If you spend any time at all in the kitchen, you probably use at least one kitchen appliance, and probably several. Do you have a favorite?
Share why if you wish.
Month: February 2023
What Is Genius?
The word “genius” gets used often these days. But what exactly is genius, and how can you tell it when you see it?
Either a person or an idea can be referred to as “genius”. Typically for a person, it might refer to someone with a particularly high IQ. This can be measured via an IQ test, and at least in theory, can be quantified.
However, it is also used in other contexts. For example, someone might be called a musical or artistic genius. Is there any possible way this can be measured? Is there some sort of threshold to be labeled as such in a creative field? Or is it entirely subjective?
Listen to a podcast where Michael and Lee discuss a related question: ‘What gives a person value?’ We also discuss a bonus question: ‘What makes you you?’
When the word is used to describe a creative person, is it used for someone with a high level of expertise in a very specific field, or to someone with a broad skill set? That is, which is more of a musical genius: a guitar virtuoso, or someone who can play a dozen different instruments with a relatively high level of skill? Or perhaps both are?
If both, are we in danger of making the definition of the word so broad that it loses meaning? If everyone can be called a genius (in their own way), does the word cease to mean anything?
How do you use the word? Do you use it frequently, or know people who do? Does it simply mean “I think this is really great” or is it more than that?
What is genius?
Related questions: How can we measure intelligence? What is intelligence? How important are important people? How important is the artist to art?
Cynicism Or Idealism?
Which do you think is more likely to change the world, cynicism or idealism? Which is more likely to keep you safe? Which one describes you?
Share why if you wish.
Cynicism Or Idealism?
What Is Your Favorite Movie From Before You Were Born?
You are more likely to be familiar with current movies because the studios actively market them. Older movies require active seeking out.
Do you watch many movies that were made before you were born? Do you have a favorite?
Share why if you wish.
What Do You Spend Too Much Time Doing?
Sometimes, we are not the best managers of our time and attention. Is there an activity that you spend too much time doing?
If you’ve been alive for more than five minutes, you are likely aware of the feeling of a sudden realization that you just spent an hour — or more — doing something that you hadn’t planned on doing.
There are many activities that might fall into this category. Browsing social media, from Facebook to Tik Tok to Instagram, can have this effect. These software platforms, in fact, are designed to capture our attention and make us lose track of time.
Similarly, our phones have other ways to distract us, from playing electronic games to reading blog posts to watching videos.
Listen to a podcast where Michael and Lee discuss a related question: ‘What is the value of inefficiency?’ We also discuss a bonus question: ‘How can we encourage debate?’
But there are plenty of in person, physical distractions as well. For some, cleaning can be a way of avoiding other tasks. You may have had the experience of being so absorbed in a novel that you stay up reading much later than is advisable, and you might even be groggy the next day from too little sleep.
If you find yourself regularly indulging in these behaviors, is there a particular task or type of task that you are avoiding? Is there anything in common with these events?
To sum up, what do you spend too much time doing? Is there a reason why?
Related questions: What do you waste the most? Are we too busy? What would you do if you had more time? Do you have unstructured time?