This: "There actually are things I enjoy not knowing because not knowing those things makes room for what I do enjoy. Or that I want to know."
Made me think of this:
"Keep constant guard over your perceptions, for it is no small thing you are protecting, but your respect, trustworthiness and steadiness, peace of mind, freedom from pain and fear, in a word your freedom. For what would you sell these things?" --Epictetus
Which also reminds me of one of my favorite things to do: mind my business lol
I think what you describe here is the natural result of authenticity, which is one your core virtues as a person and as a writer. When a person is authentic, they feel that they are just being themselves, with no big effort required. But the telling result is that their "throw-away" lines have lasting impact and value. I resonate with so much in this issue. The joy of things I remain intentionally ignorant of — like how AI works — and also the delight of making things last a long time. (I have a perfect desk chair and a bathroom towel, both of which are over 30 years old, made by companies that had the integrity to manufacture that way.)
That phrase is a tiny slice of wisdom. The more you disassemble it, the deeper and more profound it gets.
Together - the still lake, the description of jealousy for ambition and this coined phrase - this is among one of my favourite editions of your newsletter.
Hey Randy, you can probably guess that I relate strongly to the ‘things I enjoy not knowing’ outlook ;) I would even argue that by having that as your mantra, you’re making the world a better place.
By not contributing to the hysteria and not ‘clicking the click-bait’, you effectively keep the attention and focus on them as low as possible. The more people would do that, the less chance these nonsensical things will have to ‘trend’.
And about the jealousy. It seems to me that you’re using these emotions like they should be used, as antennas that point to deep needs you have and the future you’d like to build based on those.
This: "There actually are things I enjoy not knowing because not knowing those things makes room for what I do enjoy. Or that I want to know."
Made me think of this:
"Keep constant guard over your perceptions, for it is no small thing you are protecting, but your respect, trustworthiness and steadiness, peace of mind, freedom from pain and fear, in a word your freedom. For what would you sell these things?" --Epictetus
Which also reminds me of one of my favorite things to do: mind my business lol
P.S. that's a perfect view in that photo.
Loved this Randy. The greatest addition comes from subtraction. ‘Nuff said. Best, Drake
“No thanks, electrical work is one of those things I enjoy not knowing.”
I'm stealing this phrase as well. Period.
I think what you describe here is the natural result of authenticity, which is one your core virtues as a person and as a writer. When a person is authentic, they feel that they are just being themselves, with no big effort required. But the telling result is that their "throw-away" lines have lasting impact and value. I resonate with so much in this issue. The joy of things I remain intentionally ignorant of — like how AI works — and also the delight of making things last a long time. (I have a perfect desk chair and a bathroom towel, both of which are over 30 years old, made by companies that had the integrity to manufacture that way.)
That phrase is a tiny slice of wisdom. The more you disassemble it, the deeper and more profound it gets.
Together - the still lake, the description of jealousy for ambition and this coined phrase - this is among one of my favourite editions of your newsletter.
Hey Randy, you can probably guess that I relate strongly to the ‘things I enjoy not knowing’ outlook ;) I would even argue that by having that as your mantra, you’re making the world a better place.
By not contributing to the hysteria and not ‘clicking the click-bait’, you effectively keep the attention and focus on them as low as possible. The more people would do that, the less chance these nonsensical things will have to ‘trend’.
And about the jealousy. It seems to me that you’re using these emotions like they should be used, as antennas that point to deep needs you have and the future you’d like to build based on those.
There’s definitely something to these thoughts.