Daily Blog
My commitment to write a daily blog since January 7th, 2018
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Day 313 – The “I am relieving stress” excuse
The author discusses the negative impact of social media, drawing parallels between its addictive nature and strong narcotics. They highlight a personal decision to limit their children’s access to social media and reference a study on hair pulling that suggests boredom, not stress, is a primary driver of habitual behaviors. This leads to a reflection on the common excuse of “relieving stress” for doomscrolling, proposing that boredom might be the real underlying cause.
Day 312 – What Makes the Blues?
This piece explores the essence of the blues, moving beyond technical definitions to delve into its emotional and structural complexities. It suggests that the blues isn’t about resolving tension but rather providing a space for it to exist and be expressed, making personal struggles communal through its unique language of ambiguity and contradiction.
Day 311 – Finding Someone is Probability Problem
This article explores the idea that finding a partner, or any new relationship, is fundamentally a probability problem influenced by one’s environment. It suggests that by changing the environments we inhabit, we can increase the number and variety of people we meet, foster repeated exposure for deeper connections, and create new ‘weak ties’ that expand our social universe, ultimately leading to more opportunities for meaningful relationships.
Day 310 – I Actually Love Opera
The author explores the reasons why people might hesitate to reveal certain aspects of themselves, using their love for opera as an example. They differentiate between privacy and concealment, arguing that while privacy is a healthy boundary, concealment stems from a fear of judgment and can be a burden. The piece concludes by advocating for the freedom found in being less concerned with labels and more comfortable with revealing one’s true complexity.
Day 309 – The Price Tag of Automation
The author recounts his frustrating experience with home automation after Google abandoned its Nest architecture, leading him to build his own system. He highlights the significant time and effort required for maintenance and the eventual abandonment of his automation efforts due to the high ‘economic life’ cost. However, with the advent of AI, the cost and effort of automation have decreased, making it more feasible and renewing his interest in deploying future automations.
Day 308 – Speed is The Champion
This article explores the concept that speed often leads to success in various fields, from business to technology and sports. It argues that systems capable of rapid action, feedback, and adjustment tend to outperform those focused on avoiding errors. The author highlights the importance of fast feedback loops, citing John Boyd’s OODA loop and its application in AI systems. The piece also discusses the speed-accuracy tradeoff, noting that while speed can lead to more mistakes, these are often recoverable, and the compounding effect of rapid learning ultimately drives better results.
Day 307 – Iterative Could be Insufficient
This article explores the contrast between iterative and linear thinking, highlighting their respective strengths and weaknesses. It argues that while iterative thinking is beneficial in many fields, it can sometimes be an excuse for insufficient upfront planning, and proposes a hybrid approach for more robust decision-making.
Day 306 – The Zeigarnik Effect
The article explores the psychological relief gained from writing down unfinished tasks and concerns, linking it to the Zeigarnik Effect. It explains how externalizing thoughts through writing can free the mind from constantly remembering and worrying about unresolved issues, allowing for greater mental peace and the ability to conclude the day effectively.
Day 305 – The Treasure He Never Found
A young man spends his life chasing riches, fame, and glory, only to find repeated failures. In his old age, surrounded by his loving family, he realizes that the true treasure he sought was not in external achievements but in the relationships and character he built along the way.
Day 304 – Repeat What Forms You
This article explores Jesus’ teaching on “vain repetitions” in prayer, arguing that repetition itself is not the problem, but rather the intention behind it. It differentiates between repetition as formation, where the practice changes the individual, and repetition as transaction, where one attempts to influence God. The piece emphasizes that true spiritual repetition helps us return to core values and shapes our character, rather than being a means to earn God’s attention.
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