Daily Reads

Day 69 done!Discussing Colonel John Boyd's PQ & his OODA Loop.Observe, Orient, Decide, Act, repeated on loop to create change with speed.IQ + EQ = PQ (Persuasion Quotient). PQ also matters for speed in influencing change.Both matter for personal innovation.Articles Discussed“They Passed Him Over for General Because He Cursed in Front of the Wrong People. Twenty-Nine Years After His Death, the Pentagon Is Quietly Borrowing His Strategy to Defeat Iran.”I had never heard of Colonel John Boyd until seeing this article shared. Incredible. He developed the OODA Loop, the F-16, and E-M Theory. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

68 days complete!Discussing dealing with misinterpretations, people missing the point, and micromanagers on power trips—all in context of doing the hard things to overcome them.And having fun along the way.Plus a fun fitness challenge?Links below. Have a great weekend!Articles Discussed"One time in the Army I requested to get a drivers badge."What's obvious to you might go straight over someone else's head. Why "clarity is kindness" is a best practice.Driving for "no less than 1 year" =Driving for 1 calendar year?Driving every day for a year?Driving no less than 8,760 hours?"My husband worked in D1 athletics when we were first married and one of the most insane stories of bureaucracy run amok is as follows:"Lessons here on short-term vs. long-term thinking, over focus on tasks, and power trips.But also an opportunity to illustrate how to introduce superficial change to people who are adverse to it. They never stopped buying ice cream... That didn't change."What radicalized you?"This in an incredible example of how to respond to unjust obstacles and people in your work:You stand firm in excellence in your work, respect in your rebuttals, and you continue serving people.“The simplest 4-week program I've ever made. Free.”Looks like a fun fitness challenge. Considering it myself, starting next week. Might do a scaled version of it—will still be doing BJJ, for example. Very impressed with the .pdf provided. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Day 67 complete!Discussing intrinsic motivation and focusing on how, in context of mental models.And how to leverage the audience affect in your favor.Links below—you'll want to give the first one a read for sure.Articles Discussed“If you don’t know what you’re good at, read this”Stop what you're doing, and read this.It's rare to see anyone write on transferable-talent concepts I call intrinsic motivation and focusing on how, and this article nails them both.It discusses the mental models behind why you're good at the things.“The Audience Effect: Why We Change When Others Are Watching”There's always an audience, even if you're ignoring it. Might as well find and leverage the right one. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Day 66 down, almost 2/3 of the way to 100.Discussing belief as a skill you can strengthen—putting faith in action.And, looking into the origins of consciousness in context of a universe fine-tuned for life.Articles Discussed"This excellent reframe goes deeper than “just” strengthening the certainty of your belief.""His ‘Machine’ Could Uncover the Origin of Human Consciousness—And if It Truly Connects to the Whole Universe""...may not solve the 'hard' problem of consciousness: fully understanding our internal experience."Seems like finding the origin and solving the "hard" part go hand-in-hand.Also, finding what something is not is not the same as finding what it is."The fine-tuning of the universe for life"Reading this excellent article, it seems like chance is guided by necessity, in turn guided by design—if you want to look at it that way.How this might apply to our individual lives? We get to choose if we live our purpose and use our designed talents? Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Day 65 complete!Discussing history and religious narratives...Through leadership successions, beliefs, childhood anxiety, and studies meant to intimidate Christians into not sharing the Gospel.Articles Discussed"This is what happens when you give those at the top absolute power, and power is associated with ideological purity tests."An ideological purity tests happens when ideology turns into religion."My Favorite Short History of the USSR."Fascinating abbreviated history that makes you think.So many parallels and lessons here."Children can face more anxiety when religion is lacking, according to study"By "religion" they mean Christianity.A safe assumption: Anytime you see "religion" referenced in a neutral to positive light a western media article, it's talking about Christianity."Former Christians express more progressive political views than lifelong nonbelievers"This study uses confirmation bias to scare Christians into not talking about what the Bible says, because, you know, the people being brainwashed elsewhere by Progressivism might become... Progressive.Biblical discipleship is needed more than ever. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Day 64 in the books!Discussing taking offense to go on offense, and strategic breaks for strategic breakthroughs.For an experiment update: Going to try out OBS this week to see if it improves the stream quality. We'll see what happens.Articles Discussed“The Blink”A great example of taking something personally in a healthy way that takes responsibility."Why a 20-Minute Nap and a Trick From Salvador Dalí Could Be the Secret to Your Next Big Creative Breakthrough"Semi-sleep it off? I believe the more we find out about how the mind works, the more we'll see there's more going on when it comes to consciousness: spirit and soulAlso, sounds like an opportunity for prayer and listening to the Holy Spirit. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Day 63 complete!Having fun on a Friday discussing playing, building, and play-building in context of sports, industrial inventions, and scientific breakthroughs.All while staying sober and whole—choosing to play while building.Articles Discussed“Sports Build More Winners Than Self-Help Books”Taking an intentional look at how something helped you grow and develop can bring out more growth in you.You may know sports (or fill in the blank) helped you, but can you articulate how? Here are some excellent examples.“Gen Z Stopped Drinking — Here’s What They’re Not Telling You”Interesting article providing perspective, statistics, and good news on Gen Z drinking less.“Transcend Mechanics is Building a Matter Compiler”This is fascinating and incredible. It looks like both hard-work-fun to invent and produce each new piece.Also, several lessons you could pull out of these concepts on being whole versus bolted together, playing to your design (strengths), and more."What Physical ‘Life Force’ Turns Biology’s Wheels?"A scientist worked 50 years to discover this breakthrough. That is incredible vision and consistency.Also, biological wheels and gears confirmed. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Day 62 done!Discussing Education researchers researching themselves (and making themselves look good)...Continual learning for AI and you and I...And using long-term thinking to preserve intellectual depth—for yourself and at scale.Articles Discussed"Education research is weak and sloppy. Why?"Incentives and agendas.As an institution, Education researching Education is incentivized to make Education look good.At a personal level, any individual researcher is incentivized to make themselves look good for more funding/etc."Why We Need Continual Learning"If AI needs continual learning to imitate intelligence, maybe we need continual learning too.“Preserving Intellectual Depth on X: The Risks of Short-Term Algorithmic Optimization”A great read that brings to light why long-term thinking matters, in terms of 2nd and 3rd order effects, and in terms of mission and vision drift.Good intentions can have unintended consequences without intentional win-win systems to build your vision. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Day 61 in the books!A quick story on a cool marketing stunt turned crazy.Then, talking about trust and reputation.People will trust you one way or another. How they trust you—to do right or wrong—is up to you. From there, trust builds your reputation.Articles Discussed"Toronto police from three different divisions were called to do crowd control after mobs of people were trying to break through a giant ice block to find out the release date of Drake's new album."Cool marketing stunt; crazy reaction.Literally.“Trust as a Service: Revisiting a Vision for 𝕏 in 2026”"Trust as a Service" is an excellent framing.Because trust is your service.New article from Lukewarm is Death on SubstackWith marketing yourself, may think it's ok—or feels ok—but that doesn't mean it builds the reputation you want.Consider where you want to see yourself in 10 years.(Language warning, if that matters to you. Go to the headlining article for the read.) Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Day 60—2 months worth of livestreaming days—done!Almost 3 calendar months.Discussing the difference between what AI can be and who you are. And poetry (or anything created) as the thing made, how it's made, and why it matters.Articles Discussed"What AI Can't Calculate About a Human Life"Great perspective that can help keep people's views of AI—and themselves—healthy."Poetry, Poetics, Poesia"Fascinating article with excellent, concise explanations of what poetry is, how it works, and why it matters. And you can substitute other things in, like talent. Then apply it: what the talent is, how the talent works, and why the talent matters. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Discussing how worship music works in the physical—if God made people, music, and worship, then it makes sense there would be some science behind it all.Plus, reading through Palantir's "manifesto" and how their 22 points could apply to each of us.Articles Discussed"When a Song Does the Work of a Therapist"This article made me think of worship music."Live music causes brain waves to synchronize more strongly with rhythm than recorded music"This article made me think of worship services."Excerpts from The Technological Republic: Hard Power, Soft Belief, and the Future of the West"Fascinating "manifesto" coming from a Defense Tech company. A lot of excellent points worth reading, with transferable values for each of us in our own lives."Healing Physician"Read my new poem on the livestream today. You can also read it on the Substack. It's a poem on living and healing. Check it out! Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Day 58, week 11, finished!Discussing 3rd order effects:Stars dimming, historical discovery, artificial cells giving commands, and EMF controlled DNA.It's a helpful (and fun) exercise to imagine what's possible—useful when making decisions.Articles Discussed"NASA Finds Young Stars Dim in X-rays Surprisingly Quickly"Fun framing for this article. I like the framing because activates the imagination and wonder, which are good mental muscles to exercise.(Contains Project Hail Mary spoilers—do not read the article if you haven't read the book or watched the movie.)"Shakespeare's 'missing' London house is FOUND after 400 years: Floorplan confirms the exact address in Blackfriars where The Bard spent his later years"Always fascinates me how knowledge and heritage can be lost and found, hundreds of years later. In this case, some "memory" kept them closer than they realized. I wonder how this could play out on a individual, family heritage level?"Printable Artificial Neurons That “Talk” to Living Brain Cells"Could these artificial neurons "control" a person? How long before the artificial neurons can skip the middle man of biological neurons?Next up: Artificial Humans?"Electromagnetic field-inducible in vivo gene switch for remote spatiotemporal control of gene expression"My first thought after seeing this was, "Someone is going to try to weaponize this." Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Discussing ceilings we set when we develop others and ourselves.And what it means to go do something—to steward—the talents and strengths you have, including in our weaknesses.Articles Discussed"How You Set the Ceiling"Interesting perspectives on how we set the ceiling for our sons—or anyone we're developing (including ourselves)."God Is Strong When We Are Weak — But Not Like That"Excellent essay on strength, weakness, and how it's ok to have ambition. Critical to the success of realizing your potential and living out your purpose.(And for those of you who are not Christians, the transferable principles here are gold. Use them!)"Would-be Columbine copycat stopped cold by 60-year-old principle with guts of steel"What an incredible example of sacrificial strength this man set. In his weakness, he still went towards evil to stop it and save people's lives. He set the ceiling high. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Day 56 done!Discussing mental scripts for resilience and renewal. Whatever your age or season, you can start something new, change your life, or help people change their lives.Articles Discussed“9 Mental Scripts To Help When Life Gets Tough”How we think about things determines how we act towards them. How we think about life determines how we live life. Obvious when you say it, but we all need occasional reminders.Resilience and Renewal, Episode 1I have not watched this yet, but looking forward to it. The man is 89 years old, and I can already tell, he's a wealth of wisdom. Love that he's setting the example of starting a new series like this.“How I Lost a WHOLE Year of My Life on Instagram”Sometimes we need to cut things out that could otherwise be healthy, when they aren't in a healthy place. This rejuvenates us to reap rewards in creativity, relationships, and more. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Discussing making creativity—the poet as a maker, and tools as creative systems.Articles Discussed"On the Poet as Maker"Fascinating article on poetry, creating, and human nature. Well worth the read for anyone who writes—and especially recommended if you write poetry.“Comparing Inkitt and Wattpad”Compelling comparison article. Excellent examples of looking beyond the obvious in considering a strategy, and in applying transferable systems in whichever path you take. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Discussing the wonder of what's possible, thanks to Artemis II.Along with practical, personal application on not mind reading and synthesizing. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Day 53 to cap off the week!Discussing good news on Gen Z women—even if it's a result of [healthy] disillusionment.And how your thoughts influence your body, which further influences your thoughts—including boosting your creativity. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Day 52 done!Discussing opportunity in boring things, critical thinking for discussions, and what we believe (with the help of human nature).All in context of AI thinking for us—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Day 51 complete!Discussing motherhood and family—purpose and influence.And capping it off with a poem about growing older. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Day 50—halfway to 100!Discussing two sides of the same coin when it comes to grit—is it a talent, character trait, or both?And different perspectives on the state of Christian movies (and art).Plus, a poem to end the episode. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Subservient Leadership versus Sacrificial Leadership. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Discussing the story of Jesus being arrested and executed, through a personal innovation filter, from a poet’s perspective. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Discussing the possibility of subconscious persuasion—or is it our response to something else?Plus, reading a poem at the end. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Day 46, and the start of month 3!Hard to believe I've been running this experiment for over 2 months now.Spent some time on one article this morning, discussing wisdom, confidence, and influence. It's a good one!Article DiscussedNot caring what people think about you (not being needy), on a personal confidence level, is one of the secrets to succeeding with people you care about. People want wisdom from those comfortable in their area of influence, with authenticity and security.“Leave Me Behind” Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Discussing an article touching on Japanese culture in context of how it stays consistent.And, why your kids should major in English (or any degree that teaches you how to think and write) in the age of AI. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Discussing "crazy" stories of institutional (vs individual) AI innovation—it's all how you implement it.Topics like these are healthy for your perspective. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Starting off with some fun Friday articles, before focusing in on what's next—reframing your talents and refreshing yourself to win. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Trust. Why do we lose it?Discussing institutional trust, individual trust, and instilling trust. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

All about persuasion in the context of politics and propaganda (but applicable to life), with a little bit of archeology thrown in the middle. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Discussing “that post on X” from yesterday, and how to best share a testimony of life change—framing and focus.Plus, sharing a story of hiring (and firing) that is an example of sharing life change (leadership growth) in a leadership lesson. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Discussing consistency behind the scenes...And how this fuels spontaneous poetry, life stories (for dating websites), athletic and work performance, and overcoming obstacles. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Bringing the physical world into the digital today by reading the newspaper—County Highway, "America's only newspaper."You can relax and have fun while stimulating your mind.Grab your 2nd cup of coffee, and enjoy! Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Discussing articles on the bigger pictures in life, like finding a long lost city or the connections in seemingly unconnected domains.Plus, posts on new seasons and new opportunities. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Discussing theories: Aliens as spiritual beings (yes, went there), dream engineering (not quite Inception-level), déjà vu as a symptom, and writing for tomorrow. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Discussing deception: what we can learn from war strategy, researchers implanting false memories (for science), and one of the best weapons in a poet’s arsenal—synonyms. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Discussing forgiveness, disrespect, and loyalty. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

"Fun Friday" starting with some good news, and going through a list to help you grow on social media (but it's really to help you grow in life). Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Discussing wives submitting to husbands, husbands loving their wives, femininity and masculinity. Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Discussing articles and more through the filter of personal innovation—from a poet's perspective. A livestreaming to podcast experiment. creativityandculture.com Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe

Discussing articles and more through the filter of personal innovation—from a poet's perspective. A livestreaming to podcast experiment. creativityandculture.com Get full access to Creativity & Culture at www.creativityandculture.com/subscribe