furthermore

McKenzie Pass Opening 2011

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Mike and I enjoyed a Summer Solstice surprise biking up the McKenzie Pass. We were there to witness the snow clearing of McKenzie Pass (cyclists only for now).

As Mike put it, timing is everything.

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But wait there's more! After being warned by the snow plow team to be cautious, Mike and I set out on the remaining sheet of ice to crest the summit. Yes, I knew it was dangerous but I couldn't resist riding on the surface between high snow walls. 

In the end, the ice won. I realized it was getting a little too dicey, unclipped from my pedals, set my feet down and fell on my face, hard. 

The moral of this story? Timing is important. So too is balance.

 

 

David Brooks @ TED

http://www.ted.com/talks/david_brooks_the_social_animal.html

Our view of human nature is deepening. In fact, Brooks posits that we're developing a revolution in human consciousness informed by neuroscience, cognitive science, behavioral economics, psychology and sociology. Instead of a materialistic view of human nature we're recognizing a new humanism. Brooks shares three key insights revealed by the synthesis of this research.

1) While conscious mind writes the autobiography of our species, our subconscious mind does most of the work.

2) Emotions are at the center of our thinking.

3) We're social animals not rational animals.

He then explains some of the essential skills of living a meaningful life including mindsight, equipose, streetsmarts, sympathy, blending concepts and drive.

Brooks' latest book The Social Animal was already in my reading queue after his compelling interview with Charlie Rose.Though Brooks occasionally overreaches with some of his humor, this is one of the best TED talks in recent memory. Anyone up for a social reading of this book?