COMPASSION

Affirmation of life is the spiritual act by which man ceases to live thoughtlessly and begins to devote himself to his life
with reverence in order to give it true value.
— Albert Schweitzer

7/05/2025

Chronic procrastination isn't a character flaw.


 

Chronic procrastination isn't a character flaw.

It's often a protective mechanism gone haywire—your psyche trying to shield you from failure, judgment, or confronting your limitations.

But protection through inaction becomes its own prison.

Despite their success, some professionals struggle with overthinking and procrastination.





DOPAMINE and PROCRASTINATION

 




Think of dopamine like water in a wave pool.

No water = no waves.

Low baseline dopamine = no motivation peaks.

You can't generate drive from an empty tank.


Procrastination isn't laziness or weakness.
It's a dopamine problem.

Without sufficient baseline dopamine, you literally CAN'T feel motivated—no matter how much you want to.

You can rebuild your dopamine baseline through specific daily practices.

Through biological interventions that literally refill your neural reward system.

7 steps to rebuild your dopamine baseline:


Step 1: Protect Your Sleep Architecture

"Getting sufficient sleep each night literally restores your dopamine reserves."


Step 2: Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR)
 
• Lie down
• Body scan
• Long exhales
• Let go without sleeping

It's like a dopamine reserve refill station. 10 minutes of NSDR can increase dopamine by up to 65%.


Step 3: Morning Sunlight Exposure

5-10 minutes of morning sun (no sunglasses) triggers a dopamine cascade that lasts all day.

 Neurobiology says that your retinal cells signal your brain to produce motivation molecules.


Step 4: Tyrosine-Rich Nutrition

Tyrosine is dopamine's building block.

Without it, your brain can't manufacture motivation.

High sources:
• Parmesan cheese
• Lean meats
• Almonds
• Avocados
 

Step 5: Daily Movement Practice

Regular movement maintains elevated baseline dopamine all day.

- 5 days/week minimum.
- Mix cardio and resistance.

Movement and motivation share neural circuits—activate one, activate both.


Step 6: Break the All-or-Nothing Cycle

Procrastinators often think in extremes.
"If I can't do it perfectly, why start?"

But dopamine responds to progress, not perfection.

Small actions create upward spirals.

Done is better than perfect.


Step 7: Understand Your Activation Energy

Some people naturally have higher baseline dopamine—they spring into action easily.

Others need more intentional practice.

Neither is better. But knowing your baseline helps you design YOUR system for managing your dopamine baseline.
 



7/04/2025

Robin Williams: 12 Best Quotes and Sayings





12 Best Robin Williams Quotes and Sayings

https://youtu.be/VdkQG1jTBps?si=qieHo0jt_sSYyGmK

7/03/2025

DAVE BARRY

 


Dave Barry has defined a sense of humor as "a measurement of the extent to which we realize that we are trapped in a world almost totally devoid of reason. Laughter is how we express the anxiety we feel at this knowledge".



"We've Lost Control" - Eric Schmidt WARNS About What's Coming in 2026






Ex-Google CEO, Eric Schmidt, discusses the coming advancements in AI, what that means for humans in the workforce, and when we might potentially see AGI achieved

https://youtu.be/vkBYrpBEJOU?si=CHsRCY2iyO1-884C


6/16/2025

Rory Sutherland: Run Clubs, ADHD, Club Penguin and Crime Scenes



Run Clubs, ADHD, Club Penguin and Crime Scenes - Rory Sutherland’s Brilliant Big Ideas (EXCLUSIVE)

David McIntosh Jr
 
May 5, 2025  Origin Story w/ David McIntosh Jr

Rory Sutherland is back and he's as hilariously unconventional as ever. I genuinely think this might be the best we've ever gotten him. 

As the Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK and a pioneer in behavioral science, Rory has spent decades unraveling the quirks of human behavior and the illogical decisions that drive us.

In this episode, we dive into everything from the economics of nicotine to the psychology behind airport lounges, and even the unexpected lessons gleaned from serial killer investigations. 

It's a whirlwind tour through the irrationalities that shape our world, all delivered with Rory's signature wit, humor and undiagnosed ADHD.

Some highlights for me included:

Emotional support vapes and the peculiar concept of "Hooters Air"
The psychology behind "girl math" and why price is just a feeling
The unexpected brilliance of Chaiwala's hidden improvements
The history and psychology of run clubs and jogging
Club Penguin’s wild side and internet chaos in the UK
The infamous "dogging not jogging" joke
Rory’s love for Heathrow’s parking pods
The idea of drone ambulances and future rescue tech
What Rory would do if he wasn’t Rory Sutherland

And of course his Origin Story inclusive of his journey with depression, anxiety, and the utility of his fame

Whether you're a fan of behavioral science, marketing  or just looking for a good laugh, this will be an instant favourite.
 

Run Clubs, ADHD, Club Penguin and Crime Scenes - Rory Sutherland’s Brilliant Big Ideas (EXCLUSIVE)

https://youtu.be/_EkNnpWP1kA?si=QuOxUiXItZfEqSuS


Godfather of AI: I Tried to Warn Them, But We’ve Already Lost Control! Geoffrey Hinton PLUS COPILOT SUMMARY



  

Godfather of AI: I Tried to Warn Them, But We’ve Already Lost Control!  

He pioneered AI, now he’s warning the world. Godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton breaks his silence on the deadly dangers of AI no one is prepared for.

Geoffrey Hinton is a leading computer scientist and cognitive psychologist, widely recognised as the ‘Godfather of AI’ for his pioneering work on neural networks and deep learning. He received the 2018 Turing Award, often called the Nobel Prize of computing. In 2023, he left Google to warn people about the rising dangers of AI.

He explains:
◽️ Why there’s a real 20% chance AI could lead to HUMAN EXTINCTION.
◽️ How speaking out about AI got him SILENCED.
◽️ The deep REGRET he feels for helping create AI.
◽️ The 6 DEADLY THREATS AI poses to humanity right now.
◽️ AI’s potential to advance healthcare, boost productivity, and transform education.

https://youtu.be/giT0ytynSqg

https://youtu.be/giT0ytynSqg?si=ogrGHxLXeIZPHjJ4


Copilot Quick response:

Summarize the video on this page
The video features Geoffrey Hinton, often called the Godfather of AI, discussing the dangers and potential risks of artificial intelligence. Hinton, a leading computer scientist, shares his concerns about AI's rapid development, including:

A 20% chance AI could lead to human extinction.

His regret for helping create AI.

The six major threats AI poses to humanity.

AI's impact on cybersecurity, elections, and autonomous weapons.

How AI could widen wealth inequality and replace human intelligence.

AI’s potential benefits in healthcare, productivity, and education.

Hinton also reflects on his departure from Google in 2023, his hope for AI’s future, and what people should do to prepare for AI’s impact. You can watch the full video here.

Who is Geoffrey Hinton and his contributions to AI?What are the implications of AI threats to society?
What are the potential benefits of AI?
  
What are the implications of AI threats to society?

AI threats pose significant risks to society, affecting various aspects of life. Some key implications include:

Job displacement: Automation could replace human workers, leading to unemployment and economic shifts.

Privacy concerns: AI can collect and analyze vast amounts of personal data, raising security risks.

Bias and discrimination: AI systems may reinforce societal biases due to flawed training data.

Cybersecurity threats: AI-powered cyberattacks could compromise sensitive information.

Autonomous weapons: AI-driven military technology may escalate conflicts.

Misinformation and deepfakes: AI-generated content can spread false information, influencing public opinion.

Lack of transparency: Many AI systems operate as "black boxes," making their decision-making processes difficult to understand.

To mitigate these risks, experts emphasize ethical AI development, regulation, and public awareness. Governments and organizations must implement responsible AI policies to ensure safety and fairness. What are your thoughts on AI's impact?

What are some potential solutions to mitigate these threats?

Mitigating AI threats requires a multi-faceted approach that balances innovation with safety. Here are some key solutions:

  • Regulation & Governance: Governments and organizations must establish clear AI policies to ensure ethical development and prevent misuse.

  • Transparency & Explainability: AI systems should be designed to be interpretable, allowing users to understand how decisions are made.

  • Bias Reduction: Developers must use diverse datasets and implement fairness checks to minimize discrimination in AI models.

  • Cybersecurity Measures: Strengthening data protection and implementing robust security protocols can prevent AI-driven cyber threats.

  • Public Awareness & Education: Increasing AI literacy helps individuals recognize risks and use AI responsibly.

  • Human Oversight: AI should complement human decision-making rather than replace it entirely, ensuring accountability.

These strategies can help harness AI’s benefits while minimizing its risks. 

What aspect of AI safety concerns you the most?

How effective are these solutions in practice?
The effectiveness of AI threat mitigation solutions varies depending on implementation, oversight, and evolving risks. Here’s a breakdown:

Cybersecurity: AI-driven detection techniques significantly improve threat identification and response times, but they require continuous updates to stay ahead of cybercriminals.

Bias Reduction: While AI models can be trained on diverse datasets, eliminating bias entirely remains challenging. Human oversight is crucial to ensure fairness.

Regulation & Governance: Policies help guide ethical AI use, but enforcement and global cooperation remain hurdles.

Transparency & Explainability: AI systems are becoming more interpretable, but many still function as "black boxes," making accountability difficult.

Public Awareness & Education: AI literacy is improving, but misinformation and deepfakes continue to pose risks.

Overall, AI safety measures are progressing, but they require constant refinement to address emerging challenges. What aspect of AI security interests you most?

1journalofbigdata.springeropen.com
2pangea.ai
3bostoninstituteofanalytics.org


What are the limitations of these AI solutions?

AI solutions, while promising, face several limitations that impact their effectiveness:

Data Dependency: AI models require vast amounts of high-quality data to function well. Poor or biased data can lead to inaccurate results.

Computational Costs: Training and maintaining AI systems demand significant computing power, making them expensive and energy-intensive.

Bias & Fairness Issues: AI can inherit biases from training data, leading to unfair or discriminatory outcomes.

Lack of Explainability: Many AI models operate as black boxes, making it difficult to understand their decision-making processes.

Security Vulnerabilities: AI systems are susceptible to cyberattacks, including adversarial manipulation.

Limited Creativity & Context Understanding: AI struggles with nuance, emotions, and abstract reasoning, making it less effective in complex human interactions.

Despite these challenges, ongoing research aims to improve AI’s reliability, fairness, and transparency. Which limitation do you think is the most concerning?
What are some ongoing research efforts to improve AI?
AI research is advancing rapidly, with several key areas of focus:

Ethical AI & Bias Reduction: Researchers are developing methods to make AI fairer and more transparent, reducing biases in decision-making.

Explainability & Interpretability: Efforts are underway to make AI models more understandable, ensuring users can trust their outputs.

Generative AI: Institutions are working on improving generative AI models, making them more reliable and applicable across various fields.

AI for Augmentation: Studies explore how AI can enhance human capabilities, such as assisting in medical diagnoses or scientific discoveries.

Regulation & Policy: Experts are shaping AI governance frameworks to ensure responsible development and deployment.

These efforts aim to maximize AI’s benefits while addressing its risks. Which area interests you most?


Diana Damrau SINGEN Mozart - The Queen of the Night Aria




 


https://youtu.be/463jDvbw3LQ?si=4Qngh8vujLQdglEQ

6/12/2025

Portrait of Leonard Cohen

 


This informal black-and-white portrait of Leonard Cohen shows him at age 30 on a visit to his hometown of Montreal, where the poet, novelist and songwriter comes "to renew his neurotic affiliations." He reads his poetry to an enthusiastic crowd, strolls the streets of the city, relaxes in this three-dollar-a-night hotel room and even takes a bath.


https://www.nfb.ca/film/ladies_and_gentlemen_mr_leonard_cohen/


Ladies and Gentlemen... Mr. Leonard Cohen, Donald Brittain & Don Owen, provided by the National Film Board of Canada



6/10/2025

Self - Regulation as Limited Resource

 



Strength Model of Self-Regulation as Limited Resource

R.F. Baumeister, K.D. Vohs, in Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 2016

4.2 Final Remarks

Folk wisdom has long invoked the notion of willpower as a key ingredient for successful self-control and self-discipline, suggesting that energy is consumed in such acts of volition. Psychological theory dispensed with energy models for decades. Skepticism and even hostility toward explaining self-regulation in energy terms are to be expected. Yet the alternative versions generally have large conceptual gaps that cannot be filled without subtly reintroducing the idea of depleted energy resources, or at least resources of some sort. The traditional folk notion of willpower as a limited supply of energy that fuels effort and virtue has proven surprisingly durable, and if updated with new findings, it still forms the basis for a promising scientific account of human volition.



 
Wisdom Sayings and Quotes

Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes. ...

Deal with the faults of others as gently as your own. ...

Justice is truth in action. ...

A new broom sweeps clean but an old broom knows the corners. ...

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and he'll eat forever.

The wise understand by themselves; fools follow the reports of others.      
Tibetan (on wisdom)

When our imperfect judgments are aggregated in the right way, our collective intelligence is often excellent.     
James Surowiecki

The goal of human nature, of any nature is blessedness. If we do not reach this goal, it is a sign that we are headed in the wrong direction.     


He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.      
Friedrich Nietzsche

Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted.      
unknown


Lost time is never found again.      
Benjamin Franklin

To know how to grow old is the master work of wisdom, and one of the most difficult chapters in the great art of living.     
Henri Frederic Amiel

If you cannot do great things , 
    Do small things in a great way.

The riches that are in the heart cannot be stolen.
Russian Proverb


The only thing we can know is that we know nothing and that is the highest flight of human wisdom.
Leo Tolstoy

One should speak little with others and much with oneself.      
Danish (on the conduct of life)


When you say one thing, the clever person understands three.      
Chinese (on wisdom)


The riches that are in the heart cannot be stolen.     
Russian Proverb


The only thing we can know is that we know nothing and that is the highest flight of human wisdom.  
Leo Tolstoy


The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions.     
Oliver Wendell Holmes


Plan your life like you will live forever, and live your life like you will die the next day.     - unknown


Proverbs are short sentences drawn from long experience.     Cervantes


Desires are brought to live depending on one’s wisdom. Wisdom gives direction to desires.     
Takuan Soho


Wisdom is ofttimes nearer when we stoop than when we soar.      
William Wordsworth


A proverb is one man's wit and all men's wisdom.      
Lord John Russell

Even a fish wouldn't get into trouble if it kept its mouth shut.      
Korean (on common sense)

Economy is the wealth of the poor and the wisdom of the rich.      
French (on thrift)


He that respects himself is safe from others.      
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


He who flees at the right time can fight again.      
Marcus Trentius Varro

The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.     
Abraham Lincoln


Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause and reflect).     
Albert Einstein


 Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.     
Albert Einstein


The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.     
Anthony Douglas Williams
 
Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.     
Aristotle


The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.     
Aristotle


The older you get, the more quiet you become. Life humbles you so deeply as you age. You realize how much nonsense you’ve waste time on.     
Anonymous


Never, no, never did nature say one thing and wisdom say another.     
Charles Dickens


The older you get, the more quiet you become. Life humbles you so deeply as you age. You realize how much nonsense you’ve waste time on.     
Anonymous


Never, no, never did nature say one thing and wisdom say another.     
Charles Dickens


Knowledge is knowing what to say. Wisdom is knowing when to say it.     
Colette

The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.     
Confucius


Seek the wisdom of the ages, but look at the world through the eyes of a child.     
Debbie Ford


It is the province of knowledge to speak, and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen.     
Edmund Burke


Wisdom is the daughter of experience.     
Edward Hersey Richards


It is said that wisdom lies not in seeing things, but seeing through things.     
Elbert Hubbard


Knowledge is learning something every day. Wisdom is letting go of something every day.     
Eleanor Roosevelt


 Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.     
Fran Lebowitz


A loving heart is the truest wisdom.     
Francis Bacon


The wise man hath his thoughts in his head; the fool, on his tongue.     
Friedrich Nietzsche

 Patience is the companion of wisdom.     
George Bernard Shaw

We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.     
Henry David Thoreau


Patience is the companion of wisdom.     
George Bernard Shaw


We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.     
Henry David Thoreau


Wisdom is not wisdom when it is derived from books alone.     
Holly Near

Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.     
Horace


Wisdom is knowing the right path to take. Integrity is taking it.     
Immanuel Kant


Wisdom is the supreme part of happiness.     
Isaac Asimov


 It is characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things.     
Isaac Asimov


No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.     
Ivan Panin


Any fool can know. The point is to understand.     
Jess C. Scott


The best index to a person's character is how he treats people who can't do him any good, and how he treats people who can't fight back.     
Jimi Hendrix

Think before you speak. Read before you think.     
Langston Hughes

Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what's right.     
Leonardo da Vinci


The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.   M. H. McKee

There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.     
Manly P. Hall


By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.     
Mark Twain

You do not write your life with words...You write it with actions. What you think is not important. It is only important what you do.     
Martin Luther King Jr.


Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.     
Oliver Wendell Holmes


Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die life is a broken-winged bird, that cannot fly.     
Rumi



Faith gives us strength and reassurance and leaves us bathed in the wisdom that we are never alone.     
Socrates

 
Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.     
Sophocles


Turn your wounds into wisdom.     
St. Augustine


 Let your actions demonstrate your wisdom.     
Truman Capote



Wisdom is more precious than jewels, nothing else is so worthy of desire.     
unknown

If you have the guts to keep making mistakes, your wisdom and intelligence leap forward with huge momentum.     
William Shakespeare


A wise owl sat on an oak, the more he saw the less he spoke, the less he spoke the more he heard. Why aren’t we like that wise old bird?     
Zen Proverb

 
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Love and death together, the two methods according to Charles Darwin that life uses to evolve. Salvador Dali knew what he was doing.



Image


"Devote the rest of your life to making progress...the chance for progress, to keep or lose, turns on the events of a single day." - Epictetus






5/28/2025

Run, Jump, Learn! How Exercise can Transform our Schools: John J. Ratey



 

Run, Jump, Learn! How Exercise can Transform our Schools: John J. Ratey 

While exercise in good for the body, Dr. John J. Ratey, MD,  argues it is more important for the brain, especially when it comes to students in the classroom.  Citing scientific studies and real world examples, this internationally recognized expert in the brain-exercise connection demonstrates how we can raise test scores, lower behavioral problems, and help the overall well-being of today's students with fitness based physical education.  

John J. Ratey, MD, is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Research Synthesizer, Speaker, and best selling Author. He has published over 60 peer reviewed articles, and 7 Books, including "A Users Guide to the Brain," and the groundbreaking ADD-ADHD "Driven to Distraction" series with Ned Hallowell, MD. 

With his latest book, "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain"   Dr. Ratey has embarked on a world-wide mission to re-engineer schools, corporations, and individual lifestyle practices by incorporating exercise to achieve peak performance and optimum mental health.  

Consistently named one of the Best Doctors in America by his peers, Dr. Ratey serves as Reebok's Ambassador for Active Kids, is an Advisor to the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness Activity and Sport, and is an Adjunct Professor at Taiwan National Sports University.  

Dr. Ratey maintains a private practice in Cambridge, Massachusetts,  and is currently working on a book examining our genetic roots and the influence on our psychology in a modern world, to be published by Little Brown in 2013.  More information http://www.johnratey.com

https://youtu.be/hBSVZdTQmDs?si=BGa7B0IANnfzf2Kx

Want Smarter, Healthier Kids? Try Physical Education! | Paul Zientarski




Want Smarter, Healthier Kids? Try Physical Education! | Paul Zientarski  

Quality, daily physical education in schools not only reduces obesity amongst our children, but it improves academic performance. 

With more than 40 years in the field of education, Zientarski has created a highly successful program called the Learning Readiness Physical Education (LRPE) program at Naperville Central High School. The program has produced such dramatic improvements in test scores, behavior and childhood obesity that it has inspired adoption in school districts from across the country and around the world, including Denmark, China, South Korea and Canada. His program has been highlighted on major TV networks and featured in documentary films. Zientarski shares his educational philosophy and programs with audiences nationwide, including the President’s Council on Health, Fitness and Nutrition in Washington, D.C.

https://youtu.be/V81cO8xyMaI?si=8JIEjM9wtL1DYnef


5/24/2025

The Creatine Masterclass: Why AND How Men and Women Optimize Performance



 

The Creatine Masterclass: Why & How Men and Women Optimize Performance with this Miracle Compound.
Podcast Dr Darren Candow PhD 
----
Despite being the most studied supplement of all time, creatine is making a big resurgence. It’s been the hot topic in the health podcast space for the past year, as new scientific evidence is showing creatine is about more than looking big, but has big and important effects on brain health and overall longevity. But, like all things, creatine needs to be handled with care. It needs to be the right type, at the right dose, at the right times, with the right movement and for the right person. That’s why it was fundamentally important for me to get a true creatine expert on the show, Dr Darren Candow.
----
Dr. Darren Candow is a professor specializing in exercise physiology, nutrition, and aging. He supervises the Aging Muscle and Bone Health Laboratory, where the primary research focus is to develop effective lifestyle interventions involving nutrition—primarily creatine monohydrate—and physical activity, particularly resistance training. These interventions aim to improve muscle, bone, and brain health and function, with both practical and clinical relevance. To date, Dr. Candow has published over 120 peer-reviewed journal articles, supervised more than 20 MSc/PhD students, and secured research funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Nutricia Research Foundation.
----
Join us as we explore:

Everything about creatine! What it is, is it right for you, the safest form, dosage, its most important (and surprising) effects, why it’s the most studied supplement ever and some risks and side effects.

Creatine’s incredible effects on a sleep deprived and exhausted brain!

Creatine’s relationship to caffeine, hyperbaric chambers/hypoxia and TRT.

Dr Candow’s recommended morning exercise and creatine protocol.

-Does creatine cause you to gain weight, retain water, and is the loading phase a real thing?

-Veganism and creatine.
----
Connect with Steve Stavs on Social Media: 

https://youtu.be/HhvbjoUol7A


5/15/2025

The AI Revolution Is Underhyped | Eric Schmidt | TED




 

The AI Revolution Is Underhyped | Eric Schmidt | TED

The arrival of non-human intelligence is a very big deal, says former Google CEO and chairman Eric Schmidt. In a wide-ranging interview with technologist Bilawal Sidhu, Schmidt makes the case that AI is wildly underhyped, as near-constant breakthroughs give rise to systems capable of doing even the most complex tasks on their own. He explores the staggering opportunities, sobering challenges and urgent risks of AI, showing why everyone will need to engage with this technology in order to remain relevant. 
(Recorded at TED2025 on April 11, 2025)
https://youtu.be/id4YRO7G0wE