O' the day - 2020.01.30

"Before you ask for readers, write the article you wish you could read . . . Always give value before you ask for value." James Clear So - am I asking for readers, or just writing into the abyss of my own mind? Would it matter to me if I knew there were definitely someone reading what I've written, as opposed to assuming no one will ever see this? Is the posting exercise simply theoretical and academic, vs. making some (hoped) difference in the world? Am I providing any value besides checking off that I've fulfilled this habit today?

O' the day - 2020.01.24

There's a significant disparity in the number of creative individuals that have had disruption or otherwise catastrophic events in their past and those who have not, on the side of showing that a tough life breeds creativity. I've wondered before if my depression bred the ability to think beyond that of my peers, or if it were something innate coming from genetic material alone. Perhaps having difficulty dealing with life early on prods one to try to make the world (or some small part of it) better in some way, be it music mastery or a fantastical story or scientific discovery. Perhaps it's just a cognitive way to deal with a shitty situation.

O' the day - 2020.01.23

Persuading others is both a science and an art. Assuming others are irrational 90% of the time and only rational a small percentage of the time in order to capture true thought on a subject is an interesting thought (thanks, Scott Adams) - I'll have to think more on this.

O' the day - 2020.11.21

Lead, follow, or get out of the way: which am I doing more often on a daily basis? Do I choose the easy path of simply stepping off, or do I make a conscious effort to put myself out there as an overarching leader, or a loyal and dedicated supporter of that leader?

O' the day - 2020.11.17

Asking for help is a funny thing, isn't it - we perceive that we'll be seen as weak, or incompetent, or seeking only to meet our own needs at the expense of others. However, people love to be needed - the vast majority of people will gladly help you out given the request, on their own time and dollar. Giving someone help makes the helper feel needed and recognized and that they're building their karma, so why do we hesitate to ask for assistance? Is it because we want to make ourselves look better, rather than letting someone else feel great? Humanity has a primal need to help and to share, so why don't we do more of it?

O' the day - 2020.01.16

Although I haven't made it to the end of the podcast yet, the economics of apologies seem to look positive for there being a real impact of someone apologizing to you - if it comes with a cost, whether financial or reputational. This makes sense - people love to hear "you're right; I'm wrong," especially if it comes with a real commitment to not repeat the unwanted action. Do we enjoy hearing that we were right all along even more than we would the lack of suffering that may come prior to the apology?

O' the day - 2020.01.15

"Imposter syndrome" is an interesting concept to me. While I feel I live it every single day, can one get beyond feeling like an imposter simply by learning more? If you learn more about how to do what you feel you're only faking knowing how to do, have you learned enough so that you've actually (somewhat) mastered the skill, and are no longer an imposter? Where is that tipping point where you know enough about a subject that someone would call you, if not an expert, at least knowledgeable about? Is "imposter syndrome" simply synonymous with being lazy and not learning?

O' the day - 2020.01.14

Reading a really great long-form piece about Johannes Kepler and his scientific work - amazing that someone in the 16th century had such astute insights about the moon and Mars and astronomy with such little equipment. Goes to prove that if you put your mind to something and determine that you WILL learn about it, even with no resources, you'll find a way. Nice reminder that with all of the available knowledge today, there's no excuse for not learning about something that piques your interest.

O' the day - 2020.01.13

So ... my daily posting didn't work out so well ... so far. Today's a new day, so a new resolution (-ish) to start writing again. I really need to read the book "Atomic Habits" to get more of James Clear's wisdom on starting (and sticking with) new initiatives. In any case, there's so much content out there and available to write on that it's nearly immobilizing. As always, politics both on the national and world front are insane, the universe is dying a quick apathetic death, and there's way too much information out there to absorb and retain. Perhaps just a bit will stick as long as I don't try to manage it all.