Five Things: August 2020

  • Started reading 3 new books and finished 1:
    • The Mind Illuminated by Jeremy Graves and Matthew Immergut
      • Picked this up since I learn best by reading and wanted to formalize my knowledge of meditation.
      • It’s a really cool book and a great example of a timeful text To be transformed by a book, readers must do more than absorb information: they must bathe in the book’s ideas, relate those ideas to experiences in their lives over weeks and months, try on the book’s mental models like a new hat. .
      • Good interleaving of theory (both scientific and philosophical), praxis and practice.
      • The book sets goals and stages for meditation, which has its upsides and downsides. In particular, I’m wary of getting trapped in spiritual materialism (keeping in mind my goal-orientedness).
    • How to Take Smart Notes by Sönke Ahrens
      • An influential book in the online circles I participate in. Sönke Ahrens uses Roam Research (which I of course love) :D
    • Concrete Mathematics
      • I wanted to pick up the more theoretical mathematical underpinnings of computer science. I expect to spend a few years on this one.
    • The Power of Intuition (finished)
      • Dense and a bit dry, but reinforced the idea that intuition is a powerful tool that can be trained.
      • “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” —Albert Einstein
  • Hiked on the Pacific Crest trail from Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap (~6 miles) with s.o. and 🐕 Kaya
    • Dusty, hot (we went one day before a heatwave) but well worth it
    • Great view from the top too:
  • Watched:
    • Inception: Ten Years Later. An eye opening examination of the various films that have influenced the movie, either directly or indirectly.
  • Listened to:
    • exile Taylor Swift ft. Bon Iver
    • AUATC - Bon Iver