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👤 Rebel of the Week
Why Henri Bergson rejected the word “time”
When we discuss time, we generally frame it as a series of discrete units. The philosopher Henri Bergson (1859–1941) believed this drastically misrepresents and misunderstands what time feels like. He preferred the word "duration."
Bergson was a forerunner of "phenomenology," and popular phrases like "lived experience" owe much to his philosophy.
📚 Light Reading
Why you are probably an NPC: And what to do about it
An NPC is someone who does precisely what they evolved to do. Instead of splurging time and energy to identify what’s true, they take shortcuts to “truth,” outsourcing their beliefs and automating their reasoning.
Believing myths about aging makes growing old worse
If you’re alive today, there’s a good chance you’ve come to believe in a series of myths about the second half of your life. It was Freud who incorrectly started the perception that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Intelligent vs. Smart
Some individuals possess intelligence but lack practical smarts, while others may lack intelligence yet overflow with practical wisdom. In rare instances, you encounter those who possess both. They run laps around everyone.
🔎 Study of the Week
Home alone: Why people believe others' social lives are richer than their own
People often have an overoptimistic view of themselves in various aspects, such as intelligence and driving skills. Yet, when it comes to their social lives, they tend to perceive others as having more active and expansive social connections.
📺 Video of the Week
A 1-minute mental strength lesson from Novak Djokovic (1 min)
🎙 Podcast Episode
Our podcast has a new name! In this episode, Danny and I explain the philosophy behind "Talk Doesn't Cook Rice."
We dive into its pragmatic significance, its connection to the French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and why taking that first step is vital in life.
🗣 In Quotes
👀 Perception Watch
Your eyes aren't always telling the truth (3 mins)
😲 WTF
While the preference for paper over plastic is common and plastic bag bans are widespread, it's important to note that both materials have downsides.
Research shows that paper bag production emits 70% more pollution, consumes four times as much energy, and decomposes more slowly than plastic bags. Ultimately, using reusable bags appears to be the most eco-friendly choice.
😁 In the Memetime
📖 Book Club
In this collection of essays delving into the pursuit of significance in our lives, Frank Martela examines our enduring yearning for meaning beyond the present moment and our unquenchable dissatisfaction with our current circumstances.
🤔 Contemplation Corner
According to Mark Manson, there are 3 questions that determine 99% of the happiness in your life:
What am I working on and why?
Who am I spending time with and why?
How well am I treating my body, and why?
🎧 The Song of the Week
Bell X1 (feat. The Theodora Byrne Ensemble) — Bad Skin Day
Listen to the Rebel Intellects playlist on Spotify.
🧠 Become a Rebel
Elevate your thinking, one maverick at a time. Each month, we explore a different philosopher's wisdom. Click here to join us.
Next Workshop:
👍 Thanks for Reading
As always, if you enjoy this newsletter, I’d love it if you shared it with a friend or two. If you’re not finding it valuable, please consider unsubscribing—no hard feelings!
Live well, and I’ll see you next week.
John