Hasty Briefsbeta

Why I'm Learning Sumerian

16 days ago
https://mindthenerd.com/why-im-learning-sumerian-and-what-it-taught-me-about-hard-work-burnout-and-the-joy-of-doing-useless-things/
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  • #personal growth
  • #burnout
  • #meaning
  • The author shares their experience of learning Sumerian, a dead language, as a way to recover from burnout and disillusionment after a major project was canceled.
  • They distinguish between burnout (physical exhaustion) and disillusionment (loss of purpose), emphasizing the need to find meaning in effort itself rather than outcomes.
  • Learning Sumerian, despite its lack of practical utility, became a way to practice effort without external validation or measurable results.
  • The author reflects on how modern work often ties self-worth to external validation, leading to disillusionment when outcomes fail.
  • They advocate for engaging in 'pointless difficulty'—activities that are challenging but have no practical benefit—as a way to rebuild internal motivation and joy.
  • The essay highlights the importance of curiosity and doing things simply for the sake of doing them, without needing justification or achievement.
  • The author encourages readers to find their own version of 'cuneiform'—a difficult but personally meaningful pursuit—to rediscover purpose and resilience.
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