Thinking Archives - 7 Takeaways

A lone figure standing at the edge of a vast landscape with a mountain range in the distance, gazing toward the horizon. The figure is small against the immensity, suggesting that what lies ahead is always bigger than what's been reached.

There Is No End to the Desiring – 7 Takeaways No. 271

Can’t get no satisfaction. Time after time. You’re so vain. Think for yourself. Freedom of choice. Respect. What a wonderful world.

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 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 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.

An individual receiving ideas beamed into their head from 100's of social media sites and mobile devices. They're sitting at a desk, staring glassy-eyed at a computer screen.

A Collection of Downloaded Opinions – 7 Takeaways No. 256

Local significance. Taking time to think. Thinking practice. Imperfection done beats perfection never seen. What can you learn? Where do your opinions come from? Embracing the chaos.

I Am in Awe and Therefore I Wonder – 7 Takeaways No. 255

Mattering in the very long run. Word salad. Dealing with “those” people. Sometimes just listen. Awe and wonder. Acceptance as meditation. Acceptance as strategy.

a bright, cheery home library where a person at a desk has a book open to one side and is writing on a notepad in front of them

The Twin Pillars of Deep Thinking – 7 Takeaways No. 252

Prescient predictions. Puns as superpower. How words make you feel. Lying on the rise (honest!). Reading more. Reading, writing, thinking. Notice stuff.

a split-screen image: on one side, a hunched-over grumpy figure under a dark cloud, watching doom-laden news on TV; on the other, a vibrant, smiling individual surrounded by books, art supplies, and a laptop—engaged, curious, and hopeful. A plant bridges the sides, thriving on the optimistic side.

The Courage to Be an Optimist – 7 Takeaways No. 243

How to think. Have a good day. Radical optimism. Embracing discomfort. AI fluency. Imposters within. Who’s an asshole?

A medieval scribe at a table carefully writing a book.

Writing That’s Thoughtfully Crafted – 7 Takeaways No. 225

Too old? Find joy. Artisanal writing. Increased expectations. Your responsibility. Judging others. Making good new things.