Disqus - Latest Comments for armenshirvanian

Re: Why Is Everyone So Boring?

Armen Shirvanian — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 21:11:09 -0000

Wonderful article here Robin. I like the details you included on those few which are lively in public, and what it takes. I shared parts of this article elsewhere for others to take note of.

Re: The Structured Pursuit of Depth

Armen Shirvanian — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 23:52:06 -0000

Hi Cal (and Scott)~,

I am in support of this awy of directing oneself toward the deep life. If it is not reached for through a system, a loss of huge amounts of one's true ability can take place, and no one would be the wiser, other than the person knowing they were missing out on something. Thanks for pushing toward the category of depth in your writings.

Re: 9:59 AM

Armen Shirvanian — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 17:29:29 -0000

Hi Abbas. I liked your message about how the city represents more than a place of notability for the locals, as it is a key destination of connection for the world. It's great that you got a picture with Ehtesham like that, representing a moment before a changing moment.

We as people can tell when these key moments are happening, and they don't happen often.

Re: Rah Chain of Command

Armen Shirvanian — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 20:39:39 -0000

It is interesting to see how people respond at each level in a hierarchy. There isn't much room to mess around in conflict-laden times, and scenarios like the war-time meetings across lines say something about the bigger "war" and the smaller "people".

Re: My Best Writing of 2019

Armen Shirvanian — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 22:43:31 -0000

Hey Scott.

I have seen your great material for over a decade now (I think). You are building a wonderful framework, and keep trying new things. To more of all the great~

Re: My Best Book Recommendations

Armen Shirvanian — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 00:45:31 -0000

Hey Scott.

You have a nice selection of books here, some of which I have read, and some of which I have not. Nice going on grouping them up in such a manner to see some with each other.

I definitely see the theme of focused and undistracted work across some of the books, such that you have to disconnect and put your slow methodical thinking into something to get somewhere.

I saw someone reading Atomic Habits the other day and we had a good conversation just on the fact that he was reading that and I was looking at Indistractable by Nir Eyal. People learning things meet other people learning things.

Re: How to Take Notes While Reading

Armen Shirvanian — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 13:22:09 -0000

Hi Scott.

It's nice to see the full description here. This is along the lines of what I do in Evernote for books I am reading that I plan to interview the author of. I keep track of all the sections in chapters. Your point about listing questions is something I am doing at times, and is a reminder to do more of it. The questions come in useful for myself, and for the discussion.

Your drawings add a nice element to these posts.

Re: Have A Thing

Armen Shirvanian — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 13:10:15 -0000

I am fully with this concept. I have always looked for what people's things were, most often finding that there was not one, but once in a while, there is one and I am glad for that. I have always found more enjoyment and fulfillment with those who have a viewpoint, or take a stand, or are doers or makers or creators.

Re: Why It’s So Hard to Stick to Your Goals (and How to Make it Easy)

Armen Shirvanian — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 23:58:24 -0000

This action-intention gap, and closing the gap, is the main thing I have paid attention to. I try to keep things light so I am doing what I am thinking I would be doing. I like to have things match in this regard.

Re: (A Little) Conformity is a Good Thing

Armen Shirvanian — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 18:34:08 -0000

Wonderful post Scott. I lead a very non-conformist life as described in this article, and it is a big part of my being. It involves many people looking at me and judging me as weird or risky or this or that. There is negative energy sent toward me because of it, and the costs are palpable. I wouldn't have it any other way, though. I like the details in this article about the private costs and the shortage of people who actually act as they say they act. I am going to share this one with others

Re: Stress, Not Working Too Much, Causes Burnout

Armen Shirvanian — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 20:31:53 -0000

I have noticed that it is about those moments where it feels wrong or against your inner nature. Letting that moment and feeling continue causes an anguish that no amount of "work" can cause.

I'm with the concept presented here.

Re: Responses to Sex Inequality Critics

Armen Shirvanian — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 23:48:56 -0000

We each have to voice ourselves publicly and represent for our way of thinking. If we don't do this, other people get their story across, and we are quiet in the public space. If I didn't have any like-minded people voicing their thoughts, the world would be a cold place.

It's both a message to the like-minded people, and a reminder of "I'm/we're here" to other folks. We're collectively one large brain with numerous sub-modules of decision making, and it wouldn't make sense to leave our module out.

Re: Men Are Animals

Armen Shirvanian — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 22:11:01 -0000

I'm with it Robin. Glad you continue to you put your thoughts and observations out there.

Re: Sloppy Interior Vs. Careful Border Travel

Armen Shirvanian — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 21:54:04 -0000

I have thought about a concept related to this many times. Depth is not supported in the way that it builds something, but it is always worth it. There is also the aspect I have recently been thinking about, in that long-term thinking is both beneficial in the long-term(clearly) and the short-term(because self and others can see that it has more to it than the current moment). That concept is not that far off from some of what you are describing with the cube metaphor.

Also, as far as visual thought patterns, I regularly have one where I imagine risk-taking in terms of jumping from hill to larger hill in the Monte Carlo method of falling into energy funnels. Getting caught up in one hill seems fine, but it takes jumps of risk to reach another hill that has a higher peak, which could only be seen through a large enough jump.

Re: How Much Can You Possibly Learn?

Armen Shirvanian — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 23:44:19 -0000

This is some great feedback and follow-up. The "role of consciousness in memory" paper looks to be informative and very detailed.

Re: How Much Can You Possibly Learn?

Armen Shirvanian — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 23:39:07 -0000

I enjoy the topic discussed here. We have some limitations. The memories being made are based on repetition or weight of memory/event. Thanks for going over this.

Re: Deep Work

Armen Shirvanian — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 18:49:11 -0000

I'm with Cal on the concept against social media, and the focus you need to get through a task. I have read 3 books in the past couple weeks, along with taking notes and excerpting quotes from them. The value I have gotten from them outweighs nearly anything I could get from social media or short term reading, or little summaries. You miss out on nothing by avoiding all the consumption centers, except for select people who match your mental framework(that is why I read your stuff).

There's nothing in approaching life from a consumption mindset.

Also, the point deep work separating you from the regular individual is very notable. A period of deep work already takes you far up a mountain that others are looking at from a distance.

Re: At What Age is it No Longer Okay to Be Bad at Something?

Armen Shirvanian — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 18:34:04 -0000

Hey Scott.

You hit on points I think about at times, usually in a broad sense. My mind naturally goes broad.

For me specifically, this is why I don't have a stopping point in any category. As the URL title for this article says, I am "okay-with-being-bad". I don't see myself as bad, but I don't take the external response into account. That is why I still have my internal light shining. The day I care what people think of my happenings is the day I become a nothing.

Many tend to draw down to only the things they are the most skilled at, or the people that provide them the least abrasiveness, and this makes their life a self-perpetuating void.

I'm okay with whatever outcomes come from my efforts, as long as I did my part and learn from the results. I guarantee this is not common, and your post signals that you are alright with putting yourself in a new territory if it is some form of extension of who you are.

Re: The Bicycle Problem: How the Illusion of Explanatory Depth Tricks Your Brain

Armen Shirvanian — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 19:29:01 -0000

Hi Scott.

Thanks for sharing and discussing this concept, and also for linking the research article. I like to read through parts of them. I avoid this issue by not assuming I know something until I have done it or formed it in some way. It is important to me that I'm on a foundation of information, and not assumption.

Always enjoy your stuff, for years.

Re: Stop Bullying Yourself: How to Stand Up for Your Inner Child

Armen Shirvanian — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 00:00:28 -0000

To be harsh to oneself is to lack understanding of one's own motivations and current limitations. I say current because they are temporary. Thanks for the post.

Re: How to Commit to Your New Year’s Resolutions (My Jan 6, 2014 Interview on Channel News Asia)

Armen Shirvanian — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 15:27:41 -0000

Hi Celes. Happy 2014 to you. This is cool that you will be back on Channel News Asia. You always bring some direct information to the interview for people to take action on. I hope things continue to go well here.

Re: "But There Is No Happiness Without Action."

Armen Shirvanian — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 15:12:34 -0000

There sure isn't happiness without action. I'm writing a comment here but there was probably 5 other people wanting to post a comment who didn't act on it and now regret it a little. You gotta push forward.

Any days I don't bring the action are my terrible days, and the other ones are great days. It is pretty simple. We get out of life what we put into it.

Re: Do First Things First.

Armen Shirvanian — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:44:10 -0000

Hi Gretchen.

Whenever I do first things first, I come out winning bigtime, but when I leave them for later, I always get angry at myself for failing at prioritization. It always makes it harder to do the important things if they are left for a later time.

I am getting better at this but am still not where I need to be.

Re: The Most Meaningful Thing You Hope to Accomplish In Life

Armen Shirvanian — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 13:16:35 -0000

Hi Alex.

I'd say the most meaningful thing to me is to get to the point where I am a host or leader of some sort, taking in lots of feedback, and communicating with numerous people at the same time. I am very comfortable in that position and shall rise to it. That is my answer.

Also, it was cool to answer this. Often times I see a question in an article, and most of the responses don't actually answer the question, and instead just praise the article, which is sort of like saying an apple tastes great without having chewed on it.

It is neat of you to relay this over from your dean to your readers, passing on an important question.

I think you are doing quite well heading towards your accomplishment of interest.

Re: Day 83: 7 Lies You’re Wired To Believe

Armen Shirvanian — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:46:02 -0000

Hi David.

Item #6 is somewhat scary but true. Tomorrow isn't always there for every opportunity we have. Some specific thing we want to do soon enough may be done by someone else in 4 days, and then after that, there isn't a tomorrow for that opportunity.

The people who understand how timely their opportunities are are also the ones who are scrambling to obtain them. We have to be as aware as possible.