Anticynical Recap #2
Second Recap
Hey there 👋,
Welcome to the second edition of Anticynical Recap! Last week, I sent out the first edition of Anticynical Recap.
As a reminder, instead of the regular new idea email, I’m sending a recap of my previous ideas. I sent one last week (May 18) and this week (May 25) is the second of two. These recaps might be especially useful for our new readers (welcome!).
After every 10 regular new idea essays, I will write a longer “synthesis” essay, contextualizing the previous ideas. I will send the first such email, Anticynical Synthesis #1, on June 1, 2023.
So here’s a recap of Anticynical #6 through #10.
Recap: #6 - #10
Anticynical #6: Thought Antipatterns. Our thinking can often get distorted and fall into irrational thought patterns; awareness of the most common distortions and thought patterns can help us recognize and correct them.
Anticynical #7: Acting vs. Achieving. There is a difference between doing something and doing something that causes a particular outcome—and we often delude ourselves into thinking we’re doing the latter when we’re doing the former.
Anticynical #8: Revolt. In the face of life's inherent absurdity—and death being the most fundamental absurdity—the only real response is that of revolt; not succumbing to despair or hope, but always asserting the present, living with purpose, and being in a constant state of revolt.
Anticynical #9: Receptivity. We can tune our receptivity—to some extent—by invoking a sponge (to be more absorbing and open-minded) or a stone (to be more resisting and critical).
Anticynical #10: Cynicism to Skepticism. We should replace cynicism with skepticism where possible, as it is a healthier alternative.
That’s all folks!
I'd love to hear from you…
About the recap, the ideas, or anything else at all. Just hit reply.