7 Takeaways Archives - 7 Takeaways

two people looking at a computer on a desk. One person is reaching up as if to pull out their hair in frustration, the other is shrugging their shoulders in acceptance

Uncertainty Is Our Basic State of Existence – 7 Takeaways No. 265

What we owe the dead. Manifesting is BS. Travel is no cure. Uncertainty hype. It’s not about the [brown] rice. New tech fears. Belief in science. My path to writing.

a gentleman sitting on a park bench reading a newspaper.

Extraordinary Chronicles of Daily Life – 7 Takeaways No. 264

Clear understanding. Your foibles as “won’t fix” bugs. Local independent journalism. Countering social isolation. Hanging on to beliefs. Remember to be friendly. Think better. Your opinion.

a couple sitting on a bench facing away from us looking at a sunset over the ocean

The Receiving End of a Huge Gift – 7 Takeaways No. 263

Empathy required. Single data points are good/bad. Embrace your weird. Counting on miracles. Courtesy is the default. The greatest invention. Change is uncomfortable.

a classic wind-up cymbal-banging monkey toy sitting on top of a stack of newspapers, magazines, and books

The World Is Messy – 7 Takeaways No. 262

Your opinion. It’s a messy world. Groupthink is everywhere. Aging and letting go. Common sense isn’t. The importance of friends. The power of expectations. Understanding versus agreeing.

a newspaper displaying a headline "Truth? Fiction? Lies? Manipulation? How do we know?"

Everything Feels Like Propaganda – 7 Takeaways No. 261

Your brain as a DDOS target. Use critical thinking, please. Feed yourself better content. Is it real, or a PR attempt? Convenience is weakening us. Speed versus accuracy. Keep your eyes on the near term prize.

A Series of Fortunate Events – 7 Takeaways No. 260

Hiatus explained. People are awesome. Amazing serendipity. Taking a break. Even sucky meditation helps. Staying in touch. Choosing family.

Hiatus

Due to unforeseen circumstances, 7 Takeaways will be on hiatus indefinitely. I hope to return in 2026.

An older gentleman looking into a mirror which reflects his younger self.

Your 80-Year-old Self – 7 Takeaways No. 259

Looking forward to look back. Pay attention to now. So something nice. Your cosmic smallness. The speed of change. Irrelevant skills. Serendipity is luck.

a grumpy older man looking at a newspaper with the masthead "Great News!", and various positive story headlines.

More Complaining Than Gratitude – 7 Takeaways No. 258

Complain, complain. Be reasonable! AI will make us better? Stillness can be fear. No one is thinking. The value of diverse interests and friends. The universe is talkative.

A library with dust and cobwebs everywhere. Books are stacked on tables, covered in dust. The shelves have cobwebs. It's clear no one has picked up a book in ages.

Choosing to Be Functionally Illiterate – 7 Takeaways No. 257

Reading takes effort. Put on your pants. Inspiration vs cynicism, fight! Fools never listen. Just do things. Imposing our standards on others. Simplification vs. complexity, fight!