Pop-psychology “smart” aphorisms that are actually BS (or IMO annoying)

My blog is adjacent to some "mental models" blogs. Some of the mental models they discuss are elementary concepts (what confirmation bias is, what first principles are, what tribalism is, what a reductio ad absurdum is). My blog assumes you already know those. Some of the mental models they discuss are, in my opinion, wrong. … Continue reading Pop-psychology “smart” aphorisms that are actually BS (or IMO annoying) →

The quintessential problem of our day: halloween costumes aren’t scary enough

I know I'm a day late to this, but here's something that's been annoyed me. Do me a favor. Go to this link, a Google image search for "vintage halloween costumes." Now, the black-and-white coloring may be a factor, and there's probably some selection bias. But those are some scary costumes. Now simply search for … Continue reading The quintessential problem of our day: halloween costumes aren’t scary enough →

Are comedians biased against people with quiet laughs?

I have a theory that loud, bellowing laughs come from different personalities than do quiet laughs. I know a few people who’s laugh doesn't make the sitcom laugh sound if you know what I mean. That is, if you hear it at all. It was said that Einstein had a very distinct laugh. I got … Continue reading Are comedians biased against people with quiet laughs? →

Words in Countries’ Names vs Corruption

I was going through pictures on my computer, and I cam across this chart I made: Though it's a bit outdated, it took forever to make. Some key points: almost all of these are below 50 (bad), the only words that are positively associated with lower corruption are "new" and "kingdom." Someone else made this … Continue reading Words in Countries’ Names vs Corruption →

Why Five Guys is the best fast food joint

1. They don’t care about peanut allergies Most places absolutely trip over themselves with anti-peanut alarmism. “Does one person have a minor peanut allergy? Ban all nuts from the premises forever!” Elementary school cafeterias are the worst by the way. They resort to virtue signaling anti-peanut propaganda that isn’t even effective. Five Guys has a … Continue reading Why Five Guys is the best fast food joint →

16 things I can’t relate to

1. Leaving the tap running when brushing teeth I once read a book on conservation that touted, “look how much water you can save if you don’t leave the tap water running when you brush your teeth!” That was the day I learned a gruesome fact: there are people who for some reason let the … Continue reading 16 things I can’t relate to →

How to Become Successful

Make your failures temporary and your successes permanent. Right there is how to become successful. Make your failures temporary and your successes permanent. That, simply put, means to engage in activities where the potential upside is compounding, whereas the potential downside is temporary. Take, for example, submitting a book to a publisher. A potential failure … Continue reading How to Become Successful →