Mindmap to get started..

Before the first review, this mindmap was helpful in terms of explaining the topic of my project. To build my narrative, i have focused on the phenomenon of the "Placebo Effect" which is a simulated medical intervention which uses Belief as a very powerful medication.

Dip Review # 1 (Guides - Kumkum, Vasanthi, Nupur ), 13th July 2010

Few Pointers

• The topic of Placebo itself is controversial in nature like a Pandora's Box
• The whole idea of Placebo (how belief is used as medication) is also very mysterious in nature because the unknown part is how Belief not only brings about the self-healing but also brings about this inner-strength which makes someone overcome challenges.
• Interesting area - How certain incidences in lives of people elevate their mind-body dynamism and pushes it's limits to go beyond and do certain magical things that go beyond any logical, rational or scientific explanation.
• NOT MAKING IT MUMBO-JUMBO but still retaining that air of mystery, uncanny-ness around it. Ex. Shyamalans Movies, Hitchcock movies - Rebecca, Spellbound - Psychological Thrillers!
• the narrative could also be a depiction of experiences in a setting of complex minded of people instead of it being a comment on the situation.

Thoughts:

After having quick chats with Avy, Jayshree and Suchitra it was becoming more and more crucial to define the next step. How was I going to go about collecting experiences and stories of people.

"More than questioning what belief is, it would be more interesting to observe/find patterns in what is it that people believe/have faith in?"

(The beginning of research to build a narrative) Taking off from there - a personality test to narrow down to focus groups that will help me identify the different groups of people and what to them is belief. Through the questionnaire, enable sharing of first hand experiences, real life incidences where they encountered belief.