One can never read too little of bad, or too much of good books: bad books are intellectual poison; they destroy the mind. In order to read what is good one must make it a condition never to read what is bad; for life is short, and both time and strength limited.
~ Arthur Schopenhauer
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Here is what we seem to have forgotten: America is not some finished work or failed project but an ongoing experiment. And it is an experiment that, by design, will never end. If parts of the machine are broken, then the responsibility of citizens is to fix the machine—not throw it away.
~ James Mattis from, The Enemy Within
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I’ll just drop that there.
…and I’ll go on to add that it’s interesting how, through loops and curly-Q’s, I often find myself at the same place. There’s a copy of The American Idea: The Best of The Atlantic Monthly in my currently-reading stack.
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To act on whatever our intentions might be to make the world better requires something more than individual action It requires, in almost every case, people who may have little connection with each other, or who may even be on opposite sides of a question, to decide to come together for some common good.
~ Peter Block
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Embracing a growth mindset means to get pleasure out of changing for the better (inward rewarding) instead of getting pleasure in being praised (outward rewarding.) […] to seek as many opportunities to learn as possible is the most reliable long-term growth strategy.
~ Sönke Ahrens from, How to Take Smart Notes
Ahrens of course discusses, and gives credit where credit is due, to Carol Dweck’s ideas. (See Dweck’s, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.) Her comment about “reliable long-term growth strategy” struck me as insightful. Her use of, “most reliable,” is an understatement. What other strategy would even be reliable?
If I want to grow, I need to learn. If I want to learn, I need to maximize those opportunities.
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When you start to see your world as something more in line as a tool and an obstacle to interact with, play with, you’re going to take that lesson and look at other obstacles in your life. Your relationships, your job, your work, your health even. All these things are going to be so strongly ultimately affected by this tiny little change of yourself and your city.
~ Caitlin Pontrella
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By definition LC is about dietary carbohydrate restriction. If you are reducing carbohydrates, your proportional intake of protein or fat, or both, will go up. While I don’t think there is anything wrong with a high fat diet, it seems to me that the true advantage of LC may be in how protein is allocated, which appears to contribute to a better body composition.
~ Ned Kock from, Dietary protein does not become body fat if you are on a low carbohydrate diet
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Zoinks! This short article is dense. I read each paragraph. Then slowly reread the paragraph, squinting slightly and turning each sentence over in my mind. It feels like there’s at least one actionable-item, (something to start doing, or something to stop doing,) in every paragraph. I’ve spent a lot of time in recent years trying to learn what I can about all the things in this article. It’s a beautiful assembly that backs up the thesis in the first paragraph, (which is quoted entirely above.)
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Wherever your life ends, it is all there. The utility of living consists not in the length of days, but in the use of time; a man may have lived long, and yet lived but a little. Make use of time while it is present with you. It depends upon your will, and not upon the number of days, to have a sufficient length of life.
~ Michel de Montaigne
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This is where the spacing effect comes in. It’s a wildly useful phenomenon: we are better able to recall information and concepts if we learn them in multiple, spread-out sessions. We can leverage this effect by using spaced repetition to slowly learn almost anything.
~ Shane Parrish from, The Spacing Effect
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It’s funny how ideas percolate in the brain. This article and another one, (back on the 29th, which is further down in this weekly email,) passed through my radar within a couple of weeks. (I can tell because my general digital reading pile is a FIFO queue.) They were read a few times, but again in relative closeness in time. And they both ended up making the cut to be blog posts.
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How can podcasting serve as a platform for self-expression and meaningful connections while addressing challenges like monetization and content creation?
Behind every podcast lies a blend of creative passion and logistical hurdles.
If I can watch somebody else’s process of finding their way then that can help me in mine as well.
~ Gaelen Poage (4:49)
The conversation explores the evolution of podcasting as a medium for self-expression and connection. Discussions center on the shift from traditional written content to spoken storytelling and how podcasting allows individuals to explore their thought processes in real time. Gaelen emphasizes the value of sharing raw, unpolished processes, enabling listeners to find inspiration and clarity in their own journeys. This dynamic format contrasts with polished, scripted content, highlighting the richness of podcasting as an art form.
Challenges like monetization and the logistics of podcast production are also addressed. The difficulty of sustaining a podcast financially without compromising creative integrity is a recurring theme. Gaelen discusses using podcasting as a tool to complement other ventures, such as coaching or community-building, rather than a primary source of income. This multifaceted approach underscores the balance between passion for content creation and practical necessities.
Takeaways
Navigating self-expression through podcasting — Sharing unfiltered processes can inspire and guide others.
Building connections through storytelling — Podcasting allows creators to foster relationships with audiences.
Monetization challenges in podcasting — Finding ways to financially sustain podcasts without compromising authenticity.
The role of podcasting in personal development — Using the medium to process and refine ideas.
Balancing artistry and practicality — Managing the technical and logistical aspects of podcast production.
Podcasting as a complementary tool — Leveraging podcasts to enhance other professional or personal ventures.
Resources
Not Lost in the Crowd — Gaelen’s podcast focused on helping people find their voice and audience.
Descript — A transcription and editing tool mentioned as a way to streamline podcast production.
Make Noise — Eric Nuzum’s book provides a framework for developing concise descriptions for podcasts.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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How do personal experiences and challenges shape an individual’s approach to movement practices and training?
Exploring the intersection of circus arts, Parkour, and fear-facing techniques reveals unique approaches to movement.
I feel [my rail work] is like somewhere— I think, a middle ground because it connects both what I used to do in the air, and what I do on the floor.
~ AnnSofie Svensson (1:44)
The conversation explores the interplay between different movement disciplines, highlighting how unique environments and personal experiences influence training approaches. Topics include adapting Parkour to locations with limited infrastructure, integrating circus arts with traditional movement practices, and balancing personal challenges like fear and overcommitment.
A strong focus is placed on the social versus individual aspects of training. While some movement is shared socially, other practices stem from isolation, driven by a lack of community or environmental factors. The discussion also touches on broader themes, such as facing fears, redefining consistency, and finding humor in challenges. AnnSofie shares insights into building movement opportunities in remote areas and reflects on the intersection of personal growth and physical exploration.
Takeaways
Facing fears — Overcoming personal barriers shapes both physical and mental aspects of training.
Adapting environments — Movement practices change based on available resources and architecture.
Consistency challenges — Staying committed to one discipline is difficult amid diverse interests.
Social versus solo training — Social interactions bring energy, but solo training often dominates.
Balancing disciplines — Integrating multiple movement forms requires thoughtful prioritization.
Risk and injury — Excitement can lead to injury, emphasizing the need for restraint and awareness.
Creativity in isolation — Building training spaces in remote areas fosters unique approaches.
Movement as storytelling — Sharing practices always involves filtering and storytelling elements.
Winter constraints — Weather significantly impacts training possibilities and discipline focus.
Resources
The Man from Earth (2007) — A thought-provoking science fiction film about a professor’s mysterious past.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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