Yes, usefulness as the standard. Except for the arts which are, for me, mostly about bringing some beauty into the world, I am a utilitarian about most things. If you can’t DO something of value with a thing, I’m not impressed. I take that view of education as a whole. Simply “learning stuff” isn’t enough ROI. Thanks for a good read Jesse!
Agree 100%. I struggle with the education element…e.g., liberal arts. On one hand, we need timeless lessons to be taught for an educated society. On the other, it can become inward, useless knowledge. This is at the top of my mind with college-age kids!
“the point is to consider our purpose through a lens of usefulness”
Man, that is such an important principle to understand. So obvious, but most often overlooked. Along these lines, you might be very interested in reading Cicero’s On Duties.
I appreciate you took a year-long of reading and turned it into a reflective exercise of what you learned. What was gathered from the effort of flipping pages of words others have offered. How reading can inspire an action - to write on little pieces of paper meaningful tidbits. How that in and of itself is a moment of prioritizing, which very much relates to what is happening in the day-to-day of ourselves and maybe the large scope of social or the world. Then to what is useful. Is that use for immediate, future, emotional or physical? What is clutter, joy, or a need to know. Is that useful because of the need to know or a governing of the need. And now, with your queried guidance, my questions of "usefulness" will fill my day.
Yes, usefulness as the standard. Except for the arts which are, for me, mostly about bringing some beauty into the world, I am a utilitarian about most things. If you can’t DO something of value with a thing, I’m not impressed. I take that view of education as a whole. Simply “learning stuff” isn’t enough ROI. Thanks for a good read Jesse!
Agree 100%. I struggle with the education element…e.g., liberal arts. On one hand, we need timeless lessons to be taught for an educated society. On the other, it can become inward, useless knowledge. This is at the top of my mind with college-age kids!
Good luck launching those youngsters … and paying tuition. This too shall pass!
“the point is to consider our purpose through a lens of usefulness”
Man, that is such an important principle to understand. So obvious, but most often overlooked. Along these lines, you might be very interested in reading Cicero’s On Duties.
Thanks, Erik. Looking that up now. I’ve only read Cicero in superficially. I’ll dig into it now.
I appreciate you took a year-long of reading and turned it into a reflective exercise of what you learned. What was gathered from the effort of flipping pages of words others have offered. How reading can inspire an action - to write on little pieces of paper meaningful tidbits. How that in and of itself is a moment of prioritizing, which very much relates to what is happening in the day-to-day of ourselves and maybe the large scope of social or the world. Then to what is useful. Is that use for immediate, future, emotional or physical? What is clutter, joy, or a need to know. Is that useful because of the need to know or a governing of the need. And now, with your queried guidance, my questions of "usefulness" will fill my day.
Yes, Stacy! Now my day is going to be occupied with your mention of "prioritizing." Whether clutter or joy, how is it prioritized?
I think you’re right regarding the hand-holding element. I still get tricked into reading them, but I suppose that’s why marketing exists.