What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Use free writing to break through writer’s block.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Use free writing to break through writer’s block.
What’s your all-time favorite album?
I couldn’t even begin. I have favorite albums of some particular acts (e.g. “Let it Bleed” Rolling Stones; “Born to Run” Springsteen; “Rumours” Fleetwood Mac; “Sgt. Pepper’s…” The Beatles; “Toys in the Attic” Aerosmith; etc.) but not overall.
I think MIPSO’s “Dark Holler Pop” is pretty much a perfect album, and I’m quite fond of Ben Sollee’s “Learning to Bend.”
But I have no favorite album.
Which topics would you like to be more informed about?
I’d love to know why the fundamental equations and constants that govern the universe appear to be tailor-made to generating life?
I’d love to know whether there is other intelligent life in the universe, and – if not – why not? (And, if so, have they visited, are they visiting, do they intend to visit, and – if none of the above – why not?)
I’d love to know whether there is meaning to life other than moving energy to higher states of entropy in a Sisyphean fashion (and any other meaning that one independently chooses for one’s self?)
But I’m doubtful any of that will be clarified in my lifetime, so I guess I’ll have to stick to more down to earth topics, such as: “Is ‘a good life’ a meaningful statement, and – if yes – how does one go about pursuing one.”
I would not like it. Music is a fastpass to bliss.
How do you celebrate holidays?
Dispassionately, mostly.
Share a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life.
The world as experienced through my mind is not a true reflection of the world. The mentally-experienced world is malleable and can be painted beautiful.
All things are impermanent, so nothing is worth great angst.
There are two ways to live life: take everything seriously or take nothing seriously.
What are your favorite types of foods?
Vegetables & fruits, also nuts.
How often do you walk or run?
Every day. And sometimes I crawl, and – if there are monkey bars – I swing.
Do you see yourself as a leader?
That’s a strange question, at it seems to be one of the few traits for which one’s self assessment is meaningless. i.e. if one sees oneself as a leader, but no one will follow one… “Teacher” is similar. One may see oneself as a teacher and might even have all manner of certifications and credentials, but if no one wants to learn from one, it’s not clear that it’s a meaningful title.
That said, I don’t see myself as a leader… but I’m even less of a follower.
What’s your favorite word?
I like the German word “Schadenfreude,” meaning to take joy in another’s misfortune.
I like the idea that a person can be so in touch with their dark side that they can express that bit of pettiness in a single word. So much of language is obfuscation and deceit. Southerners use four words (i.e. “God bless his soul”) to say a person is an idiot, and – even then – the meaning is masked.
Schadenfreude is authentic, and we need more authenticity in language.