Brillo’s Rule— Different

I am Distinct. Different in style, interests, work, humor, and worldview—and I am pleased.

(Brillo 2026 , 2025, 2020 [message/lecture])

Blogger: http://bbbrillo.blogspot.com

X: https://x.com/bbbrillo

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/bbbrillo

Tenacity of the Abstraction

Remembering ideas, concepts, abstractions, and personal events—intentionally or unintentionally.

(Brillo 2026 [message/lecture])

Blogger: http://bbbrillo.blogspot.com

X: https://x.com/bbbrillo

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/bbbrillo

Dissertation Proposal, Research Problem, and Literature Review

The Research Problem is the starting point of the Dissertation Proposal, so it should be well-justified and clearly articulate its contribution to scholarship, whether in Concept/Theory, Perspective/Methodology, Practice/Empirical, or Program/Policy. 

The Literature Review is fundamental because the Research Problem must be grounded in the identification of Gaps. A comprehensive Literature Review plays a pivotal role in the Research Problem by rationalizing the Research Gaps and justifying the Original, Significant Contribution, either by creating novel/innovative work or by extending, improving, or advancing the scholarship. Therefore, it should be a critical, in-depth evaluation of previous authors’ work. It must show that you are making an original contribution, given the vast body of scholarly work, and situate your paper within the existing body of literature. 

Always remember that if the Literature Review is strong (well-defended), the other aspects of your dissertation will follow; hence, the Research Gaps are apparent, the Research Problem is distinctive, and the contribution to novel/innovative knowledge is justified. 

(Brillo 2026, 2017 [message/lecture])

Blogger: http://bbbrillo.blogspot.com

X: https://x.com/bbbrillo

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/bbbrillo

The Research Problem

The research problem is the core academic articulation and justification that directly contributes to the existing body of literature (either creating novel work or extending, improving, or advancing innovative scholarship), with the ultimate goal of producing and situating an original piece within the vast body of scholarly work.

The research problem is an explicitly literature-grounded statement that identifies meaningful gaps in the existing works (primarily using peer-reviewed journal articles and scholarly books). That is why the literature review is crucial for recognizing the research problem, justifying the research gaps, and arguing that this is an original contribution.

(Brillo 2026 [message/lecture])

Blogger: http://bbbrillo.blogspot.com

X: https://x.com/bbbrillo

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/bbbrillo

Literature Review, Research Gaps, and Research Problem

Always remember that if the Literature Review is strong (well-defended), the other aspects of your dissertation will follow; hence, the Research Gaps are apparent, the Research Problem is distinctive, and the contribution to original knowledge is justified. 

(Brillo 2026 [message/lecture])

Blogger: http://bbbrillo.blogspot.com

X: https://x.com/bbbrillo

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/bbbrillo

Inequality, Equality, and Extreme Inequality

Inequality is acceptable since there is no such thing as complete equality in the real world—intellectual elites, ordinary individuals, and lesser mortals have different values, interests, and perspectives, making them distinct.

But what I strongly oppose is extreme inequality, as a fundamental must-have, explicitly for the disadvantaged, marginalized, and debilitated.

(Brillo 2026 [message/lecture]).

Blogger: http://bbbrillo.blogspot.com

X: https://x.com/bbbrillo

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/bbbrillo

Objectivity and Subjectivity

With people, there is no pure objectivity— only perspectives (and interests)

(Brillo 2026 [message/lecture]).

Blogger: http://bbbrillo.blogspot.com

X: https://x.com/bbbrillo

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/bbbrillo

Why do I write more quickly and often?

Time is infinite; even if the Earth ends, time carries on.

However, life is finite; even a 100-year lifespan, for me, is not enough. 

That is why I write constantly, intentionally, and with purpose.

(Brillo 2026 [message/lecture])

Blogger: http://bbbrillo.blogspot.com

X: https://x.com/bbbrillo

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/bbbrillo

Reminiscing about Family, Kinship, and Little Benzo

The Publication Rule

Broadly speaking, unimplemented projects and unpublished conference and workshop papers—including unreleased theses and dissertation manuscripts—significantly weaken scholarly contribution and impact.

(Brillo 2026 [message/lecture]).

Blogger: http://bbbrillo.blogspot.com

X: https://x.com/bbbrillo

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/bbbrillo

Brillo’s Rule

Read (extensively), Think (deeply), Imagine (creatively), and Write-Nothing More, Nothing Less. I force you!

These posts are designed to encourage thinking and reflection, not acceptance.

(Brillo 2026 [message/lecture]).

Blogger: http://bbbrillo.blogspot.com

X: https://x.com/bbbrillo

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/bbbrillo

2026 Annual Scientific Conferenc

DOST-NRDP 

National Research Council of the Philippines

2026 Annual Scientific Conference and 93rd General Membership Assembly

 

The Brillo's Rule - Posts in the Last 24 Hours

 

Distinction between Undergraduate and Graduate Programs

Broadly speaking, undergraduate and graduate programs at research universities differ. In undergraduate programs, teaching is strongly emphasized, while research is supported, as professors focus on foundational teaching while also conducting research. By contrast, in graduate programs, teaching underpins research, with research being central and weighted more heavily, as professors emphasize specialized knowledge in teaching and are highly driven by research (especially publications).

(Brillo 2026 [message/lecture])

Blogger: http://bbbrillo.blogspot.com

X: https://x.com/bbbrillo

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/bbbrillo

Academia, Taboo, and Dogma

In academia, ideally, we neither kill nor savage, nor do we evade taboo or dogma.

(Brillo 2026 [message/lecture])

Blogger: http://bbbrillo.blogspot.com

X: https://x.com/bbbrillo

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/bbbrillo

Transaction Costs and Translatability in Engagements

If transaction costs are very high and translatability in collaborative engagements is very low, particularly during implementation and publication, this is inefficient and costly.

 

(Brillo 2026 [message/lecture])

Blogger: http://bbbrillo.blogspot.com

X: https://x.com/bbbrillo

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/bbbrillo

Purpose Routines— Efficiency and Stability

Broadly, a gifted person follows routines for efficiency rather than for comfort. A gifted person changes their routine when it is inefficient or suboptimal; they will shift and move as they seek greater stability.

(Brillo 2026, 2025, 2021 [message/lecture]) 🦉

Blogger: http://bbbrillo.blogspot.com

X: https://x.com/bbbrillo

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/bbbrillo