Our life is compound interest
The theory of relativity and the ripple effect we can generate in the world through creation
Surely if you have ever tried to create something in your life, the following question has crossed your mind: Why am I doing this? What’s the point?
Damn nihilist.
This question has crossed borders and reached the most remote places on the planet. It has been in the minds of both ourselves and others. Because everything we do may not hold value for anyone, but at the same time, there is a small possibility that your act generates a ripple effect.
Knowing that one day we will die, what’s the point of what we do? If we look at it from an individualistic perspective, it’s obvious that it has none. But once we shift our gaze away from ourselves and broaden our field of vision, that’s when the compound interest returns to us.
That ripple effect can be generated with the smallest act, like cooking something new for your partner, or with something a little bigger, like the theory of relativity that Einstein published in the 20th century. From both acts, a new idea is born, and that, in turn, can make others want to imitate it or use it as inspiration. This generates compound interest in society, as we all benefit.
The idea that prompted me to write this was precisely Einstein’s theory of relativity. It inspired me, and here we are.
One day, Einstein was at home and said, “This sounds interesting; I think I should publish it. But why? What’s the point?”
Well, it made a lot of sense because it generated an impressive ripple effect.
For example: If today you used Google Maps to find your friends and not get lost, you can thank Albert. Thanks to his theory of relativity, we can use GPS technology without ending up in the middle of nowhere. Without it, the atomic clock in our devices would lose calibration, accumulating a kilometers-long error in just one day.
So I have no choice but to thank you, Albert. Without you, I would be right now in the middle of nowhere with a 100% probability.
Obviously, not all of us are Albert Einstein, nor will we be. We will not invent anything akin to the theory of relativity. But we can all generate compound interest in humanity in various ways, from the smallest to the largest.
Because generating 10 is not the same as generating 1 million, but in both cases, we are creating something.
Creating is in our genes. It is through the will to create that we attempt to overcome that inevitable death. That’s where what we do gains meaning. When you consider that maybe you can leave a legacy or make society a little better than you found it. Because all the small gestures throughout a life add up significantly in the end.
And even though in many cases you may not be aware of the effect you have generated in someone or you may not end up enjoying your creation, it is still worth doing.
Life is not about making sense. We live in a constant absurdity, and that’s where we should feel free. We will probably pass through this planet without a trace, so at least take life as a game and see how far you can go.
If you like this, you can subscribe to Yugen, my weekly newsletter where I talk about my projects and various topics related to creativity, health, and living independently.
You can unsubscribe whenever you want. No hard feelings here.