Stride & Saunter

This week, we return to "Between These Eyes of Ink," a series which dissects and considers quotations and the insights they contain. For our third episode, we're looking at the words of Heraclitus, who said "There is nothing permanent except change”. How does this quotation illuminate the human condition? Are the relationships, creations and ideas we seek to make permanent a response to the perpetual tides of change? What does resistance to change cause and how might accepting it affect us as individuals and as a community?

Especially as we grow older, we'll experience countless introductions to peers, leaders, potential friends, partners and other acquaintances. Despite sharing these moments, we don't always recall those we meet and may eventually hear an apology that someone isn't "very good with names". This week, we welcome Ian Fox to explore this comment. Perhaps our mentality and approach to introductions are the issue, not the fault of human memory. Maybe our introductions too closely resemble one another, maybe we don't offer distinct and memorable information in these moments? Maybe these first points of contact are too brief to establish a true rapport or recollection?

As fallible and flawed creatures, human beings are bound to eventual mistakes and errors. For some of us, the fear of failing stops us in our tracks and stops any momentum whatsoever. This week, we welcome Eric Cunningham to explore how the fear of failure relates specifically to learning. What might this fear prevent us from realizing in ourselves? How does fear affect the way we approach learning or new information as we're exposed to different ideas or circumstances?

In an effort to preserve our various traits and qualities as people, many of us strive for a work/life balance between our professional and personal selves. But in the larger context of our world and its economy, professional (and associated productive) behavior can be treated as more crucial to one’s value. How can professionally-oriented attitudes cast shadows on the practices (unprofessional or otherwise) of our personal lives. Is truly free and personal time threatened by the demands of a professional mindset? Should a workplace extend empathy to it’s employees and their varied lives?

Today (technically two days prior, on the 24th) marks four years of work put into Stride & Saunter. It has been and remains a pleasure to explore the world of humanity and its circumstances with and for all of you. Thank you for all of the listening, reflection and community you provide. I feel a profound sense of honor in producing these conversations to share with all of you.

In love,

Kip

Earlier this year, Paul Krugman published an op-ed in the New York Times discussing his perspective that “Politicians Don’t Need New Ideas”. Within it, he elaborates that unlike companies which need to produce new and appearing products, the realm of politics should rely on what is best and tested and not necessarily clamor for “the new”. This week, we’re joined by Sam Whipple to discuss the public expectation that politicians bring fresh thoughts and plans to the table. Where do we anticipate and accept new ideas in our society? How does an intellectual need for instant gratification complicate the process of reflection and consideration?

As issues surrounding race remain painful, complicated and contentious in our society, there are ways in which beliefs and behaviors bubble to the surface, unanticipated. To hone in on a specific topic, this week we’re joined by Charneil Bush to discuss a tendency of referring to one’s black friend and the social pass often presumed within that relationship. How do topics of trust and race manifest in a true friendship? How do pressures or expectations of friendship limit discussions of sensitive issues? How do societal dynamics play out even in private, interpersonal settings?

When we consider the concept of "privacy," we typically imagine what we do or do not share or reveal to the world. But in an increasingly digital and interconnected world, the idea of privacy bears more heavily in communal or mutual spaces than it may have in the past. This week, we welcome Ian Fox to explore how interwoven the idea of privacy has become in modern society. What do recent scandals and revelations teach us about privacy as it relates to courtesy and compassion? What do the topics we want to keep private reveal about us?

At various points of uncertainty in our lives, many of us have heard the common encouragement to "Fake it 'til you make it". This week, we wanted to dissect its meaning, intentions and how much wisdom actually lies in these words. Do the pronouns here refer to knowledge, skills, feelings? Perhaps something else is implied? Does false behavior prevent genuine understanding or relationship to one's environment?

Since time immemorial, competition and contest have been a cornerstone of recreation, identity and society. Alongside cultural and technological development, sports have also evolved over time. With the rise of the Internet and video games, gaming now offers its own, highly competitive and lucrative arena in eSports. This week, we discuss their perception in the mainstream and how they shine a light on the way we define and interact with traditional sports. Can the definition of a sport expand with a society? What function(s) do sports serve that eSports might also satisfy? How do sports influence players and spectators differently?