Writer exploring culture, technology, life design, and the human experience. Writing at BarryFralick.com
Sunday Notes 11/17/24
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Hello friends. Here are this week's notes. From me: Why I write I stole this title from Didion, who stole it from Orwell, because it is on point, meaning that choosing alternate words would be pointless. 'Why I write' is perfect. It is simple. I've felt compelled to write since childhood. I don't know why I was drawn to it when young, but I sense it involved introversion and writing, in general, being highly romanticized on film and television. Writers were weird. Some were cool. They made an unorthodox living from seemingly nothing. I quit writing in my late teens because the economics of adulthood demand honest labor, or so I thought. I rediscovered it in my late 30's, but only by accident. Writing in itself is a way to bring focus. Undefined thoughts that dance in the peripheral become clear once they are in print. Little thoughts that flutter on the edges of consciousness become apparent and obvious. They become concrete. I'm not an intellectual. I don't deal with abstract concepts well. Writing is a way to make heads or tails of thoughts. It is how I work through problems. Of course, there is selfishness, too. Writers write because of ego and to assault the reader's mind with differing viewpoints, which I cannot discount, but for me, it is a self-gratifying act. Writing is therapeutic. Moreso, it scratches an itch. I enjoy meticulously rearranging words, playing with rhythm, and experimenting with style. It is compulsive even. I like the serendipity writing creates. Meeting people who have read my work. Those who have benefited from it. I like that you like it. Perhaps it bolsters self-esteem. 'Why I write' is a flawless title. I don't think it can be improved upon, neither did Didion. Why do I write? I don't fully know. It's just something I do. -- Well said: Henry Ford on choosing projects. Many people are busy trying to find better ways of doing things that should not have to be done at all. There is no progress in merely finding a better way to do a useless thing. And on fulfilling work. The satisfaction that arises from honest accomplishment is of far more value in the promotion of human happiness than the thrill that comes with the realization of materialistic aspirations. -- Notes from others: Noteworthy notes - October 2024 All the AI products advertising how smart and helpful they are remind me of my wife. Having a companion smarter than you is great conceptually but not necessarily enjoyable. Tech nag is a real pain and getting so much worse year after year. We are married to our phones, and they are getting more demanding of our attentions. More seriously, when the UI gets smarter than the user, expect friction. -- On Reddit: I want to become a badass, but I feel like a sadass There is some surprisingly good advice in this thread. -- A quote: The pursuit of the material has become our reason for living, not enjoyment of living itself.
– Marlon Brando
-- Interesting: The Best Inventions of 2024 -- Lastly, a question worth pondering: What battles are you avoiding? That is it for this week As always, live well. Barry |
Barry Fralick
Writer exploring culture, technology, life design, and the human experience. Writing at BarryFralick.com
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