> More broadly I’ve observed that as you grow older and gain experience in any domain, you’re rewarded for staying in your circle of competence and deepening the gyre. You don’t charm anyone by constant pivots, lest you seem unserious, un-devoted.

Yea I feel that.

Really enjoyed this essay. I feel like “you can just do things” is so true yet has been twisted into a hustle-culture/opportunity-vulture phrase, and this piece is a much healthier way to view agency.

Yes, I prescribe to this, but if you've experienced technologically-augmented attempts at "suiciding", sustained Zersetzung, and a peculiar British invention which is to be "Black-Mirrored", after whistleblowing, then it must be balanced with PTSD, trying not to become an alcoholic, and still trying to sound the alarm about the hell world which exists, is growing, and soon to take over fully.

It's a great mindset to have, *if* you're able to control your emotions.

If you’re of a certain age this article headline should immediately make you think of this website:

https://despair.com/products/mistakes

And if that doesn’t resonate with you then you probably missed the era when these things were ubiquitous in corporate decor:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Successories

https://www.successories.com/motivational-posters/1