Scree – Page 142 – Craig Constantine

Presence with Tania Del Rio →

Published September 23, 2021 · All posts on Sep 23

How do personal experiences, mindfulness, and language intersect in creating meaningful storytelling and connection through creative projects?

Discovering awe in everyday life transforms ordinary walks into memorable narratives.

I look for moments that are going to make me feel something and I pay attention. So I bring the senses fully— like I’m listening, I’m observing, I’m feeling the temperature of the air. Whatever it is. And then there’s always a moment that I then capture and I write about it.
~ Tania Del Rio (1:43)

The conversation explores how mindfulness and sensory experiences inspire creativity, particularly through the creation of audio stories based on outdoor observations. The process involves engaging deeply with the environment, capturing moments of awe, and translating them into concise, impactful narratives. This practice has not only enhanced the creator’s appreciation of Paris but also fostered a unique way to connect with others.

Language also plays a pivotal role, influencing the pace and nature of creative expression. Discussing the challenges and rewards of teaching and creating in multiple languages highlights how language affects cognition and communication. The conversation reflects on the value of practice and patience in mastering new skills, whether it’s writing, recording, or engaging with a different culture.

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Bitter is better →

Published September 23, 2021 · All posts on Sep 23 · Conversation, On Writing

Remember that anything really worth doing is probably hard work, and will absolutely require you to do things you don’t currently do, which will feel uncomfortable for a while. This is a “hard truth” we must all face. If it was easy, everyone would already be doing it.
~ Shane Parrish from, At Some Point, You Have to Eat The Broccoli

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Somewhere along the way, I learned to like vegetables. I mean, really like vegetables. I know you think I said, “give me a lot of vegetables,” but what I actually said was, “give me all the vegetables.” Brussel Sprouts? Do you remember when they used to be bitter? …because, yes, they really did breed them differently in recent decades to be less bitter. Artichoke—not just the hearts, but the whole thing… yes, I know how to make them, and keep your hands out of the way when I eat them. But a good one is hard to find these days as they’ve been bred to be more “palatable.” Peppers, yes of all sorts. Tomatos, I ate them all. Beans, kale, spinach, turnips, cucumbers… steamed, raw, tossed as summer salad (aka, with EVO and red wine vinegar)… nom nom nom nom.

A little over a year ago, I settled on my personal mission: Creating better conversations to spread understanding and compassion. To make progress on that, I need to eat my vegetables. And—as discussed—I love me some vegetables. I’m currently, slowly working on adjusting my life to be focused on two things: Recording kewl conversations with people, and writing; writing about those kewl conversations. It’s not that I currently have responsibilities to eschew, but rather there are still too many off-focus things I do which I’m working to eliminate.

Fan-boy mode, on →

Published September 22, 2021 · All posts on Sep 22 · Books

Neither our economy nor the demands of a life well-lived dictate that everyone should aspire to be sitting alone at a desk in rural Narashino, crafting literature to the light of the rising sun. My growing concern, however, is that such real commitment to thought has become too rare.
~ Cal Newport from, Haruki Murakami and the Scarcity of Serious Thought – Cal Newport

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I’ve read every post on Newport’s blog. I have both Deep Work and So Good They Can’t Ignore You, and Digital Minimalism is in my “priority” subset of my wishlist of books. (Yes, I am aware that I have problems.) But I’ll out myself: I’ve not read either of the two Newport books that I already have, and see no point brining the third into the mix until I do. But whining about my privileged-problem of having too many books, isn’t my theme here. Rather, I want to think about why is it “that such real commitment to thought has become too rare.” Because I totally agree that such is so.

(That’s all. I’m thinking about it, and now so are you.)

Helpful →

Published September 21, 2021 · All posts on Sep 21

I often wish that I could just post a link with my scratch notes; if I did, this post would have been up two hours ago. But you come here to read full sentences, so it is the least I can provide. However, it is not that simple: while I am certainly not famous, I am lucky to have an audience. It is important for me to remember that I cannot write solely for myself, since other people might read it. No matter whether it is a longer article or just a quick link, I don’t want to further the spread of something that I believe to be false or unhelpful.
~ Nick Heer from, The Digital Garden – Pixel Envy

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For me, the purpose of writing for my blog is to help me clarify my thinking; It’s a big part of my ongoing process of reflection. That said, I’m well aware that others are reading, and whenever possible I would like what I write to also be helpful to my readers. At the very least, I’d like it to not be unhelpful.

I’m pragmatic. I’ve had that hurled at me as a criticism on more than one occasion. But—hey, pragmatism—it’s important to understand why someone is being pragmatic. I’m pragmatic because I want to be understood, and I want to understand others. That’s as opposed to being pragmatic as a defensive maneuver. To be fair—look, more pragmatism—I enjoy deploying pragmatism for humor, but I’d like to think it’s self-evident when I do so.

Take for example the common adage, “You get what you pay for.” It’s understood that it’s not literally true in all cases; one can get swindled by an unscrupulous seller, but that’s not the point of the adage. The point, obviously, is that if you’re a cheap-skate and try to save too much, you end up getting crap. The pragmatist in me loves to point out that we can fix that adage so that it is literally true always, and makes clear the point. A more convoluted grammar serves better, “You don’t get what you don’t pay for.”

That’s my go-to explanation for pragmatism. Which of those versions is better? The first has simplicity and clarity, but it buries the lead and requires actual thought to get at the kernel of wisdom. The second puts the wisdom on the surface; but it’s a convoluted double-negative that makes one sound like a grammarian.

…at which point whomever I’m discussing pragmatism with is starting into the deep end of the thinking pool, and I point out: Bingo. The specific answer in this discussion doesn’t matter. You’ve now been, at least briefly in this dicussion, a pragmatist. Don’t we now understand each other better?

Sharing with Susanne Mueller →

Published September 20, 2021 · All posts on Sep 20

How does podcasting serve as a platform to connect deeply with people and uncover their unique stories?

Unearthing extraordinary personal tales through the lens of community and endurance.

She does 10 Ironman [races] in ten days, a little crazy… and I said to her: Look some people go to work from 9 to 5. You’re basically doing an Ironman from 9 to 5. And she’s like: Yeah, you get it.
~ Susanne Mueller (17:28)

The conversation explores the intersection of running and podcasting as ways to connect with people and share compelling stories. It begins by examining how shared activities like running foster community, especially during challenging times. Susanne highlights how training in groups and braving harsh conditions cultivates bonds that transcend the sport itself. This shared resilience is paralleled in podcasting, where personal stories are unearthed, often revealing unexpected insights about people’s lives and journeys.

The discussion also emphasizes the role of storytelling in podcasting, focusing on how unique questions can draw out previously untold stories. Susanne shares anecdotes about interviewing runners and other guests, noting that people often reveal personal details not usually shared in formal or public settings. The power of podcasting lies in its ability to humanize individuals, even those perceived as highly accomplished, and to create moments of genuine connection and surprise.

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Connections between it all →

Published September 19, 2021 · All posts on Sep 19

Digital gardening is the work we do to make an organic mess less messy and more useful. It’s certainly not a new idea but I think it’s something that is becoming a major problem for may digital spelunkers. We’ve never had a greater variety of information inboxes and it has never been easier to capture new information into these boxes. The problem now is with recalling the information and making connections between it all.
~ Gabriel Weatherhead from, On Digital Gardening, Blogs, and Knowledge

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Weatherhead goes on to list several specific problems, but not much in the way of solutions. And that’s perfectly fine; Having a clearly defined problem, (or two, or three,) demonstrates a lot of thinking and a lot of hard work has been done in search of a solution. We even have an adage for that: A problem well-defined is half-solved. He mentions in passing that a lot of his bookmarking, (saving, marking for later reading, staring, adding to lists, etc.,) is done as an aspiration. Becoming aware of this was a key turning point for me.

At some point, someone will carry the last of my worldly possessions… and deposit them in a dumpster. At some point, all of my digital files will be given a shrug and summarily deleted. I currently aspire to stop collecting things “for later” and instead use, read, compose, share, create and inspire now.

House keeping →

Published September 17, 2021 · All posts on Sep 17

A shout-out to Alice who joins us this week. Welcome! :)

The front of my blog includes a random selection of testimonial quotes from readers of this email. It would be helpful if you’d hit reply and write something I could add to those testimonials.

Also, I’ve made a small addition to also show the tags for each of these items. After 10 years and 3,000+ posts, all my tagging along the way has proved well worth the time. If you’re curious, I have two pages for tags; One is an insane “all the tags” page, (there are 1,326 unique tags on my blog,) and the other is a more useful page of “tags with 10+ posts.The latter runs to about 100 tags and is an insightful glimpse into the sorts of things which interest me.

Instincts with Alexandra DiPalma →

Published September 16, 2021 · All posts on Sep 16

What inspires and sustains someone working behind the scenes in podcast production?

This conversation uncovers the struggles and joys of producing creative podcasts with purpose.

The team that I’m working with needs to be cool and needs to be on the same vibe as me, you know? It’s just not worth it to me, at this point, to be forcing myself into a box to work on a certain team.
~ Alexandra DiPalma (3:31)

This conversation explores the personal and professional challenges of working in podcast production. Topics include maintaining inspiration despite the workload, the importance of selecting projects that align with personal values, and the satisfaction of empowering underrepresented voices in the podcasting industry. Insights are shared about prioritizing teamwork and avoiding projects that lack alignment with one’s instincts or mission.

The discussion also touches on collaboration, emphasizing the value of working with peers at similar levels of experience. Alex reflects on how her perspective has shifted over the years, balancing passion with pragmatism, and remaining open to meaningful projects that may not offer immediate financial rewards. The metaphor of an upward spiral is used to illustrate growth and self-awareness, reinforcing themes of connection and the power of thoughtful framing.

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Connection with Fred Martin Gutierrez →

Published September 16, 2021 · All posts on Sep 16

What is the unique power of sound as a medium to connect with others and foster understanding?

The essence of podcasting lies in its ability to preserve authenticity and humanity.

I’ve gone through a career as an architect and as a builder, and acoustics are often overlooked […] I always have this dream of building the perfect bar, or the perfect restaurant, because I think the acoustics in those spaces are more important than anything else. That ability to be with somebody, but be in public, and acoustics can influence that dramatically— or make it a horrible experience.
~ Fred Martin Gutierrez (17:16)

The conversation begins with reflections on the unique emotional resonance of sound, emphasizing how podcasting enables connection through its focus on auditory experience. Sound’s unedited authenticity, as seen in music and live conversations, is contrasted with the more curated nature of other mediums. The importance of pauses and space in fostering deeper thought and connection is highlighted, both in podcasting and in writing.

The discussion transitions into technical aspects, such as the role of acoustics in spaces like bars and restaurants, where it can enhance or detract from experiences. The conversation also touches on podcasting as a tool for self-discovery and reflection, particularly during midlife, revealing how it offers an avenue for learning and personal growth. Finally, the talk explores the human connection fostered by shared experiences, whether through podcasts, music, or even reaction videos.

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And sometimes panic sets in →

Published September 16, 2021 · All posts on Sep 16 · Books

Inspired by a reader’s question to me, I thought I’d ask our followers on Facebook and Twitter for an answer to the question: What books would you recommend someone read to improve their general knowledge of the world.
I must say the number and quality of the responses overwhelmed me. The box Amazon just delivered reminds me that I ordered 9 books off this list.
~ Shane Parrish, from What Books Would You Recommend Someone Read to Improve their General Knowledge of the World?

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I know there are too many books—old books, new books, red books, blue books … A friend of mine just published a book, Before You Say Anything, and Jiminy Cricket I’d love to read it— I hovered on the add-to-cart button. But I paused, managing to trigger my habit-change “wedge” of repeating: “simplfiy. simplify. simplify.” I digress.

I skimmed that list of books from Parrish and felt I should probably read every one of them. Instead—simplify. simplify. simplify.—I noted I’ve read several, have several more already in my possession, and several others on the wishlist. With a life-is-short shrug, I’m passing it along to you and moving on with my morning.