YUI-LIFE

Greensward Grey -Natalie Shau

Open Mouth in Open Beak -Ilia Shalamaev

Stillness of Sea -ssilence

Ladies of London -enayla

Reprise of Autumn Sun -ssilence

Where does skill come from?
(Is “natural talent” real?)
Why do beginners learn fastest? Does experience transfer?
(Why.. am I so bad at this?)
How can I improve?

Introducing the article with all of the answers - The Expert Mind

Experts are made, not born.

By watching Kare Kano, I came upon a vanity that I’ve come to like. It’s not the vanity of sin that we all love to hate. It’s not the vanity linked to conceit and oftentimes arrogance. It doesn’t have anything to do with liking oneself. This misnamed vanity is the insatiable desire to earn the praise and admiration of others!

Vanity brings the haughty and unkind to bear on themselves, because modesty and compassion are indispensable. Athletically unfit people gain a reason to train and look good, and likewise, not-so-hot people can plow past the social stigma that surrounds plastic surgery. Kids can strive to be balanced model students. This vanity is a dark and humiliating secret, camouflaged by illusions of charisma others will see in you.

There are prices to pay, however. Among them are the willpower to change, the pain of deception, and the sense of self-identity. Eventually, those that follow this path may disembark and reclaim their true selves. By that time, the good is already done. In this game of life, pretense becomes reality. Self-confidence, kindness, and other learned habits of excellence are not so weak as to evaporate when sincerity suddenly enters the fray.

Have you noticed a trend in beautiful photos?

Dusk, by Lars Raun

They are photos of places with no toilet paper in sight. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if beauty had a place in civilized structures too? So, I propose a scheme for the beautification and rejuvenation of civilized places (and people).

1. The rate of natural human evolution has been surpassed by technology. A genetically enhanced body and brain can increase quality of life. Such people should be named after their brethren in Gundam Seed: “Coordinators.” The most important enhancement would not be their high IQ, downloadable knowledge, or infinite lifespan, but the appearance of their eyes - their eyes are bigger and cuter and look like eyes do in anime. So kawaii! With eyes so colorful and rich in emotion, it would be a herculean task to prevent compassion and love from blooming throughout the world. Unfortunately, us “Naturals” will have to be phased out unless genetic therapy is possible.

2. The city above looks like a pile of rubble except for two somewhat shiny buildings. From ground level, the view isn’t much better. Thus, all external nonreflective surfaces must go. Shiny things rule the day. Until the natural human predisposition for shiny things can be surgically removed, there can be no bricks, no rusty stuff, and definitely no unpolished wood. Shininess is the springtime of youth. Old buildings should be covered up with new and shiny exteriors. New buildings should be forbidden to become old. Perhaps a particularly zen building can cover up one wall with the hologram of a waterfall, while loudspeakers bathe the surroundings with the soothing white noise of thundering water.
3. The world needs two moons, much like those planets in Star Wars. The second should be closer, bigger, and cuter than the one we have right now. It should have wonderful craters as well. There need to be worlds other than Earth so that beautiful planetary names get their big break: Aqua, Luna, Atlantis, Caprica… do you have a suggestion as well?
4. Tree leaves should not just be green. There should be purple trees and red trees and blue trees also. Forests and city parks should be more psychedelic than Ashenvale. For the geneticist who thinks that messing with chlorophyll is too low for her, here’s a greater challenge. Tree leaves should absorb solar energy during the day and glow brilliantly at night, replacing street lamps. It would be a shiny sight to behold. I want to put a bonsai in my bathroom to act as an elegant nightlight.
5. For the old-fashioned, AIDS and the common cold and the flu and world hunger and etcetera should be cured. Although such beauty is indirect, a sick person is seldom a beautiful person.

“Journeys to relive your past?” was the Khan’s question at this point, a question which could also have been formulated: “Journeys to recover your future? And Marco’s answer was: “Elsewhere is a negative mirror. The traveler recognizes the little that is his, discovering the much he has not had and will never have.”

Tales of Symphonia is a game that I am playing, and at once a game that I shall never complete. I dream of the characters and their valiant deeds toward saving the world. They are younger than I am by one year, two years, six years; but, if life is measured not by age but by “living,” they have already lived many lifetimes.

Will I get the privilege to embark on such a quest? Can I match their strength of character without completing my own grand journey? Time and time again, I ask myself these questions. And always, my answer: Imagination is richer than reality. We live in an undeveloped reality. Ours is a world that needs no saving.

The future brings hope for adventure. If not now, then maybe someday. But hold on - the future is an illusion. The only place is here, and the only time is now.

Here and now: this is our reality. Our adventure won’t be one of clashing swords and brilliant magic. We journey towards a new culture of fulfillment: decidedly un-American, unconcerned with money, status, and power. And now, we have the chance to catch up to those lucky kids.