A lot of big, tragic and important things have happened to this wonderful country of ours since April 2014. None of which I have covered. I was too busy writing about hungover parenting, ancient philosophy and my dog Colin.
Out of the 536 columns I have written, 27 were about that guy. Far too few. He is such a good boy, he deserves an article a week.
Today is the end of an era for me, and whenever these final events pop up in our lives, we can’t help but think about the ultimate end.
Everything we do, we will one day do for the last time. That’s why you have to enjoy things while they are around. It’s not just big events like leaving a job, house or loved one either. Whatever moment you happen to be in now, you will never get it back, and you don’t know how many more you have.
Everything we do in life, from eating pizza to spending time with the people we love, to driving, writing, drinking or breathing, we will one day experience for the final time. It might happen tomorrow. This can be either a depressing or an inspiring thought, depending on how you look at it.
A few years back in this column, I interviewed professor of philosophy William B Irvine, of Wright State University, Ohio, on this very topic. He put it this way on a Zoom call: “Recognition of the impermanence of everything in life can invest the things we do with a significance and intensity that would otherwise be absent. The only way we can be truly alive is if we make it our business periodically to entertain thoughts of the end.”
Today’s column is very meaningful to me because it is my last. Like the last night with a lover before she goes overseas. And just like a lover, there have been some half-arsed efforts put in from me over the years. Last week, for example, I spent 750 words moaning about how bad my cricket team is. But the truth is that any of my columns could have been the final. If I had reminded myself every week for the past 10 years that the end is inevitable, I may have been more grateful for having a column and appreciated writing them all as much as I am this one.
While everything we do could have more meaning with a focus on finitude, some things are inherently more worthwhile than others. There is no doubt my column “The pros and cons of wearing Speedos” from November 2022 was less meaningful than most things in this world. That was a waste of everyone’s time. So, if we only have so much time, how do we pick the best things to do?
Well, Oliver Burkeman, the author of Four Thousand Weeks – Time Management For Mortals, suggested this to me in a 2022 column: “Ask yourself, does this choice enlarge me? You usually know on some unspoken level if it does. That’s a good way to distinguish between options.”
With that in mind, I don’t feel great about my 2018 article on “New Zealand’s best hole”. That didn’t enlarge anyone.
There will be people reading this column right now who have loved my writing in the Herald and are sad to see it end. Others will have hated it and are glad to see me go. Many won’t have any opinion at all. But for those in the first camp, I have good news. I have a book coming out on May 28 called A Life Less Punishing – 13 Ways To Love The Life You Got (Allen and Unwin Book Publishers). It’s a deep dive into the history, philosophy and science of not wasting our time lost in anger, loneliness, humiliation, stress, fear, boredom and all the other ways we find to not enjoy perfectly good lives. It’s available for pre-order right now (google it if you’re interested).
A Life Less Punishing took me two years to write and is equivalent in words to 100 of these columns. Which would be a complete nightmare for those in the hate camp, but as I say, great news for those who want more.
Anyway, thanks to the Herald for having me, thanks to the lovely people who make an effort to say nice things to me about my column nearly every day and thanks to the universe for every single second we get.
Bless!
This Optical Illusion Reveals a Hidden Number – and Everyone Sees It Differently
Have you ever encountered an optical illusion that left you second-guessing what you see? The image above is one such challenge. At first glance, it appears to be a hypnotic swirl of black and white lines, but hidden within this mesmerizing pattern is a number. Can you spot it?
Before scrolling further, take a moment to examine the image carefully. What number do you see? Comment below before reading the answer!
This puzzle has taken the internet by storm, with many struggling to identify the correct number. Some people see one thing, while others see something completely different. But why does this happen? Let’s break it down and explore the science behind this intriguing optical illusion.
Why Do People Get It Wrong?
Optical illusions exploit the way our brains interpret visual information. This particular illusion uses contrasting black and white lines to obscure the hidden number, making it difficult for some to distinguish the digits. Here are a few common mistakes people make when attempting to solve this puzzle:
- Over-focusing on the Patterns: Many people get caught up in the swirl effect and fail to see the bigger picture.
- Contrast Sensitivity Variations: Some individuals may struggle to differentiate the shades due to differences in contrast perception.
- Visual Fatigue: Staring at the image for too long may make it even harder to see the hidden number clearly.
- Different Viewing Angles: The number might become clearer if you tilt your screen or adjust your perspective.
Understanding these factors can help you refine your approach and solve similar illusions more effectively in the future.
Video : WHAT NUMBER DO YOU SEE? – 98% FAIL | Eye Test
Step-by-Step Guide to Solving the Puzzle
Now, let’s walk through the process of uncovering the hidden number. If you haven’t found it yet, follow these steps:
Step 1: Adjust Your Viewing Angle
Try slightly tilting your head or looking at the image from a different angle. Sometimes, changing your perspective can make certain numbers pop out more clearly.
Step 2: Blur Your Vision
One helpful trick is to blur your vision slightly by squinting your eyes. This reduces the interference caused by the distracting swirl pattern and allows the numbers to stand out more distinctly.
Step 3: Increase or Decrease Brightness
Adjusting your screen brightness or viewing the image in different lighting conditions might reveal the hidden digits more clearly.
Step 4: Focus on Sections
Instead of looking at the entire image at once, try breaking it down into smaller sections. Focus on the center first, then move outward.
Step 5: Use Image Editing Tools
If you’re still struggling, you can try adjusting the contrast, brightness, or sharpness of the image using an editing tool to enhance the hidden number.
Step 6: The Answer
The correct number hidden in the illusion is 3452839. Were you able to find it? If so, congratulations! If not, don’t worry—these types of illusions can be tricky, and practice makes perfect.
Conclusion and Engagement
Video : How imaginary numbers were invented
Did you manage to spot the number before reading the answer? If so, let us know in the comments below! If not, don’t be discouraged—optical illusions challenge our brains in fascinating ways, and each attempt sharpens our perception skills.
Share this puzzle with your friends and family to see if they can crack it. Who knows? They might surprise you with their keen eyesight!
If you enjoy brain teasers and mind-bending challenges, keep an eye out for more puzzles like this. Training your brain with illusions and visual puzzles can enhance cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills.
Stay curious, keep challenging yourself, and most importantly—have fun!
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