About

Hi!

I’m currently trying to understand people: how we think and how to build smart machines to help us live longer. Here, I like to toy with ideas and share works in progress.

This site contains field notes of sorts while I slowly explore the territory of knowledge: some maps of terrain, marks of unkowns, and notes on interesting landmarks.

The map’s incomplete, and my compass is probably off kilter, which is why it’s public.

If you’re exploring the same wilderness, I’d be happy for company. I feel warm reading expressions of genuine interest and am always eager to compare notes, share supplies, or just hear stories from other parts of the forest. Maybe we can chart small ways together. :)

My email is chrwn@duck.com.

Simple guiding ideas

• Knowledge is the goal
  • We know too little now to ask the right questions—“meaning” has little virtue.
  • Life’s too short to spend it being existential; contribute substantially first.
  • Stay focused on adding value to others, no matter what scale.
• Meaning is rooted in people.
  • Each person is a beautiful, complex process. It’s awe-inspiring.
  • Gift others with deep understanding and value.
  • In some sense, we’re all on the Titanic. I choose the positive sense.
• To do anything well, excitement matters.
  • Enthusiasm and curiosity are “initial velocity vectors.”
  • Passion enables contribution (it’s not the end, only means to it).
  • And dreams rarely come baked-in.
• Always produce.
  • Water finds its way downstream, eventually towards things you love. - PG
  • Action precedes motivation.
  • Beware of premature optimization everywhere.
  • Iterate instead: spend the time, accumulate scar tissue, and grow.
• The only true limits are the laws of physics.
  • “Whether you think you can or can’t do something, you’re right.”
  • “The world is a museum of passion projects”
  • Everything was made by people just like you.
  • Self-belief matters. Love yourself; it doesn’t demand achievement and will not harm productivity.
• What matters? Money < time < attention.
  • Awareness is the only way to live fully.
  • Emotions are mere sensations; reactions are a choice.
  • It’s always possible to be more grateful.
• Be very careful what your mind is exposed to.
  • Learn to think independently, not regurgitate ideas (it helps to write more).
• Be very careful of sources of dopamine.
  • Intrinsic motivation means making something happen (often good).
  • Whether other people think it’s the right thing (often not).
  • Ego and prestige are sneaky and slippery.
  • It helps to be aware, but it takes a lot of hard work to change.
  • Seeing happy people makes me happy.