“Maxims represent crisp, well-decorated, rhetorical, and seemingly universal rules which help us conduct ourselves in the world. They are compound ideas distilled into a few words. They do not exhaustively match the reality – but rather render it bearable.” – Vizi Andrei
Maxims
In this short paragraph from his book ‘Economy of Truth’ Vizi Andrei eloquently sums up maxims, their use and limitations, before proceeding to whimsically introduce these very same short, snappy heuristics in which a lifetime’s experience can be refined.
This is the very allure of Twitter. Constant, condensed, compound ideas which aren’t true in their entirety – what is? – but contain enough of reality to spark our imaginations and fire up our emotions. Unfortunately, Twitter as a platform encourages hot takes and polarization. If you dislike seeing your favourite content creators writing in this manner, blame the platform rather than them. They must adapt their style to the medium.
On the other hand, if you enjoy the succinctness – but dislike the polarization – of Twitter, then the ‘Economy of Truth’ will be perfect for you. Vizi spent three years creating this masterwork and not a hot-take abounds. It is calm, measured and highly enjoyable. Several times I found myself nodding along with his reasoning, a smile playing around my lips.
Slow Thought
Slowly perusing (as the author requests, of course) this pensive production grants space to ruminate on the writings of a man who has clearly set time for thinking as an utmost priority. As a result, wisdom permeates the entirety of the treatise. Written in a quaint, reflective authorial voice it charms the reader – mixing just the right amount of introspective self-awareness with cutting insight.
Taking time to self-examine is something I urge you to do too. We must all create space for periods of contemplation to deep-dive on our thoughts. In fact, I did just this every time I read a few pages. By digesting his insights I merged them with my own; our brains interfacing the way only the best books allow.
In case you haven’t worked it out by now, I took great pleasure in reading ‘Economy of Truth’. It’s an antidote to the currently fraught Culture War being waged in the space I occupy online. Although I live in Asia – and therefore am shielded against it in my real-life – I never rule out coming back to the West. As such, I don’t want to return to a place which has devolved to a position where I feel my future children will suffer. Although I may not make much of a difference, it is why I fight the small battles I do. It’s my contribution to creating a world I want to live in.
But this book takes me back to my roots. It reminds me of what I love about quiet thinking and is entirely in keeping with the type of philosophy I enjoy. Playful, probing and wise it reminded me that the true battle we fight is against ourselves. Every day we must wrestle with our limiting beliefs, our poor habits and outdated mental models to grow into people we can be proud of.
And this never ends.
I thank him for creating a piece of work which reminded me of that.
Write to Think
‘Economy of Truth’ is Vizi Andrei’s attempt – I believe – to emulate Marcus Aurelius who in his life was “writing in order to think; and he was thinking in order to act.” Vizi wrote those words, but I’m taking the liberty of applying them to his writing. It’s clear that everything he wrote is in service to action and by writing something for us to enjoy, he not only improves us – but himself. The perfect, mutually beneficial contract we all look for.
Through his improvement we can learn and see the inconsistencies within our own heads – whilst simultaneously providing new insights, continuing our personal progress.
If, like me, you consider consideration of great import; a pleasant stroll through ‘Economy of Truth’ would be time most excellently spent.
I genuinely really enjoyed this book, and I’m certain that if you like my writings, you will enjoy it too. If you would like to purchase it, click here. This is an affiliate and as I mentioned in my review of @lifemathmoney’s ‘Live Intentionally’ I will never affiliate for anything I don’t believe in. ‘Economy of Truth’ is a lovely read.
If you use this link you will get it cheaper than anywhere else as well as an exclusive free gift. Bargain!
Further to that, go follow Vizi on Instagram @viziandrei and on Twitter: (also) @viziandrei.
Finally, check out his weekly newsletter ‘Monday Meditations’. If you’d like to sign up, visit his website www.viziandrei.com
Thanks for reading. I’m sure you’ll enjoy ‘Economy of Truth’ as much as I did!