overspending government capital projects from 95 to 2005 prove and it continues at pace to this day children's hospital the doll printer how much better would we be if we would actually manage our tax receipts finigale uh finifor successive governments object uh incompetence we have to try uh something else that comes in uh from liam there call us says broadband is down increase like just wondering um just wondering if it's just then uh i'm not quite sure shon you're gonna have to move over there right side finula how are you getting on uh finula rabbit good morning to you good morning how are you doing i'm all right shon i'm great great yes it's not acceptable in your microphone oh okay you're here long enough i thought my voice is low enough he's here long enough to know in your microphone and into the little numbers on your oh that's what that's for okay exciting times finula highland flinging flinging Glasgow yes we are very excited about this and over the years we um have done trips in which we've brought people away and we've taken them um all around the country well go away and that alone and that's all around the country where else is there and what we're with covid and everything we had put all of that on hold along with our concerts and along with everything else and i'm delighted that we can finally say when it comes to this kind of thing that we are out the other side so as everybody knows on march 28th we have our fantastic uh daniel o'donnell concert which is coming up and then this is the second event that we have uh within our um concerts and uh and trips so what we're looking at is people may remember back in the day long long before my time here um we used to take trips to scotland and so we taught as kind of a treat for everybody that what we would do as our first big trip back is we would head over to glasgo so we are heading to glasgo on the bank holiday monday so monday the first of may you will come here to the station get on the bus we will then head over sing songing the whole way uh and over on the ferry and drive over as far as glasgo and then we'll be staying then in the four star crown plaza hotel and i forgot the name of the hotel that's why shawna is here you're doing well so far in the four star crown plaza hotel in which then you will have um three nights of awesome entertainment okay and um monday the first of may there's a dance with david james and the riot ryan turner band tuesday the second of the may concert with dekla nerney and more and then wednesday the third of may it is robert moselle and my understanding is and i've never been on invited on or attended one of these there's a lot of crack around it as well it's not just the not just the set set events the crack is well it's just you're there it is it's absolutely amazing now um i have to say i was on the last couple that we had and they're just fantastic basically what is there like it's everybody kind of all trumped in together so that's what makes it good it's nearly like a it's nearly like a grown-up school tour it's a school tour but you can have but you can have a genotonic which is awesome don't keep don't employ remarketing anyway everybody gets no but you know those things where you're all just kind of clubbing together and having a good time the bombs get full and very early in these trips as well too yes absolutely and there's a lot of people who have been on all of our trips so they actually this is the times when they meet each other you know they're from all over the county and they come together and then they this is the time when they they meet up and they may not have seen each other in between times they're kind of like the Highland Trip Buddies so basically as as you said there the Monday night we've got a dance with David James and the fantastic Ryan Turner band then there will be music afterwards and sing song later on in the bar afterwards for anybody that wants to the then on the Tuesday night then we have Declan Nerney Olivia Douglas and John McNichol and Sinead Black to name a few that will be on our concert and then on the Wednesday the Tuesday night that no no that's yeah the Wednesday night then is the um is a fantastic dance with Robert Mazzell the hotel that we're going to the Four Star Crown Plaza is an amazing hotel people may have stayed in it in the past when they've headed over there because I know a lot of people here have family in that I myself have only ever been to Scotland once and I spent it in a convent but that's a whole other story which we will hold for another time and I will be telling on the trip tell us more about I will be telling that story on the trip how I spent a summer holiday in a convent in Scotland but they we are going to be staying in the Four Star Crown Plaza hotel in Glasgow it's all your meals everything is a your breakfast dinners this is a really important part of these things because you see when you plan a holiday it's the extra stuff that that can kid you really I know myself you know it is the the boss it's the this that but your breakfast and your meals there you can head out for lunch if you want as well all your tickets into the gigs is there your hotels paid for you know this is very easy for someone to budget out we'll get to the cost in a moment but a lot of the stuff that racks up over the course of a little trips included in this too which is what I like because I like a bit of certainty I like to be held by the hand well that's the thing about this trip is you have both choices with it so we have everything everything is lined up with your meals and the hotel is fantastic and we'll sort all of that your transport everything is all sorted there's also be an opportunity for day trips when there isn't anything on anybody who's been on our trips in the past know that we usually hold do a little bit of a a tea and coffee and a bit of crack and a sing song on one of the days in which we tend to come back into the station and do if not a whole show then a partial show from there as well so it just gives people an opportunity again come together have a bit of crack a bit of music that kind of thing so all that all that has been going on there as well right show what are you doing here I'm just trying to put that one out just making sure for those okay are you here for emotional support I have to tell everybody breathe breathe there breathe there no just to reiterate they I'm yeah I I know this hotel very well I've been lucky to stay in a few times it's a fabulous hotel location location location it's in the heart of Glasgow and as as Fanola alluded to there so you can go and explore the city you can you can walk into the city within 10 minutes and we can also we're looking at the opportunity of going to Edinburgh for a day as well so people have never been to Edinburgh then we can take them over in the coach and they can go to the castle and in May believe it or not the weather is normally pretty decent uh and and now it's warm rain as opposed to no rain well May's wedding into the summer in May I mean a couple years ago the April we had in May we had also but listen come here if the weather's great you can go and explore if it's not it's a good excuse to stay indoors if you know what I'm saying oh I know the hotel has all the facilities you know what I mean so with the spa and the whole thing so you can be bringing all your bits and bobs and you know get a pampered if that's what you prefer to do during your trip is you know they'll be giving rates and stuff for people that are staying in the hotel for them to be pampered or do any that kind of stuff we can look at trips and that's what we're looking at the moment to see what we might be able to do as Sean said Edinburgh is up the road I'm told dying to say it as well and people can spend the day in around Glasgow and if there is an appetite for it we can talk about doing another trip the scenery in Sligo is absolutely fantastic Sligo Sligo it's actually Loch Lomond it's it's about 25 minutes from Glasgow and it's it's like a it's like a mini dunny go it's beautiful it's honest it's the it's the route up to the highlands of Scotland and yeah it's worth the visit all right just to recap for anyone just tuning in what we're talking about here it's and it's great that we're back doing this kind of stuff it's just around the corner to I'm one of these people like you know Donal's great in the newsroom for planning things he can plan thing a year away 18 months away you know I it's fantastic if you can do it I can't May just around the corner and off for me it's the first the fourth of May Highland radios fling in Glasgow we are offering you uh excuse me four-star accommodation in the beautiful Crown Plaza Hotel breakfast and dinner and entertainment each evening luxury coach transport so you don't have to worry about a thing on the Monday dance with David James in the ride Turner ban Tuesday concert with Declan Ernie and more and you heard Phanula mentioned some of the other great acts that in and of themselves would be headline acts and then on Wednesday the third Robert Moselle and uh cost-wise so the cost of this is going to be 575 euros per person sharing there is a slight uh single supplement so people can give me a call if they want to have a conversation about it here at the moment the way we did it and we've done it in the past and we're still going to continue to do it again you do not need to pay this all in one go I don't want anybody out there panicking to think oh god you don't have the money today basically give us a call put your name down so send us a hundred euros deposit and then you can just pay it off along the next couple of weeks the next couple of months to get yourself ready for it you know it doesn't have to be a major outlay straight away and it also um we will be having an opportunity for people to be able to purchase online if that makes it easier for them we're trying to set that up at the moment that again you can just go in and just kind of pay the amounts off it as you're going along kind of think of it like that sort of like a Christmas club type idea and sure like I mean it's a considerable amount of money and it's not going to be for everyone but there's a lot of people out there that will want to sort of get away they probably haven't or maybe haven't got away since and they've been able to put some money to one side the way I'd look at that is if this is what I was sort of saying on earlier on if you sort of add in a dinner at night if that wasn't included and the price point was lower or a breakfast you'd be well in foreign excess of this you know what I mean so it just gives people a bit of price certainty and something to look forward to if it's within their means there if it's yeah and I think the final alluded to there is the fact that if you want to put a deposit now spread the cost over the next couple of months it makes it easier for you but it'll be a brilliant opportunity to come together enjoy the crack it's a great there's some great music there there's some great sing songs I can nearly guarantee that and and the motion I can guarantee it I'll guarantee it there'll be an amazing thing I know that for a fact there will be absolutely absolutely there will be guitars and every bloody thing we have a max obviously numbers the max is 300 and so we would say if you're looking to do this do it early get your name in there don't be disappointed because as the as the saying goes when it's gone it's gone yeah we have we have booked a maximum of 300 yep and also too it's going to be I'm sure there's going to be regular as you talked about vanilla because we haven't been able to do this for a while but regular is coming back and then a new audience to get over and see Scotland and it gives you a fair bit of time of your own time to explore Scotland as you say that we will be putting things on for people to do but some people just want to go about they might want to hire a bike you know what I mean but they've got space to do that during the day to go and do whatever you want to do and have a bit of fun or visit family or friends or family and friends can come in and meet you while you're there and presumably maybe I shouldn't presume will people in will there be any extra tickets for the night yes that's another way you can invite friends over in Scotland yeah great minds think like that's exactly what I was just about to say as well a lot of people have connections and a family over in Scotland there will be an opportunity with this trip to be able to sell tickets for people just to be able to come on the night so if you have friends or family or anything like that that are in Scotland at the time we will be working that out at a later date just to see if there's extra people that would like to come or they can contact us directly just by email or give us a call here at the station so at the moment in order to get involved in it you just need to give us a call here at the station if you need more information or anything like that give Katie or myself a ring here that's no problem whatsoever I think look at it is a lot more than what it had been in previous times for the trip because we had stayed within Ireland but even those trips are now kind of up around the 400 listen I can say no one's gouging here no it's it's it's how much unfortunately flights not flights in this case yeah no the ferry the accommodation and everything that's finished we really we the reason why we decided to go back to Scotland was not for any kind of a profit idea it was more just that I think it's it's one of those things that everybody here has always talked about how in the past we had such fantastic trips to Scotland and I'd like to get back to it again so I think people can be guaranteed of is and that's the one thing I think people take comfort in from Highland is that it's going to be top class across right across the board you do all you have to do is drop your bag onto the bus when you get here and then pick yourself back up when you come back four days later we will take care of the rest and we will make sure that you have an amazing time. Are you going Fanola? I'm hoping to I'm hoping to. Sean? Yeah I go yeah. Really? If I'm allowed. Somebody has to stay at home and mind the shop. Exactly you know you're on the big Vogue Sean. Greg wants to go you want to go. Actually I don't think it's not that I necessarily want to go I think it would be a benefit. You know I think if you stuck me on the poster. I'd sell how many more extra places. I could sit in the morning if Greg is the if Greg is the one thing that you need in order to make this trip. Oh wait six sixty twenty five thousand would it help if I went I'm just thinking on the stage the Ninth and Nune show live come down in the morning. There's no reason why we can't do it. Anyway listen it's gonna it's gonna be it's gonna be wonderful and as you say you know like you pay a hundred quid now you can pay in though over the next wee while but that means your seat is guaranteed and it is going I've spoken to people that have come off the back of these and I'm not just saying it because there's no there's no advantage in me just saying something like this here they've loved it and they talk about it now and they were on them years ago so it's not going to be for everyone but if it's in people's wheels house what a wonderful opportunity and great music as well right anything needed to be added other than oh seven four nine one twenty five thousand for more details to chat to Katie and uh all for Nula it's the first to the fourth of May it's Highlands flinging Glasgow that's it looking forward to seeing everybody there bye bye thanks Greg Toyota Port Road letter Kenny stock is of a wide range of used passenger and commercial vehicles the two we live happy sale is here with savings of up to 250 euro per booking free child places even in the school summer holidays plus low booking deposits from 50 euro per person with holidays to suit all budgets relax and get booking to we live happy offer tees and sees apply hello hill 16 insurance how can I help you open the dobes ah hi I am looking for a home insurance quote right now I'm one part of Dublin the 11 I don't actually live in Dublin Roy they least apart the dobes what I'm just looking for home insurance well you're gonna have to keep looking pal because hill 16 is Dublin only get the feeling that your insurer doesn't want you at local insurance we understand your needs call today for a bespoke quote or find us online at localinsurance.ie local insurance we'll get you sorted the local insurance network Dak trading's local insurance is regulated by the central bank of Ireland local insurance is a tide insurance intermediary of acorn brokerage limited acorn brokerage limited trading is acorn insurance is regulated by the central bank of Ireland like to eat well all week at amazing al d prices I like the sound of that feed the family for under five euro with delicious spaghetti and Irish meatballs and from January 19th enjoy super six fresh meat offers like Irish round roast beef joint save 20% now only 7.99 per kilo or try our weekly range of super six fresh fruit and veg offers like two pack avocados save 50% now only 99 cent I don't like it I love it I'll be every day amazing it's where you live it's where you relax it's where you make memories treat your home to a visit to coonies home interiors we have everything in store to help recreate your home choose for extensive range of sweets tables beds mattresses and home furnishings for every room coonies home interiors letter Kenny style and perfection at incredible value highland radio weather updates with Ireland west airport discover Edinburgh this summer with Ryanair's three times weekly service stunning architecture endless winding streets and an awe-inspiring castle island west airport don't just take off take it easy okay dry with good spells of winter sunshine today highest temperatures of seven to nine degrees in night light north to northwest breezes we're joined on the program now by Brendan Holland good morning to you Brendan good morning Greg it's lovely to speak to you how are you keeping Brendan I'm playing I'm playing thank you okay and we're speaking to you about gigantism is that the correct pronunciation Brendan um well it's likely giantism giantism okay that makes that gigantic as an as an adjective and you can't make a nine out of an adjective so it's giantism this is why I should have concentrated more in English thank you Brendan um now um talk to me about your your story Brendan yeah I developed a condition uh it's a metabolic or an endocrine condition which is caused by a tumor on the pituitary land which in turn makes the plant overproduce growth hormone at the expense of the other natural hormones that one would normally produce so you have this imbalance going on in your endocrine system and it causes all sorts of side effects and and you know one of the main ones was I was still not shaving when I was almost 20 years old and and Brendan what height have you grown to six ten okay and how has it impacted on on your life I mean not the actual heights don't get me wrong because I mean there are people at varying heights but uh giantism how is it impacted on your life um not you're quite right I mean the height hasn't really bothered me um what is bothering me now is in my latter years I'm 71 years old is that um you know my mobility's reduced and and therefore you know I can't get around and I can't walk very far because I get breathless and just it's the pressure on the uh the muscular skeletal uh frame you know that that makes life a little bit more difficult than would be for a normal person you know now you're a distant relative of Charles Byrne um and have the same condition as he I presume that's not coincidence Brendan is there a genetic hereditary element to this there is yes uh that was discovered in 2009 by a wonderful woman in London called Martha Carbinates who's a Hungarian professor of endocrinology and she discovered that the condition isn't genetic it's handed down from generation to generation it doesn't um form uh or it doesn't follow any particular pattern Greg in that you know if if the father has it that will follow that the offspring will have it uh it it it can skip generations so it's very difficult to protect when it will pop up and the only way to do that is to take DNA test samples saliva samples uh of of the children of people who have the gene and and then you know if those samples prove that they uh are carrying the gene then they can be kept under review by the by the medical fraternity you know and in your case versus that of Charles uh you know I think or have we progressed beyond now whereby uh Charles Byrne's uh remains didn't they end up ended up on display as some sort of a was it as an attraction is that how it was viewed at that time I wonder Brendan um well his skeleton uh was obtained by by dubious means by uh what was then called an anatomist uh his name was John Hunter he bribed the undertaker and got his body and and uh boiled off the flesh of it and and then uh kept the skeleton for three or four years before admitting that he had it and then put it on display and uh when he died and the um what have you his brother then will be his collection of specimens uh Aminal and human to the to the museum in the Royal College of Surgeons and that's why that's how uh Charles Byrne skeleton ended up there and for listeners what is uh the current uh status of Charles's remains his skeletal remember up until a few years ago he was under he was housed in a glass case under lights and you know the public could come in walk in and you know have a look at it you know but now they've removed it from from public view it's it's only going to be available to medical students and people that have uh an active interest in the condition you know I wonder can anything else be determined from the the remains there is a conversation as to whether or not and it depends on people's view that they should be in turn that he's you know uh laid to rest so to speak what's your view Brendan well you know I have some sympathy with that argument but uh the fact of the matter is that it was through DNA testing of his teeth uh with with I'm comparing with my own DNA that the the lady was able to prove that this condition is in fact genetic and is uh endemic in East Toronto South Derry uh that seems to be the area that's most affected by it and we're not sure I mean I'm no doctor or medical professor and like that but even even the most powerful brains in in medicine can't predict what other secrets the body may hold or the skeleton may hold we just don't know that and they were saying that he should be buried but my my own view is that I think we should be more concerned with the living than the dead you know great I don't remember it's going back some time now um there was remains of someone with Giantism at Critch Island I believe there's a big who are about people wanting to to exhume those remains I'm not sure if that ever came to pass we did try to exhume the remains uh Greg but unfortunately um it shows the wrong grave it was the grave adjacent to it I've since found out that that uh that uh carried the the graves the the bones of the gelatin that was found on Critch Island yeah right okay remember now Brendan listen lovely to speak to you thanks for your time and your views I really appreciate it that was Brendan Holland there that is where we have to leave it on the program today thanks to all of you for being with us either watching or listening we're back with you tomorrow morning from nine with our Friday panel and Michael and Finula at eleven and all their stuff to keep you informed and in between entertained in between have a lovely uh thursday John Bresson is coming up next the nine to noon show brought to you by Kelly's


Probably, before proving it, because we are proving too many things, let me give you some consequences of this and then come back to a proof of this. So, let us look at, because this theorem is useful in producing many examples of connected sets. Suppose, A alpha is any family of connected sets, any collection of such that A alpha intersection A beta is not empty for alpha not equal to beta. Any two of them intersect at least once somewhere is a collection of sets. For example, let us look at R2. Look at two parallel lines, one parallel line, other parallel line. They do not intersect. So, we will not be considering that kind of example here. So, to look at any two lines which are not parallel, they will intersect. Now, intuitively a line in R2 looks like a connected set in R2. Intuitively, I am just saying, a line in R2 looks like a connected set. Why it is connected? Why is a line a connected set in R2? It looks like I cannot break it into two parts, which are disjoint kind of, which are not, which are separated. But, let us look at, a line is the image of the x axis. So, let us, I think, I am going in a different direction, which I have not thought of. But, let me, it is a nice thing to look at. So, look at, let us look at lines through the origin only for the time being. What is a line through the origin? What is the equation of that line? y equal to m of x. So, a line, so l m, a line with a slope m, I can write it as points x comma m of x, x belonging to R. That is one way of writing a line through the origin as a subset in R2. Now, look at the map x going to x m x. So, this is a function from where to where? This is a function from real line to R2. Is it continuous? Is this function continuous? If x n converges to x, then the first component of this converges, m of x will converge, m of x n will converge to m of x. So, it is continuous, because x n converging to x implies x n comma m x n will converge to x comma. This is a continuous function and we proved already. Is it okay? There is a continuous function. How do we approve? This function is continuous. In the domain, if x n converges to x, the image should converge. That is what we are saying here. Precisely. That is what it says. In R2, that sequence will converge. A sequence in R2 will converge if and only if each component converges. So, it is continuous and we proved that if a set is connected, its image is also a connected set. Continuity preserves connectedness. So, real line is connected. So, its image, the line through the origin also is connected. So, every line through the origin is connected. So, if you look at all lines in the plane passing through origin. So, this is a family of connected sets in the plane such that any two of them intersect. The intersected origin is a common point for all of them. So, this is one example of this kind of a situation. A alpha is a collection of sets in Rn. Here is an example. It was R2. So, that any two of them intersect. The claim is if each A alpha is connected, then the union also is connected. So, that is the point. So, here let me rewrite again. If A alpha is such that A alpha intersection A beta is non-empty, I do not have to write for alpha not equal to beta because alpha equal to beta is non-empty anyway.  So, arbitrary union of connected sets need not be connected in general. For example, in the real line take one interval 0 to 1, other interval 2 to 3. Both are connected, but their union is one interval here, one interval there that is not connected. But if they intersect, so if any two of them intersect, then the union also becomes a. So, the kind of connected you can, from one you can go to another through that connecting point, intersection point. You can think of that way also and that is what we are going to do. So, proof, if I want to prove this is connected, let us take a function f and union A alpha, alpha belonging to y into 0, 1. I am going to use that theorem that we are not yet proved, but I am just giving an illustration of it. How useful that will be? And continuous. I should show this is constant. Claim, if then f is constant. So, how do I prove? For any two points, the value should be same. That is what we want to say. If they both belong to A alpha, then we are through anyway, because A alpha is connected. So, on each A alpha, f is going to be connected. And each A alpha, because A alpha is connected, f restricted to A alpha cannot take two values, either 0 or 1, it will be constant by that theorem. So, let us take one element in A alpha, other element in A beta. So, let x belong to A alpha and y belong to A beta, alpha not equal to beta. I want to show fx is equal to f of y. Any two points should take the same value, then it is a constant function. But what is f of x is equal to? From A alpha, I want to go to A beta and I am provided a root that there is a point of intersection between the two. A alpha intersects. So, let us go there and then come to the other point. It is equal to fz if z belong to A alpha intersection A beta and that I know is there. At least there is one point z in the intersection and that is equal to f of y, because A beta is connected. f of x is equal to A z, because z belongs to both A alpha and A beta. So, f of x must be equal to A z, because x and z both belong to A alpha. A alpha is connected and z and y belong to A beta. So, they should be equal. A alpha and A beta are connected. So, we have used the fact that both are connected and intersection is non-empty. So, that implies f is constant. Is it clear what we are saying? Here is A alpha, here is A beta. Just for the sake of illustration, A is A beta, here is z, here is x, here is y, f is a function either taking 0 or 1 on x. f of x has to be equal to f of z, because A alpha is connected and z and y. So, z and y also and the same A beta, so that f continuous connected implies they should be same. So, that implies it is a constant function. So, as a consequence of this, you can think of this kind of a set, this kind of a set is connected in R2. Here it is in R2. This is what is called a broom, a very common object in the household, a broom. So, that is a connected set. Another illustration of the same, let us give me an… Now, what do you think of this kind of a thing? Do you think intuitively it is a connected set in R2? I am just looking at pictures in R2. It is a very common thing again in household. What is that? It is a comb. Is comb a connected set? We can think of each vertical line as a set collection A alpha and bottom is a line, call it B and B intersects each one of them and claim that it is also connected. So, let me write second A alpha B connected such that B intersection A alpha is non-empty for every alpha. B intersects each alpha somewhere, then that implies union of A alpha along with B. I should write union, then implies union of A alpha, alpha belonging to I, union B is connected. Again, the idea of the proof is straight forward. Given any two points, let me keep that picture. One point is here, other point is here. I want to say that value at this point x is same as the value at the point y for any continuous function. In this union, the value is same. It should be a constant function. Any function defined on this set is a constant. That is what we want to say. So, take in the picture it looks like this kind of a set. Each A alpha is the vertical one. B is the horizontal one. They at least intersect at one point. So, value here is same as the value here. Value at x is same as the value at this point. So, I call it x1. x1 belong to the horizontal line line. Now, that value is same as the value at y1, because that is a connected set. Then I can go up to y. The value should be same. Same idea basically. That is also connected. So, intuitively, if you want to write, you can write take any function from this set into 0, 1. For any two points x and y, if x and y both belong to same, then no problem at all. If you belong to different one, then why are these kind of a root? Because of non-input intersection, you can pick up points and go. So, that is the basic idea. So, this gives you lot of examples. Let me prove one more before giving the abstract proof of that theorem. Let us look at three. Let y be contained in Rn or x contained in Rn such that x contained in y contained in x closure and x connected. So, what I am saying? y is a set which is trapped between a set x and the closure of the same set x. If x is connected, this implies y is connected. If something is trapped between the connected set and its closure, a connected set need not be closed. For example, open interval 0 to 1 is an open set which is connected. It need not be closed. So, again, what will be a proof of this? Same consequence of the same theorem. If I take any function on y, then it should take only, it should be a constant function. So, f y to 0 1 continuous implies f constant. So, that is what we want to show. Then, y will be connected. If any function on y 2 0 1, 2 point sets 0 and 1 is continuous and we are able to prove it is constant, then y is connected by that theorem. So, let us take two points or let us take, either way, it is okay. Let us take a point y in y. So, let implies y belongs where? y belongs to? y is in an enclosure. In an enclosure implies what? There is a sequence xn belonging to x, xn converging to y. Is that okay? Because we just now said, sorry, we have this situation. x is inside y, is in x closure. Take a point y in y that belongs to x closure. So, it must be a limit of a sequence in x.  So, it must converge. But what kind of sequence f of xn is? Where are xn's? They are in x and x is connected and f is a function taking values in 0 1. So, either it can take everywhere the value 0 or it can take only the value 1. It has to be a constant function. So, if f on x is the constant function 0 and each f of xn is equal to 0. So, a constant sequence f of y is 0. For every point y, f of y is 0. If is the other one, f of f restricted to x is constant function 1, then each one is equal to 1. Then the value on y is 1. So, claim f constant on x implies f constant on, because of this. Whatever value on x it takes, if it is 0, then each of f of xn is 0. So, that is f of y. So, the constant is same whatever it was on x. Here is an interesting thing about this. Let us look at this example. Look at what is the equation of the y axis. That is, x component is 0 comma y, y belonging to R. So, that is the y axis. Let me write union of this with, intuitively, what I am trying to do is, look at the function sine 1, sine of 1 over x. What is the graph of sine 1 over x? Have you come across? It is like sine x. So, it is wavy. But 1 over x, that means near 0, it is getting cramped. It is minus 1 to 1. So, it is minus 1 to 1. So, that is 1. That is minus 1. And the graph looks like it goes like this. So, I am looking at the graph of sine 1 over x, union with the part minus 1 to 1 of y axis. That is connected, intuitively clear. The line is connected. That part is connected. What about the graph of sine 1 over x? It is a curve kind of thing. Let us intuitively assume that it also is connected. Or you can think it as a continuous image of 1 over x. That is a continuous function except at the point 0, sine 1 over x, if you do not look at it. So, let me write graph of sine. I am just trying to give you some interesting examples. What do you think is the closure of this set? Call this as x. What do you think is the closure of this set? The graph of sine 1 over x and the interval 1 to minus 1 to 1 on the y axis. This is coming. It will be something. You cannot give a better geometric interpretation of this. But what I am saying is this is contained in. What is the closure of that? What will be the closure of that? That will be union of. So, what I want to say is this set is connected, graph of sine 1 over x and that they look like separate parts. It does not look like that they are connected. What I am saying is, if you look at the closure of that set, the graph of sine 1 over x is coming closer and closer to minus 1 to 1. So, union of that is a connected set. So, this is a connected set. I am able to visualize it. If not, I am just giving you some examples of connected sets in order to do not worry about whether this will be asked in the exam or not. Try to understand it. Intuitively, this is also a connected. So, very exotic kind of things you can produce by using that theorem alone. So, I think I have got some time to prove that. So, I want to prove this theorem here. X is connected and two points at 0, 1 continuous. It should be a constant function. So, let us assume one of them and prove the other. So, let us write once again the theorem. So, here is the theorem, here is the theorem. So, I want to prove it again. So, let X be connected f x to 0, 1 continuous. Claim f is constant. So, for the just sake, for the sake of visualization, it is good to, this is X, this is the two points at 0, 1. So, let me just draw a picture. This is 0, this is 1. Suppose not, not of this, it is not a constant function. That means, there are points where the value 0 is taken and there are also points where the value 1 is taken. We do not know what is where. So, look at then, look at the set A contained in X and what is A? That is f inverse of 0 and B in X, what is B? That is f inverse of, so collect all the points where the value 1 is taken, collect all the points where the value 0 is taken. So, intuitively, you will get this kind of a picture. So, this is kind of A and this is kind of, so this is A, this is B. So, every point in A goes to 0 and every point in B goes to 1. Now, look at the set A. So, X is equal to A union B. So, note A union B. Every point of X has to go either in 0 or 1. So, inverse image of both. Now, claim, this is a separation of, I have written X as a union of two sets A and B and A and B are separated from each other because I will look at any point of A. If I look at any point of A, I will look at, can you find a ball so that no point goes to the value 0? See, at every point, let me look at the picture here. At every point of A, I can have a ball. Even if you think this way, I will have a ball. This is a ball in A. Only the part in A is to be considered. So, that will not intersect with any point in B or if you like, here is another way of looking at it. F inverse of singleton, can you find a singleton is an open set or a closed set? Singleton set in Rn, A singleton point is open or closed. What is the complement of it? It is open. So, singleton is closed. Every singleton is closed. Inverse image of a closed set is closed, if you believe in continuity that definition, equivalent way of saying that. So, basically what we are saying is that F inverse of 0 and F inverse of 1 both are open as well as closed in A, in X. Both are closed and open in X or the two are separated from each other, whichever way it helps you to visualize. At every point of A, the value is 0 and between 0 and 1, there is a distance. So, I can take an open ball around 0. Take the inverse image that will not intersect anywhere in B. No point of that should go in B. You can also think it this way. If you like, take an open interval around it, which does not include 1. So, this is the neighborhood of 0. F is continuous. So, I should have a neighborhood of the inverse image. So, neighborhood of whatever point I am taking that will be in A. That should not intersect with 1, because that is going to be completely contained here. So, every point in A will have a neighborhood which does not intersect in B. So, A is separated from B. Is that convincing for you? Take a neighborhood of the point 0, which does not include, say for example, you can take 1 by 3 and minus 1 by 3 open interval. So, let me just, for example, here it is 0, minus 1 by 3 and 1 by 3. This is the neighborhood of 0. Let us take a point X belonging to A. Let us take a point X belonging to A. Then what is F of X? That is 0. So, X is a point, the value is 0. So, if I take this neighborhood of 0, what does continuity say? There should be a neighborhood of in the domain, which is mapped into inside it. So, there is a neighborhood of the point X, which is mapped into minus 1 to 1 by 3. No point of that, because that is inside this. So, no point of that neighborhood will go to 1. That means, that neighborhood does not intersect, this at B. So, that is another way of saying, this is a separation, similarly from B to A. So, every point of A is separated from B, every point of B is separated from A and that is a contradiction because X is connected. So, it is a separation, this is a contradiction because X is given to be connected and we are producing a separation if it is not a constant function. So, it must be a constant function. So, we have proved one way. If X is connected, then the image, then every function on X to 0, 1, taking two values at the most, it should only take one value if X is connected. Every continuous function on X into the two points at 0, 1 must be a constant function. The converse is also true, but I think we do not have time to prove the converse. So, we will do it next time. Namely, if X is such that it has properties that every function is a constant function 2 point, then it is a connected set. So, we will prove the converse next time.


Let's pray. Let's pray together. Father, we thank you. Father, we bless your name. Lord, we thank you, God. We thank you for being with us. We thank you for leading us, Lord. We thank you for leading us all these years and all these days, Father God. We thank you that you continue to lead us, Lord. Master, we bless your name, Lord. We thank you for, Lord, your word says that you know the end from the beginning. Your word says, God, the very thoughts that you have for us is to give us a hope and a future. Father, we thank you that you called us to grow, Lord, strong in the spirit, to be strong in the Lord, in the power of His might. Lord, that's your will and desire. Father God, we thank you that, Lord, you want us to grow in our understanding, grow in our knowledge of you and the Lord of the things of the spirit and of your word. We thank you, Lord. We thank you, Father God. Lord, even as we commit ourselves today, Master, we pray, Lord, that you would sharpen our thinking, our minds may be renewed to the truth. Our minds, O Father God, may be filled and saturated with your word today. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Yes, Lord. Lord, we ask that you would saturate our minds, Lord. Saturate our thoughts, Father God. Fill our minds, Lord, with your word, Father God, and with the work of your Lord, the touch of your spirit, Lord. May our minds be touched, O Father God. Yes, Lord, I pray, Lord, even as you touch our minds, Lord, Lord, with your thoughts, Lord, I pray that our will, O Father God, will be stronger, God, to make the right decisions, Father God, that we'll be strong, to make the right choices, Lord, that we'll be strong in our minds, strong in our thinking of Father God. Lord, I pray that we'll be strong in our will, that you will increase our willpower, Lord, to do the right thing, to make righteous choices, Father God, and to refuse, O God, the works of the enemy, to refuse compromise, to refuse all those things, O Father God, that are not benefiting us, Lord. We pray that you'll give us, Lord, strength now, Lord, even right now, Lord. Touch us, touch us, Lord, that we might be strong. I pray for clarity in thinking. I pray, Father God, I pray against all confusion of the enemy. I pray against all confusion of the enemy. All the strategies of the enemy to bring in fear, all the strategies of the enemy to bring in confusion, to bring in non-clarity of things. I just cancel it in the mighty name of Jesus. All those things are broken. The enemy's influence is broken. The enemy's influence over our minds, our imagination, is broken in the mighty name of Jesus. I just pray for a great release in the mind, great release in the thinking, in the place of a weight or a burden. Let there be a release, let there be liberty in the name of Jesus by the Spirit of our God. Hallelujah. We thank you, Lord. We come at this time into your mighty hands. In Jesus' matchless name, we pray. Amen. Amen. Okay, so last class, we looked at, I think, a little bit of, you know, the creativity and also we moved into what is called as critical thinking. And we, and just like how we have creative thinking, you know, we also have critical thinking, which means to, you know, to think rationally, to think of all the options, to not come to any false conclusions or assumptions, and all are rational for making decisions, you know, to be, to be, to have, to have its roots in good thinking. You know, we looked at what is good thinking, what is critical thinking, and how we can refuse or, you know, false assumptions, right? So we looked at that and some of the videos also we looked at. So today we'll look at another aspect, which is when we are working in groups, right? Or even when we work individually, one very important aspect, which is aspect, which, which really we need to focus on and develop is decision making, right? When we come to make decisions based on all this, you know, based on creative thinking, based on critical thinking, we are, you know, as ministers of God, or maybe as people who are working for maybe in an office or a ministry, or maybe even as you are self-employed, you know, you're doing your own thing, own business, we need to have good understanding of how decisions are made or good, making good decisions. Now that is very, very important, that's crucial, because once we make those choices, then we begin to live out of that choices, right? We maybe, maybe make a decision about ministry to say, okay, we want to do this, we want to move here, you know, as part of the ministry decision, we want to move here to this town or to this country and start something, so that's a decision. Now, how did you base, how did you make your decision, right? Because that is very important. Of course, as believers, we have the Holy Spirit who is leading us, we have the Word of God with us, we have the Word of God to help us to, which is the Word of God is the lamp to our feet and light to our path. So what does it mean? That means that I can live my life, I can use the Word of God to see where I am going. I can use the Word of God, I can depend on the Word of God to see where I'm going, so that I can, I know where to put my foot, where to put my feet, and I can take where to take that next step. So that is what it means, the Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.  A lamp to our feet and a light to our path, which means a path is something further on, right? So you can see further and see, okay, this is the path. This path leads there and the Word of God is a light to our path also, which means something that is long-term, okay? Something that is for today, tomorrow, and maybe this week, decisions that need to be made, the Word of God sheds light. Some long-term things, okay, this month, next month, next year, a few years from now, the Word of God eliminates the path, okay? So we have that as believers, okay? But it's also important for us to learn some practical skills on how we can make decisions. Now we have this, you know, these resources, we have the Spirit of God indwelling us, so which is wonderful, which gives us an edge, right? Which gives us, which really places us in a very, very advantageous position, advantageous place. Now we need to make use of it, make certain choices based on that, right? So let's look at, very quickly look at decision making in the sense to solve problems, to make decisions about certain things, what to do, what not to do, you know, certain decisions. So what is, really, what is decision making, okay? Let me just put it here on the chat. So this is in making. It means it's the, decision making is the act of choosing between two or more causes of action. So what does that mean? It means that you have certain options, like option one, option two, option three, option four, option five. So we have all these five options, right? You can choose one of those or several of those. Now what is the process or what do you, based on what do you choose, how do you actually come to a place of choosing what is the best, right? What is the best, what will solve the problem, how do you choose that, right? So it's good to understand that, it's good to learn, how do I do that. So basically we are looking at decision making to solve problems, but decision making also can be to, you know, to move into the next season of life and also to make certain conclusive choices based on how God is leading us, right? So one way by which we make decisions and a lot of times people do that is, you know, based on feeling. Like this is what I feel intuitively. This is, this is what I feel on the inside. So I'm going to make a choice, right? I'm going to make, so intuition, right? This is based on our experience, based on our, the information that we have, right? So we have a sense of feeling, okay?  So we are being led by the Spirit to make decisions, right? To make choices. So, so we have that advantage of having the Spirit of God speak to us, lead us, and we are being aware of that to make those choices. So intuition. The other one is reasoning. Like the, the Lord who created us in the inner man who gave us the Spirit to indwell us, who indwells us. It's also one who created our minds and the way we function, what we think in our mind, the way we reason things out. He's the one who gave us, right? And in fact, we are called to renew our mind, which means to renew the mind, we have to use the mind, right? We are called to study, meditate on things. We are called to you know, confess all that requires using the mind, right? So reasoning is using the information, that is, what are the facts that are in front of us? Okay, what are, what information do we have? Like, is it, when it comes to making some financial decisions? Okay, so what, what do we have? You know, what is the income? What is the expenditure? What is the budget? You know, those kind of things. So you have make the decision based on some of the facts and figures, the numbers that are before us, charts that are before us, right? So we reason out and say, this is why I am taking this course of action, because option one will not work. Option two, maybe it will work for some time, but option three is the best. And these are my reasons for it, right? So reasoning. So based on this, we make decisions. Okay, so the best thing is to apply both, to use both, you know, to be intuitive, the sense you sense what's in your spirit, but at the same time, don't reject reasoning, right? Because a mind that is renewed to the word of God is a very strong asset. A mind that is renewed to the word of God will not cancel out the leading of the spirit, right? So that's very important for us to put that together, to use our renewed mind to lock in, you know, to make, to establish what the spirit of God is saying. So, and go with those decisions. So we need both. So effective decision making, let's look at a little bit of that. So, yeah, just a minute, let me just put it on the chat. You know, we can look at some factors which, which prevent effective decision making, and we can avoid that. Okay, so one of the things is that we don't have enough information. We don't have enough information. Okay, what train should I take? Now, if I know about only one train, now that's not a good choice. Okay, that's not a good decision because let's say the train is only once a week, and I know only about that train. Then I'm making, I'm not making a good decision about travel, because I have to wait for that one train in that particular day of the week in order to make it. Now, but if I have information what are those trains that are available? What are the time timings at which they come? And what time does it reach? Now, with that information, I can make a informed decision. Like I can reason out and say, okay, this is convenient. This is not convenient. So let's take, you know, and it's, let's make a decision based on all this information that we have and make a choice. So when we don't have enough information, then our decision making is hampered. Or it could be too much information, right? Too many, too many choices. And we, and we get a little bit confusing. Okay, you know, what do I choose now? There are too many things. And everything seems to be similar or very, you know, very close to each other. The differences are not much. So what do I, you know, sometimes we, we get into what is called as an analysis mode, you know, we're constantly analyzing, analyzing, analyzing and not making a decision. Sometimes too much information also does that. So, but how do we solve that? But so we look at information that is really required. Okay, we, we kind of funnel out what is actually required. What is the information? And based on that, we maybe five, six, six, five or six things, we make a decision if there's too much information. Okay, sometimes it could be that too many people are involved in the decision making process. Okay. So too many people in the sense it's not, it's not just you. Maybe there are others who are involved in the process. And well, nobody's coming to a conclusion, right? And so it's making things difficult, right? People have their own views, they'll have their own ideas. And there's no conclusion that is reached, right? Too many people. Sometimes what makes decision making difficult is also some selfish motives or vested interests, which means that, okay, there are, let's say it involves decision making involves people. There is a group and you need to decide. Now, if there are selfish motives, right, out of which people are saying, okay, we need to do this because it's convenient for me because I'm getting benefited. Okay. Then that's again, not a good decision, right? Because it's, the choice is made based out of selfish motives so that I get benefited. And it's not looking at solving the problem. Or it's not like looking at making a decision which will help the entire group, like we should be productive for the entire group so that everyone is benefited, right? So if it's a selfish choice, if there's a vested interest, then it results in bad decisions. And also it does not help, right? So what is the other one? Emotional attachment. In a sense, you're saying, okay, we've already, let's say, you know, you're in a certain space, you're in a certain house and, you know, you've grown, the family has grown and you need, you need a bigger house, right? You need to move to a bigger house. Maybe it's something like that, situation is like that. But then you are emotionally attached to this house saying, you know, I was born here, the children are born here, has so many memories, wonderful memories. And, you know, I don't want to leave. Or I can't go to that place, because I'm attached to this, you know, there's too many things, emotional attachments. So that is also not helping us to make a good decision.  But you still don't make a choice to move to a bigger place, not because of the resources, resources are there. But because you're emotionally attached to this, like you're saying, I like this place a lot, because of this, this, though it's not convenient, though it's not comfortable, though it's leaking in the frames, you know, though it's hot in the summer, I'll stay because of these things. That's a bad decision. So emotional attachments also help us, or, you know, sometimes make us decide, make some bad choices. Or sometimes, this is the opposite of what I said just now. Sometimes what happens is there are, there's no emotional attachment. You know, it's like this, right? You need to be vested in it emotionally. Because one thing is, you feel that either way, it's okay. I just don't care. So there's no emotional attachment in the sense in the decision making, saying, I don't really care. It doesn't, it doesn't help me. It doesn't move me.  It's fine. So in that case, what happens is certain bad decisions can be made, right? Because you're not, you're not looking into it because you're, you don't care, right? You're not, one is not attached to this thing. You know, you know, you're not interested in it. You're not moved by it. So you just say whatever is okay, anything is okay. So in that sense, sometimes bad choices are made. So to avoid this is to make effective decisions. So when we, when we do the opposite of it, maybe when there's not information, not enough information, you collect the right information. When there's too much information, you take out, weed out, cull out and use only what is required. And then, you know, you do it. If there are too many people involved in the process, then you decide who are those key people who need to actually decide, right? Who are going to, who are authorized to make the decision, maybe. And also, you know, when it comes to vested interest to be discerning and see, you know, am I, or even personally, right? Am I making this decision because it'll benefit me or am I making a decision because it will, it is actually solve the problem, right? It'll solve the problem. It's good for the company. It's good for the ministry. Good for the organization, right? Even though personally, I'm not benefited, but it's good. It solves the problem. Maybe personally, I might have to sacrifice with things.  I might have to wake up early, you know, or, you know, because I need to reach there on time, but it helps the ministry. It's helping, you know, so when there's no vested interest, right? Emotional attachments and, you know, no emotional attachments. So that we saw. So this would help us to make the right or good decisions. Okay. Now, the thing is, when we have a group, okay, individually, we can make decisions, but we also need the skill to make a decision as a group. Okay. Now, the group has to decide and the group has to make a decision. So how do we facilitate that? Because as leaders, I'm sure that we will be leading a group, right? And you don't want to be the only person to make a decision. So there are several ways by which we make decision in a group. Some are good for certain tasks. Some are not. So group decision making. So we looked at decisions, why decisions, the importance of making decisions, right? And how not to make decisions or what will cause us to make bad decisions, right? Now, here we look at a group. If there's a group, how can I facilitate or how can we, me being part of a group or as a leader of the group, how can we make decisions? Now, there are several processes for that. One is, it's a unilateral decision or it's a very autocratic decision, unilateral, meaning one person decides. One person. So the leader decides and says, okay, this is what we are doing. Okay. Now, certain tasks have to be taken that way. Certain decisions have to be taken, done that way. Okay. Because it's, now in this particular decision, there's no consultation. Okay. The leader may not consult and say, will not, you know, consult, ask you, you know, what do you think? Do you think this is good? The leader decides, the leader makes the decision. And that decision, now the entire group has to carry out. The leader decides that this is the time that we are going. Or this is the time, this is what we need to do. And the group has to do it. Okay. Now, it's good for certain minor decisions. Okay. Like certain decisions for which you need to actually decide quickly. And you need to decide quickly.  It's just a small decision. And it does not affect the whole group that much. It's a minor decision. And the leader needs to decide quickly. Cannot wait for everyone to come in and meet with everyone, talk to everyone and decide. So it's a decision is made. Okay. But the thing is, the problem with this is, if it is repeated, okay, the leader makes it a habit to decide for the group. Okay.  If it's repeated and if certain inappropriate decisions are made or bad choices are made. Now, the thing, that choice is not helping the group. In fact, it places the group in a disadvantage. Right. So then what happens is, the group doesn't feel committed. Okay. If you keep on saying, okay, this is what we'll do as outreach. This is what we're going to do. That's the thing. I've decided no discussions. Then the group will do it. But there's no commitment. They're saying because they were not consulted. It was not their idea. It is your idea. And so they don't feel that committed to carry out that particular choice. Right. You see that. So some of the disadvantages is that there's no commitment. So they might do it in a half-hearted manner. And doing it because if I don't do it, I'll be out of a job. Because I don't do it, you know, I'll, you know, I'll be pulled up and ask questions. So I'll do it. But it's going to be a very hard, half-hearted kind of a effort. Okay. So that's unilateral. The second one is what we can call as a hand-class, oops, one second.  And another person in the group says, okay, I second it. You know, I agree with it. Let's do it. Okay. So that second person may be a assistant leader. Okay. You are the leader. The other person in the group is an assistant leader. Then then that whole group is there. So the assistant leader says, yeah, it's a good idea. Let's do it. So it's like shaking hands, no? The leader puts out the hand, the assistant leader shakes hand. It's a hand-class decision is made. So this also is good for certain, certain certain situations, you know, because there is a suggestion and one person who also enters, maybe, you know, it's good when it, when it, when it's required for specialized decisions. Okay. No, not everybody in the group is a specialist in that field. Maybe it's something to do with accounts.  Maybe it's something to do with IT. Not everybody is, is a specialist. So the leader says, okay, let's do this. And let's do this kind of a thing. Maybe it's related to accounting, etc. And then the, the other specialist in the group would agree with it. And the decision is made. Okay. So again, so here, the, the, the one who made the decision, the one who suggested it, the one who agreed to it, both of them have high commitment to the task. Right. So they are committed to it and they, they have high commitment. So because they, they are the ones who suggested and the same. But the others, they may not be as committed as these two are. So that's the downside of it. That's the flip side of it. Right. Then we have something like a, what you can call as a click or, or a small group, which decides for a subgroup, which decides for the entire group. Let's close subgroup. So it's like a core group, which decides for the, what is best for the group. Okay. Which, which is also work. So the group decides, the group discusses the problem, the group decides and, and the group, the smaller group decides for the entire larger group. So it's like a core group. Okay. So this, this is also one way of making a decision. It has advantages because it's a group decision. It's a, it's a, what do you call a sample size, you know, it represents the whole crowd or the bigger group. And so it's a smaller group. It's representative of that bigger group. So they make that choice. They make the decision. And it could work well because not, even though everyone was not consulted, the by and large, it's a, it's a representation of the group. Okay. Like you get feedback from a few people. Hey, what do you think? What do you think of the food? Okay. What do you think of the food? And maybe, maybe you checked with, maybe there are 100 people in the, in the entire group, but you checked with about 25, 25%. Okay. And the feedback of the 25% based on the 25% you made a decision saying, okay, next time also we'll have the same menu. Okay. Why? Because the 25% felt that it was good. Right. Or the opposite of it, you know, there's 25% felt that it was bad. So we're not having this. But that out of that 75, you know, it could work well because it's a, it represents that 100. Okay. There are men, women, maybe, you know, whatever, different people, it depends on how the, what kind of a subgroup it is. Right. Which represents the entire group. So it could work well, but it need not also because the 75% which got left out of this decision may not be thinking on the same lines as the 25. So you need to consider that. What is this 25% like? Right.  Right. And this 25% are all from, let's say 25% are from South, 75% are from North. Okay. So the 25% whom we consulted are like, okay, rice is fine. We'll do rice. But the 75% are saying, if you don't want rice, we want chapathis instead. Right. But this 25% has made the decision for the bigger group. So it depends on what kind of a group this 25% is. It could work well, but it depends on that. Okay. Then the other thing is a kind of a voting system where the majority, you know, you get everybody to make a decision.  Okay guys, here's a poll as an opinion poll. What do you think? Should we start at 10? Should we start at 9? Everybody votes. Okay. And you get a majority, let's say 90% of them think that starting at 9 is okay. That is 10% thinks 10 is okay. Now, again, for certain decisions, certain tasks, this will be fine. You know, you can take a majority. The problem we encounter is, suppose that 90% who said, 9 o'clock, we will start. Now, what if they are wrong? Okay. What if they did not look into certain things, certain factors? So they say, 9 o'clock is fine. And they voted. And then we went to the majority. The majority could be wrong. The majority could be the way they arrived at that decision. Maybe they arrived at it without thinking through. They say, oh, my friend, you know, it's like, sometimes in school, it happens. I remember, hey, what group are you taking? After you finish your 10 standard, what group are you taking? Oh, I'm taking maths and science. Okay, I'll also take maths and science. It's not that it is, the person didn't think through. They said, okay, you decided I'll also do the same thing. Okay, so the people can vote based on that. Oh, this is what you're choosing? Hey, you know, okay, I'll also choose this. They may not have thought through. They may not have thought through. Okay, what is actually good for the entire group? What is what will solve the difficulty? Right. So majority doesn't mean that the majority is always right. For all you know, that 10% which said 10 o'clock, they might have made a very informed, well-informed choice. They might think, okay, these are people who work late. And so, you know, coming early will be difficult because the majority would have voted and they're not sure about nine. Right. Okay. The other thing is consensus, which means it's a process. Consensus is the whole group has come to a decision. There has been consultation, there has been discussion, and you know, everybody's heard, and then you come to a decision. Okay, let me just put a few end of it, you know, there might even be a voting. So it's a, we see that it's a process. Each person is asked to make, you know, the best possible decision for the group. There are not too many proposals, too many options.  And everybody's heard. Everybody says, you know, this is why I feel it's okay. This is why I feel it's not okay. And at the end of it, you might even call for a vote. Then everybody is already said what they want to do or what they don't want to do. Okay. So, but the thing is, there are some, the advantages, advantages that if this kind of a decision is made, then the group is very, very committed. Why? Because they decided it. Right. They made the choice. They decided, so they are, they say, okay, we made the decision. So we will carry it out. We decided that we will come at this time. So we will come. Okay. Otherwise, it'll be like, you only decided, we didn't decide. Right. So here in this case, compared to the first one, which is unilateral decision, is the exact opposite of that. So everybody got a turn to talk about the advantages, disadvantages. And then finally said, okay, let's do this. Okay. Now the, so those are some of the advantages. Okay. But some of the disadvantages are again, the group could have discussed, group could have been influenced, the group could have thought about something selfishly and come to a decision. Right. So it may not be the right solution, even though there was consensus. Right. So there could be some people who are very, very manipulative in the group saying, you know, many, very manipulative, manipulated the decision, manipulated the emotions, caused fear in people.  So you better not something like that in the conversation, in the process of discussing, maybe they manipulated the decision. Right. So, like that. So, so maybe, you know, sometimes people just want to win the argument. Right. What does that mean? That means that, okay, here's the choice that I'm making. And I just want to make sure that, you know, I'm putting forth all these arguments, and I want to win the argument at any cost. I've given all the reasons, and I want to, you know, win that argument. I'm not, I don't really care about, you know, is it benefiting? But I've got so much pride in, you know, presenting this and sharing this, but I want the group to make this decision. Right. So it could be that it goes against the right solution. Right. So sometimes it might happen also. And the other thing is, of course, it takes a lot of time because it's a process. It takes time. It takes time to discuss it, and so on. And sometimes we cannot, we don't have the luxury of so much time. Right. We need to decide fast. So, so those are some of the things. You know, if you notice, you know, I'm saying what is the best form of decision making, because it depends on the task. It depends on, you know, what is the kind of decision or the criticality of the decision. Outcome of making that decision, because some decisions are very, very big. It's going to affect the, you know, individuals in the organization or the group. And so you cannot take that lightly. So one person can't decide. Right.  Everybody has to give 100%. Only then it'll work. Right. So let's say you decide on finishing a work, you know, or maybe you're, the group is making a, let's say the group is making a film. It's a film of all testimonies or video of something that you're making. Now, it requires maybe five people in the group, all of them to work hard for the next two weeks. Or maybe they need to work 12 hours, 14 hours every day in order to able to do that. Now, who decides that we have to release it in two weeks? We have to finish the video. The group has to decide. If it's only one person in the group saying, hey, I've decided, you better do it. Then they may not put in, they may, if they fear that, okay, I might lose, you know, something at the end of it. But that's not the right motive for do the job. Right. It might not be excellent. It might, they might do it out of fear. They may not have good ideas. They might put in a very, they might finish it, but it, it's not really great. Right. So the thing is you, and also the other thing is that they may not also, they say, okay, I don't want to do this. Right. I can't put in that effort, et cetera, because why one person decided the others did not. So, so all those disadvantages are there. But we need to consider what is the task and then take a, make, employ the right method. I just want to show a couple of videos, which are, which is really, really good. And, you know, it talks about decision making that really works. Okay.  So let me just put the video. I'm Edward Museo, CEO of Group Harmonics, and I'm going to tell you about group decision making that works. When you have a group of people that need to come to a decision, the first most important thing you need to do is decide how they're going to decide. There are a number of ways to do that. Here we have five people, a leader, and four individuals that are kind of all set up to be equals. One thing we can do is just say, everybody's vote is equal and we make no change till everyone agrees. That's called consensus decision making. As you can imagine, it's rather slow. Often what we do is a modified version of that called the democratic method of decision making. In that case, we say if enough people vote yes on a change, it's okay if a few vote no, we still make the change. But in a sense, everyone's still treated as an equal, and the problem with that, although it is used in a lot of boards and groups like that, is that if people have specific expertise, that expertise doesn't always get weighed. So what we often do instead is we move to a different model. We put the manager in charge and then we organize the team around the manager like this. Now here again, there are some choices we can make. One thing we can do is have the manager or the leader just tell everyone else what to do like that. We call that a dictatorial method. Again, here we're not dealing with the expertise of the people. Usually what happens is something more like this. The manager talks to each of the people back and forth and then makes a decision. That's what's commonly called a consultative model of decision making. The problem with this though is again, if this is really a complex issue with a lot of expertise, often what these people know is dependent not only on the manager, but on what everybody else knows as well. And so we start to need a picture more like this, in which everyone is talking not only to the leader, but also to everyone else. The picture is a little bit messy and as you can imagine you need a good meeting process to handle this complexity. In that meeting process, what happens is all of the members of the meeting teach. They teach to each other and they teach to the decider. The decider's job is to learn as much as possible and then ultimately to decide. And that's not decide the majority decision or decide based on popularity is to decide what he or she thinks is best based upon what he or she has learned, even if other people don't agree. Now here's the trick. These are smart people with expertise and they're not going to necessarily agree with the decision. So before the first decision is made, you need to have a contract with your group called disagree and commit. Disagree and commit means that everyone agrees that once a decision is made, whether or not they agree with it, they will do three things. First, they will explain the rationale of the decision when they talk about it to other people. They won't say those dopey folks made this decision. They'll say we made this decision and here's why. The second thing is they will align their resources and that's 100% compliance, whether it's their own time, their groups if they're managers, they will do what the decision requires 100%. The third thing, and this is a little strange, is they will continue to seek contrary evidence if they disagree but without sabotaging the decision. Now that's an odd balance. Why would you want to do that? The reason is, although you're implementing the decision 100%, you're continuing to file away contrary evidence that might not support it, putting it in a file quietly. Why? If the decision works out, you take that file and you throw it away but if the decision doesn't work out, then you can bring that contrary evidence back to the group and in the next decision-making process you'll have that much more information. So, the next time you have a group of people that need to make a decision, before you do anything, decide what model of decision-making you're going to use, consensus, democratic, dictatorial, consultative or group consultative. And if you're going to do consultative or group consultative decision-making, be sure you have a disagree and commit contract before you start. It'll make sure your team decisions are the best decisions they can be and it'll make sure they stick. Okay, so just to reiterate what we saw, there are all these different models that we went through. It's given a different name for it, a dictatorial instead of what we looked at as unilateral and so on. But then we just need to understand that maybe in a group setting, from what we have seen, we see that a group consultative method works best. So, consultative meaning, the leader would check with each person. Suppose if I'm the leader, I'm checking with Dave, I'm checking with Kiran, I'm checking with Aaron, Kanan, Siddharth. I'm checking individually, okay, what do you think we should do? What do you think we should do? So, based on your experience, based on your knowledge, you say, okay, this is what we must do. Then I just put it down and then I make a decision. I say, okay, from what I've heard, this is what we can do. But if it's a group consultative, what happens is we meet as a group, not only am I asking Dave, but everybody is also listening. Kiran is also listening, Aaron is also listening, Kanan and Siddharth are also listening to what Dave is saying. And there is a discussion. So, they're saying, Dave, but you're saying this, but have you considered this? This could not work. Then Dave says, yeah, actually, yes, maybe this will work. And then everybody is discussing that. So, the group consultative will work because there are a lot more ideas that are generated and a lot more depth in thinking that can happen. But ultimately, it's not a democratic kind of a thing. It's not like the majority vote wins, because it can be a bad decision. But here there is consultation, we are discussing. And ultimately, the facts are there and the leader has to decide. The leader decides, okay, I have all this, I've seen this, but maybe now is not a good time to do this. So, that's the leader's call. The leader is looking into the future. It has more information. And maybe the leader feels that now is not the time. Maybe we should do it two years from now. This is good, but maybe we should do it. We should just stay. Now, that is also a decision. Deciding or coming to a place of saying, we will not decide now is also a decision. So, that the leader decides, the leader takes a call. So, this is something which is useful. This is something that we need to grow in. So, what we do is the next class, we look at another video on similar lines about making effective decisions as a group. Because I feel that this is something that can be a challenge, because we won't all make decisions for the group we have to consult, we have to discuss. So, how can we do that in a manner that everybody is committed to and everybody also participates in it. And so, therefore, it's a blessing for the ministry, for the workplace, and for us as individuals. So, we'll look at some more of that before we move on to the next topic. Okay, we'll stop here. God bless. Thank you. See you guys.


The reason the peacock looks like this and the peahen looks like this is because of sexual selection. The females prefer males with the most elaborate displays. How does this make sense evolutionarily? How can appearance offer insight into the health of a potential mate? Having such ornate excessive plumage is risky. The poor peacock can barely get off the ground, and this is hardly effective camouflage against predators. And so the fact that the peacock could survive despite such costly ornamentation offers a sense of how robust the bird's genetics must be. So natural selection might favor females attracted to that sort of thing. So are you just born attractive or not?  Great tits prefer carotenoid-rich caterpillars which play a role in plumage pigmentation. Their breasts become brighter yellow, which is more attractive to potential mates, and a signal of how good they may be at procuring food and as a reflection of their health status since yellow carotenoids like lutein are so health-promoting. So scientists wondered if the same phenomenon could be found in the human species. Published in the International Journal of Primatology, facial skin coloration affects perceived health of human faces. The face plays a significant role in human interactions, including mate choice. So the researchers took digital photographs of Caucasian men and women and allowed people to turn a dial to manipulate various color values until they came up with what they perceived to be the healthiest-looking color, and both men and women preferred increased yellow, the proverbial golden glow. In other words, greens to be gorgeous. We suggest that the healthy appearance of skin yellowness may be attributable to dietary carotenoid deposition in the skin. This suggests that carotenoids, which are involved in health signaling and sexual selection in many species of birds and fish, may also affect the appearance of health in humans. In fact, it's a popular view that sun tanning enhances the healthy and attractive appearance of Caucasian faces, but this research suggests that any benefit to health appearance from tanning is due to the associated increase in skin yellowness. And then if you separate it out, people actually prefer the lighter, more yellow skin, so better than a tanning bed to improve our healthfulness and attractiveness is a bed of greens.


Right now, Andhra Pradesh chief minister is envisaging a plan for making fifty percent of Andhra Pradesh's agricultural land into fruit cultivation, fifty percent into horticulture. It's a phenomenal commitment.  You will see, you know, I saw this as I was driving, from Vijay Vada to Hyderabad when I drive, I saw twelve cold storages on the highway side, run by private, you know, businesses. Nowhere else in the country you will see cold storages like this. Every twenty kilometers, twenty-five kilometers, there's one cold storage. Because sixty percent of India's fruit goes rotten. Yes, sixty percent. Just imagine what we could do with that sixty percent. Our children, how healthy they could be if that sixty percent was eaten.