4: Look for Stories

People are everywhere, we interact with dozens everyday, often to our own chagrin. In fact, at over 7.5 billion worldwide, you might say that people are an abundant resource. Unfortunately, far too often we become entrenched in our own lives. It's not just that we're player 1, it's that we're the only real player and everyone else exists only as additions or distractions to our own journey. Listening to other peoples' stories is the surest way to shake us out of this self-centered world view. Listening to other people tell their stories, experiencing their agency, trying to understand the challenges of their lives are what truly teach us empathy. There may be nothing more fundamentally human than empathy, which is to say, there may be nothing more fundamentally human than the stories that other people tell.

3: Read Voraciously

The world is full of bullshit and bad ideas, if you're ever uncertain about that a quick detour to Reddit should erase all doubts. That being said, there are millions of people that are smarter than you are. If you're in the top one perent of global intelligence, congratulations, you are one of 75 million. And people that are smarter than you are constantly putting good ideas and deep considerable thoughts in ink. Don't believe me? You'll find those on Reddit too. Buy books, read newspapers, magazines, blogs, journal articles, anything that will stimulate thought and encourage you to interact with new ideas. When you read something that challenges your beliefs contemplate the argument being made. Don't accept it on face value and don't throw it out because it makes you uncomfortable. Keep digging. Pursue truth. And in that pursuit, perhaps be willing to admit that some questions don't have clear answers.

2: Don't wait around for last call.

I have a number of friends that would be willing to throw down fisticuffs over this rule. They boast of closing down bars as if it were a heroic accomplishment (in all fairness, I used to do the same thing). But what does it really mean to drink until last call? Usually that you've annoyed the bartender until they no longer have any desire to keep serving you.

Like anywhere else, it's better to leave and be missed than to stay and be a nuisance. Call it lame if you'd like, but I'll remember that when I'm ready to tailgate an early football game and you're too hungover to get out of bed.

1: Its better to be not understood than to be misunderstood.

Say what you mean. Don't sacrifice meaning for clarity. If your audience doesn't get it then take some time and reflect on the message you're trying to convey. When you're misunderstood your audience can walk away with misconceptions you may never get the chance to correct.

For a wonderful case study see what Walter Kaufmann writes about Elisabeth Forster-Nietzsche's bastardization of her brother's work.