032 Stuck In Traffic
Hello!
Here's the weekly Amazing Things & Ideas Newsletter which aims at making the reader a more rational thinker. As always, find one original idea from my side followed by the List.
And if you like reading this edition, tell the world about it!
Stuck In Traffic
The normal reaction to traffic is frustration. But this newsletter isn't about normal things.
A very simple way to get a better understanding of your usual, unconscious nature is noting what you do or think about when you're "stuck in traffic".
Someone who's getting late for an important meeting would probably feel frustrated. But that will do that person more harm and no good. There is no point in being frustrated due to traffic. It won't make the cars move faster. On top of that there will be further implications due to their annoyed mood. Now, the meeting may not go very well because that person is already irritated which is an emotion with a tendency to pollute even otherwise good things.
You may be one of those who listens to music via the radio in a car to pass time. That's okay but why not use that time learning; listening to podcasts or audiobooks instead?
Or you probably get bored... But there's always so much to ponder upon. So much mental work to do. You don't have to get bored while you're stuck. You can delve into your mind and try to do some important thinking. (but be safe)
If you're a creator you can literally make videos answering questions while driving and post them. Most of the time Gary Vaynerchuck isn't even looking at the camera while talking to you. Yet his content gets such a massive response! (but again be safe)
If you have someone in the car with you you can have an interesting conversation with them instead of listening to music or doing nothing.
What you do or think about when you're "stuck in traffic" tells a lot about your character.
Your traffic hours shouldn't go to waste. Any hour shouldn't. So keep that in mind the next time you're "stuck in traffic". Use your limited time constructively.
I'd love to hear what you normally do when you're stuck in traffic and if you are going to try and change that. Let me know by replying to this email.
The Amazing Things & Ideas List
On the Origins of Pleasure:
The origins of pleasure by Paul Bloom
In this Ted Talk, Paul Bloom argues that all pleasure doesn't originate due to evolution. Pleasure is caused also because of the beliefs we hold about certain things which change our experience with them. I really found this fascinating. Our beliefs about certain things decide how pleasurable an experience is going to be.
Book on a Scientist Looking at Society:
The Meaning of It All: Thoughts of a Citizen Scientist by Richard Feynman
One of the best physicists of the modern era at his best, Richard Feynman explains the relationship between science and society.
An E-Book version of the first chapter can be found here.
Elon Musk on human nature:
"Reasons to hate are remembered better than reasons to love"
"An evolutionary asymmetry helpful to survival, but counterproductive when survival is not at stake" — Elon Musk
On what really influences people:
"The thing about a gold rush:
It’s not the “gold.”
It’s the “rush” that changes the way people behave." — Seth Godin
A very important article posted on the blog this week:
(I'd highly encourage reading this. It may change your relationship with happiness and your perspective on a lot of things for the better.)
Thank you for reading.
Onward,
Arjun
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