The Seen and the Unseen - hosted by Amit Varma Ep 434: An Ode to Meanderness
Shruti Rajagopalan, a public intellectual and conference organizer, joins Pranay Kotasthane, a policy commentator, to share insights on friendship and life's winding paths. They explore the magic of spontaneous conversations at unconferences and the importance of vulnerability. The trio discusses the balance between structure and spontaneity, emphasizing small, meaningful gestures in daily life. They also delve into the fun of learning equestrian skills, reflect on personal growth, and recommend books that foster humility and creativity.
02:55:19
Power Of The Unconference
- Unconference formats show spontaneous order can produce high-quality, authentic engagement.
- Bottom-up sessions remove performance pressure and surface genuine curiosity from participants.
Poetry That Filled A Room
- Amit described a poetry unconference session that swelled from three people to a full, multilingual sharing circle.
- Musicians improvised, readers teared up, and unexpected human connection emerged among young attendees.
Pitch Small, Think Moonshot
- Apply for small grants like Emergent Ventures even for moonshot-seeming, early-stage ideas.
- Low-friction application and personal review can incubate unexpected projects.
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Intro
00:00 • 5min
Why do unconferences work so well?
04:37 • 6min
Poetry, vulnerability and unconference magic
11:00 • 2min
Structure versus spontaneity
12:45 • 6min
Performance, authenticity and young voices
18:22 • 5min
Emergent Ventures: how to apply
23:51 • 31sec
Turning goals into processes
24:23 • 5min
Optimistic nihilism and two-chapter life
29:26 • 3min
Meaning, kindness and small things
32:46 • 5min
Lists, Obsidian and tracking progress
37:19 • 3min
Technology: amplifying best and worst selves
40:40 • 4min
Tiny habits that stick
44:30 • 7min
Satisfaction index and deliberate small acts
51:03 • 2min
The value of postcards and link-bombing
53:07 • 6min
Gossip, lore-bombing and connection
58:50 • 3min
Friendship, expectations and steadiness
01:02:06 • 9min
AI as a kindness and research tool
01:10:41 • 10min
Entering flow without screens
01:20:27 • 3min
Learning to ride and loving horses
01:23:38 • 6min
Family stories and preserving memory
01:30:00 • 6min
Ad break
01:36:06 • 2min
Spain, museums and late-life masterpieces
01:37:36 • 6min
Fluid vs crystallized intelligence
01:43:59 • 6min
Second acts and late bloomers
01:50:11 • 2min
Personal reflections and meanderness
01:51:53 • 12min
Books, essays and epistemic humility
02:03:46 • 11min
Henrik Carlson and designing a life that fits
02:14:52 • 9min
Reading fiction and recommendations
02:23:59 • 5min
If 19-year-old you met your present self
02:29:20 • 7min
AI, image-to-video and solo filmmaking
02:36:32 • 13min
Plans for 2026: fellowships and projects
02:49:28 • 5min
Outro
02:54:50 • 26sec
#51821
Ibnebatuti
Divya Prakash Dubey
Divya Prakash Dubey's 'Ibnebatuti' is a contemporary Hindi novel that explores the nuances of a mother-son relationship in a progressive and modern environment.
The story breaks away from traditional portrayals of family dynamics, presenting a refreshing perspective on friendship and understanding.
Dubey's writing is characterized by its simplicity and evocative language, creating relatable characters and engaging narratives.
The novel captures the complexities of human emotions and the evolving nature of relationships in a rapidly changing world.
The book offers a delightful reading experience, showcasing Dubey's talent for blending relatable themes with a contemporary narrative style.
#430
• Mentioned in 61 episodes
After Virtue
Alistair McIntyre
Alasdair MacIntyre's "After Virtue" is a highly influential work in moral philosophy that critiques modern ethical theories and proposes a return to virtue ethics.
MacIntyre argues that modern moral philosophy has lost its way, leading to a fragmented and incoherent understanding of morality.
He traces the historical development of ethical thought, identifying the decline of virtue ethics and the rise of emotivism and other relativistic approaches.
MacIntyre proposes a revival of virtue ethics grounded in the Aristotelian tradition, emphasizing the importance of character development and the cultivation of virtuous dispositions.
His work has had a profound impact on contemporary ethical debates, inspiring renewed interest in virtue ethics and its application to various social and political issues.
#13227
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A Sixth Of Humanity
Independent India's Development Odyssey
Devesh Kapur
Arvind Subramanian
#27843
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In Praise of Floods
James C. Scott
#14973
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Anaximander
Marion Lignana Rosenberg
Carlo Rovelli
In 'Anaximander', Carlo Rovelli examines the contributions of Anaximander, often considered the first modern scientific thinker.
Anaximander's ideas, such as the Earth floating in space and the concept of natural laws, were revolutionary for his time.
Rovelli discusses how Anaximander's approach to understanding the world through naturalism and curiosity laid the groundwork for the scientific method.
The book also delves into the broader implications of scientific thinking and its relationship with culture and religion.
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Second Act
Henry Oliver
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• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Notes on the synthesis of form
Christopher Alexander
Christopher Alexander's 'Notes on the Synthesis of Form' presents a systematic approach to design, emphasizing the importance of understanding the relationship between form and context.
The book introduces a method for breaking down complex design problems into smaller, manageable components, allowing designers to address each element in a structured way.
Alexander argues that a good design is one that achieves a 'fit' between the form of the solution and the context in which it exists.
He critiques traditional design processes, suggesting that they often fail to adequately consider the needs and constraints of the environment.
The book proposes a more objective and analytical approach to design, using diagrams and mathematical models to represent design problems and evaluate potential solutions.
'Notes on the Synthesis of Form' has had a significant impact on the fields of architecture, urban planning, and software engineering, influencing the development of design patterns and other systematic design methods.
#131
• Mentioned in 135 episodes
From Strength to Strength
Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life
Arthur C Brooks
In 'From Strength to Strength', Arthur C. Brooks addresses the inevitable decline in abilities that comes with aging and provides a practical guide on how to transform this period into an opportunity for growth.
Drawing on social science, philosophy, biography, theology, and eastern wisdom, as well as interviews with everyday men and women, Brooks advocates for refocusing on priorities such as deep wisdom, detachment from empty rewards, connection and service to others, and spiritual progress.
He argues that by adapting our expectations and focusing on these areas, we can achieve increased happiness and purpose in our later years.
#1765
• Mentioned in 22 episodes
His Dark Materials
Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" is a fantasy trilogy following Lyra Belacqua as she journeys through a parallel universe where humans are accompanied by daemon companions.
The series explores themes of free will, religious dogma, and the nature of truth.
Lyra's adventures involve encounters with witches, armored bears, and other fantastical creatures.
The trilogy's complex plot and philosophical depth have earned it critical acclaim and a devoted following.
Enough serious talk about economics and geopolitics. As the year draws to an end, it's time to sit and chill with friends -- and let the mind meander. Shruti Rajagopalan and Pranay Kotasthane join Amit Varma in episode 434 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about friendship, horses, second acts -- and more! (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Shruti Rajagopalan on Twitter, Substack, Instagram, her podcast, Ideas of India and her own website. 2. Pranay Kotasthane on Twitter, LinkedIn, Amazon, Puliyabaazi and the Takshashila Institution. 3. Emergent Ventures India. 4. The Takshashila Institution. 5. Episodes of The Seen and the Unseen w Shruti Rajagopalan: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. 6. Episodes of The Seen and the Unseen w Pranay Kotasthane: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. 7. Shruti Rajagopalan Remembers the Angle of the Light -- Episode 410 of The Seen and the Unseen. 8. Pranay Kotasthane Talks Public Policy — Episode 233 of The Seen and the Unseen. 9. Dance Dance For the Halva Waala — Episode 294 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Jai Arjun Singh and Subrat Mohanty). 10. The Adda at the End of the Universe — Episode 309 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Vikram Sathaye and Roshan Abbas). 11. We Are All Amits From Africa — Episode 343 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Krish Ashok and Naren Shenoy). 12. You're Ugly and You're Hairy and You're Covered in Shit but You're Mine and I Love You — Episode 362 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Krish Ashok and Naren Shenoy). 13. Long Distance II -- Tony Harrison. 14. Deepak VS and the Man Behind His Face — Episode 373 of The Seen and the Unseen. 15. The Poetic Feminism of Paromita Vohra — Episode 339 of The Seen and the Unseen. 16. The Heart of Disruption -- Episode 86 of Everything is Everything (on Amit's heart issues). 17. The Practice of Medicine — Episode 229 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Lancelot Pinto). 18. How I Reversed My Type 2 Diabetes -- Episode 9 of Everything is Everything. 19. The Art of Podcasting -- Episode 49 of Everything is Everything. 20. The Art of Reading -- Episode 120 of Everything is Everything. 21. Sudhir Sarnobat Works to Understand the World — Episode 350 of The Seen and the Unseen. 22. Inside the Hearts of Men and Women -- Episode 118 of Everything is Everything. 23. Understanding Human Sexuality -- Episode 126 of Everything is Everything. 24. Kavitha Rao Chases Chatto and Roy -- Episode 416 of The Seen and the Unseen. 25. Shephali Bhatt Is Searching for the Incredible — Episode 391 of The Seen and the Unseen. 26. The Life and Times of the Takshashila Institution -- Episode 433 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Nitin Pai and Pranay Kotasthane). 27. I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City -- Harry Nilsson. 28. After Virtue -- Alasdair MacIntyre. 29. The Light in Winter -- Episode 97 of Everything is Everything. 30. The Black Paintings -- Francisco Goya. 31. From Strength to Strength -- Arthur Brooks. 32. Songs of Surrender -- U2. 33. Creep -- Radiohead. 34. Choo Lo -- The Local Train. 35. Second Act -- Henry Oliver. 36. BR Ambedkar's Grammar of Anarchy Speech in Hindi on Puliyabaazi. 37. Mohak Mangal, Veritasium, 3Blue1Brown, Jared Owen, Van Neistat and vlogbrothers. 38. We're here because were here -- The vlogbrothers video Amit mentions. 39. Mathematica -- David Bessis. 40. A Sixth Of Humanity — Devesh Kapur and Arvind Subramanian. 41. In Praise of Floods -- James C Scott. 42. Seeing Like a State -- James C Scott. 43. Against the Grain -- James C Scott. 44. A Passion for Cycling -- Episode 53 of Everything is Everything. 45. Everything that turned out well in my life followed the same design process -- Henrik Karlsson. 46. On agency -- Henrik Karlsson. 47. Notes on the Synthesis of Form -- Christopher Alexander. 48. Anaximander -- Carlo Rovelli. 49. Divya Prakash Dubey: Ek Jeevani -- Episode 399 of The Seen and the Unseen. 50. Ibnebatuti -- Divya Prakash Dubey. 51. Divya Prakash Dubey and Terry Pratchett on Amazon. 52. His Dark Materials -- Philip Pullman. 53. The Day Ryan Started Masturbating -- Amit Varma. 54. Amit's backscratcher. 55. Notebook LM. 56. Learn LM by Ashish Kulkarni. 57. Bojack Horseman on Netflix. 58. The Reflections of Samarth Bansal — Episode 299 of The Seen and the Unseen. This episode is sponsored by The Six Percent Club. Join them to go from content idea to launch in just 45 days! Amit Varma runs a course called Life Lessons, which aims to be a launchpad towards learning essential life skills all of you need. For more details, and to sign up, click here. And have you read Amit's newsletter? Subscribe right away to The India Uncut Newsletter! It's free! Also check out Amit's online course, The Art of Clear Writing. Episode art: 'Meanderness' by Simahina.