When In Doubt; Create
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When in doubt, create.
When you in the course of a project, your life, become stuck, create.
I can’t remember where I picked up that mantra but it has changed my way of going on with life. And this is most especially in my work as an essayist, and in my relationship with others.
An essayist’s best friend is his musings. Out of these musings come discontent; especially if your musing lands you on a current counter to popular opinion. Writing essays is mostly about sharing a perspective. But in a world where perspectivism, well categorised as subjective is pitched as antagonistic to “facts” or “truth,” you must tread carefully lest you are blown up.
Social facts are slippery and hard to come upon. At best we survive by consensus rather than definitive knowing. Our strength in an opinion or “truth” is primarily measured – though unconsciously – by social proof – the number and caliber of people who hold it to be true. So to generate musings from your dark corner of the world, though not entirely independent of it, is to run the risk of butting the consensus on the head. You either keep it to yourself and enjoy your thoughts or step out in courage and get ready to be blasted. If you decide to take the latter step, you will need to create.
Create what? Create what you think is missing in the world.
We would rather complain that something that would have made our lives more convenient in the world did not exist than get down and start building. But let me be more domain-specific about building and creating. When people say “no one is talking about xxx…you people are not ready for this conversation,” I wince. If you are so passionate about having that conversation you might as well start it and run the risk of having it alone. But at least start it. The day someone realises that they need that conversation, they would find someone who already created the space for them to have the conversation. If you gain nothing concrete from creating, you will at least gain the advantage of being busy, exercising your muscles, and saving yourself from making clueless judgments of what others are doing. So, create.
And as for my relationship with others, I no longer expect others to make the first move. I make the first move; someone has to do what others despise. And I am better off moving than sulking and asking why the world is not moving. I am grateful for that.
Why are you in doubt? Because you are not certain. Why are you not certain? Because something is missing. What will you do now? Look at the space left by what is missing, turn on your imagination for what best will fill that space, and get down to creating. Vale.
How To Make Your Day and Your Job Interesting
If you hate your job, or you just want your day to be more interesting, read this short essay.
A quote from it:
"Curiosity, imagination, adventures, and exploration is part of what makes us human and alive. Unless you are okay with being a soulless but efficient flesh-robot, fan the embers of your imagination. Ask yourself why the bush burns without it being consumed. For example, find out why something works and why it wouldn't work at your job."
Read the entire essay here
Here is your picture:
Contrary to your favorite theory of knowledge, this is how we learn best about the world.
Enjoy your week.