yedi
Intelligence is not merely about what you know but what you do with what you know.
I spent all morning reading about global affairs. I woke up at six, did my morning rituals, and sat down on my yoga mat, where I’d built a makeshift desk from books and yoga blocks. I drank one lemon tea and one cup of coffee. Five hours later, I went for a run to physically wrestle with what I’d learned.
In the USA, the ban on abortion is still going strong despite over-population being one of the greatest (and growing) global issues, and there’s a Postpartum Depression pill ready for the market.
The water crisis is destabilizing food stability, and by 2030, many will face housing and food shortages in third and first-world continents. - Source.
Global warming is causing the ice to melt in the Artic (Greenland) and exposing precious raw earth materials, gas, minerals, and fish. Eight countries are vying for the profit. - Source.
Artificial Intelligence is still center stage with discussions on:
The Democratization of Violence
Synthetic Pathogens
Deepfakes
DNA Synthesis
One should think of everything one puts out on the internet freely as potential training data for somebody to do something with. - Source.
(I don’t understand this debate, did people not understand The Matrix?)
Global Welfare:
G7 - health security, digital technology, gender equality, decarbonization, global vaccine distribution. Values-driven with a focus on inclusivity, diversity, high labor standards, climate change, and anti-corruption.
Belt and Road Initiative - traditional initiatives like power plants, telecommunications, railways, ports, dams, and roads. Built on corruption, lack of lending transparency, unsustainable debt traps for recipient countries, displacement of local communities, and devastation to the ecosystem.
What do I do with this information?
How do I create from a place full of Hope and Love when there is so much scarcity and fear in the world?
Aha- the quest of every artist!
It looms! Where there is despair, there is room for development. The temptations of the soul: do I go down into the cellar and chain myself to the cave? Do I go up-up-up into the clouds and drift away in the magnificent pools of light?
I choose neither place.
I choose to be present for all of it. I stayed put during my dental work; my back muscles ached from the angst that turned my body into one taunt rope that was pulled and pulled as the enamel was buzzed off.
My teeth are still fake, by the way. You would never know unless I told you. No one cares. No one has said a word. I don't think anyone has noticed. Or they are too polite. I don't see many people, anyway. E and A and the barista at the cafe.
The humans I greet on the phone do not count. It is virtual and I look better on screen than in real life.
I was present for my run today and three days ago. I haven't been listening to music. I've opened my ears to the sound of the cats quarreling and the people walking through the park. My breath, ragged as it is, as I run along the seawall. My heart was pounding in my ears. I don't think about anything. I just listen. This is new for me.
I stayed present this morning as I did my energy work. I sound so focused. Perhaps I am. I am carving out a new identity here in Istanbul and like this person very much. The last few days have been filled with my favorite things: reading, writing, yoga, running, reiki, and preparing simple meals.
Today I made fish with lemon and dill dressing. Basmati rice with coconut and a pinch of turmeric. Grilled zucchini and feta cheese. It was delicious. I eat fish every other day and the days in between I have lentils and oatmeal.
Questions -
What habits inform your lifestyle?
What changes arise from the repitition?
What do you do every day and why?
I've decided to read the news each day. To stay informed. It will strengthen my writing. It will empower me to speak on universal issues. It will help me develop a voice as a writer.
What issues am I most passionate about?
God/Godlessness
Hope/Hopelessness
Truth
Trust
Virtual/Real
Dualism
Individuality + Identity
Collective Need + Belonging
I've decided to edit all of my short stories (I am through with the poems! AHA, progress!) with a dystopic lens. I'm revising everything based on science fiction. There is no end in my stories nor in sight for my travels. November 11th will come too soon, and I’ve no residence or visa for my stay.
Patience, A says, you must wait. It will all work out.
Photo source.
