Degrees of Absurdity, Language Evolution, Positive Obsessions

Three Point Thursday

Hola amigo,

This week’s edition features an update on my book, a fascinating quote from The Language Instinct, and a reflection on a useful idea for figuring out what pursuits matter most to you.

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1. It’s coming.

I recently printed out two copies of my upcoming novel—Degrees of Absurdity—and have two friends currently reading them for feedback. It was thrilling, having it physically in my hands. After seeing the text only on a computer for the past year, it began to feel so much more real. There is still a lot of work to do, but I wanted to share this update with you. I’m fired up.

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2. Language evolution is fascinating.

“English is similar though not identical to German for the same reason that foxes are similar though not identical to wolves: English and German are modifications of a common ancestor language spoken in the past, and foxes and wolves are modifications of a common ancestor species that lived in the past. Indeed, Darwin claimed to have taken some of his ideas about biological evolution from the linguistics of his time…”

— Steven Pinker, The Language Instinct

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3. What are the things you can’t not do?

It is useful to consider the things you can’t not do, because they are virtually guaranteed to give you a sense of purpose. If the idea of not doing a certain activity sparks no emotion in you, then it probably wasn’t meant for you anyway. You wouldn’t feel indifferent if it were. But if the idea of losing the ability or opportunity to follow a particular pursuit bothers you, angers you, or saddens you, then that is a strong signal it is part of your destiny.

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Keep shooting,

Jeff