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  • 07:52 audio
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  • 754 words
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  • 2 links

#0389: Schools Are Not Working: Accept The Responsibility For Your Own Education

  • education
  • curriculum
  • open-source
  • internet
  • mobile-learning
  • self-learning
  • community
  • entrepreneurship
  • knowledge

The post argues that the current school‑and‑test system is too rigid and produces only low‑quality, memorized knowledge, yet real education—free of grades and standardized exams—is essential for personal growth, entrepreneurship and solving global problems such as poverty, climate change, and pandemics. It calls for an “Open Uncensored World Curriculum” that starts in middle school, follows students’ interests at their own pace, lets them build open communities, and makes all lectures publicly available; employers would then find talent through community reviews rather than test scores. The author believes the internet and smartphones can quickly assemble this new curriculum, drawing inspiration from popular science educators like Carl Sagan, and that by taking responsibility for one’s own learning we can ignite true wisdom and freedom from debt.

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  • 05:58 audio
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  • 624 words
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  • 7 links

#0388: Secrets Of Faerie Tales: Gwarchae Peryglus

  • poetry
  • freeverse
  • arthurian
  • round-table
  • voting
  • leadership
  • inspiration
  • knowledge

The post describes an anonymous voting mechanism that functions like a round table where great beings assess claims of greatness, exposing liars while true leaders inspire others; it stresses that real change comes from inspiring more leaders rather than simply spotlighting liars, and highlights the importance of knowledge, personal legacy, and collective wisdom in achieving lasting impact.

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  • 07:37 audio
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  • 789 words
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  • 5 links

#0387: Twisty Little Passages

  • education
  • schools
  • learning
  • teaching
  • tests
  • curriculum
  • self-education
  • entrepreneurship
  • creativity
  • grades
  • gpa
  • textbooks
  • memory
  • knowledge

The post argues that traditional schooling reduces learning to abstract, memorized content, with teachers measuring success through GPA and standardized exams rather than true understanding; it claims this system rewards teachers more than students, stifles individual curiosity, and leaves knowledge fleeting. The author suggests self‑education, entrepreneurship, and a passion‑driven curriculum as the real path to learning, believing that genuine education is about creativity, vision, and art— not grades.

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  • 06:16 audio
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  • 639 words
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  • 5 links

#0386: There Is A Great Being Within You

  • poetry
  • essay
  • education
  • self-learning
  • inspiration
  • personal-development
  • creative-writing
  • literature

The author argues that school teachers merely provide answers, while true learning comes from studying great historical figures and their ideas—those who constantly asked “what were they like?” and “how did they think?” The text urges readers to record their curiosities in journals or posts, to emulate the inquisitive habits of notable thinkers (from Foxfire to Galilei’s moons), and to see that greatness is an internal spark that can be nurtured by observing and experimenting. By actively documenting observations and seeking inspiration from many great beings, we become “Great Beings” ourselves; this process allows us to grow beyond the passive “grass-like” expansion of humanity and build a proud future enriched with meaningful legacies.

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  • 03:59 audio
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  • 433 words
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  • 6 links

#0385: What In The Equinox?

  • poetry
  • personaljournal
  • raspberry-pi
  • nodejs
  • unix
  • stream-handbook
  • yo-yo-ma
  • bach

The writer recounts an eventful yet ordinary day filled with music inspiration, tinkering with a Raspberry Pi fan controller, nostalgia for early computing commands, and simple pleasures like pepper chips—all framed as a celebration of everyday moments.

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  • 12:09 audio
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  • 1,281 words
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  • 11 links

#0384: A Priceless Education That Costs Nothing: Reading Source Code and Writing Programs

  • programming
  • software-development
  • web-dev
  • bootstrap
  • jquery
  • vuejs
  • svelte
  • frameworks
  • resume-building
  • self-learning

The post argues that true software skills are gained by building and refining custom projects—starting with simple clones of popular frameworks like Bootstrap and progressively mastering higher‑level tools such as Vue or Svelte—and showcasing these hands‑on creations in interviews, rather than relying on generic academic coursework.

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  • 26:44 audio
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  • 2,926 words
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  • 23 links

#0383: Introduction To Programming: Workstation and Behavior Driven Development

  • programming
  • raspberrypi
  • nodejs
  • javascript
  • codemirror
  • bdd
  • regex
  • electron
  • tonejs

The author argues that learning programming (specifically JavaScript on a Raspberry Pi) is easy and rewarding, recommends setting up simple hardware and tools, and suggests creating an open‑source WikiWiki project using BDD and CodeMirror to engage contributors.

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  • 06:12 audio
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  • 725 words
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  • 13 links

#0382: Bicycle Adventures: I-275 Metro Trail And Metroparks

  • biking
  • trail
  • metroparks
  • cycling
  • hiking
  • travel
  • maps

The post is an enthusiastic guide to the network of bike trails and parks that branch off from I‑275 in the Michigan area. It begins by noting how the once‑damaged road has been rebuilt into a smooth path leading through several “Metroparks”—Lower Huron, Willow, Oakwoods, and Lake Erie—each offering picnic spots, restrooms, a nature‑preserve cabin, and even a campsite with fire pits. The writer describes easy routes from one park to the next, including secret passages and lookout points over Lake Erie, and suggests that a single day or a multi‑day trip (with tenting or a hotel stop in Flatrock) can be rewarding. They also give practical bike‑riding tips—pick a simple, low‑maintenance model with a soft seat, minimal gears, and basic brakes—and recommend earplugs for highway noise, sunscreen, bug spray, and optional music to make short weekends feel like extended adventures.

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  • 15:49 audio
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  • 1,793 words
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  • 10 links

#0381: Evenings At Nordhouse: Adventures At The Edge Of The Universe

  • journal
  • observation
  • audio-books
  • camping
  • storm
  • nature
  • writing
  • astronomy
  • education
  • entrepreneurship

The post weaves together reflections on personal observation, the value of journaling and audio books for insight, and the experience of camping amid storms as a metaphor for learning and connecting with the wider world.

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  • 08:03 audio
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  • 970 words
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  • 8 links

#0380: Start With Baby Steps And The Little Trails

  • hiking
  • camping
  • state-park
  • lake-michigan

The post outlines how to explore Ludington State Park and its surrounding trails, emphasizing the ease of accessing hiking and camping sites such as the Jack Pine hike‑in spots and the Nordhouse trailheads reachable via either the Nurnberg gravel road or the paved West Forest Trail Road. It details convenient parking options—including free lots near the permit area—, rustic restrooms, showers, and campsites where you can stay next to your car. The guide also points out nearby conveniences like a gas station stocked with snacks, as well as the beauty of Lake Michigan’s horizon that accompanies the walking routes. In short, it offers practical directions and amenities for visitors who want to hike, camp, and enjoy the lakefront scenery without needing to trek far from their vehicles.

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  • 14:20 audio
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  • 1,431 words
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#0379: Job Interview Tips: They won't ask you questions that have answers.

  • interview
  • education
  • self-learning
  • entrepreneurship
  • problem-solving
  • thinking-outside-box
  • career

The post argues that true

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  • 06:41 audio
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  • 820 words

#0378: Finding Rhymes And Magic, A Tiny Poem Tutorial

  • poetry
  • rhyming
  • short-stories
  • creative-writing
  • writing-tips

The post is a guide on how to write concise rhyming poems, stressing the importance of finding words that fit and sometimes expanding or contracting lines for perfect rhyme. It suggests using a rhyming dictionary or website, practicing different schemes (first–third, second–fourth), and paying attention to rhythm to aid songwriting. The writer shares practical tips such as drafting on a commuter phone for easy editing, keeping a paper journal of favorite rhymes, and recording or video‑recording the recitations to refine delivery. Two sample poems illustrate these ideas: one about a jogging adventure, another about a barking dog named Boo‑Boo. Finally, it hints at using subtle analogies (flowers, planets) to add depth, all wrapped in an encouraging tone that even tiny ideas can become memorable poems.

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  • 06:59 audio
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  • 827 words
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#0377: The Future Legacy

  • education
  • college
  • university
  • tests
  • grades
  • career
  • entrepreneur
  • startup
  • business
  • learning
  • self-development

In this reflective essay the author argues that grades and exams are only superficial markers of success—what truly matters is the lasting legacy you build through a balanced life, continuous learning, and creative work. He emphasizes that true fulfillment comes from pursuing passions, not merely fitting into a cubicle or chasing high scores, and that entrepreneurship offers a way to shape one’s own path by choosing what to learn, applying knowledge at an individual pace, and building unique talents that generate real impact. By doing so, we become “miracles of the universe,” capable of inspiring others, leaving a meaningful legacy, and achieving personal greatness in health, happiness, and creativity.

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  • 02:33 audio
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  • 277 words

#0376: Spring Arrives Nine Days Early: A World Medley

  • poetry
  • bicycle
  • spring
  • weather

A whimsical poem celebrates the arrival of spring, describing how the author feels the season’s warmth and renewed energy through everyday scenes—a car thermometer reading 70°F, a bike ride across familiar roads, birds flapping overhead, and even the gentle wind that pushes the cyclist back home. The verses capture small joys—mornings of clear weather similar to last June, the rhythm of cycling for ten miles, and the subtle chill still lingering in winter‑clad clothing—all while reflecting on how all these simple moments bring a sense of renewal and creative inspiration.

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  • 06:21 audio
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  • 597 words
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#0375: The Nature Of Greatness

  • evolution
  • dawkins
  • stanfordprisonexperiment
  • philipzimbardo
  • danielamen
  • youtubevideos
  • tedxmidwest
  • pandemic
  • vaccine
  • environmentalpsychology
  • mindset

The post argues that our environment—from simple daily settings to larger social structures—shapes our thoughts, behaviors, and ultimately our success or failure. It cites Richard Dawkins’ video on chance and evolution, Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment and his subsequent “Heroic Imagination Project” as evidence that people can become “terrible” when given certain roles, while also showing how strong environments (e.g., cubicle walls, CEOs, politics) influence mental health. It then turns to Daniel Amen’s brain‑scan study of criminals, suggesting that prisons often worsen the inmates’ conditions and that preventing crime early is key. Finally, it calls for a dual quest: gaining knowledge and wisdom while actively reshaping our surroundings so we can stand against wrongness and help others become strong, meaningful, and lasting in their own lives.

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  • 07:42 audio
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  • 829 words
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  • 10 links

#0374: Learning Is Amazing: Adventure Driven Self Education

  • lmms
  • lb302
  • tb-303
  • piano-roll
  • free-software
  • music-production
  • self-learning
  • piano-tutorial
  • chord-progressions
  • bandcamp
  • music-theory

The post explains how self‑learning music can be both accessible and inspiring, using free software such as LMMS to experiment with classic analog synth sounds—specifically the LB302 (modeled on the 1980s Roland TB‑303) and its simple five‑button interface—and modern digital tools that let you program melodies in a piano roll grid. The writer cites examples from YouTube: a remix of Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” with the LB302, an LMMS demo showing how easy it is to recreate that track, and a FL Studio remake by Michael Gregory that highlights the minimal‑instrument setup required. They also discuss how Alan Walker’s “Fade” can be broken down into repeating chord patterns (a–b–a–b…) in a piano tutorial, and how the same structure appears in Mad World covers. By combining these case studies, the author shows that you don’t need formal training to produce music—just curiosity and step‑by‑step practice. Finally, they note that LMMS is beginner‑friendly, Bandcamp can host your releases for free, and selling your own tracks opens a path into business and promotion, turning self‑education into both art and income.

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  • 17:01 audio
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  • 1,529 words
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#0373: To Venus And Back: A Fanciful Flight Of Fancy

  • bulletinboard
  • zakmckracken
  • wolfenstein3d
  • mud
  • expert-system
  • ai
  • universal-basic-income
  • new-currency
  • planet-venus
  • oort-cloud

The post reflects on the legacy of early computer systems and expert‑AI, muses on how MUDs and statistical AI can shape reality, and finally proposes fanciful reforms—such as a love‑currency tied to Venus—to reshape education, economics, and global governance.

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  • 09:23 audio
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  • 976 words
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  • 12 links

#0372: How To Study For Real

  • music
  • programming
  • tutorial
  • lmms
  • faded
  • piano roll
  • learning strategy
  • song analysis

The post explains how to learn music programming by starting with a simple LMMS project—specifically a “Faded” clone from Alan Walker—and then inspecting its piano rolls, watching YouTube FL‑Studio and keyboard tutorials, and finally practicing the shuffle dance moves that accompany the track; by combining these resources, the writer shows how to build a learning strategy that turns simple practice into composition and performance.

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  • 13:46 audio
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  • 1,392 words
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  • 8 links

#0371: Do Not Let Schools Trick You, You Are Very Smart

  • education
  • self-learning
  • programming
  • raspberry-pi
  • portfolio
  • music
  • art
  • physics
  • chemistry
  • math
  • games
  • youtube

The post argues that genuine learning comes from personal curiosity, playful exploration, and real‑world projects—rather than forced textbook work—and claims that traditional schools often rob students of this freedom.

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  • 07:54 audio
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  • 768 words

#0370: What Does The Adventurer Seek?

  • hiking
  • trail
  • nature
  • storytelling
  • travel

Walking through long trails in nature gives the narrator a new view of life, letting him forget city worries and feel his body heal as stress fades; he notices animals, sights, sounds, and slowly regains health, balance, and curiosity. The experience transforms him into a more authentic, creative person who, after returning to the city, feels confident, writes, paints, composes, and reads about physics and philosophy, and uses this knowledge to help others. In short: the journey on trails brings healing, insight, creativity, and a renewed sense of self.

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  • 08:39 audio
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  • 449 words
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#0369: Song Structure Tutorial with Lil Jazz And His String Orchestra

  • song structure
  • composition
  • arrangement
  • instrumentation
  • drums
  • flute
  • piano
  • strings

The post explains how to grasp a song’s structure by listening and then outlines a simple, repeatable framework—opening, intro, action 1, rest, action 2, closing—with each section optionally split into two halves to build tension. It describes the author’s own composition using this model: an opening with slow‑then‑fast parts that mirror in the closing (but reversed), a two‑part intro that introduces drums for smooth transition, two‑half actions driven by strings, a central rest featuring flute to give listeners a delicate break before building back into action 2, and a final action echoing the first but enriched with piano from the opening. The author concludes by presenting the finished track and sharing its audio file.

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  • 05:40 audio
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  • 632 words
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#0368: How To Create A Tiny Product

  • pixel-art
  • image-magick
  • colorhunt
  • hsl-color-model
  • creative-market
  • bootstrap-card
  • stripe-integration
  • makerspace
  • shapeways
  • ponoko
  • etsy
  • raspberry-pi-case
  • mvp
  • product-iteration
  • 3d-printing
  • laser-cutting

The post argues that by creating tiny, low‑effort products—digital images, Bootstrap card kits, or handcrafted kits—and learning from quick failures, you can build a portfolio of simple, valuable items and test ideas in the market.

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  • 24:14 audio
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  • 2,771 words
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  • 37 links

#0367: On Finding A Path To Greatness

  • mental well-being
  • self-help
  • entrepreneurship
  • learning
  • audiobooks
  • hiking
  • journaling
  • business ideas
  • 3d printing
  • drone racing
  • painting murals
  • color theory
  • portfolio

Prioritizing mental well‑being first, the post urges building a rich, self‑directed intellectual foundation—via audiobooks, exploration, and reflection—and then translating that knowledge into practical business or creative projects to shape one’s own future.

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  • 04:27 audio
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  • 557 words
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#0366: The Experimental Class

  • school
  • teacher
  • class
  • student
  • narrative
  • personal-essay
  • education
  • college

The post describes a student’s journey from high school through college and into work, framed by a series of classroom incidents. It opens with an awkward moment in a news class where the teacher gives a kid a “wet willy” after he falls asleep; the narrator leaves the room and later meets the soon‑to‑be principal who creates a new class marked by a poster saying “Wherever you go there you are.” The classmates then discuss their feelings, and the narrator drops out early, receiving encouraging wishes from his peers. After earning his GED, he enters college, lands on the Dean’s list with a 4.0 GPA, and ultimately becomes a programmer—learning at his own pace—and reflects on how these experiences shaped his path.