Günther Anders' philosophy on human obsolescence and 'Promethean shame' offers critical insights into our relationship with technology and the ethical challenges posed by AI.
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Rick Owen is a writer and urbanist from Sydney with interests in writing, reading, and neurodiversity. He enjoys singing, cycling, playing music, and walking.
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Bunbu ichi illustrates the essential balance of intellectual and martial skills in Japanese culture, as explored in the author's book on learning for artists and fighters.
The author details their journey to write a comprehensive book on Shuhari, addressing the gaps in existing literature and emphasizing the importance of teaching in the learning process.
The post explores the significance of preserving written works, illustrated by John Donne's missing commonplace book, and the practice of commonplacing in shaping literary genius.
The article critiques the conventional Western approach to learning, which is linear and emphasizes theoretical understanding before practical application. It contrasts this with the Japanese concept of Shu Ha Ri, which promotes a...
Semyon Vengerov's struggle with unfinished scholarly projects highlights the importance of manageable goals and the true purpose of note-taking in research.
Effective note-making requires thoughtful engagement and organization, utilizing methods like Zettelkasten to enhance writing and idea development.
The post examines the mismatch between digital note-making tools and users' intentions, advocating for a better understanding of memory types to enhance knowledge organization.
5.6The posts of 2025
2026-01-05 • writing notes publishing adhd zettelkasten
A reflective review of 2025 writings that explores the art of note-taking, writing processes, and insights from historical figures on effective writing.
The author reflects on the challenges of blogging in a digital landscape dominated by social media and technofeudalism. They discuss the importance of promoting their blog, the disparity in audience reach between their blog and pl...
The post explores the author's journey from disinterest in bathing to appreciation influenced by Japanese culture and Leonard Koren's philosophies on aesthetics and creativity.
5.1Imitating the greats?
2025-11-30 • writing learning author imitation literary fiction
The post discusses the concept of imitation in writing, emphasizing its role as a learning tool. It references William Zinsser's views on how writers often imitate established authors to develop their own style. The text explores ...
In the 1930s, Japan created short films using paper instead of celluloid, a technology that ultimately faded due to the fragility of the material. However, researchers have since developed methods to preserve and digitize these fi...
The post discusses various perspectives on the intersection of education, AI, and history, featuring quotes from notable figures like Sean Cho A., Courtney C. Radsch, and Timothy Snyder. It highlights concerns about AI's impact on...
Sydney's true essence lies in its vibrant multiculturalism and community spirit, which persists despite recent tragic events.
5Publishing means no more hiding
2025-10-09 • writing reflection publishing books
The author reflects on the profound experience of publishing their book, realizing that their thoughts are now public and permanently accessible. They express a mix of excitement and apprehension about this revelation, acknowledgi...
4.9Curious about Hypercuriosity
2025-09-30 • creativity learning adhd curiosity rover
The author explores the concept of 'hypercuriosity,' particularly in relation to ADHD, and reflects on their own curiosity-driven writing process. They discuss the 'dancer' style of curiosity, which connects disparate ideas, and e...
Shu Ha Ri presents a three-stage learning process that emphasizes the vital teacher-student relationship and a human-centered approach to mastering skills.
Optimism for 2026 is rooted in verified good news and collective efforts, urging readers to fact-check and engage in positive change.
4.5Create your own mental models
2025-11-02 • writing learning mental models
The author reflects on the process of understanding concepts through active engagement, likening it to disassembling and reassembling ideas, similar to how one might work on old cars. They discuss their own journey of writing a bo...
Mastery is a continuous journey that requires experts to embrace a beginner's mindset and break skills into manageable parts for improvement and creativity.
A visit to the State Library in Sydney inspires reflections on artists' books and the architectural design of the Sirius Building.
The post highlights the crucial role of mentorship in achieving excellence, challenging the individualistic focus of many self-improvement narratives.
Taking action in your learning journey can attract the right teachers and opportunities, as illustrated by Simon Sarris's barn-building experience.