They say “too much of anything is bad” – at what point do we care too much? You care to be friendly, but are you truthful? Care to arrive on time, but do you add value? Care about others’ feelings, but are you honest? Care about words, but what about meaning? Care about physical health, … More Can you care too much?
Centred on a scalping gang in the wider California region in 1850, Blood Meridian is a brutal portrayal of violence. The most striking component of the book is McCarthy’s choice of focus. The characters are peripheral. The reader gets a faint handle on a few of them, and only after reading half of the book. … More Book Review: Blood Meridian by Cormack McCarthy
I was jolted when watching Interstellar recently – a 2014 movie starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway. The movie caused to be to dwell on the time-difference I’ve experienced since moving to Los Angeles – 9 or 10 hours difference to South Africa (depending on day-light savings). Similarly to the astronaut in the film, I … More Time difference, disorientation and meaningful communication
Meditation creates awareness of thoughts, causing self-reflection and cognisance of weaknesses, fragilities and insecurities. It can be helpful to highlight these progress areas. But often I think to myself, “why am I torturing myself with all of this reflection? Can’t I just mindlessly plod towards a goal? I’d love to stop painstakingly thinking myself in … More The Infinite Loop
Another brilliant piece of work by the master, Thomas Sowell. Quite a theoretical book but an incredibly useful framework. I’ve observed numerous recent events through Sowell’s visions since I started reading the book. The ability for ideas to immediately infiltrate one’s framework and lexicon is a true hallmark of greatness. A vision is our natural … More A Conflict of Visions by Thomas Sowell
An intriguing portrayal of isolation and estrangement. Humans yearn to be understood and experience intense difficulty when we’re unable to communicate, particularly to those closest to us. Sometimes we attempt proactive communication and almost succeed. We simplify the message, if we even know what it is, and we vocalise the challenge, if we can find … More The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
I’ve watched many of YouTube-sensation Jordan Peterson’s interviews, but it was rewarding to engage with his provocative approach to gender, culture, meaning and truth on paper. He’s a divisive figure – I think it’s because of the way his ideas are perceived to be used by less politically correct segments of society. But there are … More 12 Rules for Life – Jordan Peterson
A personal note. A sunny Saturday afternoon. A beautiful view of Downtown LA, looking South East towards USC. Shouting, screaming, breaking glass… I don’t think it was THAT bad. I HOPE it wasn’t that bad. But the breaking of glass and the screams were certainly loud enough to shake me. I know it’s only anecdotal, … More Are we listening?
The 4th Turning by Strauss and Howe is the best book I’ve read in recent time. Using a combination of demographics, economics and sociology, the authors analyse American history through generations. Rather than the orthodox approach, looking at history through the eye of the leaders, they pinpoint the influence of key events on each generation. … More “History never repeats but it rhymes” – 4th Turning Crisis Preparation
The Cave Story from Plato’s Republic within Andrew Sullivan’s “The Conservative Soul” beautifully captured a few concepts I’ve been grappling with. I’d like to share the allegory and end with a few reflections. Paraphrasing Sullivan: “Human existence is like being in an underground cave with light streaming in across the width of the cave. Most … More Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
Sound Money 