Yesterday's conversation with various AIs continued.
Because Rambam is important.
To us.
Right now.
In fact, this is how I introduced that article for Substack “Notes”.
But rather than posting the continued conversation in full, I’ll begin at the more practically accessible endpoint.
For the Maimonidean context, read all of the [ESSENTIAL] parts of yesterday's communique. In fact, while ❤️s for this post on its own will be appreciated and helpful towards building our community, it is essential that you read yesterday's letter to have a truly full understanding of this one, as this is but an appendage of yesterday's letter and fully dependent on it for its existence. 1
Trump pursues success relentlessly without fearing failure, consuming from the Tree of Life rather than the Tree of Knowledge.
His fearlessness toward criticism and setbacks has led to remarkable achievements including the presidency.
He sees only opportunities and prizes, never experiencing the paralysis that comes from excessive analysis.
He experiences only the pleasure of pursuit and never the pain of setback.
[1]
In our culture of careful analysis and risk management, Donald Trump stands as a fascinating anomaly. His approach to life offers valuable insights regardless of your political views.
[2]
Trump embodies a singular focus on success rather than failure. Where most people see risk, he sees only reward. Where others hesitate, analyzing potential pitfalls, Trump charges forward with unwavering confidence. This isn't just a personality trait—it's a deliberate life strategy that has yielded remarkable results.
[3]
This approach connects to ancient wisdom traditions. In biblical terms, humanity was presented with two trees in Eden: the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge. Most of us consume heavily from the Tree of Knowledge—we analyze, calculate risks, and worry about consequences. Trump, however, feasts exclusively from the Tree of Life—pursuing direct benefits without getting caught in the paralysis of overthinking.
[4]
Consider how Trump handles setbacks. When business ventures fail or he faces public criticism, he doesn't dwell on these experiences or internalize them as personal failures. Instead, he immediately refocuses on the next opportunity, maintaining an unwavering self-perception as a winner. This psychological resilience has allowed him to bounce back from situations that would crush most people's spirits.
[5]
The contrast between Trump's approach and conventional wisdom is striking. We're taught to learn from failure, to carefully analyze mistakes, to consider all possible outcomes before making decisions. Trump demonstrates an alternative path: focus exclusively on desired outcomes, ignore potential failures, and maintain absolute confidence regardless of external circumstances.
[6]
This isn't about emulating Trump's specific choices or values. It's about recognizing a powerful psychological mechanism that can drive achievement. By focusing exclusively on opportunities rather than obstacles, Trump creates a reality where success feels inevitable rather than merely possible.
[7]
The implications extend beyond business or politics. In our personal lives, how often do we talk ourselves out of pursuing dreams because we're afraid of failure or criticism? How much energy do we waste analyzing potential pitfalls rather than taking action? Trump's example suggests that this analytical approach—eating from the Tree of Knowledge—might actually hinder rather than help our pursuit of goals.
[8]
The most powerful aspect of Trump's approach is his ability to see only the prize, never the obstacles. In a world increasingly dominated by anxiety and overthinking, there's something revolutionary about this single-minded focus on desired outcomes.
[9]
The question for us: What might we achieve if we stopped climbing the deceitful branches of the Tree of Knowledge and focused exclusively upon the pickable, delightful fruits hanging from the Tree of Life?
[10]
The answer might transform not just what we achieve, but how we experience life itself.