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I’m not sure how to describe this—other than to say it’s a pretty short read.
I’m definitely sure I’ve no idea how to pull-quote it.
I was just having a discussion about the AI Singularity, and then this fell into my lap. Is it going to be paper-clip optimizers, or benevolent beings?
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Selling, I’ve grown to understand, is more urgent, more important, and, in its own sweet way, more beautiful than we realize. The ability to move others to exchange what they have for what we have is crucial to our survival and our happiness. It has helped our species evolve, lifted our living standards, and enhanced our daily lives. The capacity to sell isn’t some unnatural adaptation to the merciless world of commerce. It is part of who we are.
~ Daniel Pink from, Ambiverts, Problem-Finders, and the Surprising Psychology of Making Your Ideas Happen
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I believe in a very clear definition of “trade:” An exchange of value in which all parties are left better off; That is to say, trade is not zero-sum.
I believe it’s unnecessary to talk about “good” trade. That “good” is superfluous since any trade that isn’t “good” wouldn’t be trade. (It would be deception, cohersion, etc.)
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On Castbox.fm — John Hedge Hall | Teaching Beginners
What is the balance between explicit instruction and fostering natural play in effective teaching methods?
Examining the contrasts between structured education and natural play in learning.
The takeaway I want to give to people and the question I want them to ask themselves is, which parts of my class are actually effective? And which parts of my class am I doing out of habit?
~ John ‘Hedge’ Hall (6:50)
The conversation centers on teaching methods, particularly in the context of Parkour coaching. Two critiques of education are explored: a Neo-Marxist view, which critiques traditional teaching as overly authoritative and facts-based, and a libertarian perspective emphasizing the importance of natural play and minimizing intervention. These frameworks guide a discussion about creating self-aware, critical thinkers while respecting the natural role of play in learning.
The surprising discovery is that explicit instruction, often seen as unappealing or overly rigid, is highly effective for establishing foundational understanding. This enables learners to engage in problem-solving and develop complex skills more effectively. The dialogue also addresses how nervousness in new students impacts learning and the importance of clear, actionable cues during instruction.
Takeaways
Explicit instruction — Foundational teaching through clear and structured guidance significantly enhances student learning outcomes.
Natural play — Recognizing play as a natural and critical form of education, especially for children, and balancing it with structured instruction.
First-class experiences — Highlighting the importance of designing initial learning experiences to build confidence and engagement.
Critical awareness — Fostering self-critical thinking and the ability to question systems as key educational goals.
Rote learning — Revisiting rote learning as a misunderstood but powerful tool for building essential skills.
Habitual teaching — Questioning and assessing habitual teaching practices to ensure their effectiveness.
Intervention limits — Exploring when and how much intervention is beneficial in the learning process.
Resources
Access Parkour — A Parkour coaching organization focused on accessible training programs.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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You can’t just live in a comfortable little suburban neighborhood and get your education from movies and television and have any perspective on life.
~ J. Craig Venter
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Theoretically, if you know what you love, then every time you make a decision you’ll have a pretty damn clear idea if it’s taking you closer or further away from what you love. You’ll know the right thing to do. So self-love is a moral issue. It consists of doing the right thing, and nothing else.
~ David Cain from, Why do you do what you don’t love?
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Ouch.
If you put it that way, that would mean that all of my problems are my responsibility. There is, after all, nothing in my power beyond my reasoned choices.
Nothing.
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In a chapter on reconciling the inevitable pain we invite into our lives when we commit to love a being biologically destined to die before we do and the boundless joy of choosing to love anyway, Homans cites John Updike’s heartbreaking poem “Another Dog’s Death”
~ Maria Papova from, What’s a Dog For
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I’m definitely a dog-person.
Updike’s poem is totes-amazeballs.
(Weren’t expecting that where you?)
My little town used to have a Barkery. That’s not a typo. Someone came up with a bunch of super-healthy and super-tasty recipes. She couldn’t sell them for human consumption, but I’ll just say that the dogs didn’t get every treat I bought there. Suuper tasty and no sugar. Her peanut butter ones—made with peanuts from scratch I think—were da’ bomb.
Anytime I was going somewhere where the dog had an owner I wanted to visit, I’d put those peanut butter dog treats from the Barkery . . . randomly in a few pockets. Dogs ‘d be like, “oh *sniff* hello there *sniff* *sniff* new huma—*sniff* *sniff* *sniff* excuse me sir, but are you aware THAT YOU SMELL LIKE PEANUTBUTTERHOLYSHITBESTDAYEVAAAAAR!”
I am actually going to make a point here.
You know what’s more awesome than dogs? Getting to be immersed in the sheer joy that dog’s experience. No complications. No todo lists. No stress nor worry. Just, best. day. EVAR!
Now, go read Maria’s post.
Life is a solo trip, but you’ll have lots of visitors. I say this a lot and always will. Your life is one long unbroken experience, and you’re the only one who’s there the whole time. Visitors will come in and out of your experience. Most of them are short-term and you won’t notice when they’ve made their last appearance.
~ David Cain, from You and your friends are all going to die, and that’s beautiful
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I’ve had this idea myself. That I won’t notice when this instance—this experience right here, right now, with this person—is going to be the last experience with this “visitor.”
You might think, as I once did, that this state of uncertainty must always be the situation. Because, how would you know for sure if this moment right here was the last moment with this visitor?
Have you, perhaps, figured out that answer?
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I think we are well advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not. Otherwise they turn up unannounced and surprise us, come hammering on the mind’s door at 4 a.m. of a bad night and demand to know who deserted them, who betrayed them, who is going to make amends. We forget all too soon the things we thought we could never forget. We forget the loves and the betrayals alike, forget what we whispered and what we screamed, forget who we were.
~ Joan Didion
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I have no idea who my 16-or-so-year-old self was. I recently found myself telling a long sequence of stories from that era. Who was that person? What were they thinking? …I have no idea.
And I don’t mean that looking at the facts, things don’t make sense. As in, “why would someone do that, in that situation.”
I mean: I have no recollection of what it felt like to be that person. That person—those experiences—don’t even feel real. It’s like there’s not even the least certainty that those memories aren’t just something loaded into my brain before it was booted up a few years ago.
Going back ten years—maaaybe 15 at most—I feel like that is still me. It’s like there’s a horizon and once an experience disappears over the horizon, all that’s left is a story.
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Smoke like a chimney, work like a horse, eat without thinking, go for a walk only in really pleasant company.
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On Castbox.fm — Don Beeson | Wilderness Survival and Evasion
What skills and experiences are gained when parkour practitioners apply principles of stealth, teamwork, and adaptation in unconventional environments?
Adapting to dynamic challenges creates opportunities for growth in unconventional environments.
I wanted to present a framework for civilians, who don’t normally have access to training that you would see with military personnel, to get a little bit of that hands-on, but in a fun way.
~ Don Beeson (0:54)
The conversation revolves around a unique training experience blending parkour with stealth and survival techniques, conducted during a leadership and education retreat in the Cascade Mountains. Participants engaged in skill sessions that introduced military-inspired strategies for stealth and evasion, culminating in night missions designed to apply these lessons in practice. These activities challenged attendees to slow down, communicate non-verbally, and adapt to unfamiliar environments.
The discussion also highlights specific moments from the night missions, such as encounters with a “monster” in a ghillie suit and the use of distraction tactics. Participants demonstrated creativity and teamwork, employing methods taught earlier in the day to achieve objectives. The experience underscored the value of applying parkour principles in new contexts, encouraging practitioners to explore stealth and adaptability beyond their usual environments.
Takeaways
The value of slowing down — Participants learned how deliberate, slow movement can be more effective in certain contexts than speed.
Stealth as a skill — Techniques for evasion and camouflage were introduced, demonstrating their practical and creative applications.
Non-verbal communication — The exercises emphasized teamwork through silent coordination, fostering new ways of interaction.
Adapting parkour to unconventional settings — Participants explored how parkour skills can extend beyond urban environments into stealth and evasion scenarios.
Confidence through mastery — Success in the missions built participants’ confidence in applying new techniques effectively.
Integration of fantasy and strategy — Incorporating creative elements like riddles and challenges enhanced engagement and problem-solving.
Resources
Parkour Leadership and Education Retreat — Annual event fostering skill development and community among parkour practitioners.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Talent is like the marksman who hits a target which others cannot reach; Genius is like the marksman who hits a target… which others cannot even see.
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The difficulty seems to be, not so much that we publish unduly in view of the extent and variety of present day interests, but rather that publication has been extended far beyond our present ability to make real use of the record. The summation of human experience is being expanded at a prodigious rate, and the means we use for threading through the consequent maze to the momentarily important item is the same as was used in the days of square-rigged ships.
~ Vannevar Bush from, As We May Think
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Over in the Movers Mindset community I’ve started a topic titled, How to win the Internet, where I’ve been trying to unpack all my processes and way-of-thinking around how I manage (or at least, attempt to manage) everything I learn.
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On Castbox.fm — Dylan Polin | Forming Partnerships for the Athlete, Coach, & Business Owner
What are the essential elements for forming and maintaining successful partnerships in the Parkour community, and how can individuals avoid common pitfalls?
Successful partnerships in Parkour hinge on clear communication and defined responsibilities.
One of the biggest takeaways I wanted to talk about was this idea of death from 1000 cuts— when Parkour gyms or coaches or athletes, will try to chase down every single opportunity
~ Dylan Polin (1:05)
The conversation focuses on the key principles behind forming successful partnerships in the Parkour community, covering the roles of athletes, coaches, and gym owners. A significant point of discussion is how partnerships can enhance credibility and provide necessary resources for growth. The analogy of a lion chasing mice versus antelope is used to illustrate the importance of prioritizing high-value partnerships over numerous small, less impactful engagements.
Another key topic is the importance of communication when structuring partnerships. Emphasis is placed on defining responsibilities clearly to avoid misunderstandings that could lead to partnership failures. Additionally, the concept of sunk cost fallacy is highlighted, encouraging individuals to recognize when a partnership is no longer beneficial and to exit gracefully if necessary.
Takeaways
Forming partnerships — Partnerships are vital for growth and credibility in Parkour.
Opportunity management — Pursuing every opportunity can drain resources without yielding significant returns.
High-value partnerships — Focusing on impactful partnerships can provide long-term benefits, even if they require more effort.
Communication clarity — Clear, upfront communication and responsibility division are critical for partnership success.
Partnership pitfalls — Miscommunication or undefined roles can lead to partnership failures.
Exiting partnerships — Recognizing the need to exit unproductive partnerships is key to sustaining long-term growth.
Sunk cost fallacy — Avoiding the trap of continuing partnerships that no longer serve their purpose prevents unnecessary resource depletion.
Resources
Hub Parkour Training Center — Dylan Polin’s Parkour training center in Boston.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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What draws people away from conventional careers and into lives centered on movement, manual labor, and holistic living?
Chris Moran discusses his unique path from personal trainer to farmer, and the relationship between movement and farming. He shares his insights on chronic pain and pain theory, as well as how his training and coaching has become deeply rooted in permaculture. Chris ends by describing his continuing passion for film making and creative projects.
Stay outside. It’s not, go outside, it’s stay outside. Should have never went in, in the first place.
~ Chris Moran (37:40)
The conversation explores the journey of transitioning from urban life and personal training to farming and manual labor. It highlights how engaging with nature and physical tasks provides fulfillment beyond traditional fitness routines. The discussion touches on the serendipitous path that led to farming, the connections made along the way, and how these experiences reshaped views on movement and training.
Key topics include the relationship between manual labor and physical movement, the philosophy of holistic farming practices like permaculture, and how immersive experiences can alter perspectives on wellness and pain. The dialogue also reflects on the challenges of chronic pain, the psychological factors contributing to it, and how shifting to a lifestyle focused on play and practical tasks helped alleviate it. The conversation closes by touching on filmmaking and community building as extensions of this holistic approach.
Takeaways
The role of serendipity — Unplanned encounters and connections can lead to life-changing career shifts.
Movement in manual labor — Engaging in physical work offers a different but equally fulfilling form of movement compared to traditional training.
Parkour as a mindset — Movement practices like Parkour shape broader approaches to life, even when not practiced formally.
Pain science insights — Understanding pain through a biopsychosocial model can alter how chronic pain is managed and perceived.
Permaculture and sustainability — Farming practices rooted in sustainability and regeneration foster holistic wellness.
Community around food — Building community through shared labor and food ties people to place and each other.
Teaching through play — Guiding adults and children in play-based movement fosters deeper engagement with physical activity.
Filmmaking as storytelling — Documenting farm life through film creates a lasting record and strengthens community bonds.
Resources
Cherry Valley Cooperative — The farm where the guest lives and works, practicing permaculture and holistic wellness.
Cherry Valley Films on YouTube — Monthly videos documenting farm life and seasonal changes.
Princeton Waldorf School — The school where the guest teaches movement and play-based classes.
The Watershed Institute — An environmental advocacy and education organization the guest collaborates with through filmmaking.
The Movement Creative — A Parkour and movement-based community and teaching platform in New York City.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Ok, here’s what’s wrong with the world (Pt. 2)
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I’m not sure that’s worth linking to. But it is the article that sparked the thought that became this post. So, hat-tip where hat-tip is due.
You’re probably familiar with the common definition of the word “doldrums”: A period of stagnation or slump, or a period of depression or unhappy listlessness. But the common definition comes from the actual doldrums, which is a place in the Atlantic Ocean, more generally referred to as the “Horse Latitudes.”
Here’s the thought I had: I’m in the doldrums.
I’m not in the internally-generated, mental state, that the common definition implies. I’m in a place in my life which is the doldrums.
Old-timey sailors discovered a huge area of the Atlantic Ocean where the winds and sea are unreliable. Once a few explorers got stuck there, “in the doldrums,” on sailing ships, they shared the knowledge with others. Everyone quickly learned to avoid the Horse Latitudes because that place made things difficult.
Long ago I developed the twin skills of self-awareness and self-assessment and set about a long—and ongoing!—journey of self-improvement. But these days, I seem to be stuck in my journey. Why? I’m in the doldrums. I’ve navigated myself to a place which makes things difficult.
Bonus: How did sailors of old get out of the doldrums? When faced with mass dehydration, (it doesn’t rain much in the doldrums,) they’d tie their huge sailing ships to their tiny row-boats, and take shifts towing the ship.
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The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function.
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I believe that everyone should write in public. Get a blog. Or use Squidoo or Tumblr or a microblogging site. Use an alias if you like. Turn off comments, certainly–you don’t need more criticism, you need more writing.
~ Seth Godin from, Talker’s block
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Thank you. …don’t mind if I do. Coming up on 8 years on this blog, and well over 2,000 posts. :)
Writing here has been useful on two fronts: First, when I do have to write something in some random context, le voila! …every day I suck less at writing. Second, writing clarifies my thinking. (My thinking needs a lot of clarifying.)
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But forget business for a minute. Stores are much bigger than that, they’re central to our human existence. The way we shape reality is through storytelling. If we can tell a story about it, that means it exists. And this explains our species’ unique capacity for metaphor…for that is how we turn abstract ideas into stories.
~ “Gaping Void” from, «https://www.gapingvoid.com/blog/2019/01/15/the-real-reason-why-storytelling-is-a-big-deal/»
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As I mentioned in the meta-interview of me for the Movers Mindset podcast, I love stories and story-telling. But helping others tell their stories is what I enjoy most about the interviews. Everyone is so incredibly different—yes, I too thought that was obvious before I started interviewing people. ;) Some people, I have nothing more to do then press the ‘record’ button. Some people, have something they need to say but it takes hours of conversation to figure that out before I can press ‘record’.
I’ll be candid: The podcast is incredibly painful to create. Until you’ve tried it—I urge you to never try it, by the way—you cannot understand how much time, effort, and money it takes to do it well … did I mention the time? Worse, the more I work on the craft of story-telling, interviewing, and the countless nuances of producing a show. Bottomless, hopeless, endless, thankless, merciless.
But then I randomly listen to an episode from the catalog, one from a while ago that I’ve sort of half-forgotten and I remember why it would be inconceivable to stop this early in the journey.
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The power going out in my apartment was refreshing for that few moments only because I knew it was coming back. There was never any question about that. It’s incredible, the confidence I have in the power coming back on. I have more confidence in the power coming back on than I do in my promise to myself to go running three mornings a week.
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Wow, that truth stings.
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