Elsewhere 52 / Survival Skills of the Future
Introversion: the rise of a cultural movement
The idea is that if you or anyone you know identifies as an introvert, it’s safe to say that you have probably felt misunderstood at one point in your life — and even oppressed. Misunderstood because often you simply need to be alone (that’s how you get energized), for not being vocal enough in large groups (when you know you are sociable and love to explore deep conversations on innumerable topics but on different terms), and oppressed because you are underrepresented in leadership positions, in politics, and corporations.
Today my body hurts after five long days working in the AZ desert at Javelina Jundred, but my emotional being might need more rest after all the overstimulation and people-ing of the event! I don’t know if I’ve felt “underrepresented” in the past, but I know I’ve been mis-identified as aloof or arrogant due to my introverted tendencies. Sometimes I wonder what opportunities it’s cost me.
The Most Important Survival Skill for the Next 50 Years Isn’t What You Think
In the future, Automation will disrupt your job and AI will try to hack your brain—and probably sooner than you think. Historian Yuval Noah Harari (author of Sapiens, and, now, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century) explains why the best preparation has nothing to do with learning to code or building a bunker.
There are some fascinating ideas in this article on what our future will look like, and how artificial intelligence will disrupt and redefine the workplace and it's workforce. Yuval Noah Harari believes the most necessary skill of the future will be emotional intelligence and a resilience and flexibility that allows for constant reinvention. I feel as though I'm already preparing for this future in our attempts to embrace a nomadic lifestyle and living frugally and simply. (We've already seen driverless cars on the road in Arizona.)
An Elegant Life Taking Shape I Can Call My Own
I am so often wrong about what I think my life is supposed to be, who I think I am supposed to be with, what I think I am supposed to create. Thank God for that. The surprise is often painful in process, but one of the greatest pleasures I’ve ever known on the other side. After falling down on my face, brushing off, and looking up, I realize there is an elegant life taking shape that I never could have created all on my own
Much of my life has been spent waiting for opportunity to drop in my lap, maybe counting on fate too much. But as Courtney E. Martin writes, the path of life requires our own work to realize the opportunity around us - a balance of destiny and self-authorship.
Lavender’s Soothing Scent Could Be More Than Just Folk Medicine
In mice, researchers found that some components of lavender odor had effects on anxiety similar to taking Valium.
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” — Hippocrates
Conquering Mt. Everest, Against All Odds
Reaching the summit of Mount Everest is a triumph for any climber, but for Erik Weihenmayer, the accomplishment is even more impressive. That’s because he is blind. Born with a rare eye disease, Mr. Weihenmayer lost his sight at age 13 and later discovered a sense of freedom through climbing. Over the years, the 50-year-old has reached the highest peaks on seven continents and also kayaked the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.
What we finished reading this week:
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao — Junot Díaz
The Remains of the Day — Kazuo Ishiguro
Miles driven this past week:
1,725
Days living in the van:
470
Humble experience this week:
Susan worked five 12 hour days in the desert supporting this years running of the Javelina Jundred. Hundreds of people of all ages gathered at the McDowell Mountain Regional Park to travel by foot 100K or 100M over the course of a day. It was quite an experience to witness. The youngest 100 mile finisher was 15 years young, and 6 runners over the age of 60 completed the full distance in under 28 hours.
Susan // Paul
