110. Seeking Deep Connection: Kevin Ashton, Author of How to Fly a Horse, [reads] ‘Finding the Mother Tree’
Jul 19, 2022
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Kevin Ashton, author of 'How to Fly a Horse', discusses the importance of deep connection and collaboration. He shares insights on innovation, relationships, and the power of embracing life-changing ideas. The podcast also explores Suzanne Simard's work in forest science, challenges faced by women in the field, and the significance of tree communication. The conversation delves into intelligence and emotion in animals, transitioning roles, and navigating self-discovery and interdependence.
Embrace personal authenticity and persistence in pursuing passions over conforming to external expectations.
Understand the importance of interconnected behaviors, challenging human-centric views through lessons from tree networking strategies.
Deep dives
The Importance of Discovering One's Passion
Discovering one's passion and unique path in life is essential, challenging commonly held beliefs and preconceptions. Embracing eccentricity and individuality, being true to oneself, and persisting in pursuing personal passions, rather than conforming to external expectations, is emphasized. Finding purpose and direction that align with personal values and desires is encouraged, allowing for a more fulfilling and authentic life journey.
The Wisdom of Trees and Networking
The insightful exploration of trees and their networking strategies offers profound lessons for human intelligence and communication. Trees demonstrate collaborative and interconnected behaviors across species boundaries, challenging traditional human-centric views. Understanding the complex systems and interdependencies in nature, specifically within the forest ecosystem, highlights the importance of holistic perspectives and cooperative interactions.
Challenging Common Myths and Embracing Authenticity
Encouragement to challenge societal myths, question preconceived notions, and embrace personal authenticity is presented. Emphasizing the significance of trusting one's individual path, defying external pressures, and honoring personal values, the narrative advocates for finding clarity and purpose amidst external noise and influences. Embracing self-discovery and standing firm in one's beliefs are highlighted as crucial endeavors.
Navigating Individuality within a Larger Context
Navigating between individual identity and communal interdependence is explored, drawing parallels to tree ecosystems where individual trees contribute to the collective well-being. Balancing self-expression with a sense of interconnectedness and responsibility to a larger whole is considered essential. Reflecting on personal identity while acknowledging the importance of community and collaboration underscores the complexity of maintaining individuality within broader social and environmental contexts.
The book I’m writing at the moment is about relationships. I’m neither a relationship expert nor a psychotherapist, but they do say you should write so that you can teach what you need to know. This means I’ve been reading some of the big names: Esther Perel, John Gottman, and most recently, Terry Real, who has a brand new book out called Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship. A phrase often used as part of this book’s marketing that chimed deeply with me is this: ‘At a time when toxic individualism is rending our society at every level, Us provides the tools to find our way back to each other through authentic connection and fierce intimacy.’ It’s a big question – how much are we our own person, and how deeply must we connect?
Kevin Ashton’s latest book is called How to Fly a Horse, and, if nothing else, that’s a title that will get you curious. Kevin is also the guy who named the Internet of Things, and he’s been a key player in its evolution. Before any idea becomes a big deal, though, it starts as a crackpot’s mad imaginings. Even though the IoT was an idea that nobody really got, it was one that Kevin couldn’t get rid of, and he had a self-created sense of urgency that said, ‘If I don’t act on this now, I never will.’ Get book links and resources at https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast
Kevin reads two pages from ‘Finding the Mother Tree’ by Suzanne Simard. [reading begins at 19:50]
Hear us discuss:
What it takes to cross the threshold: “Life is too short to get wrapped up in doing things just because you want the glory.” [24:57] | Knowing when it’s time to move on: “Don’t be a cliche.” [27:43] | “It’s okay to move on from one thing before you move on to another.” [34:57] | What we can learn from trees: “Trees are intelligent.” [35:07]
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