In the process of pursuing my mission, I realized the importance of balancing both competence and character. I’ve been to the top of the tower, and I did not like the loneliness, cruelty, and self-serving I witnessed. Yet, compassion and great character alone are too dull to cut through systemic sufferring.
I am still in the process of building myself as I pursue my Sisyphean task. I feel grateful to have grown up with ideas and teachings from the following people, which served as my guiding lights:
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On personhood: https://emersoncentral.com/ebook/Self-Reliance.pdf
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On doctoring: https://www.capebardo.com/single-post/2019/10/21/carl-jung-accept-yourself-before-you-wreck-yourself
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On academia: https://www.terrydjohnson.com/about#h.ejtnapbeifk
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On life, goals, and career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo&list=WL&index=1&t=1s (Shared with me by Michael Yartsev)
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More on life, goals, and career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxoCnxlxpIk&list=WL&index=24
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On idea sharing: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/34901/34901-h/34901-h.htm
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On productivity: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cal_Newport