Dear friend,
An idea:
Life is about kinesis (movement).
Let me explain:
Kinesis is the Greek word for “movement”. It seems that everything it means to thrive as a human is related to movement.
For example, how does this epic world economy work? Simple: the movement and people across countries.
You cannot take photos without moving. You must move, walk, and look around for things to photograph!
Why have a brain?
Why do humans have a brain? The brain coordinates our movement — coordination with our visual faculties, our depth perception, and our biped (walking on two legs) ability. My theory: if we no longer need to move, we no longer need a brain (perhaps this is why sedentary people develop more brain-mental degenerations).
In short, the maxim can be:
When in doubt, move.
Movement
There are so many words related to kinesis and movement which are seen as good. For example, in physics we have the term of “momentum”— applied in real life, it is good when we have “forward momentum” with our artistic creation, or “picking up traction” (another notion, when our ideas are starting to stick to others).
In biblical times, sloth was seen as a sin. Why? It’s impossible to help the collective if you’re sitting on your butt in a hut somewhere. You must move in order to be of use to the local community.
LAY-Z-BOY
But this is the strange thing —
It seems in modern life, the goal is to NOT need to move anymore! To become a king, on our LAY-Z-BOY futon king chair, and not have to move at all.
Think about it — we want to build these mega home-palaces, which we would never need to leave. Many people want to build their own “Xanadu” (the epic mansion of Charles Foster Kane in the film, CITIZEN KANE).
Don’t get run over by an electric scooter
Or another funny thing —
It seems in Silicon Valley, we want to “fix” the “problem” of needing to walk.
To have to walk is seen as some sort of painful chore— whereas in reality, walking is probably the source of all of our good ideas (Nietzsche once said something like, “The only ideas which have value come to you when walking.”)
People want to move, without needing to use their legs. But I argue that our legs are probably the most important body part we have. It’s better to have buff legs and a weak chest and arms, instead of having the inverse (these silly body builders at the gym who have massive upper-body, but chicken legs).
Squats and deadlifts
A simple solution:
Do more heavy squats and deadlifts at the gym.
Also another idea:
Walk for fun!
Doing both of this will build our legs, and give us more physical and mental strength to move!
In praise of a standing desk
I am currently typing this at a Starbucks at an elevated table, which allows me to use a “standing desk”. Whenever possible, I try to stand. Why?
I’ve discovered for myself, I’m more productive when writing or working when I’m standing on my two legs. My theory:
When we stand, we must stabilize and balance our body, which perhaps activates some sort of hidden intelligence in our brain.
Anyways, I don’t think we will ever know the precise science of why a standing desk is beneficial — but in practice, I’ve discovered writing or working while standing is best.
Why NIKE is a great company
I like NIKE. Of course the shoes are insanely expensive. Yet — probably better to buy a nice pair of shoes which inspire and motivate you to walk and move more, instead of blowing that money on some stupid expensive car, or an expensive home.
Also — I think it’s a good idea to spend a lot of money on a mobile device. Why? If a new iPhone will allow you, enable you, or motivate you to leave your house more, move more, and shoot more photos — it is good!
Kinesis is Good
Movement is probably the source of all our human intelligence, the source of our economy, and what makes us human.
Don’t seek to reduce movement in life. When in doubt, move more!
MOVE MEAN!
ERIC