Connecting Insights 10/12/16

I spend a lot of time reading — books, articles, op-eds, blogs, newsletters, the backs of shampoo bottles — you name it. My aim here is to share with you every one to two weeks my favorites — those that provoked in me some movement of energy, insight or interesting question(s). Topics will vary widely, from Machine Learning to Spirituality, and will often connect in unexpected ways.

1. This Silicon Valley CEO is Changing What it Means to Lead (from: Cosmopolitan) — Never did I consider that I would be reposting from Cosmo. But here we are. Even as I read this article, and continued reading while thinking “I’m still reading Cosmo!” I couldn’t stop. This essay from Shivani Siroya, CEO and founder of Tala, is a great example of someone seeing the system for what it is, (in this case the brash, male dominated system of Silicon Valley entrepreneurship), and finding a way to lead within it without being defined by it (in this case as a minority, female focused on a social enterprise). It can feel rough at times, but change doesn’t result from conformity. [10 min read]
2. The Future of Money (from: TED) — Been curious about this thing called ‘Bitcoin?’ Scared of the concept and uncertainty of a digital currency? Remember, our own currency is essentially a fiction we all agree to, a promise of value exchanged with no concrete value backing it. In this TED talk Neha Narula does a wonderful job breaking down in a simple and easy to understand fashion what cryptocurrencies are, and why they will matter more and more in the coming years. These currencies, and more specifically the blockchain platform on which they are built, will supercharge the internet. [16 min watch]
3. Reflexive Spirituality: Seeking the Spiritual Experience in a Modern Society (from: Utne) — The phrase “reflexive spirituality” is new to me, but offers some insight into a new mental model in regards to religion that could be applied elsewhere. It suggests reflecting on what it is we’re choosing to believe and why, and constantly amending what we believe in order to find higher meaning. Its not terribly different from the essence of the Scientific Method: question, test, refine, and test new questions uncovered. Though there’s a trap door in being open to and seeking out meaning across all spiritual practices — for some the “seeking” can become the aim itself without ever really resting with the experience of their spirituality. Conversely — what some see as the limiting or restrictive boundaries of established religions may actually allow others to then spend time deeply involved with spirit — the structure of say Christianity can for some liberate them from the search and open up their spiritual practice. The trap door there I suppose is inflexible dogma? [15 min read]
4. Stupefied: How organizations enshrine collective stupidity and employees are rewarded for checking their brains at the office door (From: Aeon.co) The title really says at all. There’s an interesting pattern that as companies grow, and systems and policies are put in place (which are necessary to help navigate growth), there’s a point at which that company stops being about people, and starts to become about itself. Another way of saying this — the objective is simply to reproduce and maintain the organization, as its own system. The organization neither wants nor tolerates anything that may threaten the organization itself, and employees become bored, disengaged, or unfulfilled. I know it sounds a bit 14th Amendment-ish, but think about any large company you have worked for. How many instances of what felt like pointless paperwork, mind-numbing decision making, or fear of risk taking can you recall? Its good to preserve the organization and its jobs, but are we actually preserving stasis and sacrificing change? [15 min read]