Notes & letters to make humans better
Wellbeing Author • Advisor • Journalist
Personal Letterist • Suggester • Illustrator
Hi Lola. "Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due." - William Ralph Inge
- I wonder if worry and anxiety about a possible negative future are best turned into a grateful and hopeful mindset for what is good about today, and how positive the future could be if we dream for it.
- It may be that the things that truly affect us negatively often happen out of the blue, and we are more resilient and able to cope with those events than we realize. A grateful and hopeful mindset may help us enjoy what we have today, and make a future that is happier and better.
Brb experiencing crippling existential panic about the singularity and the impending irrelevance of humanity - Lola Blanc
April 20, 2024
Hey xkcdHatGuy. Great video on the socialization of intelligence, I really enjoyed it and I always like hearing your thoughts and ideas on everything. Here are a few of my thoughts on just a couple of the major concepts you touched upon.
On Psychology
TLDR - I agree that improving the psychology, intelligence, practical knowledge, and life improvement skills of everyone throughout their life may be crucial.
- I agree that it is always worth getting ideas and opinions from everyone, and listening to everyone, as great ideas for ways of living and different perspectives could ultimately come from anyone or anywhere.
- I agree that improving the overall intelligence, memory, learning ability, and psychological functioning of everyone will always be very beneficial and worth pursuing instead of only focusing on or relying on tools and technological advancement.
- I agree that we can and should continue to improve the tools and ways in which we come up with, debate, organize, implement, simplify, and teach new ideas, policies, habits, practices, and ways of living which could make life and society easier, better, fairer, and happier for everyone.
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Hey Huliatt. Here are some practical ideas to help build an identity, which you might consider.
Habits
- Affirmations - Write down and read positive thoughts and ideas of what you want to be.
- Hobbies - Write down different hobbies you enjoy doing, separate from your work role.
- Goals - Write down a list of goals, activities, and things you want to achieve or do.
- Tasks - Write down 3 tasks you want to do today or tomorrow, in the morning or evening.
- Journal - Write down your thoughts on things, as well as things you are grateful for.
- Health - Exercise, eat healthy, don't smoke, meditate to improve your brain and body.
Quotes
- "Sow a thought, and you reap an act; Sow an act, and you reap a habit; Sow a habit, and you reap a character; Sow a character, and you reap a destiny"
- "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act, but a habit."
- When reading the first quote, you might replace character with identity, a synonym.
- You might replace excellence too, maybe with growth, wellness, happiness, character.
July 22, 2023
Hey xkcdHatGuy. Here are some of my thoughts on your thoughts in "Isolation in post-modernity".
Intro
- I am likely wrong about all of this and it's written tersely and impolitely
- So take my thoughts and suggestions with a grain of salt and read between lines
- Well said, people being afraid to talk about politics and ideas makes sense
- So only talk about political and societal ideas with friends who would like to do so
- Here is one video talking about people's inflexibility on society and policy ideas
Notes
- People all find it difficult to make and keep close friends and partners
- People don't care about someone's work in general, in your case your ideas on society
- People want to be happy and have fun, not talk about ideas or policies for living
- People do form relationships to get something from someone else, as you said
- Being yourself is authentic, but might not make someone likeable, friendly, or popular
- So decide when you want to be yourself, and if or when to try and fit in with people
- Ego - Bibi Bourelly
- We feel happiness doing what we want, and being of service and useful for society
Quote
- It's dangerous to try and really connect with someone. It's so special when you can find a person you can be yourself with. - Halt and Catch Fire
Isolation in post-modernity - xkcdHatGuy YouTube
July 19, 2023
Hey Derek.
Explorer versus Leader? Both.
Perceiving versus Judging? Both.
Flexible versus Structure? Both.
Dreaming versus Planning? Both.
Balance Both Sides (Nature Versus Nurture)
You are likely right, but I will add that the concepts of complementarity, dualism, yin and yang, and balance are convincing and worth remembering as well. I wonder if it's not exploring that makes a bad leader, but being an excessive explorer and dreamer without having the balance of also being a leader and planner. As an example, imagine if I theorized and wrote "Drinkers are bad leaders". Yes, an excessive alcoholic who is drinking too much all of the time would probably be a bad leader. But I wonder if a person could be both a drinker and a good leader if they balance their drinking with moderation. One could even postulate that being a moderate drinker, or moderate explorer, could make someone a better leader.
Explorers are bad leaders - Derek Sivers
March 16, 2023
Hi Nemo. I couldn't stop myself from writing down some thoughts I had for you after listening to you in a few of your streams. I know you likely won't get a chance to read it since it's long, but it was just enjoyable for me to write anyway. You might want to check out the TLDR sentences someday for a few book and media picks if anything. Best wishes for a great 2023 Nemo.
Intro - On My First Time Checking Out Twitch
TLDR - I have to admit, learning about Twitch has been fascinating
I gave in and started watching Twitch for the first time around a couple weeks ago if you can believe it, partly to learn and understand what it's all about, including watching some of the chess side of it. I saw quite a bit of Anna Cramling's live tournament, as well as quite a bit of of your recent streams, starting with playing Jennifer, up until the one the day after your birthday. Even though I will likely find the resolve to stop watching Twitch, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to you and learning about you and your crazy mind, and here are some thoughts I had at different times.
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