Tranquil Thoughts

Tranquil Thoughts explores personal insights on self-improvement, observation of life's small pleasures, New York living, the significance of truth and lies, modern relationships, identity, and technology. It emphasizes mindfulness, personal growth, and the importance of understanding both human and animal experiences in everyday life.

Self-improvement Life appreciation New York City Truth and Lies Modern relationships Identity and Authentication Technology Culture Mindfulness

The hottest Substack posts of Tranquil Thoughts

And their main takeaways

Ask for the hot sauce 🌶️

59 implied HN points • 08 Jun 24
🍲 Food & Drink Cuisine Cooking Dining Restaurants Food culture
  1. It's important to express what you want or need in life. Whether it's something small like hot sauce or something bigger like a promotion, speaking up can lead to better outcomes.
  2. Sometimes, we don’t even know what we want until we take a moment to think. It's okay to pause and reflect on what might be missing.
  3. Asking for help or what you need is a simple first step toward feeling more fulfilled in different areas of your life. Don't hesitate to ask for what you want!

Defaults: how to make them work for you

59 implied HN points • 01 Jun 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth Mental health Habit formation Self-Improvement Lifestyle changes
  1. Defaults are the choices you make without really thinking, like how you introduce yourself or what you watch on TV. It's good to be aware of them.
  2. Choosing the right defaults can save you time and help you build better habits. For example, listening to podcasts can improve your language skills.
  3. You have the power to change your defaults so they work for you instead of against you. Think about how to make your daily choices support your goals.

The ocean of life

1 HN point • 10 Aug 24
📚 Literature Animal studies Science fiction Philosophy
  1. Focusing on our inner world can make us ignore the lives and events of others, especially animals. Understanding their existence is just as important as our own.
  2. Animals experience the world in ways we can’t fully grasp, and we need to respect their unique senses and needs. Instead of seeing them as nuisances, we should try to learn from them.
  3. Books can open our eyes to the complex lives of other creatures. They remind us that humans are just one part of a vast ocean of life, not superior or special.

Little pleasures in my life ✨

19 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Lifestyle Mindfulness Personal Growth Social Interaction Leisure activities
  1. Noticing small things in life can bring joy. It’s important to appreciate things like accents, the comfort of pajamas, and the warmth of jeans on a sunny day.
  2. Learning can happen everywhere. Using audiobooks makes it easy to absorb new information quickly and enjoyably.
  3. Moments with loved ones matter. Whether it's a partner’s calm presence or family support, these connections bring happiness and comfort.

Embracing yourself 🤗

19 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Authenticity Self-reflection Competition Identity Conformity Values
  1. Being true to yourself is key to escaping the pressure of competition. When you embrace who you are, you stand out in a way that no one else can.
  2. Conformity can help build community, but it can also lead to exclusion and pressure. It's important to reflect on your values and desires rather than just fitting in with others.
  3. You don't have to avoid competition or fitting in completely. Just make sure you stay true to your own values and priorities when making choices.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Truth and Lies in HBO's Chernobyl and Cat's Cradle

0 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
📚 Literature Fiction Criticism History Philosophy Culture
  1. HBO's Chernobyl shows how lies can lead to awful consequences. It suggests that truth is crucial for solving problems, even though it has some historical inaccuracies in the story.
  2. In contrast, Cat's Cradle by Vonnegut argues that knowing the truth can be harmful. It presents lies as necessary for living a happier life, emphasizing the chaos of trying to find meaning.
  3. Both works offer different views on truth and lies. One sees truth as a way to fix problems, while the other sees it as something that can cause fear and despair.

How SMS Fraud Works and How to Guard Against It

0 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Communication Fraud prevention Software Development Data Protection
  1. SMS fraud involves bad actors using special phone numbers to trick services into sending them many authentication messages, which helps them make money.
  2. To prevent SMS fraud, companies can use tactics like blocking suspicious IPs, limiting the number of SMS sent to a number, or even using alternatives like WhatsApp for communication.
  3. There’s a chance for SMS service providers like Twilio to develop tools that can quickly identify and block fraud, helping many businesses stay safe from attacks.

Why finding love is more complicated than ever

0 implied HN points • 23 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Dating Relationships Society Expectations Love
  1. Finding love today is more complicated because there are many more choices but less societal structure to help make those choices. In the past, love was often found through arranged introductions and societal expectations.
  2. People now take longer to decide on a partner because they can explore many options. This leads them to expect love before committing, changing the traditional sequence of ritual coming before love.
  3. Modern relationships demand a lot more from partners, but people often try to achieve deep connections in a much shorter time. This makes the search for love feel harder and more rushed than it used to be.

Strength training principles for software engineers

0 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Fitness Exercise Wellness Nutrition Self-Improvement
  1. Always use a full range of motion when exercising. It helps your muscles grow better and reduces the chance of injury.
  2. Aim for explosive lifts but lower the weights slowly. This method builds strength while keeping you safe from injuries.
  3. Make sure every set is challenging, getting close to failure. This ensures your muscles are really being worked, leading to better results.

I just met Bob Dylan 🎨

0 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Art Creativity Identity Narrative Personal Experience
  1. Meeting your heroes can be surprising and sometimes not meet your expectations. It's okay because they are just people too, like you.
  2. Finding art you connect with can be meaningful and help you feel at home in new places. It can also lead to curiosity about the person behind that art.
  3. We all have the power to change the world around us. If we have ideas or dreams, we should go out and make them a reality, just like the artist 'Blob Dylan' did.

The Art of Naming

0 implied HN points • 30 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Language Communication Concepts Labels Ideas
  1. Naming is really powerful. When you have a good name for an idea, it makes it easier for people to understand and connect with it.
  2. Clear communication helps avoid misunderstandings. If we can't agree on names and terms, we might end up talking about different things.
  3. Good labels can make ideas stick in people's minds for a long time. So, think about how to package your ideas in a catchy way to make them more impactful.

Mindful Musings #1

0 implied HN points • 02 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Education History Art Social Issues
  1. Love languages are more complex than we think; how you give love is often different from how you want to receive it. Only 14% of people express love in the same way they want to receive it.
  2. The ancient Babylonians were really smart! They figured out how to get the square root of 2 almost perfectly without modern tools, showing that limits can spark creativity.
  3. AI, like ChatGPT, will change how we work by taking over some tasks, but it won't replace jobs. Humans will still be needed to guide and correct the AI's output.

Free to Choose: A steel-man of Milton Friedman

0 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics Liberty Government Socialism Individualism
  1. Milton Friedman argues that individual freedom in making economic choices leads to greater personal prosperity and liberty. When people decide for themselves, they're more likely to pick what's best for them.
  2. Friedman believes that government should be minimal. The more government tries to take charge, the less efficient it becomes and the less accountable it is to people’s needs.
  3. He emphasizes that local governments work better because they understand the community's needs firsthand. This allows for faster response and better accountability compared to larger governments.

Identity, authentication, and authorisation from the ground up

0 implied HN points • 28 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Authentication Security Software Internet User Experience
  1. Authentication methods can be divided into three categories: knowledge-based (like passwords), ownership-based (like email or phone verification), and identity-based (like biometric data). Each has its pros and cons.
  2. Passwords are often a weak way to authenticate because people forget them or use easily guessable ones. This can lead to security risks and poor user experience.
  3. New techniques like WebAuthn allow users to log in without passwords, using secure methods like biometrics or hardware keys. This reduces the chances of phishing and makes the process smoother.

Demystifying Identity, Authentication and Authorisation: Part 1

0 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Identity Management Authentication Authorization
  1. Identity is simply who you are. It's what makes you unique as a person.
  2. Authentication is about proving that you are who you say you are. This can be done by checking an ID or other ways.
  3. Authorization comes after authentication and decides what you can access or do. It's like a doorman letting you into a bar after checking your ID.

Tiny differences between America and the UK

0 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Cultural differences Social norms Everyday life Language Humor
  1. Public restrooms in the US have big gaps in the doors, making it awkward to use them. In the UK, bathrooms are more private, and you can relax without feeling exposed.
  2. In America, people walk consistently on the right side of the sidewalk. It's an unspoken rule that even confuses some visitors from the UK.
  3. US grocery stores use strong paper bags that aren't common in the UK. These bags are reusable and sturdy, making shopping easier.

Things I love about Chernobyl, the HBO series

0 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Television Film Media Storytelling History
  1. The show Chernobyl uses restraint in its storytelling, focusing on the reality of the disaster without overly dramatizing events. This makes the series feel more authentic and trustworthy.
  2. Language plays a big role in the show, showcasing unique phrases and expressions that reflect the culture and complexity of the Soviet Union. This adds depth and richness to the dialogue.
  3. Attention to detail is a standout feature of Chernobyl, with accurate depictions of the era's hairstyles, clothing, and technology. It helps to transport viewers back to the 1980s Soviet Union and makes the story more believable.

Found in translation

0 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Language Traditions Identity Communication
  1. Learning local language quirks is fun when living in a new country. It helps you connect with the culture and meet new people.
  2. Unique phrases often reflect local culture and history. These sayings can offer a peek into how people in that area view their world.
  3. Food-related expressions show cultural differences, like how New Yorkers say 'get a slice' for pizza. Such phrases highlight impactful local customs.

On walking 🚶‍♂️

0 implied HN points • 16 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Urban life Lifestyle Travel Self-Exploration Mindfulness
  1. Walking is the best way to really understand a city. It helps you see and feel the place more deeply than driving or cycling.
  2. Taking walks helps you notice unique things about neighborhoods, like local shops and street life. Each walk can reveal something new and interesting.
  3. To fully enjoy walking, try to keep distractions away, like music or podcasts. This way, you can focus on your surroundings and explore freely.

Optimising your life

0 implied HN points • 09 Jan 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth Mindfulness
  1. It's important to set resolutions that aim for personal growth, like losing weight or spending more time with loved ones. These goals help us improve our lives.
  2. Having an 'optimiser mindset' is not the only way to grow; we should also try new experiences and step out of our comfort zones.
  3. Embracing new things can lead to learning about ourselves and what we enjoy, even if not everything we try ends up being a success.

An insider's guide to NYC's quirky rental laws

0 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Urban Development
  1. In NYC, many leases require you to cover 80% of your floor with carpet to keep noise levels down. This helps prevent annoying sounds from neighbors above.
  2. Landlords in NYC must provide heat and hot water at specific temperatures, making sure your apartment stays warm in winter. This is stricter than in many other places, like London.
  3. Tenants in NYC often pay broker fees that can be between 8-15% of their annual rent, unlike in places like the UK where landlords typically cover these fees.

What do you do? 🙋🏾‍♂️

0 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Identity Conversations Social norms Personal Growth Self-Expression
  1. When asked about what you do, it's common to talk about your job. But your job is just one part of who you are.
  2. You have many layers to your identity beyond your work, like your hobbies and interests. These things can help you connect with others on a deeper level.
  3. Instead of just giving a job title, try sharing something personal or interesting about yourself. It can lead to better conversations and real connections.