Ten questions about the hard limits of human intelligence | Aeon Essays

Despite his many intellectual achievements, I suspect there are some concepts my dog cannot conceive of, or even contemplate.

A fun (in a nerdy sort of way) essay on the limits of our understanding


I’m enjoying the Really Specific Stories podcast series from @martinfeld. I’ve been listening to podcasts for a long time now and hearing people talk about the medium and associated technology has been fascinating


Finished reading: A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers is a charming story about a human and a robot on a quest to find purpose πŸ“š


Finished reading: Plague Birds by Jason Sizemore is quite the story: advanced AIs living in people’s blood, genetic manipulation run amok, the collapse of civilization, and a mysterious alien. A fun read πŸ“š


An early start for today’s ride to avoid the heat and catch the sunrise πŸš΄β€β™‚οΈ


Finished reading: Among Others by Jo Walton is very good. A celebration of SF, despite being about magic and fairiesπŸ“š


Back in the city for today’s run. A bit strange after all those quiet, hilly cottage runs


Relaxed and happy

son and daughter arm in arm and looking towards the camera

Found some rapids on today’s run πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ


The Kobo Libra 2 is great for cottage reading πŸ“š

As a follow up to my earlier post, now that I’m on the eleventh book of my vacation, I can confirm that the Kobo Libra 2 is exactly what I’d hoped.

The screen has been easy to read in all lighting (especially bright sunlight on the dock), the page turn buttons are reliable, and the public library integration has been seamless.

Perfect for cottage reading!

holding the Kobo with the cottage lake in the background

Finished reading: Although the book is unfinished, I enjoyed Starlight by Richard Wagamese. The theme of appreciating the land resonates well with my cottage vacation. I also found the themes of fatherhood and adopted families compelling πŸ“š


Ominous clouds for today’s swim

Lake with some dark clouds rolling in with Strava stats: 3,110 m in 1 hour and 11 minutes

A fun Upgrade episode on automation with Jason Snell, Federico Viticci, Rosemary Orchard, and Matthew Cassinelli πŸ€–πŸŽ§


Finished reading: Tunnel 29 by Helena Merriman is an engrossing book about students that escaped from East Germany during the Cold War, only to then tunnel back under the wall to help more people escape πŸ“š


Finished reading: The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan was a perfect vacation read. A long and immersive fantasy story with both familiar elements and novel ideasπŸ“š


Back on the gravel roads for today’s run


Nice run along the James Cooper Lookout Trail, despite some tough terrain πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ

Signpost at the trailheadMy Saucony Switchbacksa narrow trail through the woodslooking up the slope to a trail marker


Finished reading: Although I was initially confused by the plot of Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki, once I got into the story I enjoyed it. A nice mix of humour, honouring your identity, immigrating, and classical music πŸ“š


Rays of light


Looking for a beaver lodge 🦫

We’ve seen a beaver swimming from one end of the lake to the other, most evenings at our rented cottage. Today we paddled out to investigate.

Kayaking on the lake

We found three separate lodges, though I could only really get a good picture of one.

As well as a dam that was blocking a culvert at the end of the lake.