Matt23

Ya, I scored pretty high (in the "excellent" range) when I did the test from his book. But then I did the other tests in his book as well as other tests online and scored higher predominantly towards autism. So I dunno... Seems like maybe the eye-test thing may not be totally accurate in relation to autism, or may simply mean something else. Yes, would be nice to hear what he has to say about it.

Balance doesn't necessarily mean equal amounts. I think words like "fair" or "just" are better words in politics as opposed to "balanced" or "equal" since the latter two tend to imply a sense of things being of the same amount, which usually doesn't allow for actual, legit critiques to be made and thus choose wisely which side/arguments are better and worse. Thus succumbing to an egalitarianism that demolishes any ability to create hierarchies of better-worse, thus not allowing one to make those better-worse decisions. I'm not saying you're wrong or w/e, I don't follow politics much and didn't watch the video, but what I'm making a point on isn't a political one but rather a philosophic, epistemic, or logical point in how we think about things. A "meta-point" if you will. Something to consider.

This is also kinda scary; who knows what he'll do now that he knows he doesn't have long to live. Seems like a person who values his own legacy (at all costs) as opposed to leaving peacefully or without what he wants.

I disagree... I just think using Spiral Dynamics as the be-all-and-end-all model for humans is kind of limited. Thus, I think your analysis is probably missing lots and not giving some of these philosophers their due. This has been a general grudge I've had with Spiral Dynamics here on the forum; people taking it as the ultimate model of human development and not studying more broadly beyond it and realizing the human system (socially and indidivually) is probably way more complex than Spiral Dynamics. Sure, it's a useful frame perhaps... but also very limited. Thus, when improperly used (only using this model and nothing else for example) it can give a very partial view of who your looking at at since you've already disqualified them as being of a "lesser stage", thus you don't even bother with them or their ideas and dismiss them. Additionally, lets say spiral dynamics is "the great model". This doesn't mean you can't still learn from others if they are of a "lesser stage" than you. I think any idea can spark new connections, new creations, and a deeper understanding of things. It helps expose you to more and more. Even if you don't agree with the ideas, I think there's something akin to ''meta-learning" that can happen; you disagree maybe with the ideas they explicitly teach but you start to learn, maybe, about how that philosopher thinks, or that stage, for example. I agree... In a general sense in that not everyone needs to read philosophy in order to develop. There are, in my opinion, other great ways of developing yourself; having experiences being #1, or creating things, travelling, having relationships, etc.. I know Leo emphasizes intellectual study and that's his jam... but I just think studying can actually be a big distraction from actually living life and witnessing the beauty of it. At least in my experience. Not that I dislike studying, I do love it... But just not the same amount as I thought I should be doing, and I'm aware that creating things and adventuring give me way more pleasure and fulfillment than study.

Really? I don't listen to him much at all... be just the initial impression I get from him is, yes, more rationally minded but yet still having a high-degree of openmindedness. So, I would expect him to ya, maybe not agree with Leo's points, but at least respectfully disagree and not be a dick about it. ?

Do you really want to do that? -- Would be my question. Like, are you just doing it because you believe you should, are told it's something good to do, etc.? I think if you truly find it meaningful and something enjoyable, you'd be doing it. I used to try and read tons, study, and be diligent intellectually. But it did feel like a grind sometimes. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy studying, reading, and understanding stuff and "nerding out" on things, but faaaarrrr less than I initially believed. Recently I've just sort of realized that no, I don't really want to be the intellectual guy and have cut down my studies faaaaarrr more recently. Instead, I realize that being creative gives me fffffaaaaaarrrrr more joy and love than studying; The simple act of making a drawing or a video puts me back into that childlike place of play. IT feels so much better. So I'm trying to just do more stuff rather than simply read and study. Whether that's creating things, going on adventures, travelling, exploring, socializing, etc.. Like, really just trying to do things that I find intrinsically way more rewarding, joyful, and meaningful. So maybe try just doing other stuff to fill your time. Experiment. As opposed to thinking you should be studying etc. (unless that's what you truly want and find joy in of course).

Cheers

I'm interested in getting into Nietzche (or however you spell his name). Any book recommendations for a beginner? Nothing tooo dense. I don't mind too much of an intellectual workout, but would love something easier to start. Maybe even a book that's not Neitzche himself, but a commentary or explanation of his ideas and that also includes some of his writings. Cheers

How will you grow then, if you aren't open to hearing others' POVs, and hearing them reflect to you things you don't want to hear yet are true and would be healthy for you to hear?

The same way you'd show respect for any other person, animal, or thing. How do you show respect for your mother, your father, your friends, your dog, your favorite toy as a child, yourself, etc.. ? I mean, if you just meet someone and know nothing about them, I think I usually just start off with respect. Then, as we interact and I get to know who they are and how they interact with me, that initial respect may fluctuate; it could grow or decreases as I feel them interacting with me and learn what they do/have done etc..

Ya... start off easy. Seems like cold-approaching is like literally climbing a mountain as your first workout ever, or playing against Messi as your first soccer opponent. Go to social places and do social activities that naturally make you feel comfortable, at-ease, and at home. Ideally you'll want to feel good about what you're doing. To have fun. Trust me, if you're having fun, that takes care of sooooo many issues related to dating. Cuz then it's not all about the dating part, so there's less pressure since you can always be like "Oh well, the date or picking up women isn't going so well, I'll just be myself and have fun anyways" and this will attract people (even if it's not women to sleep with). This will attach a positive feeling to simply being social in the first place and get you increasingly confident and open and positive in a social setting; all things that increase the chances of dating and having sex. And sure, if you're sexual appetite is reallllyy strong, maybe hiring a prostitute could tie you over. But try focusing on simply having fun.

Luv this

Which ones exactly? How long have you been on them? Hope it continues (thumbs up)

seems reasonable and safe enough.

Luv ya bud I relate to the autism thing It's interesting how though someone can be self-centered and lack cognitive empathy, they can likewise still maintain a deep caring and sensitivity to others emotionally.