Arman's Antics (#092)
Latest from the curious contrarian
Howdy amigo,
Coming to you live from Austin, Texas.
Here’s your weekly dose of AA (Arman’s Antics not Alcoholics Anonymous) — four things I’ve been pondering or exploring that will give you a good think, laugh, cry (or a nasty combination of the three).
Let’s give a hat tip to the forty-three new subscribers receiving this for the first time (808 total). I don’t know why you’ve come. But I’m glad you’re here.
It would make my day if no one reads this, but if you do, please keep it to yourself.
Essay I wrote this week
Do you really need to have an opinion on this?
I’m considering this for my first tattoo. Slapped across my forehead.
Partially so others can read it. But mainly as a reminder to myself.
The internet has fueled a hot take epidemic. And the only way to protect ourselves is by realizing:
Intentional ignorance is bliss
The internet has made it so easy for us to give a hot take on everything. Too easy in fact. The problem? Everyone with an internet connection feels obligated to give their hot take on everything. All the time.
Current reading lineup
I often (wish) I got asked, “what are you reading these days?”
It’s a difficult question because my answer would be, “a little bit of everything”.
I’m always cycling through multiple books. A little philosophy, spirituality, history, science, finance, fiction, and more. As soon as I get bored with one, I switch to another. Which leads to a bizarre mixing of ideas bouncing around my head.
Here’s my current lineup:
Awareness by Anthony de Mello. Don’t read this if you can’t handle a spiritual gut punch.
The Practice by Seth Godin. Don’t read this if you’ve conquered your creative resistance.
The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene. Don’t read this if you perfectly understand people’s unspoken drives and motivations.
The Status Game by Will Storr. Don’t read this if you fully grasp the powerful role status plays in our lives.
The Umbrella Man by Roald Dahl. Don’t read this if you can’t stand being entertained by brilliant (short) fictional stories.
Podcast I enjoyed
People don’t realize that comedians aren’t just natural jokesters — they’re writers.
I love studying the craft of comedy. And Jerry Seinfeld has perfected it.
In this episode, David Perell broke down his top ten lessons that writers can learn from comedians.
Enjoy.
Random thought
Cancelling your plans is great. But having others cancel them for you is like crack.
That’s it for the 92nd edition of Arman’s Antics.
I would’ve written less if I had more time.
Now back to your regularly scheduled nonstop scrolling.
Cheers,
Arman
As an introvert, this IS like crack for me: “Cancelling your plans is great. But having others cancel them for you is like crack.”
Love David Perrells podcast. And yes having someone else cancel your plans is the most amazing feeling, all the benefits without any of the guilt. I love cancelled plans.