Scree

noun : an accumulation of loose stones or rocky debris lying on a slope or at the base of a hill or cliff.

Why and how →

Published September 8, 2021  ·  All posts on Sep 8

Your ideas are worth less than you think—it’s all about how you execute upon them.

~ Chris Bailey from, Your ideas aren’t that unique – Chris Bailey

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The pull-quote says it all. I recently had a pleasant conversation, wherein the idea of the “why” and the “how” came up. Thanks to Simon Sinek, we all know to, “start with why,” (that is to say, start with the idea.) The idea is important, but it’s literally worthless without the execution. Because anything, multiplied by zero, is zero.

To my 20-something-year-old’s surprise, knowing Al Gebra turned out to actually be useful. Take, for example, evaluating some idea and its execution: The total value could be calculated by multiplying the value of the idea by the value of the execution. (Note my use of, “could be.”) Great ideas are represented by a large, positive value, and terrible ideas by a large, negative value; Similarly for the execution. Great idea multiplied by great execution? Huge total value.

This simple model also shows me how I regularly ruin my life: Terrible idea, (represented by a negative value,) with great execution… Or, great idea, with terrible execution, (represented by a negative value,)… either leads to a large negative total. Interestingly, the slightest negativity—in either of those cases—amplifies the magnitude of the other parameter’s greatness.

This leads to an algebra of idea-and-execution. If you’re going to half-ass the execution, (a negative value,) or you’re concerned that you cannot execute well, it’s better to do so with a “small” idea. Only if you’re sure you can do the execution passably well, (“positive”,) should you try a really great idea. If you work through the logic with the roles flipped, the same feels true. This leads to a question that can be used in the fuzzy, real world: Is this pairing of idea and execution in alignment? Am I pairing the risk of negative-execution align with a “small” idea, or pairing the risk of a bad idea with “small” execution. That to me is a very interesting “soft” analysis tool, which falls surprising out of some very simple algebra.

What I’m not sure about though is what to do with the double-negative scenarios. (Which I’ll leave as an exercise for you, Dear Reader.) Perhaps, I should be using a quadratic equation?

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Just another day →

Published September 7, 2021  ·  All posts on Sep 7

18,263. Thanks Mom!

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PS: Also, great song.

Efficacy →

Published September 6, 2021  ·  All posts on Sep 6  ·  

When you think that one of your ideas is a billion dollar one, remember the S-logo. Your idea is probably not as unique as you think it is. After a game-chasing [sic] insight strikes you, focus on how well you can execute upon that idea instead.

~ Chris Bailey from, Your ideas aren’t that unique – Chris Bailey

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I agree and I will go farther: An idea alone is worthless. It becomes increasingly valuable only if one thinks through the second-order, (and third and so on,) effects. Only when one thinks about how the idea connects to everything else one knows. Only when the idea has been connected to, and tested against, reality.

A good idea has some real, objective—others see the effect too and their observations agree—effect in the world. That part is trivially easy; “I think moving this chair is a good idea!” and then move the chair. But to be a good idea, it must also create value which can be traded, (in the most general sense,) with others. Moving the chair out of someone’s way is a good idea. Moving it to make them trip is not.

I can easily become trapped in my own thoughts. So many ideas! So many possibilities! But instead of ruminating in a whirlwind of worthless ideas, if I pick one, think it through, and then stand up to go make it happen— Magic. Efficacy for the win.

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When do you stop? →

Published September 5, 2021  ·  All posts on Sep 5  ·  

I’m away at a parkour event this weekend, lots of walking and playing and jumping. One session was a discussion of fear, and of consequences. And one particular question for discussion was, “When do you stop?” People raised lots of ideas—good ideas, wise ideas… lots of things I was in agreement about.

But I was also thinking, “Wait. Why do I have to decide that?”

I know I’ve certainly faced decisions about stopping. Work, play, relationships, sports, parkour practices (ask me about the time I climbed across a train station outside of Paris,) … yes, deciding if, when and why to stop is an obvious question.

If I think about two paths—perhaps diverging in the woods, if you like that imagery—an hour’s hike along the path of one choice, I might decide I’m going the wrong way. There’s one of those when-to-stop decisions. But the mistake was an hour before, where the paths diverged.

This business venture: what if I had truly been committed, and had planned clearly the way we’d know when to stop? The question is gone. This relationship: could it be planned, or could two people be so honest, that the question doesn’t appear? This parkour jump, at the end of an exhausting day of training: why am I standing here, right now? If I’d planned better, could I have gotten all the same benefit, but a few minutes before right-now, I’d have moved to something else?

Might it be possible to still have challenge, commitment, growth, love, spontaneity, and humor… without ever having to decide, “should I stop this now?”

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Last vestiges →

Published September 4, 2021  ·  All posts on Sep 4  ·  

It can be hard to say no. It means refusing someone, and often it means denying yourself instant gratification. The rewards of doing this are uncertain and less tangible. I call decisions like this “first-order negative, second-order positive.” Most people don’t take the time to think through the second-order effects of their choices. If they did, they’d realize that freedom comes from the ability to say no.

~ Shane Parrish from, Break the Chain: Stop Being a Slave

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I think the “slavery” [to things, to money, to “more”] metaphor is inappropriate, but philosophers from Epictetus and earlier have been using it, so it’s entrenched. “Freedom” is mentioned in the pull-quote, and the metaphor also appears in the article. None the less, it connects a few different ideas together and gives good guidance if you’re new to the ideas. (Or if you could use a wee refresher.)

For me, the last vestiges of the yearning—as Wu Hsin put it—is the yearning for experiences. I am quite often restless. I often joke: “I do not idle well.” In my series on parkour-travel I even mentioned the idea of, when spare time exists, move towards the next scheduled-thing, and kill time there. I believe this yearning springs from my bias to action. As a counter-practice, I like to pause—often seemingly randomly—to remind myself: If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.

That phrase can get tossed around lightly, but there’s deep wisdom in it. Once I understand that this is in fact nice, right now, then when I realize that I wasn’t—just then, in the moment—feeling how nice it is… then the second part of the phrase has power: I don’t know what is. Put another way:

If I know what is nice, then this is.

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The end is nigh →

Published September 3, 2021  ·  All posts on Sep 3  ·  

There is only the thinnest veneer separating our society from chaos. Some cell towers have enough fuel for 8 hours of service if the power goes out. Many do not. And that crazy driver? …one pothole separates us all from a cascade crash. It rained 6 inches. The next day I passed 100 broken down, abandoned, cars along the highways. At one point I slowed to a crawl, on an interstate, and slowly drove around three cars, abandoned in the highway… no cops, no people, no tow trucks, just cars lying randomly in what must have been flooded. I passed miles and miles of traffic jams… the kind where people stuck in traffic run out of gas and the jams get complicated to clear. New York City simply closed… all non-emergency travel forbidden. The next day, no trains were running into the city.

Meanwhile, the drivers were their usual rude and rushing selves.

All the world is but a stage…

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Getting control of mornings →

Published September 2, 2021  ·  All posts on Sep 2  ·  

Staring this month, I’m making another large change to how I’m structuring my mornings. For as long as I can remember I’ve woken up about 5:30. There’s variability, but it’s a rare morning if I’m not actually awake, vertical and puttering towards my desk by 6:00. Unfortunately, for what might be two years now, what I’ve been doing upon reaching my desk has been an every-morning battle between my intention, and what I had actually set myself up for.

My intention was: Do self-focusing, restorative things. Meditate, some movement [yoga, mobility, etc.], maybe a quiet podcast, then do my reflection reading, and write in my journal. Then “surface, ” which means waking up a computer and checking in on a variety of places—multiple email programs, web sites, etc., to get a pulse for what today looks like. Checking the calendar to verify appointments, calls, etc.. And then, at 6:30 exactly, Tracy and I would have a quick morning meeting to compare our days. We’d discuss the day’s activities, meals, chores, our respective meetings, etc.. Each morning I make up a very crude, quick listing of things for the day, in a very small notebook that I carry around. But what actually happened was that, because I use a program to track everything, and I need to look some stuff up to fill out my little notebook to start my day, I’d end up starting by just peeking into one or two things… and bam! It’s 6:30 meeting time. Dammit.

I’ve come to the conclusion that I must begin the morning without any devices. (Pretty sure that’s safe to do without checking with my doctor, since it was fine for the first 25 years of my life, right?)

Have our evening meeting, figure out the basic layout of tomorrow, and jot my notes in my little notebook. In the morning, get up, gather my coffee, and start my day with the little notebook. No phone for podcasts, nor music… just me and my notebook. We shall see.

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Vulnerability with Rien MacDonald →

Published September 1, 2021  ·  All posts on Sep 1

How does creating a podcast foster meaningful connections and personal growth for both the host and the guests?

A shared journey through vulnerability reveals how podcasting fosters authentic human interaction.

It’s so important to share, and I wouldn’t assert that it’s what you have to do in order to receive— but it almost is, right? You have to give in order to receive.

~ Rien MacDonald (7:14)

The conversation revolves around the transformative power of podcasting as a medium for deepening communication and fostering authentic connections. Rien reflects on how podcasting has sharpened his listening skills and provided a platform to explore and share stories. A poignant example is his mother’s revelation of a deeply personal family secret during an interview, highlighting how vulnerability can unlock moments of unexpected emotional resonance.

Another significant topic is the balance of power in podcasting. While the host controls the technical aspects, genuine collaboration and openness foster trust and enable guests to express themselves fully. Rien also discusses their journey from meticulous editing to embracing the rawness of conversations, emphasizing the importance of shared human experiences.

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Storycraft with Brigitte Cutshall →

Published September 1, 2021  ·  All posts on Sep 1

What role does storytelling play in learning, personal growth, and connecting with others through different mediums?

The intersection of storytelling and resilience uncovers transformative approaches to learning and sharing.

I have an older brother […] I was always trying to get his attention so I would write stories. He was into sports, so I would write a story about some football game which— I didn’t give a crap about football, but I would write a story for him about how the game went and I would tape it to his door.

~ Brigitte Cutshall (2:16)

The discussion centers around storytelling and its diverse applications in personal and professional growth. It explores how stories, whether in books, podcasts, or films, enable individuals to connect, empathize, and learn from each other’s experiences. Brigitte reflects on her journey of adapting storytelling methods across mediums, sharing how they’ve embraced podcasting despite initial reservations about recording their voice. She highlights the differences between written and spoken storytelling and how both formats have unique challenges and opportunities.

The conversation also goes into the role of storytelling in marketing and branding, emphasizing its power to build trust and convey authentic messages. Brigitte shares insights from creating a short film during the pandemic, which exemplifies how collaboration and creativity can overcome constraints. The underlying theme is resilience and positivity, showcasing how storytelling helps navigate challenges and connect meaningfully with others.

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Magic with Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett →

Published September 1, 2021  ·  All posts on Sep 1

How can podcasting create meaningful connections and make learning engaging and accessible?

Teaching Mandarin becomes a magical journey of exploration and discovery through storytelling.

The listeners can hear your mood and how you present it, just from your voice. So if you talk with a smile, I think they can really feel that.

~ Amanda Hsiung-Blogett (12:51)

The conversation explores the transformative potential of podcasting as a tool for teaching, storytelling, and connecting with diverse audiences. Amanda reflects on her experience of blending bilingual education with creativity, emphasizing that podcasting allows her to reach listeners in unexpected and magical ways. She shares anecdotes about feedback from listeners, like students and families, who find joy in the accessible format of her lessons. A recurring theme is the element of surprise in what resonates with audiences, from discussing everyday topics like ice cream to creating a book that evolved organically from her podcast work.

The dialogue also touches on Amanda’s journey in podcasting, the challenges of maintaining engagement without immediate feedback, and the importance of conveying emotion and intent through voice. She discusses her goal of making Mandarin language learning approachable and fun, aiming to challenge preconceived notions about its difficulty. Practical tips for podcasters include presenting with a positive tone and leveraging storytelling to create immersive experiences for listeners.

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