âDagonâ has all the elements of a classic Lovecraft tale. Here, as in many of his later works â including âThe Call of Cthulhuâ (written in 1926), The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath (1927), and At the Mountains of Madness (1931) â optimistic endeavours for knowledge, even the simple act of seeing whatâs on the other side of a hill, are thwarted by incomprehensible terrors and a horrifyingly arbitrary cosmic order. These revelations shatter the minds of Lovecraftâs truth-seeking characters, including doctors, archaeologists, lost sailors, metaphysicians and scientists of all kinds.
Some people must think that reading a bunch of Lovecraftâs work was time I wasted. I loved it. I didnât find it scary (Iâm not sure Iâve ever found any book scary. Movies, on the other hand, can scare the hell out of me.) But I deeply enjoyed Lovecraft⌠and yet I could never quite express why. After reading Woodwardâs thoughts Iâm thinking I enjoyed the experienceâbeing myself one of those âdoctors, archaeologists, lost sailors, metaphysicians and scientists of all kindsââof seeing people like me get the hell scared out of them.
The reality is, behaviour change is hard, and many people have not been taught effective goal-setting. For example, someone might know that theyâre unhappy and have intentions to change, but they focus on something too broad (âI want to be happyâ) or on what they donât want (âI donât want to be depressedâ). An ill-defined focus can lead to trying many things without following through on any one thing.
I see countless examples of mindlessness any time I venture out into the regular world. But I also see examples of mindfulness! Theyâre not as common, but some people I encounter are awake. Some people I encounter are interested and interesting. Some peopleâs presence makes the immediate area a better place.
It struck me that this has become a kind of dividing line between success and failure within my team. Those who havenât worked out havenât been able to start the clock or return the ball very quickly. Itâs not just my teamâitâs a source of frustration that fills the letters and dispatches of just about every great general, admiral, and leader throughout history.
Iâve never had the nothingness problem. Iâve always been a starter (and an over-achiever, and an over-thinker.) For me the challenge is always to find ways to create change, without destroying myself and health in the process. Set goals, yes. But also leave no-goals-today space. Have aspirations, yes. But donât assess my self-worth based on my distance from those aspirations.
During rare, spontaneous moments, experiences of very special quality and great import emerge from the depths of the human brain. To each person, these awakenings seem awesomely new. What they convey is not. It is the simplest, oldest wisdom in the world. The message is that ultimate meaning is to be found in this present moment, infusing our everyday lives, here and now. But one canât predict such major peaks of enlightenment. Their insight-wisdom is next to impossible to describe. Even so, these fragile events inspired our major religions in ways that still shape our cultural development.
Because in reality, none of us actually understands how our minds work. We only know that sometimes, our minds do some pretty amazing things. It would be great (we, I hope, all think) if I could tweak my mind to do that a little more often.
[O]ne of the most fundamental struggles for any leaderâin business, in organizations, or in public lifeâstems directly from the separation that most of us feel between who we are as people and what we do as practical professionals.
How can you effectively and gracefully end a conversation while maintaining its value and mutual appreciation?
Understand the balance between leaving a conversation fulfilled and seeking more.
Craig and Jesse discuss the complexities of ending conversations, beginning with the idea that most conversations naturally conclude due to external factors like time constraints. Craig notes that in many casual interactions, such as those at events or in public spaces, the end is often dictated by circumstances rather than a conscious decision.
I know I didn’t even try to get everything [from a conversation] because I know I can’t get everything. So it’s somehow finding a balance between: “Okay, my cup is full. I should really move away and just revel in what I have.” Finding a balance between that, and just going to the well until the cup comes up empty. I think that’s probably the compass for how to find a good ending.
~ Craig Constantine (4:25)
They explore the notion that it can be beneficial to end conversations while they are still engaging, rather than waiting until all topics are exhausted. Craig shares his experiences from recording podcasts, where he finds it challenging to end on a high note, emphasizing the importance of planning and strategies for graceful conclusions.
We’re here looking for ways to make conversation more alive [âŚ]. I’ve adopted this strategy of, stop eating when I want to eat a little bit more. stop talking when I want to talk a little bit more. Stop training, moving around and exercising when I want to move a little bit more. So that I’m actually left in the wanting of it [âŚ]
~ Jesse Danger (5:13)
They also touch on the distinction between enjoyable and uncomfortable conversations. Jesse brings up the idea of stopping activities, such as talking or training, while still wanting more, to maintain a sense of aliveness and enthusiasm. The conversation shifts to practical strategies for ending conversations, including honesty about one’s need to leave and expressing appreciation for the interaction.
Jesse references Peter Block’s concept from the book “Community,” suggesting that when ending a conversation, participants can share what they gained from the interaction, fostering a sense of closure and mutual respect. This approach, they agree, can enhance the quality and impact of the conversation.
Takeaways
Ending conversations naturally â External factors often dictate the conclusion of casual interactions.
Ending on a high note â Beneficial to conclude conversations while they are still engaging.
Challenges in planned endings â Strategies and planning are crucial for graceful podcast conclusions.
Distinction between conversation types â Different approaches are needed for enjoyable and uncomfortable conversations.
Maintaining enthusiasm â Stopping activities while still wanting more helps preserve a sense of aliveness.
Practical strategies â Honesty about the need to leave and expressing appreciation can aid in ending conversations.
Concept of shared appreciation â Participants can share what they gained from the interaction to foster closure.
Spontaneity in conversation exits â Creative and spontaneous actions can make leaving a conversation smoother.
Balancing conversation engagement â Finding a balance between getting enough out of a conversation and not exhausting all topics.
Resources
Community by Peter Block â Discusses the importance of commitment and shared appreciation in group settings.
The concept of “single-serving friends” from the movie Fight Club â Refers to brief, context-specific interactions that end naturally.
This planet is genuinely strange. If we were all flown to the moon or to Mars and walked around on them, they wouldn’t seem that strange to us because there would be no yardsticks or anything to measure their strangeness byâthey’re just vast museums of geology. Whereas the Earth is a deranged zoo, and somebody left the doors of the cages open. We have real strangeness because we can measure the degree to which things are or are not what they ought to be.
Giving yourself the time and sapce to think and feel is crucial to your existence. Personhood requires encapsulation. You have to find a way to be yourself before you can share yourself.
What role does dialogue play in fostering a sense of connection and transformation within individuals and communities?
Can dialogue itself be more important than the decisions it leads to?
In this conversation, Craig and Jesse explore the concept of dialogue and its transformative power within communities. They begin by discussing a quote from the book “Dialogue” by Isaac, which suggests that once people experience genuine dialogue, they do not revert to superficial interactions.
So then I have to ask myself, how do I have to be in the world so that I can create more moments like that for myself? And for others? And what [for] the spaces that I create? When I’m creating spaces for groups? Or when I’m entering into spaces that already exist for groups? What can I do to bring that feeling? âŚthat dialog? âŚthat awakeness?
~ Jesse Danger (11:30)
Craig expresses uncertainty about the quote’s validity, as he feels he lacks enough sustained experiences of deep dialogue within consistent groups. He contrasts his sporadic podcast conversations with Isaac’s examples of embedded dialogue practices in communities. Jesse, on the other hand, shares his experiences of practicing deep dialogue within his company and recalls his time at a Danish school where dialogue was a core part of daily activities.
The conversation shifts to the impact of dialogue on individuals and groups. Jesse reflects on how his exposure to structured, meaningful conversations in school and at work has shaped his approach to relationships and decision-making. Craig ponders the possibility of creating similar spaces and recognizes that meaningful dialogue doesn’t necessarily require a large group; it can also occur in one-on-one interactions. They discuss the challenge of fostering these dialogic spaces in various contexts and contemplate how to bring the principles of deep dialogue into their everyday lives and communities.
Takeaways
The power of dialogue â Genuine dialogue has the potential to transform individuals and communities, making it hard to revert to superficial interactions once experienced.
Challenges of sustaining dialogue â Consistent deep conversations within the same group are rare and difficult to maintain, highlighting the challenge of embedding dialogue in daily routines.
Experiences in educational settings â Structured dialogue practices in schools can profoundly impact participants, fostering a sense of connection and mutual understanding.
Dialogue in professional environments â Prioritizing dialogue over decision-making in a company can lead to healthier organizational dynamics and better overall outcomes.
Personal growth through dialogue â Meaningful conversations with strangers or colleagues can open up new perspectives and deepen relationships.
Creating dialogic spaces â It is possible to foster spaces for dialogue in various contexts, from small groups to larger communities, by being intentional about conversation practices.
Individual responsibility in dialogue â One must consider how to bring the principles of deep dialogue into their daily interactions and be proactive in creating opportunities for meaningful conversations.
Reflecting on past dialogue experiences â Looking back at previous instances of deep dialogue can help identify the elements that made those conversations impactful and how to replicate them.
Resources
Dialogue by William Isaacs â A book exploring the transformative power of genuine dialogue within communities.
The impulse to keep to yourself what you have learned is not only shameful, it is destructive. Anything you do not give freely and abundantly becomes lost to you. You open your safe and find ashes.
I’ve come to believe that wise people don’t tell us what to do; They start by witnessing our story. They take the anecdotes, rationalizations, and episodes we tell, and see us in a noble struggle. They see the way we’re navigating the dialectics of lifeâintimacy versus independence, control versus uncertaintyâand understand that our current self is just where we are right now, part of a long continuum of growth.
The connection between the cerebellum and movement has been known since the 19th century. Patients suffering trauma to the brain region had obvious difficulties with balance and movement, leaving no doubt that it was critical for coordinating motion. Over the decades, neuroscientists developed a detailed understanding of how the cerebellumâs unique neural circuitry controls motor function. The explanation of how the cerebellum worked seemed watertight.