Nicole Woods
@nicolejwoods
Nicole Woods
In a world where tech commentators confidently declare that we poor ignoramuses haven’t even begun to get our heads around what’s barreling down the tracks towards us, I think it’s good to stay fully, even slightly foolishly, committed to the idea that humans doing human things, with other humans, is and will remain at the vital heart of human exis
... See moreJoy is not a function of a life free of friction and frustration, but a function of focus — an inner elevation by the fulcrum of choice.
Maria Popova • 18 Life-Learnings From 18 Years of the Marginalian
Be gentle with yourself on the ‘What are you good at?’ question. Put your insecurities aside and simply consider what you have to offer – in your personal life, professional life, and civic life. If we each harness our superpowers, that will actually enable the radical changes we need.
315 / Designing out recklessness
“[...] The distinctive feature of the societies to which this historical process [i.e. capitalism and industrialist mass production] gave rise is that productive activity is mostly governed by a logic that tends to strip it of things like meaning, playfulness and sociability.”
Thomas Klaffke • Aliveness: Reframing Productivity
our individual flourishing is inextricably linked to the wellbeing of those around us
327 / Individual growth, collective crisis
But in excess, self-development can create a world of self-interested individuals and that’s what I’m up against here. I’m against the continual process of self-betterment at the expense of community-betterment. I’m against participating in too much theory and not enough action. We can focus on being more loving and more empathetic and more compass... See more
Elle Griffin • Social Development > Self-Development
In a world that glorifies individual success, we easily forget that our greatest power lies in our ability to come together. A truly empowered and resilient society can only arise from a sense of unity and collective purpose, not self-interest. How can we reclaim the power of the collective without losing our sense of self?
293 / Is self-expression just conformity in disguise?
björk said that trying to communicate through talking feels like trying to put the ocean through a straw
We are wired to seek and sustain relationships and cannot survive without them. The future of the human race won’t turn on space travel or climate tech, but on our ability to attach to others. A sense that we matter, that we can call on and be called upon by others to ease burdens and celebrate joy.