Half of the troubles of this life can be traced to saying yes too quickly and not saying no soon enough.
~ Josh Billings
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It’s the forums
Forums are the dark matter of the web, the B-movies of the Internet. But they matter. To this day I regularly get excellent search results on forum pages for stuff I’m interested in. Rarely a day goes by that I don’t end up on some forum, somewhere, looking for some obscure bit of information. And more often than not, I find it there.
~ Jeff Atwood, from Civilized Discourse Construction Kit
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That’s a wonderful unpack by Atwood of why Discourse, (a piece of software that powers forums,) was created. Along the way there’s also a load of great information about discourse, (the concept.) And this article is now 9 years old.
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Always writing
I cannot find any patience for those people who believe that you start writing when you sit down at your desk and pick up you pen and finish writing when you put down your pen again; a writer is always writing, seeing everything through a thin mist of words, fitting swift little descriptions to everything he sees, always noticing.
~ Shirley Jackson
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12% battery remaining
Productivity hacks are fun, but they don’t always produce the greatest returns on your time. If you care about productivity, be sure to invest in your energy levels.
~ Chris Bailey from, Don’t forget the basics of productivity
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I don’t do productivity “hacks.” I do productivity. My aversion to “hacking” anything runs deep. All of my productivity comes from doing things which return, the way compound interest returns. Whenever I can, I try to do the hard work up front. I am literally trying to pass gifts, (of time, energy, money, sanity,) to my future self.
It’s wise to occasionally erase the whiteboard to see what something could be like if built from scratch. It never ceases to amaze me when absolutely nothing happens nor changes when I entirely stop doing things. I recently removed an entire project—no one has even noticed. I recently was completely unreachable, (by everyone other than my wife,) for four days—no one noticed. If you started from a clean slate today, what would you choose to do?
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Today
I don’t complain about the lack of time… what little I have will go far enough. Today—this day—will achieve what no tomorrow will fail to speak about. I will lay seige to the gods and shake up the world.
~ Seneca, Medea, 423-5
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Silence
The universe makes a sound — is a sound. In the core of this sound there’s a silence, a silence that creates that sound, which is not its opposite, but its inseparable soul. And this silence can also be heard.
~ Etel Adnan from, Shifting the Silence to Find the Meaning: 95-Year-Old Artist, Poet, and Philosopher Etel Adnan on How to Live and How to Die
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I am not a poet. Who knows, maybe if I were, I’d still be at a loss for words. On one hand, having read Popova’s short article I feel relieved; At the least, I’ve now noticed a person named Adnan has lived, and I’ve enjoyed a small sip of her writing. On the other hand, a gripping panic begins to rise up as it’s painfully clear that I will never make even the slightest progress in experiencing the totality of what this universe has to offer. Anyway, go take a sip.
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Influence with Robyn Triggs
What are the challenges and rewards of starting and maintaining a podcast, and how can podcasting serve as a medium for personal and therapeutic expression?
Exploring the unexpected emotional connections created through podcasting.
There’s something to be said for the beauty of, oh, this person really doesn’t actually need an answer; what they really just need is another person to go, I see you, I see this struggle, I acknowledge the struggle is real.
~ Robyn Triggs (9:52)
The conversation explores the personal and emotional dimensions of podcasting. Topics include imposter syndrome, the experience of creating a podcast, and the choice to step back when priorities shift. It highlights how feedback from others, especially moments of profound resonance with listeners, can reaffirm the value of one’s work. The therapeutic aspect of podcasting, including the opportunity to process emotions and connect with an audience, emerges as a recurring theme.
The discussion also touches on the practicalities of podcasting, such as starting with minimal resources and deciding whether to publish episodes. The idea of podcasting as a platform for authenticity and vulnerability resonates throughout, with the emphasis on how sharing personal experiences can foster connection and healing, both for the creator and their audience.
Takeaways
Facing imposter syndrome — A common challenge for podcasters, even after multiple experiences.
Therapeutic expression — Podcasting allows creators to process and share emotions in a safe space.
Impact on listeners — Even a single listener connecting deeply with an episode can be profoundly rewarding.
Vulnerability in content creation — Authenticity and raw emotion can make podcasts uniquely impactful.
Practical barriers — Podcasting is accessible with minimal equipment, but confidence to publish can be a hurdle.
Feedback dynamics — Constructive criticism varies in value depending on its source and context.
Personal prioritization — Balancing podcasting with other life goals is essential for sustained creativity.
Value of connection — Podcasts can create meaningful relationships and shared understanding.
Resources
Seth Godin — Referenced for his insights on content creation and audience engagement.
The Podcaster Community — A platform supporting independent podcast creators.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Better questions
Sounds like we’re losing our grit. We’ve been brought up to think we’re so smart and clever and that we don’t have to work hard for anything that we just give up when we come against a tough problem. The main difference between innovators and the rest of us is that innovators ask more and better questions.
~ Shane Parrish
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Embedded in a culture
Ray Liotta died on May 26, 2022. I wasn’t a particular fan of his, but he was definitely an actor who was a significant part of the culture I grew up in. There are many such people; actors of course, and also authors, musicians, journalists, teachers, scientists, politicians, military leaders, activists, and others less classifiable.
It’s one thing to think: That huge band that I love, which I’ve seen in concert… they’ve retired and hung up the act. Just knowing the people are still around however, means that something of, whatever it was that I loved, continues on in whatever it is, (public or not,) that they’re doing. Nostalgia rises up as people retire and things become, “remember when?”
But slowly, year by year, those people die and that makes it clear: Everything has its time, and that time ends. There but for the grace of God go I, is a beautiful turn of phrase.
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Digital minimalism
To be a digital minimalist, in other words, means you accept the idea that new communication technologies have the potential to massively improve your life, but also recognize that realizing this potential is hard work.
~ Cal Newport
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Bonding through movement
Today, a growing percentage of people find themselves alienated from any particular community, without strong bonds to any discernible group. Loneliness is on the rise. More people live alone, remain single or childless, move to new geographical locations on a regular basis, and otherwise fail to develop close ties. This is a shift that is unprecedented in human history.
~ Shane Parrish from, Muscular Bonding: How Dance Made Us Human
My pull-quote feels pretty obvious. What’s interesting is where Parrish goes in this article. There’s a lot of research and discussion around what happens to us—mentally and physically—when we move together. It’s not simply, “hey that was fun.” There’s a durable bonding that happens when humans move together.
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Keeping you small
The trick is: You bite off more than you can chew… and then you still chew it. Your mind always believes it can do less than it actually can. It will tell you it’s too much, to stop, to take a break, to cancel this or that. But your mind will lie to you to keep you small.
~ Will Smith
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Discourse
You don’t know if your idea is any good the moment it’s created. Neither does anyone else. The most you can hope for is a strong gut feeling that it is. And trusting your feelings is not as easy as the optimists say it is. There’s a reason why feelings scare us—because what they tell us and what the rest of the world tells us are often two different things.
~ Hugh MacLeod
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This quote, I think, also alludes to the problem of people “not getting” new ideas. It turns out that the same problem exists for old ideas to which people have grown unaccoustomed through lack of use.
Online discussion in forums is not a new idea. It’s a time-tested idea; They can be a space to focus interaction. There are ground rules. There’s a border defining what’s inside and what’s outside. Those inside have skin in the game. There is accountability.
The challenge is for each of us to resume engaging in reasoned discourse with others. That can be done in many places, not just in online forums. But in general, we’ve lost it in, (something like,) the last ten years when the current incarnation of the social networks rose and ate our attention.
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The wisdom of the body
You can’t dance and be sad. You can listen to music and cry, you can read and cry, you can draw and cry but you can’t dance and cry. The body won’t let you.
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Deliberate practice
Deliberate practice is the key to expert performance in writing, teaching, sports, programming, music, medicine, therapy, chess, business, and more. But there’s more to it than 10,000 hours. Read to learn how to accelerate learning, overcome…
~ Shane Parrish from, The Ultimate Deliberate Practice Guide: How to Be the Best
I was dubious at their title, but this article—a tiny book actually—is exquisite. With an estimated reading time of 43 minutes, there’s a lot in there. For example, it mentions…
There is a place, right on the edge of your ability, where you learn best and fastest. It’s called the sweet spot.…The underlying pattern is the same: Seek out ways to stretch yourself. Play on the edges of your competence. As Albert Einstein said, “One must develop an instinct for what one can just barely achieve through one’s greatest efforts.”
The key word is ‘barely.’
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Has anyone read the book, The Little Book of Talent, by Daniel Coyle?
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Statuary
Sculpture is more divine, and more like nature,
that fashions all her works in high relief,
and that is sculpture. This vast ball, the Earth,
was moulded out of clay, and baked in fire;
Men, women, and all animals that breath
are statues, and not paintings.
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There may be something to this
Research now demonstrates that neuronal sensory integration actually happens much earlier in the sensory processing pathway and is actually optimized or heightened with multi-sensory stimulation, or what we call sensory stacking.
Sensory stacking is to bring in as many sensory input systems during an exercise or movement for the purpose of enhancing cortical stimulation and neuronal pathways.
~ Emily Splichal from, Sensory Stacking | The integration of tactile, visual and auditory input
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Our entire schtick—whether you self-identify with Art du Déplacement, Parkour or Freerunning, or whatever—is moving in a visually complex environment. That turns out to have a physiological, brain altering affect.
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Awareness with Phil Lombardo
How can physical therapy integrate empathy, precision, and awareness to improve patient outcomes?
Movement becomes a gateway to understanding the human experience in this exploration of therapy and wellness.
Curiosity, awareness, and precision are things I think about every single day in my life.
~ Phil Lombardo (21:55)
The conversation navigates the transformative potential of empathy, precision, and awareness in physical therapy. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging patients’ emotions to alleviate stress, improve outcomes, and foster genuine connections. Specific strategies, such as naming emotions and creating resonant interactions, underline how interpersonal dynamics shape the healing process.
Movement is discussed as a critical therapeutic tool, with special attention to the role of the feet. Suggestions for barefoot movement and engaging in balance-focused exercises highlight the untapped potential of proprioception and body awareness. Practical applications of movement therapies, such as the use of tools like two-by-fours, further contextualize the ideas shared.
Takeaways
Curiosity in therapy — Drives deeper connections and understanding between practitioner and patient.
Awareness as a practice — Essential for addressing both physical and emotional facets of healing.
Empathy in medicine — Encourages patient compliance and improves therapeutic outcomes.
Role of the feet — Highlighted as underutilized but vital for balance and movement.
Movement tools — Simple tools like two-by-fours provide accessible ways to enhance balance and proprioception.
Emotional naming — Shown to significantly reduce stress and inflammation.
Precision in care — Critical for tailoring effective therapeutic interventions.
Professional humility — Emphasized as key to continuous learning and better patient care.
Resources
The Movement Creative — Provides resources and events for movement enthusiasts.
Move NYC Event — A community movement gathering mentioned as a focus of discussion.
Earth Runner Sandals — Recommended for minimalist hiking and foot strengthening.
Natural Movement by MovNat — Framework integrated into physical therapy practices.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Dedication with Joseph Rizzo
How can Olympic weightlifting enhance performance and longevity in Parkour practice?
Technical movements in weightlifting unlock unexpected benefits for Parkour athletes.
A lot of people think like, Oh, I’m just gonna push as hard as I can and, you know, get this bar overhead and basically muscle it. And there’s a lot of danger in that, right? Because there’s not a lot of thought behind it. If you try to muscle something, you’ll only get to a certain point without technique, and kind of the same thing goes for Parkour as well.
~ Joseph Rizzo (2:43)
The conversation explores the intricate relationship between Olympic weightlifting and Parkour, emphasizing the technical nature of both practices. The discussion begins with an explanation of the complexity and precision involved in Olympic lifts such as the snatch and clean and jerk. These dynamic movements are contrasted with static lifts like the squat and bench press, underscoring how technical proficiency can prevent injury and enhance performance in both weightlifting and Parkour.
Another major topic is the carryover between the two disciplines. Weightlifting’s emphasis on explosiveness, shock absorption, and stability has direct applications to Parkour, particularly in reducing impact-related injuries and improving landings. The conversation also touches on how weightlifting reveals imbalances in the body, enabling athletes to address weaknesses and enhance longevity. Joseph explains how technical focus during training—starting with light weights and emphasizing form—can help Parkour practitioners gain strength and resilience.
Takeaways
The complexity of Olympic weightlifting — It requires precise techniques to safely and effectively execute movements like the snatch and clean and jerk.
Impact absorption in Parkour — Weightlifting develops the ability to handle forces several times one’s body weight, improving landing techniques.
Revealing and correcting imbalances — Weightlifting highlights physical imbalances that Parkour alone might not expose.
Complementary training — Weightlifting reduces the frequency of Parkour practice needed to maintain a high level of performance.
Barriers to adoption — Many Parkour practitioners view weightlifting as overly technical and time-intensive.
Longevity through strength — Developing connective tissue strength and joint stability through weightlifting extends training careers.
Programming for beginners — Focusing on technical proficiency during the initial phases of weightlifting ensures safety and skill transferability.
Holistic benefits — Olympic weightlifting offers both physical and mental gains, such as confidence and discipline, that translate into Parkour training.
Resources
The Movement Creative — A Parkour organization that supports training and events.
Move NYC Event — A community event combining movement disciplines, referenced as an upcoming event in Manhattan.
Jefferson Curl — A weightlifting exercise for mobility and spinal flexibility.
The Unknown Project on YouTube — Joseph’s Parkour and movement-based content.
Joseph Rizzo’s Instagram @mr_rizzzo — Joseph’s personal Instagram profile.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Calmness with Tori Kubick
How does practicing contortion influence mental calmness and overall life perspective?
Contortion is not just about physical flexibility but a mental practice of finding calmness.
The only way to do it, was to be calm. You can’t— It’s physically impossible to do it anxious. There’s just no way. So you have to [find] calmness or… or nothing.
~ Tori Kubick (11:33)
The conversation explores the transformative aspects of contortion, emphasizing how the practice fosters mental calmness alongside physical flexibility. Tori shares how she transitioned into contortion as an adult and describes it as a discipline that connects mind and body. She highlights the need for internal calmness, which allows practitioners to push beyond perceived physical and mental limits.
Other topics include the parallels between contortion and problem-solving in other movement practices, such as parkour and aerial arts. Tori discusses the importance of strength complementing flexibility and explains how contortion helps practitioners discover new ways to navigate challenges, both physically and mentally. The conversation also touches on the introverted nature of many contortionists and the rare sense of community they share.
Takeaways
Courage in movement — The willingness to challenge oneself physically and mentally is essential for growth.
Calmness as a necessity — Contortion requires a deep state of calmness to achieve its intricate movements.
Physical and mental synergy — Practicing contortion merges physical effort with mental focus.
Adapting perspectives — Observing challenges from different angles can reveal solutions.
Strength paired with flexibility — Building both attributes in balance leads to greater movement capacity.
Impact on everyday life — Lessons from contortion apply to real-world challenges like stress management.
Shared practices — Contortion creates connections among its niche community of practitioners.
Misconceptions about contortion — Many people wrongly view it as solely innate or purely aesthetic.
Resources
Tori’s Instagram @con_tori_tion — Features content related to her contortion practice and performances.
Tori’s Website — Contains her TED talk, writings on movement, and event details.
Move NYC — An event hosted by The Movement Creative for exploring movement practices.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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