Minimum Viable Work
It is really my arrogance I'm able to sometimes see, that I keep running away, even when I've been presented with everything, from education being available online to being able to connect with literally any of the whatever million people with internet aboard the planet. Yet, the instinct to hold back, to go with the MVW 'minimum viable work'.
The status quo is sustained by both - people and the physical machines and structures we built. While it might take a lot of work to change the physical machinery, it might be easier to change people. And out of all the people, oneself seems to be the most available.
After having adhered to Seth Godin's advice on blogging everyday for about a month now, I'm able to realize the difference between what he refers to as art, and work. When it's art, we want to do more of it, touch more people, change more lives. When it's work, we do the MVW - Minimum Viable Work (not his term). I started the blog simply because I trusted Seth. And it has been a valuable practice in thinking. Not everything I've written has been what it ought to be, but it seems to be the only way I will keep getting better at the same.
Jordan Peterson showed up on my YouTube feed a while ago. He pointed out how the art of articulation is really something he considers divine. That being able to say what you want, without obfuscating what you mean, is a sacred practice. Not only for you to be able to talk to others, but also to yourself. To be able to make sense of things. He has a famous essay writing program for the same, I'm guessing the practice of blogging is feeding the same mouth.
It seems it is not about doing something new, but about doing something that works. Seth and Jordan are just two of the people I mention here, but I can think of many when it comes to learning about life and then actually playing their recommendations out. One artwork at a time - that might be the way to change the status quo. Imperfect, way better than MVW, and the only way forward.