Day 362 – Resilience as Portfolio
This piece, titled “Day 362 – Resilience as Portfolio” by Guy Reams, explores the concept of resilience in a comprehensive manner, suggesting it can be viewed as a portfolio of diverse strategies and resources.
The 365 Commitment is a simple formula that I use to keep my life on track. This has ended up being a daily writing that I produce each day during my latest personal transformation.
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Day 361 – Is the Brain Getting Old or Just Changing?
As we age, our brains may shift from remembering every detail to focusing on meaning and wisdom. This natural cognitive shift, supported by research from the University of Arizona, suggests that difficulty recalling minutiae isn’t a sign of decline but an adaptation towards higher-order thinking.
Day 360 – The Concept of Eudaimonia
Aristotle’s concept of eudaimonia, or the highest human good, suggests that true happiness comes from aligning our actions with our cherished virtues over a sustained period, rather than from fleeting pleasures. This involves living a life that feels purposeful and authentic, even through struggles.
Day 359 – Opinionated or Good Judgement?
The distinction between having an opinion and being opinionated lies in how strongly and frequently one expresses their views, and their openness to others’ perspectives. While strong opinions can be admired when backed by expertise, constant and forceful expression across various topics can be perceived as arrogance or exhausting. The key to being seen as having good judgment rather than being opinionated is to deliver opinions appropriately and remain open to new evidence.
Day 358 – We Remember Legend
This article explores the concept of legend versus history, arguing that legends are what people choose to remember and retell over generations. Using the story of Noah’s Ark as an example, it discusses how historical events can become exaggerated and imbued with cultural meaning, posing the question of what makes a legend meaningful enough to endure. The author also reflects on personal and family legends, and contemplates what actions in their own life might become legendary for future generations.
Day 357 – Curiosity is Cheap
This article explores the challenges introverts face with draining conversations and offers a solution: embracing curiosity. By shifting from feeling the need to “perform” in conversations to simply being curious and asking questions, the perceived energy cost of interactions can be significantly reduced, fostering better relationships.
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More Blogs
Day 350 – Learning to Triangulate
The article explains the concept of triangulation, drawing parallels between its use in surveying and navigation to its application in evaluating information. It emphasizes the importance of cross-referencing multiple independent sources to determine truth, especially in an age of misinformation and AI-generated content. The author argues that accepting information at face value is no longer viable and that triangulation should become a default reaction.
Day 349 – The Practice of Conceptual Decomposition
This article explores the author’s accidental discovery of conceptual decomposition as a superpower. Initially used to overcome learning difficulties, this method of breaking down complex systems into understandable parts proved invaluable in their career, particularly in teaching and computer science. The author advocates for applying this technique when interacting with AI to achieve more accurate and reliable results.
Day 348 – First Things First
The author shares their experience of maintaining seven daily habits for over 3,181 days, emphasizing the importance of doing crucial tasks first thing in the morning. They advise tackling life-changing habits immediately upon waking to avoid procrastination and increase the likelihood of completion, drawing on personal examples like early morning runs.
Day 347 – What is ‘having faith?’
A spiritual leader’s daily ritual of questioning his beliefs profoundly impacted the author, leading to a decades-long quest to understand the true meaning of faith. The author concludes that faith is not mere belief, but rather an active pursuit in the absence of proof, contrasting it with complacency that can arise from dormant beliefs.
Day 346 – Who Cancelled Tuesday Night?
This article reflects on the decline of community activities like bowling leagues, block parties, and church gatherings, and how these seemingly ordinary events fostered repeated human contact and built relationships. The author suggests that modern conveniences, while useful, have inadvertently dismantled the ‘machinery that manufactured relationships,’ leading to a sense of disconnect despite constant communication.
Relaxing is Changing State
Relaxing isn’t about passive consumption, but actively changing your brain’s state. This involves stopping information intake, engaging in physical activity outdoors, and shifting focus from narrow details to broad natural elements. The goal is to clear mental clutter and allow your mind to reset, often leading to renewed productivity.
Day 344 – Truth as Instrument
This article explores the concept of individuals who manipulate truth to serve their own interests, distinguishing it from relativism. It delves into the personal and social implications of encountering such people, drawing parallels with childhood development and a personal anecdote about teaching chess. The author reflects on the challenges of dealing with those who view truth as an instrument and offers advice on identifying such behavior early in relationships.
Day 343 – Selling Shovels in a Gold Rush
The article draws parallels between the California Gold Rush and the current AI boom, highlighting how individuals profited by selling tools and information rather than directly extracting gold. It discusses historical examples of Samuel Brannan, Henry Vizetelly, and Joseph Ware, who capitalized on the gold rush through various means, including hoaxes and guides. The piece concludes by advising caution when encountering AI gurus, suggesting one should investigate the source of their wealth.
Day 342 – Forming an Opinion
This article explores the process of forming opinions, drawing parallels from debate and legal fields to categorize the strength of an opinion’s foundation. It highlights the difference between strong opinions and strong epistemic foundations, moving from weak bases like intuition and hearsay to robust, evidence-based conclusions that are open to revision.