on Toshareproject.it - curated by Bruce Sterling
*Easily as useful as wisdom from Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Ruskin, William Morris, Henry Thoreau, Walt Whitman or even Leo Tolstoy.
https://kk.org/thetechnium/103-bits-of-advice-i-wish-i-had-known/
Today is my birthday. I turn 70. I’ve learned a few things so far that might be helpful to others. For the past few years, I’ve jotted down bits of unsolicited advice each year and much to my surprise I have more to add this year. So here is my birthday gift to you all: 103 bits of wisdom I wish I had known when I was young…
(…)
• For a great payoff be especially curious about the things you are not interested in.
• Focus on directions rather than destinations. Who knows their destiny? But maintain the right direction and you’ll arrive at where you want to go.
• Every breakthrough is at first laughable and ridiculous. In fact if it did not start out laughable and ridiculous, it is not a breakthrough.
• If you loan someone $20 and you never see them again because they are avoiding paying you back, that makes it worth $20.
• Copying others is a good way to start. Copying yourself is a disappointing way to end.
• The best time to negotiate your salary for a new job is the moment AFTER they say they want you, and not before. Then it becomes a game of chicken for each side to name an amount first, but it is to your advantage to get them to give a number before you do.
• Rather than steering your life to avoid surprises, aim directly for them.
• Dont purchase extra insurance if you are renting a car with a credit card.
• If your opinions on one subject can be predicted from your opinions on another, you may be in the grip of an ideology. When you truly think for yourself your conclusions will not be predictable.
• Aim to die broke. Give to your beneficiaries before you die; it’s more fun and useful. Spend it all. Your last check should go to the funeral home and it should bounce.