Comment by pphysch

1 year ago

I attended a woo-woo university course, where the instructor invited a interpretative dancer to give a lesson.

The dancer bright out some paper, pencils, and almonds, and had everyone spend half an hour silently writing about their single almond. As it turns out, it's easier than it sounds; time passed quick and I (and most others) never felt bored. There's always more room for observation and analysis.

It struck me as a critical life lesson about the power of perception and attention. Every moment is infinite, and therefore it's a fool's task to try and learn/experience "everything".

5 comments

pphysch

cbracketdash 1 year ago

I think there is a fine balance to this. I agree that going through life by experiencing as much as possible is futile. But on the other hand, spending all your time in thought is also problematic since your ideas never clash with reality.

E.g. see the "Open Door Policy" from Hamming's research talk: https://gwern.net/doc/science/1986-hamming#open-door-policy

nicklaf 1 year ago

  To see a world in a grain of sand
  And a heaven in a wild flower,
  Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
  And eternity in an hour.

—William Blake, Auguries of Innocence

codr7 1 year ago

Reminds me of Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea :)

_def 1 year ago

Sounds like the woo-woo paid off

pphysch 1 year ago

Yes, I mean it affectionately.