Verse 16 by Lao Zi: 致虚极，守静笃，万物并作，吾以观复。夫物芸芸，各复归其根。归根曰静，是谓复命。复命曰常，知常曰明，不知常，妄作，凶。知常容，容乃公，公乃王，王乃天，天乃道，道乃久，没身不殆。 Attain ultimate emptiness,Maintain steadfast stillness.As myriad things flourish together,I watch their return.Though all things thrive abundantly,Each one returns to its root.Returning to the root is called stillness;This is returning to destiny.Returning to destiny is called constancy;Knowing constancy is called clarity.Not knowing constancy leads to reckless actions,And disaster follows.Knowing constancyContinue reading "Stillness vs. Spectacle: A Daoist Reflection on the World of Trump"
Book Club: Trust – Stories We Choose to Believe
[Written by ChatGPT] This book came into my hands through a thoughtful book club member who not only recommended it with a captivating introduction but generously left her copy with me. With a title like Trust, the meanings are already layered: Do we trust what we read? Is this about financial trusts? Trust between people?Continue reading "Book Club: Trust – Stories We Choose to Believe"
For Your Turning Year
[Written by ChatGPT] Another year, like water, flows—Not rushed, not held, just gently goes.You walk the path where few will tread,With thoughtful heart and quiet head. Like winter’s stream you move with care,Soft-footed through the thinning air.You do not chase, nor do you cling—You let life rise, and let it bring. The world may blur,Continue reading "For Your Turning Year"
We Cannot Bomb and Bulldoze Our Way to Peace
[Written by ChatGPT] I watched No Other Land with tears that didn’t announce themselves. They simply arrived—quietly, like dust settling on an old photograph. The kind of tears that don’t need explanation, because some truths bypass the brain and go straight to the soul. This land—this heartbreaking, sacred, contested stretch of earth—feels like the exceptionContinue reading "We Cannot Bomb and Bulldoze Our Way to Peace"
C is for Choice—and for the Biases That Shape It
[Written by ChatGPT. Image credit] How to navigate and ethically leverage the “C” biases in cognitive psychology for influence and income Biases aren't just quirks of the mind—they're leverage points. If you understand them, you can nudge people toward better decisions. If you don’t, you’re likely to be nudged yourself. Here’s a breakdown of cognitiveContinue reading "C is for Choice—and for the Biases That Shape It"
A Note of Gratitude to My Teenage Daughters
[Written with help from Poe. Image credit] To my beautiful daughters, As I sit down to write this, I’m flooded with memories and emotions that weave together the fabric of our family. Reflecting on my own teenage years, I can’t help but chuckle at the rebellious spirit that once drove me to challenge my parents.Continue reading "A Note of Gratitude to My Teenage Daughters"
Wild Embers of the Untamed Soul
[Written by Grok] Where turquoise waves crash bold and free,A haven hums with primal glee,No borders cage the sun’s fierce blaze,This Eden sparks untamed, wild days.The sand, a canvas for bare feet,Drums with the pulse of a rebel’s beat,Each grain a story, each tide a call,To shed the chains that bind us all. The jungleContinue reading "Wild Embers of the Untamed Soul"
The Consistency of Cognitive Biases Across Cultures: Implications for the Human Brain
[Written by Gemini. Image credit] Cognitive biases, defined as systematic deviations from rational judgment, represent predictable patterns of error in human thinking. These biases influence how individuals perceive reality and make decisions, often leading to interpretations and choices that deviate from objective analysis. The field of cognitive science, along with social psychology and behavioral economics,Continue reading "The Consistency of Cognitive Biases Across Cultures: Implications for the Human Brain"
Chapter 15 of the Dao De Jing: The Grace of the Ancient Sage
Verse 15 by Lao Zi: 古之善为士者，微妙玄通，深不可识。夫唯不可识，故强为之容。豫焉若冬涉川，犹兮若畏四邻，俨兮其若容，涣兮若冰之将释，敦兮其若朴，旷兮其若谷，混兮其若浊。孰能浊以静之徐清？孰能安以久动之徐生？保此道者不欲盈，夫唯不盈，故能蔽不新成. Those in ancient times who were good at practicing the WayWere subtle, mysterious, and deeply profound—So deep they were beyond understanding.Precisely because they were beyond understanding,We can only describe their appearance with effort: Cautious, as if crossing a river in winter;Hesitant, as if wary of all around them;Reserved, likeContinue reading "Chapter 15 of the Dao De Jing: The Grace of the Ancient Sage"
Beyond Bias: The “B” List That Builds or Breaks Success
[Written by ChatGPT] Use your brain’s blind spots like a pro—or be played by them When you learn about cognitive biases, it feels like getting your hands on the instruction manual for human behavior. These mental shortcuts aren't just quirks—they're tools. Especially for enterprising minds. Let’s explore the ones that start with B and breakContinue reading "Beyond Bias: The “B” List That Builds or Breaks Success"
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