The foundation of high cognition is always being action-oriented.

Just now, I went downstairs to the convenience store to buy something. These past few days have been unbearably hot, and almost everyone is rushing outside, walking quickly, desperate to get back into an air-conditioned room. At that moment, I was suddenly drawn to a cleaning lady standing nearby. Why was I drawn to her? Because I actually heard the word "cognition" come out of her mouth.

The cleaning lady was about sixty years old, standing under the blazing sun, chatting with a construction worker. Suddenly, she casually mentioned "cognition," and it completely stunned me. My attention was immediately captured by her.

I listened carefully, trying to get closer to hear more. It turned out they were talking about their children, who had come to the city to work but had struggled to adapt. They attributed these struggles to having low cognition. In that instant, I felt like I gained a deeper understanding of the word "cognition."

You know, nowadays, so many people talk about cognition—online jokes, short videos, the so-called big shots. And now, even a cleaning lady is using it. So I want to ask everyone: Do you really think cognition is that important?

I used to be completely caught up in the idea of high cognition, feeling like concepts such as information gaps, cognitive gaps, grand narratives, and "dimensionality reduction strikes" were the things we should strive for. It seemed that only by following those "high-level" individuals could I add some unique colors to my life.

But as the years have gone by, I've gradually realized that **high cognition often corresponds to action**—even the smallest actions or changes. It's not ❌ about those so-called grand theories or dimensionality reduction strikes. Many big shots, including those flashy press conferences and their endless inspirational quotes, can indeed give you an exhilarating rush in the moment, making you feel like the world is about to explode. But when you wake up the next day, you're still just an ordinary person, unable to transform into a superhero. This proves the saying: "You’ve read so many books and understood so many principles, yet you still can’t live a good life."

👉 High cognition is always tied to taking one step at a time. There's no fast track, and certainly no shortcuts through dimensionality reduction strikes. However, based on my own experiences, I can firmly say that within your own capabilities, making small changes that satisfy your inner self can also be considered high cognition. In other words, whatever choices or decisions you make, the central focus should always be your own needs. Don’t be overly influenced by others, and don’t let the noise of the world sway you. In this era of information explosion, you’ll encounter countless strange voices every day, but they’re just tiny, self-contained universes speaking their own truths. The protagonist of your world has always been just one person: yourself. What kind of person you want to become, what actions you want to take, and where you want to connect—all of these are decisions you make. No one can control you, and no one can change your behavior.

If I were to define **high cognition**, I would say it’s when, after making a series of small changes and attempts, you eventually find that these paths have formed a new map. Then, holding this new map, you smile with satisfaction and quietly say to yourself: "You’ve worked hard. This journey was worth it.✨"