spencer's paradoxes

Spencer's Paradoxes delves into the intersection of technology, creativity, and personal growth, examining the role of communal computing, the creation and purpose of small web tools, and the exploration of self through various creative outlets. It reflects on life's paradoxes, emphasizing self-discovery, the embrace of mundane moments, and the pursuit of a fulfilling, interconnected existence.

Personal Growth Technology and Community Creative Process Self-Discovery Digital Tools and Spaces Mindfulness and Presence Life Reflections and Philosophy

The hottest Substack posts of spencer's paradoxes

And their main takeaways

punctuated by wonder

157 implied HN points • 05 Aug 22
  1. Appreciate the small, everyday moments of wonder in life
  2. Don't put too much pressure on achieving big professional goals
  3. Find joy in unexpected places and moments in everyday life

finding ground

117 implied HN points • 01 Sep 22
  1. Feeling rushed and losing the ability to slow down can lead to burnout.
  2. Embrace change and avoid settling in a stagnant routine to keep momentum going.
  3. Destructive events can offer opportunities for growth and creating a new reality.

a meditation on adventure

137 implied HN points • 28 Jun 22
  1. Feeling tense before adventures is common, but that energy can be grounding.
  2. Transitions bring growth and a chance to see familiar places in new ways.
  3. Embrace fears and anxieties as strengths that drive growth and opportunities.

software poetics

137 implied HN points • 22 May 22
  1. Software can be a medium for art and poetry
  2. Constraints can enable creativity, especially in writing
  3. Combining software with poetry can result in interactive and transforming poems

marketable uniqueness

117 implied HN points • 23 Mar 22
  1. Embrace your unique identity to stand out in society
  2. Strive for success in a way that feels special and different
  3. Creating a community of fate involves interdependence and mutualism
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

glacial illusions

78 implied HN points • 02 May 22
  1. Growing up, I learned to blend in to survive.
  2. Life is full of illusions; learn to create your own.
  3. Embrace your ability to have multiple identities and use it for good.

being open to magic

78 implied HN points • 07 Apr 22
  1. Being open to magic is important in fostering fulfilling experiences in different communities.
  2. Discovering and engaging with micro-interactions can help in connecting with communities.
  3. Balancing self-sufficiency with openness to opportunities can lead to a more vibrant and enriching community life.

craft over career (mini-📝 8/100)

157 implied HN points • 21 Apr 21
  1. Focus on your craft in the present, not just on building a future career.
  2. Understand your taste and energy in your craft to make it the most important thing you do.
  3. It's okay to deviate from traditional goal-setting and hierarchical approaches in favor of following the energy in advancing your craft.

despair and hope

78 implied HN points • 25 Feb 22
  1. Feeling despair and hope simultaneously in today's chaotic world
  2. Creating a digital pluriverse focused on plurality and community
  3. Developing Packs Platform for software customization and agency

the foil of narcissism

58 implied HN points • 02 Jun 22
  1. Being a narcissist means putting yourself first and believing in your right to assert dominance.
  2. Struggling with assertiveness can stem from a fear of scarcity and a tendency to hold back desires.
  3. Embracing a sense of agency and self-assertion, even if it means challenging societal norms, can lead to personal growth.

the mid-twenties (mini-📝 1/100)

117 implied HN points • 11 Apr 21
  1. Entering the mid-twenties brings responsibilities and a reality check of adulthood.
  2. A choice arises between following societal expectations or forging your own path.
  3. Embrace the energy of youth in all stages of life and keep exploring passions.

2021 to 2022: Mutual Flourishing 🤲

58 implied HN points • 17 Jan 22
  1. Annual reflection on past themes and setting new intentions for the year
  2. Engagement with exciting projects like verses and Coda Studio
  3. Exploration of new creative endeavors like the idea of a poem-a-day

creations are intimacy and my mini-essays are done (95-100 📝)

58 implied HN points • 03 Jan 22
  1. The final update on the mini-essay experiment is here.
  2. There are reflections on owning data, changing interpretation of time, and having a greater-than-life purpose.
  3. The last few essays explore the intimacy of creations and the value of sharing your thoughts with the world.

magical tech + december update (89-94 📝)

58 implied HN points • 23 Dec 21
  1. The author has been reflecting on the connection between technology and magic, focusing on empowering individuals to shape the magic of technology for themselves.
  2. The author shares updates on personal projects like dance performances, writing essays, exploring web3, and reflecting on personal creativity.
  3. Reflecting on exploring Spotify Wrapped, the author muses on the concept of data control and privacy in relation to tech corporations.

living to provoke (mini-📝 89/100)

58 implied HN points • 01 Dec 21
  1. Personality types can be a fun way to categorize people, but they may not hold all the truth.
  2. Society often pushes us to follow a standard path of achievement, but breaking away to follow our own instincts can lead to personal growth.
  3. Being a provocateur in ideas and creations can challenge people to think differently and push boundaries for a better future.

fear (mini-📝 47/100)

58 implied HN points • 14 Sep 21
  1. Reframe your relationship with fear to achieve your dreams.
  2. Living without fear is a privilege but acting in the moment can be tough.
  3. Courage is trusting yourself to face obstacles and fight for what you value.

beautiful internet

39 implied HN points • 31 Jan 22
  1. Living life fully means embracing the beauty in ordinary moments.
  2. Finding resonance in daily experiences can make life feel more vibrant and alive.
  3. Striving for a more intimate and empowering internet can enhance our connections and shared experiences online.

chasing stability (mini-📝 32/100)

58 implied HN points • 21 Jul 21
  1. Chasing after stability can lead to a never-ending pursuit because the goal post is always moving.
  2. Instead of constantly chasing goals, focus on finding value in who you are and enjoying the journey.
  3. True stability might come from slowing down and appreciating the little moments in life.

do more, be more (mini-📝 26/100)

58 implied HN points • 22 Jun 21
  1. New York City has a vibrant energy and diverse range of activities
  2. Living in NYC can create pressure to constantly be doing more
  3. Saying no to some opportunities can create space for better choices

shaping the world (mini-📝 6/100)

58 implied HN points • 19 Apr 21
  1. Question the 'official' ways of doing things and be open to DIY fixes
  2. Build courage to tinker with tools and systems to understand and change them
  3. Realize that ultimate knowledge is not possible and empower yourself to shape your reality

vibe tribes and finding psychological oxygen (mini-📝 2/100)

58 implied HN points • 13 Apr 21
  1. Psychological oxygen is the state where all mental needs are met for authentic self-expression.
  2. The education system can hinder psychological oxygen by emphasizing scarcity mindset and prestigious credentials.
  3. Finding your vibe tribe fosters psychological oxygen by providing a space for authentic expression and self-actualization.

09/27 mini-essays update (48-58/100 📝 )

39 implied HN points • 28 Sep 21
  1. The author is experimenting with weekly newsletter updates instead of daily for less pressure and reflection
  2. The author gives updates on their photography, work, community involvement, fashion, and media interests
  3. The author shares short essays on various topics like courage, chance encounters, and life's fragility

📬 Postal Portals - Avery #8: Intentionality in Alaska

39 implied HN points • 11 Sep 21
  1. This post is part of a series called Postal Portals, focusing on deep conversations through written letters.
  2. The author reflects on feeling overwhelmed by various interests and the need to prioritize and be intentional.
  3. There is a discussion about the importance of being decisive and assertive in pursuing one's passions.

empty mind (mini-📝 36/100)

39 implied HN points • 17 Aug 21
  1. The author is pushing themselves to create without worrying about quality barriers.
  2. Consistency in writing is important to overcome development barriers.
  3. Experimenting with different creative outputs helps to keep the process lightweight and engaging.

repetition (mini-📝 35/100)

39 implied HN points • 09 Aug 21
  1. Repetition is key to success in any creative endeavor.
  2. The best way to improve at anything is to simply do it.
  3. Self-help emphasizes small, repeated steps to reframe mindset and overcome fear.

denim personality (mini-📝 34/100)

39 implied HN points • 03 Aug 21
  1. Embrace experimentation with fashion and style.
  2. Consider the impact of embracing a daily uniform on decision-making.
  3. Use clothing as a form of self-expression and reflection of your personality.

uneven time (mini-📝 29/100)

39 implied HN points • 13 Jul 21
  1. Time in our world is seen as a luxury commodity, affecting how people live and perceive their reality.
  2. Pressure to do it all while maintaining appearance of effortlessness is prevalent, especially in fast-paced environments like big cities.
  3. Escaping the scarcity mindset of never having enough time involves feeling safe to make mistakes and focusing on the abundance mindset.

a drop of color (mini-📝 28/100)

39 implied HN points • 03 Jul 21
  1. Anxiety can impact the enjoyment of moments, but it's an opportunity for growth.
  2. Places we visit leave a mark on us, shaping us internally and externally.
  3. New York City embodies a unique charm that captivates through its contradictions.

home and fake nostalgia (mini-📝 27/100)

39 implied HN points • 29 Jun 21
  1. Our different selves change based on environments.
  2. Our concept of home evolves with our active self.
  3. Sometimes we feel a fake nostalgia for moments we've never experienced.

reflection systems (mini-📝 22/100)

39 implied HN points • 10 Jun 21
  1. Start recording your thoughts and reflections consistently to track mental state over time.
  2. Create a structured system for reflection, like quarterly thought dumps and high-level annual reflections.
  3. Engage in activities that energize you, trust your instincts, and spend time with people who uplift you.

aperture of life (mini-📝 21/100)

39 implied HN points • 08 Jun 21
  1. Aperture in photography is how open the camera lens is.
  2. Adjusting our life's aperture means focusing on different aspects depending on our emotions.
  3. Broadening life's aperture involves taking in more of life's beauty and intricacy.

beauty (mini-📝 17/100)

39 implied HN points • 20 May 21
  1. Beauty can be found everywhere, you just need to appreciate and look for it.
  2. Embrace gratitude for the beauty around you instead of striving for perfection.
  3. Combining different skills and ideas creates a unique kind of beauty that is both imaginative and skillful.

finding texture (mini-📝 14/100)

39 implied HN points • 03 May 21
  1. Texture in creations gives them a unique personality that stands out.
  2. Focusing on creating for the sake of creation, not for ownership, leads to more authentic work.
  3. Seeking out and embracing diverse, challenging textures in ideas and people can expand our understanding of the world.

dampening of curiosity (mini-📝 10/100)

39 implied HN points • 25 Apr 21
  1. Dampening of curiosity can happen when we focus intensely on a project or in times of limited sensory experiences.
  2. Balancing deep focus with curiosity is key for creativity and growth.
  3. Awareness of our mental state and giving our mind space to wander can help maintain curiosity and innovation.

dancing through life (mini-📝 9/100)

39 implied HN points • 23 Apr 21
  1. Dancing can be a way to release stress and escape from problems.
  2. Feeling satisfied with who you are allows you to dance freely and be a vehicle for music.
  3. Adopting the mindset of 'dancing through life' means focusing on the present moment and understanding that you are enough.

the superpower of naming (mini-📝 3/100)

39 implied HN points • 14 Apr 21
  1. Names are crucially important because they shape how something is interpreted and perceived.
  2. Renaming things can be difficult as names act as mental shortcuts for our understanding.
  3. Names can be powerful tools for manipulation and influence, shaping perceptions and even distributing blame.

towards 2021

39 implied HN points • 12 Jan 21
  1. People have different identities in different settings, but it's important to maintain your authentic self.
  2. Fiction is a powerful tool for demonstrating principles and shifting perspectives.
  3. The passion economy encourages financial independence through creative pursuits, focusing on niche audiences over broad appeal.

diluted stars, islands, civic tech, and 🍜

39 implied HN points • 08 Dec 20
  1. Spencer is reflecting on the need for a nuanced perspective in society in response to COVID-19.
  2. Lessons from Taiwan's efficient use of technology during COVID-19 can be applied at a larger scale.
  3. Spencer is exploring diverse topics like personal inspirations, internet spaces, and preferred communication mediums.

poetic web3 photo (82-88 📝)

19 implied HN points • 30 Nov 21
  1. The writer explores web3 concepts like NFTs and ConstitutionDAO
  2. Photography inspires the writer to curate collections based on vibe
  3. Personal reflections and a poem are shared throughout the posts

impatiently leveraging fear (77-82 📝)

19 implied HN points • 12 Nov 21
  1. Experimenting with personal websites for authentic expression.
  2. Learning to value time and embrace discomfort.
  3. Considering the concept of adaptations and imitations in creativity.