Juan David’s Newsletter - June 6th, 2023
The Realm of Obsession
The only path worth pursuing is greatness, striving to become the epitome of your true potential. To settle for anything less is to relinquish your soul, submitting to a life devoid of intrinsic meaning, driven solely by the pursuit of infinite recursion.
The prevailing wisdom of modern society urges us to follow our hearts. But what if our minds hold greater wisdom than our lovey-dovey hearts can fathom?
In this age, emotions reign supreme, overshadowing the power of cogitation. Please understand, I do not advocate for a world where reason drowns in the abyss of apathy. Rather, I predicate that whenever uncertainty becomes a conflict between the heart and the mind, we must follow our minds, for it is through their guidance that true greatness can be achieved.
Now, you may wonder, why is it imperative that we become great? The answer is simple: without it, we find no sanctuary within the confines of society.
In recent years, the concept of the middle class has undergone an intense metamorphosis, with only polar extremes finding their place—where wealth and poverty, notoriety and insignificance, prevail. This transformation extends beyond financial boundaries; it permeates every facet of our existence. Long ago, I foresaw a future where the 21st-century incarnation of Leonardo da Vinci will be a billionaire who isn’t a genius.
The easy access to knowledge will make the extremes more notable. Just as the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer, similarly the smart get smarter, and the dumb get dumber. As a result, there will be a rise of new renaissance people and polymaths as well as a rise of uneducated and only-entertainment people.
From The 21st Century da Vinci Will Be a Billionaire Who Isn’t a Genius
This phenomenon extends beyond talent; it pervades all realms. You, too, must choose your path. Will you dedicate yourself wholeheartedly to your craft, achieving unrivaled excellence and living a life immersed in the pursuits of your choosing? Or will you settle for mere existence, toiling away at a job, raising a family, and finding solace solely within those realms? Yet, such a prospect fills me with a sense of melancholy. I cannot envision myself within that framework. No, my desires lie elsewhere—I yearn to pursue my obsessions, pour my soul into my projects, indulge my curiosity, and in doing so, create a system for myself and those around me, allowing them to embark upon their own chosen paths.
I envision a realm, either a physical place or an ethereal concept, where individuals who have an unrelenting fire can find refuge. A realm where the shackles of societal expectations and the futile pursuits for the sake of others do not bind us. As you traverse this extraordinary landscape, you encounter fellow seekers. Conversations flow like a river, brimming with laughter, insights, and shared dreams. Each interaction reveals the depth of human experience, and your heart swells with a profound sense of belonging. Further along, you stumble upon a bustling marketplace, an eclectic atmosphere of creativity and innovation. Artists, engineers, and philosophers proudly display their creations—a mesmerizing blend of colors, textures, and forms. You might talk people working on a robotic squirel, or you might get curious about the latest prime number algorithm, or a new model to build a warp drive, or a mountain of love mastermind who solved climate change, or even a Bell Labs polymath who figured out the brain. The rhythmic pounding of ideas and tinkling of inspiration reverberate through the air. You immerse yourself in this vibrant place, a testament to the boundless imagination of the human spirit. As the night descends, a celestial spectable unfolds. You find yourself in the midst of an open-air amphitheater, where artists and performers from diverse disciplines captivate audiences with their raw talent and vigor. The music, the dance, the spoken word—they resonate deep within your soul, igniting a fire of inventiveness. This is a place where time transcends its bounds and moments of pure presence become eternal. Here, the pursuit of obsessions is not an ephemeral desire but a way of life. It is a sanctuary where the human spirit flourishes and where the fullness of one’s being is celebrated. This is a place where the human spirit soards and where the extraordinary becomes an everyday reality.
That is my aspiration. A world where students yearning for true knowledge, professors hankering intellectual freedom, the working class trapped in the mire of menial tasks, can all find respite. It is a world that exists beyond the confines of what we know, a world we must either align with our vision or create anew.
The shape and form of this realm elude me. However, I am aware of its significance because each passing minute witnesses the erosion of the human spirit, as we forsake the potency of our minds, engaging in pursuits lacking intrinsic motivation.
It is one’s duty to recognize the power of the mind. We possess gifts—whether bestowed by a divine force or born from our souls. Therefore, it is our moral obligation to seek them out, to follow their guidance. It’s our sole responsibility.
Becoming the best version of yourself surpasses all other aspirations because when we devote ourselves to this pursuit, existence unfolds harmoniously. What does this look like for me? Encompassing the profound philosophical dilemmas that surround us but also the vast spectrum of knowledge, from engineering to business, from mathematics to art, and beyond.
And so, my friends, it is through this arduous voyage that we will create our envisioned realm. This is an indispensable necessity, and I will be the architect.
or
I've been immersed in a new project, similar to last year's everything on flying. It ignites an indescribable euphoria within me. There's a part of me that longs for its completion, yet simultaneously dreads the inevitable finale. “Surrender” is how I can describe it. I let my mind take root control. Suddenly and abruptly, I find myself a conduit for my mind to manifest its essence.
(big sigh)
Ciao,
Juan David Campolargo