7 Comments

I like how this post addresses the happiness that comes with the pursuit of mastery 😊.

Expand full comment
May 12Liked by John Warner

Another great piece - thank you

Expand full comment
May 12Liked by John Warner

You made so much sense! I’m all YES!!! Yet I’m so unused to these formats (77 year old who’s still frustrated more than pleased by current technology) I haven’t decided to commit to more reading on my iPhone! yet I respect your opinions so eloquently expressed and do understand my intelligent children (in 40’s) better now by reading this thoughtful skillful writing. Thank you.

Expand full comment

Thank you, John, for the great piece (and the kind shoutout)!

Expand full comment

"where a little click in your brain signals that a target has been struck, like I know this is true, but I haven’t necessarily articulated it to myself before" - YES! Thank you for sharing this. and also Albini's comment about earning a living - the lattice of coincidence - I just went to this exhibit yesterday https://museum.stanford.edu/exhibitions/day-jobs

Expand full comment

Thanks John for the column and pointer to Gopnik's book (already put a hold on it at local library).

The idea resonates with me -- when I retired from being academic/teacher/scientific researcher, I seriously picked up an earlier avocation: photography. I have no interest in "achieving" anything, only to increase my mastery both in taking images and interpreting those via the 21st Century equivalent of a darkroom. Both are engaging intellectual endeavors and there is no 'pressure' to please anyone other than myself.

Expand full comment

One person’s perspective - those two words do not carry distinct meanings for me. I would use them interchangeably. As for the way he defines them, I also see crossover in those concepts - the outward vs inward, both have similar and different types of satisfaction.

Expand full comment