A neighborhood cat
sneaking to a gopher hole
and waiting, I saw.
January 31, 2021
January 27, 2021
Muscular pears
I was intrigued by the muscular appearance of these two pears (half already eaten), and decided to depict this impression with broad oil brushes, which felt satisfying but also reminded me to try physical oil painting.
The biggest bluff
Gist: the author, with a journalism and psychology background, decided to pick-up poker from scratch as a way to learn how to deal with randomness in life and focus on what we can control. The poker part serves as the training platform and medium of investigation for the author, and even without knowing anything about poker, I found this participatory journalism highly entertaining and yet educational at the same time.
At the end of the book, the author said that she plan to continue with poker instead of ending it after completing the journalism project.
I wonder if this is the best use of one’s time and talent; poker is a zero-sum game and contributes even less to the world than finance, which also moves things around but at leas can claim to increase market efficiency.
As a research scientist and product engineer, I would much prefer to be able to create things and solve problems, with even more opportunities (and necessities) to deal with external randomness and internal control.
January 23, 2021
January 21, 2021
Dream on 4:30 am January 21 2021
Sometimes, a dream is a continuation, expansion, or exaggeration of events in real life.
January 20, 2021
Ugly lemon
I found this one on the ground, which seemed to be saying:
I might look different from my cousins in food markets, but I am still a lemon.
January 19, 2021
Being attentive
I was reading this book chapter about a group of poker players at a game table, some closely observed every play and some just focused on their own thoughts.
The former can learn others’ habits and adapt their betting strategies, while the latter can bust out even with a mathematically good hand.
This made me realize that I could have paid more outward attention and less inward looking to the different situations I have been in, from daily conversations/meetings (too much self distractions) to international jobs/travels (too little observation these different people and places).
This also relates to a maxim of meditation, of being present, which can enhance happiness and productivity.
January 18, 2021
Fairness
If we continue this line of reasoning, is it fair for younger, healthy people in richer nations to receive more heath care, social welfare, etc., than vulnerable people in poorer states?
How should we define fairness across different groups of people?
Is such fairness achievable or desirable?
Money, discipline, and life
Without enough disciplines, money, talent, or other resources cannot solve our problems, if not create more.