5-Bullet Friday

The latest from author and investor Tim Ferriss

Hi All!

Here is your weekly dose of 5-Bullet Friday, a list of what I’m pondering and exploring.

This edition is brought to you by Eight Sleep, my favorite way to sleep at the perfect temperature. Be sure to see their offer in the P.S.

Track I’m listening to

“Zitarrosa” by Bajofondo. This track is great for cooking, writing, dancing, or simply calming yourself. It does it all. I first found Bajofondo when I lived in Buenos Aires and traveled through Uruguay many lifetimes ago.

Science I’m investigating for injuries and pain

“Low-Intensity Continuous Ultrasound Therapies—A Systematic Review of Current State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives.” I’ve been experimenting with low-intensity continuous ultrasound (LICUS) for the past week to contend with shoulder pain and rehab while training for sports. My left shoulder was completely reconstructed in 2004. Thus far, the results have seemed almost miraculous, and I’m eager to see if it lasts or improves with 3x/weekly treatments. Given the plausible mechanisms for enhanced regeneration of muscle tissue and cartilage (see “LICUS Effects on Tissue Regeneration” at the above link), I’m cautiously optimistic that there is real remodeling beyond the pain relief.

Interview I’m reading

“Wade Davis probes our relationship to the sacred.”

What I’m watching

Perfect Days. Can you find enlightenment from cleaning toilets? After watching this Tokyo-based film, you might well think so. Perfect Days is beautifully shot and earned lead actor Kōji Yakusho (Shall We Dance) the Best Actor Award at the 76th Cannes Film Festival.

Here is some background from UncleChatGPT:

Wim Wenders’ film “Perfect Days” originated from an invitation by Koji Yanai to document The Tokyo Toilet project, which involved redesigning public restrooms in Shibuya with contributions from various creators. Initially, the producers envisioned Wenders creating a series of short films about these facilities. However, after observing the unique designs and the cultural significance of these toilets, Wenders felt there was a larger story to tell. He proposed developing a feature film that, while incorporating the toilets, would focus on a narrative reflecting the sense of common good present in Tokyo. Yanai supported this vision, allowing Wenders to craft a more expansive story centered around a public toilet cleaner in Tokyo.

The film is directed by Wim Wenders (Paris, Texas; Wings of Desire), and here is part of the official description: “Hirayama is content with his life as a toilet cleaner in Tokyo. Outside of his structured routine, he cherishes music on cassette tapes, books, and taking photos of trees. Through unexpected encounters, he reflects on finding beauty in the world.” You can watch the trailer here.

Warning: This is very artsy and very not action-packed. I suspect 50% of you will love this and 50% of you will hate it.It’s Slow & The Curious vs. Fast & The Furious, so settle in. I found it somewhat boring at first, then hypnotic, then deeply soothing. The ending is also controversial, but it makes for good debates. Thanks to Gabby for the recommendation!

Book highlight I’m pondering

Do you have any attachments—people or things that you falsely believe you could not be happy without? Make a list of them right now before we go on to study how exactly they blind you.

Think of a politician who has convinced himself he will not be happy unless he gets political power. His quest for power coarsens his sensitivity to the rest of life. He barely has time for his family and friends. Suddenly all human beings are perceived and reacted to in terms of the support or threat that they are to his ambition. And those who can neither threaten nor support he does not even notice. If in addition to his craving for power he has an attachment to other things like sex or money, the poor man has become so selective in his perceptions that he could almost be said to be blind. Everyone sees this except the man himself. ...

Now think of yourself listening to an orchestra in which the sound of the drum is so loud that nothing else can be heard. To enjoy the symphony you must be responsive to every instrument in the orchestra. To be in the state called love you must be sensitive to the uniqueness and beauty of every single thing and person around you. ...

Stop for a while now to see how your attachments drain life’s symphony no less than the politician’s attachment to power and the businessman’s attachment to money have hardened them to the melody of life. Or look at the matter in another way: There is an enormous amount of information that is continuously flowing in from the world through the senses, the tissues of the organs of your body. Only a small part of this information reaches your conscious mind. It is like the infinite amount of feedback that is sent to the President of a nation: Only a tiny fraction finally makes its way to him. Somebody does the screening and the processing at the President's office. Who decides what will finally make its way to your conscious mind from all the material that is pouring in from the world? Three decisive filters: first your attachments, second your beliefs and third your fears.

― The Way to Loveby Anthony de Mello
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You can complement this edition of 5-Bullet Friday with my interview with famed explorer Wade Davis, this list of my four must-read books, and my most recent podcast interview, featuring renowned poet David Whyte.

And, as always, please give me feedback on Twitter. Which bullet above is your favorite? What do you want more or less of? Other suggestions? Please let me know. Just send a tweet to @tferriss and put #5BulletFriday at the end so I can find it.

Have a wonderful weekend, all.

Much love to you and yours,

Tim

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