Socrates Qualities

I am not literate enough to talk about Socrates. While going through my notebook, I found these written notes. These are a few of his qualities.

I don’t remember from which book I got them, just for future reference I am adding it as a blog note.

Socrates qualities :

1. Freedom (as opposed to slavishness) as a result of self-discipline.
2. Certain knowledge and some degree of education.
3. The ability to make friends and get on with people.
4. The ability to do good to friends ( and harm to enemies)

Rational

What happens if everyone becomes rational?
We will turn Vulcan (star trek) and will have to deal fewer errands.

What will happen to our emotions, feelings et all?
We will become robots.

That will save Earth?
Who knows, it might. We will start using our consciousness. We will become unbiased. Emotions will have no role in decision making.

But what will happen to the division we have created?
Rationality will not fuel division. Since we will have no meaning or importance on attachment or emotions. We all will be two-legged walking animals.

Deep work

Reading “Deep Work” made me realize I am wasting my precious time.
We are wasting time in the hyper-connected app-driven world. It is making us less productive.

The author recommends allocating time in chunks for Deep Work. Productivity and deep work are proportional. He gives his example in practicing deep work and being super productive. How well he managed to multitask and taught, wrote research papers and many books.

The author is not saying something out of the box. We all know the side effects of smartphones. It is no different than a slot machine.

In book “Hooked”, Nir Eyal talks about addictive mobile applications.

B.F Skinner experimented on Pigeons what he calls variable rewards. That is what drives us to mobile applications.

Ivan Pavlov did a similar experiment on dogs in his work of classical conditioning.

We are like pigeons and dogs when it comes to instant gratification or habit formation.

Deep Work cites research papers, personal experience, and quotes.

Do we need 250+ page book to understand Deep Work? I doubt it.

Does it deserves to be a best seller? I have no clue.

Socrates told us about self-knowledge. He asked Athenians to throw all the books.

We have to be more aware of time use. One can do that by becoming self-conscious.

Limited

Something is wrong with me?

My social circle has shrunk. The meetups, events, and gatherings have reduced. My consumption and interaction with the virtual world are also limited.

I have started to live most of my time with myself.

Self-introspection gave some answers:

  • Participating in subjects I have control over will make me saner.
  • My bias should not hinder the relationship.
  • Socializing loads the brain as well as the stomach.

People who need me will find me.

Silence

I have been a non-stop talker. My friends close to me are aware of this. I am working on getting this fixed.

I have realized silence and listening to others is more relaxing. It keeps brain saner.

Listening to others helps in keeping a check on biases. It powers independent thinking.

Let see how many days It will take to achieve these virtues.

Problems

Fighting with barista for making frothy cappuccino is easy.

What is difficult: having some empathy. Keeping calm and registering complaint.

Our problems are prime and the world or people around us should resonate with it. We have the least clue or concern about others.

  • Why would it matter if my apartments security guard has been skipping lunch to send money back home?
  • My maid’s daughter is getting married at a young age. She will pay less dowry.

Why the hell should it matter anyway, my Amazon delivery has not reached on time. I need to shout at these morons.

Brain

Our brain is the most complex human organ. Many researches are underway to find out its mystery.

My own experience has made me realize that my brain gets affected by:

  • People I meet/talk to.
  • Music I listen to.
  • Movies I watch.
  • Foods I eat.
  • Workouts I do.
  • Books I read

In short, every single action of mine affects my brain. Isn’t it crazy?