We play it too safe. We spend our lives trying to please others, trying to fit in; not stand out. And we end up small, hiding and obedient. As humans we tell ourselves we’re free, but it’s an illusion. We are surrounded by instructions, by people telling us what to do and how to live….
Category: ideas
On finding fulfilling work
Fulfilling work is a relatively recent development. Fulfillment wasn’t something people really sought before the 17th century. The earliest known use of the word was in 1624. And we only started associating fulfillment with work towards the latter part of the industrial revolution. Work was something we did to keep a roof over our heads,…
The truth worth knowing
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was founded in 1945 by Albert Einstein and the scientists from the University of Chicago who helped develop the first atomic weapons. In 1947 the Bulletin created the Doomsday Clock. The clock is designed as a warning to humanity on how close the planet it to an apocalyptic event….
On becoming a better thinker
A few weeks ago I wrote this post about how we could all be great thinkers, if we only believe we are capable of great thinking. I still believe this to be true. However, the guidance I gave on how to become a better thinker was a little shallow. I am still working on the…
Competition, cooperation and the end of humanity
Psychological egoism refers to the belief that all human behaviour is motivated by self-interest. This is a difficult idea to consider. We like to think that most of our actions are altruistic; that we do good things because we are good people. And yet, with a little introspection we can easily identify how we’ve gained…
We can all be Great Thinkers
People rarely quote their next-door neighbour or their barista in a book or a speech. We (myself included) like to quote people with gravitas. Women and men who have achieved things, who are great thinkers, whom we look up to as persons with wisdom. Plato, Socrates, Pythagoras, Shakespeare, Montaigne, Darwin, Hume, Earhart, Sartre, Woolf, Einstein,…
Happiness isn’t the answer to a good life
Happiness is a trap. And yet, over the past four decades happiness has evolved to become the singular outcome that defines a good life.
Why we sabotage tomorrow through lack of sleep tonight
I discovered this week that there is a Chinese word, 報復性熬夜 (pronounced – Bàofù xìng áoyè). Translated, the word roughly means, revenge bedtime procrastination. The term describes people who feel they don’t have much control over their lives during the day, who avoid sleep and stay up late in an attempt to regain a semblance of…
A successful life – an alternative definition
Many things divide us. Religion, politics, economics, race, even music can drive a wedge between people. However, when it comes to success we all seem to be violently in agreement. If you live in an OECD country you’ll probably agree that most of the names on this list belong to successful people; Steve Jobs, Elon…
Understanding ‘giving up’
This past week I have been watching a reality TV show called Alone. 10 survivalists are dropped off in 10 different locations across an inhospitable part of the world, beset with bears, wolves and cougars and left to fend for themselves – alone. The show claims that there are no camera crews following the contestants…