Roberto Grippi Last night in Palermo, Sicily, Italy, it rained. Rain is scarce during summer, and droughts are common. The rain last night brought cooler air, and this morning, the temperature is below 30°C (in summer, it is usually around 30°C; in winter, around 13°C; and in the intermediate seasons, around 20°C). To me, this suggests that … Read more
The Hagakure, a seminal Japanese philosophical text, offers a profound exploration of the samurai code, a set of principles that governed the lives of Japan’s warrior class. Written by Yamamoto Tsunemoto (1659-1719), a warrior-turned-monk, the Hagakure is a collection of anecdotes, advice, and stories that have shaped the character and skills of samurai for centuries. … Read more
“One educates through what they say, even more through what they do, but most of all through who they are.” (Paolo Borsellino, a judge murdered by the mafia, a symbol of integrity in Italy, during a speech at a conference)
A priest once explained the difference between “blessed” and “saint” to me: “blessed” is what we call a single man, and “saint” is what we call a married man.
I recently regained control of the company I founded. During my 14-month absence, my Operations Manager operated without a direct supervisor. Essentially, he had the autonomy to manage the day-to-day operations. Now that I am back, he has begun reporting every decision to me. Are you familiar with the saying, “It is better to ask … Read more
“There is no remedy for birth and death, except to enjoy the interval.” (Arthur Schopenhauer)
Today, I’m compelled to reflect on the atrocities of war, a subject that has weighed heavily on my mind in recent days, particularly as I have been following the news. My thoughts have been drawn to a powerful poem written in 1946 by the Italian poet Salvatore Quasimodo, a Nobel laureate in Literature. Entitled “Alle … Read more
“Do not believe that he who seeks to comfort you lives untroubled among the simple and quiet words that sometimes do you good. His life has much difficulty and sadness and remains far behind yours. Were it otherwise he would never have been able to find those words.” (Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young … Read more
This is specifically for mechanical engineers. There is a joke going around in Italy about the textbook ‘Elementary Mechanics’ written by Giovanni Gallavotti, one of the most eminent mathematical physicists of our time. There is nothing ‘elementary’ in it, of course! “A soldier goes off to trench warfare and is told that he can only … Read more
“Life is like coffee: you can put all the sugar you want in it, but if you want to make it sweet you have to turn the spoon. Standing still, nothing happens. “ (Alex Zanardi, F1 driver who lost both legs in a GP, and has since won many medals at the Paralympics and in … Read more
“Almost everything that men have said for the best has been said in Greek. Everything that any of us can attempt to harm our fellows or to benefit them has already been done by a Greek. The same is true of our inner choices: from cynicism to idealism, from Pyrrhonian scepticism to the sacred dreams … Read more
“I think young people need to start thinking about what kind of world they are going to leave to me and Keith Richards.” (Willie Nelson)
You know you are Italian when …(In no particular order of preference!) Finally, you know you are Italian because you are always right!
Facts you can count on in a crisis: (Murphy’s Law)
Have you noticed that the mosquitoes this year are as angry as a greengrocer forced by his wife to go to IKEA on a Sunday at 2 in the afternoon? Last night, one bit my ear so hard that I now have a piercing. And what exactly are mosquitoes good for? Nothing. I searched on … Read more
“It is quite possible—overwhelmingly probable, one might guess—that we will always learn more about human life and personality from novels than from scientific psychology.” (Noam Chomsky) I wholeheartedly agree with Chomsky’s assertion. Novels possess an unparalleled ability to illuminate the complexities of the human psyche. This is precisely why I find science fiction even more … Read more
Cognitive dissonance: Our brain’s resistance to information that challenges deeply held beliefs. It is a resistance that can be overcome by courageously opening oneself up to different opinions, learning to distinguish fascination from objective data.
In a world of solitudes Endlessly intertwined, I choose the few, the rare. I choose quality, never quantity. I love to blend my solitude— Active and creative— With just a few others. I choose others When they surpass my solitude. I cherish being with the few, Who, for me, are many. (Unknown author)
“The right time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.” (John F. Kennedy)
Today, I want to remind everyone who knew Randy Ritt of his legacy. My post is about the ‘duty of memory’, an action that turns Human Culture into a space for remembrance and growth. Broadly speaking, the ‘duty of memory’ is honored every time one person reads the work left behind by another, every time … Read more