Could there be such a thing as a Synthesizing Quotient? If so, how might one test for it? Synthesizing can have a gestalt quality to it, but it seems to involve something more than the speed of gestalt image processing. Given their desire to search far and wide, I suspect that hyper-synthesizers are more open to change and instability than... See more
In the early 20th century, Rilke wrote a wonderful series of letters to a young poet in which he counseled, "Be patient with all that is unresolved in your heart." He said, "Try to love the questions themselves as though they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language." He said, "Don't try to reach for the answers which could not... See more
Again, I feel similar to how Popova describes herself:
“A reader who writes.”
Interestingly, reading, thinking, and writing are all intertwined. Popova says:
“It’s hard to separate the reading and research part of the process from the writing and synthesis one. The osmosis of the two is where the magic happens – that place where you pull existing... See more
And so, while language is necessary, it does a disservice to reality. In attempting to describe the indescribable, words constrain reality. Through simplifications, generalizations, and connotations they mischaracterize and water it down. They fail to capture the complexity, uniqueness, and dynamism of life. And as a result, we never truly see,... See more
Digital spaces are an urban geography in their own right. The trouble is, most of our online spaces are monopolized by entities ultimately trying to sell us a product. As a result, those spaces similarly embody the same Orwellian doublespeak that characterized the Soviet era. We are told we can use them for building connection and community, but we... See more
Think of it like a chef who not only masters cooking techniques but understands agriculture, chemistry, culture, and human connection. Their expertise isn't confined to the kitchen—it flows into storytelling, sustainability, community building, and innovation. For us, enrichment might mean pursuing multiple interests deeply enough that they begin... See more