Mindsponge Theory

Mindsponge Theory
Author: Quan-Hoang Vuong
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Total Pages: 214
Release: 2023-01-13
Genre: Science
ISBN: 8367405153

Despite the remarkable cognitive power, humans are not alien beings living in their isolated universe but part of the Earth’s biosphere – a dynamic, intelligent system. The working of the human mind and society is built upon and follows the principles of the natural world. In today’s modern society, where technological advancement has significantly increased information accessibility to new knowledge, social sciences can greatly benefit from discoveries in natural sciences. In this book, the latest findings in life sciences are used as evidence to demonstrate and explain the mechanisms of psychological and social information processes. Mindsponge is a novel theory of information processing in the human mind. The mechanisms of information processing are present in all levels of the natural world – from ecological and physiological down to cellular and molecular. As a subset of nature, humans express these patterns in the way we think, believe, behave, and establish social constructs. By looking at the intelligent “minds” of nature, a more accurate framework for human cognition can be logically derived. The mindsponge theory reflects the physical, chemical, and biological laws upon the mental world, not the other way around. Throughout the book, readers will find interesting, often hilarious, stories of both the natural and social world, accompanied by clear scientific explanations and evidence. Each story brings to the table yet another angle to look at the unified principle of information processing within the biosphere: survive and thrive! The book also provides original quantitative findings employing the Bayesian Mindsponge Framework (BMF) to demonstrate the consistency and applicability of the theory in studying psychological and social phenomena.

Mindsponge Theory

Mindsponge Theory
Author: Quan-Hoang Vuong
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Total Pages: 214
Release: 2023-02-03
Genre: Science
ISBN:

As humans, we use the power of thinking to make scientific discoveries, develop technologies, manage social interactions, and transmit knowledge to the next generations. With the ability to think, we can trace back and discover the origin of the universe, the natural world, and ourselves. The content of this book, Mindsponge Theory, is part of that discovery process.

Better Economics for the Earth: A Lesson from Quantum and Information Theories

Better Economics for the Earth: A Lesson from Quantum and Information Theories
Author: Quan-Hoang Vuong
Publisher: AISDL
Total Pages: 102
Release: 2024-07-21
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

Learning from the quantum and information theories, we provide a new definition of value, which is expected to help economists relax assumptions and loosen established economic principles in order to change and evolve. The new definition is also expected to enable social scientists to address newly arising phenomena or events that are not accounted for by existing value systems, such as environmental crises, artificial intelligence (AI), and interdisciplinary information, more proactively and productively. We hope that, by incorporating the quantum physics perspective into the interpretation of information and value, social scientists, particularly economists, will offer more reliable predictions and advice for societal transitions toward sustainability. Hanoi, July 21, 2024

The mindsponge and BMF analytics for innovative thinking in social sciences and humanities

The mindsponge and BMF analytics for innovative thinking in social sciences and humanities
Author: Quan-Hoang Vuong
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Total Pages: 437
Release: 2022-10-10
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 8367405110

Academia is a competitive environment. Early Career Researchers (ECRs) are limited in experience and resources and especially need achievements to secure and expand their careers. To help with these issues, this book offers a new approach for conducting research using the combination of mindsponge innovative thinking and Bayesian analytics. This is not just another analytics book. 1. A new perspective on psychological processes: Mindsponge is a novel approach for examining the human mind’s information processing mechanism. This conceptual framework is used to construct models in studies. The framework is highly flexible and widely applicable for many different types of information processes. The mindsponge approach can help researchers discover interesting ideas or even formulate their very own theories when investigating psychosocial phenomena. This approach brings a fresh wind to the current landscape of social sciences and humanities (SSH). 2. Easy-to-follow analysis protocol: The Bayesian Mindsponge Framework (BMF analytics) is useful in terms of computing and visualizing power but also easy to learn and apply. Contrary to being intimidating, the Bayesian analytics section of this book is presented in a reader-friendly manner with a detailed yet clear step-by-step procedure. Examples are from published BMF articles, allowing readers to immediately practice the method and quickly create their own applications. With educational purposes in mind, the book is very suitable for ECRs who are looking to innovate their research methods. 3. Advocating for low-cost, high-quality research: Doing science can be very costly. Mindsponge innovative thinking and BMF analytics help produce impactful studies using openly available data on online repositories. This is based on the authors’ previous works and experiences. The book presents examples of employing the open R package bayesvl on secondary data from different sources. With less financial constraints, researchers can have more freedom of thought to pursue their curiosity and creativity. ECRs in low- and middle-income countries may find this aspect crucial in their careers. 4. Support and collaboration: The authors share their insights from experiences in the academic publishing system to help readers get through the processes of manuscript writing and peer-reviewing more easily. The authors are also ready to support other researchers with further inquiries and collaboration opportunities at the following website, https://mindsponge.info. This book is for: a) ECRs whose only abundant resources are their innovation capacity and strength of will; b) Researchers in SSH who want to explore a novel approach to thinking and study conducting; c) Low- and middle-income countries’ researchers looking for a cost-effective research protocol; and, d) Innovative thinkers who want to turn their interesting thoughts into good publications.

Further on informational quanta, interactions, and entropy under the granular view of value formation

Further on informational quanta, interactions, and entropy under the granular view of value formation
Author: Quan-Hoang Vuong
Publisher: AISDL
Total Pages: 7
Release: 2024-10-19
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN:

This discussion shows that a new approach to an enlarged definition (or view or notion) will likely empower us to more effectively consider different notions of value across research or professional disciplines--economic, socio-cultural, or humanistic--under a more enabling theoretical paradigm. It is because now the key ingredients, i.e., information, quantum states, interactions, information entropy, and probabilistic assignments, will help build productive thinking apparatuses from basic granules. ~~~ Please cite it as: Vuong, Q. H., & Nguyen, M. H. (2024). Further on informational quanta, interactions, and entropy under the granular view of value formation. https://ssrn.com/abstract=4922461

The Kingfisher Story Collection

The Kingfisher Story Collection
Author: Quan-Hoang Vuong
Publisher: AISDL
Total Pages: 137
Release: 2022-09-21
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

(Third edition with additions) This is a collection of short stories centering around the protagonist character, Kingfisher, originally written in Vietnamese. The book aims to introduce international readers to snippets of Vietnamese culture through the ordinary yet humorous life of the bird village. The first 15 of these short stories were published in the Khoảng Lặng (Quiet Moment) column of the Vietnamese magazine Kinh Tế và Dự Báo (Economy and Forecast Review) from 2017 to 2019. However, this is the first time that the collection of all the Kingfisher stories has been published in its entirety, covering stories that have not been published elsewhere, including new stories written during 2023-2024. The stories of Kingfisher are full of humor and satire while also deep in social commentary. I hope that the book brings readers joy and some food for thought, for beyond satire is genuine contemplation of the humanistic values in life. Hanoi, August 21, 2024 Quan-Hoang Vuong (Incld. Artworks by Bui Quang Khiem and Dam Thi Thu Ha)

Critical remarks on current practices of data article publishing: Issues, challenges, and recommendations

Critical remarks on current practices of data article publishing: Issues, challenges, and recommendations
Author: Quan-Hoang Vuong
Publisher: Data Science and Informetrics
Total Pages: 14
Release: 2024-08-19
Genre: Computers
ISBN:

The contribution of the data paper publishing paradigm to the knowledge generation and validation processes is becoming substantial and pivotal. In this paper, through the information-processing perspective of Mindsponge Theory, we discuss how the data article publishing system serves as a filtering mechanism for quality control of the increasingly chaotic datasphere. The overemphasis on machine-actionality and technical standards presents some shortcomings and limitations of the data article publishing system, such as the lack of consideration of humanistic values, radical race for big data, and inadequate use of expertise in data evaluation. Without addressing the shortcomings and limitations, the reusability of data will be hindered, and scientific investment to facilitate data sharing will be wasted. Thus, we suggest that the current data paper publishing paradigm needs to be updated with a new philosophy of data.

Meandering Sobriety

Meandering Sobriety
Author: Quan-Hoang Vuong
Publisher: AISDL
Total Pages: 124
Release: 2023-04-18
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN:

(Third edition, with additions) Thinking is a fundamental activity of our species – those that give names to other creatures and call themselves humans. Textbooks tell us that there is about 1.2 kg of matter called the brain inside the human body. It sounds small but actually is proportionally the biggest among all animals on Earth. I became more aware of thinking at around 5th grade upon hearing about an ancient paradox. It can be summarized as follows. ¤ Once upon a time, there was a stupid king. In his kingdom lived a sage who was highly respected for his intelligence. The King did not appreciate this fact. Maybe the Sage made fun of the King’s intellect, but I am not so sure. Anyway, one day, the King summoned the Sage, intending to kill him. The King said, “Wise man, I heard you earn a living by thinking and arguing. Now I give you two options to die.” The Sage said, “Please tell me the choices, Your Majesty.” The King continued, “You live by your tongue, so I will let you say one sentence before you die. If what you say is true, you will die by hanging. If what you say is false, you will die by beheading.” Little did the King know that this was a stupid order. After a short while, the Sage confidently spoke his “last words”, which actually were what saved his life: “Your Majesty, I am about to be beheaded!” ¤ As a “wild animal” going out into life from a young age, my brain spent a lot of time and energy looking for food. Now that I have become older, my body no longer needs so much sustenance. However, my mind craves a different type of nourishment: food for thought. Food for thought can directly lead to food (on the table). My main job as a scientist exemplifies what I have just stated. Maybe we were wrong. Maybe it has been “thought for food” all along, like in such a sequence as TFFTTTFTFFTTFFFT... In the hyper-chaotic infosphere today, we are surrounded by the noises of information, not only as wavy shores or waterfalls but also mega-tsunamis, through Twitter, Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram, Youtube, etc. More than ever, tranquility and calmness are necessary. Like what you have seen in wilderness video clips, predators such as lions, bears, and alligators act lightning-fast when catching prey. But when food is served, the natural world returns to its peaceful, soothing silence. This short book is in its own tidy infosphere, where each little story is also brief and self-contained. Despite this small appearance, I hope the content inside carries the value of tranquility and life observation. The book is petite, but pretty sure not malnourished. A not-too-small detail is that the way the content was shaped and distilled reflects some innovations of mine and my research team: the mindsponge theory, a new theory of serendipity, the bayesvl R package, the BMF analytics, as well as other experiences from working in the field of science. After all, scientific works were my main source of food (before this book sells well – if it does). Welcome to the priceless sober moments – with a chicken-burger price tag! I hope this book will bring readers some moments of calmness, peaceful smiles, and maybe a couple of good laughs too. ¤ *Acknowledgements: I thank my family and colleagues who have helped me survive, grow, work, and complete this book: Dam Thi Thu Ha, Vuong Thu Trang, Vuong Ha My, Le Tam Tri, Nguyen Minh Hoang, Ngo Bao Chau, La Viet Phuong, Ruining Jin, Nancy K. Napier, Nghiem Phu Kien Cuong, and Bui Quang Khiem. December 12, 2023 in Hanoi, Vietnam Quan-Hoang Vuong.

Contemporary Economic Issues in Asian Countries: Proceeding of CEIAC 2022, Volume 2

Contemporary Economic Issues in Asian Countries: Proceeding of CEIAC 2022, Volume 2
Author: An Thinh Nguyen
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 689
Release: 2023-05-23
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9819904900

This book continues the discussion from Volume 1 on the general considerations regarding global changes and contemporary economic issues in Asian countries in real terms. It offers a collection of original conference papers from the annual international conferences on “Contemporary economic issues in Asian countries” (CEIAC Conference) commenced in 2022 in collaboration with CIFOR-ICRAF, Sungkyunkwan University (Korea), and Tamkang University (Taiwan). The theme of the CEIAC Conference 2022 deals with broad aspects of the contemporary economic issues in Asian countries. It covers topics such as economics and business (economic theory, national and international income distribution, macroeconomic policies, sectors of economy, productivity developments, financial market, business governance, bank financing, etc.), green economy and sustainable development (developing process, development policy, public policy, sustainable growth, green growth, etc.), and international trade and investment (international trade theory, free trade agreements, tariffs, intellectual property, international law, etc.). The book would interest a wide array of professors, researchers, lecturers, students in fields of economics, consultants, and decision makers interested in the issues related to economic issues in Asia.