Hi all,
Welcome to your weekly edition of The Explorer's Dispatch! Each week, I'll share a mix of my thoughts, interesting discoveries, and recent adventures. Join me for a relaxed yet enlightening tour through my week!
This week's The Explorer's Dispatch highlights a song ( crazy I know)," a study on how seasons and behavior, and a quote from Marcus Aurelius.
🎧 What I'm Listening To
The World (Is Going Up in Flames)
I rarely mention music in my newsletter. I usually recommend highbrow stuff like lectures and educational podcasts. However, I've liked Charles Bradley for some time; I discovered his music by accident while browsing YouTube music a few years back. I love that retro vibe of funk and soul. But this song's lyrics are literally singing to me.
"The World (Is Going Up in Flames)" by Charles Bradley is a soulful reflection on the social and personal turmoil many people face. The phrase "going up in flames" is a metaphor for destruction, chaos, and the breakdown of order, both in the world and in one’s personal life.
The song can be interpreted as a commentary on the state of the world, addressing issues like inequality, injustice, and the suffering of marginalized people. Bradley’s lyrics convey a sense of despair and urgency, as if the world is on the brink of collapse due to these unresolved problems.
On a more personal level, the song reflects Bradley’s own struggles and hardships. His life was marked by poverty, homelessness, and late-in-life success as a musician. The song's emotional depth might resonate with those who feel like their own world is "going up in flames" due to personal challenges and life pressures.
The song may sound retro, but it was actually released in 2011. The whole album was produced using analog equipment to recreate that retro sound.
That being said the message in the song would definitely have fit in the 70’s or any decade in the past 65 years. It is definitely worth a listen.
📚 What I'm Reading
Moral Values Shift with the Seasons - Neuroscience News
This was an interesting read. The implications of the study are far-reaching. This year being an election year, I'm sure that's why this study surfaced in my feed. However, I'm actually more interested in the anxiety part of the study. The study indicates that anxiety typically peaks in the spring and fall. This information will help me ramp up my efforts to counter my anxiety during those times.
The fact that the seasons can directly influence us should remind us that we are part of this world, and what happens in our environment can impact our system.
Even more interesting, it counters my philosophy that nothing outside of me can dictate my feelings. It’s always nice when something challenges my thoughts.
❝ Quote I’m pondering
Don't allow yourself to be heard any longer griping about public life, not even with your own ears!" –Marcus Aurelius
Marcus advises against wasting energy on complaints and urges a mindset of acceptance and action, rather than frustration and negativity.