> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://framboisearchives.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # “𝑓/8 and Be There” — A Second Look at ADHD and the Resolution of an Annoying Contradiction - URL: https://framboisearchives.net/8-and-be-there-a-second-look-at-adhd-and-the-resolution-of-an-annoying-contradiction/ - Published: 2026-11-02T15:04:24.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-02T15:04:24.000Z - Author: M. R. Framboise It has been almost five months since my previous inquiry into ADHD \[1\], and since then, there has been both progress and regression on the front of combating task-avoidance and other such frustrating symptoms. Before we delve back into “analysis mode” again, however, we should make quick note of what we covered previously. Central to our previous investigation was the identification of the principal contradiction of my particular expression of ADHD— the contradiction between “thinking” (cognition) and “doing” (practice/action). At the time of writing, this contradiction has most certainly sharpened to quite the frustrating degree, *but* it is through the sharpening of this contradiction that I believe a solution to the problems of the day may genuinely emerge. The ultimate “resolution” to this contradiction (or perhaps easing of) came to me through a phrase common in the (to me) newly found world of photography and photojournalism. As the renowned photographer Arthur “Weegee” Fellig once (allegedly) said, the resolution to the contradiction between cognition and practice is to “*f*/8 and be there!” I take it that “*f*/8 and be there” may certainly not be obvious as a maxim for life (or even photography for that matter) so let us break it down into a smaller piece. When lens-aperture is set to *f/*8 on a camera, less light is let into the camera; however, the plane of focus is much deeper. This allows the photographer to capture whatever moment they are intending on capturing without having to worry too much about adjusting their settings or potentially missing focus. The second part of the phrase, to me, is far more interesting. One can set their aperture to *f*/8 and it could all be for naught if they are not at the actual scene of whatever they are trying to capture. In order to truly “*f*/8 and be there,” the photographer cannot overthink or put undue emphasis on the *cognitional* aspects of photography (a process wherein— as in all art— the contradiction between “thinking” and “doing” most certainly exists). He *must* focus on the central practical task of being where he needs to be can capturing what he needs to capture. In short, *f*/8 reduces the cognitional load on the photographer— thereby weakening that pole of the contradiction— and puts more pressure on “being there.” After all, once your settings are set, all you have to do is witness, point, and shoot. “So what in the actual, ever-loving hell does any of this have to do with ADHD,” you may ask. And to that I would say that we must extract the general principles behind this particular phrase from this particular domain. If we are able to reduce the amount by which cognition is necessary and get in the right circumstances for things to get done, then, God-willing, they can get done. We should not try to “swim up a river” and take on mountainous tasks all at once, but (as is often recommended by professionals working with ADHD) break down the tasks and set things up such that they are simple as they can possibly be. Once the structure of the task is setup— once we’re at *f*/8— all we need to do, is be there. At that point we can just fill in whatever blanks we left during the setup. Now, of course, setup itself is a task that is often subject to the task-avoidance that we are trying to mitigate; however, if even for a moment we are able to overcome the difficulties of that initial preparation (through a combination of methods including help from others), we may find that “being there” is much easier than we may have initially thought. Now all of this being said, let’s apply this notion back to the particular areas of my life which need work. In the academic world, “*f*/8 and be there” looks like breaking down each assignment into its most atomic components and checking them off one-by-one. Once the assignment is broken down, filling in the blanks is— given my general comprehension of the material— roughly analogous to just “being there.” Political work can function similarly. Say that there is a graphic that I have to get out. No longer should I just open Canva and pray that the “creative juice machine” (to quote photographer and YouTuber Hunter Scott AKA “Hunter Creates Things”) starts flowing. What may prove easier is to break down (in writing) what the graphic *should* look like and what needs to be on it. From there, fill in the blanks and it might actually get done. And in terms of developing my other outlets (i.e. writing, photography, Tetris, &c), we can use a similar model modified for creative or personal pursuits. If I want to practice “four-wide” combo stacking in *Tetr.io* or *Tetris Effect*, we can break down the constituent components in that technique and do some practice drills. If I am trying to nail a new photographic method, break it down and practice. Ultimately, the solution to the paralysis was never to *abandon* cognition or completely subordinate it to “doing,” but to fuse the two together with planning and development. “Think” to break the tasks down— setting our metaphorical aperture to *f*/8— and “do” to fill in the blanks, and be there. --- \[1\] “On the Defects of Attention” in *The Starshine Essays*; pp. 123-127