The "taste" lens is a good one. Hadn't thought about refining ones focus and perception that way, but the reason I like it is because it accounts for our innate sense of the quality of something.
Love your taste on what taste is! In your articulation, it seems like it's more about self-discovery of who you are? In that sense, taste isn't so much acquired but more a refinement as you discover what you really like versus what you don't care about or dislike?
Yes, exactly. And those tastes can change over time.
I said acquired because I think your "portfolio" of tastes can be refined and each individual taste can be refined. So by "acquired" I mean a new focus (like a new activity) and by refine I mean finding or exploring various qualia about that focus.
Yeah, I personally like this interpretation better. I somehow have a negative connotation when others talk about acquiring better tastes, it feels phony and snobbish
like "refined tastes"? like upgrading your taste to "high society"?
yeah that's not what I mean at all - kinda the opposite. Finding a new taste for me is finding what I truly enjoy/am curious about. Not a mimetic desire. So something you're intrinsically drawn to. Like you originally said, it's self-discovery.
The "taste" lens is a good one. Hadn't thought about refining ones focus and perception that way, but the reason I like it is because it accounts for our innate sense of the quality of something.
Have you read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? That's where I really understood what quality means.
not in a loooong time. perhaps time for a review.
Love your taste on what taste is! In your articulation, it seems like it's more about self-discovery of who you are? In that sense, taste isn't so much acquired but more a refinement as you discover what you really like versus what you don't care about or dislike?
Yes, exactly. And those tastes can change over time.
I said acquired because I think your "portfolio" of tastes can be refined and each individual taste can be refined. So by "acquired" I mean a new focus (like a new activity) and by refine I mean finding or exploring various qualia about that focus.
Yeah, I personally like this interpretation better. I somehow have a negative connotation when others talk about acquiring better tastes, it feels phony and snobbish
like "refined tastes"? like upgrading your taste to "high society"?
yeah that's not what I mean at all - kinda the opposite. Finding a new taste for me is finding what I truly enjoy/am curious about. Not a mimetic desire. So something you're intrinsically drawn to. Like you originally said, it's self-discovery.
Yes, I meant I like your definition/perspective on taste as you describe in your newsletter, as opposed to this more conventionally snobbish one
Love this edition, Chris. "The failures in my life were a result of not pursuing taste". Really hits home.