Joshua's Notes

Joshua's Notes explores an array of subjects from technology and self-improvement to personal experiences and travel, framed through practical insights and philosophical musings. Recurring themes include self-awareness, the appreciation and critique of modern life, exploration of personal and global perspectives, and the quest for understanding and improving human experiences.

Technology and AI Personal Development Travel and Culture Productivity and Motivation Health and Wellness Entrepreneurship and Startups Philosophy and Mindfulness Literature and Poetry

The hottest Substack posts of Joshua's Notes

And their main takeaways

Haiku from Claude

78 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration
  1. Haiku about life in the 2020s: bright screens, human touch, disconnected souls.
  2. Claude 2 from Anthropic modeled for the haiku.
  3. The haiku was used as a prompt for Midjourney.

軽トラ Japanese mini trucks

58 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
  1. Japanese mini trucks, known as Kei trucks, are tiny yet practical pickup trucks with a cute and simple design
  2. These mini trucks are widely used in Asia for various purposes such as agriculture, construction, and firefighting
  3. The rise in popularity of mini trucks could be linked to more people working from home and their versatility in tasks like transportation, gardening, and hauling
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Blockage

39 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
💼 Business Productivity Problem Solving
  1. Dealing with blockage in projects: consider brute force or stepping away.
  2. Brute force and sheer will can be effective in solving certain problems.
  3. Sometimes, stepping away to clear your mind can help you see the problem in a different light.

Joshua Tree notes, & the end of Nomad Year

39 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🏝 Travel Local culture Outdoor activities Food experiences Relationships
  1. Joshua Tree, California, offers stunning natural beauty and a unique desert landscape.
  2. During their Nomad Year, the author and their partner encountered challenges like water scarcity but found joy in local experiences like the farmers market.
  3. The trip ended on a romantic note with a marriage proposal in Joshua Tree National Park, marking the perfect conclusion to their adventurous journey.

Jhana, blissful ecstasy

19 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Meditation Mindfulness Buddhism
  1. Jhana is a state of pure ecstasy attainable through dedicated meditation practice.
  2. Jhana is different from enlightenment and is described as a temporary experience.
  3. Achieving jhana involves intense focus on breathing, visualizing consciousness as light, and experiencing a profound sense of connection.

My Journey in Southeast Asia (2014 repost)

19 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🏝 Travel Adventure Cultural experience Entrepreneurship Life lessons
  1. This person reflected on their past travels in Southeast Asia, noting how the experience made them feel excited and alive.
  2. The traveler emphasized the importance of taking risks, appreciating the small things in life, and living in the present moment.
  3. They concluded with a sense of rebirth and re-appreciation for their life, friends, family, and the ordinary yet extraordinary aspects of existence.

David Sacks on the "middle management" problem in startups

0 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
  1. In startups, everyone wants to become a manager, leading to a cycle of creating more teams and layers.
  2. Simply increasing the number of reports each manager has doesn't solve the issue.
  3. Promoting individual contributors to managerial roles can lead to decreased productivity and increased costs.