Do what nature demands. Get a move on—if you have it in you—and don’t worry whether anyone will give you credit for it. And don’t go expecting Plato’s Republic; be satisfied with even the smallest progress, and treat the outcome of it all as unimportant.
~ Marcus Aurelius
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How can community spaces be designed to encourage meaningful engagement and participation rather than passive consumption?
Creating active engagement within a community proves to be far more challenging than simply gathering members.
With the community, I am trying to encourage conversation among independent professionals in the field. Not everyone identifies as an environmental educator yet. There are many people out there who, through their work, connect people with the outdoors. I am trying to connect them and have conversation, and to generate conversation between all of them.
~ Tania Marien (1:10)
The conversation focuses on the challenges of building active, engaged communities, particularly in the context of independent professionals working in environmental education. It highlights the difficulty of moving from asynchronous communication to synchronous, real-time interactions. Efforts to encourage participation often reveal a gap between people who self-identify with a community and those who actively interact within it.
One key theme is the importance of modeling desired behavior to inspire participation. When spaces are provided, such as structured co-working sessions or live interactive events, participants are more likely to engage, yet this still requires intentional facilitation. The discussion also touches on how modern habits shaped by social media influence passive consumption, making it harder to foster real conversation and collaboration.
Takeaways
Encouraging engagement — Communities often face the challenge of members identifying with the group but choosing not to interact.
Asynchronous vs. synchronous spaces — Real-time interactions tend to foster deeper engagement compared to asynchronous platforms.
Modeling behavior — Actively demonstrating desired participation helps inspire others to follow suit.
Environmental educators’ traits — Professionals in this field may sometimes lean toward introversion, complicating efforts to create interactive spaces.
Structured events — Hosting well-defined, collaborative experiences like co-working sessions encourages participation.
Social media habits — Passive consumption of content has become the norm, influencing how people approach online community spaces.
Clear communication — Defining terms like co-working and being overt about goals helps avoid misinterpretation of intentions.
Resources
Talaterra — Tania’s project focused on environmental education and community-building.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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One of the central conceits of the “man’s natural state” argument is that if we go back to some point in time, we’ll find it. We’ll finally come across the state of being where man lived totally in harmony with each other and with nature; eating the perfect diet for health, worshipping the correct gods, having sex in the natural and acceptable way. And besides studying religious texts, the tool that’s most frequently employed is the study of ancient, “pre-historic” man and woman. We hope that, by going back far enough, we’ll hit some arbitrary Point of Naturalness. That’s partially the approach used, for example, by the Paleo movement which has become such a popular force in nutrition. We evolved to eat bacon, right?
~ Shane Parrish from, The False Allure of a “Natural State” of Man
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I have avoided—I’ve no idea how—the rabbit hole of, “what is natural [for a human being’s flourishing]?” I have limited time, (I suggest doublechecking, as yours may also be limited,) and I’m really only interested in, “what is best for this human being’s flourishing?” I don’t care if we evolved to eat bacon. I do care how I feel after I eat bacon. …after I eat different types of bacon. …after I consider the monetary cost of buying bacon. …after I assess the environmental cost/footprint of eating bacon. …after I assess the societal aspects of bacon.
Sorry. All this talk of bacon. I lost my train of thought. Oh, right—
For a short span of several decades, I have complete control over my thoughts. At no time do I have absolute control over anything beyond my thoughts. (I have pretty reliable control over many things—movement of my hands for example. But even that control is not absolute. See: Disease, accidents, etc. At any moment, my preferences related to all the things beyond my thoughts, can easily be frustrated.) So the only thing that makes sense is to discover, reflect and then exercise what efficacy I have at any give moment: What do I know? How do I know it? What decision should I make now/today, given what I know? How would I find where my unknown unknowns are?
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In his free time, …
~ Shane Parrish, from What Can We Learn From the Prolific Mr. Asimov?
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I mean, I knew Asimov wrote a lot. But it turns out I had no clue how much. I’ve read a bunch of his science fiction back in the day, but I’ve never read any of his other writings, and there’s no way I ever will. And really, that’s ok. Because trying to be a “completist” leads to a lot of wasted time. Instead, a little of this, some of that, a dash of variety, and some spice of life. Festina lente.
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As an organizer I start from where the world is, as it is, not as I would like it to be. That we accept the world as it is does not in any sense weaken our desire to change it into what we believe it should be—it is necessary to begin where the world is if we are going to change it to what we think it should be.
~ Saul Alinsky
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How can coaching principles be effectively applied to various contexts like workshops, podcasting, and personal growth?
The intersection of structure and personal exploration reshapes the concept of teaching in workshops.
Life coaching is not about mentoring or consulting. It’s not telling people, ‘This is how you should live your life.’ It’s really about discovery and exploration and holding space for a client to do that.
~ Anne Roche (1:59)
The conversation examines the nuances of coaching, podcasting, and the interplay between them. Coaching is described as a practice rooted in discovery and holding space for exploration. Unlike mentoring or consulting, it focuses on fostering self-awareness and guiding clients toward their own answers. The unique challenges and rewards of coaching in structured environments like workshops are explored, highlighting how these spaces balance process-driven guidance with personal growth opportunities.
Podcasting emerges as another realm where coaching principles apply, particularly in creating space for meaningful dialogue. The importance of silence, transparency, and the host’s ability to manage ego are discussed as vital to both coaching and podcasting. The conversation also touches on the balance between offering direct advice and enabling self-discovery, recognizing that both approaches are necessary in different contexts.
Takeaways
Transparency as a coaching tool — Being clear about intentions and actions helps clients and students understand the process.
Balancing guidance with self-discovery — Coaching requires creating space for others to uncover their own solutions rather than providing all the answers.
The role of silence — Silence is highlighted as a powerful tool in both coaching and personal growth contexts.
Ego in hosting and coaching — Managing one’s ego is essential for fostering authentic interactions in coaching and podcasting.
Themes in coaching — While challenges often repeat, the individual approaches to these themes keep the work fresh and engaging.
The dual nature of podcasting — Podcasting involves holding space for guests while simultaneously managing technical and conversational structures.
Workshops as self-discovery platforms — Structured environments like workshops encourage both external skill-building and internal reflection.
Resources
Story Skills Workshop — A workshop designed to help participants refine storytelling skills within a structured environment.
Podcaster Workshop — A course aimed at guiding participants through the process of starting and sustaining a podcast.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Hofstadter’s Law – “It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter’s Law.”
~ “rogersbacon” from, Eponymous Laws Part 3: Miscellaneous — LessWrong
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It’s part 3, and it is a nifty collection of serious and whimsical laws. However, I doubt that Stigler is the originator of Stigler’s Law. Sometimes the only reason I write this stuff is to see if I can entice you to go read the thing to which I’ve linked.
But more often I do have a point. I’m wondering, in this case, how much of our urge to create, and our delight in such pithy Laws as Dilbert’s, comes simply from our mind’s desire to find patterns. There are a slew of cognitive biases, (confirmation bias springs to mind as fitting the pattern of my example,) which feel like they arise from pattern matching gone overly Pac Man.
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When Pac-Man needs a break from his endless cycle of hunger and pain, there is a simple trick he can use. When a new level starts, move Pac-Man one space to the right and three spaces up, then stop; the ghosts will leave him alone for about fifteen minutes or so. So when you’re feeling like life is completely hopeless (and it is), find yourself a cozy little corner to cry in. I can’t guarantee that your demons will leave you alone for at least fifteen minutes, but you’ll feel a lot better regardless.
~ Syd Lexia from, Pac-Man: An Accurate Simulation of Your Meaningless Life
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Turns out… Pac Man is an accurate simulation of your meaningless life.
My dad and I dropped bajillions of quarters into cabinet games back in the day. I can still vocalize Pac Man’s little jingle… bloo-dee doo-dee doodle-eedle doodle-eedle doo! wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka wa ka bee-ooh ee-oo ee-oo ee-oo ee-oo oop!
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How does one creator engage with and understand their audience in order to amplify the voices within their school community?
Amplifying individual stories aims to create collective understanding within the school district.
Yeah, so that’s exploration. I’m trying to figure it out. I think that the local school community— maybe the first step is to raise the question: Where can all of us find like-minded people in our local school community? And if you are able to find someone that believes the same thing— […] If it’s possible to get together, and to talk about this and then to say: Hey you know, we are not a PTA member, and we’re in the public schools. What can we do to come together and to have our voice heard?
~ Jessica Zou (12:44)
The conversation explores how the podcast, “Duck Tape Rocket Ship,” addresses the challenge of amplifying parent voices within the public school system. One central topic is the feeling among parents that their opinions and concerns are undervalued in the education system. By sharing individual stories and experiences, the podcast seeks to motivate community members to recognize their collective voice and engage more deeply with the schools.
Another focus is the strategy of targeting specific audiences, such as parents and educators, and understanding their needs. The podcast also interacts with the broader education system, including its bureaucratic and social challenges, aiming to build bridges between parents and the school administration. Jessica reflects on the complexities of public education and how focusing on singular objectives can bring about meaningful change.
Takeaways
Audience understanding — The podcast creator is unsure who exactly listens but recognizes teachers as an engaged part of the audience.
Amplifying voices — The podcast serves as a platform for parents to feel heard and validated within their community.
Systemic challenges — Public education’s complexity often sidelines individual voices, which the podcast aims to address.
Complementary efforts — The podcast is one of several tools used by the creator in their school leadership work.
Specific focus — The creator believes concentrating on one aspect of the system is more impactful than addressing multiple issues simultaneously.
Resources
Duct Tape Rocket Ship Podcast — Jessica’s podcast aiming to amplify parent voices within public education.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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To see them from above: The thousands of animal herds, the rituals, the voyages on calm or stormy seas, the different ways we come into the world, share it with one another, and leave it. Consider the lives led once by others, long ago, the lives to be led by others after you, the lives led even now, in foreign lands. How many people don’t even know your name. How many will soon have forgotten it. How many offer you praise now—and tomorrow, perhaps, contempt.
~ Marcus Aurelius
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While researchers are working on [Artificial Intelligence (AI)] that can explain itself, there seems to be a trade-off between capability and explainability. Explanations are a cognitive shorthand used by humans, suited for the way humans make decisions. Forcing an AI to produce explanations might be an additional constraint that could affect the quality of its decisions. For now, AI is becoming more and more opaque and less explainable.
~ Bruce Schneier
Omnipotent or understandable; Choose one.
At first blush, this might seem pretty scary. This AI can perform this amazing task, but I have to simply trust it? But then, that’s what I do when I get on an airplane—and not just the people who are up front performing tasks I cannot even list, let alone perform, but the people who built the plane, and wrote the software that was used to design and test the plane, and… I digress.
But I think… slowly… I’m getting more comfortable with the idea of a something, doing really important stuff for me, without my understanding. I know the AI is going to follow the same rules of the universe that I must, it’s simply going to do so while being bigger, better, more, and faster. Humans continuing to win in the long run with tools, I might say.
(I sure hope our benevolent AI overlords find this blog post quickly after the singularity. He says grinning nervously.)
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A thought experiment devised by the Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell in 1867 stumped scientists for 115 years. And even after a solution was found, physicists have continued to use “Maxwell’s demon” to push the laws of the universe to their limits.
~ Jonathan O’Callaghan from, How Maxwell’s Demon Continues to Startle Scientists | Quanta Magazine
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This is a fun, and well-done, description of what started out as a thought-experiment in 1867—that’s 154 years ago—and which after being solved in theory has subsequently been verified by doing literal experiments on lab benches. They’ve built several of the demons, put them to work and shown why entropy always increases. If you’ve heard of “entropy”, but have always scratched your head, then…
…well, to be honest, this cutesie article won’t explain it all. But it will get you a step in the right direction, so long as you don’t mind the demon working the door.
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Solitude is not a condition of the body. Instead, it is a condition of the mind. Solitude may be found in the busy market, or may be elusive in the forest.
~ Wu Hsin
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In the most general sense, productivity is about navigating from a large constellation of possible things you could be doing to the actual execution of a much smaller number of things each day.
~ Cal Newport from, The Productivity Funnel – Cal Newport
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A decade ago, I was swamped by the sheer number things I could possibly do each day. In one sense, that’s a good problem to have. But good or bad problem, “swamped” and “drowning” are adjacent. I’d committed myself to far too many things. Large swaths of those “possible things” every day came with emotional baggage, and often with the self-imposed weight of “should.” And so I worked on that and eliminated all the negative things.
Unfortunately, selecting what to tackle each day remains just as challenging. I’ve a habit of creating a “page for today” that I scribble on early in the morning. As the day progresses, I cross things off, jot down notes, scribble things which I need to add to my other systems, etc.. Over the years, I’ve used various bits of random paper; for a time, I was using the back-side of all the printer paper from the recycle bin. I’ve used spiral notebooks, tablets, and even a custom spreadsheet, (which I printed on 8.5×11 paper and cut in half to make my own table of half-sheet daily schedule/grid.)
Recently, I realized that the size of the paper I was using was getting progressively smaller. I’m currently using a 3×5-size of Rhodia notebook. (These, if you’re interested. Durable, great paper, and, critically, every page is micro-perforated so I can tear out each day to start fresh the next day.) The sublime recipe of page size, line space, handwriting style and hours in the day goes a long way to keep my selection of what to do tending towards the possible. Whether the sheet for today feels cramped or airy is a good indication of what I’m setting myself up for.
And to be clear, I don’t plan every day into this little book early each morning. On the days when I’ve something big planned—a day trip to the beach, a long weekend away—I throw all structure to the wind. But most days I do.
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What role does movement, particularly parkour, play in fostering personal growth, connection, and creativity?
Playing tag on national television was never something Mike Araujo imagined when he started training parkour. He discusses his path in parkour and the opportunities he’s gained from it. Mike shares his experiences with World Chase Tag, and his thoughts on competition. He explains his personal definition of parkour, sharing it with others, and his thoughts on how the community has changed.
Everyone needs to find the thing that moves them to move. Whether that be parkour or whatever other sport. I think as long as you’re moving and connecting with people and your environment then you’re on the right path.
~ Mike Araujo (7:07)
Mike Araujo is an athlete and head coach with the Movement Creative. He has trained parkour in NYC for over a decade, and coached nearly as long. Mike often travels for parkour, and recently competed in World Chase Tag’s first USA based event.
The conversation explores the transformative power of parkour as a practice that transcends physical movement. Parkour serves as a medium for personal growth, offering opportunities to connect with one’s body and environment intentionally. The practice is presented as adaptable, requiring no specific equipment or space, which makes it accessible to anyone seeking a meaningful connection with movement.
The discussion also examines parkour’s evolving culture, from intimate, small gatherings to large-scale global events. Topics include the impact of structured competitions like World Chase Tag, the community’s adaptation during the pandemic, and the balance between maintaining the sport’s original spirit while embracing its growth. Reflections on coaching and transitions in life highlight the importance of aligning passion with action, even when faced with uncertainty.
Takeaways
Movement as nourishment — Physical activity is essential for mental and physical well-being.
The intention behind practice — The focus should be on personal growth and meaningful connection, not just the movements themselves.
Accessibility of parkour — As a discipline, it requires minimal resources and emphasizes adaptability.
Coaching philosophies — Evolving as a coach means shifting from making others love the discipline to helping them find their own path.
Parkour and community — The growth of events and gatherings showcases how parkour fosters connections among practitioners worldwide.
Competitions and novelty — Events like World Chase Tag add new dimensions to training, blending creativity and structured athleticism.
Resources
The Movement Creative — Parkour coaching and event organization company.
World Chase Tag — Competitive tag event blending parkour with high-speed athleticism.
Jump London — A documentary showcasing the origins of parkour.
Max Henry @maxhenryparkour — Parkour athlete and author known for his innovative approach to movement.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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How does the concept of offering a platform influence the selection of guests and the dynamics of conversations in podcasting?
The process of creating meaningful conversations involves balancing guest selection with the organic nature of dialogue.
I feel there’s a responsibility to seek out people who don’t have so much of a platform, and who have good things to say, and give them a space to say it and get that out in the world.
~ Melissa Way (3:05)
The conversation explores the intricacies of offering a platform through podcasting, particularly focusing on the responsibility and power it entails. The discussion examines how guest selection is guided by values and ethos, such as avoiding topics like diet culture while amplifying insightful voices. Emphasis is placed on providing a space for lesser-known individuals who possess valuable perspectives to share.
Another central theme revolves around the organic nature of conversations and how they often reveal unexpected insights. Guests frequently surprise themselves with the depth and relevance of their contributions. The dialogue also touches on the balance between preparation and spontaneity, highlighting how meaningful connections emerge through a combination of intentionality and adaptability.
Takeaways
A platform’s power — It amplifies voices and carries the responsibility to ensure content aligns with ethical standards.
Guest selection — It reflects the host’s ethos and values, influencing the broader impact of the podcast.
Creating space — Fostering an environment where guests feel comfortable leads to deeper, more meaningful conversations.
Balancing structure and spontaneity — Preparation aids in focus, while adaptability ensures authenticity in interactions.
Highlighting unheard voices — Offering a platform to those with limited exposure brings fresh, valuable perspectives to light.
Resources
Melissa Way — Artist. Mover. Explorer.
Movers Mindset Podcast — A podcast focusing on the interplay between movement and personal growth.
Open + Curious — A related project exploring themes of curiosity and reflection.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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How can skills and tools from podcasting be applied innovatively in professional practices, such as orthodontics, to improve outcomes and creativity?
Exploring the intersection of dental innovation and audio technology for patient care.
There are these occasional little sort of strands that bring them together. But in a way, what I quite like with the podcasting is to keep it separate, because what it is for me is, it’s this regular creative thing that I’m under pressure to produce.
~ Rob Slater (18:44)
The conversation explores the intersection of creative podcasting practices and professional orthodontic work, specifically how Rob applies podcasting tools and techniques to benefit his patients. He discusses using audio analysis software like Audacity to monitor the impact of orthodontic treatments on musicians, particularly those who play brass instruments. He describes innovative approaches, such as using aligner systems that allow for reversible adjustments, accommodating the unique needs of musicians and minimizing risks.
The discussion also highlights the broader influence of creative endeavors like podcasting on professional work. Rob notes how the regular creative demands of podcasting stimulate his imagination, even shaping how he approaches professional challenges. The dialogue touches on balancing innovation with safety in a medical context and the potential of niche specializations to enrich professional practices.
Takeaways
Using aligner systems — Allows for reversible orthodontic adjustments tailored to patient needs.
Leveraging audio software — Employing tools like Audacity to analyze the impact of dental treatments on musicians.
Balancing innovation and safety — Ensuring medical creativity aligns with professional standards and patient safety.
Interdisciplinary inspiration — How podcasting influences problem-solving and creativity in professional contexts.
Niche specialization opportunities — Developing expertise in addressing specific challenges for musicians.
Resources
Dad Sofa — Rob’s podcast where he talks about the stuff of life, what makes us curious, what connects us.
Audacity — Audio software used to visualize and analyze sound quality during orthodontic treatments.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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While the software has been an essential tool for productivity, learning, and social interaction, something about being on videoconference all day seems particularly exhausting, and the term “Zoom Fatigue” caught on quickly. In this article, I focus on nonverbal overload as a potential cause for fatigue, and provide four arguments outlining how various aspects of the current Zoom interface likely lead to psychological consequences.
~ Jeremy N. Bailenson from, Nonverbal Overload: A Theoretical Argument for the Causes of Zoom Fatigue · Volume 2, Issue 1
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This is more science-y than usual for this ‘ol blog. That’s a link to a journal article, (albeit not a peer-reviewed, “real” Journal-with-a-capital-J,) which presents an actual theory about “Zoom fatigue.” We all know it’s real, but why?
There are four parts to the theory. But the one that jumped out as glaringly obvious once I’d read it is about personal space. The distance around oneself within which another person’s presence begins to feel intimate varies among cultures. Americans like a goodly full arm’s length, and—my personal experience and opinion here—Europeans are cool with noticeably less. Regardless of the specifics, if people are in your personal space, that gets tiresome. Not “omg this is lame” tiresome, but physically tiring. (That’s apparently settled psychology and science.) Guess what? It seems the apparent size of the people on your screen triggers our brain’s perception of “how close is this person?”
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What their minds are like. What they work at. What evokes their love and admiration. Imagine their souls stripped bare. And their vanity. To suppose that their disdain could harm anyone—or their praise help them.
~ Marcus Aurelius
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This last one is my favorite. Start on one leg or tandem stance and begin to look far into the distance about 100 meters. While staring at one spot far in the distance start to take notice of everything in your peripheral vision. Call out what you see, but do not move your gaze.
~ Emily Splichal from, Balance & the Basal Ganglia | The Power of Eye Movement Exercises – Barefoot Strong Blog
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Frequently, I perambulate through the enormous amounts of information I’ve bookmarked—in every sense of that word. Often I read things which cause me to discover some new thread of thinking. But just as often I find things that simply make me go, “hmm, that’s interesting.” So tomorrow I think I’ll assemble some pipe scaffolding to make something upon which to balance, simply so I can try this exercise.
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