Sedantarism →

Published August 24, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 24

Right now, “sedentary culture” is part of the broader, overarching culture, but subcultures—including our individual culture—can also be sedentary. These sedentary subcultures end up reinforcing the overarching culture, so what can we do? I’m (obviously) interested in working on sedentarism at the broadest cultural level, but I recognize that the most immediate benefits can be found by changing our personal culture. I’ve made working on sedentarism at this level part of my work as well.

~ Katy Bowman from, «https://www.nutritiousmovement.com/changing-a-sedentary-culture/»

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Overall, the amount of activity [for Americans] has gone up slightly since the 1970s. The big issue is that our diet is killing us. Becoming more active alone isn’t enough—and Bowman’s take is nuanced, I’m not disagreeing with her article. But the first-order thing is diet. (I don’t mean “restriction” or “reduction” per se, I mean what specifically are you eating? That, “diet.”) That said, “eat better stuff” and “move around” is the prescription.

I’m reminded of, that room we all euphemistically call a living room: Would I call it my sedentary entertainment room, if I were honest? I realized that I should call it that, and so I rearranged the entire room, and got rid of the dedicated “tv” device. I still consume entertainment, but now it’s just one thing I can do in that room, rather than what the room is designed to be used for. We’ve done this, and continue to redo this occassionally, for every space inside and outside our home. For example: We don’t have a “second bedroom” nor “guest room”; We have [what we call] the “middle room”… and it’s got foam mats on the floor and random exercise, self-care, movement stuff… a finger-board over the door, a full-length mirror, a pull-up bar bolted into the ceiling, a chalk-board wall for tracking and notes… space for books. And the room also has a folding frame, air mattress, and bedding for the extremely rare guests who visit.

Frankly, there isn’t much in the way of “sedentary” left that I can trim out of my life. The vast majority of what I do is mental work. So I’m reading, writing and computing a lot. What’s left for me is to develop a healthy relationship to food. I get mental—over think, extreme thinking, stuck in my head… that sort of thing—and the way I’ve learned is the easiest escape is to run to entertainment. And to eat while being entertained. But, I’ve only learned that as being the easiest. There are a number of other things that also work to “fix” my thinking: Reading, writing, and physical activity can all work too. The hard part is changing my learned behavior. For me, it’s a matter of crafting my environment to encourage me to do things other than seek entertainment. (Learning to not mentally stress myself out would be even better, and I’m working on that too.)

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Mindset with Elizabeth Cunningham →

Published August 23, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 23

How can someone with no technical expertise successfully create and sustain a podcast while navigating challenges and leveraging teamwork?

Hear the story of a podcast journey that started with a simple Facebook post and evolved into a partnership with a professional network.

What is your why? […] because I’m doing this because I want to talk about the taboo things around relationships and sex and love and [simply because] I want to? That’s my message and that’s why I want to make a normal conversation.

~ Elizabeth Cunningham (21:37)

The conversation explores how Elizabeth navigates the world of podcasting without a technical background. She shares her experiences of starting with zero tech knowledge and seeking help from friends and professionals along the way. Through simple actions like posting on Facebook and asking for guidance, she built a podcast with over 60 episodes, proving that technical expertise is not a prerequisite for success. The discussion highlights the importance of focusing on the message and reaching out for support when needed.

Another key theme is the significance of taking action despite uncertainty. Elizabeth reflects on how her regrets were always tied to inaction, while her successes stemmed from simply trying, even when the outcome was unclear. The conversation also touches on the benefits of forming a team and the synergy that arises when working collaboratively, as well as the value of starting small, mastering one thing, and building from there. These lessons apply not just to podcasting but to any creative or professional endeavor.

Takeaways

Starting without technical expertise — Emphasizing that podcasting can begin with little or no tech skills by focusing on the basics and seeking help.

Value of action — Highlighting how taking action, even in uncertainty, leads to growth and learning.

Building a supportive network — Stressing the importance of reaching out to others and asking for help, especially when starting something new.

Team collaboration — Discussing how forming a team can create synergy and improve creative outcomes.

Adapting to challenges — Sharing examples of how challenges like COVID-19 were met with adaptability and new approaches.

Focusing on the “why” — Exploring the need to understand and align actions with a clear purpose or mission.

Starting small — Encouraging listeners to focus on mastering one platform or skill before expanding further.

Overcoming mindset blocks — Addressing how mindset issues can hinder progress and providing ways to move forward.

Resources

Elizabeth Cunningham @elzcunningham

Love Dripping From the Walls Podcast — Elizabeth’s podcast discussing love, sex, and relationships.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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The mid-point →

Published August 23, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 23  ·  ,

At the mid-point of the path through life, I found myself lost in a wood so dark, the way ahead was blotted out. The keening sound I still make shows how hard it is to say how harsh and bitter that place felt to me —

~ Dante

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Blame yourself →

Published August 23, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 23  ·  ,

Socrates knew how a rational soul is moved; that it is like a balance, and if a weight is thrown in the scale, it will incline whether you wish it or not. Show the rational governing faculty a contradiction, and it will renounce it; but if you fail to do so, blame yourself rather than the person whom you are unable to convince.

~ Epictetus

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When? →

Published August 23, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 23  ·  

Most of us are content to live in a world where time is simply what a clock reads. The interdisciplinary artist Alicia Eggert is not. Through co-opting clocks and forms of commercial signage (billboards, neon signs, inflatable nylon of the kind that animates the air dancers in the parking lots of auto dealerships), Eggert makes conceptual art that invites us to experience the dimensions of time through the language we use to talk about it.

~ Ahmed Kabil from, How Long is Now? – Long Now

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Thinking about the nature of time always feels like trying to find the other edge of the Mobius strip. At first, I’m mildly excited to be reminded of such a simple thing. It’s such an interesting thing to think about. I go around and around trying to grasp different time scales, and the entire expanse of time. But soon I realize that I’m really only thinking in circles. Is there a takeaway beyond, “being mindful is good”?

Or does simply performing the awareness of time and the circular thinking, somehow reset—or recenter, or realign?—my thinking? Reset my thinking in the same way that one resets the drum-brakes on your car, by backing-up and then braking firmly causes the drum brakes to adjust their grip on the brake cable.

Also, see other branching from when.

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That’s not what I had assumed →

Published August 22, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 22

Khan’s first powerful victories came from the reorganization of his military units, splitting his soldiers into groups of ten. This he stole from neighboring Turkic tribes, and unknowingly converted the Mongols to the decimal system. Soon enough, their expanding empire brought them into contact with another “technology” they’d never experienced before: walled cities. In the Tangut raids, Khan first learned the ins and outs of war against fortified cities and the strategies critical to laying siege, and quickly became an expert. Later, with help from Chinese engineers, he taught his soldiers how to build siege machines that could knock down city walls. In his campaigns against the Jurched, Khan learned the importance of winning hearts and minds. By working with the scholars and royal family of the lands he conquered, Khan was able to hold on to and manage these territories in ways that most empires could not. Afterward, in every country or city he held, Khan would call for the smartest astrologers, scribes, doctors, thinkers, and advisers—anyone who could aid his troops and their efforts. His troops traveled with interrogators and translators for precisely this purpose.

~ Shane Parrish from, Ego is the Enemy: The Legend of Genghis Khan

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My understanding had been that Khan was a slew of things—vicious, ruthless, indefatigable, insatiable—which I’m certain I’d picked up through osmosis from countless small direct portrayals and indirect mentions I encountered randomly. I try not to rely on entertainment to be educating, but I hadn’t looked into this larger-than-life historical figure, and had wound up ill-informed.

This piece from Shane Parrish goes on to talk about humility. I don’t think anyone would have used that word to describe Khan. But it does make sense! What would someone who is humble do? (Click through. Click through!) They’d be continuously learning and always open to new ideas. They’d be searching for people who can teach them things. Sure, Khan went a step or three further to burn, pillage, etc. But he also did that continuous-improvement thing.

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Success →

Published August 21, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 21  ·  

The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say no to almost everything.

~ Warren Buffett

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What’s the point? →

Published August 21, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 21

I think many people assume, wrongly, that a company exists simply to make money. While this is an important result of a company’s existence, we have to go deeper and find the real reasons for our being. As we investigate this, we inevitably come to the conclusion that a group of people get together and exist as an institution that we call a company so they are able to accomplish something collectively which they could not accomplish separately. They are able to do something worthwhile— they make a contribution to society (a phrase which sounds trite but is fundamental).

~ David Packard Jr. from, The HP Way: Dave Packard on How to Operate a Company

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“Important result,” as in: One way to measure value created is to use accounting, and money is a wonderfully well-understood thing with which to keep account. There are other ways to measure value creation, obviously. But even a not-for-profit company has to keep account of it’s balance; if its income doesn’t balance expense, eventually the creditors will cease extending their services. Everything—people, companies, communities—is somewhere on the spectrum from consumption thru creation, via accounting of value. The magic sauce is our minds. We each use our minds to create value, and we each find a vehicle for taking our ideas to fruition.

Anyway, that’s how I see it.

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Nuance with Emeric McCleary →

Published August 20, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 20

How can curiosity and nuanced listening enhance meaningful conversations, particularly in the context of podcasting?

A podcaster reveals how embracing curiosity and patience leads to unexpected and powerful storytelling.

The beauty of finding nuance is that it trains you to be a better listener, and it helps—at least it helps me—because I’m just infinitely curious. If you’re infinitely curious, you’re probably going to ask questions, or let people talk or give you more information, or again— looking for that gold nugget.

~ Emeric McCleary (5:04)

This conversation explores the value of nuanced listening and Emeric’s strategies for fostering meaningful conversations on his podcast. It begins with a discussion of the word “nuance” and its role in revealing subtle distinctions and insights within human interactions. He explains his process of recording long-form conversations, sometimes spanning hours, as a method to uncover the “golden moments” of authenticity and depth that arise over time. His podcast aims to provide hope and humor for widowed individuals, often featuring irreverent and candid topics that encourage openness and connection.

The conversation also addresses how curiosity plays a central role in crafting engaging episodes. Emeric reflects on how letting go of control and allowing guests to “unfold their stories” leads to unexpected discoveries. He shares his vetting process for guests, emphasizing the importance of selecting individuals who can engage deeply and authentically. Key influences like Joe Rogan’s interviewing techniques and resources such as “Never Split the Difference” are mentioned as tools for improving listening skills and uncovering deeper layers in conversations.

Takeaways

Curiosity as a foundation — Curiosity drives meaningful exchanges and trains listeners to explore subtle distinctions.

Long-form conversations — Recording sessions lasting several hours often reveal unexpected and authentic moments.

Vetting guests — Careful pre-screening ensures that potential guests can engage deeply and resonate with the podcast’s tone.

Nuance in podcasting — Allowing guests to unfold their stories fosters authenticity and richer discussions.

Listening as a skill — Effective listening enhances empathy, communication, and the ability to find hidden insights.

Resources

My Spouse Died Too

My Spouse Died Too podcast — Emeric’s podcast gives hope, so you can heal, find love again, and give grief the middle finger.

Never Split the Difference — Chris Voss’s book teaching negotiation and listening techniques to uncover unknown unknowns.

Joe Rogan Podcast — Referenced as an example of effective interviewing and curiosity-driven conversation.

Freakonomics Radio — Mentioned as a resource for learning engaging questioning techniques.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Embracing all the moments →

Published August 20, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 20

I’m starting to see the unifying principle behind all the philosophies that really appeal to me (e.g. Buddhism, Stoicism, Arnold Schwarzenegger). They view all of life’s moments as having equal value, at least where it counts, and what counts is your skill in embracing the moments that make up your life.

It’s a genius idea, possibly the smartest thing human beings ever came up with. Embracing all moments as a rule transforms every day into precisely what you’re looking for: an interesting variety of experiences, every one of which offers you what you value, regardless of what happens in particular.

~ David Cain from, When All Moments Have Equal Value

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In addition to the sources listed by Cain, I’d add Jerzey Gregorek.

To me, this is all about mindfulness. Practicing being aware of each moment is a terrific way to swim in the joy of life. All the struggle and worry comes from my setting expectations—reasonable or otherwise makes no difference—which are always frustrated by the vast complexity of reality.

I’m fond of the Chinese proverb: “If things are going badly, relax, they won’t last. If things are going well, relax, they won’t last.” It’s of course super-helpful to be reminded to relax. But it’s far more helpful to be reminded that there’s really no difference between the “going badly” and “going well” parts, which brings me again to Cain’s point.

Choose what at first appears to be the harder path, because it is—as you soon discover—actually the easier path.

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