Transcribed from pages in my notebook, as scanned here.
…endless discussion of concepts worth discarding. Get a clean sheet, and start from scratch. That, if I remember, was how Descartes got started. He holed up on his own in a cold winter with only a wood stove for company, along with pen, paper and ink. (like me at this moment!). His “Cogito, ergo Sum” is patently wrong, but he was a clever man.*
I dislike the word “smart” in this context. In England it means, or used to, the quality that your sergeant-major had to instil.
“Philosophy is Bunk”.* That’s a good American word, the phrase being attributed to Richard Feynman, I believe. I’m not, in this piece, going to research and explain. I won’t put phrases in brackets () either, or between dashes by way of interruption. Let there be a single thread. Fiat Lux.
However, the tea and biscuits have arrived, and it’s crossword time. I’ve got some answers ready prepared, so hope not to lose the thread too much.
McVitie’s Rich Tea biscuits, Yorkshire Tea—gladdening when taken together, after a night’s seldom-interrupted sleep. An all-purpose remedy when you reach a certain age. I’m at this age, and am certain. On Thursday 15th at 9am the surgery’s booked me in for an “annual heart failure review” appointment. I laughed heartily. If it was a one-off, that would be cause for alarm, if not palpitations.
Yes, best to joke about these things. What with the crossword, the biscuits and disturbing news on the radio, I’ve lost the thread. President Trump is threatening whole countries again. Perhaps a prophet, inspired by a vengeful God? Meanwhile I’m behind, in our competitive crosswording. I’ve suddenly realized an obvious effect. The one who forges on ahead, the pioneer, gives everyone else the advantage.
Don’t try to win, it’s a waste of effort. That’s my philosophy.
* I thought Richard Feynman’s philosophy is “bunk” but it’s the other way round apparently, when you look it up.
See also this post
a wayfarer’s notes 
