Balance is key
How have you been?
You’re probably surrounded by talk of COVID-19 so let’s keep that to a minimum. There are two things you need to know about this pandemic: one, it’ll sort of pass; and, two, from panic buying to premature returns to normalcy, it has all happened before so we’re not in completely uncharted waters.
Remember, the world was sliding downhill long before a new coronavirus decided to join the ride. An excellent piece on American politics—which also applies to the rest of the world—suggests this is because ‘the common folk have declared independence from the experts and ... from reality itself’. It asks pertinent questions about democracy and is well worth a read.
Watch
Kevin Kelly: How technology evolves
An excellent talk discussing what the evolution of technology shares with the evolution of organic life: it seeks ubiquity, diversity, specialisation, complexity and socialisation.
Read
Man’s search for meaning
Half the world has probably read this book; but it is good enough that I recommend it to the other half.
Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl talks about living a great life while taking things in stride, and then tops it off with a first-hand introduction to logotherapy. Pictured here is the cover of the first-ever edition (which was in German).
If you’re interested, you can also read my review of this book →
Listen
Managing your screen time
NPR’s Life Kit and Catherine Price take a realistic view of our use of technology today while discussing how to manage our screen time. The takeaway: focus on the quality, not just the quantity.
Listen now →
Share your thoughts about this issue by simply replying to this e-mail. Loyal readers have been doing so for years and we love the conversations that ensue. Also, don’t forget to forward this issue to your friends who might find it interesting. Spread the love. Cheers, V. How would you like to receive Dispatch from Rhûn twice instead of once monthly? P.S. The sharp reader may notice I’ve changed the colour of this newsletter to one of the accent colours used on the main site. This was done on the recommendation of an old friend I reconnected with some weeks ago, and so far I like it. Your thoughts? Let me know.
Quick question
