Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another: “What? You too? I thought I was the only one.”
~ C.S. Lewis
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Friendship →
This is click bait →
German Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) influenced some of the more prominent minds in the world. His writings and lessons traverse time and discipline. Schopenhauer confronted similar problems with media to the ones we face.
~ Shane Parrish from, Master Your Attention: Schopenhauer’s Strategy Against Clickbait
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The scale of Philosophy—just “western” Philosophy alone, even—is mind boggling. Who thought what, at which point in their career. Who influenced whom. Who’s work is now considered bunk, and which is bunk but still necessary to understand some other piece. What is in which language, and then which translation of that should one choose. If so-and-so had an influence on other-person, in what way? …did they build upon, tear down and correct, or push farther the influencer’s work?
At one point, I had deluded myself into attempting a systematic survey of Philosophy. ahahhahaahhaahahhaahahahahahhahaaa. Silly human.
But this small-ish article from Parrish led me to actually wonder about some of Schopenhauer’s essays. And I’ve ended up with an English translation of his On Reading and Books now sitting on my read-next table.
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Hard choices →
Hard choices, easy life. Easy choices, hard life. Hard choices means never retiring, because the brain has to be engaged in finding new solutions in the moment, not just remembering old formulas. Hard choices makes us wiser, smarter, stronger, and wealthier, and easy choices reverse our progress, focusing our energies on comfort or entertainment. In every difficult moment ask yourself, “What is a hard choice, and what is an easy choice?” and you will know instantly what is right.
~ Jerzy Gregorek
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Grunt work →
It’s important to take time to think about what we’re reading and not merely assume the thoughts of the author. We need to digest, synthesize, and organize the thoughts of others if we are to understand. This is the grunt work of thinking. It’s how we acquire wisdom.
~ Shane Parrish from, A Meditation on Reading
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That’s a tiny taste from a delightful and sublime collection of thoughts on reading and books. Which will serve perfectly as an on-ramp to Schopenhauer’s actual essay, On Reading and Books. Which, furthermore, is even linked as a modern PDF from that same page. Wonders never cease.
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A little less arrogant →
The point here is that I think this is one part of what teaching me how to think is really supposed to mean. To be just a little less arrogant. To have just a little critical awareness about myself and my certainties. Because a huge percentage of the stuff that I tend to be automatically certain of is, it turns out, totally wrong and deluded.
~ David Foster Wallace
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The game →
If you must play, decide on three things at the start: The rules of the game, the stakes, and the quitting time.
~ Chinese proverb
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Deluded →
The point here is that I think this is one part of what teaching me how to think is really supposed to mean. To be just a little less arrogant. To have just a little critical awareness about myself and my certainties. Because a huge percentage of the stuff that I tend to be automatically certain of is, it turns out, totally wrong and deluded.
~ David Foster Wallace
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As usual, therein lies a collection of thoughts nicely arranged into a constellation. I sometimes repeat the phrase, “assume positive intent,” to myself and to others as a caution against defaulting without thinking. It seems a base part of our nature—although the ancient benefits seem obvious it’s still only anecdotal evidence—that I default to defense. “Dead last” seems aptly named from the historical perspective, and “first” feels like we’re missing a catchy adjective. (“first fatality” maybe?) What might be called “herd middle” simply feels like the right choice most often. But that’s still defensive; Don’t stand out means blend in means wait and see means be cautious means they’re out to get me.
Boundaries? Yes, please. Rights and safety? Yes, and yes. But if the vast majority of us are really just like me… how great would it be if we assumed positive intent? …or, well, maybe we could do that at least half the time?
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Intentionality with Olof Wood →
What unique insights and challenges arise from participating in World Chase Tag and how do they intersect with the broader culture and practices of parkour?
This discussion explores the tension between preserving authenticity and adapting for mainstream appeal in parkour competitions.
Being playful, goofing around, is part of keeping your head in the game. And if you lose that playfulness, that’s when I get really worried that I won’t be able to perform.
~ Olof Wood (15:20)
The conversation examines World Chase Tag as a competitive extension of parkour, highlighting its demands on reflexes and decision-making. The interplay of flow states and logical strategies is emphasized as central to mastering the sport. Its unique blend of simplicity and complexity offers accessibility to audiences and athletes while retaining its competitive edge.
Discussions also touch upon social media’s influence on parkour practitioners. By choosing to disengage from traditional platforms, Olof reflects on authenticity and how parkour communities could benefit from self-owned platforms. The broader implications for personal evolution within parkour are also explored, with insights into adapting practices to life’s changing demands.
Being alive →
People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive.
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The purchase of books →
It would be a good thing to buy books if one could also buy the time to read them; But one usually confuses the purchase of books with the acquisition of their contents.
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