Pruning the tree of life

I’m taking a course in genetics and evolution this semester — a good month to start, no? — to fill in my biology background as I work towards a future involving neuroscience. So I am likely to post more about science here, and also less frequently.

Especially since I had an epiphany about “focus” last month. For most of my life I’ve sympathized with Sylvia Plath’s fig tree predicament, too engrossed in possibilities to fully realize any of them. But perhaps some process of maturation has culminated, because it’s become easier to prune away activities and possessions (tangible and electronic) that aren’t contributing to my goals.

(If you’re looking for inspiration along those lines, try the chorus of Saul Williams’ “Break” — NSFW)

PS — For the record, I do think one can be too goal-focused. In part because goals set by our conscious mind are likely to represent only our conscious needs and desires, which aren’t the whole picture.