How to cure the common cold

Hey All,

Here are a few things I've been reading and pondering lately. Enjoy this week's issue and if you're feeling inspired, pass it on.

1. None of the Above

This is some of the finest writing I've ever come across. It's 13 years old, but I think it adds important context to our current political climate. Take or leave the politics, but enjoy this beautiful writing.

2. Mark Manson Doesn't Give a F*ck

The most popular article I've ever featured in Swipe File is Mark Manson's incredible post The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. He ended up writing a book based on that post which he talks about in this interview with author and podcaster Chris Ryan.

The good stuff starts around 30 minutes in. Enjoy.

3. “How wild it was, to let it be.”

Tim Ferriss is popular enough that it's cliche to share his podcast in this newsletter, but...wow...this was an awesome interview. Cheryl Strayed is the author of the book Wild (an absolute must-read) and a truly inspirational figure.

4. The Iceberg Model

This is a short and sweet excerpt from a book called It's All Connected: A Comprehensive Guide to Global Issues and Sustainable Solutions. It's a really helpful framework for analyzing lots of different challenges.

An example of the iceberg model can be seen in our own health. Catching a cold is an event, and catching colds more often when we are tired is a pattern. The systemic structures or causes for getting tired might include overwork, unhealthy diet, or insufficient rest.

We tend to get lost in the immediate event of suffering from a cold, forgetting that it is part of a pattern of events that is caused by the underlying structures of our lifestyle. If we take a systems thinking approach to solving the problem of frequent colds, we would try to find ways to make ourselves less overtired, rather than just focusing on the immediate relief (in the form of aspirin or other medicine) that solves the problem of the current cold.

Have a great week!

Jimmy

Show Comments