Joseph's "Just My Thoughts"

Weather forecasters on the news often feature well-dressed meteorologists who diligently explain the weather using various meteorological terms. But if the forecasts were always accurate, there would be no need for such lengthy explanations. People wouldn’t complain if it were simply raining or not, if the temperature was a few degrees, and if the humidity was comfortable or uncomfortable. However, since there’s a chance the forecast could be wrong, they try to explain it thoroughly to ask for people’s understanding. Do you see why simplicity is great? Simplicity is great because no one can simplify it haphazardly. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

To be complex, one must first be simple. Because, unless it’s simple, it’s hard to get complicated. Every complex problem is a combination of simple problems. People tend to think that intelligence is complex. However, in hindsight, memory is just a continuation and connection of simplicity made up of thoughtful ingredients. Still, it is burdensome and complicated to find simplicity in an already complex system. Therefore, the pursuit of simplicity is a burdensome decision, one that requires a willingness to understand this complexity first. Growing up in the mind means taking on this burden and being willing to take on the challenge of finding simplicity in a formally complex system. It’s like a child taking their first steps, trying to get up while risking falling with their whole body. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The foundation of intelligence is memory. Without memory, intelligence cannot develop or function properly. Creativity also relies on memory as a necessary prerequisite. Forgetting is also a phenomenon caused by memory. If there were no memory, there could be no forgetting. Without forgetting, memory capacity becomes overloaded, leading to various issues. From a memory perspective, forgetting is something to be grateful for. Essentially, intelligence is driven more by memory than by logic. The strength of memory shapes priorities and influences value formation. However, humans have eventually delegated memory to external tools outside of our consciousness, not our brains. These are called records. Examples include books and cell phones. Your cell phone is an extension of you. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The medieval church forbade usury and claimed that usurers went to hell. However, as the feudal system of the Middle Ages declined and merchants emerged as an emerging power, usury businesses amassed enormous wealth. Usurers donated their corrupt wealth to monasteries, and when they died, they could be buried there. It was a bonus that the donor usurer could receive the sacrament of confession shortly before death. Fear of the afterlife caused poor churches to accumulate wealth, used to decorate walls or build larger, more elaborate structures, leading to the Renaissance era. The unjust usury business sparked a literary and artistic revival. Let go of the illusion that only good things can change the world for the better or the right. The innocence of ignorance about how the world works makes it easier to accept sin and corrupts the world into evil. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Most people tend to underestimate themselves excessively. Many say, “Humility is the virtue,” perhaps influenced by social environment and education, but it’s more about recognizing mistakes and limitations than about one’s own potential. That is, self-judgment based on experience. Of course, there will be mistakes and limitations in the future that we haven’t yet encountered, but the possibilities and achievements will be just as numerous. If we assume the odds are about equal, then we shouldn’t need to underrate ourselves. Excessive self-confidence or showiness is a problem, but so is underconfidence. Too much or too little is called arrogance. In Christianity, it’s considered “sin.” - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Don’t underestimate your emotions. If I leave these feelings of hate, resentment, longing, and loneliness inside me, one day they will surely take their revenge. Emotions aren’t harmful when we share them with others. Even if we can’t resolve the root cause, having a friend to share our trivial feelings with helps us endure life’s hardships. When there’s someone other than myself to whom I can devote, we can avoid the storm of emotions and overcome adversity. It’s even better if we have an equal friend to share our feelings with, someone we’re committed to. Without just this one friend, we feel sad, exhausted, and lost. The feelings I hold inside will eventually take their revenge on me. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Real change happens so quickly that we often don’t notice when it occurs. The changing of seasons is a good example. Clearly, winter and spring are very different. It’s hot during the day and cold at night, but when we see spring flowers blooming along the roadside, we realize spring has arrived. We tend to think that big changes will feel different, but sometimes small signs reveal the change. For instance, when our foreheads sweat even with little movement, we recognize that the temperature is getting warmer. What changes might you not notice or recognize? Perhaps your weight? - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”