The Worst Kept Secret to Understanding People

Understanding the perspective of others | Music and Content Recommendations

I’m writing this by the water at the Gold Coast.

It’s morning and I have no coffee here, so my reward after this is to go and get one :)

I’m currently on holiday, and something I’ve realised is that I really look forward to writing this newsletter - why should I stop on holiday?

I’ll be travelling through Europe come April for four months - I imagine the newsletters will get pretty interesting.

Anyway, I’ve been having some…

Photo by Felix on Unsplash

Thoughts

It’s staggering to re-remember that everyone lives their own lives to the same level of detail as you - even to the minute thoughts.

They see life from their own two eyes, it’s mind blowing actually.

Everyone has their own to-do lists, their own life struggles, their own idea of fun.

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There's nothing saying your personal opinion is more ‘correct’ than someone else's.

You developed a personality based on your specific genetics, the socio-economic class you were born into, the particular location you’re in and your unique parental situation.

Change any one of these and you’re potentially looking at a totally different person with completely different ideas.

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Why get frustrated at the way someone is doing something?

It’s so silly to feel this way, your barometer for silliness is your barometer.

Maybe you’re the silly one?

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I remember my Dad let me borrow his car.

I drove a bit far so I decided to leave $10 in the car for when he next got fuel.

The next time he sees me he said, very angrily:

“Why was there $10 in my car?”

I was confused.

It’s $10, he should be thanking me.

But I was a young kid from Brisbane, and he’s a 60 year old man from rural Turkey.

He expected I either fill the tank to the top, or thank him with a handshake.

The $10 to him was disrespectful.

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Two people, as close as father and son, can be so different from each other pending so many variables: age, cultural upbringing, family situation…

You don’t have to understand where someone is coming from.

You just have to understand that they’re coming from somewhere else.

Music

1. I Just Keep Dancing (Dr Beats) - Benjamin Ball

   Benjamin Ball is a South African musician famous for his fusion of bubblegum/disco and reggae. This is a Dr. Beats edit. The title is self-explanatory.

2. Solgunlar - Anadol

   Gözen Atila is a Turkish sound artist and photographer. Anadol is their psychedelic synth folk project. This song is (and album) is very calming and nice to put on while you drive.

3. Colour - Soulstice

   Categorised as ‘downtempo electronic soul’, the collaboration between Gabriel Rene and Andy Caldwell.

   
   Gina (vocalist) and Gabriel Rene (keys) are the sister and brother of US The X Factor Season 1 contestant and second runner-up Chris Rene. I thought that was a fun fact.

   
   The music is deep and groovy, I think you’ll be a fan of it.

Content Plug

This week I’ve started reading Jerry Seinfeld’s ‘Is This Anything?’ which is the question that comedians ask each other when trying to come up with a bit.

It starts off with some personal psychology on why he does comedy and the way he thinks about it - really interesting stuff.

The book goes on to just list a lot of jokes - it’s honestly a really good read and makes me laugh out loud.

Also good to study to learn how to story tell.

Thanks so much for reading Elsewhere, and thanks to the people messaging me letting me know they like it and are looking forward to it.

If you’re new and you liked it - join in on the Friday fun.

If you’re already here, share to a friend you think will enjoy it :)

Sincerely,

Eren