We need a new era of ambitious optimism. Summary: Idea: Convince more ambitious optimists to solve the World’s Biggest Problems. Problem: Too many people now think it’s “cool” to be cynical. Solution: Organize the world’s ambitious optimists! Why: Ambitious optimism is self-fulfilling. Mission: Make Life Utopic For All! History: Kennedy’s “We choose to go toContinue reading “Ambitious Optimists”
Tag Archives: Elite
Fuck The Cynics
When did it become “cool” to be cynical? I think it started May 1, 2003: A whole generation has grown up expecting their leaders to lie to them. Conspiracy theories have gone mainstream: I’m not saying there are no wolves out here. But please stop crying wolf every time. The worst kind of cynicism isContinue reading “Fuck The Cynics”
Upgrade Yourself
The answer is your potential energy. The sum of all this potential energy is the world’s greatest untapped resource. In physics, potential energy is converted into kinetic energy by a force. However, if the friction is greater than the force, there will be no movement. We need to maximize our positive force and minimize theContinue reading “Upgrade Yourself”
Best Quotes from Tom Brady’s “Man in the Arena” Documentary
Notes: This ESPN+ series is a largely autobiographical retelling of Tom Brady’s career from the University of Michigan to seven Super Bowl championships. This documentary’s title borrows from Theodore Roosevelt’s 1910 speech “Citizenship in a Republic“, which includes the famous “Man in the Arena” quote: “It is not the critic who counts…” Watch: Trailer, VideoContinue reading “Best Quotes from Tom Brady’s “Man in the Arena” Documentary”
Best Quotes from the Tiger HBO Documentary
Notes: Neil: This documentary is about Earl Woods as much as it is about his son Tiger Woods. Earl always knew that Tiger was destined for greatness and built their family’s whole lives around Tiger’s success. This pressure and focus was both a blessing and curse for Tiger, who grew up perfectly prepared to beContinue reading “Best Quotes from the Tiger HBO Documentary”
Hamming Questions
My World’s Biggest Problems project is inspired by one of my favorite quotes: I paraphrase this idea into two questions: Why don’t more people spend their time solving the hardest problems? My personal mission is to convince more people to solve The World’s Biggest Problems. This idea is a work-in-progress. If you’d like to riff on it, hitContinue reading “Hamming Questions”
Best Quotes From Steve Jobs’ 1982 Speech to the Academy of Achievement
Notes: Neil: This speech was given by then 26-year-old Steve Jobs as an acceptance speech to the Academy of Achievement, which is a broader version of the Academy that gives out Oscars. This Steve Jobs is at the top of his first mountain; everything is seemingly going right. (He is fired from Apple just threeContinue reading “Best Quotes From Steve Jobs’ 1982 Speech to the Academy of Achievement”
Art vs. Fame
That’s Art without Fame. Some people romanticize this as ‘true’ art, but it can be a path to madness. Right now there are thousands of people around the world who are stuck in this very spot. I call them ‘Stellar’ — they have all the ingredients to be a Star, but they haven’t blown up yet: IContinue reading “Art vs. Fame”
Best Quotes From The “Knock Down The House” Documentary
Notes: Trailer: YouTube Full Video: Netflix, YouTube Book Recommendation: Run for Something by Amanda Litman (2017) Reading Time: ~10 minutes total. ~3 minutes bolded-only. ~1 minute highlights only. Neil: This documentary largely focuses on the rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), who won her 2018 NY-14 Democratic primary challenge vs. Rep. Joe Crowley. AOC’s message andContinue reading “Best Quotes From The “Knock Down The House” Documentary”
Best Quotes From Theodore Roosevelt’s 1910 Speech “Citizenship in a Republic” (Ft. “The Man in the Arena”)
Notes: Neil: This speech features the famous “The Man in the Arena” quote loved by people who face criticism while they are struggling. Politicians especially love to recite this quote to reporters and themselves when they’re losing an election. But “The Man in the Arena” is just one paragraph in the middle of a one-hourContinue reading “Best Quotes From Theodore Roosevelt’s 1910 Speech “Citizenship in a Republic” (Ft. “The Man in the Arena”)”