We accept the need for two opposing views to have an argument. How else could we have a meaningful debate? Diverging perspectives take the stage so that others can make up their minds. Disagreement is the basis.

However, I’ve come to realise that the foundation of an argument must be the willingness of any part involved in it to change their minds. If one becomes so entrenched in one’s views to be unable even to modulate them, one is not ready to argue.

Yet another cry for help: for more uncertain people, for less certain folk.

Another cry for more uncertainty

I was never much convinced by the idea that one lives for the weekend and holidays. The argument is based on our preference for milestones over paths. We understand birthdays, weddings and anniversaries. They mark significant occasions we can make sense of, plot points that weave a narrative we can tell ourselves and others about.

Yet, meaningful change and personal development are the result of what we do in our day-to-day. If we focus on the reprieve from the tedium, we doom ourselves to be subjects of the tedium.

Subjects of the tedium

When fortune comes our way, it is easy to attribute it to the effort we have exerted over the years. Perhaps this last piece of work that we did wasn’t our best, but it is only fair that we were rewarded for our persistence.

The reasoning—if flawed—has merit: any windfall will be partly caused by our accumulated actions. It’s why karma is such a popular concept, even if it lacks a scientific basis.

However, it flows both ways. Whenever a bout of misfortune comes our way, we should probably wonder if our past actions and choices had something to do with it. It’s only fair, after all, and generally good mental hygiene.

Fortune, misfortune and flawed reasonings

Jumping to conclusions is one of the most perilous mental activities we do regularly. Conclusions should follow only after a thorough examination of the facts and the assemblage of a panoply of perspectives. Most of the time, instead of jumping, we should walk a variety of paths with a clear, open, inquisitive mind.

Enough with the jumping

Our modern world has seen the rise of the most obnoxious forms of cynicism. Whereas, in the past, those favoured by the status quo would simply be quiet about their privilege, now they will use attack as the best defence, claiming they are the victims of discrimination.

The trick is as disgraceful as it is clever: the debate moves from questioning whether someone is privileged to discussing whether they have reason to feel aggrieved.

Privileged and aggrieved

A curious mind is essential for navigating the current age. Every new daunting challenge is an opportunity to learn. If we love learning, we cannot hate adversity too much.

If unchallenged, bored by a prosaic predicament, we can fill the tedium with learning of our choosing: let’s listen to books while doing whatever nonsensical job, or get lost in our own literary worlds while performing such menial tasks. Writing can and will happen later.

Nothing can enslave a truly curious mind.

Martian Thoughts

Another cry for more uncertainty

Subjects of the tedium

Fortune, misfortune and flawed reasonings

Enough with the jumping

Privileged and aggrieved

A truly curious mind