When thinking about mastery, for myself, there seem to be two frames:

  1. How do I define what it means to strive for learning, for mastery?
  2. How well am I following that rubric / framework for any given essay?

I think I need to figure out #1 first, or at least have some sense of it, in order to give it a whirl. But I also need to not be too prescriptive. Who knows what’ll happen when I write.

Here’s the latest ‘rubric’ I’ve created for myself when writing something new. I’ve used it twice now and the results have been pretty awesome.

On choosing what to write about

  • Is it something I’m not sure the answer to, e.g. this whole thing with Fogchaser and dancing for the algorithm but also wanting to support him on there.
  • Does the question / topic propel me forward (vs being propelled by how it will externally be received)?

On starting the process

  • Did I spend some time hand writing the ideas?

On the process

  • Am I open to the possibility of being surprised and having the essay go wherever the hell it wants to go?

On editing

(To be filled in as I develop this further)

Right before publishing

  • Am I clear on how I feel personally about the essay?
  • Am I clear on how well I followed the rubric / concepts here?
  • How do I feel broadly about writing?

Questions I’m not sure about

Is this the best way to be spending my time?

What’s the goal of this work?

Pursue mastery, not status by Lawrence Yeo