Is Friction just another way of saying that, from the moment you wake up in the morning till you lay your weary tête down on that pillow, life ain’t nuttin’ but solving problems, one after the other?
Love this. Just started walking a pilgrimage route my partner and I are hoping to complete over ten years (the 1200 mile Francigena, from Canterbury to Rome). Walking 12, 14, 16 miles day after day is such a nice signal that your body works the way it was designed. It hurts when you push too hard and also feels so rewarding to go so far at the speed your body can carry you.
Yes, I seem to remember that the Canterbury Tales contained a lot of talk about pilgrimages. Back in the Day, apparently, people perambulated around much more than nowadays. I envy you this opportunity. Your feet and legs may scream at you, but, hey, that’s Friction!!
Truly wild how many pilgrimages there are in England alone! Canterbury Cathedral has a pilgrim officer, which is amazing. The Via Francigena was initiated by Archbishop Segeric in 990 when he took notes on the pathway of his return from claiming his papal stole in Rome. (Apparently this original “guidebook” is in the British Library!) and yeah, on day 3, the feet really start to scream. But the flowers smell so sweet and the sun shines so bright and the birds sing so sweetly. You spend six hours walking through farmlands and you gain new appreciation for how f*cking beautiful the world is.
I often think, “Imagine how good I’d be at writing if I didn’t have this job taking up all my time.”
But it’s the meaninglessness of the job which drives my thirst for meaning.
Is Friction just another way of saying that, from the moment you wake up in the morning till you lay your weary tête down on that pillow, life ain’t nuttin’ but solving problems, one after the other?
Love this. Just started walking a pilgrimage route my partner and I are hoping to complete over ten years (the 1200 mile Francigena, from Canterbury to Rome). Walking 12, 14, 16 miles day after day is such a nice signal that your body works the way it was designed. It hurts when you push too hard and also feels so rewarding to go so far at the speed your body can carry you.
Yes, I seem to remember that the Canterbury Tales contained a lot of talk about pilgrimages. Back in the Day, apparently, people perambulated around much more than nowadays. I envy you this opportunity. Your feet and legs may scream at you, but, hey, that’s Friction!!
Truly wild how many pilgrimages there are in England alone! Canterbury Cathedral has a pilgrim officer, which is amazing. The Via Francigena was initiated by Archbishop Segeric in 990 when he took notes on the pathway of his return from claiming his papal stole in Rome. (Apparently this original “guidebook” is in the British Library!) and yeah, on day 3, the feet really start to scream. But the flowers smell so sweet and the sun shines so bright and the birds sing so sweetly. You spend six hours walking through farmlands and you gain new appreciation for how f*cking beautiful the world is.
This makes me think of how much we design systems to remove friction. In doing so, how often that also removes the signal.
Not all friction is wasted noise. It is often the only way you can know something truly matters.
Well said and exactly my thought process as I wrote this!
The washing machine surely has been a blessing tho
Such a good read
Thank you!!
Thanks for an interesting article (but I've gone off Bruce Springstein ... what's happened to him?)
Isn't Rick Rubin the opposite of this? "Taste" as "work" involves no notion of friction.