Vancouver International Digital Festival 2008 (VIDFest)
Being Present in a Digital World: Finding balance and simplicity
Yoshi Arima
There is no question that in today’s digital age, one is busier than ever before. With work, home and leisure activities plus everything else that pops up in our lives, trying to find that balance beneath the chaos is a something everyone struggles with.
EA Interface Designer, Yoshi Arima’s presentation on “Finding Balance and Simplicity”gave us a brief look at his life’s “timeline” as he shared what worked for him in simplifying an overly complicated life.
Simplicity Flower. During our infancy, we have simplicity. In the beginning we have an innate passion to explore, he starts, but warnings which we may still replay in our heads, about what is not safe to do or interact with, clutter up our mind. As adults, the simplicity flower that once existed is replaced by a world of complexity. Our ‘pizza pies’ are filled with many more “toppings” than we can handle. A return to simplicity may be possible, and it starts with breaking down your tasks and getting them into a “trusted system” such as a journal.
Nana korobi ya-oki (Fall seven times, get up eight) You just get better and improve after overcoming each struggle.
Throughout each of our lives, we have most likely encountered a stage where we did not feel we were being challenged and making it feel like a complete waste of time. But Yoshi notes that we can take something from every situation. We are learning, gaining that needed work experience, even meeting the people that change our lives (Yoshi met his wife during a tough period of his life where he was dissatisfied with his job). With the ‘nonsense’ that we encounter in our lives, we should feel gratitude and acceptance no matter how good or bad a situation we are in.
Yoshi also touched on meditation. Of course with meditation there are different levels associated with it, but really it is about being in the moment at that moment, quieting all that noise around you. It may be just you focusing on a tree as it blows in the wind while taking a breather from your work. This can be extremely beneficial to getting through your task. Giving your mind a break will help it re-focus when you are frustrated with a problem and still thinking about a solution.
Along with being a poet, free spirit and artist, Yoshi Arima is also a fantastic presenter! Clear and articulate, his easy-going yet confident manner captured the audience’s attention, while his fun humorous visual presentation provided the perfect combination of information and entertainment. This session had to be one of the most enjoyable at this year’s VIDfest. It was memorable not only for its content but also for Yoshi’s ability to draw in his audience, his passion and enthusiasm.
Check out more on Yoshi’s slide presentation and blog here
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