My Learnings: #34

Throughout history, those in positions of power have sought to maintain their dominance by controlling others, often employing tactics to render people docile, weak, or overly compliant. This is not merely a modern phenomenon but a reflection of human nature, where individuals protect their status by leveraging the labor and acquiescence of those beneath them. To live a fulfilling life as a sovereign individual, one must recognize and resist these subtle mechanisms of control.

I find inspiration in observing Mother Nature and the lessons of 4 billion years of evolution, which offer a lens to understand today’s world. Consider the current cultural narrative decrying “toxic masculinity.” While not the sole explanation, I propose a perspective rooted in logic and natural principles: the weaker and less assertive you are, the easier you become to manipulate. In the wild, apex predators—equipped with sharp teeth, powerful muscles, and a carnivorous diet—reign at the top of the food chain. These creatures, like lions or wolves, are nearly impossible to subdue without significant risk. Attempt to control them, and you’re likely to face fierce resistance or death.

Contrast this with the animals humanity has domesticated—cows, sheep, pigs—typically large herbivores. These species posed less danger during the taming process, making them ideal for control. Intriguingly, their plant-based diet allowed us to exploit their labor, forcing them to plow fields and grow the very food that sustains them until we slaughter them for protein. This dynamic mirrors what some in power desire from society: a compliant workforce that unwittingly supports the system, pays taxes, and sustains the elite, all while remaining too weak or submissive to rebel.

This pattern explains why strength, independence, and self-defense are often discouraged. A strong, free-thinking individual—armed and unafraid—is a threat to tyranny, much like a lion resists domestication. Yet, many fall into the trap, lured by promises of safety and comfort, akin to lobsters thriving in a cage until they’re ripe for the pot. When you hear messages shaming your strength, wealth, or autonomy, question the intent. It may well be a strategy to soften you into submission, transforming you into a modern equivalent of a domesticated beast—pliant, productive, and ultimately expendable. Nature teaches us that no one farms lions for a reason. Hold fast to your sovereignty; it’s your greatest defense against being reduced to a cog in someone else’s machine.

My Learnings: #32

I’ve always loved shooting a basketball, and over time, I’ve gotten pretty good at it. While there are plenty of expert coaches out there breaking down every detail of the perfect shot—and I’m sure that’s valuable—I’ve stumbled onto something simpler that doesn’t get much attention: the shot really comes down to just three fingers. The thumb, index, and middle fingers do the heavy lifting. The ring finger and pinky? They’re just tagging along, and if you’re not careful, they might even mess you up. Focus on those three, and you’ll feel the ball better—your results will show it, too. Another trick I’ve picked up is using the backboard. Forget just aiming for the square like they taught us as kids; with today’s big glass backboards, you’ve got a huge canvas. High, soft shots that kiss the glass, creative bounces off the far side, even low scoop shots that arc up gently—they go in more than you’d think and open up all kinds of scoring options. As your skill with the backboard advances, learn to spin the ball off the glass to unlock even more angles. I once saw a video where Kyrie Irving, one of the NBA’s greatest finishers, said he’d spend hours practicing backboard shots, often adding spin to score from every possible angle. Better yet, learn to bank it one-handed. Dribble, control, and shoot off the glass without pulling the ball back to both hands. If you’ve got big hands and long arms, it’s a game-changer—defenders can’t touch you. And if all else fails, treat the court like a track meet. Sprint past your man, beat him to a good spot, and easy buckets will follow. Basketball’s a blast, and little strategies like these make it even more fun. I wish I’d played more when I was younger and figured this stuff out sooner—it would’ve made scoring feel effortless. Hope this helps you enjoy the game as much as I do!

My Learnings: #31

You should never reveal your plans to others—let them unfold through your actions instead. Too often, I’ve seen so-called friends, who are really just nosy neighbors, dig for details you share in good faith, hoping to assist. But then they either steal your idea or quietly work to sabotage something promising you’ve got going. Even if they don’t do it outright, I’ve caught people secretly wishing for my failure, rooting against me behind closed doors. The harsh truth is that most people are unhappy with their own lives, and seeing someone break free from the crowd forces them to confront their own flaws. They’re like crabs in a bucket, clawing you back down to their level.

Not everyone is like this, though. If you’re fortunate, you’ll encounter a rare few—genuine souls who cheer you on and truly want the best for you. Those are the ones worth investing in, the ones you spend your time with and lift up in return. They’re precious gifts in a world that often feels stacked against you.

There’s another pitfall to sharing your plans: people chime in with their opinions and then get offended when you don’t follow their advice. They try to claim the exciting parts of your journey for themselves, leaving you to shoulder all the risks and consequences. That’s an unfair deal, so be cautious about who you let in. This applies to everything—even investing. If you disclose your positions, others can use that knowledge to take opposing moves that hurt you. Worse still, when you announce your intentions, some offer premature congratulations. It feels good, like you’ve already succeeded, but that false sense of accomplishment can sap your drive to actually follow through.

Keep your dreams and ideas close. Focus on the execution and savor the journey—it’s yours alone. Choose wisely who you share with, because most people, whether they admit it or not, will do their best to ensure your plans never see the light of day.

My Learnings: #30

I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned this in a previous post, but I stumbled across yet another example today that only deepens my conviction about this lesson. Four billion years of evolution have handed us solutions to so many challenges we face in business, if only we’d pay attention. Today, I encountered yet another project at work—and a job description, no less—lacking a clearly defined scope. Honestly, there’s almost nothing worse than something so vague and ambiguous it leaves you floundering. It’s like a living organism with weak or nonexistent cell walls—how can you possibly make progress?

Without those firm boundaries, it’s impossible to shield yourself from external pressures or push back against unwanted interference. Imagine you’ve poured your energy into something great—a standout project or a stellar role—only to find you can’t stop others from swooping in to claim credit or encroaching on your territory to puff up their own empires. You’re like a cell, tirelessly working to grow and thrive, but with no defenses to keep outside forces from wrecking everything you’ve built. I saw this play out today with a colleague who was struggling, caught in that exact trap—a cell with no walls, vulnerable and exposed.

This has to be a lesson worth learning from Mother Nature. Cells have evolved strong, discerning walls for a reason—they define what’s inside, what’s allowed in, and what gets kept out. Shouldn’t we do the same in our professional lives? Clearly defining your scope, your boundaries, and what you’re willing to take on—while knowing what to reject and what external threats to guard against—seems non-negotiable. Life’s been honing this feature for four billion years; I doubt we can afford to skip it.

My Learnings: #29

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned across my experiences in business, community endeavors, and sports is the importance of establishing clear ownership from the outset. Identifying the individual who bears ultimate responsibility for an initiative’s success or failure is not just a procedural step—it’s a cornerstone of effective execution. When ownership is clearly defined, that person gains the authority to make final decisions, knowing they’ll be the one held accountable if things go awry. This clarity eliminates ambiguity, which, left unchecked, becomes a silent killer of progress. I’ve witnessed countless efforts stumble into indecision, frustration, and eventual collapse simply because no one took the time to designate a clear owner upfront.

It’s a pattern I’ve seen too often, and it ties back to human nature. People instinctively gravitate toward the safety of the group, hesitant to step forward and shoulder the weight of responsibility. Boldness is rare, yet it’s essential for achieving anything meaningful. Now, this doesn’t mean you always have to be the one to volunteer as the owner—though stepping up can be admirable—but it does mean you can’t afford to skip this step, even if you’re not the leader. By ensuring someone is explicitly tasked with ownership, you set the stage for smoother collaboration, faster decisions, and a far greater chance at success. Trust me, taking a moment to clarify who’s ultimately responsible will save you endless headaches down the line.

My Learnings: #28

Death is an essential part of life, a necessary feature woven into the fabric of existence as it grapples with the relentless pressures and resistance of the universe. This cycle of life and death is not just an end, but a proving ground—a mechanism that allows species to test new traits in the wild. Each of us gets a fleeting window of time, a chance to be shaped and challenged by Mother Nature, to demonstrate our resilience and worth. If fortune smiles and circumstances align, we might pass on our genes to the next generation, where they evolve—carrying forward echoes of who we were, while blending in fresh adaptations. Some of these changes may prove to be brilliant advancements; others might falter, proving detrimental. Yet, it’s this very reality of death—though often cloaked in sorrow—that clears the stage for the next set of traits to take their turn in the crucible of existence.

This process, harsh as it may seem, is the species’ best shot at long-term survival. It’s the answer to the ever-shifting, extreme demands of a universe that spares no one. When I step back and see life and death through this lens, it brings me a strange kind of peace, even joy. It reveals my place in the grand tapestry and illuminates how I might leave a lasting mark. For me, raising three incredible sons has been my deepest contribution to the world—a gift of life that ripples into the future. But even without children, there’s no failure, no rejection by nature. Life’s outcomes are steeped in chance, and we shouldn’t judge ourselves too harshly for what luck hands us. Beyond reproduction, we can still shape the species’ path—by championing what works, by easing the burdens of others, or simply by making our shared time here more joyful and rich. There are people who cherish you, whose days are brighter because of you, and that, too, is a triumph over the universe’s indifference. In this endless struggle, every act of connection, every spark of happiness you ignite, is a victory worth celebrating.

My Learnings: #27

Life, at its core, is a relentless battle against the universe itself. I’ve come to see that bad news isn’t the exception—it’s the rule. The natural order isn’t one of harmony or ease; it’s entropy, a slow unraveling of everything we hold dear. To live is to resist this cosmic tide, to stand defiant in the face of a universe that defaults not to triumph, but to collapse. Embracing this fight, leaning into the struggle, is where the truest joy lies—like savoring a donut snatched from the jaws of chaos.

This isn’t pessimism; it’s clarity. Things don’t work out on their own. The idea that they might is a comforting illusion, but illusions crumble. Entropy doesn’t negotiate—it erodes. Every step forward, every moment of order, is a victory carved out by force of will. Life demands strength, a constant countervalence against the forces that would strip you bare. You don’t truly own anything—your rights, your property, your peace—unless you can defend it. Trust and goodwill are tools, but power is the foundation. To live is to fight, not because the news will ever turn rosy, but because the fight itself is what defines us.

Thank you so much. Surprised anyone even saw this. Literally just documenting some of the things I’ve learned during my life so my kids can read them in the future. Thanks so much for your kind words. Nostr is really amazing.

My Learning: #5

Embracing a life of continuous learning is one of the greatest joys and privileges we have. It's not just about acquiring knowledge; it's about the adventure of delving into any topic that sparks curiosity, no matter how arcane. My experience has taught me that exploring these subjects often yields unexpected benefits. Whether it directly aids in solving a problem or sparks novel connections that would otherwise remain undiscovered, learning enriches life in unforeseen ways.

Learning is akin to mental gymnastics; it stretches and strengthens your mind. There are moments when you can almost feel your brain expanding, adapting, and fortifying itself. Mastering a complex subject and viewing it from various perspectives not only solidifies understanding but also provides profound satisfaction.

Moreover, consistent learning acts as a cognitive workout, enhancing your thinking capabilities and potentially reducing the risk of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The more diverse and deep your knowledge, the more fascinating you become, both to others and to yourself.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and information, continuous learning is not just beneficial but necessary. Staying abreast of new technologies and methodologies is crucial for career relevance and personal growth. It equips you to thrive professionally, keeping you at the forefront of innovation.

My advice? Be insatiable in your curiosity. Delve into everything that piques your interest. The true value lies in depth, not just breadth. Explore with the fervor of a true enthusiast.

For those needing motivation, consider watching Professor Richard Feynman's "Ode to a Flower." It beautifully illustrates how layers of knowledge can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. While some might say, "The devil is in the details," I propose, "The joy is in the details."

I hope this perspective inspires you on your journey of lifelong learning.