Of Guides, Maps and Stars

The Attention Economy Part 2: Power of Lures - The Maka Feke

Part 2 of The Attention Economy moves from mosquitoes to lures. Through the image of the maka feke - a traditional octopus lure crafted to provoke grasping - Dr. Winsor explores how modern systems shape bait for fear, craving, ego, outrage, belonging, and novelty. The deeper issue is no longer only distraction, but direction: what are we reaching for, and what is quietly leading us away?

The Attention Economy Part 1: The Swarm: How Attention Is Eroded

A Sierra trek over Kearsarge Pass becomes a lesson in themosquito side of the Attention Economy. Small bites, constant irritation, fractured presence, thinning patience—this is how modern life often works on the inner self. Part 1 explores how attention is eroded one interruption at a time, and why the first work is to notice the bite before irritation chooses for us.

Navigating Liquid Modernity: Lessons from the Jungle

In this episode, Dr. Brian Winsor uses a jungle warfare training story to explore Liquid Modernity—the unstable weather system of modern life. In the jungle, changing conditions wore down attentiveness until relief itself became a potential ambush. Modern life can do the same. As roles shift, norms move, and speed pressures us to adapt, the deeper question becomes whether we can maintain bearing without drifting from principle. Drawing on Thich Nhat Hanh, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius, this episode explores why, when the world isliquid, Base Camp must be solid. It closes with a short practice for naming the weather, checking your compass, and taking one steady step.

Modern Wilderness Conditions: Liquid Modernity, Attention Economy & the Validation Treadmill

Modern wilderness isn’t only mountains and deserts—it’s theconditions that accompany us every day. In this episode, Dr. Brian Winsor introduces three modern trail conditions: Liquid Modernity (unpredictable weather), the Attention Economy (mosquito clouds of distraction), and the Validation Treadmill (a hunger that never satisfies). These pressures don’talways stop us outright—they erode base camp and press integrity off trail, mile by mile. The episode ends with a short Trail Condition Report practice to reorient to true north and choose the next step with steadiness.

Wildernesses We Don't Choose: When the terrain is unchosen, base camp becomes the only place freedom can be protected.

Some wilderness has a trailhead—but some arrives withoutconsent. In this episode, Dr. Winsor reflects on unchosen wilderness through the pandemic, Admiral James Stockdale’s Stoic captivity, Viktor Frankl’s “last human freedom,” and Corrie ten Boom’s hard-won gratitude. When the terrain isunchosen, base camp becomes the place where freedom can still be protected. The episode ends with a short practice for returning inward, reorienting to true north principles, and choosing the next right step.