I’m about as far removed from a rebel as you can get. It’s been a source of shame for years. But, as I’m discovering, this goody-two-shoe-ness can actually be a real advantage. I’ve been thinking a lot about habits recently, off the back of reading James Clear’s Atomic Habits. The principles in that book — …
Weekly Ignorance: Algebra and Goulash
Thawing the winter chill of ignorance using the hot-water bottle of knowledge. Also, hot chocolate. This week, more Alex’s Adventures in Numberland, so more maths curiosities. Also, I’ve been listening to Atomic Habits by James Clear. More on that book to come. On with it: Algebra comes from the old Arabic word “al-jabr”, meaning “the …
Weekly Ignorance: Perseus, Theseus, and Haggling
… in which I try to capture my moments of “I did not know that”. It’s my attempt to clear the frozen windscreen of Doh! using the window scraper of Aha! This week, more Heroes, so there will be Greek myths. I’m also reading Alex’s Adventures in Numberland, so there will be maths (Greek or …
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Weekly Ignorance: Whisky and Pegasus
In which I burn off the Christmas Belly of Ignorance using the Faddish Diet of Learning. It’ll never last. This week, I’ve finished The Big Short. (Do I have a better understanding of the financial crisis? I’ll let you be the judge. At the very least, I’m more comfortable seeing the words subprime mortgage bond …
Weekly Ignorance: Dylan and Winter Wasps
In which I flambe the Christmas Pudding of Dumbassery using the Brandy of Learning. Or whatever. (I will get better at these … ) This week, I’ve started reading The Big Short. Slowly. Hence, the first thing I’ve learned is that … Financial bonds are different to stocks. A stock is owning a share in …
Weekly Ignorance: Babylon and Logos
My weekly attempt to blast the relentless meteor of ignorance, using the Bruce Willis of retained learning. Or something. This week, a smidgeon of Ancient Greek, having finished listening to Stephen Fry’s Mythos. Filling the audiobook void is Man’s Search for Meaning, by psychiatrist and holocaust-survivor Viktor Frankl. A humbling and thought-provoking listen. Also — …
Weekly Ignorance: Cashews and Vladivostok
Welcome to my weekly attempt to lessen my own ignorance and connect those oh-so-slow-to-connect dots. This week: still listening to Mythos; still very Ancient Greek inspired. Also, I’ve been picking up — and picking at — the guitar again, and getting into some music theory. So expect chords and discords in the coming weeks. Tantalising comes …
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Weekly Ignorance: Zeus and Oxford
You learn something new every day. Unfortunately, you also forget something new every day, in my case at least. So, in an attempt to save my seeping memory, I’ve started making a note of any new knowledge I’ve picked up. Some of these are straight-up facts; others are real head-slap moments — a connection of …
Deadlines and Dingoes
“To achieve great things, two things are needed: A plan, and not quite enough time.” — Leonard Bernstein (or maybe not) Everyone needs a deadline. We see it everywhere, from meetings to planning the annual office pool party. Time constraints get stuff done. For some people, a deadline provides a necessary kick up the arse …
Lessons from Behind the Wheel
If you want to reveal someone’s true character, get them behind a steering wheel. For some people, driving is a peaceful experience — a chance to tootle about their day. For others, it is a cause for scarlet-faced anger, fat-fist waving, and tailgating at the stopping distance of a grasshopper’s hiccup. These attitudes can expose …