No. 523 — May 7th, 2023 — Read on FS

Timeless ideas and insights for life.

FS

The Curse of Knowledge

When we know a lot about a topic, it can be difficult to write about it in a way that makes sense to the layperson. To improve writing, Cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker suggests several strategies: 1) Use concrete nouns and refer to tangible things instead of abstractions. 2) Assume that readers know less about the topic than you do, but are still intelligent and sophisticated. 3) Have someone from the intended audience read your work and provide feedback. 4) Allow time between writing and editing, so you can approach your own work with fresh eyes.

— Source

Insight

“The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.”

— Sun Tzu

Tiny Thought

If someone admits they made a mistake, have the grace to let it go.

Holding it over them ensures they won't be quick to admit they were wrong in the future.

Outcome over ego

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Etc.

What we hope we know:

"Perhaps summarization is not the ability to produce insight, but rather the ability to recognize what other people will experience as insight.”

— Source

Satisfaction

"As we wind our way through life, I explained, satisfaction—the joy from fulfillment of our wishes or expectations—is evanescent. No matter what we achieve, see, acquire, or do, it seems to slip from our grasp."

— Source

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Cheers,
— Shane

P.S. If Saturn were as close as the moon.