As architects working in the technology space we have a tendency to look forward at the ever changing world of tech. However the ancients spent much time thinking about the nature of reality and our position in the world. In this talk we’ll explore this relationship and what we can learn about the practice of architecture.
22. “If you don’t wish to be a hot-head, don’t
feed your habit. Try as a first step to
remain calm and count the days you
haven’t been angry. I used to be angry
every day, now every other day, then
every third or fourth … if you make it as
far as 30 days, thank God! For habit is first
weakened and then obliterated. When
you can say ‘I didn’t lose my temper
today, or the next day, or for three or four
months, but kept my cool under
provocation,’ you will know you are in
better health.”
Epictetus
24. “As Plato said, every soul is
deprived of truth against its will.
The same holds true for justice, self-
control, goodwill to others, and
every similar virtue. It’s essential to
constantly keep this in your mind,
for it will make you more gentle to
all.”
Marcus Aurelius
26. “Sometimes even to live is
an act of courage”
“Limiting one’s desires
actually helps to cure one of
fear . ‘ Cease to hope , ’ he
says , ‘ and you will cease
to fear .”
Seneca
29. DISIPLINES
The Discipline of Perception
▪how we see and perceive the world around us
The Discipline of Action
▪the decisions and actions we take—and to what end
The Discipline of Will
▪how we deal with the things we cannot change, attain clear and convincing judgment,
and come to a true understanding of our place in the world
32. “We suffer not from the
events in our lives but from
our judgement of them”
HARNESS OBJECTIVITY
THROUGH ANOTHER PAIR
OF EYES
Marcus Aurelius
33. “When you wake up in the
morning, tell yourself: The
people I will deal with
today will be meddling,
ungrateful, arrogant,
dishonest, jealous and
surly”
Marcus Aurelius
35. “For there are two rules to
keep at the ready—that
there is nothing good or
bad outside my own
reasoned choice, and that
we shouldn’t try to lead
events but to follow them.”
Epictetus
36. “The proper work of the mind is the
exercise of choice, refusal,
yearning, repulsion, preparation,
purpose, and assent. What then can
pollute and clog the mind’s proper
functioning? Nothing but its own
corrupt decisions.”
Epictetus
38. “If you are defeated once and tell
yourself you will overcome, but
carry on as before, know in the end
you’ll be so ill and weakened that
eventually you won’t even notice
your mistake and will begin to
rationalize your behaviour.”
HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY!!!
Epictetus
39. “We don’t abandon our pursuits
because we despair of ever
perfecting them.”
PERFECTION IS THE ENEMY OF
ACTION!!!
Epictetus
46. “The chief task in life is simply this:
to identify and separate matters so
that I can say clearly to myself
which are externals not under my
control, and which have to do with
the choices I actually control.
Where then do I look for good and
evil? Not to uncontrollable
externals, but within myself to the
choices that are my own …”
Epictetus
47. STORIES
Don’t get involved in your
own narratives, we tell ourselves
stories that we choose to believe
we give them energy and make them
come true
48. “Listen and connect with
people, don’t perform for
them.”
DON’T INDULGE IN
NARRATIVE FALLACY UNKNOWN
52. “How many have laid waste to your
life when you weren’t aware of what
you were losing, how much was
wasted in pointless grief, foolish
joy, greedy desire, and social
amusements—how little of your own
was left to you. You will realize you
are dying before your time!” Seneca
56. “As Plato said, every soul is
deprived of truth against its will.
The same holds true for justice, self-
control, goodwill to others, and
every similar virtue. It’s essential to
constantly keep this in your mind,
for it will make you more gentle to
all.”
Marcus Aurelius
58. KEY TAKEAWAYS
▪See the world as it is
▪Know that you don’t know
▪Remember all you have is your reasoned choice
▪Understand what’s in your control and what’s not
▪Get comfortable with uncertainty
▪Stop chasing the new new thing
▪Remember the obstacle is the way
▪Be prepared not surprised
▪All you have is your reasoned choice
59. “Between stimulus and response
there is a space. In that space is our
power to choose our response. In
our response lies our growth and
our freedom.”
Victor Frankl