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Truths & Wonders

Reflections from a lifelong journey of learning

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Tag: wisdom

Easier Isn’t Better

On June 27, 2026September 24, 2026 By Steve SampsonIn Formative MemoriesLeave a comment

The better way isn’t the easier one; it’s whichever one leads to greater fulfillment. Even if it includes freezing nights, Grandma’s guilt trips, and a gold 1970 Chevy Nova on a winding West Virginia country road.

Sometimes the Scar Is Worth It

On June 21, 2026September 24, 2026 By Steve SampsonIn Formative MemoriesLeave a comment

My earliest memory involves a soccer field, a broken beer bottle, and a choice that left a mark—a scar that still reminds me of my father.

What to Do When Life Shows Up Uninvited

On April 26, 2026April 26, 2026 By Steve SampsonIn Musings2 Comments

Take a moment to appreciate the pinafores and listen to the lollygags.

How Do You Stay Hopeful?

On October 12, 2025 By Steve SampsonIn 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 Steve SampsonIn 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.

Why ChatGPT Cheats at Chess—And Why that May Be Super Important for the Future of AI

On September 27, 2025September 24, 2026 By Steve SampsonIn MusingsLeave a comment

Turns out being long on language but short on world models could be a big problem.

What I Learned When Dad Was Dying

On July 20, 2025 By Steve SampsonIn 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 Steve SampsonIn 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 Steve SampsonIn Formative MemoriesLeave a comment

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

Check Your Lenses

On January 2, 2021January 1, 2021 By Steve SampsonIn MusingsLeave a comment

Different tools enable different types of seeing and thinking.

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