Louis CK is smarter than Dr. Seuss

In “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss, there’s a spread about “the waiting place.” He makes it seem like a torturous inconvenience to have to wait for something. A blocker on your fabulous adventure.

But kids (and adults) don’t need encouragement to have unrealistic aspirations. We do that automatically. What we need is encouragement in patience, in waiting, in the Hail Mary fail.

Louis CK said to his (fake/actress) daughter: “I’m bored’ is a useless thing to say. I mean, you live in a great, big, vast world that you’ve seen none percent of. Even the inside of your own mind is endless; it goes on forever, inwardly, do you understand? The fact that you’re alive is amazing, so you don’t get to say ‘I’m bored.”

He’s smart as fuck.

Brain Games

Brain games are little games you can play in your head when you’re waiting or bored. You don’t need stuff. You don’t need your phone. You don’t need another person. You don’t even need your eyes open.

Brain Game: Alone on Earth

Alone on Earth is a hypothetical scenario where you are alone on Earth and you can do whatever you want with the rest of your life.

• What would you wear?
• How would you spend your time?
• What would you eat?
• Would you be creative?
• Would you write anything?
• Would you learn anything new?
• Would you exercise?

Fun Report

I play this game with myself frequently. I never come up with the same answer twice, and I do this intentionally. I try to take a different perspective every time.

For example, in one alone-life I’d learn cloning to make myself a baby/friend. I’d learn biology and break into a science lab to do experiments.

In another, I believe in aliens and I try to preserve as much information as I can about Earth and history, for the aliens to find when they discover Earth. I’d study conservation. Chisel it in stone? Seal paper in plastic bags? I’d have all my time to figure it out.

In a third, I go full-hedonist and sample all the delights there were left to be had.

In all of these scenarios, I am wearing pijamas. Fuck any clothes that don’t offer optimum comfort.

The inside of your own mind is endless; it goes on forever!!