"If you don't protect what belongs to you, then sooner or later it belongs to someone else. That goes for your land, your wallet, your home, your country, everything. It is your job as a man to protect it...it's the story of America, the story of whole god damn world. And ain't nothing changing it, not you, not me, nobody!"

"Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair or f***ing beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man, and give some back."

"When you have children, you always have family. They will always be your priority, your responsibility, and a man - a man provides. And he does it even when he's not appreciated or respected or even loved. He simply bears up, and he does it because he's a man."

"Chaos isn’t a pit. Chaos is a ladder. Many who try to climb it fail, and never get to try again. The fall breaks them. And some, are given a chance to climb, but they refuse. They cling to the realm, or the Gods, or love. ILLUSIONS. Only the ladder is real, the climb...is all there is."

"I've always found the idea of death comforting. The thought that my life could end at any moment frees me to fully appreciate the beauty and art and horror of everything this world has to offer."

Human emotions are a gift from our animal ancestors, cruelty is a gift humanity has given itself.

A dog who bites every owner he's had, can only be disciplined with a firm hand. Or, put down.

All my life, people have tried to control me. My whole life. Rich people, powerful people have tried to muzzle me, cancel me, keep me impotent and obedient, like I'm a f**king puppet. You know what? It worked. Because I allowed it to work. And guess what. If they can control me, then you can bet your a$$ they can control you. They already do. You just don't realize it. I'm done. I am done apologizing. I am done being persecuted for my strength. I'm not "just like the rest of you." I'm stronger. I'm smarter. I'm better. I am better!

As kids we idolize Heroes.... Growing up, we realize Villains made more sense. And maturing we realize that both are too shallow to truly satisfy our human nature, volatile and always in need of changing.

Villain | TV-Show: Negan Smith (Walking Dead), Gustavo Fring (Breaking Bad), Petyr Baelish (Game of Thrones), «Stringer» Bell / Omar Little /  State Senator R. Clayton «Clay» Davis (The Wire), Homelander (The Boys), Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Hannibal), Al Swearengen (Deadwood), Lorne Malvo (Fargo), Klaus Mikaelson (The Originals), Wilson Fisk (Daredevil), Zemo (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier)

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

movies

Movies & Shows

entertainment

Entertainment

videos

Videos

artsandculture

Society, Arts & Culture

movies and quotes

QUOTES FROM TV VILLAINS WHO WERE COMPLETELY RIGHT

Impactful quotes from TV VILLAINS (▀̿Ĺ̯▀̿ ̿) pt.1

Learn enough from history to bear reality patiently, and respect one another’s delusions.  – The lessons of history

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">When you realize that you – the good, noble, well-meaning, even-tempered, fact-driven person that you are – have views of how the world works that are sure to be incomplete if not completely wrong, you should have empathy for others whose deluded beliefs are obvious to you.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Daniel Kahneman’s rightly observed that we are better at spotting other people’s flaws than our own.</li></ul>

Double edged razor

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Of course there is a limit to respecting other people’s delusions. Delusions that directly harm or impede others shouldn’t be tolerated.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">The key here is accepting that everyone is deluded in their own unique way. You, me, all of us.</li></ul>But let me share just three causes of major delusions.And ask yourself: Do you think you are exempt from these forces?

Nothing is as persuasive as what you’ve experienced firsthand.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Since we’ve all had massively different life experiences, what seems obvious to me may be bonkers to you, and vice versa.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Most debates are not really debates; They are two people with different life experiences talking over each other.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Everyone is trying to make sense of the world through the lens of their own experience.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">As those experiences grow everyone’s lens tends to focus on a slightly different version of “truth” in the world – especially for social topics like politics, religion, and investing.</li></ul>

“When the truth is uncertain, our brains resolve uncertainty without our knowledge by creating the most likely reality they can imagine based on our prior experiences.”

Your willingness to believe something is influenced by how much you want and need it to be true.Perception of Belief:Individual beliefs are influenced by personal circumstances and needs. Desperation can lead to susceptibility to unlikely promises, exemplified by the purchase of lottery tickets by low-income individuals seeking hope.Depressive Realism vs. Comforting Delusions:While some hold more realistic views due to depressive realism, most people maintain comforting delusions that shape their beliefs and decisions, often diverging from statistical accuracy.

Incentives and Decision-Making:Decisions are often driven by incentives, even when statistically flawed. Acknowledging this bias is crucial in analyzing one's own justifications and actions.Illusion of Certainty:The illusion of certainty persists until proven wrong, blurring the line between right and wrong beliefs.Another McRaney quote fits well here:“Until we know we are wrong, being wrong feels exactly like being right.”

When there’s an absence of perfect information, emotion, passion, and tribal identity fill the void.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Benford's Law of Controversy suggests that passion inversely correlates with available information, implying that strong emotions often accompany limited understanding.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Emotion tends to fill gaps in knowledge, leading to oversimplified, binary views lacking nuance. Despite varying susceptibility, everyone is prone to this bias.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Amidst ongoing controversy and disagreement, I'm reminded of Durant's advice to patiently acknowledge reality and respect others' beliefs.</li></ul>

The problem with emotion and passion is they tend to be black or white, with no room for the nuance required to understand most topics. You get a false sense of confidence, and one that’s disguised as absolute truth.

Here's why respecting others' delusions can be beneficial for you:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Maintaining Relationships: Respecting someone's delusions can help in maintaining positive relationships. When you acknowledge and respect their beliefs, even if you don't share them, it shows empathy and understanding, which can strengthen your bond with that person.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Avoiding Conflict: Challenging someone's delusions can often lead to conflict or tension. By respecting their beliefs, you can avoid unnecessary arguments and maintain harmony in your interactions.</li></ul>

What's in it for you & me?

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Promoting Open-mindedness: Being respectful of others' delusions can promote open-mindedness and tolerance. It encourages you to consider different perspectives and understand that people's beliefs may be shaped by various factors, including personal experiences, culture, and upbringing.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Building Trust: When you respect someone's delusions, you demonstrate trust in their ability to make their own choices and decisions, even if you don't agree with them. This can foster mutual respect and trust in return.</li></ul>

Learning Opportunity: Engaging with people who hold different beliefs can be a learning opportunity. By respecting their delusions, you might gain insights into their worldview and understanding of the world, which can broaden your own perspective.

<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">Can you think of a time when you've encountered someone with beliefs that seemed delusional to you? How did you handle the situation, and what could you have done differently?</li><li class="ql-align-justify">How can we strike a balance between respecting others' delusions and promoting critical thinking and rationality?</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Are there certain contexts or situations where it might be more important to challenge someone's delusions, and if so, how can we approach this respectfully?</li><li class="ql-align-justify">How might cultural or societal factors influence our willingness to respect others' delusions?</li></ol>

Food for thought

People don’t remember books; they remember sentences.

I love the saying that people don’t remember books; they remember sentences.

philosophy

Philosophy

habits

Habits

Respect Each Others’ Delusions

I decided to teach school because I wanted to raise strong comrads, That’s also why I tossed my missions toward my students, It’s tough love.

The Accumulation Of Those Little Despairs Is What Makes A Person An Adult.

Let’s play catch with discarded rice balls while discussing the separation of the church and the state. Lets post a video of it and troll people.

First, only those with a connection to the dead have a right to mourn them. It’s not out place to butt in. And second, if people have died, that’s all the more reason we need to become strong.

I know you had your hardships mechamaru but having more hardships doesn’t make you right.

What makes us obligated to meet such perfection or such absurd demands? Is your entire life just a job? I don't give a damn about 'women' that and 'men' this! You can keep that s*** to yourself. I love myself when i'm pretty and all dressed up! And i love myself when i'm being strong! I am kugisaki nobara!

I don’t care if I’m right or wrong, I just have faith in my good conscious, I will save people to according to my conscious.

Dying to win and risking death to win are completely different things Megumi.

I don’t know if my convictions are right or wrong, makes me think there is no right answer. It’s just whether you can accept it or not, but there’s no accepting anything if you can’t have it your way.

Jujutsu Kaisen is a shounen anime based on a manga about a teenager who becomes a host for a powerful curse.

sciencefiction

Science Fiction

anime

Anime

Impactful Jujutsu Kaisen Quotes that expand your 'wisdom domain'!

“Sometimes you need a little wishful thinking just to keep on living.”

“Part of growing up means finding a way to interact with others while distancing pain.”

“Mankind’s greatest fear is Mankind itself.”

"You hate yourself, don't you? That's why you hurt others. Deep down you know you suffer more when you cause someone else pain... than if you just let yourself get hurt."

“Man fears the darkness, and so he scrapes away at the edges of it with fire.”

"Giving up halfway is worse than never trying at all."

"The thread of human hope is spun with the flax of sorrow."

"Are you afraid of other people? I know that by keeping others at a distance you avoid a betrayal of your trust, for while you may not be hurt that way, you mustn't forget that you must endure the loneliness."

"If you know pain and hardship, it’s easier to be kind to others."

"I still don’t know where to find happiness. But I’ll continue to think about whether it’s good to be here…whether it was good to have been born. But in the end, it’s just realizing the obvious over and over again. Because I am myself."

Neon Genesis Evangelion tackles heavy topics such as human identity, ambition, desire, regret and self-worth. Characters in the series are deeply flawed and spend a lot of time reflecting on personal issues. As such, the show is a goldmine of quotes on the subject of what it means to be human.

Quotes From Neon Genesis Evangelion

René Girard (1923-2015), a critic and social theorist — dedicated his life to exposing the hidden truths behind fashions and trends.Despite his background in literature, Girard's theories have shed light on many societal events happening today. Let's take a closer look:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Girard's theories explain the underlying motivations behind society's tendencies towards certain fashions and trends.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">He reveals how these trends are often a result of our innate desire to imitate others.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Through literature, he unveils the lies and illusions that perpetuate these trends.</li></ul>

René Girard: Exposing Lies & Trends

"When Girard writes about ancient Greek tragedy, he seems to be describing Instagram and social media. When he analyzes Flaubert or the Book of Genesis, he somehow explicates the current political situation. By looking at what’s old, he clarifies what’s new."

It’s embarrassing to admit, but most of what we do is based on imitating others.Babies and animals mimic others naturally. However, as we get older, we resist seeing ourselves as imitators. We prefer more complex explanations for our actions.According to Girard, imitation is intertwined in all aspects of our lives — from our routines, to our relationships, to our most destructive impulses.Mimetic Desire:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Can be seen in daily rituals.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Affects our institutions and shopping habits.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Is at the root of our violence.</li></ul>

Case in point

Imitation is the economic engine of most businesses—just look at the big social media companies or fashion brands—but it’s always disguised.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Imitation is a powerful force in our world, but it is rarely acknowledged. Its effects are cleverly masked as fashion, trends, and staying up-to-date. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Advertisements never say "Buy this because others are doing it," yet that is the implicit message. In the corporate world, this is known as benchmarking or viral marketing. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Manipulating imitation is the easiest way to control people and it is hidden due to its power.</li></ul>

We need to expose the deadly disguises of imitation, because it causes so much harm.By coveting what our neighbor desires, we invite conflict and rivalry. This plays out in social, political, and economic conflicts, leading to violence and scapegoating. Girard argues that the truthteller has a critical role in exposing this imitative passion.<ul><li>Mimetic rivalry emerges from desiring what others have.</li><li>This pattern can be seen in conflicts of all scales - from love to war.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Those who speak the truth have a crucial responsibility to reveal this dangerous force.</li></ul>

Imitation leads to blood feuds and reciprocal violence—escalating like Mafia wars—which are traditionally resolved by the sacrifice of a scapegoat.In the past, a live animal was sacrificed as a form of ritual. Now, people are blacklisted or cancelled on social media to satisfy the need for a scapegoat.Sacrifice as a Peace Offering: Sacrifices were used to temporarily end conflicts between enemies, shifting the focus to a common target.

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Current Examples: Today, people are cancelled or targeted on social media to serve as scapegoats for larger issues.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Example: After 9/11, political parties focused on (non-existent) weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, instead of each other, creating a temporary ceasefire.</li></ul>

continued..

“Nine-tenths of politics, is choosing the same scapegoat as everyone else.”

The scapegoat combines opposites—and is often both victim and hero, profane and sacred, guilty and innocent, dying and resurrecting.Girard's theory suggests that sacrificial victims, who are treated with admiration and then executed, offer insight into the idolization of modern-day celebrities, influencers.Key Points:<ul><li>Sacrificial victims garner intense emotions, both positive and negative.</li><li>In some cultures, sacrificial victims are transformed into gods.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Girard believes this relates to the paradoxical worship of celebrities, who face both admiration and criticism.</li></ul>

The persecution of scapegoats is a central force behind organizations and belief systems—but this can never be mentioned.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Witch hunters for example, cannot admit that the witches are innocent victims, because that would destroy their own power base and purpose. </li><li class="ql-align-justify"> He shows that the scapegoat mechanism is the most powerful secret in the world—because it is both necessary to group formation, yet no hint of it can be acknowledged within the group.</li></ul>

Humans fail to perceive own scapegoats—so persecution continues while everybody absolves themselves from guilt.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Girard is blind to his own complicity in scapegoating, a phenomenon that he even admits affects all individuals. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">The instinctive nature of scapegoating suggests that it stems from our competitive tendencies and that we refuse to accept our victim's innocence.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">The tendency to scapegoat originates from our competitive nature and the refusal to acknowledge the innocence of our victims.</li></ul>

Our most violent impulses are stirred up by similarity, not difference.Our Desires Are Fueled by Imitation and Can Lead to Conflict:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">When we mimic others, we often find ourselves in bitter conflicts with them. This is because we want what they have and vice versa. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">This is especially true when we live together, with barriers between us slowly eroding away. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">For instance, animosity towards immigrants increases when they move into our neighborhoods, join our country clubs, or even show up at our doorstep.</li></ul>

Our Differences Are a Source of Violence, But Sameness is Even More Dangerous<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Girard believes that violence stems from the erosion of differences, rather than the differences themselves. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">In fact, total sameness can be even more dangerous. This is evident in many myths, such as battles between twins, siblings, or the role of the ‘double’ in literature. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">If we were to meet our exact duplicate, it’s likely that we would want to eliminate them.</li></ul>

Enemies resemble each other, because of mimetic rivalry, but this is another secret that cannot be mentioned.<ul><li>In sports and life, rivals often share more in common than they realize. They become "enemies" in pursuit of the same goal, but years later may recognize their similarities. </li><li>This happens everywhere, but the concept of a nemesis proves more valuable than scapegoating.</li></ul>

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Rivalries in sports (Bird vs. Magic, Ali vs. Frazier) mimic opponents must be enemies, though they share the same goal and lifestyle.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">The same principle applies in other areas of life, where opposing forces are not allowed to see their shared characteristics.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Blaming enemies for all ills may provide a convenient worldview, yet understanding the nemesis proves a more effective solution.</li></ul>

examples

Artistic idioms often originate in imitation and ritualized sacrifice.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Girard doesn't often talk about entertainment, but his ideas have a lot to say about performers and critics. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">For instance, consider dancing as a form of imitation, which intensifies the pleasure for both dancers and viewers. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">These ideas apply to all forms of entertainment, from jazz sessions to fans imitating their idols' hairstyles.</li></ul>

Our culture rightly celebrates the help and defense of victims, but we need to be vigilant against a ‘super-victimology’ in which this merely leads to targeting and punishing new scapegoats.All too often, we are forced into the role of either victim or oppressor in situations of violence. However, it's important to break free from these harmful roles and find a more neutral way of handling conflict.<ul><li>Don't play the victim</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Avoid being an oppressor</li></ul>

We can escape the endless cycles of reciprocal violence—but only by rising above our impulse to vengeance and working instead to delegitimize the drive to punish and scapegoat.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Girard argues that understanding violence can lead to its rejection. However, violence is often disguised as vengeance, causing harm to society. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">We must reject this propaganda and seek peaceful ways of living together.</li></ul>

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Our instinct is to respond to violence with violence, but the higher path is to reject scapegoating and revenge.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Girard warns that modern scapegoating rituals are now ineffective in bringing catharsis.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Meanwhile, technology continues to make destructive capabilities more accessible.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Therefore, our only safe path forward is to choose love and forgiveness in a world where sacrificial rituals no longer hold power.</li></ul>

How a thinker who hated trends & fashions became trendy & fashionable!

How a thinker who hated trends & fashions became trendy & fashionable

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

education

Learning & Education

scienceandnature

Science & Nature

12 Things I Learned from René Girard

“Cinema is the ultimate pervert art. It doesn't give you what you desire - it tells you how to desire.”

“The threat today is not passivity, but pseudo-activity, the urge to "be active", to "participate", to mask the Nothingness of what goes on.”

“I think boredom is the beginning of every authentic act. (...) Boredom opens up the space, for new engagements. Without boredom, no creativity. If you are not bored, you just stupidly enjoy the situation in which you are.”

“Love feels like a great misfortune, a monstrous parasite, a permanent state of emergency that ruins all small pleasures.”

“I agree with Sophocles: the greatest luck is not to have been born - but, as the joke goes on, very few people succeed in it.”

“Humanity is OK, but 99% of people are boring idiots.”

sharing some provocative ideas from Slavoj Žižek on his 75th birthday (March 21st)

Discover Slavoj Žižek famous and rare quotes. Share Slavoj Žižek quotations about reality, ideology and capitalism. "We feel free because we lack the very..."

Slavoj Žižek Quotes that 'i would prefer not to' share!

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Luke Burgis, founder of Fourth Wall Ventures, highlights the concept of mimetic desire, wherein individuals unconsciously adopt the desires of others, often without realizing it. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">With the proliferation of social media, we are exposed to countless mimetic models: </li></ul><ol><li class="ql-align-justify"> external (those outside our immediate circle) and </li><li class="ql-align-justify">internal (those within our social sphere). </li></ol><ul><li class="ql-align-justify">This inundation of models can lead to comparison, envy, and a perpetual cycle of desire.</li></ul>

Social Media's Influence on Mimetic Desire:

"Mimetic desire means that we're adopting another person's desire as our own, usually without even realizing that we're doing it."

<ul><li>Burgis emphasizes the importance of discernment in choosing our mimetic models. </li><li>While having positive role models is beneficial, it's crucial to recognize the limitations of any model and discern whether their lifestyle or desires align with our values and aspirations. </li><li>By understanding the dynamics of mimetic desire, we can avoid falling into the trap of perpetual comparison and focus on pursuing fulfillment rather than fleeting desires.</li></ul>He recommends:<ol><li> to get offline once in a while</li><li>to have conversations with your family, close friends, with your neighbors, with your community. </li></ol>

Managing Mimetic Desire Wisely

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Amishi Jha, a neuroscientist, delves into the complexities of attention management in today's digital landscape. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Our attention is a precious resource, essential for cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, and meaningful social connections. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">However, factors such as stress, negative mood, and the allure of novel or enticing information can hijack our attention, leading to distraction and cognitive overload.</li></ul>

Attention Management in the Digital Age:

"Everything is being done by teams of engineers to actually capture your attention and keep it there; your attention is the product."

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Meta-awareness, according to Amishi Jha, refers to the ability to be aware of the content and processes of what is going on in our minds moment by moment.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">It involves paying attention to our attention, observing our thoughts, emotions, and mental processes without becoming entangled or overwhelmed by them.</li><li class="ql-align-justify"> By cultivating meta-awareness through mindfulness meditation, individuals can strengthen their attention and regain control over their mental processes.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">This enables us to foster resilience and focus on the face of distractions.</li></ul>

Practicing meta-awareness via mindfulness for Attention Enhancement

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">quit social media for good!</li><li class="ql-align-justify">use a flip phone as an alternative to smartphones for distraction free tech time.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Use apps that set time limits to your social media use.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Intentionally set aside a time slot in your weeks plans to spend time with close ones or alone without tech, via long walks, attend a concert, movie, play, sport event, or play irl games with others!</li></ul>

Bonus tips from YouTube comments

In this Big Think video, Luke Burgis, Todd Rose, and Amishi Jha explore the intricacies of social media's influence on human desires, opinion, attention, and overall mental health.

Stop data brokers from exposing your personal information. Go to our sponsor https://aura.com/bigthink to get a 14-day free trial and see how much of yours is being sold.

In this Big Think video, Luke Burgis, Todd Rose , and Amishi Jha explore the intricacies of social media's influence on human desires, opinion, attention, and overall mental health.

The discussion encompasses the enticing nature of rapid opinion formation, the concept of mimetic desire and its amplification through digital platforms, and the profound implications of the 'Attention Economy' where user focus is commodified. They address the creation and consequences of digital illusions, offering a nuanced examination of social media's dual role as both a democratizing force and a potential source of toxicity. 

Through their analysis, Burgis and Jha provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges posed by online interactions and suggest mindfulness as a tool for individuals to regain control over their attention and desires in an increasingly digital world. This presentation serves as a critical reflection on the modern digital landscape and its effects on society.

Subscribe to Big Think on YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvQECJukTDE2i6aCoMnS-Vg?sub_confirmation=1

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About Luke Burgis:

Luke Burgis is a veteran entrepreneur and author. He’s the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship in Washington, DC, and the founder of Fourth Wall Ventures, an incubator that invests in people, art, and technology that contribute to a healthy human ecology. Luke studied business at NYU Stern before doing graduate work in philosophy and earning an S.T.B. in Theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. He’s the author of the book Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life, which popularized the work of cultural anthropologist René Girard. He lives with his wife, Claire, in the DC area.


About Todd Rose:

Todd Rose is the co-founder and president of Populace, a think tank committed to ensuring that all people have the opportunity to pursue fulfilling lives in a thriving society. Prior to Populace, he was a faculty member at Harvard University where he founded the Laboratory for the Science of Individuality and directed the Mind, Brain, and Education program. Todd is the best selling author of Collective Illusions, Dark Horse, and The End of Average. He lives in Burlington, Massachusetts.


About Amishi Jha:

Dr. Amishi Jha is an internationally renowned neuroscience researcher, speaker, and author in the fields of attention, resilience, and mindfulness. She studies how to keep the brain’s attention systems in peak shape over high-pressure intervals. Over the past two decades, she has conducted large-scale studies with the US Military, first responders, medical professionals, business leaders, elite sports teams, and more. Her research reveals that the science is clear: You can change your brain to become more attentive, present, and productive.

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Mental Health

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Big Think

3 ways to defend your mind against social media distortions

<ul><li>Music has ancient roots in ritual and trance, serving as a tool to induce altered mind states.</li><li>Ancient practices like Ptolemy's experiments with visual rhythm and observations of animal behavior demonstrate humanity's inherent connection to rhythmic stimuli.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Ritualistic musical experiences typically require around 10 minutes to induce trance-like states, a phenomenon observed across cultures.</li></ul>

Historical Context: Music as Ritual and Trance

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Research by Dr. Barry Bitman highlights the health benefits of musical engagement, particularly drumming.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Playing drums for at least 10 minutes can lead to physiological changes, such as altered blood cell counts and increased antibody release.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Longer musical engagements correlate with greater health benefits, suggesting a minimum duration for reaping these rewards.</li></ul>

Physiological Benefits of Music

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Throughout history, governments have regulated musical rituals due to concerns over public safety and behavior, such as the Roman Senate's prohibition of Bacchanalia (circa 186 AD).</li><li class="ql-align-justify">This historical precedent underscores the recognition of music's power to influence behavior and alter consciousness.</li></ul>

Historical Regulation and Government Intervention

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">The traditional three-minute song format originated from early recording limitations, not physiological or regulatory concerns.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Despite advancements in technology, the cultural preference for short musical performances persists, limiting opportunities for extended musical experiences – altered mind states and a sense of ecstasy and euphoria.</li></ul>

Constraints of Traditional Music Formats

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Visionary musicians like John Coltrane and innovative bands of the late 1960s challenged the constraints of traditional song lengths.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Extended musical compositions offer opportunities for deeper engagement, hypnotic effects, and altered perceptions of reality.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Embracing longer song forms can enrich musical experiences, transcending entertainment to tap into music's transformative potential.</li></ul>

The Push for Longer Musical Forms

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify"><a href="https://youtu.be/A_MjCqQoLLA?feature=shared">The Beatles - Hey Jude </a></li><li class="ql-align-justify"><a href="https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=KivrWPtQM4A">Ian Ethan Case - The Gift</a></li><li class="ql-align-justify"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpZHUVjQydI">John Coltrane - Blue train </a></li><li class="ql-align-justify"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0oWJPL-X2k">Huun‐Huur‐Tu - Chyraa-Khoor (Yellow Pacer) (Live on KEXP)</a></li></ul>

Bonus: Listen to these tracks and experience it yourself!

In this series of unscripted videos, Ted explores whether the three-minute pop song hurts music. Let's dive in!

This is the latest installment in a series of unscripted videos in which Ted Gioia addresses key matters related to music and society. "In these videos," Gioia explains, "I am aiming to provide an informal and conversational entry point into the 'big picture' issues in our current-day music culture."

In this installment, Gioia looks at the record industry's longstanding preference for three-minute songs, and explores the impact of this on our experiences of music.

This is the latest installment in a series of unscripted videos in which Ted Gioia addresses key matters related to music and society. "In these videos," Gioia explains, "I am aiming to provide an informal and conversational entry point into the 'big picture' issues in our current-day music culture."

For more information on Ted Gioia, visit his website at http://www.tedgioia.com or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/tedgioia.

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Health

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Music

Ted Gioia is a music historian and author of 10 books, including The History of Jazz and Delta Blues, both honored as 'Notable Books of the Year' by the New York Times. His three books on the music of everyday life -- Work Songs (2006), Healing Songs (2006) and Love Songs (2016) -- have each been honored with the ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award. He has also participated in the music world as jazz educator, record producer, pianist, composer, vocalist, public speaker, and critic. He previously served on the faculty of Stanford University and holds degrees from Stanford University, Oxford University and Stanford's Graduate School of Business. In 2019, Basic Books will publish his provocative new work Music: A Subversive History. You can learn more about him at www.tedgioia.com.

Ted Gioia

Are Three-Minute Songs Bad For Music?

“Find what you love and let it kill you.”

“Everything you own must be able to fit inside one suitcase; then your mind might be free.”

“The free soul is rare, but you know it when you see it – basically because you feel good, very good, when you are near or with them.”

“People diminish me; the longer I sit and listen to them, the more empty I feel but I don’t get the idea that they feel empty, I feel that they enjoy the sound from their mouths.”

“I’ve had so many knives stuck into me, when they hand me a flower I can’t quite make out what it is. It takes time.”

“This is very important – to take leisure time. Pace is the essence. Without stopping entirely and doing nothing at all for great periods, you’re gonna lose everything…just to do nothing at all, very, very important. And how many people do this in modern society? Very few. That’s why they’re all totally mad, frustrated, angry and hateful.”

“Stop insisting on clearing your head — clear your f**king heart instead.”

“There’s a bluebird in my heart that wants to get out but I’m too tough for him, I say, stay in there, I’m not going to let anybody see you.”

“Love needs too much help.Hate takes care of itself.”

We’re all going to die, all of us, what a circus! That alone should make us love each other but it doesn’t. We are terrorized and flattened by trivialities, we are eaten up by nothing.

His pen was his scalpel, dissecting the mundane and the profound with equal gusto. A controversial figure? Absolutely. A misanthropic womanizer with a penchant for booze and cigarettes? Guilty as charged. But boring? Never!

Get ready for Charles Bukowski's hard-hitting words: Quotes that are as brutally honest and hilariously dark as the man himself.

Charles Bukowski Quotes That Hit Harder Than a Shot of Whiskey

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Curiosity, observed in all healthy babies and young children, serves as an adaptive mechanism guiding us to explore and seek new experiences. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">While universal, the degree and focus of curiosity <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4635443/">vary significantly</a> among individuals and can evolve throughout one's lifespan. </li><li class="ql-align-justify"><a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1992-19451-001">Research</a> highlights that systematically curious individuals, characterized by adventurousness and creativity, tend to be less risk-averse and actively pursue exploration. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">This diverse group shares common habits that foster personal and professional growth, making curiosity a lifelong journey of discovery and development.</li></ul>

Curiosity as an Innate Human Trait

The curiosity matrix

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Curious minds are not only comfortable in the in-betweens, they actively seek out those transitional moments of personal growth. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Rather than racing through the uncomfortable phase of not-knowing, they enjoy <a href="https://nesslabs.com/liminal-creativity">exploring the gap</a> between what they know and what they don’t know. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">They can fall in love with problems and revel in what poet Mary Oliver calls “the pleasure of mystery.”</li></ul>

1. Seeking liminal spaces

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Instead of thinking about the world in a linear way, curious minds <a href="https://nesslabs.com/thinking-in-maps">think in maps</a>. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">They practice <a href="https://nesslabs.com/networked-thinking">networked thinking</a> and <a href="https://nesslabs.com/combinational-creativity">combinational creativity</a>, and find delight when discovering an unexpected connection between two ideas. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Their <a href="https://nesslabs.com/mind-garden">mind is a garden</a> and the world a giant playground where ideas can seed their imagination.</li></ul>

2. Forming connections between ideas

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">For curious minds, every interaction is an opportunity to learn. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Exchanging <a href="https://nesslabs.com/good-questions">good questions</a> is one of their favorite modes of communication. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">They not only ask questions to others during conversations, but also to themselves when consuming content. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Some of them even keep a list of their <a href="https://nesslabs.com/favorite-problems">favorite questions</a>.</li></ul>

3. Asking questions

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Because the world is full of potential <a href="https://nesslabs.com/curiosity-attractors">curiosity attractors</a>, curious minds have many interests which may not always overlap. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">However, it can be hard to channel their curiosity, and the fleeting urge to explore something new just for the sake of novelty can sometimes lead to distraction.</li></ul>

4. Exploring new interests

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Although it can be scary, curious minds make it a point to admit when they don’t know. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Instead of trying to be the expert in the room, they consider themselves <a href="https://nesslabs.com/lifelong-learning">lifelong learners</a>. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">They are willing to be wrong. And they generously <a href="https://nesslabs.com/learning-in-public">share what they learned</a> with fellow curious minds.</li></ul>

5. Learning in public

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Anything that seems obvious on the surface can become a topic of investigation for curious minds. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">They wonder about the reality of <a href="https://nesslabs.com/default-definitions">default definitions</a> and test their assumptions through <a href="https://nesslabs.com/personal-experiments">experimentation</a>.</li></ul>

6. Challenging the default

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Because they want to deeply understand the world and others around them, curious minds tend to be empathetic. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">They try to listen without judgment and to embody the <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/74750/the-heart-of-the-buddhas-teaching-by-thich-nhat-hanh/9780767903691">words</a> of Thích Nhất Hạnh: </li></ul>“If we cannot listen mindfully, we cannot practice right speech. No matter what we say, it will not be mindful, because we’ll be speaking only our own ideas and not in response to the other person.”

7. Listening with compassion

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Any thought or emotion can be the seed of self-discovery for curious minds. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Even without knowing the scientific terms for these habits, they practice <a href="https://nesslabs.com/metacognition">metacognition</a> to interrogate the thoughts that arise in their mind and <a href="https://nesslabs.com/interoception">interoception</a> to understand the sensations that arise in their body. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">They do not try to suppress these signals, but treat them as a helpful source of information.</li></ul>

8. Approaching difficult experiences with self-compassion

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">For curious minds, the fact that the world keeps on changing is a feature, not a bug. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">They believe that their response determines how much disruptions affect them, and they choose to respond with curiosity. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">They <a href="https://nesslabs.com/chaos-surfing">surf with chaos</a> to not only survive, but to thrive in chaotic times.</li></ul>

9. Welcoming the unpredictable

🔍 Curiosity has many benefits - it keeps you young, helps you learn, and strengthens relationships. Injecting curiosity into your life has lasting positive effects. <ul><li class="ql-align-justify">🧭 Being curious in all aspects of life can be nurtured by anyone.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">🧬 Although genes might play a role, curiosity is not limited by them.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">🤔 Start by exploring the nine habits in the Curiosity Matrix.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">🤓 Ask yourself: How often do I practice these habits? Is there one I can start incorporating into my daily life today?</li></ul>

Benefits of Curiosity and How to Nurture It

As an adaptive trait, curiosity draws us to seek information and new experiences. It’s how we learn about ourselves, others, and the world. So why should you and I be curious at all? let's explore...

The Curiosity Matrix maps nine common habits of curious people supporting personal and professional growth through curiosity-driven behaviors.

Impactful quotes from TV VILLAINS (▀̿Ĺ̯▀̿ ̿) pt.1

Respect Each Others’ Delusions

Impactful Jujutsu Kaisen Quotes that expand your 'wisdom domain'!

Quotes From Neon Genesis Evangelion

12 Things I Learned from René Girard

Siddharth Mishra