Joseph's "Just My Thoughts"

The greater the mountain, the less we consider its height due to its overall size. It’s not merely the height or depth that defines a significant mountain; rather, it’s the climate. A mountain that experiences changing weather patterns is indeed greater. Similarly, the greater a person is, the broader and more diverse their capacity for change, which should not be taken lightly. We must refrain from judging those individuals with our imperfect cognitive abilities. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The exclusive power of the state to print money, rather than that of private individuals, creates a situation where we all must operate within a limited amount of currency. This limitation implies that because wealth is quantified and acquired through money, whenever one person gains money, another must lose an equivalent amount. It’s similar to the fact that when I settle my bank loan, another person has to go bankrupt. The opposite holds true as well. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

What happens if you have significant debt but also have the ability to issue money? In this case, the debt may become irrelevant. While the government can issue currency, the private sector lacks this capability. So, how does the private sector create money? There are limited methods, including adding value through production, establishing reasons for exchange that involve considerations, or receiving a gift, such as an inheritance. All other methods are illegal. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Some individuals take the easier route instead of engaging in laborious tasks. It can be frustrating, but often there are clear reasons behind these unreasonable circumstances. In such cases, it’s tough to change the individual because they are embedded in an irrational structure. The issue lies not in the personality itself but in this structure. Changing the structure can lead to changes in personality. In reality, personality remains the same; it simply holds different significance within the context of the structure. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Scaring people is often easier than comforting them. If someone frightens me to manipulate me for their own gain, it’s probably a scam. While seeking comfort can be an issue, fearing insignificant things is even more problematic. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

If being happy doesn’t depend on intelligence or wealth, what truly brings happiness to people? I believe that “knowing how to find satisfaction” and “knowing how to enjoy life” are essential for happiness. While having more or less can play a role, it isn’t the sole determinant. What matters most is finding a sense of satisfaction that resonates with your circumstances. Genuine education should prioritize teaching individuals how to find joy and contentment before focusing on the pursuit of achievement. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The wall feels uncomfortable and unclear primarily because it is vertical. Its thickness and height are not the key issues; what matters is the slope. If the slope is mild, anyone can ascend it, regardless of the wall. Thus, it’s advisable to steer clear of climbing walls and to do hills. Life’s challenges stem from the endless cycles of rising and falling rather than simply from the effort of climbing upward. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

When the caterpillar believed its journey was at an end, it transformed into a beautiful butterfly. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the shell you need to shed and think it marks the end of everything you know. But change is really about embracing new beginnings and discovering a fresh perspective! Although changing ourselves can be daunting and even a little painful, it’s also a chance for growth. The caterpillar that struggles with what to let go of isn’t foolish; it’s simply on a journey of discovery. So, before you stress about your next steps, why not take a moment to reflect on what your shell represents? - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Previously, the medium held exclusive power over the message, making its truth unquestionable.  Now, with digital technology enabling individual media creation, anyone can craft a message.  Essentially, messages have transformed into their own mediums.  When you produce a shareable message, you effectively become a medium yourself.  However, the significance of sending messages is often overlooked.  The perceived value of a message shifts dramatically when people trust the messenger’s identity.  Therefore, to manage Instagram effectively, prioritize establishing a credible identity and consistently sharing valuable content. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

A truly intelligent individual embraces new perspectives, information, ideas, contradictions, and challenges to existing beliefs. If you lack a foundational understanding despite having extensive knowledge, this knowledge may lead to misunderstandings or an inability to connect concepts, ultimately reinforcing stubbornness. As assumptions, facts, and circumstances evolve, it is prudent to adapt swiftly. This quality is known as “Intellectual Humility.” - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

In the future, those who effectively manage the “signifiant” as opposed to the “signifié” will prevail. For instance, if you post food content on Instagram, viewers are not interested in every single menu item. Such details can be found anywhere. Even a self-boarded student prepares and enjoys their meals. If the food represents the “signifié,” then the arrangement of the food itself is the “signifiant.” What users engage with on Instagram is not merely the food but rather the presentation that signifies it. Without a message that stands out, your Instagram is likely to get lost among countless other posts. Remember, the medium is the message, and the message is the medium. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

One hundred seventy years ago, tuberculosis was a lethal disease. This illness posed a significant threat to humanity, resulting in an estimated 1 billion deaths between 1700 and 1900. Notably, traces of tuberculosis have been found in the mummies of ancient Egyptian kings. In the late 1840s, German botanist Hermann Brehmer, confronted with the fatality of tuberculosis, relocated to the Himalayas in search of fresh air. Remarkably, he survived and is believed to have successfully fought off Mycobacterium tuberculosis in that less favorable environment for bacterial growth. As a result, numerous nursing homes emerged across Europe and the United States, including specialized facilities for tuberculosis care and luxury accommodations for the affluent. However, by the 1940s, many of these nursing homes began closing due to the emergence of antibiotics, which drastically changed their economic viability. Throughout history, it seems that economic value often proves transient. - Joseph’s “j...

While our bodies rest, our blood remains active. About 30 minutes into sleep, the killer T cells that combat viruses, bacteria, and toxins start to function, aided by growth hormones that repair damaged tissues. Quality sleep enhances the immune system, which in turn promotes further sleep, creating a beneficial cycle that maintains our health. Therefore, ensuring adequate sleep is essential. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

My mother uses an old cell phone instead of a typical smartphone. My father passed away without ever owning a cell phone. Though they were my parents living in the same era as technology advanced, they struggled to learn how to use a computer. As a result, my parents felt increasingly out of touch. Existing in the same timeframe doesn’t guarantee that everyone experiences the same advancements in civilization. Although time progresses universally, its impact varies among individuals. This variance is shaped by our memories and cognitive perceptions. Thus, the saying, “You don’t miss your water till the well runs dry” remains relevant. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

A Korean AI company developed a language-learning AI for a 5-year-old, splitting it into two systems: one displaying only children’s videos and the other showcasing YouTube videos. After two months of learning, the company was eager to assess the results. They found that children using YouTube, with fewer restrictions, had better language-learning outcomes than those who watched only children’s videos. This raised a thought in me: parents’ efforts to protect their children from certain influences may stem from an unreasonable desire. Striving for perfection can feel woefully inadequate in this world. Isn’t the essence of education about equipping individuals with the knowledge of right and wrong and guiding them to maintain their humanity? - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Self-love is an essential human instinct, prompting us to prioritize our own survival before others. This instinct makes it challenging to make sacrifices for those around us. However, when we deeply love someone, we essentially extend and project our self-concept onto them. In essence, love involves sharing my self-love with another person. Consequently, love fades when I can no longer see myself reflected in that person. When our self-love becomes distorted, it leads to suffering in our relationships with others. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The tallest mountain in the solar system is Olympus Mons on Mars, towering about three times higher than Mt. Everest. Its area, covering 295,000 ㎢, surpasses the size of the Korean Peninsula (220,850 ㎢) and is nearly equivalent to that of France or Arizona. While Olympus Mons has a greater height than any mountain on Earth, its vast area results in an average slope of only 5 degrees. As a result, hikers who ascend Olympus Mons often feel as if they are traversing a flat plain. For humans, the steepness of a climb matters more than its height. For example, ascending a steeper 5 m pole can be more challenging than gradually scaling a 500 m mountain. In life, choosing the right slope to climb is often more crucial than focusing solely on the height reached, whether going uphill or downhill. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Revealing all your attractiveness and skills at once is unwise. This principle is also relevant in business. In marketing, creating “waiting demand” can occur when a superior product model is announced in advance, pressuring customers to postpone their purchases. This phenomenon is known as the “Osborne Effect,” named after the Osborne Computer Company in England, which introduced an excessively innovative computer named Vixen and subsequently went bankrupt the following year because existing products could not be sold. Innovating and guiding your current customers is never a straightforward task. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

When you look out from inside your house, you can see your yard. This is known as the “right of view.” If your view is obstructed, then your yard may feel limited to that boundary. Some people even take legal action to protect their right of view. Cliffs, on the other hand, hold little property value due to their danger and high construction costs. Nevertheless, if you build a house on a cliff, your yard extends as far as the eye can see. For instance, when you purchase land on a coastal cliff and install an infinity pool, the seamless horizon and sky beyond the pool become part of your front yard. It’s essential to bring nature into your home and blend your living space with the blue sea and sky, even if you have only open cliffs and modest infinity pools. Perceived space often holds more value than physical space. Many scenic images on Instagram illustrate this concept of perceived space. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

A heart’s wound heals not through will but through chance. If we fixate on our lingering emotions and pain, we will endure even greater suffering until we encounter that chance. Emptying our minds isn’t just a trendy idea; it’s essential, as clinging to stubbornness leads to futility. I realized this truth after overcoming my stubbornness, which ultimately brought me far more happiness and joy than regret by freeing myself from it. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”