Issue #20: On Writes-and-Write-Nots, Inspiration, Positive-thinking, Occam's Broom, Unhappiness, etc.
Week 20: 18th Nov 2024 - 24th Nov 2024
I was thinking about skipping this week’s issue because finals week is nearing and there are a lot of deadlines one after the other. Turns out, you always have time, it’s just a question of what you dedicate it to!
Here are a few interesting things I found this week:
[Article: Writes-and-Write-Nots]
An interesting read from one of my favorite authors on the internet. The article says just like how industrialization has made doing exercise a choice (since knowledge jobs are mental tasks), AI will make being able to write a choice. And being a write-not means being a think-not because thinking clearly is downstream of being able to write clearly (Read more here). So start writing, make the hard choice, don’t be a write not.
[Article: A fresh new perspective on inspiration]
After reading millions (obviously an exaggeration) of posts on this topic this was my view on inspiration:
It is scarce, so act upon it immediately.
It follows action and not vice-versa, so start doing stuff anyway.
This article provides a fresh perspective I hadn’t read about before, here’s the gist but the whole article is worth reading:
“You don’t need to live an outwardly exciting life for great inspiration to arise.
Inspiration can also come from within, when you apply grandeur to the ordinary. Through this, you elevate what already exists rather than seeking something which is a spectacle in itself.“
[Article: A new mental model — Occam’s Broom]
(Source)
I am a sucker for mental models, this is a great article which mentions one I had not read about before. Occam’s Broom says that if you’re not an expert, when faced with a theory you think is incredulous, a little modesty might be useful.
This makes intuitive sense, just try googling 100 facts about physics you did not know!
I think this is especially useful to know in the age of conspiracy theorists!
[Article: On Positive Thinking]
Positive thinking was something I used to consider as a fad that doesn’t really work. But I changed my mind after deliberately practising positive thinking and also wrote about it.
This is a really well-written, tempered article about why positive thinking deserves due consideration.
Here’s my favorite line:
“Manifestation, in its pop culture form, is mostly woo. It oversells the idea that we can think our way into success without acknowledging the hard work, practical steps, and sometimes sheer luck involved. However, there are elements of manifestation—like positive thinking, visualization, and optimism—that have solid scientific backing in psychology.”
Manifestation is useless. In fact it’s a red flag. If someone tells you they believe in manifestation, run.
[Images]
Fall 🍂
And.. Finals week is near
[Random]
A good example of less is more :) (Read here)
A useful, yet hard pill to swallow:
(Source)
”Nobody else is responsible for your life but you.Many people may be at fault for your pain and unhappiness. But no one else is responsible for digging you out of that pain or unhappiness.”
A really nice though on simplicity:
(Source)
”Smart people are uniquely vulnerable to mistaking complexity for insight.An executive writes a ten-page memo that could be one. An engineer builds an intricate system when a simple one would perform better at half the cost. The consultant mesmerizes clients with frameworks that conceal rather than reveal. We attach prestige to what mystifies us. Complexity intoxicates both the creator and audience, drugging us with the illusion of wisdom.
Mastery isn't making the simple complex—it's finding the elegant simplicity that cuts through the complexity.”
[Sign Off]
I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. Let me know if you have any feedback.
Next week पुन्हा भेटू!
This one
”Nobody else is responsible for your life but you.
Many people may be at fault for your pain and unhappiness. But no one else is responsible for digging you out of that pain or unhappiness.”
Last line is the gem of the year.