[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4 after I fed it a transcript of a 3 minute ramble I had recorded while walking just now and asked it to turn it into a 1000 word blog in the style of Morgan Housel]

The Art of Wandering: Exploring New Perspectives in Problem-Solving

In the world of problem-solving, the notion of a frontal attack might be the first strategy that comes to mind. It's as if we're a soldier on a battlefield, our focus narrowed to the enemy line, our objective clear and straight. However, this direct approach might not always lead us to the most creative and effective solutions.

David Senra, in his Founders podcast, delves into Paul Graham's essay, "How to do Great Work." He echoes Graham's proposition that some of our best ideas come not from a direct assault on a problem, but from a subtler, more serendipitous approach—letting our minds wander.

The concept of a wandering mind may initially seem counterproductive. Isn't concentration the key to solving problems? However, imagine a small battalion deviating from the main army's path. They aren't aimlessly wandering; instead, they're exploring new routes, looking for uncharted ways to approach their objective. Their mission is the same, but they're open to finding a different, potentially more effective, route.

Similarly, our minds have corners filled with innovative ideas, fresh perspectives, and out-of-the-box solutions. They are often overlooked in the rush of a head-on approach. When we allow our minds to wander, we permit ourselves to venture into these corners, to see our problems from a variety of angles, and potentially stumble upon an unanticipated solution.

This approach isn't about neglecting the task at hand; it's about providing our minds with the liberty to diverge from the main path. This divergence isn't about losing focus; it's about gaining a broader view. It's about recognizing that a problem, like a coin, has more than one face. And often, it's the overlooked sides that hold the key to the solution.

Moreover, a wandering mind is inherently curious. It's always on the lookout for new patterns, different ideas, or untried methods. It's this curiosity that drives creativity, fueling innovation and prompting us to question the status quo. It's what encourages us to ask, "What if there's a better way?" and propels us to seek and create that better way.

There's a certain unpredictability that comes with a wandering mind, a sense of not knowing where our thoughts might lead us. This unpredictability can be a source of apprehension, especially when we're dealing with important problems. But, as Graham's essay suggests, this unpredictability is also a source of immense potential.

Embracing this sense of exploration isn't a call to abandon logic or ignore the parameters of our problems. Instead, it's an invitation to expand our perspective, to consider new angles, and to allow room for innovative solutions. It's about recognizing that the path to resolution isn't always a straight line, but more often a winding road that leads us through unexplored territories.

So, how do we practically apply this approach? We can start by providing ourselves with the space and time to think freely, to step away from our regular environments, and to break from our usual routines. We can engage with different disciplines, people, or experiences, exposing ourselves to new ideas and viewpoints. These new experiences and ideas can trigger unexpected connections, leading us down unexplored paths of thought, and potentially toward more creative and effective solutions.

In conclusion, while a direct, frontal approach might be the most instinctual way to solve problems, it's not always the most effective one. Allowing our minds to wander off the beaten path, to explore the hidden corners of our thoughts, can open up a world of unexpected solutions and creative ideas. So, let's embrace the wandering mind and the unique perspectives it can bring, and we might just find ourselves doing truly great work.

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4 after I fed it a transcript of a 3 minute ramble I had recorded while walking just now and asked it to turn it into a 3000 word blog in the style of Morgan Housel]

The Irrational Beauty: Understanding The Golden Ratio

The golden ratio is fascinating, isn't it? The Greeks called it Phi, and mathematicians denoted it with the symbol φ, representing the irrational number approximately 1.618. It's one of those peculiar natural phenomena that we encounter in everyday life without even realizing it. From the architecture of ancient buildings to the proportions of human bodies, this ratio, somehow, intuitively feels 'right.' And, quite amusingly, it is as confusing as it is enthralling.

This mystifying ratio has been the subject of many of my previous discourses. Yet, every time I delve into it, I discover a fresh, mind-bending facet. Today, let's explore the intriguing dichotomy that lies at the heart of the golden ratio - the interplay between its rational appeal and its inherent irrationality.

There's an uncanny quality about the golden ratio. In the seemingly chaotic patterns of nature and life, the golden ratio emerges as an oasis of harmony. Whether it's the spirals of galaxies, the patterns in seashells, or the fractal geometry of fern leaves - the golden ratio is omnipresent. And it is this pervasive presence that imparts a sense of coherence to our otherwise unpredictable surroundings.

Think about it. Isn't it a bit strange that this ratio is universally found appealing? From the Parthenon to the pyramids, ancient civilizations that evolved independently employed this ratio in their architectural marvels. Even today, it's a vital tool for artists, architects, and designers. In essence, this ratio has an intuitive appeal that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries.

Consider physical attractiveness, a subjective quality influenced by various cultural and personal preferences. Despite this subjectivity, there's a general consensus about certain people being universally attractive. The reason? Their facial features adhere to the golden ratio, and this appeal is cross-cultural. Celebrities, influencers, models - their fame hinges, in part, on this universal allure. The golden ratio is, in essence, the mathematics of beauty.

However, there's a peculiar contradiction embedded within this mathematical marvel. While our intuition seems to align harmoniously with the golden ratio, it is, in fact, an irrational number. It can't be expressed as a simple fraction, unlike most numbers we encounter in everyday mathematics. 

Most of us are familiar with irrational numbers, like π (Pi). We use these symbols because they're easier to comprehend than their true forms - infinite, non-repeating decimals. It's quite a paradox, isn't it? This irrational number, φ, which defies our logical understanding of numbers, seems to make the 'most rational sense' to our intuition. 

So, how do we make sense of this conundrum? Here's an irrational number, 1.618, that we can't express as a simple fraction. Yet, it perfectly describes natural growth patterns. It 'feels' correct, looks beautiful, and it's pervasive in nature and human creations. It's as if nature, in its vast randomness, picked this arbitrary number to create a pattern. 

The golden ratio even manages to make its presence felt in the structure of our academic calendar. It was an enlightening discovery when I found out that the average registration time for the next academic year at most universities aligns closely with the golden ratio. Students, generally, enroll for their next courses about 62% into their current semester. It's as if our academic system subconsciously adheres to this irrational yet 'rational' timeline.

What we're dealing with here is a number that does not logically 'fit' into our standard mathematical understanding. It can't be neatly expressed as a simple fraction, and there's no obvious reason why this specific value should hold such significant sway over our natural and aesthetic world. And yet, it does. It 'feels' right, looks right, and pops up all over the place, from human facial features to galaxy spirals.

At its core, the golden ratio is a profound reminder of the interplay between order and chaos, between rationality and irrationality that governs our universe. Its omnipresence signals an inherent order within the apparent randomness of nature. Its aesthetic appeal underscores our deep-seated penchant for symmetry and balance. Yet, its irrationality reminds us of the inescapable complexity and mystique that surrounds our existence.

To wrap up, the golden ratio, this fascinating irrational number, plays a surprisingly 'rational' role in our world. It guides the patterns of growth and decline, governs the aesthetics of beauty, and yet defies our conventional understanding of numbers. 

It's a paradox, a mystery, and a marvel, all rolled into one – a testament to the unfathomable depth of nature's wisdom and a subtle nudge towards recognizing the inherent beauty in life's complexities. The golden ratio is a splendid example of how something so counterintuitive can offer us the most intuitive 'sense' of understanding, harmony, and beauty.

Image prompt: high res Ikigai diagram, exploding with colors

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4 after I fed it a transcript of a 3 minute ramble I had recorded while walking just now and asked it to turn it into a 3000 word blog in the style of Morgan Housel]

The Uniqueness of You: One of One

In his latest book, Kevin Kelly, the renowned writer and visionary, discusses an enlightening concept, "You have to be the best one of one." This phrase struck a chord with me, and I couldn't help but ponder the profound implications it holds for our identities, our relationships, and our interactions with society. 

When it comes to standing out, especially in relationships or any social context, we often find ourselves sticking to the pack. We absorb societal norms, adopt predefined identities, and follow in the footsteps of our favorite stars. Yet, as we toe the line between fitting in and standing out, we may lose sight of our individuality.

This is where Kelly's concept of being the "best one of one" comes in handy. In essence, it's about embracing your uniqueness, being yourself unapologetically. It is understanding that, in the grand scheme of things, there is only one you – one Cordero, one Sarah, one John, one of every name, every background, every experience.

This realization may sound straightforward, but it's anything but. We are so deeply entrenched in our social constructs that we forget we're not in competition with anyone else. This isn't a race, nor a battle for attention. It's a journey of self-discovery, and the destination is authenticity. 

Let me share a funny story. I once Googled my name, curious about my digital footprint, and discovered a man named Jarrell Cory, whose first and last names were the exact inverse of mine. It was a peculiar, almost surreal, experience. It was like stumbling upon a mirror reflecting an alternate universe, where my alter-ego lived a different life. But despite the uncanny resemblance in our names, there's only one me and one him, both of us distinct and irreplaceable.

The crux of the matter is this: while it may seem compelling to emulate your role models or adopt an identity – a skater, a sports enthusiast, a tech wizard – you can never fully embody someone else's persona. You are your unique combination of interests, hobbies, experiences, and background.

A wise friend once reframed my perspective on this during a conversation when I was uncertain about my life's path. I had an array of interests but felt directionless. His advice was simple yet profound: "What makes you unique is the collection or combination of interests, not just one particular passion." In essence, it's not about the individual interests but how they come together to form the unique mosaic that is you. 

This notion is reminiscent of the Japanese concept of 'Ikigai,' where you find purpose at the intersection of what you love, what the world needs, what you are good at, and what you can be paid for. Like Ikigai, your identity is at the intersection of your passions, skills, and societal values. It's about embracing your uniqueness and channeling it into something meaningful.

However, in the pursuit of being the "best one of one," it's crucial not to forget that we are simultaneously unique and ordinary. While our experiences and interests make us distinct, they are also universally shared. This duality is what makes life complex and beautiful. 

It's important to acknowledge the shared human experiences that unite us, to learn from others and from history. We can see the reflections of our own experiences in those of others, learn from their triumphs and missteps. But remember, while we share common experiences, how we interpret and respond to these experiences is what sets us apart.

The world is full of people who share our interests. However, it is the unique combination of these interests and how we pursue them that defines us. Like pieces of a puzzle, they come together to form a picture that is uniquely ours. The world may have many 'Corderos,' but there's only one who loves solar energy, behavioral psychology, teaching math to teenagers, coaching volleyball, and working at a brewery. 

We are all unique, not because of our individual interests or experiences but because of how these elements blend together to form who we are. So, it's not about striving to be the best amongst others, but about being the best version of yourself.

To quote Kevin Kelly, "The goal in life is when you die, you are uniquely yourself." This encapsulates the essence of being the "best one of one." Life is about becoming who you are meant to be, authentically and unapologetically. It's about recognizing and embracing our uniqueness and using it to make a difference in our lives and the lives of others. 

So, here's my advice: Lean into your uniqueness. Don't view yourself in competition with others, but focus on being uniquely you. You are the best "one of one" there is, and there's nothing more special than that.

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4 after I fed it a transcript of a 3 minute ramble I had recorded while walking just now and asked it to turn it into a 3000 word blog in the style of Morgan Housel]

The Dialectics of Dreams: Reconciling Expectations with Reality and The Pursuit of Wisdom

As I sit here today, my thoughts are punctuated by moments of introspection. I find myself questioning the choices I've made - my career path, the dreams I've pursued, and the roles I've played. I believe I could have been successful in numerous jobs, despite a few limitations. For instance, sales has never really been my forte, unless it was something I wholeheartedly believed in.

I’ve pondered about my personality traits that held me back from adopting the go-getter attitude usually associated with entrepreneurship. It might seem ironic that someone who's spent a significant portion of his life theorizing about leadership and entrepreneurship would hesitate to assume these roles himself. It's not that I lack aspiration or ambition. It's more of a disconnect between ambition and the actual effort required to fulfill it, a chasm that I've struggled to bridge.

In retrospect, I recall my younger self being smitten with the idea of becoming a high-profile CEO or even a president. But as I grew older, these aspirations began to fade, replaced by the realization that I never truly desired them. They were just ideas I romanticized but had no genuine passion for.

So, how did I arrive at this realization? Time, experience, and maturity. Perhaps that is the essence of maturity – the ability to reinterpret the same situation through a lens colored by lived experiences.

Now, when I ponder about the roads not taken, what I'm truly exploring is the gap between expectations and reality. It’s a common narrative – a child dreams of becoming the President, an astronaut, or a movie star. But as life unfolds, the child – now an adult – finds themselves in an entirely different reality. This discrepancy can breed discontentment, leading to an unhappy existence.

A particular predicament confronts those with high expectations of themselves. They run the risk of a lifetime of unhappiness unless they learn to balance their lofty aspirations with more grounded, realistic goals. However, this brings us to an inherent paradox: if our goals are too realistic, we risk never achieving anything remarkable.

The paradox of success then is this: To attain extraordinary success, you need to possess an almost absurd level of self-belief and commitment to your cause. Yet, this unyielding belief can also be your undoing. It can trigger confirmation bias, making you perceive things that aren't there. It can make you take risks that, in hindsight, seem foolish. It blinds you with a relentless focus on what could have been. 

Yet, without this rock-solid belief in your ability to make it, the journey becomes daunting, filled with insurmountable obstacles. You need to know when to listen to your inner voice, when to press on and when to let go. This understanding often comes from lived experiences and the wisdom gleaned from applying knowledge in the real world.

Knowledge, in my opinion, is the product of ideas and action. You can have a mind brimming with ideas, but without action, those ideas are as good as non-existent. They exist only as potential energy, waiting to be converted into kinetic energy through action.

However, to transform knowledge into wisdom, you need to add another variable into the mix – the environment. The environment represents everything outside of your control, and it is here where wisdom is born. Wisdom is essentially the residue of your lived experiences, shaped and molded by the world outside your head.

Therefore, the equation would look something like this: Ideas (multiplied by) Action (multiplied by) Environment = Wisdom.

Without testing your knowledge against the real world, learning becomes stagnant. No matter how great your ideas are or how decisive your actions, they remain inadequate if not subjected to external influences. For your feedback to be representative of the real world, it needs to engage with the world outside your head. You need to adapt, become resilient, and learn from the external environment. That is wisdom – it extends beyond mere knowledge.

This wisdom, earned from the crucible of lived experiences, allows us to reconcile our dreams with our reality. It helps us realize that while we could be good at many things, we don't necessarily want to pursue all of them. It teaches us to identify our true desires and understand how they align with our pursuit of happiness.

In the end, our ultimate happiness doesn't stem from achieving every possible goal or fulfilling every latent potential. It comes from understanding ourselves, our desires, and our limitations. It comes from finding the delicate balance between our aspirations and our abilities. It comes from knowing when to hold on and when to let go.

The truth is, we can dream a thousand dreams and have a hundred different lives in our minds. But in the end, the life we lead is the one that resonates with our soul. It's the one where expectations align with reality, where dreams meet wisdom. And it's in this life where we find not just success, but fulfillment and happiness as well.

Image prompt: The nervousness and excitement of picking your own seat on the first day of school, in the style of basquiat

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4 after I fed it a transcript of a 3 minute ramble I had recorded while walking just now and asked it to turn it into a 1500 word blog in the style of Morgan Housel]

The Classroom's Silent Language: Decoding Student Interactions Through Seating Choices

Picture the first day of school: a classroom filled with anticipation and a tinge of chaos as students scramble to choose their seats. As a teacher, you might be tempted to assign places, believing it would be easier and more orderly. Yet, there's something to be said about the valuable insights you could gather by allowing students the freedom to choose their seats.

Imagine the scene: students trickle in, carrying with them a sense of excitement and perhaps a touch of nervousness. Some quickly gravitate towards their friends, claiming a territory with their backpacks, while others seek out a solitary spot, possibly on the classroom's edges. As you watch this spontaneous dance, it's tempting to label it as pure chaos. But is it really? 

In reality, this seemingly simple act of choosing seats could offer an unprecedented peek into the social dynamics of your students. It might appear a little chaotic initially, but remember: chaos can be instructive.

Let's dive deeper. The act of choosing a seat isn't as random as it might first appear. It’s influenced by factors such as personality traits, social networks, and personal preferences. The social butterfly finds comfort among her chatty friends in the center of the classroom, while the introvert prefers the quiet corners where he can observe without being overwhelmed. 

The seating arrangement can act like an unspoken map of your class’s social fabric. It can reveal the talkative ones, the group of friends who feed off each other's energy, and who may disrupt the class with their constant banter. It unveils the energetic extroverts and the quiet introverts who would rather listen than participate in discussions. It even shows you those who prefer to be alone, comfortably ensconced in solitude. 

What's more, it could even disclose budding friendships or romances. You can tell who's interested in whom, not through hearsay, but by observing subtle interactions. Some students, under the guise of playful teasing or budding friendships, might be signaling a deeper interest. All these silent signals are there, ready to be interpreted.

You might ask why this is important. After all, isn't teaching about imparting knowledge, not playing social detective? The truth is, understanding your students' social dynamics can enrich your teaching strategies. You become aware of who needs encouragement to step out of their shell, which group might need separation to maintain class discipline, or who might need a little nudge towards social interaction. 

Understanding these dynamics also helps build empathy, giving you insight into the diverse personalities that make up your class. It helps you appreciate the unique challenges and strengths each student brings to the table and can guide you in tailoring your teaching style to best suit the varied needs of your students.

Naturally, these insights might reveal themselves over the course of the academic year, but it would require a significant amount of observation and specialized questioning. Why wait when you can gain immediate understanding? Letting your students choose their seats in the first week can accelerate this process, offering valuable clues right at the start.

You might wonder if such an approach would work in every classroom, given the diverse cultural and socio-economic factors at play. That's a fair point. This method may not provide universal insights, as student behavior can vary widely based on numerous factors. But as a general rule, our actions tend to reveal our inclinations, and in the context of a classroom, this is no different. 

In the end, the wisdom lies in the observation, in the willingness to understand the silent language spoken through seating arrangements and the interactions that unfold around them. As a teacher, your role extends beyond providing knowledge; it includes understanding your students, facilitating a conducive environment for learning, and helping them navigate their social world.

So, on the first day of school, let the chaos unfold. Stand back and watch as your students pick their spots. It may seem like a small act, but it's a window into their world. And who knows? The insights you gain may transform your teaching and make your classroom a more effective, empathetic, and engaging space for learning.