Deep Thoughts
Civilization
“Years ago, anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture. The student expected Mead to talk about fishhooks or clay pots or grinding stones. But no. Mead said that the first sign of civilization in an ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken
... See moreProgress only comes from changing how you see the world.
— Shane Parrish - Farnham Street
The Cheshire Cat Principle: How to Create Clarity
In Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, there’s a scene in which Alice reaches a fork in the road and has a simple exchange with the Cheshire Cat:
“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.
“I don’t much care where
... See moreThe distinction between a "learner" and someone who is "learned" is a fascinating one, highlighting different phases and mindsets in the pursuit of knowledge.
Here are some thoughts on the differences:
The Learner:
Process-Oriented: A learner is actively engaged in the process of acquiring new information, skills, and understanding.1 They are in the j
In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.
— Eric Hoffer
Writing and reading decrease our sense of isolation. They deepen and widen and expand our sense of life: they feed the soul. When writers make us shake our heads with the exactness of their prose and their truths, and even make us laugh about ourselves or life, our buoyancy is restored. We are given a shot at dancing with, or at least clapping alon
... See moreConversation enriches the understanding, but solitude is the school of genius.
— Edward Gibbon
I am humble enough to know I am not better than anyone else, but wise enough to know I am different.
Art is how we decorate space, music is how we decorate time.
— Jean Michel Basquiat