We tend to mistake uniformity for unity. Uniformity is about looking the same, while unity is about actually being one.This means that unity is internal: it begins with agreeing on some fundamentals as being most important and then working together to build in alignment with those fundamentals. Uniformity, on the other hand, is external: looking …
Category archives: Human nature
Dancing at work
One of the favourite parts of my job is when I get to dance with patients and their loved ones. Not literally of course. Read more…
Technology is a double-edged sword
Technology makes a lot possible, but at what cost? At the cost of introducing abstraction, which in turn impacts on serendipity and accessibility.
How CS Lewis wrote POP
One of the biggest compliments anyone has ever paid me was to say my writing reminded them of CS Lewis. I’ve written before about he’s influenced me more than any other single writer, and I’d like to explore why through one of his most insightful essays: The Inner Ring
I’m trilingual in English: here’s what that’s like
I speak 3 different kinds of English. That’s in addition to Yoruba, which is the language of my ancestors. Let’s talk about it.
Do you speak with precision or power?
The more important the idea, the more we should prioritise power over precision: aim to be as minimally precise as necessary to convey your point, but as maximally powerful as possible. There are two reasons why.
Fiction can mean more than “real” stories
Every now and then I run into one of those misguided people who think fiction is not serious reading. But even those of us who like fiction can take it for granted.
The slacker’s guide to habits
When you get stuck, more knowledge isn’t helpful—it’s more frustrating, even. What you need is figuring how to come unstuck. Here’s how.
How to have an essay for everything
The short—and obvious—answer: write a ton. The long answer—how I wrote the ton—is this essay.
Say yes, not no
If you’re struggling to say no to something maybe you should try saying yes instead. Not to the same thing, of course! But instead of focusing on what you don’t want, why not focus on what you actually want? Because, let’s face it: every no in one direction is a yes in another direction. Put …