My Notes For Maps Of Meaning (2017) – Jordan Peterson In this lecture, Peterson explores the archetypal similarities across the Ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Christian and Buddhist myths. Belief Systems You have a mode of being – this is how you operate in the world. When other people accept your mode of being, your emotions are … Read more
What is Irrationality? Can irrationality be good? If there was a complete convergence of behavior towards supreme rationality, what would the world look like? Would everyone be devoted to maximizing well-being, productivity, and the survival of their species – would anyone make art, music, or poetry? After-all, there is nothing rational about spending your time … Read more
“For a man to achieve all that is demanded of him he must regard himself as greater than he is.” Van Goethe The names that are inscribed in history books, and who’s teachings and legacies are religiously celebrated and tirelessly echoed by school teachers, professors, parents, and students are remarkable and exceptional people. But the … Read more
The Scapegoat Instinct “The search for a scapegoat is the easiest of all hunting expeditions.” Dwight D. Eisenhower Blaming others is easy. You transfer responsibility to someone else for what went wrong, and without much effort on your part, other voices in the crowd will start following your lead. With social media, the act of scapegoating … Read more
If you compliment another person, you must quickly knock on wood to prevent bad luck that might occur to this person, that an evil eye might bring about bad luck. Many people inherit their superstitious beliefs from society or family, and pass those beliefs down to their children. But is it good to be superstitious? A … Read more
Many of our desires are destructive. Our infatuation with money is one of them. Striking the rare balance between mastering the art of making money, while simultaneously living a meaningful life is the ultimate challenge. “Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And … Read more
Smartphone addiction Is Social Media Good? We are in the age of technology and social media apps, and are constantly being exposed to new ways of wasting time. A more interconnected world is rewarding – it keeps us mentally active and socially involved. There are obvious benefits, but there are consequences. The cliched criticism is … Read more
Jung first describes the significance of the products of your subconscious. You consciously suppress the importance of your dreams, but they offer you different kinds of information that can be very powerful. “Dreams may give expression to ineluctable truths, to philosophical pronouncements, illusions, wild fantasies, memories, plans, anticipations, irrational experiences, even telepathic visions, and heaven … Read more
Mastery by Robert Greene is a book that outlines the path to greatness. Greene tells the stories of many different geniuses of the past (Goethe, Da Vinci, Einstein) and distills the most important lessons we ought to remember. After each story, Greene explains the laws the masters were following in the story consciously or not … Read more
What You’re Really Meant To Do is a short book that will help you reassess your career path. Kaplan asks us at the end of each chapter a series of questions to challenge our decisions. And those are the most valuable parts of the book. Completing these exercises will force you think more deeply about what … Read more