The premeditation of death is the premeditation of liberty; He who has learnt to die has forgot to serve.
~ Montaigne
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On this day
March 1stA package deal
I often find myself drawn into looking at what other creatives are looking at; I find interest in that second degree of separation. I may be interested in a particular creative person, but only if I’m interested in their specific work. But nearly every creative person I encounter, I’m always asking (literally, or in my internal dialog): Where did they get that idea? What were the inspirations that led to that composition. I suppose that’s right next to being interested in the creative process itself—but that’s not quite it. I don’t really want to know how they do what they do. I want to know who they are, and why they do what they do.
The key thing is that unique minds have to be accepted as a full package, because the things they do well and that we admire cannot be separated from the things we wouldn’t want for ourselves or look down upon.
~ Morgan Housel, from Wild Minds
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I think it was Homer (Simpson, I mean) who said, just because you are unique, doesn’t mean you are useful. That too harsh by half. It’s not necessary that one be useful (but it’s nice if you want to be able to say, buy food or put a roof over your head.) I want to push back against ‘ol Homer there and amend that to be: Just because you are unique, doesn’t mean people will understand you.
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The gaming problem
As the power of AI grows, we need to have evidence of its sentience. That is why we must return to the minds of animals.
~ Kristin Andrews and Jonathan Birch from, What has feelings?
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This article ate my face. I was scrolling through a long list of things I’d marked for later reading, I glanced at the first paragraph of this article… and a half-hour later I realized it must be included here. I couldn’t even figure out what to pull-quote because that requires choosing the most-important theme. The article goes deeply into multiple intriguing topics, including sentience, evolution, pain, and artificial intelligence. I punted and just quoted the sub-title of the article.
The biggest new-to-me thing I encountered is a sublime concept called the gaming problem in assessing sentience. It’s about gaming, in the sense of “gaming the system of assessment.” If you’re clicking through to the article, just ignore me and go read…
…okay, still here? Here’s my explanation of the gaming problem:
Imagine you want to wonder if an octopus is sentient. You might then go off and perform polite experiments on octopods. You might then set about wondering what your experiments tell you. You might wonder if the octopods are intelligent enough to try to deceive you. (For example, if they are intelligent enough, they might realize you’re a scientist studying them, and that convincing you they are sentient and kind, would be in their best interest.) But you definitely do not need to wonder if the octopods have studied all of human history to figure out how to deceive you—they definitely have not because living in water they have no access to our stored knowledge. Therefore, when studying octopods, you do not have to worry about them using knowledge of humans to game your system of study.
Now, imagine you want to wonder if an AI is sentient. You might wonder will the AI try to deceive you into thinking it’s sentient when it actually isn’t. We know that we humans deceive each other often; We write about it a lot, and our deception is seen in every other form of media too. Any AI created by humans will have access to a lot (most? all??) of human knowledge and would therefore certainly have access to plenty of information about how to deceive a person, what works, and what doesn’t. So why would an AI not game your system of study to convince you it is sentient?
That’s the gaming problem in assessing sentience.
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Maggie Spaloss: Coaching Journey, Transitions, and Consulting
How does the experience of transitioning between different roles—such as coach, business consultant, and relationship coach—shape perspectives on community, creativity, and personal fulfillment?
For Maggie Spaloss, transitioning from coaching parkour into coaching relationships and intimacy felt like a natural progression. She discusses her connection parkour, and how it’s evolved from mom, to coach, to business consultant. Maggie shares her thoughts on coaching, and her transition into relationship and intimacy coaching. She describes her work on Kiskeya Athletics, and how she stays passionate about parkour and giving back to the community.
I do want to also say, as a mom, that I think I can appreciate from a different perspective these kids whose lives were really very deeply impacted by parkour. Where they were able to develop, some self confidence, and some sort of identity with kind of a tribe they could relate to.
~ Maggie Spaloss (30:00)
Maggie Spaloss is a coach, project manager and mover. She has over 10 years of coaching experience including certifications as a personal trainer, parkour instructor, behavioral change specialist and relationship coach. Maggie is also project manager for Kiskeya Athletics, a multi-sport facility currently under construction in South Texas. Maggie splits her time between managing the development of Kiskeya Athletics and helping people build stronger relationships and deeper intimacy.
The conversation explores the journey from parkour coaching to relationship and intimacy consulting, reflecting on the influence of embodiment and community. Maggie discusses how her experience in parkour, from her origin story to coaching and gym management, shaped her ability to foster connections and build supportive environments. A recurring theme is the importance of adapting to physical and mental challenges, particularly as they evolve with age.
Another focus is the creative and collaborative aspects of parkour, both in training and in broader projects like gym design and event planning. The discussion highlights the shared obstacles within parkour as a metaphor for building camaraderie and fostering vulnerability. Maggie also touches on the transition from personal training to a more holistic, life-oriented coaching approach, emphasizing the importance of balancing personal passion with professional responsibilities.
Takeaways
Embodiment in practice — The guest emphasizes the value of being in tune with the body to guide decisions and uncover limiting beliefs.
The transformative power of community — Parkour’s tight-knit culture fosters vulnerability and mutual support.
Creativity in movement — Training parkour is described as an inherently creative act, akin to art.
Adapting with age — Challenges with physical limitations prompt a recalibration of expectations and approaches to training.
Balancing roles — Navigating multiple professional identities offers insights into personal fulfillment.
Integrating passions — A unified approach can merge interests in movement and relationship coaching.
Parkour’s broader potential — Expanding the sport’s reach through innovative projects like the Kiskeya facility.
Resources
Maggie Spaloss’s web site and @cultivate_movement on Instagram
Kiskeya Athletics — A planned parkour and athletic facility in South Texas, incorporating innovative design and community programs.
Lorena Abreu @lorenaparkour — Parkour athlete and collaborator on the Kiskeya project.
Unf*ck your brain — Podcast mentioned
Brandon Douglass — Designer of the parkour gym layout for the Kiskeya facility.
Art of Retreat — A gathering for parkour professionals and enthusiasts, instrumental in knowledge-sharing.
NASM Certification — The certification pursued by the guest for personal training expertise.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Breakfast
All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast.
~ John Gunther
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Reflection: Day 60
LOOK BACK — Look back at some of the things you’ve accomplished or experienced and think… — “Well if that isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.” ~ Kurt Vonnegut — “One never notices what has been done; One can only see what remains to be done.” ~ Marie Curie
One day, tomorrow in fact, there won’t be any more of these prompts. But having read this far, I hope you’ll believe me when I say: You’ll like tomorrow’s post too.
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Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin?
(The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
No one will notice
No one asked you to write. And no one will care if you stop. If you succeed, no one will notice. It’s a rough, heartless business.
~ George Higgins
I’m not “in the business” [of writing for money] thank-you-very-much. However this terrific little aphorism is also perfectly true of writing for personal reasons on a blog. I often remind myself of that first bit; no one asked me to write.
But write none the less do I.
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Walk only in really pleasant company
Smoke like a chimney, work like a horse, eat without thinking, go for a walk only in really pleasant company.
~ Albert Einstein
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Persistence of tyranny
Tyranny is our capacity to rationalize exceptions to rights for our enemies. Tyranny is our willingness to dismiss violation of rights as unimportant or minimal.
~ Ken White from, «https://www.popehat.com/2018/02/15/the-persistence-of-tyranny/»
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Elet Hall: Not training, risk, danger, and Lyme disease
What motivates and shapes individual approaches to physical training, risk management, and personal growth?
Elet Hall takes time out from a motorcycle engine rebuild to discuss his approach to training (and not training), challenge, risk, danger, consequences, and why he walked away from American Ninja Warrior. Along the way, we talk about Lyme disease, and his work with the Bay Area Lyme Foundation, before he shares his four words to describe his practice.
Strength of character is what I’m looking for in almost everything that I do.
~ Elet Hall (30:00)
The conversation begins with reflections on Elet’s experiences in Ninja Warrior and parkour, emphasizing the importance of meeting people where they are in their personal journeys. It touches on how perceptions of these activities differ and how they can be bridges rather than barriers for people seeking self-improvement.
Further, the discussion moves to Elet’s personal training philosophy, rooted in nature and holistic approaches. Topics like the subjective and objective impacts of training, footwear choices for outdoor activities, and the biological and psychological effects of connecting with natural environments are explored. He highlights the value of understanding one’s own body and tailoring training to personal goals and limitations.
The latter part delves into a life-threatening incident that prompted Elet to reassess motivations and commitments. This leads to discussions on Lyme disease, its impact on energy levels, and the necessity of intentional training. The conversation ends with a reflection on building strength of character through thoughtful engagement with challenges, whether in parkour, life, or other pursuits.
Takeaways
Training for personal growth — Physical challenges can be transformative when approached with the right mindset.
Risk versus consequence — Every action in parkour and life involves balancing potential risks and consequences.
Connection with nature — Training outdoors provides unique challenges and rewards, fostering a deeper sense of fulfillment.
Minimalist footwear benefits — Choosing less structured footwear can enhance sensory feedback and overall physical awareness.
Holistic health management — Balancing exercise, diet, and self-care is critical for managing chronic conditions like Lyme disease.
Motivations for participation — It’s vital to understand why someone engages in a practice and to support their journey.
Strength of character — Facing and overcoming challenges builds self-confidence and personal resilience.
Reevaluating goals — Life events can prompt reassessment of what truly aligns with one’s values and passions.
Resources
Bay Area Lyme Foundation — An organization raising awareness and funding research for Lyme disease.
Merrell Trail Gloves — Minimalist footwear favored by the speaker for natural training environments.
Old Rag Mountain — A popular hiking spot mentioned in the discussion.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Why Travel?
(Part 3 of 5 in series, Parkour Travel)
What shall I find?
(Part 3 of 5 in series, Parkour Travel)
It’s funny, I thought, if you could hear me, I could hang on, somehow. Silly me. Silly old Doctor. When you wake up, you’ll have a mum and dad, and you won’t even remember me. Well, you’ll remember me a little. I’ll be a story in your head. But that’s OK: we’re all stories, in the end. Just make it a good one, eh?
~ “Doctor Who“
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When I travel, I am writing my story.
I am not travelling in search of something.
I am not travelling to escape.
I am not travelling as a search for fulfillment.
I am not lacking some key experience that I can only find by travelling.
What shall I find? …nothing in particular. And then I’m free to find everything.
What shall I experience?
(Part 3 of 5 in series, Parkour Travel)
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.
~ Mark Twain
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I travel because I want to meet new people. I want to learn about their culture, their ideas, their hopes, dreams and passions, their way of thinking, their language, their ancestors, and their philosophy.
I travel because I want to see things. The world — all of it, near and far — is an amazing place. I want to see new vistas, new architecture, new mountains, new valleys, new weather, new plants, new animals, and new art.
I travel because, in the end, I am just a story. There’s no finish line, no definition of “having arrived”, “having suceeded”, or “having it all”. Hearses do not have luggage racks. I am not taking anything with me. I can spend my days sitting at home, collecting and counting and organizing my things, toiling to create a pocket of order in the chaos of the universe. Only, I remain absolutely certain that everything I collect, create, organize, build, and buy will not matter to me in the end.
In the end, I am just a story. And I’d very much like to enjoy the writing of it.
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We’re all stories, in the end
It’s funny, I thought, if you could hear me, I could hang on, somehow. Silly me. Silly old Doctor. When you wake up, you’ll have a mum and dad, and you won’t even remember me. Well, you’ll remember me a little. I’ll be a story in your head. But that’s OK: we’re all stories, in the end. Just make it a good one, eh?
~ “Doctor Who“
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Trying to get back on track
(Part 23 of 36 in series, 10,000 Reps Project)
Today I got a lot of numbers done. On the screengrab attached, I don’t have all of today’s numbers white… just a few more reps to do to finish today. But still totally slacking on the bar precisions. DAMMIT tomorrow I’m gonna get on it!!
The bar pre numbers for the rest of this week are gonzo… I know I can do them, just need to get in gear. Yellow blocks are “planned”, blue is “interesting mile post”, and red is “danger/training obstruction ahead”.
Saturday I’ll be away in upstate NY for some Parkour so I’ve cleared that day with zeros. But I suspect I’ll be tired Sunday — I’ll be driving home 3 hours, and there’s regular class in the afternoon. So I should clear Sunday as well. I’ll see if I can “bank” things. But “banking” 180 bar pre’s will not be easy.
Pushups are almost getting silly. We have this large group that converses each day with a Parkour friend who is currently in the army deployed to Afghanistan (in intelligence, not getting shot at.) Anyway, every day that he posts an “Afgan log entry”, we (most of us) do an increasing number of pushups. So you’ll see a hint of the 40, 41, 42, 43 etc in the pushups column. I just keep filling them in to make numbers, and I keep dropping/ignoring extra pushups done. So this Thursday would be 49, but I’m only recording the 45 I need to get to 4,000. Then Friday, Saturday and Sunday I’m likely to do another 50, 51 and 52 pushups. (Which I’ll ignore because I don’t need the numbers.) Anyway, weird numbers appearing in the pushups column. But it’s awesome to be like “meh. pushups. whatevs.” On Sunday, I did that 140 in 12 minutes and it was cake. Well, cake with nuts in it, but cake. [ <– Deadpool reference :^]
Bigger picture, this means (if I can pull off this week) I only lost about 9 calendar days of slippage to my recent got-sick-and-then-became-a-slacker slide.
On the other hand, 720 bar precisions in the next 4 days… that’s probably a wee bit ambitious.
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Some pullups
(Part 22 of 36 in series, 10,000 Reps Project)
About 6 months ago, I was unable to do a pull-up.
These five are part of 70 on the plan for today. I’ve been doing pullups for weeks now withOUT warming up. Just walk over to the bar and haul. Why gloves? At the moment, I’m using the increased grip (narrow bar instead of scaf pipe, leather on metal) to ease the work on my forearm; I’m really walking the line with developing tendonitis/RSI at the attachment point of all the grip muscles at my right elbow.
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Character
If you don’t have enemies, you don’t have character.
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Entertaining
An educated man can…
entertain himself;
entertain a friend;
entertain a new idea.
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