Five on Friday: Feelings Are No Basis for Morality, Becoming Superman, and Orwell’s Understanding of Hitler
Issue VI
Every Friday I send an email with five pieces of content. These are things I’ve found insightful, inspiring… or just interesting.
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Here are five things from my week I thought were worth passing on.
Today at a Glance
Quote: Feelings are no basis for morality
Tweet: Dua Lipa and Stephen Colbert
Article: Orwell’s understanding of Hitler
Podcast: An introduction to Naval Ravikant
Bonus: The best acting you’ll ever see
One Quote
“Intellectual and moral blindness is a dilemma which man inflicts upon himself by his tragic misuse of freedom and his failure to use his mind to its fullest capacity.
One day we will learn that the heart can never be totally right if the head is totally wrong.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
The morality of modern society is driven by emotions. If we feel something is true, or right or just, it must be so. But feelings are no basis for morality.
We should exercise self-control rather than misusing our freedoms. We should seek to learn and grow rather than failing to push our minds.
Excess and laziness are twin diseases that lead to moral blindness. They rob us of depth and make us rely on emotions as a shortcut for deciding what is right and wrong. When this happens across an entire society the results are devastating.
One Tweet
This exchange shows how genuine curiosity and interest draws things out from others we would otherwise miss. Notice how thoughtful Dua Lipa’s question is and how she listens intently throughout his answer.
It’s also a great example by Colbert of discussing Christian faith in public in a way that connects with people who might not share that faith. Lots to learn from this interaction.
One Article
George Orwell’s Book Review of Mein Kampf (1940)
One of the great minds of the 20th century, George Orwell also wrote during one of it’s most pivotal moments—the rise of Hitler and the onset of World War II.
In March of 1940 he wrote a short review of Hitler’s book, Mein Kampf. You can access the original here. In it he explains how the West struggles to understand and deal with strongman leaders because we embrace hedonism as our highest ideal.
It’s worth reading in light of the current political showdown between East and West in Ukraine.
One Podcast
The Evolutionary Angel, Naval Ravikant - The Tim Ferriss Show #97
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / YouTube
Naval Ravikant is one of the most interesting thinkers of our time. This conversation from 2015 was an early interview that brought him into the public eye. It’s a great introduction if you’re not familiar with his work.
Topics covered include:
The importance of intensity
Uncompromising honesty
Becoming a better reader
Replacing bad habits with good
How to treat your life like a movie
One Bonus
This two-minute clip is perhaps the best example of acting you’ll ever see. Christopher Reeves transformation from Superman → Clark Kent → Superman → Clark Kent is amazing.
So many takeaways here on the importance of body posture, voice tone, and assertiveness. You don’t have to be someone else. Just be the best version of yourself.
There’s also some great humor: “That’s Clark, nice.” 😂
Personal Note
They just don’t make turtleneck sweaters like they used to.
This week I’ve been helping my mom pack for her upcoming move and found this gem. Look at those bangs. Look at that shirt. Folks, this is what style looked like in kindergarten in the late 70s!
Thanks for reading and if you like Five on Friday, please share it with others who might enjoy it too.
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I like Naval's uncompromising take on people he wants to work with; people of intelligence (understanding, acumen), energy (endurance) and integrity. He has to know that you are all in.