Medulla

23/08/2023

19/08/2023

Even if you think you understand something complicated after cursory exposure, you almost certainly don’t understand it well enough to hold forth on the topic, Arthur C. Brooks writes: https://theatln.tc/U2fDzEb2
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The internet has fed a huge reservoir of good information, but it has also created an explosion of nonsense. Some of what people see is straight-up fake news—predatory attempts to swindle consumers. But much of the bad advice on the web actually originates in a psychological phenomenon called “the illusion of explanatory depth,” a phenomenon similar to the famous Dunning-Kruger effect, which explains how people with low levels of skill in an activity tend to overrate their competence. One explanation for this is “hypocognition”—people don’t know what they don’t know. As researchers have shown, when a person’s confidence is highest though their actual knowledge is low, they become very believable to others—despite not being reliable. And the more inaccurate people are, the more they tend to be swayed by their own underinformed overconfidence.⁠
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The two ways we fall prey to the illusion are as consumers and as producers, Brooks continues. The plight of the consumer of misinformation is the hardest to address, because it isn’t always easy to know when someone is a true expert or just flush with false confidence. The key question to ask is “Does the source of this technical assertion have a genuine technical background?” If the answer is no, proceed with caution. The second condition—being a supplier of bad information—is easier to treat. “Learning about novel ideas is a thrill, and indeed, many researchers believe that interest itself is a positive emotion—a source of pleasure rooted in the evolutionary imperative to learn new things,” Brooks writes. “Cruising the web in search of interesting things is great fun. But beware your own susceptibility to the illusion of explanatory depth.”⁠

Read more: https://theatln.tc/U2fDzEb2
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🎨: Jan Buchczik

19/08/2023

“I counted my years and found that I have less time to live from here on than I have lived up to now.
I feel like that child who won a packet of sweets: he ate the first with pleasure, but when he realized that there were few left, he began to enjoy them intensely.
I no longer have time for endless meetings where statutes, rules, procedures and internal regulations are discussed, knowing that nothing will be achieved.
I no longer have time to support the absurd people who, despite their chronological age, haven't grown up.
My time is too short:
I want the essence,
my soul is in a hurry.
I don't have many sweets
in the package anymore.
I want to live next to human people,
very human,
who know how to laugh at their mistakes,
and who are not inflated by their triumphs,
and who take on their responsibilities.
Thus human dignity is defended and we move towards truth and honesty
It is the essential that makes life worth living.
I want to surround myself with people who know how to touch hearts, people who have been taught by the hard blows of life to grow with gentle touches of the soul.
Yes, I'm in a hurry, I'm in a hurry to live with the intensity that only maturity can give.
I don't intend to waste any of the leftover sweets.
I am sure they will be delicious, much more than what I have eaten so far.
My goal is to reach the end satisfied
and at peace with my loved ones
and my conscience.
We have two lives.
And the second begins when you realize you only have one.”

~Mário Raul de Morais Andrade

29/07/2023

"We Indians know about silence. We are not afraid of it. In fact, for us, silence is more powerful than words. Our elders were trained in the ways of silence, and they handed over this knowledge to us. Observe, listen, and then act, they would tell us. That was the manner of living.

With you, it is just the opposite. You learn by talking. You reward the children that talk the most at school. In your parties, you all try to talk at the same time. In your work, you are always having meetings in which everybody interrupts everybody and all talk five, ten or a hundred times. And you call that ‘solving a problem’. When you are in a room and there is silence, you get nervous. You must fill the space with sounds. So you talk compulsorily, even before you know what you are going to say.

White people love to discuss. They don’t even allow the other person to finish a sentence. They always interrupt. For us Indians, this looks like bad manners or even stupidity. If you start talking, I’m not going to interrupt you. I will listen. Maybe I’ll stop listening if I don’t like what you are saying, but I won’t interrupt you.

When you finish speaking, I’ll make up my mind about what you said, but I will not tell you I don’t agree unless it is important. Otherwise, I’ll just keep quiet and I’ll go away. You have told me all I need to know. There is no more to be said. But this is not enough for the majority of white people.

People should regard their words as seeds. They should sow them, and then allow them to grow in silence. Our elders taught us that the earth is always talking to us, but we should keep silent in order to hear her.

There are many voices besides ours. Many voices…”

23/07/2023

DON'T DIE WITH YOUR DEAD.

Did you know that when you cry for your dead, you cry for you and not them?
You cry because you “lost them”, because you don’t HAVE THEM by your side. You think it all ends in death. And you think they are NOT there anymore.

So if you’re dead no more, where are they?

Yes they have left, or they are now somewhere else, is that place better than this?
Yes, definitely that place is better than this; so Why do you suffer for their departure?

When you have finished accepting that they are no longer "NOT here", but they are still in another place even better than this, for they’re where they are no longer sick, or suffering.
Then you'll stop mourning them and you'll get them back in memory so they keep accompanying you with the joy of all that you've lived.

If you truly loved them LOVE them AGAIN and this time with greater strength, with greater purity, with greater delivery.

Today, there will be no more reproach of any kind.
Only LOVE, will be the essence between you, between us, between them.

I respect your pain, and the way you express it. I know you cry and you will cry without comfort.
But .. Today I say to you:
Don't die with your dead.

Remember we are only seeing one side of the coin (death).
We are not looking the other way; we are not seeing the wonderful place of light where they stand.

What if we start seeing “death” as a Second Birth?
Second Birth we ALL will go through.

Don't die with your dead, honor them by living your life as they would have wanted you to.
Let them transcend.
And you keep living.

- Andrew Mclaren

*This perspective is not for everyone, but, this has really helped me deal with the sudden death of our adult son several years ago.

Artist: Unknown

16/07/2023

Why Highly Intelligent People Seek Solitude

Why do highly intelligent individuals to seek solitude. While social interaction is considered fundamental to human nature, it is not uncommon to find exceptionally intelligent individuals drawn to moments of seclusion. Exploring the Savannah Theory sheds light on this paradoxical phenomenon, offering a plausible explanation for why highly intelligent people find solace in their own company.

The Savannah Theory, proposed by psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa, posits that our preferences and behaviors are rooted in the environments our ancestors inhabited. According to this theory, our cognitive and behavioral traits were shaped during our evolutionary history in the African savannah. It suggests that the human brain is adapted to thrive in an environment quite different from the one we inhabit today.

The Savannah Theory suggests that highly intelligent individuals have certain cognitive characteristics that were advantageous in the ancestral savannah environment. In that environment, the ability to analyze complex problems, devise innovative solutions, and think critically were crucial for survival. These cognitive traits, combined with a propensity for introspection, could explain their preference for solitude.

Cognitive Overstimulation: Highly intelligent individuals often possess minds that operate at a rapid pace. They have an insatiable appetite for intellectual stimulation, seeking knowledge, and constantly engaging in deep thought. In today's bustling world, this quest for intellectual growth can lead to cognitive overstimulation. Solitude provides a respite from external distractions, allowing these individuals to focus their mental energy on their intellectual pursuits.

Heightened Introspection: Intelligent individuals tend to possess a high degree of self-awareness. They are often introspective, contemplating their thoughts and actions at a deep level. Solitude provides the ideal environment for introspection, enabling them to reflect on their experiences, process emotions, and gain a deeper understanding of themselves. This introspective process is vital for personal growth and self-improvement.

Pursuit of Intellectual Interests: Highly intelligent individuals often have niche intellectual interests that may not align with mainstream preferences. They may find it challenging to connect deeply with others who do not share their passions. Solitude becomes an oasis where they can immerse themselves fully in their intellectual pursuits without the constraints of societal expectations.

Mental Recharge: While social interaction is enriching, it can also be mentally exhausting for highly intelligent individuals. Intellectual conversations and debates require substantial cognitive effort and can drain their mental resources. Alone time serves as a valuable opportunity for these individuals to recharge their mental batteries, replenishing their energy reserves to tackle new challenges.

The Savannah Theory offers a compelling explanation for why highly intelligent people often gravitate towards solitude. It suggests that their preference for seclusion stems from a combination of cognitive overstimulation, introspection, pursuit of intellectual interests, and the need for mental rejuvenation.

Understanding and appreciating this inclination toward solitude can help create an environment that respects the diverse needs of individuals, fostering an inclusive society where all can thrive, whether in solitude or in social interaction. Bohdi Sanders ~ author of the multiple award-winning book, The Art of Inner Peace, available from Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937884279. Signed copies are available from: https://www.the-art-of-inner-peace.com/.

26/06/2023

The foolish reject what they see,
not what they think.
The wise reject what they think,
not what they see.

~Huang Po

25/06/2023

Y AVEZ VOUS DEJÀ PENSÉ ?

Dans 100 ans en 2123, nous serons tous enterrés avec nos parents et amis.
Des étrangers vivront dans nos maisons, que nous nous sommes battus si dur pour construire, et ils posséderont tout ce que nous avons aujourd'hui.
Toutes nos propriétés seront inconnues, qui ne sont pas encore nées...

y compris cette voiture pour laquelle vous avez dépensé une fortune, elle sera probablement dans la ferraille, je suppose qu'elle sera entre les mains d'un collectionneur inconnu.
Nos descendants ne sauront guère qui nous étions, ni ne se souviendront de nous.
Combien d'entre nous connaissent le père de notre grand-père ?

Après notre mort, on se souviendra de nous pendant quelques années, alors nous ne serons qu'un portrait sur la bibliothèque de quelqu'un et quelques années plus t**d notre histoire, nos photos, nos actes vont dans la poubelle de l'oubli de l'histoire... nous ne serons même pas des souvenirs.

Peut-être que si un jour, on s'arrêtait pour analyser ces questions, on comprendrait à quel point le rêve de tout obtenir était ignorant et faible...
Si seulement nous pouvions penser, certainement nos approches, nos pensées changeraient, nous serions d'autres personnes...

Toujours en avoir de plus en plus, sans avoir le temps pour les choses qui valent vraiment la peine dans cette vie....
Je changerais tout ça pour vivre et profiter de ces promenades que je n'ai jamais faites.... de ces câlins non donnés... de ces bisous à nos enfants et nos amours... de ces farces que nous n'avons pas eu le temps.

Ce serait certainement les meilleurs moments à retenir.
Au fond, ils rempliraient nos vies de joie.....
Et c’est ce que nous gaspillons, avec cupidité, avidité, intolérance jour après jour !
Il est encore temps pour nous ! Pensez y !!!
- Auteur inconnu

26/05/2023

Highly observant people are not like regular folks. They’re perceptive, inquisitive, and they don’t see things at face value. Because of this, they’re able to look at life differently. Here […] More

24/05/2023

“Think about that for a while — it’s kind of a weird feeling when you really think about it, when you really imagine.”

19/05/2023

The 5 Ws of life.

18/05/2023

15 lessons from the book "Mind Full to Mindful: Zen Wisdom From a Monk's Bowl" by Om Swami:

1. The moment you realize that you are not your thoughts, you become free.

2. The present moment is the only reality. It’s the only place where life unfolds.

3. When the mind is full of thoughts, it loses its clarity. When it is mindful, it regains its clarity.

4. Don’t seek happiness outside yourself. It lies within, waiting to be discovered.

5. The mind is like a wild horse, running in all directions. Meditation is the art of taming this horse.

6. Be grateful for everything in life, big or small. Gratitude opens the doors to abundance.

7. Letting go is not about giving up; it’s about surrendering to what is and finding peace within.

8. Silence is not the absence of sound, but the presence of inner stillness.

9. In the silence of the mind, you can hear the whispers of your soul.

10. Be kind to yourself and others. Kindness is the language of love.

11. True freedom lies in breaking free from the limitations of the mind.

12. Don't dwell in the past or worry about the future. Find your peace in the present moment.

13. Life is a journey of self-discovery. The more you explore within, the more you understand the world.

14. Embrace the impermanence of life. It teaches you to cherish each moment.

15. The true essence of mindfulness is being fully present and engaged in whatever you are doing.

Thanks for reading

For more👉Martha Kamara

18/05/2023

"The problem in middle life, when the body has reached its climax of power and begins to decline, is to identify yourself, not with the body, which is falling away, but with the consciousness of which it is a vehicle. This is something I learned from myths. What am I? Am I the bulb that carries the light? Or am I the light of which the bulb is a vehicle?

One of the psychological problems in growing old is the fear of death. People resist the door of death. But this body is a vehicle of consciousness, and if you can identify with the consciousness, you can watch this body go like an old car. There goes the fender, there goes the tire, one thing after another— but it’s predictable. And then, gradually, the whole thing drops off, and consciousness, rejoins consciousness. It is no longer in this particular environment."
~Joseph Campbell

From The Power of Myth

https://jcf.org/titles/joseph-campbell-and-the-power-of-myth-with-bill-moyers-book/

16/05/2023

People are strange: They are constantly angered by trivial things, but on a major matter like totally wasting their lives, they hardly seem to notice. ~Charles Bukowski

(Book: The Roominghouse Madrigals https://amzn.to/3IeUwgJ)

(Art: Photograph by Daniel Riera)

14/05/2023

Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there-on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.

The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot.

Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.

The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.

It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known. ~Carl Sagan

(Book: Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space https://amzn.to/3nYk370)

(Art: Photograph of the Earth, Dec. 7, 1972 by Nasa)