Week 20: 7 out of 10 is bad.

Something I keep doing

I’ve been doing it for the last year, keeping a small notebook, in my pocket, whenever I go. I like the physicality of the pen and paper. Whenever I want to wait for someone or whenever I have 2 hours in the weekends, I just go into a cafe, sit down, open my small pocket notebook, armed with a pilot pen, and I simply sip coffee (or green tea) and I think. Analog. No digital. No distractions. Just myself and I, with a pen and paper.

(Normally) my hand writing is better.Smaller than the size of my hand. Fits in (almost) any pocket.A quote I’m living by

Its not what you say, it’s what you do.

Another version is:

Don’t listen to what people say. Look at what they do.

This reminds me of Nassim Taleb’s idea of Skin in the Game. Which is a must read. Again, Nassim’s ideas changed me 10 years ago. And they still do.

Why you shouldn’t have a 7 out of 10 rating. For anything.

Something I’ve learned in Neurofenix and from my friend Dimitris Athanasiou, is that I shouldn’t set a rating of 7/10. For anything.

7/10 doesn’t tell you anything. It’s misleading. It’s neither too good nor too bad. If it’s 6/10, it means OK and you shouldn’t bother. If something is 8/10, it means it’s good and you can proceed.

Used it ever since for watching movies, book ratings and recommendations, and, most importantly, hiring or feedback.

What I’m reading.

Lately another set of books. These are lengthy, meaty and require brain power. All the following are linked in topics in a way. Between economics, policy making and society building (or destructing.)

I read them after a gym session or in the morning just after I wake up- when my mind is clear or the blood is flowing. Ratings are WIP since I haven’t finished the books yet.

The Constitution of Liberty, Hayek. Rating: 8/10A Human Action. Von Mises. Rating: 9/10.The Open Society and its Enemies, Popper. Rating: 8/10. It’s amazing how different I view Plato after reading this one. Both his good side and the bad.Dao of Capital. Rating: 8/10.Something I’m thinking ofWhat I will be doing when in my 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s or the 100s with the current pace of AI and the constant change. I’m not sure anyone would be that adaptable. So What’s the constant in all of this? This is what I should be following.Taking extended time off. It’s mind boggling how this simple act does affect my creativity while am off and after I’m back. I know this because I’ve tasted this in the past. Off time is actually more important than on time. It’s where the creative thinking happens to cultivate a meaningful on time. I should aim to take at least 1 week off every 2 months. Even 4 days (2 days off + the weekend) can do the trick if it’s truly off (armed with a pen and paper.) That’s something I must do regularly. The upside is just too great.

Salam, peace.