Writing Archive

Last updated: 2026-04-06 Source: Jotion V4 Writings Database (Notion) Total entries: ~360 entries spanning 2020–2026

Jack has maintained a personal writing practice since at least 2020, logging daily reflections, philosophical essays, startup notes, event write-ups, and personal observations. The database uses a Michelin star rating system (1 Star through 3 Stars + Bib Gourmand) to indicate quality.

Notebooks

The writings are organized into thematic notebooks:

Selected Writings by Theme

Philosophy & Core Framework

“Walk In The Park Framework” (02/09/25) — 3 Stars The most philosophically developed piece in the archive. Jack articulates a four-part core philosophy synthesized from a walk:

1. Relationships: Focus on Growth, Not Attachment — Instead of chasing relationships, become the kind of person who naturally attracts the right people. Let go of the need for specific friendships; people are flawed and not all relationships last forever. Key shift: stop trying to fix old relationships, improve yourself.

2. Success: Focus on Vision, Not Money — Pushing for external success (money, prestige) is the wrong metric. If you focus on a vision you truly believe in, external rewards follow naturally. Vision-driven work provides a deep, intrinsic sense of purpose that money never can.

3. Work: It Should Be as Fun as a Video Game — Work feels dull because it lacks the purpose, challenge, and engagement that games provide. The best work generates fulfillment, not just money. Key shift: treat work as an engaging challenge, not a means to an end.

4. Wisdom: Understanding Flaws and Letting Go — Wisdom is not about forcing the world to align with your expectations, but about accepting its imperfections. True wisdom is acceptance, not control.

“Reflection: Life Philosophy & Worldview” (04/12/25) — 2 Stars

“Reflection: AI, Society & Human Evolution” (04/17/25) — Bib Gourmand Tagged as both Reflection and Idea — Jack’s thinking on where AI fits in human development.

“Reflection: Society, Status & Authenticity” (04/19/25) — 2 Stars

“Social Reflection: Why I Don’t Connect with Peers” (02/10/22) — 2 Stars Early articulation of Jack’s sense of not fitting in with typical peers — a recurring theme.

“Reflection on 21st Century Life & Modern Challenges” — Published publicly on thejackluo.notion.site

Annual Reviews

“40 Questions Annual Review” (01/06/25) — 2 Stars Key facts from 2024 annual review: - New things: Traveled to Japan (Dec 15-30), transferred to Georgia Tech Era, leased apartments, went to production, did a YouTube-like challenge - Memorable dates: April 6 (went to production), Jan 6-10 (CES), Feb 16-18 (Treehacks 2025), Jun 29 (Berkeley AI hackathon), Dec 15-30 (Japan) - Biggest achievement: Transferring to Georgia Tech and improving social skills - Biggest failure: Not pursuing side projects hard enough - Hardships: Losing some friends, being isolated in bad locations, lack of startup traction - Physical: Twisted ankle, minor lung issue, Electric Unicycle crash - Best purchase: New laptop - Celebrated: Ivan’s consistent drive on Prodicity - Song of the year: Steins Gate “Hacking to the Gate” - Compared to prior year: Happier, slightly fatter, richer - Wished for: Fast-paced life with fast recovery, committed to projects - Wanted less of: Bad YouTube, mindless eating

“Year-End Reflection: 2021-2022 Transition Thoughts” — Bib Gourmand (Jan 1, 2022)

Personal Growth & Struggle

“Reflection: Nostalgia, Burnout & Work” (02/02/25) — 2 Stars “Reflection: Escapism & Georgia Tech Transition” (01/31/25) — 2 Stars “Reflection: Loneliness & Sacrifice” (03/31/25) — 2 Stars — Startup tag “Reflection: Boston & The Future” (03/01/25) — 3 Stars “Reflection: Relationships, Trust & Growth” (02/11/25) — 1 Star “Reflection: Fear, Connection & Perfectionism” (11/04/25) — 1 Star “Motivation & Self-Discipline Reflection Analysis” (2021) — 1 Star (earliest in archive)

Events & Places

“Reflection: TreeHacks” (02/18/25) — 2 Stars — Stanford hackathon “Reflection: A College by an Ocean Town” (04/28/24) — 2 Stars — Essay “Reflection: Elizabeth Day” (03/04/24) — 2 Stars “Reflection: Mt. Everest” (07/19/23) — 1 Star “2022 LA Blog and Reflection” — Published publicly on thejackluo.notion.site

Startup & Work

“Reflection: CSA Dynasty & Insomnia Cookies” (03/09/25) — social organization + food “Jotion V2 Reflection” (06/26/22) — early reflection on his Notion-inspired project “Personal Self Reflection & Revamp” (11/22/22) — 2 Stars

Creative & Anime

“Reflection: Steins Gate” (01/26/23) — Steins;Gate clearly a formative work for Jack “Reflection: Tired & Anime Binge” (01/25/23)

Recurring Themes (across 360 entries)

Based on the catalog and selected readings, the following themes recur persistently:

1. Belonging and social alienation — difficulty connecting with peers, sense of being different, loneliness (appears from 2021 through 2025)
2. Ambition vs. discipline gap — wanting to do more, frustrated by not pursuing projects hard enough; recurring self-critique
3. Vision over money — anti-prestige strand that coexists with clear prestige-seeking (tension)
4. Environment as destiny — recurring belief that the right city, school, or community will unlock potential
5. Startup identity — writing frequently tags “Startup”; work and identity are deeply fused
6. Japan and travel — Japan Trip 2024 Dec 2024 clearly significant; travel as expansion/escape
7. Anime as philosophy — Steins;Gate in particular, as both entertainment and worldview reference

Writing Quality Distribution (Michelin system)

• Bib Gourmand (exceptional): ~5-10% of entries
• 3 Stars (excellent): ~10-15%
• 2 Stars (good): ~35-40%
• 1 Star (decent): ~35-40%

Related

• Jack Luo
• Walk In The Park Framework
• Vision Over Money
• Annual Review 2024
• Agentdex