While I was writing this, I rewatched a video by jazz pianist Kenny Werner, and I was really struck by his ability to be so gentle and ruthless at the same time, in a way that's loving and no-bullshit, and also economical. I'm trying to strike my version of that balance, but I think I still need more practice. I think I'll always think that. And I think that's probably for the best.
EDIT: I was going through old notes and found this: "i spent so much of my life frustrated at not being taken seriously, that for a long time i tried to take everyone else as maximally seriously as possible, and funnily this too led to a bunch of crappy outcomes".
Have been recently moved by reading Piet Mondrian : life and work by Michel Seuphor (who knew him personally in his later years)
Now there is an example of someone who was incredibly serious about his art and moved at a slow pace most people would and did find maddening. And yet everyone knows the grid compositions he produced in his 60s. I always thought of him as a consummate artist and the biography confirmed it in many ways, and it resonates with this essay a great deal.
CS Lewis had a similar saying, that modern people often doubt themselves too little and doubt what they do too much. And I’ve had that in my mind for a long time and yet have, looking back, mostly failed to be serious.
Great post. I think even being aware of this makes a big difference. Some people take being serious as just like "trying really hard" or something, and do this very earnestly. But you can "try really hard" in a completely unproductive and unsustainable way that realistically will never achieve your goals. Systematically examining what it would take to succeed and what might cause you to fail is a much better lens.
Jan 9, 2023·edited Jan 9, 2023Liked by visakan veerasamy
Good piece, I like the wording. "Being serious" feels like the missing piece from my planning
I was talking about the future and thinking long term with a friend a couple days ago and I think this concept would've been really useful to have in mind then. I was trying to ask him if he was serious about something, what was he serious about, I was trying to probe at that. And I was also trying to convey what I'm serious about. I think I failed at both though. I'll have to bring this concept back for round two of the conversation.
What you describe is the difference between elite athletes and guys who don’t make it. 1 million boys play football in any given year; only 300 get drafted to an nfl team. The guys who get drafted are of course physically different
But a huge component that differentiates the best from the ones who don’t make it is intentionality. Do they give everything to the sport? Film study. Weights. Practice. Thinking about the games. Preparing.
I think that I read somewhere that most high school kids pretend to work hard, but athletes work hard at pretend. Maybe that is something worth identifying.
Just saw the Afeni/Tupac documentary Dear Mama, and in my mind this piece just read like a rap. Those two were serious people, hit hard by life and sometimes off track, but always ready to fight and die for their mission, their justice.
It also reminded me of something I heard about Kierkegaard in my younger days. Something about making your life your project, and by taking death serious, by accepting death, you are able to take life more serious. I can't quote anything, though. 🙂
You have (acquired?) a way with words. Great piece, I will definitely keep my eyes open for more.
While I was writing this, I rewatched a video by jazz pianist Kenny Werner, and I was really struck by his ability to be so gentle and ruthless at the same time, in a way that's loving and no-bullshit, and also economical. I'm trying to strike my version of that balance, but I think I still need more practice. I think I'll always think that. And I think that's probably for the best.
EDIT: I was going through old notes and found this: "i spent so much of my life frustrated at not being taken seriously, that for a long time i tried to take everyone else as maximally seriously as possible, and funnily this too led to a bunch of crappy outcomes".
"We crush the caterpillars and complain there are so few butterflies."
You have a hell of a way with words, my friend. Really enjoyed this piece.
So good. Reminds me of One Punch Man
"I'm a hero for fun" + *serious mode activated*
Have been recently moved by reading Piet Mondrian : life and work by Michel Seuphor (who knew him personally in his later years)
Now there is an example of someone who was incredibly serious about his art and moved at a slow pace most people would and did find maddening. And yet everyone knows the grid compositions he produced in his 60s. I always thought of him as a consummate artist and the biography confirmed it in many ways, and it resonates with this essay a great deal.
I don't know how to pursue my goals at this point, but I do keep trying.
CS Lewis had a similar saying, that modern people often doubt themselves too little and doubt what they do too much. And I’ve had that in my mind for a long time and yet have, looking back, mostly failed to be serious.
This went deep. Thank you.
Do you believe generalists can be serious? Where is their place in this ideal serious world?
Great post. I think even being aware of this makes a big difference. Some people take being serious as just like "trying really hard" or something, and do this very earnestly. But you can "try really hard" in a completely unproductive and unsustainable way that realistically will never achieve your goals. Systematically examining what it would take to succeed and what might cause you to fail is a much better lens.
Love a good Feynman anecdote - and that’s a banger.
Good piece, I like the wording. "Being serious" feels like the missing piece from my planning
I was talking about the future and thinking long term with a friend a couple days ago and I think this concept would've been really useful to have in mind then. I was trying to ask him if he was serious about something, what was he serious about, I was trying to probe at that. And I was also trying to convey what I'm serious about. I think I failed at both though. I'll have to bring this concept back for round two of the conversation.
Common Visa W
Great post 🔥
What you describe is the difference between elite athletes and guys who don’t make it. 1 million boys play football in any given year; only 300 get drafted to an nfl team. The guys who get drafted are of course physically different
But a huge component that differentiates the best from the ones who don’t make it is intentionality. Do they give everything to the sport? Film study. Weights. Practice. Thinking about the games. Preparing.
I think that I read somewhere that most high school kids pretend to work hard, but athletes work hard at pretend. Maybe that is something worth identifying.
Bravo! Thank you for standing up for seriousness without solemnity.
Just saw the Afeni/Tupac documentary Dear Mama, and in my mind this piece just read like a rap. Those two were serious people, hit hard by life and sometimes off track, but always ready to fight and die for their mission, their justice.
It also reminded me of something I heard about Kierkegaard in my younger days. Something about making your life your project, and by taking death serious, by accepting death, you are able to take life more serious. I can't quote anything, though. 🙂
You have (acquired?) a way with words. Great piece, I will definitely keep my eyes open for more.
This was just the information I needed this last 2 weeks. Great content! Suscribed!
Excellent piece. And also excellent comments. It is so refreshing to read both a piece and comments that do not delve into political tripe.