Category: Insights
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Antifragility and World Championships
Very interesting to see Duncan Scott reference #Antifragility in his withdrawal from the Worlds – and followed by some Latin! Couldn’t believe it. Antifragility is a concept a few of us have been exploring, and swimming is something I know more than enough about. I was wondering why he mentioned #antifragility. There must be a recognition that the…
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Strategy = Language + Risk Taking
Starting about 300,000 years ago language was used by a group of early human males to overthrow the alpha male bully. According Richard Wrangham, primate alpha males bully lesser males and get what they want (food, females) through force and bullying. Typically a group of primates has an alpha male with subordinate males. Early humans,…
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‘The Anarchy’ – A Summary of Piracy, Strategy, Tea and the East India Company
I remember once reading in a book where an Indian character says to the other: do you know how the British built their Empire? One teaspoon at a time. I’ve just finished reading the Anarchy by William Dalrymple. The expression is true, it was one tea spoon at a time, but there were a couple…
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The Workshop is a Dream Come True
“The workshop is a dream come true. A place to solely create.””The main thing is systemization. When something is systemized, it brings true revolution”Ferran Adria – considered one of the greatest chefs ever – seems to have sussed out two things:– Right space (the space is the tool)– Right language (clarity + patterns)Then:The dream comes…
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Taking Risks to Advance Your Cause
“Seven Years in Tibet” – which I thought was going to be an account of one man’s friendship with the Dalai Lama – actually begins with the lengthy tale (65 chapters!) of Heinrich Harrer trying to escape war imprisonment in India and trekking through Tibet. Only one purpose – to be free – guided his…
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Burnout Trumps Agility
Do you remember that odd tale of a how a Ladies Hairdresser from Bradford discovered a formula for heatproof paint (probably a mixture made with children’s PVA glue whilst he was attempting to make his own shampoo). The paint could withstand the heat of 1500C (the heat of a nuclear bomb). The product was demonstrated…
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Timeless Way of Building – An Appreciation
A remarkable force! I cannot stop thinking about this book, the passages and content contained within it! The Timeless Way of Building by Christopher Alexander Just yesterday as I was standing in the brightly lit corridor of M&S, in the refrigerated beer section, with my hand outstretched, deciding which beer to choose, my mind wandered…
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Adam Curtis Discussing Risk
I listened to the first half of Adam Curtis being interviewed by Russell Brand. Some interesting insights that caught my ear related to antifragility, change and risk: Through this interpretation, I understand that change and volatility has been suppressed whilst, throughout this time, the systems we live in have become more and more fragile (because…
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2021 in books
Trillion Dollar Coach As I’ve continued my coaching journey, this was recommended. It’s an easy read about how a sports coach made an influence in the tech industry with coaching skills. Highlights of a thirty year career. Advice Trap Also quite an easy book to read but very practical because it prompts you to reflect…
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The things we did this year
I was standing on a field in a friends farm on the last evening of the year. It’s a clear starry night allowing me to see the billions of stars before a thin cloud covers it all a few minutes later. What a year! This year was a very positive and constructive year for many…