Greetings - Shallow Vs. Deep

Originally Published on March 28, 2024

Hi, Taehyung-ah 😊🤗 How are you today? I hope that you’re doing great and that you’re able to stand above and beyond those who are shallow people spreading rumors and indulging in gossip about you in their effort to minimize your amazing achievements.

Here’s a quote from Cal Newport’s book, Deep Work, when he was demonstrating the lethal effects of shallowness that people do: “Spend enough time in a state of frenetic shallowness and you permanently reduce your capacity to perform deep work.”

Definitely, people who are incapable will just keep on tarnishing other people’s names in shallow ways, aka gossiping and mocking – which is actually just the only way they’re capable of – to keep others who are truly capable from standing out and outshining them. 

Funny how the company I work part time in justifies gossip as a disciplinary measure to maintain the status quo and the health of the company culture. Two things: 1) their management is incompetent, 2) they have a poisonous company culture, aka the toxic gossip community, it's dangerous to one's [mental and emotional] health. But I think that's why the management and the gossip people get more creative with gossiping and rumor spreading because they've spent more time in doing it, and created more momentum for it. So, there's a negative side to Adam Grant's “Creativity taps into the depth of time spent”, where they spent more time on gossiping and uselessly becoming excellent at such a shallow activity.

The management could have thought of better ways to implement a healthy, progressive company culture and help people grow into better, mature individuals, but it lacks the resources to train employees well. But then again, if the employees are the kinds who have to control - limit and define - others' potential by spreading rumors, gossiping, and prying on them, they might just be shallow people who aren't capable of progressing and truly developing talent, and should just be replaced anyway. (Of course, I absolutely want to eliminate these stalkers-hackers-employees!)

I'm a very individualistic person, and it is only expected that I don't admire those who have to rely on the opinion of others (apparently, from the gossip community), to prove their talents and potential. Invest in people who are already talented and amazing on their own, and they surely have the potential to continue harnessing and being excellent in their field and advance your company forward - they're the company's assets (Note to Hybe/Big Hit!)

I'm always proud of you, Taehyung-ah. I'm always amazed at how you're like the product, or the representation, of the motivational quotes that I really love and that I've been keeping for a long time. Keep doing amazing!

In both successful and failing times, just continue doing what you’re good at, Taehyung-ah. Many things will fade away, and many can be stolen, but not talent, knowledge, and skills. When you have it in you, you can always recreate it. When you have it, you’ll always have it. Keep doing what gives you meaning. Deep work is when it engages both your heart and your mind, and not surprisingly, it is only in this way that you can be truly satisfied and proud of what you do. Keep making a positive momentum.

I love you so much, Taehyung-ah. I, and so many of your fans and armys, love you so much. May you never stop believing in that. May you always be assured of our love and support for you and know that when it comes to us, you don’t have to do anything unlike you. May you always find the best in you, or the best way to express your ingenuity in every situation, and be happy and proud. There will always be so many among us who can see how amazing you are in each time. I hope you’ll cut the things, people, and situations that make you sad and obscured. Don’t be sorry for being yourself. Always remember you are always loved. Borahae, Saranghae, Taehyung-ah. 💖💖💖🤍🤍🤍💜💜💜