Post 3513554 by pnathan@mastodon.social
 (DIR) More posts by pnathan@mastodon.social
 (DIR) Post #3513551 by bkam@refactorcamp.org
       2019-01-29T16:03:55Z
       
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       I've been thinking a lot about mastery lately. Mastering ideas, concepts, or skills, to reach a high level, or new insights.I think of mastery per se as a worthy goal, but a friend has argued that it can indicate obsession or compulsion, and he thinks high-level mastery is sometimes pathogenic.Do you have a view on mastery, whether good or bad? For the purposes of this question, let's say mastering that has a neutral impact on the world, like privately learning an idea or skill.
       
 (DIR) Post #3513552 by pnathan@mastodon.social
       2019-01-29T16:09:26Z
       
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       @bkam I've spent some time recently with that idea. Things that I've noticed.- mastery requires a great deal of time, persistence, and a certain talent (which doesn't have to be that much)- structured & systematic understanding of how to improve, both at the mundane and at the step function improvements.it is a common American belief that life should be balanced (implication: mediocrity in all things). I deeply question that. There's no *point*.
       
 (DIR) Post #3513553 by bkam@refactorcamp.org
       2019-01-29T16:13:00Z
       
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       @pnathan I agree that the talent doesn't have to be much. Although I've also been thinking lately that the growth mindset is only optimal if you truly are capable of growth. I may never become a great singer, regardless of effort; that may be a good place to adopt a fixed mindset.Could you say more about the understanding of how to improve?I agree that mediocrity in all things is not desirable, but I also believe the dose makes the poison in most cases. Pursuit of a goal to starvation, e.g.
       
 (DIR) Post #3513554 by pnathan@mastodon.social
       2019-01-29T16:17:20Z
       
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       @bkam You can't become a virtuoso by practicing scales. You have to make a shift to reading music. You have to reorder your stance. You have to know the repertoire. You have to spend the time so that the instrument and you have become and one and separated again. And more, of course.all of these are are different aspects to becoming a master musician.  You have to understand why these things matter before you can practice them.it's worth looking into the ways of Zen re mastery and life.