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Truths & Wonders

Reflections from a lifelong journey of learning

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Tag: advice

The Struggle to Write Is the Struggle to Think

On November 17, 2025November 17, 2025 By stsampsonIn Musings, Words, Words, WordsLeave a comment

Ask most people to define “writing,” and they’ll tell you it’s the process of putting words down on paper, communicating what you already know. In reality, writing is often how you discover what you don’t know—and so how you learn to think better.

How Do You Stay Hopeful?

On October 12, 2025 By stsampsonIn MusingsLeave a comment

The philosopher Ernst Bloch argued that hope is woven into the fabric of reality. Here’s a brief look at his big ideas, plus prompts to get you thinking and writing (hopefully).

I Used to Be ChatGPT

On October 5, 2025October 5, 2025 By stsampsonIn Musings2 Comments

In the early 2000s, my job was to find and share answers to hard questions fast. Here’s what that experience taught me about how humans know, why we need to keep thinking together, and when we’re better than any artificial intelligence.

What I Learned When Dad Was Dying

On July 20, 2025 By stsampsonIn Musings1 Comment

Paying attention to what matters most is harder than ever—and just as important as it always has been.

Sometimes the Deep Magic Prevails

On July 12, 2025July 20, 2025 By stsampsonIn Musings3 Comments

Reflections from a wedding on a Blue Ridge mountainside.

Ode to a Woman and a Civil Servant

On March 9, 2025May 16, 2025 By stsampsonIn Formative MemoriesLeave a comment

My mother taught me that to be a decent human you have to despise cruelty. And she was right.

Read Closely, Listen Actively, Lead Wisely

On March 2, 2025 By stsampsonIn Words, Words, WordsLeave a comment

Do whatever it takes to let yourself fully engage—to read and think and write back. The right people will love you for it.

You Gotta Help

On May 19, 2024November 12, 2025 By stsampsonIn Fatherly AdviceLeave a comment

It is not your job alone to save the world. But it is your job—it is all of our job—to help.

Beware the Curse of Knowledge

On January 3, 2024January 3, 2024 By stsampsonIn Words, Words, WordsLeave a comment

Expertise can be its own worst enemy.

Love and Other Essentials

On January 30, 2021December 20, 2023 By stsampsonIn Fatherly AdviceLeave a comment

Love isn’t really all you need. But it’s right up there.

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