There is a difference in describing and explaining.
Science has become better and better at describing things (phenomenon) and predicting behaviors. But discrepancies continue to appear, and we cannot explain how they came to be.
We can describe in detail, but not wrap it into a powerful narrative of causal explanation, which leads to a more and more fragmented information, with more and more speculative theories stringing them together, producing a less and less coherent worldview.
Category: Self
- Theme: Self
Describing is not Explaining
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1–2 minutes - Theme: Self
not a bang, but a whimper
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1–2 minutesWhen most of us die there will be nothing epic about it. In the grand scheme of things only a handful of people will notice or care, and only for a few years. Rather than being depressing, what does this free you up to do? To become? What exhilarating chances can you take?
- Theme: Self
The ease of betrayal
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1–2 minutesDoing the "right thing" isn’t hard so much as doing the "wrong thing" is easy."Easy" pays off quicker, is more expedient, and avoids those difficult conversations with anger or disappointment directed at you… but lying (avoiding) or shortcuts (stealing) shift into betrayal over time. And, there is nothing easy about gaining forgiveness from betrayal.
- Theme: Self
Vacu-suck Cycle
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1–2 minutesWe are a vacuum cleaner sucking up experience and chasing desired dust bunnies. Often we suck up the same desires over and over to be consumed again and again.
What does it mean to be a vacuum cleaner on repeat, an endless loop?Is it possible to take a moment to feel yourself in the present moment and realize you are already full and fulfilled? What if this perpetual suck is hiding that we were good all along?
- Theme: Self
“It is what it is”
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1–2 minutesObviously. This is known as a tautophrase: a circular (reinforcing) definition that says the same thing twice.
This phrase pretends to stoic wisdom through acceptance: "it is" beyond control therefore we should move along instead of continuing to consider "it."The most annoying (and detrimental) aspect is the evasion of communal reflection, and subsequent deferral of responsibility, by claiming fixity through redundancy.
- Theme: Self
Honor is not character
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1–2 minutesHonor and glory are externally gifted. Contextual bestowed tokens, that can be stripped as quickly as given.
Character and virtue are internal.
The complication is not to confuse external honor (validation) for personal worth, to not conflate approval with character.
- Theme: Self
Clarity as Camouflage
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1–2 minutesTo clarify we attempt language.
The attempt of intimate transparency transmutes under excessive discourse, shrouding situational reality with obscuring vagaries, shades of intent. Under this web of words we form camouflage and shield. Under the method of communion we not only can hide, but can learn to attack. - Theme: Self
You can’t excuse yourself
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1–2 minutesYou can’t excuse yourself from consideration; from parsing the acts of others into opinions.
We have a responsibility to keep thinking even when we shouldn’t be speaking. - Theme: Self
Sensible conversation as a “representation”
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1–2 minutes“nowadays one can talk with anyone, and it must be admitted that peoples opinions are exceedingly sensible, yet the conversation leaves one with the impression of having talked to an anonymity…” – Soren Kierkegaard
There is a slide into abstract sensibility: modernity leads from authentic individuality into a “representation” of an opinionated individual. Kierkegaard was concerned that the effacing of the individual for polite equality (democratic banality) in public life works its way inward to our private relationships.
~ Matthew Crawford, “The World Beyond Your Head” - Theme: Self
Sticky Stories
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1–2 minutesStories have power.
The ones told first are sticky and hard to dislodge, despite more rational stories that reveal truth and work to promote harmony. And thus we perpetuate half-truths and shams out of sheer momentum and consensus popularity.