. Last week’s exploration of Karl Marx’s foundational essay on the nature of satisfying work reminded me of a similar piece titled “Drudgery and Labors of Love” by Mortimer Adler (December 28, 1902–June 28, 2001). It’s included in his book “How to Think About the Great Ideas,” the same treasure trove of wisdom that gave … Read more
Would you keep doing what you’re doing if no one paid you for it? It’s an uncomfortable question, especially at a time of mass proliferation of AI and its threat to both white- and blue-collar jobs. Perhaps, it should be reframed. Ask yourself, “Would Vincent van Gogh stop drawing if no one paid him for … Read more
“We survive and thrive only in an environment of concern, affection, and warmheartedness,” The Dalai Lama wrote in his reflection on cultivating inner values. Yet almost always this is not what drives our actions when we interact with other people, especially those that question our competence, beliefs, and even sanity. I will be the first … Read more
Do you believe there’s a correlation between sentence length and the sophistication of an author’s idea or thought — even intelligence generally? “There isn’t,” writes Verlyn Klinkenborg in his book “Several Short Sentences About Writing.” “You can say smart, interesting, complicated things using short sentences.” In a sentiment that calls to mind George Orwell’s famous … Read more