How to Be a Stoic
Stoic advice: can a salesperson be a Stoic?
[Feel free to submit a question for this column, addressing it at massimo at howtobeastoic dot org....
over a year ago
[Feel free to submit a question for this column, addressing it at massimo at howtobeastoic dot org. However, consider that I have a significant backlog, and I may not get to your question for some time, or at all.] D. writes: How should a practising Stoic ethically approach their...
Laetitia@Work
Future of Work: 12 books I read in 2022
Laetitia@Work #54
over a year ago
The Ruffian
Maybe Your Opinion Is Just a Feeling About a Story
On Changing My Mind About the Elgin Marbles. Plus: How To Get Hold of An Advance Copy of 'John &...
2 weeks ago
On Changing My Mind About the Elgin Marbles. Plus: How To Get Hold of An Advance Copy of 'John & Paul'. Plus a Juicy Rattle Bag of Goodies.
Letters of Note
Never get a bulldog
When he wrote this letter to his mother in 1944, Roald Dahl was working at the British Embassy in...
over a year ago
When he wrote this letter to his mother in 1944, Roald Dahl was working at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.—one of hundreds of undercover agents employed by Britain’s MI6 foreign intelligence service to spy on the United States. Dahl’s debut novel, The Gremlins, had been...
journal – Winnie Lim
am i actually autistic?
Recently I chanced upon a tweet stating that highly sensitive persons (HSPs) are basically autistic...
7 months ago
Recently I chanced upon a tweet stating that highly sensitive persons (HSPs) are basically autistic without admitting it. It surprised me, since the traits of HSPs as I know it seem to be the...
The Ruffian
Why Things Might Actually Be About To Get Better
Reasons For National Optimism
7 months ago
Reasons For National Optimism
Nat Eliason's...
Harry Potter and the Secret to Learning
We've Been Doing it Wrong
6 months ago
We've Been Doing it Wrong
Mind Mine
have you noticed that rule is arbitrary?
stop playing by Bad Rules
3 weeks ago
stop playing by Bad Rules
The Convivial...
Amulets Against the Spirits of the Age
The Convivial Society: Vol. 5, No. 12
a month ago
The Convivial Society: Vol. 5, No. 12
Wait But Why
100 Blocks a Day
Everyone gets 100 10-minute time blocks to use every day. How are you using yours?
The post 100...
over a year ago
Everyone gets 100 10-minute time blocks to use every day. How are you using yours?
The post 100 Blocks a Day appeared first on Wait But Why.
The Ruffian
Why Does Donald Trump Keep Happening?
Notes On The Election
a month ago
Laetitia@Work
Navigating Change: The Midlife Journey
Laetitia@Work #76
3 weeks ago
Luxagraf:...
History
We crossed the Mason Dixon line on our way to Assateague, but it didn't really feel like we were in...
a year ago
We crossed the Mason Dixon line on our way to Assateague, but it didn't really feel like we were in the south yet. No offense Maryland, but it wasn't until I stopped at a gas station in Virginia that I heard the friendly twang of a southern accent. A few miles later I passed a...
The Ruffian
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Joe Biden?
Why It's Hard and What Will Happen
5 months ago
Why It's Hard and What Will Happen
Stoic Simple
Stoicism for Athletes: Why Stoic Philosophy is Perfect for Sports
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the application of Stoic philosophy in various...
a year ago
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the application of Stoic philosophy in various aspects of life, including sports. Stoicism is an ancient philosophy that emphasizes the development of self-control, rationality, and resilience in the face of adversity. By...
Castles in the Sky
Move over New York Times. These are the 44 Best Books of the 21st Century.
A completely objective list based on only the finest criteria
5 months ago
A completely objective list based on only the finest criteria
Diaries of Note
Standing on the ramparts of Jodhpur fort
In 1925, at the age of thirty-one and seven years before publication of Brave New World, English...
a year ago
In 1925, at the age of thirty-one and seven years before publication of Brave New World, English author Aldous Huxley ventured to India on the first leg of a global tour that would take him and his wife to such places as Japan, China, Burma, and America. Their trip would later be...
journal – Winnie Lim
my first hate comment
This morning I woke up to my first ever hate comment in response to my latest post in the history of...
9 months ago
This morning I woke up to my first ever hate comment in response to my latest post in the history of this blog. I am sharing a screenshot because I don’t wish...
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Hamster Wheel Upgrades
It is either the most beautiful song I have ever heard or something else. It’s one of those rare...
over a year ago
It is either the most beautiful song I have ever heard or something else. It’s one of those rare moments where you shed all the pessimism and your soul fills with peace and clarity until it leaks out of the corner of your eye.
Both Are True
lord bless the partners of comedians
a video and a story watch the video tho its 1 min long come on
a year ago
a video and a story watch the video tho its 1 min long come on
The Ruffian
The Biden Conundrum
On the president's prospects, plus a rattle bag of stimulants and delights
a year ago
On the president's prospects, plus a rattle bag of stimulants and delights
Unfiltered by Tim...
Being a High Performer Is Lonely as Hell
It's also the best feeling in the world
2 months ago
It's also the best feeling in the world
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Unchecked Depression Boxes
And are you feeling depressed? Why should that question enrage me so much? I realize depression is a...
over a year ago
And are you feeling depressed? Why should that question enrage me so much? I realize depression is a major health epidemic. I understand that they can't treat an invisible disease without asking if you are suffering from it. But all I wanted was to get a wart frozen off the...
Laetitia@Work
Single Mum By Default
Laetitia@Work #45
over a year ago
The Ruffian
The Trump Shooting Was Fake News
On Events and Non-Events
5 months ago
Left To Write
The Narrative Fallacy
How narratives can distort our perception of reality and what to do against it
a year ago
How narratives can distort our perception of reality and what to do against it
journal – Winnie Lim
generating mini turning points
Because of multiple factors my mind seem to be perpetually stuck in an unwanted state of sadness,...
a year ago
Because of multiple factors my mind seem to be perpetually stuck in an unwanted state of sadness, fatigue and paralysis. I have learnt that it is possible to break out of this...
journal – Winnie Lim
more of the same
Pretty late into my run yesterday I went into a meditative-like zone where my breathing was slow and...
a year ago
Pretty late into my run yesterday I went into a meditative-like zone where my breathing was slow and even, my legs were going at a consistent rhythm, and I found myself thinking:...
Luxagraf:...
Mobile Bay
We maxed out our time at Fort Pickens. After six weeks, it was time to move on. We had planned to go...
9 months ago
We maxed out our time at Fort Pickens. After six weeks, it was time to move on. We had planned to go to New Orleans, and then up into the Ozarks, before heading back up to Wisconsin for the summer, but given how mild the winter turned out to be, we decided to press north sooner...
Diaries of Note
A night of terror
In September of 1939, English housewife Nella Last began keeping a diary that would span 30 years,...
a year ago
In September of 1939, English housewife Nella Last began keeping a diary that would span 30 years, ultimately producing one of the longest diaries in the English language at more than 12 million words. Born Nellie Lord in 1890, she was a voluntary participant in the Mass...
Diaries of Note
Humility
Dag Hammarskjöld was en route to negotiate peace in Congo when, in 1961, the plane in which he was...
a year ago
Dag Hammarskjöld was en route to negotiate peace in Congo when, in 1961, the plane in which he was travelling crashed, ending the lives of all its passengers. Born in 1905, Hammarskjöld was a Swedish economist and diplomat who served as the second Secretary-General of the United...
Adrian Hanft, III:...
I used to knock on the doors of old ladies
No, it wasn't a prank. Lonely women were the only people home in our apartment complex during the...
over a year ago
No, it wasn't a prank. Lonely women were the only people home in our apartment complex during the days when I was homeschooled. Most of the time the ladies would invite me in. They would offer me dry cookies or hard candy and tell me stories about their grandkids. Sometimes I...
Wait But Why
What’s Our Problem?
a self-help book for societies available now as an e-book, audiobook, or directly on the Wait But...
a year ago
a self-help book for societies available now as an e-book, audiobook, or directly on the Wait But Why website
The post What’s Our Problem? appeared first on Wait But Why.
Both Are True
i think my son hates me
PLUS: i am not handling it well AND ALSO: a baby update
10 months ago
PLUS: i am not handling it well AND ALSO: a baby update
The Honest Broker
Death: A Literary Guide
Can you really prepare for it or even understand it? These 10 books are my cherished touchstones on...
a year ago
Can you really prepare for it or even understand it? These 10 books are my cherished touchstones on the matter.
Diaries of Note
The bird has learned the bark of the dog
Reverend John Wesley was an influential Anglican cleric and theologian of the 18th century who,...
a year ago
Reverend John Wesley was an influential Anglican cleric and theologian of the 18th century who, along with his brother Charles, founded the Methodist movement. Much of his life was spent on horseback as he travelled the country, covering thousands of miles each year on his quest...
Passing Time
In Defense of Trying Hard
Being a try-hard is good, actually
8 months ago
Being a try-hard is good, actually
Castles in the Sky
Simplicity, Expertise, and Bullshit
The difference between understanding and communicating
a year ago
The difference between understanding and communicating
Passing Time
Sometimes It's About the Destination
Trying & failing to seek extrinsic motivation
2 months ago
Trying & failing to seek extrinsic motivation
The Tao Of Wealth
10 Ideas For A Life Of No Regrets
Live a life true to you, no one else. Laugh heartily when you can. Cherish your friendships (they’re...
over a year ago
Live a life true to you, no one else. Laugh heartily when you can. Cherish your friendships (they’re your support network). Invite stillness in. Create! (It’s what keeps your soul happy) Work hard, but not too hard. Spend time with the ones you love. Be COURAGEOUS, inspire people...
Diaries of Note
Beginning of Classes
In 1911, having recently become interested in the field of psychoanalysis, 50-year-old German writer...
a year ago
In 1911, having recently become interested in the field of psychoanalysis, 50-year-old German writer Lou Andreas-Salomé attended the Third Psychoanalytical Congress in Weimar and met, amongst other leading figures, Sigmund Freud. A year later, in September of 1912, she wrote to...
Diaries of Note
Blood, sweat and tears
Sir John Colville served three Prime Ministers as private secretary, most notably to Winston...
a year ago
Sir John Colville served three Prime Ministers as private secretary, most notably to Winston Churchill during the tumultuous years of World War II, and in this capacity had a front-row seat to some of the most consequential decisions and events of the 20th century. His diaries,...
Left To Write
Trust Me, I’m A Lying Social Media Performer
The early 2010’s internet used to be so simple. Facebook was used for connecting with friends....
a year ago
The early 2010’s internet used to be so simple. Facebook was used for connecting with friends. Instagram for sharing our pictures. Twitter for our thoughts. And LinkedIn to network. Everything was shown in chronological order. Fast forward to today, and the internet has become...
Atoms vs Bits
Intuitions for Georgism
Since most of our readers have never seen most of our posts, every other week we re-issue a favorite...
4 months ago
Since most of our readers have never seen most of our posts, every other week we re-issue a favorite from deep in our archive. You can unsubscribe from Reissues but continue receiving our new posts by updating your preference here.
Last year, Atvbt’s bloggers published a piece...
journal – Winnie Lim
documenting my first experience with the risograph
Last weekend to celebrate our 94th month anniversary we decided to attend a beginner’s risograph...
9 months ago
Last weekend to celebrate our 94th month anniversary we decided to attend a beginner’s risograph workshop at Knuckles & Notch. To be very honest I haven’t heard of the word “risograph” until...
Farza's Newsletter
just saw a pigeon rollerblading on the streets wow didn't know they made rollerblades for pigeons
Hey-o. Chilling in Central Park right now on a bench. It’s a pretty cloudy day. There’s this group...
over a year ago
Hey-o. Chilling in Central Park right now on a bench. It’s a pretty cloudy day. There’s this group of like 25 people in front of me right now with fake samurai swords doing some sort of sword fighting class it’s pretty lit. They be dueling right now in groups of two. Poggers.
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Building Your Personal Efficiency-O-Meter
Inefficiency is the result of wasted energy. Understanding this you can start looking for ways to...
over a year ago
Inefficiency is the result of wasted energy. Understanding this you can start looking for ways to plug the leaks and recapture the lost energy that is slowing you down.
Mark Manson
3 Steps to Stop Negative Thinking
Ever find yourself drowning in a sea of negativity, wondering how you can escape the relentless...
a year ago
Ever find yourself drowning in a sea of negativity, wondering how you can escape the relentless tidal wave of self-doubt and judgment?
Well, you're not alone. We all suffer from negative thoughts, and it's about time we learned how to deal with them effectively.
In this...
Mark Manson
How to Conquer Your Biggest Fear
What is your biggest fear? What would it mean if you could overcome that fear, once and for all?
In...
7 months ago
What is your biggest fear? What would it mean if you could overcome that fear, once and for all?
In this article, I'm going to help you do exactly that by teaching you five tactics to conquer anything you might be afraid of. Heights, spiders, small spaces, strangely-shaped...
DYNOMIGHT
Thoughts while watching myself be automated
An old friend visited me a few weeks ago. And we soon got to chatting about—what else—how long will...
3 months ago
An old friend visited me a few weeks ago. And we soon got to chatting about—what else—how long will it be before all human intellectual work is automated.
My position was: I dunno, because things are moving fast right now but what if we run out of data or scaling laws break and...
Laetitia@Work
7 Reasons Women Feel More Guilt At Work
Laetitia@Work #73
3 months ago
Castles in the Sky
Cathedral: A Short Story
Castles in the Sky #42
a year ago
Both Are True
the essay formerly known as romcom (act two)
Rom and Com are perfect for each other, but the universe has other plans
9 months ago
Rom and Com are perfect for each other, but the universe has other plans
The Honest Broker
How I Write
I tell everything in an in-depth video interview
6 months ago
I tell everything in an in-depth video interview
Adrian Hanft, III:...
The Selective Memory Eraser
I can’t remember the day I won the top artist award in college. I know it happened, I know I was...
over a year ago
I can’t remember the day I won the top artist award in college. I know it happened, I know I was thrilled, but I can’t tell you anything specific about that day. Why did the high point of my college career, the culmination of my boyhood dream, vanish from memory?
The Convivial...
The One Best Way Is a Trap
The Convivial Society: Vol. 4, No. 9
a year ago
The Convivial Society: Vol. 4, No. 9
The Honest Broker
How to Survive as the Only Opera Fan in Elementary School
My brother Dana shares a story about his unusual childhood
10 months ago
My brother Dana shares a story about his unusual childhood
The Map is Mostly...
Small Spaces
notes on building blocks
9 months ago
RhysTranter.com
A New Role at St David’s Catholic College, Cardiff
I have just started a new role as a pastoral tutor at St David's Catholic College in Cardiff. Over...
over a year ago
I have just started a new role as a pastoral tutor at St David's Catholic College in Cardiff. Over the last two years I have been looking for a secure full-time job that would allow me to draw on my teaching skills and experience, while also offering an opportunity to serve my...
Diaries of Note
You have to see it
On 6th December 1912, at the ancient site of Tell el-Amarna in Egypt, a team led by German...
a year ago
On 6th December 1912, at the ancient site of Tell el-Amarna in Egypt, a team led by German Egyptologist Ludwig Borchardt made a remarkable discovery: they uncovered a workshop once belonging to Thutmose—more formally known as ‘The King’s Favorite and Master of Works, the Sculptor...
Stoic Simple
Stoicism and Free Will: What Do Stoics Believe About Choices?
Stoicism is a philosophy that has been around for thousands of years. It was first developed in...
a year ago
Stoicism is a philosophy that has been around for thousands of years. It was first developed in ancient Greece and has since spread throughout the world. One of the core principles of Stoicism is the concept of free will. Understanding this concept is vital to understanding the...
journal – Winnie Lim
5 scenes from fukuoka
I was too tired to post anything yesterday, so I guess this wouldn’t be a daily thing. But something...
a year ago
I was too tired to post anything yesterday, so I guess this wouldn’t be a daily thing. But something is better than nothing, so I am back posting a few highlights. We...
Tech and Tea
Three Maternity Leaves at Early-Stage Startups
How it was with different companies, roles, and experiences
4 months ago
How it was with different companies, roles, and experiences
The Map is Mostly...
Why Buy a House (or Land)?
A lesson in ignoring economics
8 months ago
A lesson in ignoring economics
The Convivial...
Why An Easier Life Is Not Necessarily Happier
Remembering Albert Borgmann (1937-2023)
a year ago
Remembering Albert Borgmann (1937-2023)
Diaries of Note
This must be a specially sad day
Born Hermione Llewellyn in 1913, the life of Hermione, Countess of Ranfurly took a dramatic turn in...
12 months ago
Born Hermione Llewellyn in 1913, the life of Hermione, Countess of Ranfurly took a dramatic turn in 1941 when her husband, a lieutenant in the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, was captured by Rommel’s Afrika Korps, leading to his imprisonment as a prisoner of war in Italy. She wrote...
Passing Time
What Makes a Local?
Eventually, I'll be a local of somewhere
4 months ago
Eventually, I'll be a local of somewhere
Left To Write
Playing Russian Roulette
How understanding this morbid game can improve your decision making in life, health and business.
a year ago
How understanding this morbid game can improve your decision making in life, health and business.
Letters of Note
Diaries of Note
Dear all, On 1st January of this year, after what feels like centuries of preparation, I launched...
a year ago
Dear all, On 1st January of this year, after what feels like centuries of preparation, I launched Diaries of Note, and though incredibly difficult to plan, the premise is simple: every single day, on the Diaries of Note website, I am featuring a single diary entry from history,...
The Honest Broker
Tony Bennett’s Greatest Jazz Collaborations
I pick a dozen favorite tracks—each showcasing the vocalist in tandem with a jazz legend
a year ago
I pick a dozen favorite tracks—each showcasing the vocalist in tandem with a jazz legend
Wait But Why
Neuralink and the Brain’s Magical Future
I knew the future would be shocking but this is a whole other level.
The post Neuralink and the...
over a year ago
I knew the future would be shocking but this is a whole other level.
The post Neuralink and the Brain’s Magical Future appeared first on Wait But Why.
Both Are True
Live, laugh, AND love?
In THIS economy? With THESE Inflations?
4 months ago
In THIS economy? With THESE Inflations?
Adrian Hanft, III:...
The Slow, Steady, Inevitable March Towards Oatmeal
Pushing back against the idea that you are doomed to become a commodity.
over a year ago
Pushing back against the idea that you are doomed to become a commodity.
journal – Winnie Lim
practicing creativity while in recovery
Prior to getting covid I revolved my life around getting healthier: exercising, recovering from...
a year ago
Prior to getting covid I revolved my life around getting healthier: exercising, recovering from exercise, cooking. Now I am just focused on getting back to my baseline, which till now I am...
Letters of Note
My heart almost stood still
The following letter was written exactly 100 years ago. It’s a remarkable piece of writing that...
10 months ago
The following letter was written exactly 100 years ago. It’s a remarkable piece of writing that never fails to move me. And because you deserve it, above the transcript I’ve included audio of the letter being read by the lovely Juliet Stevenson, taken from the Letters of Note:...
Diaries of Note
When in my hand thy pulse is prest, I feel it alter mine
Born in Yorkshire in 1791, Anne Lister was a landowner famed for keeping detailed diaries that...
a year ago
Born in Yorkshire in 1791, Anne Lister was a landowner famed for keeping detailed diaries that totalled over four million words, a sixth of which was written in a code she devised to conceal her sexuality and intimate encounters. Discovered and deciphered by a descendant in the...
Adrian Hanft, III:...
The UI/UX of Motorcycle Maintenance
The motorcycle of tomorrow will be so simple to operate that you no longer need a driver’s license....
over a year ago
The motorcycle of tomorrow will be so simple to operate that you no longer need a driver’s license. Safety advances make it nearly impossible to kill yourself on the formerly dangerous vehicles.
Stoic Simple
How to Find Fulfillment in Life with Stoicism
In a world that often emphasizes material success and external validation, it can be difficult to...
a year ago
In a world that often emphasizes material success and external validation, it can be difficult to find true fulfillment. Stoicism, an ancient philosophy that emphasizes personal virtue, inner resilience, and self-awareness, offers a roadmap for finding inner peace and...
The Ruffian
Why You Should Ignore All the Polls
They Aren't Telling Anything You Need To Know
a month ago
They Aren't Telling Anything You Need To Know
Atoms vs Bits
Incumbency Advantage
What if good candidates just win against bad ones?
4 months ago
What if good candidates just win against bad ones?
The Ruffian
Movies as Discourse Generators
Notes on Recent Films
a year ago
Tech and Tea
Saddened by the tech industry
Watching the pendulum swing away from people-centric leadership and wishing pendulums didn't swing...
a year ago
Watching the pendulum swing away from people-centric leadership and wishing pendulums didn't swing quite so far in the other direction.
Diaries of Note
A Midwife’s Tale
Esteemed midwife Martha Ballard was fifty when she began to keep a diary—a unique and detailed...
a year ago
Esteemed midwife Martha Ballard was fifty when she began to keep a diary—a unique and detailed record of life in 18th-century rural America that would grow to 10,000 entries and cover 27 years. On the day of the following entry in October of 1794, Ballard successfully delivered...
Stoic Simple
A Stoic Perspective on Achieving Happiness
In today’s fast-paced and unpredictable world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges and...
a year ago
In today’s fast-paced and unpredictable world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges and pressures of daily life. Many of us are constantly searching for ways to achieve happiness and inner peace amidst the chaos. While some turn to meditation and mindfulness, others...
RhysTranter.com
Keeping Silence
Saturday afternoon. Revisiting Merton, Newman, and this from Madeleine Delbrêl…
7 months ago
Saturday afternoon. Revisiting Merton, Newman, and this from Madeleine Delbrêl…
Diaries of Note
Arrived in Peking today
As Adolf Hitler’s chief architect and later his Minister of Armaments, Albert Speer was a key...
a year ago
As Adolf Hitler’s chief architect and later his Minister of Armaments, Albert Speer was a key instrument in the murderous machine of the Third Reich, a role for which he was rightly convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the Nuremberg Trials. During his...
Diaries of Note
At some stage in the season, failure is going to stare you in the face
Originally, Eamon Dunphy had set out to document a full year in the life of a professional...
a year ago
Originally, Eamon Dunphy had set out to document a full year in the life of a professional footballer. However, fate had different plans, and four months into the 1973/4 season he left Millwall to sign for Charlton Athletic, thereby cutting his diary short. The result was an...
Diaries of Note
My oldest Friend is at last going to leave me
Born in 1741 in Caernarvonshire, Wales, Hester Thrale belonged to the esteemed Salusbury family....
a year ago
Born in 1741 in Caernarvonshire, Wales, Hester Thrale belonged to the esteemed Salusbury family. Famous for her friendships with such luminaries as Samuel Johnson, Joshua Reynolds, and David Garrick, Thrale was a prominent figure of the period, and her writings, particularly the...
Diaries of Note
For twelve years we lied about it
Kenneth Rose was a journalist and biographer famous for his access to high-profile British figures,...
a year ago
Kenneth Rose was a journalist and biographer famous for his access to high-profile British figures, tales of whom are scattered through his extensive diaries. On the day he wrote the following entry in 1985, Rose had spent some time with Mary Soames, daughter of Winston...
Diaries of Note
The British people are like children
Few people were as close to Adolf Hitler as Joseph Goebbels. As the Reich Minister of Propaganda in...
a year ago
Few people were as close to Adolf Hitler as Joseph Goebbels. As the Reich Minister of Propaganda in Nazi Germany, he played a crucial role in shaping the image and message of the Third Reich, manipulating public opinion and orchestrating a vast machinery of lies and deception....
Diaries of Note
His first remark was, taking up a book: “Human skin”
Arnold Bennett was one of the most successful British novelists of the Victorian era, a prolific...
a year ago
Arnold Bennett was one of the most successful British novelists of the Victorian era, a prolific wordsmith whose output spanned 34 novels, seven collections of short stories, a dozen plays, and hundreds of articles—and amidst it all, he somehow found time to keep a daily diary...
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Science is all in your head
Science seems to support the idea that you are a pattern recognition machine
over a year ago
Science seems to support the idea that you are a pattern recognition machine
The Ruffian
The Unreal Thing
What Coca Cola's Christmas Ad and Ben Affleck Tell Us About AI and the Future of the Creative...
a month ago
What Coca Cola's Christmas Ad and Ben Affleck Tell Us About AI and the Future of the Creative Industries
Passing Time
Backyard Skiing
You don’t have to go far from home for adventure
9 months ago
You don’t have to go far from home for adventure
Adrian Hanft, III:...
If a manifesto is published on Medium and no one recommends it, does it make a sound?
Anybody can write a manifesto and there is nothing that says it has to inspire anybody. But if you...
over a year ago
Anybody can write a manifesto and there is nothing that says it has to inspire anybody. But if you are going to fill space with corporate jargon, what are you hoping to accomplish? Why would you share it with the world if you have nothing new to contribute?
Diaries of Note
Morbidness—is it?
English author George Gissing was known for writing tales of Victorian life that often centred...
a year ago
English author George Gissing was known for writing tales of Victorian life that often centred around class struggles and social issues—a literary prowess that led George Orwell to acclaim him as “perhaps the best novelist England has produced.” When he penned this poignant diary...
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Your Communication Leakage Rate
Over 85% of your communication is lost. It is wasted on deaf ears, hidden agendas, wandering minds,...
over a year ago
Over 85% of your communication is lost. It is wasted on deaf ears, hidden agendas, wandering minds, good intentions, and the low fidelity of human memory. I made the 85% number up, but it can't be far off. If you think my guess is unreasonable let me try to distort your reality.
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Why is the Boston Marathon So Slow?
The perception is that the Boston Marathon is a fast race. True, the winners always post blazing...
over a year ago
The perception is that the Boston Marathon is a fast race. True, the winners always post blazing fast times, but what about everyone else? It might surprise you to learn that that the majority of Boston participants perform far below their capabilities.
Passing Time
UPPERCASE lowercase Andinbetvveen
On stylized titling: the expanding canvas of musical expression
over a year ago
On stylized titling: the expanding canvas of musical expression
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Nike's Two-Hour Marathon and the Source of Sensational Failure
If Eliud Kipchoge's run had been one second per mile faster Eliud would be the man who did the...
over a year ago
If Eliud Kipchoge's run had been one second per mile faster Eliud would be the man who did the impossible. Instead, he is a loser. Or maybe we are the ones who are losing.
Diaries of Note
I need solitude. I need space. I need air.
English novelist Virginia Woolf was fifteen when she began her first diary; by the time of her death...
a year ago
English novelist Virginia Woolf was fifteen when she began her first diary; by the time of her death in 1941, she had filled more than thirty handwritten volumes with reflections, observations, and personal struggles that offer a window into her complex mind. When she wrote the...
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Curiosity + Obsession + Clarity = Quality
Why the Business of Building Websites Generates So Much Garbage
over a year ago
Why the Business of Building Websites Generates So Much Garbage
Diaries of Note
I try to make tea out of dust
Born in 1942 in Schenectady, New York, Lyn Lifshin was an award-winning American poet and feminist...
a year ago
Born in 1942 in Schenectady, New York, Lyn Lifshin was an award-winning American poet and feminist known for her unique voice and prolific output: over her lifetime, she authored more than 120 books and chapbooks of poetry, edited four anthologies of women’s writing, and...
Both Are True
My son, the two year old soccer prodigy
he just doesn't know it yet // S1E2
a year ago
he just doesn't know it yet // S1E2
The Tao Of Wealth
The Bird In The Golden Cage
A boy buys a bird and they are having a conversation: The boy says, “My dear bird, you live with me....
over a year ago
A boy buys a bird and they are having a conversation: The boy says, “My dear bird, you live with me. I shall give you very nice fruits. I shall talk with you,” and so many things. But the bird says, “No, I want to go away. I want to go away.” The boy replies,Continue reading "The...
Nat Eliason's...
The Best Books I Read in 2024
My first fiction-heavy roundup
4 days ago
My first fiction-heavy roundup
Castles in the Sky
Courage and Moonshots
On Nikolai Fedorov's impossible dream and the ordinary courage of taking crazy ideas seriously
6 days ago
On Nikolai Fedorov's impossible dream and the ordinary courage of taking crazy ideas seriously
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Two Imaginary Cages
One mouse, one bird, and two cages. A grim parable for modern workers.
over a year ago
One mouse, one bird, and two cages. A grim parable for modern workers.
Adrian Hanft, III:...
My First Golden Combover
My design education had indoctrinated me with belief in the purity of flat design. I was a true...
over a year ago
My design education had indoctrinated me with belief in the purity of flat design. I was a true believer. I was faced with a moral dilemma on my very first assignment. What did I do?
Farza's Newsletter
i ordered garlic naan but they gave me captain crunch instead what the heck man
Note: this is targeted specifically at startup founders. But, same things apply to anyone who’s...
a year ago
Note: this is targeted specifically at startup founders. But, same things apply to anyone who’s brave enough to create something from nothing — creators, musicians, physics researchers, etc. I wanna talk about why companies die. And, why most people quit.
Left To Write
#10 Writemas: Uncovering High Agency Talent
I’ve met many people in my adult life who are so much more intelligent than I am. But most of them...
a year ago
I’ve met many people in my adult life who are so much more intelligent than I am. But most of them have ended up in well-paid corporate roles. Now, there’s nothing wrong with doing a 9 to 5. These corporate companies are needed, but whenever I walk away from conversations with...
Diaries of Note
We simply dread the moon
Hallie Eustace Miles was a writer and restaurateur who, along with her sportsman husband Eustace...
a year ago
Hallie Eustace Miles was a writer and restaurateur who, along with her sportsman husband Eustace Hamilton Miles, opened a vegetarian restaurant in 1906, shortly after their marriage. The Eustace Miles Restaurant became an iconic meeting place in Edwardian London, drawing a wide...
Luxagraf:...
Baseball Diamonds
We would never have come this way if weren't for the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York....
a year ago
We would never have come this way if weren't for the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Not that I wanted to go there that badly, but when we took the kids to a baseball game back in Florida the Baseball Hall of Fame somehow came up and I remember Elliott saying "can...
The Honest Broker
A Conversation with Jason Moran
The celebrated pianist, composer, and Artistic Director for Jazz at the Kennedy Center talks with...
a year ago
The celebrated pianist, composer, and Artistic Director for Jazz at the Kennedy Center talks with Ted Panken
Left To Write
№ 64: How I Make A V60 Pourover Coffee
My morning coffee ritual - Choosing intention - Mother's cooking - Finding passion & purpose
a year ago
My morning coffee ritual - Choosing intention - Mother's cooking - Finding passion & purpose
The Honest Broker
In 1970, Alvin Toffler Predicted the Rise of Future Shock—But the Exact Opposite Happened
And it's much, much worse
a year ago
And it's much, much worse
Adrian Hanft, III:...
The Time I Saw a UFO and Only One Person Believed Me
I was lying on my back in a field in Nebraska when the alien ship flew by. I went out that night...
over a year ago
I was lying on my back in a field in Nebraska when the alien ship flew by. I went out that night hoping to see a shooting star and saw a UFO instead.
Diaries of Note
One pheasant behaved like a madman
In November 1974, upon learning that his friend and mentor, film critic Lotte Eisner, was critically...
a year ago
In November 1974, upon learning that his friend and mentor, film critic Lotte Eisner, was critically ill in Paris and close to death, German filmmaker Werner Herzog immediately packed a duffel bag and began to walk in her direction from Munich, convinced that “she would stay...
DYNOMIGHT
Fighting me and other survey results
Thank you to the 966 people who filled out the survey. And thanks also to the strangely numerous...
7 months ago
Thank you to the 966 people who filled out the survey. And thanks also to the strangely numerous people who read all the questions and wrote to me about them but didn’t answer them. (Though: why?)
Many asked: Will the survey data be public? Unfortunately no, because I’m a big...
Laetitia@Work
Mind the Exponential Gap
Listen now (54 mins) | Laetitia@Work #42
over a year ago
Listen now (54 mins) | Laetitia@Work #42
Daniel Bourke
Wu wei (无为) — The art of not forcing
The controlled accident.
Sometimes it gets mistaken for "do nothing" or "doing nothing".
Because the...
a year ago
The controlled accident.
Sometimes it gets mistaken for "do nothing" or "doing nothing".
Because the characters 无为 (wu wei) mean nothing (wu, 无) and doing (wei, 为).
So although a literal translation would be doing nothing, it doesn’t mean the same as sitting
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Fingerprints on the Feculence
If you don’t claim responsibility for the user experience who will? Is there a stronger advocate for...
over a year ago
If you don’t claim responsibility for the user experience who will? Is there a stronger advocate for quality, anyone more in touch with good taste than you? It is time to fess up to poor UX.
journal – Winnie Lim
obsessively compulsively thinking about death, loss and existence
Some time ago while reading a blog post on autism I learnt about the concept of existential OCD...
3 months ago
Some time ago while reading a blog post on autism I learnt about the concept of existential OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder): Existential OCD involves intrusive, repetitive thinking about questions which cannot possibly...
Stoic Simple
The Benefits of Practicing Stoic Mindfulness
Are you looking to cultivate emotional resilience, improve decision-making skills, and enhance your...
a year ago
Are you looking to cultivate emotional resilience, improve decision-making skills, and enhance your relationships with others? Consider practicing stoic mindfulness. While mindfulness is commonly associated with Zen Buddhism and other Eastern religions, it has roots in ancient...
The Honest Broker
How I Take Notes
In response to reader requests, I share my 3 levels of note-taking
a year ago
In response to reader requests, I share my 3 levels of note-taking
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Atrocity Capacity and the Gentle Giant
My pencil box concealed a weapon. It held a pencil on one end and a metal spike on the other. ...
over a year ago
My pencil box concealed a weapon. It held a pencil on one end and a metal spike on the other. You're supposed to use it to draw circles, but thrust it at soft flesh and you will draw blood. Third-graders are cruel but most of us weren't stupid enough to actually stab our...
Luxagraf:...
Renaissance Fair
One of the things I find most peculiar about our current pop culture worldview is the utter...
a year ago
One of the things I find most peculiar about our current pop culture worldview is the utter disregard for the past. The past is a far away thing that is almost always a-thing-you-are-so-lucky-you-don't-have-to-live-in.
Step outside that increasingly tunneled vision the media...
Diaries of Note
The human is a creature of paradox
When he wrote the following diary entry in 1973, 30-year-old Arthur Ashe had already carved out a...
a year ago
When he wrote the following diary entry in 1973, 30-year-old Arthur Ashe had already carved out a distinguished place in sporting history, not just as a formidable tennis player, but also as a pioneering African-American athlete in a predominantly white sport. With the US Open...
Mind Mine
Discussing King, Warrior, Magician, Lover with Co-Author Douglas Gillette
masculine archetypes, understanding our shadow, and how we can raise the collective consciousness
2 weeks ago
masculine archetypes, understanding our shadow, and how we can raise the collective consciousness
The Honest Broker
Open Mic Day: Tells Us About Your Favorite Movies, Music, Books, Etc. of 2024
Share your best picks!
a month ago
Nat Eliason's...
The Bad Goal of $5m by 30
And perhaps a better framing
a year ago
And perhaps a better framing
The Tao Of Wealth
Sri Patalathri Nrisimha Perumal Stuti
Patalathri, commonly known as Singaperumal Koil is a very famous Narasimha Kshetra situated in...
over a year ago
Patalathri, commonly known as Singaperumal Koil is a very famous Narasimha Kshetra situated in Chengalpattu District, Tamilnadu. This place houses a beautiful rock-cut Narasimha temple, which is situated on a small hill. The name of the place, ‘Patalathri’ also gives a similar...
Stoic Simple
Understanding the Key Principles of Stoicism
If you're looking for a practical philosophy to help guide you through life's ups and downs, look no...
a year ago
If you're looking for a practical philosophy to help guide you through life's ups and downs, look no further than Stoicism. At its core, Stoicism is all about living a good life by cultivating virtues like wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance, and finding inner tranquility no...
Diaries of Note
I look forward to the operating theatre as a happy release
The prospect of Christmas was rarely a thrill for Evelyn Waugh, the famously grumpy author behind...
a year ago
The prospect of Christmas was rarely a thrill for Evelyn Waugh, the famously grumpy author behind razor-edged novels like Brideshead Revisited. But even for Waugh, the back-end of 1946 was particularly trying. Not only was he surrounded by the family who so regularly irritated...
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Masterpiece Hallucinations
What can you see through blurry eyes that you can't see with 20/20 vision?
over a year ago
What can you see through blurry eyes that you can't see with 20/20 vision?
Atoms vs Bits
My Cousin Went To Greece Once
How relevant does your anecdote have to be before you'll mention it in a conversation?
a year ago
How relevant does your anecdote have to be before you'll mention it in a conversation?
The Honest Broker
Who Was Kid Bailey?
I try to solve the last big mystery of the Delta blues
4 months ago
I try to solve the last big mystery of the Delta blues
DYNOMIGHT
Is there a homeless crisis?
A few years ago, I took a look at the data on homelessness in the United States. We now have new...
5 months ago
A few years ago, I took a look at the data on homelessness in the United States. We now have new data (and a new reality) so let’s revisit things, this time in superior list format.
1. After holding steady for years, homelessness recently jumped up a bit.
Here is the percentage...
The Map is Mostly...
Reading Well
Reading is alluring. It has a nameless quality beyond satisfying desires for information and...
a year ago
Reading is alluring. It has a nameless quality beyond satisfying desires for information and pleasure. Despite more colorful and interactive media, reading text somehow remains more refined, more seductive. There is a visceral feeling to good reading. Partly this is because...
Atoms vs Bits
Baby Money Index - Reader Comments
North Korea, PPP and Why TFR is Squared
a week ago
North Korea, PPP and Why TFR is Squared
Adrian Hanft, III:...
How to Trigger Flow States with Coffee
Most of us use coffee to get through the day. It's a routine that we probably don't think much...
over a year ago
Most of us use coffee to get through the day. It's a routine that we probably don't think much about. Wake up, pour a cup and go. When the buzz wears off it is time for another cup. But what if we used coffee more intentionally? Could we develop a system where coffee becomes your...
Castles in the Sky
The Best Things I Read or Watched in April 2024 | Castles in the Sky Links
These are all the best things I read and watched in April 2024. If you open this in a browser, you...
7 months ago
These are all the best things I read and watched in April 2024. If you open this in a browser, you can click the link to take you straight to that part of the article. Cosmographia by M. E. Rothwell “On reaching the age of the TV anti-hero” by Erik Hoel
The Ruffian
The Age of Centrist Heroes Is Over
I Hope You Like Pizza
5 months ago
Stoic Simple
Stoic Advice on Time Management Problems: Ask Marcus Aurelius
Previous Next Using Marcus Aurelius's writing in his Meditations and experiences inferred from...
a year ago
Previous Next Using Marcus Aurelius's writing in his Meditations and experiences inferred from historical records, we created an AI digital personality that spoke with us about how to practice Stoicism in our modern world. This AI persona literally thinks that it's Marcus...
The Honest Broker
A Look at Bill Evans's 15-Year-Old Pianist Grandson
And other updates on previous posts
11 months ago
And other updates on previous posts
Diaries of Note
The whole Channel is filled with little ships
Exactly 80 years ago today, the world held its breath as the Allied forces launched the largest...
6 months ago
Exactly 80 years ago today, the world held its breath as the Allied forces launched the largest seaborne invasion in history, marking the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany’s occupation of Europe. Among the thousands of brave soldiers who set out to liberate the continent was...
Diaries of Note
This death hit me hard
Born in 1907 in the Australian city of Wangaratta, Sir Ernest Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was a surgeon...
a year ago
Born in 1907 in the Australian city of Wangaratta, Sir Ernest Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was a surgeon and soldier known for his humanitarian work during WWII. Captured by Japanese forces in 1942, he was sent to work on the deadly Thai-Burma Railway where, as a senior medical officer,...
The Convivial...
Learning to Receive the Day
Listen now | The Convivial Society: Vol. 5, No. 1 (supplement)
9 months ago
Listen now | The Convivial Society: Vol. 5, No. 1 (supplement)
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Blind Spots, Keyholes, and Failing in Slow Motion
One of the principles I live by is a belief that the more you look, the more you see. It's a simple...
over a year ago
One of the principles I live by is a belief that the more you look, the more you see. It's a simple mantra but it contains the meaning of life. Or at least I think it does. I am probably wrong.
The Honest Broker
I Say Forbidden Things About Sports
What's happening in athletics is tragic—but don't expect to hear about on ESPN
3 weeks ago
What's happening in athletics is tragic—but don't expect to hear about on ESPN
journal – Winnie Lim
documenting everyday moments because they will become precious
A few months ago someone popped up on the Singapore reddit and started posting photos of old...
a year ago
A few months ago someone popped up on the Singapore reddit and started posting photos of old Singapore from the 1950s-1970s. He is the grandson of Ivan Polunin, a medical doctor who...
Luxagraf:...
Fly Navy
The one upside to getting kicked out of Fort Pickens for a storm that never hit, was meeting the...
10 months ago
The one upside to getting kicked out of Fort Pickens for a storm that never hit, was meeting the pilot.
The bus, wherever it goes, is conspicuous. It is especially conspicuous in the middle of an otherwise empty parking lot. Next to the parking lot was a collection of condos,...
Unfiltered by Tim...
You’ll Never Be a Millionaire with a Salary
Here's the quiet path to become a different type of millionaire
a month ago
Here's the quiet path to become a different type of millionaire
Diaries of Note
I did so want to be a great actress
Rachel Roberts was a formidable Welsh actress whose performances on stage and screen garnered praise...
a year ago
Rachel Roberts was a formidable Welsh actress whose performances on stage and screen garnered praise and awards, her name often spoken with a mix of reverence and endearment within theatrical circles. Sadly, her personal life was at odds with her professional one, and in the last...
Scarlet Ink
Work Enemies: Actions You Can Take to Protect Yourself From Bad Relationships
You won't always get along with your co-workers. What can you do to protect yourself?
3 months ago
You won't always get along with your co-workers. What can you do to protect yourself?
The Honest Broker
Here's My Mission Impossible Article—But I Refuse to Talk About the Movie
I just care about the theme song
a year ago
I just care about the theme song
The Map is Mostly...
A lot with a little
Have more than thou showest, Speak less than thou knowest, Lend less than thou owest — The Fool,...
a year ago
Have more than thou showest, Speak less than thou knowest, Lend less than thou owest — The Fool, King Lear Some works are better for their brevity. Fan Ho needs very little: Most of the image is black, or blurry. You can scarcely tell what materials you’re looking at. But the...
Diaries of Note
The reign of beasts has begun
The world was plunged into darkness on 1st September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland, an act of...
a year ago
The world was plunged into darkness on 1st September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland, an act of aggression that led France and the United Kingdom to declare war. Amidst this global turmoil, a young Albert Camus, then a journalist for socialist newspaper Alger-Républicain, found...
Wait But Why
The 2024 Trump-Biden Debate
Jeez
The post The 2024 Trump-Biden Debate appeared first on Wait But Why.
5 months ago
Jeez
The post The 2024 Trump-Biden Debate appeared first on Wait But Why.
Passing Time
Reasons Not to Burn Coal That Have Nothing to Do with Climate Change
You don't need to talk about CO2 to have reasons to stop using coal for electricity generation
over a year ago
You don't need to talk about CO2 to have reasons to stop using coal for electricity generation
Mark Manson
Narcissism: Where It Comes From and How to Deal With It
Ah, narcissists. Checking themselves out in every reflective surface they walk by. Yammering on...
a year ago
Ah, narcissists. Checking themselves out in every reflective surface they walk by. Yammering on about that one time they won the third-grade spelling bee. Thinking they're God's gift to the universe—after all, why else would He have put them right in the middle of it?
But here's...
Adrian Hanft, III:...
25 Questions You Didn’t Know You Needed “Art of the Living Dead” to Answer
A starting point for anyone curious about reading a book about creativity and zombies
over a year ago
A starting point for anyone curious about reading a book about creativity and zombies
Tech and Tea
What I've been eating...
Anyone who spends any time with me knows that I love food — thinking about food, making food, eating...
a year ago
Anyone who spends any time with me knows that I love food — thinking about food, making food, eating food, telling people about food. Why not add it into Tech and Tea?
journal – Winnie Lim
why i love hong kong
Hong Kong still seems like the same place in many ways, but it feels different. I don’t know how...
7 months ago
Hong Kong still seems like the same place in many ways, but it feels different. I don’t know how much of it is due to the changes in me or the changes...
DYNOMIGHT
Consciousness will slip through our fingers
I guess life makes sense: For some reason there’s a universe and that universe has lots of atoms...
3 months ago
I guess life makes sense: For some reason there’s a universe and that universe has lots of atoms bouncing around and sometimes they bounce into patterns that copy themselves and then those patterns go to war for billions of years and voilà—you.
But consciousness is weird. Why...
DYNOMIGHT
Something weird is happening with LLMs and chess
A year ago, there was a lot of talk about large language models (LLMs) playing chess. Word was that...
a month ago
A year ago, there was a lot of talk about large language models (LLMs) playing chess. Word was that if you trained a big enough model on enough text, then you could send it a partially played game, ask it to predict the next move, and it would play at the level of an advanced...
Nat Eliason's...
Proof You Can Do Hard Things
An Essential Piece to Your Life Resume
a year ago
An Essential Piece to Your Life Resume
Diaries of Note
Very many delightful things were shown
On 12th July 1520, German Renaissance painter Albrecht Dürer, accompanied by his wife, Agnes,...
a year ago
On 12th July 1520, German Renaissance painter Albrecht Dürer, accompanied by his wife, Agnes, embarked on a significant journey from Germany to the Netherlands, both to attend the coronation of Charles V in October and ensure the continuation of the pension he had received for...
Diaries of Note
The air crackled with a mixture of excitement and tension
On the day of her 77th birthday in 1997, proving that it’s never too late to begin, acclaimed...
a year ago
On the day of her 77th birthday in 1997, proving that it’s never too late to begin, acclaimed detective novelist P. D. James wrote her first diary entry—one of many she would pen over the course of twelve months in a concerted effort to “record just one year that otherwise might...
Castles in the Sky
Questions Lead to the Good Life
Formally Introducing Psychological Richness
a year ago
Formally Introducing Psychological Richness
Luxagraf:...
Build
When in doubt, build shelves. Building things is an essential part of life. Shelves are easy and...
a year ago
When in doubt, build shelves. Building things is an essential part of life. Shelves are easy and satisfying to build. They're useful too. Everyone needs more shelf space. Everywhere I've ever lived I built some shelves or bookcase or some sort of flat surface on which to put...
The Honest Broker
How to Read Greek Tragedy in a Netflix World
If you dare
3 months ago
Stoic Simple
Stoicism and Facing Failure: Why Stoic Resilience Helps Us Fail Well
Experiencing failure can be a difficult and draining experience. It can leave us feeling defeated,...
a year ago
Experiencing failure can be a difficult and draining experience. It can leave us feeling defeated, discouraged, and unsure of ourselves. However, it is important to remember that failure is a natural part of life and can be an opportunity for growth and learning. In this article,...
The Ruffian
The problem with "educate yourself"
Why there's only one acceptable way to use it
a year ago
Why there's only one acceptable way to use it
Castles in the Sky
The Bookseller's Register #3
Two Customer Encounters
a year ago
The Honest Broker
10 Reasons Why Technological Progress Is Now Reversing
Or How Silicon Valley Started Breaking Bad
4 months ago
Or How Silicon Valley Started Breaking Bad
Stoic Simple
Using Stoicism to be Less Emotional About Politics & News Media
by Bob Cymber Most Stoics are aware of the famous "Dichotomy of Control." In this view, there are...
a year ago
by Bob Cymber Most Stoics are aware of the famous "Dichotomy of Control." In this view, there are things that are directly under our influence and things that are not directly under our influence (although those who know about modern Stoic William Irvine’s commentary realize that...
Diaries of Note
A very wonderfull scene
In 1768, British botanist Joseph Banks was one of nearly a hundred crew members to join Captain...
a year ago
In 1768, British botanist Joseph Banks was one of nearly a hundred crew members to join Captain James Cook on the first of three historic voyages of exploration. For three years they journeyed, visiting South America, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia and Java as they...
Diaries of Note
Two less among many, many hundreds of thousands
Born in Norway in 1901, Odd Nansen was an architect and humanitarian whose life took a drastic turn...
a year ago
Born in Norway in 1901, Odd Nansen was an architect and humanitarian whose life took a drastic turn in 1942 when he was arrested by the Nazis for his courageous work with the resistance. For three and a half years he was imprisoned at concentration camps in both Norway and...
Luxagraf:...
Canada
When we plotted our route east we planned to duck south of Lake Erie. The more direct route -- along...
a year ago
When we plotted our route east we planned to duck south of Lake Erie. The more direct route -- along the north shore of Lake Erie -- involved going into Canada, and the kids' passports were expired.
About two weeks before we left Washburn we mentioned something about that to our...
Adrian Hanft, III:...
The IKEA Defense of Flat Earthers
Flat Earthers are perhaps the only group of people that it is still socially acceptable to...
over a year ago
Flat Earthers are perhaps the only group of people that it is still socially acceptable to discriminate against. We just can’t bring ourselves to tolerate people who believe the world is flat. And yet the fundamental ideas powering a flat Earth believer is an approach that most...
Left To Write
№ 79: Allowing Those You Love The Right To Be Wrong
Why you’re getting this: I’m Jason Nguyen. I run Bloomstory.co.uk and The Mailroom. This is my...
7 months ago
Why you’re getting this: I’m Jason Nguyen. I run Bloomstory.co.uk and The Mailroom. This is my newsletter. I used to write this every week, but now I send this out when I can — life got in the way. Updates on what’s been going on in my life are at the bottom of this newsletter.
Atoms vs Bits
Mr. UFOs Go to Washington
On Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee had a hearing on UAP (aka UFOs). Most of what was said...
a month ago
On Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee had a hearing on UAP (aka UFOs). Most of what was said is already public knowledge, but it allowed witnesses to testify under oath, get information into the congressional record, and publicize the issue. The highlights:
High-level...
Diaries of Note
O God is there no redress, no peace, no justice in this land for us?
Ida B. Wells was a trailblazing African American journalist, civil rights activist, and suffragist...
a year ago
Ida B. Wells was a trailblazing African American journalist, civil rights activist, and suffragist who courageously fought against racial injustice and gender inequality throughout her life. Born into slavery in 1862, she grew up to become a vocal advocate for the rights of Black...
The Ruffian
If Gervais and Chappelle are so unfunny why are they so popular?
An enquiry into the nature of comedy
11 months ago
An enquiry into the nature of comedy
Both Are True
i was a murder mystery dinner theater actor
my role? first-to-die. the job? weird as hell.
10 months ago
my role? first-to-die. the job? weird as hell.
The Convivial...
Antivirals
The Convivial Society: Vol. 3, No. 17
over a year ago
The Convivial Society: Vol. 3, No. 17
Stoic Simple
Dealing with Loss & Suffering: What Stoicism Teaches
In our lives, we all face moments of loss and suffering. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, a...
a year ago
In our lives, we all face moments of loss and suffering. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, a job, a relationship, or something else, such experiences can be devastating and difficult to manage. While it may seem impossible to cope with these trying times, Stoicism offers a...
The Honest Broker
The State of the Culture, 2024
Or a glimpse into post-entertainment society (it's not pretty)
10 months ago
Or a glimpse into post-entertainment society (it's not pretty)
Adrian Hanft, III:...
A Frantic Phone Call
I got a disturbing phone call the day after I quit my job. The voice on the other side of the phone...
over a year ago
I got a disturbing phone call the day after I quit my job. The voice on the other side of the phone was sincerely concerned about me. What have I done? She told me I had made a terrible mistake.
The Honest Broker
My Ultimate Texas Songwriter Playlist
I've handpicked 56 tracks from the Lone Star State (3 hours of music)
a year ago
I've handpicked 56 tracks from the Lone Star State (3 hours of music)
Diaries of Note
Industry, Thrift, and Loyalty
On 13th September 1840, the day after their wedding and on Clara’s 21st birthday, Robert Schumann...
a year ago
On 13th September 1840, the day after their wedding and on Clara’s 21st birthday, Robert Schumann wrote the first entry in a diary with a difference. Designed to be a shared sanctuary for the newlyweds, the diary was a place for them to alternately record their aspirations, joys,...
Luxagraf:...
Stop Breaking Down
I had a bad feeling pulling out of Washburn. The bus had sat for nearly four months. The bus hates...
a year ago
I had a bad feeling pulling out of Washburn. The bus had sat for nearly four months. The bus hates sitting. I had time to drive it to the upholstery shop and back and that was the extent of my test driving. I was hoping, whatever was going to break, would do it in a populous area...
Castles in the Sky
What We Have Given Up in Exchange for This Limitless Bounty
Novelty and Nostalgia in Second-Tier Grocery Stores
6 months ago
Novelty and Nostalgia in Second-Tier Grocery Stores
Diaries of Note
We spend our lives in tense expectation
In the midst of the Russian Civil War, April 1919 saw the city of Odessa plunged further into...
a year ago
In the midst of the Russian Civil War, April 1919 saw the city of Odessa plunged further into turmoil as the Bolshevik Red Army entered, leaving the future uncertain for the once-thriving port and its inhabitants. One person who found himself caught amidst the chaos was Ivan...
Stoic Simple
Stoic Quotes on Family: The Best Stoicism Sayings & Phrases
Previous Next https://youtu.be/f4sPP8SkiYQ Family was, without a doubt, an important element in the...
a year ago
Previous Next https://youtu.be/f4sPP8SkiYQ Family was, without a doubt, an important element in the lives of the ancient Stoic philosophers. While Stoicism teaches that we shouldn't become too attached to people and that we should remember everyone can be taken from us, it also...
Castles in the Sky
The Wedge Between Pleasure and Pain
Castles in the Sky #40
a year ago
The Ruffian
What Does It Mean For a Brand To Be Radical?
Thoughts on Jaguar's Relaunch, Plus a Juicy Cultural Rattle Bag
4 weeks ago
Thoughts on Jaguar's Relaunch, Plus a Juicy Cultural Rattle Bag
The Ruffian
Rattle Bag
History, learning, screw-ups, and suitcase-packing
a year ago
History, learning, screw-ups, and suitcase-packing
Castles in the Sky
Dreams Over Goals in 2024
More dreams, less goals, and some commitments for the year
11 months ago
More dreams, less goals, and some commitments for the year
Tech and Tea
Is crocheting a stuffy a creative endeavor?
Hierarchy of needs in action, sooner than I expected
a year ago
Hierarchy of needs in action, sooner than I expected
Diaries of Note
Look! Land!
From May to November of 1876, Philadelphia hosted the Centennial International Exhibition, a world...
a year ago
From May to November of 1876, Philadelphia hosted the Centennial International Exhibition, a world fair that attracted ten million visitors keen to marvel at the innovations, cultures, and achievements presented by thirty-seven countries. For China, this represented a unique...
journal – Winnie Lim
getting closer to my darkness
I have always struggled with my mind, but the intensity seemed to worsen in the past few months....
a year ago
I have always struggled with my mind, but the intensity seemed to worsen in the past few months. Tracing back, I think it was since my covid infection. I wasn’t surprised to...
Wait But Why
The Second Presidential Debate
In case you missed it, here's what happened.
The post The Second Presidential Debate appeared first...
over a year ago
In case you missed it, here's what happened.
The post The Second Presidential Debate appeared first on Wait But Why.
Luxagraf:...
Pensacola History
From Fort Pickens we came around the entirety of Pensacola Bay to a small park on the western edge,...
a year ago
From Fort Pickens we came around the entirety of Pensacola Bay to a small park on the western edge, Big Lagoon. From our campsite there it was a short car ride to Perdido Key, which is another part of Gulf Islands National Seashore. Although it takes the better part of two hours...
The Ruffian
Seduced By The Machine
Why We Allow Apps and Corporations To Tell Us How To Live
a year ago
Why We Allow Apps and Corporations To Tell Us How To Live
Atoms vs Bits
A Nice Little Party Gimmick
for your friends to make more friends
5 months ago
for your friends to make more friends
Mark Manson
4 Fascinating Psychological Theories That Explain Your Whole Life
Welcome, dear readers, to a mind-bending adventure into the labyrinth of the human psyche. We're...
a year ago
Welcome, dear readers, to a mind-bending adventure into the labyrinth of the human psyche. We're going to embark on an odyssey through the catacombs of cognition, the jungles of the subconscious, and a wild ride into the boundless depths of human behavior—with four psychological...
Unfiltered by Tim...
Quiet People in Meetings Are Incredible
Knowing when not to talk is an art.
2 weeks ago
Knowing when not to talk is an art.
Diaries of Note
Spring will come
Elsa Binder was twenty when, in October of 1941, German forces carried out a brutal massacre of...
10 months ago
Elsa Binder was twenty when, in October of 1941, German forces carried out a brutal massacre of thousands of Jews in her hometown of Stanislawów, Poland. Two months later, she and her family were compelled to enter the Stanisławów Ghetto, joining 20,000 others in a harrowing...
Atoms vs Bits
Sleep Setup
in case you were wondering
2 weeks ago
in case you were wondering
Stoic Simple
How Stoicism Teaches Us To Have Healthier Relationships
In the pursuit of healthy relationships, many individuals turn to various forms of therapy and...
a year ago
In the pursuit of healthy relationships, many individuals turn to various forms of therapy and self-help techniques to improve their communication skills, emotional intelligence, and overall well-being. One such approach that has gained popularity in recent years is Stoicism....
Castles in the Sky
Open Thread: Castles in the Sky in Your Life
Castles in the Sky #37
a year ago
Left To Write
What A Bottle of Coke In A Luxury Five Star Resort Taught Me About Selling
Where Is Just As Important As What
a year ago
Where Is Just As Important As What
Mark Manson
5 Life-Changing Levels of Not Giving a Fuck
Every day, hundreds of millions of people suffer from giving too many fucks. They spend their lives...
11 months ago
Every day, hundreds of millions of people suffer from giving too many fucks. They spend their lives imprisoned by meaningless anxiety and unnecessary concerns. But it doesn't have to be that way.
In this article, I'm going to walk you through the five levels of non-fuck-giving,...
Letters of Note
Mr. Watson — come here — I want to see you
On this day in 1876, shortly after making history, Alexander Graham Bell wrote the following letter...
a year ago
On this day in 1876, shortly after making history, Alexander Graham Bell wrote the following letter to his father. To read his diary entry from that same day, visit Diaries of Note. And don’t forget to sign up for the Letters of Note newsletter. Born in Scotland in 1847,...
Both Are True
i am who i think you think i am
on not being the best // season one finale
10 months ago
on not being the best // season one finale
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Heart Sneeze
Important Medical Advice for Creative People
over a year ago
Important Medical Advice for Creative People
The Ruffian
Congrats Keir, You Won, Now Change
Prime Minister Starmer Needs To Be Very Different To Opposition Leader Starmer
5 months ago
Prime Minister Starmer Needs To Be Very Different To Opposition Leader Starmer
Both Are True
good word / bad word - issue 1
because some words are good and others are bad
9 months ago
because some words are good and others are bad
Adrian Hanft, III:...
How to Emasculate the Mississippi
What kind of filth was being carried downstream, rolling by, hidden under the muddy Mississippi...
over a year ago
What kind of filth was being carried downstream, rolling by, hidden under the muddy Mississippi River? Massive flooding had lifted the water to the top steps climbing closer to the base of the St. Louis Arch. As a photographer I stood in awe of the destruction, wondering how my...
journal – Winnie Lim
to be willing to search
I broke a personal distance record yesterday while running very slowly, though my current “slow”...
a year ago
I broke a personal distance record yesterday while running very slowly, though my current “slow” speed would spike my heart rate at least by 10bpm just a few weeks ago. I accomplished...
The Map is Mostly...
Building The Goose Palace
The man who is most likely to ruin the place he loves is exactly the man who loves it with a reason....
over a year ago
The man who is most likely to ruin the place he loves is exactly the man who loves it with a reason. The man who will improve the place is the man who loves it without a reason. — GK Chesterton Dear friends, In May I announced I was going to timber frame a 12x16 barn, though I...
Diaries of Note
Getting shot hurts
On 30th March 1981, as he emerged from a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton Hotel and...
a year ago
On 30th March 1981, as he emerged from a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton Hotel and headed towards a waiting limousine, U.S. President Ronald Reagan was hit by a bullet from the gun of would-be assassin John Hinckley Jr. The President, initially unaware that he had...
Nat Eliason's...
Great Writing is Invisible
Helping the hallucination
a year ago
Helping the hallucination
The Convivial...
Render Unto the Machine
The Convivial Society: Vol. 4, No. 12
a year ago
The Convivial Society: Vol. 4, No. 12
Diaries of Note
Armageddon in Europe!
It was in 1915 that Vera Brittain left Somerville College, Oxford to become a nurse during the First...
a year ago
It was in 1915 that Vera Brittain left Somerville College, Oxford to become a nurse during the First World War, a decision that would profoundly shape her life and literary career. Eighteen years later, having experienced the devastating realities of the battlefield, Brittain...
Mark Manson
How to Stop Caring About What People Think
There's this weird fantasy we all share of not giving a flying fuck about what people think.
We all...
a year ago
There's this weird fantasy we all share of not giving a flying fuck about what people think.
We all wish we could be impervious to others' opinions, like Superman deflecting bullets. But instead of bullets, we're out here trying to deflect the fucks we wish we didn't give.
We...
The Convivial...
Impoverished Emotional Lives
Is this anything?
over a year ago
DYNOMIGHT
Arithmetic is an underrated world-modeling technology
Of all the cognitive tools our ancestors left us, what’s best? Society seems to think pretty highly...
2 months ago
Of all the cognitive tools our ancestors left us, what’s best? Society seems to think pretty highly of arithmetic. It’s one of the first things we learn as children. So I think it’s weird that only a tiny percentage of people seem to know how to actually use arithmetic. Or maybe...
Diaries of Note
I can’t remember his name
E. J. Kahn Jr. began to write for The New Yorker in 1937, launching a career that would span decades...
a year ago
E. J. Kahn Jr. began to write for The New Yorker in 1937, launching a career that would span decades and establish him as an influential figure in American journalism. Born on December 4, 1916, he was the son of renowned architect Ely Jacques Kahn, and in addition to his work at...
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Special Hell 8 Telepathy Blockers
When I was young I believed that adults had telepathic powers. Like living Zoltar machines, these...
over a year ago
When I was young I believed that adults had telepathic powers. Like living Zoltar machines, these enhanced beings could predict my every move. It was uncanny. Telepathy was the only explanation.
The Honest Broker
The Best Online Essays & Articles of 2023
Longform journalism is coming back (and deserves our support)
12 months ago
Longform journalism is coming back (and deserves our support)
Diaries of Note
I distinctly saw the rising sun insignia on his wings
On December 7, 1941, a tranquil Sunday morning transformed into a historic tragedy when hundreds of...
a year ago
On December 7, 1941, a tranquil Sunday morning transformed into a historic tragedy when hundreds of Japanese aircraft unexpectedly attacked Pearl Harbor—a cataclysmic event that would lead to the United States entering World War II. Fifteen miles away, Major Leonard D. Heaton, a...
journal – Winnie Lim
when goodness is not so good
Last week I briefly wrote that the push for humans to be good is a net negative for this world....
6 months ago
Last week I briefly wrote that the push for humans to be good is a net negative for this world. There were a couple of comments asking me to elaborate, so I...
Diaries of Note
Now is the winter…
When 35-year-old Anthony Sher took on the role of Richard III at the Royal Shakespeare Company in...
a year ago
When 35-year-old Anthony Sher took on the role of Richard III at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1984, two years after playing the Fool to Michael Gambon’s King Lear, he delivered a transformative performance. Using crutches to evoke a spider-like figure, Sher crafted a...
Both Are True
this is some real game of thrones shit
this season of USA is insane
5 months ago
this season of USA is insane
Both Are True
This really is it
no time to review this cuz the kids are screaming again lol I hope it doesn't suck
4 months ago
no time to review this cuz the kids are screaming again lol I hope it doesn't suck
Adrian Hanft, III:...
The story behind how you stopped drawing
Mental blind spots, actively losing control, finding beauty in novelty, and a new app for unlearning...
over a year ago
Mental blind spots, actively losing control, finding beauty in novelty, and a new app for unlearning how to draw
The Honest Broker
How to Know If You're Living in a Doom Loop
Let's look at the warning signs
4 months ago
Let's look at the warning signs
Stoic Simple
Understanding the Basics of Stoic Philosophy
Stoicism is a school of ancient Greek philosophy that aims to teach individuals how to live a good...
a year ago
Stoicism is a school of ancient Greek philosophy that aims to teach individuals how to live a good life by focusing on rationality, self-control, and mindfulness. Despite its ancient roots, Stoicism has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years as people look to improve...
The Ruffian
The Battle of Bamber Bridge
What happened when English villagers encountered black Americans during World War II?
11 months ago
What happened when English villagers encountered black Americans during World War II?
Left To Write
📢 PSA: Making Some Changes
Hello copynotes & Poker Confidential
a year ago
Hello copynotes & Poker Confidential
Luxagraf:...
Greenfield Village
It's always seems slightly perverse to me to head east in a country that once lived by the slogan,...
a year ago
It's always seems slightly perverse to me to head east in a country that once lived by the slogan, go west. Whatever the case, we're eastbound again and when planning our route we ran across something called Greenfield Village.
Greenfield Village is difficult to describe, but...
The Honest Broker
Why Gregory Bateson Matters
Or what a counterculture might look like in the 21st century
6 days ago
Or what a counterculture might look like in the 21st century
Left To Write
№ 66: Why Do We Brush Our Teeth?
The opposite of a good idea - Finding the real reason behind brushing our teeth - Let's not jump to...
a year ago
The opposite of a good idea - Finding the real reason behind brushing our teeth - Let's not jump to conclusions
Diaries of Note
I no longer love the sun or the flowers
It was only a year after first meeting, in 1895, that Marie and Pierre Curie became husband and...
a year ago
It was only a year after first meeting, in 1895, that Marie and Pierre Curie became husband and wife. Together, they made groundbreaking contributions to science, not least the discovery of two new elements, polonium and radium, and in 1903 they were jointly awarded the Nobel...
Both Are True
most hated essays from last year (also the ones you loved fine)
2023's flops and favs, bombs and bangers, yucks and yums, duds and dopes, bads and goods, letdowns...
11 months ago
2023's flops and favs, bombs and bangers, yucks and yums, duds and dopes, bads and goods, letdowns and legends, etc.
DYNOMIGHT
Tactical parenting
I'm so confused
TACTICAL PARENTING
Written by
Dynomight
INT TACTICAL HOME - DAY
WE OPEN on...
2 weeks ago
I'm so confused
TACTICAL PARENTING
Written by
Dynomight
INT TACTICAL HOME - DAY
WE OPEN on TACTICAL GUY’s house. A small tree is visible in a window. We see TACTICAL GUY staring at TACTICAL BABY on the ground.
CUT TO:
INT DESK - SAME DAY
TACTICAL GUY uses keyboard plugged...
Diaries of Note
Black female life is worth nothing
Between January and May of 1979, eleven Black women were killed in Roxbury, Massachusetts, in a...
a year ago
Between January and May of 1979, eleven Black women were killed in Roxbury, Massachusetts, in a spate of murders that went largely unreported in the national media. Instead, it was left to grassroots organisations like the Black feminist group Combahee River Collective,...
The Honest Broker
Why Are Music Fans Throwing Things at Pop Stars?
The latest trend in music is injuring your favorite artist
a year ago
The latest trend in music is injuring your favorite artist
The Honest Broker
My 10 Most Popular Articles of 2023
Number one will surprise you
11 months ago
Number one will surprise you
Diaries of Note
Wonder, astonishment, and devotion
In December of 1831, HMS Beagle embarked on a historic voyage that would shape the course of...
a year ago
In December of 1831, HMS Beagle embarked on a historic voyage that would shape the course of scientific thought for generations to come. Aboard that ship, with a mere 22 years under his belt, was Charles Darwin, whose role would lead to remarkable discoveries about the natural...
Daniel Bourke
Attitude follows behaviour
Imposter syndrome.
Feeling like you’re doing something you shouldn’t be.
Hanging around those who...
a year ago
Imposter syndrome.
Feeling like you’re doing something you shouldn’t be.
Hanging around those who you feel should be.
It’s true, if at any time you feel your skill is inadequate, it likely is.
But that just means you know what you don’t
The Honest Broker
The Hit Singles of Sun Ra
On the 30th anniversary of the Afrofuturist's death, I explore the oddest discs in his discography
a year ago
On the 30th anniversary of the Afrofuturist's death, I explore the oddest discs in his discography
journal – Winnie Lim
42
Last year, I wrote I wanted to learn how to cope. I don’t think I have learnt to cope well yet, but...
a year ago
Last year, I wrote I wanted to learn how to cope. I don’t think I have learnt to cope well yet, but I do think I have made some progress compared to...
Diaries of Note
The power of language can make people crazy
Born in New York in 1933, the distinguished novelist Leonard Michaels was celebrated for his sharp,...
a year ago
Born in New York in 1933, the distinguished novelist Leonard Michaels was celebrated for his sharp, compelling prose and deep insight into the complexities of human relationships. Although he first became a published writer in 1969, his private diary entries, which he began...
Left To Write
№ 78: Bloomstory Codex, Changing of Seasons, Unproductivity Is The New Productivity
A brief update of the last months
9 months ago
A brief update of the last months
DYNOMIGHT
Everything is espionage: Things I learned researching Assange
(espissange? asspionage?)
Who is this Julian Assange guy? Is he good or bad? Did he do espionage?...
9 months ago
(espissange? asspionage?)
Who is this Julian Assange guy? Is he good or bad? Did he do espionage? Why is the US so obsessed with getting its hands on him?
At dynomight.net we don’t like to answer questions. Instead, we prefer to replace them with more abstract questions that we...
journal – Winnie Lim
experiences we enjoyed in penang
My partner’s birthday is in the month of july, so we celebrated it by visiting Penang. In the recent...
a year ago
My partner’s birthday is in the month of july, so we celebrated it by visiting Penang. In the recent decade I didn’t intentionally visit Malaysia much because I’ve been there countless times...
Diaries of Note
Man cannot live long without joy
Dorothy Day was an influential American journalist and social activist who co-founded the Catholic...
a year ago
Dorothy Day was an influential American journalist and social activist who co-founded the Catholic Worker Movement in the 1930s. Driven by her deep spiritual convictions, Day was a relentless advocate for social justice, and in the late 1930s and early 1940s her work took on a...
Both Are True
does anyone know how to inherit wealth?
been reading a ton about it and am fairly sure it's the path for me
4 months ago
been reading a ton about it and am fairly sure it's the path for me
Diaries of Note
A greater public calamity could not have occurred
On 6th November 1817, the British public was plunged into deep mourning following the unexpected...
a year ago
On 6th November 1817, the British public was plunged into deep mourning following the unexpected death of Princess Charlotte of Wales. The only child of the Prince Regent (later King George IV) and Caroline of Brunswick, Princess Charlotte was admired for her spirited personality...
Diaries of Note
GREAT JEOPARDY
In September of 1992, in an abandoned bus on the bank of the Sushana River in Alaska, three moose...
a year ago
In September of 1992, in an abandoned bus on the bank of the Sushana River in Alaska, three moose hunters discovered a decomposing human body wrapped in a sleeping bag, surrounded by possessions that included a rifle, a camera, and, written on the pages of a book used to identify...
The Ruffian
What makes the perfect creative brief?
And how to write a brief for yourself
a year ago
And how to write a brief for yourself
Tech and Tea
Progress can be slow
We can spend a lifetime working on the same things, and that's ok
5 months ago
We can spend a lifetime working on the same things, and that's ok
Both Are True
anxiety at work!!
hey boss, are you mad at me?
8 months ago
hey boss, are you mad at me?
Castles in the Sky
Castles in the Sky 30
The First Two of Twelve Questions
a year ago
The First Two of Twelve Questions
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Fooling the Focus Groups
Why car companies view their brands as a liability and what they are doing about it. Spoiler, It's...
over a year ago
Why car companies view their brands as a liability and what they are doing about it. Spoiler, It's a Chevy.
Wait But Why
Why I Lugged My 27-Pound Toddler to a Rocket Launch
So heavy but so worth it
The post Why I Lugged My 27-Pound Toddler to a Rocket Launch appeared first...
2 months ago
So heavy but so worth it
The post Why I Lugged My 27-Pound Toddler to a Rocket Launch appeared first on Wait But Why.
Diaries of Note
Only work can save me
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet John Berryman was just eleven when his father took his own life, a...
a year ago
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet John Berryman was just eleven when his father took his own life, a trauma that profoundly affected Berryman and resulted in a lifelong struggle with mental illness and alcoholism. At thirty-two, while teaching at Princeton University and five years...
Adrian Hanft, III:...
The Designer’s Invisible Skill Set
How some designers become magicians while others remain stylists
over a year ago
How some designers become magicians while others remain stylists
Diaries of Note
I thought once or twice we were done for
In the late 1860s, amid the rugged landscapes of post-Civil War America, countless cowboys undertook...
a year ago
In the late 1860s, amid the rugged landscapes of post-Civil War America, countless cowboys undertook arduous journeys herding cattle from Texas to Kansas where the demand for beef was on the rise. One such cowboy was Jack Bailey, a 37-year-old North Texan who herded approximately...
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Evidence that Steve Jobs was aware of his reality distortion field
I thought that the reality distortion field theory was just an invention that Apple haters invented...
over a year ago
I thought that the reality distortion field theory was just an invention that Apple haters invented in hindsight. I didn’t realize that it was a part of Steve Jobs vision from the beginning.
DYNOMIGHT
OK, I can partly explain the LLM chess weirdness now
We recently talked about a mystery: All large language models (LLMs) are terrible at chess. All,...
a month ago
We recently talked about a mystery: All large language models (LLMs) are terrible at chess. All, that is, except for gpt-3.5-turbo-instruct, which for some reason can play at an advanced amateur level. This is despite the fact that this model is more than a year old and much...
Raptitude.com
Feedback is What Makes Everything Work
The other day I closed a savings account at a tiny credit union branch. I expected it to take about...
5 months ago
The other day I closed a savings account at a tiny credit union branch. I expected it to take about five minutes, but the teller took so long that I started to experience time distortion. I knew it had been at least fifteen minutes, but perhaps it was much longer. Twenty-five...
Stoic Simple
Stoicism as a Way to Learn Patience, Acceptance & Be Calm
Whether it's waiting in line at the grocery store, dealing with a difficult coworker, or facing a...
a year ago
Whether it's waiting in line at the grocery store, dealing with a difficult coworker, or facing a personal setback, we all encounter moments that test our patience. While it's natural to feel frustrated or angry in these situations, practicing patience can bring a sense of...
Passing Time
Overthrowing Overstimulation
Making time to do nothing doesn’t have to be in pursuit of the profound
over a year ago
Making time to do nothing doesn’t have to be in pursuit of the profound
The Honest Broker
Were the First Laws Sung?
I make some radical claims in this extract from my new book 'Music to Raise the Dead'
a year ago
I make some radical claims in this extract from my new book 'Music to Raise the Dead'
RhysTranter.com
“Be zealous in amending your whole life”: Vincent Van Gogh on The Imitation of Christ
In the years leading up to my conversion, I gradually became fascinated by Thomas á Kempis’s...
7 months ago
In the years leading up to my conversion, I gradually became fascinated by Thomas á Kempis’s devotional text, The Imitation of Christ. I encountered it first in the letters of the young Samuel Beckett, and next in the interviews of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, and then in all...
Atoms vs Bits
80/20 Strength Training
or, weightlifting for lazy people
a year ago
or, weightlifting for lazy people
Adrian Hanft, III:...
A Job Interview Trap Designers Might Avoid
I was caught off guard during a job interview after I told the story of my Ghost-O-Meter app. My...
over a year ago
I was caught off guard during a job interview after I told the story of my Ghost-O-Meter app. My audience was several designers and one developer who sat quietly on the edge of the group eying me skeptically.
The Map is Mostly...
[subscribers only] Office Hours & Tidings
The Map is Mostly Water Office Hours are open For about 2 days. What do you need feedback or advice...
7 months ago
The Map is Mostly Water Office Hours are open For about 2 days. What do you need feedback or advice on, what questions do you have, what secret trouble stirs thy breast? Feel free to ask about house design, New Hampshire, philosophy, parenting, or anything else you want to...
Adrian Hanft, III:...
A Reflection in Birds
Last Sunday I needed to make a decision. I was debating leaving my job, unsure which way to go. So I...
over a year ago
Last Sunday I needed to make a decision. I was debating leaving my job, unsure which way to go. So I went for a run in search of clarity. I hit the trail dressed in black, only my white head exposed to the winter wind.
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Rediscovering Your Stride
I felt the pain before I could see the wart. I thought it was a bruise, one of the many little tiny...
over a year ago
I felt the pain before I could see the wart. I thought it was a bruise, one of the many little tiny injuries that come and go as part of any runner’s training routine. But the little nemesis on the ball of my foot stuck around. It put up a good fight, injecting pain into my runs,...
Scarlet Ink
9 Simple Actions You Can Take to Build a Culture of Empathy
You can build an accidental culture, or a purposeful culture. Take action to build a culture of...
3 months ago
You can build an accidental culture, or a purposeful culture. Take action to build a culture of empathy, and reap the rewards.
The Map is Mostly...
Careful technology
Dear friends, There is a commonplace opinion that technology and the natural world, or that...
7 months ago
Dear friends, There is a commonplace opinion that technology and the natural world, or that technological pursuits and natural pursuits, are at odds. An example: I think this is a false position. But if this kind of sentiment is so often repeated, its worth thinking about why it...
Mark Manson
An Unconventional Guide to Happiness
Every day, we're bombarded with messages telling us that we need to be happy all the time—and that,...
over a year ago
Every day, we're bombarded with messages telling us that we need to be happy all the time—and that, in order to be happy, we need the perfect job, the perfect partner, the perfect life. And we're made to think that anything less than perfect happiness is a failure.
But the...
The Honest Broker
How Musicians Invented the Law
Songs are far more powerful than you think
a year ago
Songs are far more powerful than you think
Unfiltered by Tim...
The Fastest Way To Ruin Your Life
8 easy steps
3 weeks ago
Left To Write
Fresh&Thick
Exploring Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Theory of Stupidity in the age of social media
a year ago
Exploring Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Theory of Stupidity in the age of social media
Diaries of Note
The century of Voltaire
Eugène Delacroix, born in 1798, was a profoundly influential French Romantic artist who came to be...
a year ago
Eugène Delacroix, born in 1798, was a profoundly influential French Romantic artist who came to be renowned for his dramatic, emotive works, his use of bold colour and brushwork setting him apart. But his influence extended beyond the canvas, as at the age of twenty-three he...
Jason Crawford
Reflections on six months of fatherhood
To be fed from a spoon requires three distinct skills. First, you must open your mouth when the...
over a year ago
To be fed from a spoon requires three distinct skills. First, you must open your mouth when the spoon approaches. Second, you must close your mouth around the spoon once it has fully entered the mouth (and not before). Third, you must swallow the food that remains in your mouth...
Diaries of Note
The sound of failure
Few individuals have shaped the sound and trajectory of modern music quite like Brian Eno. Born in...
a year ago
Few individuals have shaped the sound and trajectory of modern music quite like Brian Eno. Born in 1948 in Suffolk, England, Eno initially rose to fame as a member of the glam rock band Roxy Music in the early 1970s. Since then, he has carved out a niche as a visionary in the...
journal – Winnie Lim
the capacity to be flexible
I woke up yesterday with the intention to run, but the PSI had entered unhealthy ranges due to the...
a year ago
I woke up yesterday with the intention to run, but the PSI had entered unhealthy ranges due to the seasonal haze that comes in from Indonesia. When I was younger I used...
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Functional Depletion and the Pitfalls of Stress Transcendence
Last weekend I took time off from writing to run a race. This week as I limped around reflecting on...
over a year ago
Last weekend I took time off from writing to run a race. This week as I limped around reflecting on the training that lead up to the marathon I wondered if we are wrong about stress.
Mind Mine
being in bloom
don’t forget to smell the roses
5 months ago
don’t forget to smell the roses
Adrian Hanft, III:...
Jackson Pollock Found in Dumpster
The world was beautiful before, back in my dumpster diving days. I remember standing knee-deep in...
over a year ago
The world was beautiful before, back in my dumpster diving days. I remember standing knee-deep in garbage in an alley behind a grocery store. There, splattered on the side of a dumpster was a Jackson Pollock.
The Honest Broker
A Tribute to Tony Bennett (1926-2023)
I've been a fan since childhood—and it feels like I've lost a part of my extended family
a year ago
I've been a fan since childhood—and it feels like I've lost a part of my extended family