Aldous Huxley

Improving the One Domain You Truly Control

Practically, scope‑aligned methods work best. Peter Gollwitzer’s implementation intentions (1999)—the simple if‑then plan—dramatically increase follow‑through by pre‑deciding cues for action. Habit research summarized in Charles Duhigg’s *The Power of Habit* (2012) and BJ Fogg’s tiny‑steps approach (2019) shows how small, consistent changes rewire routines. Meanwhile, cognitive behavioral techniques translate thoughts into experiments, and Jon Kabat‑Zinn’s MBSR program (1990) cultivates attention that can notice and interrupt autopilot. Because these tools operate where control is highest—the junction of intention, attention, and behavior—they honor Huxley’s constraint. They are scalable, testable, and personal; success or failure is legible, and iteration is immediate. [...]

Unmasking Idealism in the Pursuit of Power

Expanding on Huxley’s observation, one can look back to political history and see leaders using soaring ideals to legitimize their rise. For instance, the French Revolutionaries invoked ‘Liberté, égalité, fraternité’ while consolidating their own authority. Similarly, American presidents have often evoked democratic ideals during campaigns, only to govern with more practical, sometimes self-serving, calculations. [...]

To Travel Is to Discover That Everyone Is Wrong About Other Countries - Aldous Huxley

The quote suggests that many people hold preconceived notions or stereotypes about other countries that are often incorrect. Traveling allows individuals to see the reality for themselves and challenge these misconceptions. [...]

Experience Is Not What Happens to You; It’s What You Do With It - Aldous Huxley

By focusing on 'what you do with what happens to you,' it encourages resilience and adaptability, urging individuals to transform challenges and hardships into opportunities for improvement. [...]