The Dangerous Allure Of Ready Thoughts

Let’s choose ideas that breed ideas

someone walks down a supermarket aisle containing shelves of bottled ideas as if they were ready meals, sleek, futuristic, digital art — by DALL·E

The best thoughts are those that generate more thoughts. The most valuable ideas are those that spark new ideas. Speeches that inspire adoration and worship are dangerous at worst and limited at best. The modern world has been ruled by convenience for a long time, which does not promote careful consideration but rapid action. Once, I came up with the dystopian concept of “ready thoughts”, ideas anyone could pick and add to their philosophy. Much like ready meals in a supermarket, this type of thought would be exceedingly useful.

Imagine having carefully selected and validated ideas without having to do the hard work or embarking on the many trials and tribulations involved in developing critical thinking. Sadly, we don’t need to imagine much because “ready thoughts” are already all over us. Boredom is one of the most fertile grounds for creativity, and we are hardly ever bored these days. Granted, the brain must be active, but it must also enjoy moments of idleness to explore beyond the safe patterns we know by heart.

We will all agree that our attention has never been more stretched. Everything and everyone wants it now. There is no historical precedent. We may turn to ancient philosophies or modern gurus, but there is still no definitive answer on how to deal with…