How to be Highly Practical/Pragmatic -- Short Story Analysis (By Mr. Ogbule Chibuzo Isaac)

(Disclaimer: The guest posts do not necessarily align with Philosocom's manager, Mr. Tomasio Rubinshtein's beliefs, thoughts, or feelings. The point of guest posts is to allow a wide range of narratives from a wide range of people. To apply for a guest post of your own, please send your request to mrtomasio@philosocom.com)

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Article Synopsis by Mr. C. Kingsley and Co.

"How to be Highly Practical/Pragmatic" by Mr. Ogbule Chibuzo Isaac is a well-crafted exploration of pragmatism, using a relatable story as a metaphor for life's distractions. The article effectively illustrates the importance of prioritizing essential goals over fleeting distractions through a structured analysis.

The engaging narrative makes the article accessible to a wide audience, with the contrast between the woman's appearance and the driver's practicality serving as an effective metaphor for life's distractions versus core objectives. Isaac successfully conveys the central theme of prioritization and focus, breaking down the story to highlight how superficial elements can detract from meaningful pursuits.

The article is well-organized, transitioning smoothly from the story to its analysis, with each section building upon the previous one. The inclusion of expert insights, such as Mr. Tomasio Rubinshtein's notes, adds credibility and insight by connecting the story to broader philosophical and practical considerations.

The article offers valuable advice applicable to various aspects of life and work, increasing its relevance and usefulness to readers seeking to enhance their pragmatism.

(Background music)

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The Story

 A half-dressed woman gets in a taxi whose driver is a highly practical man. He stares her up and down several times.

The worried woman asks:

"What, you've never seen a woman in a bikini before?"

The taxi driver replied:

"I'm not looking at you because you're half-naked. I'm worried because I look and look and I don't see where you got the money to pay me. Why should I drive you if you can't pay me for my services?”

"Why are you so hostile to me?" the woman protested.

"I'm not being hostile, I'm simply doing my job. If you don't have any method to pay me, I'm afraid I cannot drive you and you have to leave."

What lesson will we learn from this? Let's be like the taxi driver! Let' put our goals and the projects first. Anything else, no matter how alluring, deserves to be secondary in place. After all, the purpose of the taxi driver is to drive his passanger in exchange for cash. Having the passanger half naked does not have to degrade this arrangement into a social call.

The distraction deserves to be the background. In the curious encounter between a half-naked woman and the strictly-practical taxi driver, a profound lesson emerges – one that transcends the surface scenario, and delves into the way we universally approach things.

Analysis: How To See Beyond the Objectively-Minor Seduction

In the peculiar narrative of a half-naked woman and the taxi driver, there's more than it meets the eye. It challenges us to navigate the intricacies of life, and what they make us feel, with a intentional focus on priorities and purpose, while acknowledging the persistent distractions that surround us.

The half-nakedness of the woman becomes a symbolic representation of life's countless distractions, the short-term and often tempting diversions that threaten to pull our attention away from what truly matters. It sets the stage for a discourse on the importance of discernment and the ability to see beyond the superficial.

 In the taxi driver's stoic response, "I'm worried because I look and look and I don't see where you got the money to pay me," a deeper message resonates. The driver's concern is not about his passanger's appearance; it's about ensuring that the fundamental aspect of the transaction – payment for services rendered – is addressed. This underscores the need to prioritize essential matters even when surrounded by unconventional or attention-grabbing circumstances.

After all, focusing on his passanger's body will not exactly pay the driver's bills, will not feed his family and so on. This shows us how temptations are not only distractions in many cases, but also a waste of our time.

Perhaps we should reflect on the distractions in our own lives. What are the temptations that crave for our attention, and stand in the way of our plans and arragnements? It could be the allure of instant gratification, societal expectations, or the perpetual quest for validation. By acknowledging these distractions, we are better equipped to confront and overcome them, in order to increase the productivity of our work, thus bringing us further to success.

(Mr. Rubinshtein's note: And perhaps, success is more important than our own happiness/pleasure).

Further reflection on this specific story can reveal the importance of cultivating a mindset that transcends the immediate spectacle, encouraging a thoughtful examination of what truly deserves our time, energy, and focus.

(Mr. Rubinshtein's note: That is also known as distinguishing between "Kli" and "Tochen").

In a world characterized by constant stimulation and fleeting attractions, the narrative serves as a reminder that true wisdom lies in the ability to discern between the essential and the more-temporary. By embracing this perspective, we can navigate the complexities of life with a steadfast commitment to our goals as we become less fazed by counter-productive features.

(Mr. Rubinshtein's note: Our attraction to irrelevant temptations reveal the irrational aspect of the human mind, which could become its own liability, and even harm our financial survival, as presented in this anaecdote. Becoming more logcial beings could make this aspect far less of a hindrance).

Finding a balance that ensures we stay true to our core values even in the face of the unexpected and alluring detours, can help us as well. In order to do that, we must distinguish between wants and needs.

You may claim that there is no such thing as an "objective importance", even though the existence of the strawman's fallacy proves otherwise. That's also because lesson extends beyond cultural boundaries and our different emotional reactions. Focusing on the essential, which in this case is the need to make a living, is such an example. Let's say she could pay the taxi driver digitally using a phone she happened to carry with her. Then, her bikini will be even more irrelevant to this context.

Professionals need to assess their priorities and ensure that their attention is directed toward the goals that align with their task at hand. If they are too stressed or overexcited, they need to maintain their calm. If they are criticized (Like being called "hostile"), they still need to take such criticism in a professional manner.

In conclusion, the naked taxi ride narrative, while unconventional, imparts a lesson that might as well prove objectivity exists not only culturally but historically as well. It's because this lesson can be applied in any historical setting as well, where work and transportation are invovled. Apply it to different departments, and the context of transportation won't be necessary to understand it. It can be generally applied to any case where mutual interest obliges cooperation.

(Mr. Rubinshtein's note: The formation of syndicates and consortiums are often necessary for an action to come into fruition. Of course, the passanger's appearance doesn't exactly matters for the combined effort of reaching a certain destination. How is it combined? The passanger's role is to afford this small-scale "syndicate". If they don't fill their end of the bargain, the driver has no reason to fill their part as well. Thus, the process of reaching the destination, cannot be done).

By adopting this highly-practical mindset, which considers all members involved in the execution of an action, individuals can embrace a philosophy of deliberate prioritization, ignoring the distractions around them and actively focusing on the essential aspects of their lives. This approach not only navigates life's complexities with clarity but also ensures that the journey is actually done.

There are plenty of methods to reduce distractions in general in the workplace, and outside of it (Like when studying).

Conclusions

This scenario highlights the importance of focusing on priorities and practical matters over distractions. The taxi driver's response suggests the value of a pragmatic approach, emphasizing the need to address essential concerns, such as payment for services, before getting sidetracked by superficial distractions like usually-unsuitable style of dressing (or... undressing). The lesson encourages prioritizing goals and projects ahead of less significant elements.

However, this lesson can be applied more broadly to various aspects of life, work, and decision-making. By adopting a pragmatic approach and staying focused on what truly matters, individuals can enhance their efficiency, make informed decisions, and achieve better outcomes in both personal and professional realms. This mindset helps in avoiding unnecessary distractions and ensuring that our limited time and resources are allocated to tasks that contribute meaningfully to our objectives.