on life (a guide)

A couple of years ago I got into the idea of thinking about life in terms of quadrants/ simple two by two matrices. This is a collection of those thoughts, and it includes a couple ideas under the larger two themes "you and them" and "you and everything else". These refer to interactions you have with other individuals, and the interactions you have with the world around you.

while incomplete; they capture some ideas that may prove useful - or not. I don't know, I'm not a philosopher.

you and them

1. Outcome

When two parties are actions impact each other, they can be viewed as either positive or negative from the perspective of each party.

Always aim for Win-Win.

2. Intent

Actions are preceded by intent. Intent can be viewed as either good or bad. When two entities interact, their intent will either be good or bad, and the others intent will be good or bad as well.

It's generally better to assume that both actors are acting in good intent. However sometimes its useful to look from the perspective of bad intent.

3. Control

Control is often assumed but generally non-existent. When two entities interact they can be viewed as either controlling or being controlled.

Aim for control, but understand that it is often an illusion (for both parties). Environmental impact is often under estimated.

4. Absoluteness

Truth is subjective (to the observer) despite being objective (to the universe). When two parties are in agreement, they believe they are in the same quadrant. When in disagreement, they are in different quadrants.

Understand belief alignment as locations on this chart, aligned parties are positive and productive.

5. Cost

Comparing the cost between for two entities. Different entities have different perspectives on cost.

Always aim for the cheapest, since it lowers friction on all sides. Cheap == Cost Effective.

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you and everything else

1. Knowing

There are 4 possible combinations of knowing and not knowing.

Living in a single quadrant is not ideal and blinds you to the other 3. Strive for slightly off center towards the known/known.

2. Positivity

Humans have emotions, a lot of them. Emotions underpin all actions, and from the perspective of the observer/outsiders, they can be viewed as either positive or negative.

Fixation on being on one quadrant is inefficient. Focus on the skills needed to move from one quadrant to another. Thats a superpower.

3. Importance

Importance is a subjective measure. The observer and outside environment may or may not have aligned importance.

Determining what is truly "important" is difficult because of internal bias, however it's important to move to align internal and environmental importance.

4. Attention

Attention is a scarce resource. The observer and outside environment may or may not have aligned attention/caring.

Aim to spend attention on important things you care about. Use this chart to evaluate actions after events.

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untitled

these are fleeting concepts that didn't fit the above categories

1. Abstraction

When thinking about interfaces between two entities, the higher level will always reduce to lower level composition and vice versa.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. All interfaces have this relationship. Take it into account.

2. Concepts

When thinking about solutions you can approach them from different angles.

Always flip flop between the two in order to get a well rounded understanding.