2.5.21 – Obvious seems Obscure.

Hmm, there’s the old saying

“we need education in the obvious more than investigation of the obscure.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes.

When I read that, it sort of changed my life in a way. I was going deep on obscure topics for example: how a computer works, from the GUI(Graphical user interface) displayed on the monitor, down to the flow of current in each transistor. It was obscure, I am not working in that field, nor was electronics one of my hobbies. I was learning about how complex the subject was, and the history behind it. To me, this was exploration. I knew this obscure stuff and when they came up in conversation, It was like a high, I had the knowledge, could share it, and feel superior. Which made me think I was smart, which in turn feed my ego.

This was the realization I had when reading that quote. So, I decided to change my thinking, no more obscure rabbit holes, I’m going to learn the obvious. But what was the obvious? I settled on the Economy, ‘Supply and Demand’, obvious right.

I was a Commie/Marxist, it was part of my identity but was not a supporter of any specific regimes, I felt like it was a good system, it had been done unsuccessfully in the past, all it needed was understanding and implementation current technology and someone in control who would not be corrupted by power. This would lead to people being treated equally, fairly and have more time to pursue their passions. It all seemed so obvious to me, a better world.
So I picked up Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell. I didn’t get any old economics book, I scoured to find one by an author whom I could respect before even reading a page. First sign I found the right author, He had written a book on Marxism. I continued to read about Sowell, a black man, former marine, massive academic, was quoted in 2018 “I think Trump is better than the previous president(Obama)”. All that was saying was this Sowell guy is interesting, doesn’t go with the common opinion but thinks for himself, So the very least when I read his book, I’m getting a well thought out and able to justify any position.
I started reading, He goes into ‘Supply and Demand’, here we go, breaking down the obvious. 10% into the book and I’m no longer a Marxist. He’s breaking down Free Market economics, supply, demand, need, surplus, shortages, cost, value, profits and losses. All great stuff. As I write this I’m only 30% through (I’m a slow reader) but it has already changed the way I look at the world.

Back to the original quote “education in the obvious more than investigation of the obscure” I don’t think I should have be taking that quote so seriously. I feel like I’m veering into obscure territory already with what I’ve learnt about economics. But it has changed the way I look at the world, I’m learning and growing and maybe that’s the high I should be chasing or maybe they’re one and the same.

Now I’m here, writing a blog, with no idea what its about. This is either going to be my diary or my suicide note, I feel like I’m in a good place mentally that it wont be the latter. I chose the name “from something to nothing” in reference to the problems/stresses/challenges of everyday life which plague so many of us, and I believe overcoming these things leads to a better life. So, Cheers, to many more pointless blog entries.