Linchpin / Onmisbaar
What the digital world brought us: if you read my blog, we both win. Giving away thoughts and ideas has become easier than ever before. I recall a discussion at the U of G about the sociality of giving. According to sociologist Marcel Mauss, reciprocity is always involved. I tend to doubt that, but who I am to challenge it. But giving is possible without expecting any return. It created the –ever existing- gift economy. Real gifts do not require any return and the best gift is giving away art.
A few great remarks:
The easier you can quantity something, the lower the value is.
Plastic smiles don’t have impact.
Great work cannot be for everyone, else it would be mediocre.
Very much agree with : School (education at large) should teach students to solve interesting problems and to take charge. The “there is no map” chapter title is kind of hurting to a cartographer-at-heart, but the following remarks make up for that:
Scientists make maps, and the map is never perfect.
There is no map for leadership, no blueprint for art.
If a map existed, it wouldn’t be art; art means you are looking for the road, without a map.
I love it when there is no map. (so do I!)
Mapmakers often have the confidence to make new maps, because they are knowledgeable.
Linchpin is not a must-read, but I do like most of the messages Seth brings us. And I should look into The Lonely Crowd (Riesman/Glazer/Denney) as well.