Self Discovery via Writing
“No social stability without individual stability.” -A.H.
I recently subscribed to a publication that I discovered serendipitously that has as it’s primary focus the exploration of “the creative interaction between machine and human writing.”
Naturally I got right into reading some of the the publication’s writings authored by its owner
; and just as naturally I commented on the first piece I read, which by the way is well worth the time to read and, for me, was genuinely thought provoking. It can be accessed here→
[Edited to add: I am no longer subscribed to the above mentioned publication.
This should not be construed in any negative manner.
My reasons for doing so are numerous and complex and quite simply in tune with my catalytic-minded approach to using this platform for my own long-term objectives as an active change agent being a core part of my being; and why I have elected to, via my LinkedIn profile, describe myself as an Independent Catalyst Journalist.]
The brief simple comment exchange we had resulted in my producing the following statement about myself that was in retrospect a genuinely pure self-consciously made self assessment, which upon reflection I realized would be most useful for helping me with my journey of self-discovery and personal development as an independent writer. So without any further ado, here for your reading interest is what I had to say:
Indeed. The qualitative aspects are so easily overlooked by many in their desire to seek out and maybe meet something that has long been a staple of Science Fiction fans and those inspired by such imaginings to become the researchers, scientists, and other workers of technology.
I enjoy the way you seem to think as presented in your writings. While I do not have the same training or educational pedigree as you evidence, I will allow for myself the fact of my having been born with a significant hearing-loss that was undiscovered until I was seven-years old; the consequent result of which, after a lifetime of reflection and thought, I can say with the utmost confidence was to force me to become a genuinely focused listener and continuous observer of my environment, all of which has made me, if I may be so audacious as to say, a naturally developed savant when it comes to words and communications.
I appreciate technical terminologies that are developed and used in the many disciplines and specialized areas of study, unfortunately I have not and do not have either the time, patience, or inclination to subscribe to the typical means of knowledge acquisition and development that has been taken prisoner by the institutes of higher education milleaus.
I am just a another higher educational weed out, as Noam Chomsky describes- “The whole educational and professional training system is a very elaborate filter, which just weeds out people who are too independent, and who think for themselves, and who don't know how to be submissive, and so on -- because they're dysfunctional to the institutions.”
From my perspective and experience it is the higher educational systems that are somewhat dysfunctional; how else would the American Higher Educational System have produced such a crop of so-called highly educated individuals (Idiots in the most etymological sense of the word) who insist on supporting Trumpian type thinking, so much so that nearly half the voting population has and would again vote for such unthinking individuals, most of whom would not actually act in anyone's else's best interests but rather for their own profiting, controlling, biased interests?
As I become more and more vested into my journey of writing self-discovery I find myself contemplating the one writer of whom I will say has had perhaps some of the greatest influence upon me as a model to seek after and become; the author in question is none other than the epically pensive Aldous Huxley, who is perhaps best known by most persons as the author of the fantastic story, especially during its era of publication, BRAVE NEW WORLD.
Aldous Huxley, 1946. Photo source
He was a prolific writer, and I could never practically hope to read all that he wrote; that being said I have read enough of his work to be comfortable in saying that he is someone who I strive to emulate, most especially for his penetrating and uncompromising willingness to look at the world and society squarely in the eye and write with his ever so unique and clear perspective that marked so much of his writings. I have no doubts in my mind that the work and life of Huxley impacted and changed for the better many people who read his insightful observations and conclusions.
The following quote from Huxley is perhaps one of my most favorite of all times, in particular for how strongly I self-identify with its clearly expressed sentiment:
"Round pegs in square holes tend to have dangerous thoughts about the social system and to infect others with their discontents." -Aldous Huxley
From the new preface of the 1946 edition of BRAVE NEW WORLD
Well that’s all I have for now. This piece was as are oftentimes many of my writings a spontaneously generated work in response to some new discovery or realization.
Now I need to get to work on some other writing work as time permits me today; I have quite a few things that are on my mind lately, oh who am I kidding-All the Time, that I want to produce. Starting with the weekly newsletter, which ideally should be done for distribution later tonight.
As always comments, thoughts, and questions are welcome and in fact desired, as I thrive upon the stimulation of thought that I experience when I read other people’s writings, whether it’s just a comment on a post or an article published online, okay more to the point here at Substack, the newest upcoming foundational platform for intelligent persons all around the globe.
For your encouragement and motivation the last words for you are:
"There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self." -Aldous Huxley