Tag: technology

New frontiers – the pillars of a modern education

Travis KassabLeave a comment

Two brief thoughts today:

1. I’d like to be able to look upon any circumstance in life with a smirk of amusement. An attitude of amusement – that’s how you punch back at the tragedies in life.

2. To think that it’s the most exciting time to be alive – that’s a worthy thought to have each day. Probably every technologist and artist has felt this way throughout history. It’s the constant fight against complacency and desensitization. Louis C.K. had a bit about people on airplanes complaining about 30-minute delays… “What’s the problem?! You’re still about to take part in the miracle of flight.”

I feel fortunate to have the internet and social platforms where individuals can broadcast ideas at a scale previously only possible by several established TV networks. I’m grateful for the proliferation of software, open-source and private. And have a particular interest in cryptocurrency and DeFi. What a rich-space this is. So many new projects and no one really knows what to make of it all. People complain about the risk and speculative nature of DeFi – this uncertainty of what it is makes it so exciting for the technologist. It rightfully intimidates the investor but presents a new frontier with enormous upside. Data science, ML and advances in computation are bringing more change that we cannot foresee.

Now the cherry on top? Virtually anyone in the world can educate themselves and become competent in these domains via online education. And we’ll see more disruptive edtech with COVID acting as a catalyst for remote, democratized learning.

Inventor by birth

Travis KassabLeave a comment

To develop a theory or product for the world – one of the most worthwhile dilemmas. Not that either need to be grand but valuable and helpful for some. Sometimes this is all I care about in life.

I can be so rigid when it comes to that. But it’s difficult to see any justification for life, other than to end ahead of where you started.

Not necessarily materially, but internally. Ah that’s right, that brings up the paradox of life that’s had me thinking recently… aim for external contribution, while never forgetting that the final score card is graded only on character development.

An inventor is more or less broken into thirds: scientist, technologist, and artist.

Science explicates natural laws. Technology applies science to real-world scenarios. Artistry critiques the current situation and erects a path toward the future.

Productivity out of enjoyment, not necessity

Travis KassabLeave a comment

Delayed gratification has been a theme in my writing the past several weeks. While waiting for indicators of progress, concentrate on enjoyment rather than intended outcome.

Our developed cortexs love planning and envisioning success, but more attention should be paid to primal, organismic satisfaction in the meantime (…not read as “orgasmic”…).

Taking up Jiu Jitsu has been strange in a sense – it still slightly surprises me that I keep with it. The first 2.5 years I never thought about it outside of class, but consistently attended class 3 days a week.

I never related to the guys chatting about their favorite grapplers, the latest and greatest move they saw on YouTube, or martial arts philosophy. I never could exert energy in those directions.

I’ve persisted not from an interest in the sport, or an identity as a martial artist, but because Jiu Jitsu is a nice primer for mental flow state and bodily enjoyment.

Now, after 3+ years, as a beginner-intermediate, I’m starting to come around to an intellectual interest in martial arts and Jiu Jitsu. But this naturally blossomed for me and I think that’s the key.

Efficiency and mastery are bi-products of enjoyment – one should not get ahead of themselves. Thus, it makes sense in life, to pursue high-quality activities for the express intent of enjoyment before all else.

I should probably take my advice in terms of career – god knows I can be uptight. I welcome the idea of industry disruption, to kill and automate jobs, then supply the population with a UBC on which everyone can live from.

Eventually, we will overcome the last blemish of an advanced civilization and do away with soul- crushing, bull-shit, paper-pushing, political jobs. This is complete mastery over nature that we only pursue productivity out of enjoyment and not necessity.