Quotes
“He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God.” - Aeschylus
“The dead are never far from us. They're in our hearts and on our minds and in the end all that separates us from them is a single breath, one final puff of air.” - William Kent Krueger
“The trouble with market research is that people don't think what they feel, they don't say what they think and they don't do what they say.” ―David Ogilvy
Articles/Essays
The blog emphasizes that true success is about achieving what you want rather than trying to emulate others. It illustrates this with the story of talented writers who lost their unique voices after joining large media companies because they couldn't adapt to the imposed corporate style. The piece argues that it’s crucial to recognize individual differences and align actions with one's personality and skills, especially regarding financial decisions and personal goals.
Key Takeaways
Individual Success Metrics
Explanation: Success should be measured by personal goals rather than societal standards. People often fall into the trap of following others with different desires and objectives.
Key Quote: "The ultimate success metric is whether you get what you want out of life."
Why It Matters: Understanding and defining personal success prevents unnecessary comparisons and allows for a more fulfilling life.
The Danger of Conformity
Explanation: When individuals follow a path that doesn't align with their nature, particularly in creative fields, they risk losing their authenticity and effectiveness.
Key Quote: "A talented person can quickly become mediocre when you force them to be someone they aren’t."
Why It Matters: Staying true to oneself is crucial for maintaining creativity and satisfaction in one's work.
Variety in Financial Decisions
Explanation: Financial strategies should be personal. What works for one person might be unsuitable for another due to different risk tolerances and goals.
Key Quote: "How you invest might cause me to lose sleep, and how I invest might prevent you from looking at yourself in the mirror tomorrow."
Why It Matters: Recognizing individual financial preferences can lead to better decision-making and peace of mind.
Respecting Spending Differences
Explanation: People spend money according to their values and priorities. Judging others based on their spending habits can lead to unnecessary conflict.
Key Quote: "It gets dangerous when you assume that if someone else is spending their money differently they either must be doing it better than you or doing it wrong."
Why It Matters: Accepting differing spending habits fosters a more inclusive and understanding society.
Aligning Actions with Personal Skills
Explanation: It's important to craft strategies that align with one's unique personality and skills, which leads to better performance and personal satisfaction.
Key Quote: "The best strategy for you is the one closest aligned with your unique personality and skills."
Why It Matters: Customizing approaches to fit personal strengths enhances success and personal growth.
It’s possible to be humble and learn from other people while also recognizing that the best strategy for you is the one closest aligned with your unique personality and skills. A few things happen when you do.
You do your best work and have the most fun when you’re not burdened by fear that someone else thinks you’re doing it wrong.
You measure how you’re doing against your personal benchmarks, which can both push you to your potential and prevent you from chasing someone else’s.
You have a much better shot of getting what you want out of life. Which, again, is all that really matters.
Conclusion
The blog post highlights the importance of authenticity and individual alignment in achieving success. It encourages readers to define their paths and make choices that fit their values and strengths, especially in creative and financial endeavors. This perspective fosters a more personalized and fulfilling approach to life and work.
10 Lessons From History About What Makes a Great Leader | TIME
The article "10 Lessons From History About What Makes a Truly Great Leader" by Andrew R” discusses the qualities that define great leaders, drawing on historical examples. Roberts highlights energy, planning and adaptability, memory, luck, understanding public sentiment, well-timed unreasonableness, steady nerves, inspiring persistence, empathy, and political awareness. These qualities are illustrated through leaders like Winston Churchill, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The article argues that studying history can provide valuable insights into effective leadership.
Key Takeaways
1. Energy
Explanation: Great leaders often exhibit tremendous energy and dedication to their work. Winston Churchill is a prime example, working tirelessly during World War II, taking minimal holidays, and working even when ill.
Key Quote: "Energy is an almost demonic attribute, hard to characterize, and takes many forms. Churchill was undoubtedly energetic, and yet he often did not get out of bed until noon—and that was for a hot bath—although he had been hard working on his papers since before breakfast."
Why It Matters: Energy is crucial for leaders to drive initiatives and maintain momentum, even in challenging times.
2. Ability to Plan—and Adapt
Explanation: Leaders must be capable of meticulous planning and adaptable when initial plans fail. Hitler's Blitzkrieg's success in 1940 illustrates how a well-adapted Plan B can lead to victory.
Key Quote: "Few plan Bs in history have been so successful."
Why It Matters: Flexibility in planning allows leaders to respond effectively to changing circumstances, ensuring better outcomes.
3. A Great Memory
Explanation: A strong memory or an excellent filing system is essential for effective planning and leadership. Churchill's photographic memory and Napoleon's efficient filing system exemplify this.
Key Quote: "Churchill had a photographic memory, and not just for music-hall songs and Shakespeare. He would spend up to thirty hours memorizing his speeches and constantly practice them to make them word perfect."
Why It Matters: A good memory helps leaders keep track of important details and make informed decisions.
4. Luck
Explanation: Leaders often need a degree of luck to succeed. Napoleon, for instance, valued lucky generals.
Key Quote: "Although impossible to quantify or predict, leaders need to be lucky as well as brilliant."
Why It Matters: Recognizing the role of luck helps leaders remain humble and prepared for unforeseen events.
5. Understanding Public Sentiment
Explanation: Great leaders understand and navigate public sentiment. Franklin D. Roosevelt's handling of American isolationism before World War II demonstrates this skill.
Key Quote: "A leader has to be a realist, albeit one who appreciates the precise moment when it is possible to change public sentiment."
Why It Matters: Understanding public sentiment allows leaders to make effective and politically viable decisions.
6. Well-timed Unreasonableness
Explanation: Leaders must sometimes act unreasonably to drive progress. Queen Elizabeth I's refusal to name her successor exemplifies well-timed unreasonableness.
Key Quote: "A talent for well-timed unreasonableness is another attribute of the great leader."
Why It Matters: Unreasonableness can be a strategic tool for pushing through necessary changes or decisions.
7. Steady Nerves
Explanation: Leaders must remain calm under pressure. Examples include Stalin's steadiness during the German invasion and Churchill's composure throughout World War II.
Key Quote: "Such calm under pressure is the very quintessence of leadership."
Why It Matters: Steady nerves help leaders make rational decisions during crises and inspire confidence in their followers.
8. Inspiring Persistence
Explanation: Leaders must inspire persistence in their followers, especially after setbacks. George Washington's leadership during the American Revolution exemplifies this trait.
Key Quote: "In October 1944 Patton defined leadership as a capacity for ‘telling somebody who thinks he is beaten that he is not beaten.’"
Why It Matters: Inspiring persistence is crucial for maintaining morale and achieving long-term goals.
9. Empathy
Explanation: Understanding the psychology of others is vital for effective leadership. Despite their privileged backgrounds, leaders like Churchill had a strong sense of what motivated their followers.
Key Quote: "A capacity to empathize is far more important than one’s class background."
Why It Matters: Empathy helps leaders effectively connect with their followers and address their needs.
10. Political Awareness
Explanation: Leaders must possess political intuition, including the ability to predict opponents' behavior and seize opportunities. Napoleon's political acumen is a prime example.
Key Quote: "A statesman must wait and listen until he hears the steps of God sounding through events; then leap up and grasp the hem of His garment."
Why It Matters: Political awareness enables leaders to navigate complex situations and make strategic decisions.
Conclusion
The article underscores the importance of studying historical leaders to understand the qualities that make a great leader. We can gain insights into effective leadership by examining traits like energy, adaptability, memory, luck, understanding public sentiment, well-timed unreasonableness, steady nerves, inspiring persistence, empathy, and political awareness. These lessons are invaluable for anyone seeking to lead in today's complex and challenging world.
René Descartes – How to be certain - Ralph Ammer (substack.com)
René Descartes, a 17th-century philosopher, sought to address the epistemological challenges of radical skeptics and dogmatists. Skeptics argued that absolute knowledge was impossible, while dogmatists asserted that only one source of truth—often the church—should be accepted without question. Descartes sought a middle ground to prove the skeptics wrong and establish a method for certainty in knowledge.
Key Takeaways
Think for Yourself
Explanation: Descartes began his quest for certainty by doubting everything, even his existence. Through this thought experiment, he concluded that doubting itself proves the existence of a thinking entity.
Quote: "I think therefore I am."
Why it Matters: This principle establishes the individual as the foundation for knowledge, independent of external authorities.
Be Objective
Explanation: Descartes separated the thinking mind from the physical body, arguing that this separation allows for an objective understanding of the world. This objectivity is essential for natural science.
Quote: "The separation of mind and body makes an objective understanding of the world possible."
Why it Matters: Objectivity enables us to make neutral, fact-based observations and agreements crucial for scientific inquiry.
We Might Be Wrong
Explanation: Descartes acknowledged the limitations of human cognitive abilities, suggesting that while we can understand parts of creation, we are prone to error. He introduced the idea of a benevolent God who endows us with the ability to understand what we need, but not everything.
Quote: "Descartes admitted that our cognitive abilities are limited. We are part of the creation, and we can understand parts of it. And yet we are prone to error."
Why it Matters: Recognizing our limitations helps us adopt a humble and cautious approach to knowledge.
Follow a Solid Method
Explanation: Descartes advocated for a rigorous method of thinking, comparing it to rebuilding a house. He suggested dismantling old beliefs and building new knowledge on a solid foundation of simple truths.
Quote: "Descartes compared his own method with the rebuilding of a house."
Why it Matters: A systematic and logical approach ensures that our conclusions are built on reliable foundations, minimizing error.
Do the Math
Explanation: Descartes admired mathematics’s ability to derive complex truths from simple principles. He promoted the combination of geometry and algebra, leading to the Cartesian coordinate system.
Quote: "Descartes also promoted the combination of geometry and algebra. One consequence is the coordinate system later named after Descartes."
Why it Matters: Mathematics provides a reliable connection between us and the world, making it easier to create models and understand reality.
Conclusion and Relevance
Descartes' method of individual rational thinking provided a pathway out of the predicament of skepticism and dogmatic belief. His approach, emphasizing objectivity, recognition of fallibility, and adherence to a rigorous method, laid the foundation for the Enlightenment and modern scientific thought. Despite criticisms, his ideas remain relevant today, encouraging critical examination and constructive communication.
Cargo Cult Science (caltech.edu)
In his 1974 commencement address at Caltech, Richard P. Feynman discussed the concept of "Cargo Cult Science," highlighting the importance of scientific integrity and the dangers of pseudoscience. He criticized the prevalence of unfounded beliefs and the lack of rigorous scientific methods in many fields. Feynman used the analogy of "Cargo Cults" in the South Seas, where people mimic the forms of airplane landings without understanding the underlying principles, to illustrate the failures of pseudo-scientific practices.
Key Takeaways
The Problem of Pseudoscience
Explanation: Feynman pointed out that many people hold unfounded beliefs, such as those in UFOs, astrology, and various forms of mysticism. These beliefs often lack scientific validation and are perpetuated despite evidence to the contrary.
Quote: "Most people believe so many wonderful things that I decided to investigate why they did."
Why it Matters: Understanding the prevalence of pseudoscience helps recognize the need for critical thinking and scientific literacy.
The Importance of Scientific Integrity
Explanation: Feynman stressed the importance of scientific integrity, which involves honesty about all aspects of an experiment, including potential flaws and alternative explanations.
Quote: "The idea is to try to give all of the information to help others to judge the value of your contribution; not just the information that leads to judgment in one particular direction or another."
Why it Matters: Scientific integrity ensures that research is reproducible and that conclusions are based on solid evidence.
The Dangers of Cargo Cult Science
Explanation: Feynman used the term "Cargo Cult Science" to describe practices that mimic the forms of science but lack substance. This includes following methodologies without understanding their underlying principles.
Quote: "It’s a kind of scientific integrity, a principle of scientific thought that corresponds to a kind of utter honestyÑa kind of leaning over backward."
Why it Matters: Recognizing Cargo Cult Science helps identify and avoid practices that may appear scientific but are fundamentally flawed.
The Need for Repetition and Verification
Explanation: Feynman emphasized the importance of repeating experiments to verify results. He cited Millikan's measurement of the charge of an electron, where subsequent measurements were biased by his initial results.
Quote: "We’ve learned those tricks nowadays, and now we donÕt have that kind of a disease. But this long history of learning how to not fool ourselves of having utter scientific integrity is, I’m sorry to say, something that we havenÕt specifically included in any particular course that I know of."
Why it Matters: Repetition and verification ensure that scientific findings are reliable and not influenced by bias.
The Responsibility of Scientists
Explanation: Feynman argued that scientists are responsible for being honest with their peers and the lay public. They should not present findings in a way that misleads or exaggerates their significance.
Quote: "One example of the principle is this: If you’ve made up your mind to test a theory, or you want to explain some idea, you should always decide to publish it whichever way it comes out."
Why it Matters: Honesty in communication builds trust and ensures that scientific findings are used appropriately.
Conclusion and Relevance
Feynman's address underscores the importance of scientific integrity, critical thinking, and the dangers of pseudoscience. His concept of "Cargo Cult Science" is a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of mimicking scientific forms without understanding their substance. Feynman highlights the core values that make science a reliable and trustworthy endeavor by emphasizing the need for repetition, verification, and honest communication.
Will AI revolutionise education? - Engelsberg ideas
In the essay "Will AI Revolutionise Education?" by Engelsberg Ideas, Daisy Christodoulou explores the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education. The essay examines whether Large Language Models (LLMs) and chatbots, such as ChatGPT, will significantly transform educational practices. Christodoulou argues that while AI has remarkable capabilities, its integration into education must consider underlying scientific research and avoid pseudoscientific ideas. The essay highlights the importance of foundational skills like literacy and numeracy and questions the efficacy of outsourcing basic learning tasks to AI.
Key Takeaways
Historical Resistance of Education to Technology
Explanation: Christodoulou notes that education has historically resisted technological innovations that have transformed society in other ways. She questions whether AI will be different.
Quote: "Education has a history of being impervious to inventions that have transformed society in other ways."
Why it Matters: This point underscores the enduring nature of traditional educational methods and the challenges new technologies face in making a significant impact.
The Hype Around Large Language Models (LLMs)
Explanation: The essay discusses LLMs' remarkable language abilities and the hype surrounding their potential to revolutionize education. Examples include predictions that LLMs will provide personalized tutors and eliminate the need for traditional schools.
Quote: "Chatbots like this are based on Large Language Models (LLMs), which use artificial intelligence to generate realistic language."
Why it Matters: The hype around LLMs highlights the need to evaluate their actual educational impact critically.
Misconceptions About AI in Education
Explanation: Christodoulou identifies two damaging misconceptions about AI in education: that students no longer need to learn basic facts or skills because AI can do it for them and that the curriculum should focus on new AI applications.
Quote: "The early signs are not encouraging. One of the frustrating paradoxes about education technology applications is that they are so often divorced from the underlying scientific research that helped create them."
Why it Matters: These misconceptions underscore the importance of grounding educational technology in solid scientific research and avoiding pseudoscientific ideas.
The Importance of Foundational Skills
Explanation: The author argues that foundational skills like literacy and numeracy are crucial for understanding more complex problems. Outsourcing these skills to AI is not feasible without a strong knowledge base.
Quote: "You can’t skip the basics because you need them to understand more complex problems."
Why it Matters: This point emphasizes the necessity of building a strong foundation in basic skills before moving on to more advanced concepts.
The Role of Writing in Learning
Explanation: Christodoulou discusses the importance of writing as a medium for creating and expressing ideas. Outsourcing writing to AI may hinder the development of critical thinking and creativity.
Quote: "Writing isn’t just a means for transmitting ideas: it helps to create them, too."
Why it Matters: Writing is essential for the development of logical thinking and creativity, making it crucial for students to engage in writing themselves.
The Future of Education
Explanation: The essay suggests that the best strategy for future-proofing education is to focus on teaching foundational skills to a high standard rather than relying on new technologies that may soon become obsolete.
Quote: "If a school wants to future-proof its curriculum, the best strategy is to teach the fundamentals of literacy and numeracy to a high standard."
Why it Matters: This strategy ensures that students are equipped with the skills needed for any job, regardless of technological advancements.
The complex reality of the technologies that real companies leverage to get ahead emphasizes the absurdity of the now common idea that exposure to simplistic, consumer-facing products – especially in schools – somehow prepares people to succeed in a high-tech economy. Giving students iPads or allowing them to film homework assignments on YouTube prepares them for a high-tech economy about as much as playing with Hot Wheels would prepare them to thrive as auto mechanics.
Conclusion and Relevance
"Will AI Revolutionise Education?" provides a nuanced examination of the potential impact of AI on education. Daisy Christodoulou argues that while AI has remarkable capabilities, its integration into education must be grounded in solid scientific research and avoid pseudoscientific ideas. The essay emphasizes the importance of foundational skills like literacy and numeracy and questions the efficacy of outsourcing basic learning tasks to AI. The insights presented are particularly relevant in an era where AI is increasingly integrated into educational practices, prompting a critical evaluation of its actual impact and potential.
A Bull Market in the Humanities - Luke Burgis Newsletter
In the newsletter titled "A Bull Market in the Humanities," Luke Burgis argues that we are on the cusp of a significant renaissance in the humanities, particularly outside traditional university settings. Burgis emphasizes the rich learning opportunities available in the real world and the need for students to be trained to effectively see and engage with these opportunities. He also highlights the challenges faced by those trained for specific STEM jobs, which AI is increasingly automating. Burgis suggests that traditional education, especially technical education, must adapt to prepare students for a rapidly changing job market.
Key Takeaways
Renaissance in the Humanities
Explanation: Burgis predicts a massive renaissance in the humanities, both inside and outside of universities, but especially outside of them. He believes that the world outside the classroom offers rich learning opportunities that students must be trained to recognize and engage with effectively.
Quote: "I believe we are about to experience a massive renaissance in the humanities, inside and outside of universities—but especially outside of them."
Why it Matters: This point underscores the importance of recognizing the value of humanities education and the need to adapt educational practices to leverage real-world learning opportunities.
Rich Learning Opportunities Outside the Classroom
Explanation: Burgis argues that the world outside the classroom is a target-rich environment for learning, especially now. However, students must be trained to see and engage with these opportunities in a fruitful way for their human formation.
Quote: "The world outside of the classroom is a target-rich environment for learning, now more than ever."
Why it Matters: This emphasizes the potential of real-world experiences to enhance learning and personal development, highlighting the need for educational approaches that facilitate meaningful engagement with these experiences.
Challenges in STEM Education
Explanation: Burgis expresses sympathy for those trained for specific STEM jobs, which AI is increasingly automating. He gives the example of someone spending four years learning to code Python, only to see AI code in five minutes, which would have taken them 500 hours.
Quote: "Imagine spending four years learning to code Python, graduating in 2021, only to see AI code in 5 minutes what would have taken you 500 hours."
Why it Matters: This point highlights the rapid pace of technological change and the need for educational systems to adapt to prepare students for a future where many traditional jobs may no longer exist.
Need for Adaptation in Traditional Education
Explanation: Burgis argues that traditional education, especially technical education, is still training people for jobs that may no longer exist by the time they graduate. He suggests that educational systems must adapt to better prepare students for a rapidly changing job market.
Quote: "Traditional education, especially technical education, is still training people for jobs that may no longer exist by the time they graduate."
Why it Matters: This underscores the urgency of updating educational curricula to align with the evolving demands of the job market and ensure that students are equipped with relevant skills and knowledge.
Conclusion and Relevance
"A Bull Market in the Humanities" by Luke Burgis provides a compelling argument for the importance of humanities education and the need for educational systems to adapt to the rapidly changing job market. By highlighting the rich learning opportunities available outside the classroom and the challenges posed by automation in STEM fields, Burgis underscores the urgency of updating educational practices to better prepare students for the future. The insights offered are particularly relevant for educators, policymakers, and individuals seeking to navigate the complexities of an increasingly automated and AI-driven world.
On Wars And Money - by Rohit Krishnan - Strange Loop Canon (substack.com)
In "On Wars And Money" by Rohit Krishnan, the author explores the historical context of war financing through the lens of two distinct cultures: the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan and the European Crusades. Krishnan discusses how these cultures dealt with the challenge of paying for wars when they didn't have sufficient money, highlighting the innovative financial solutions they employed, such as paper money in the Mongol Empire and forced loans in Venice. The article also examines the long-term implications of these financial decisions and how they shaped future economies.
Key Takeaways
Historical Context of War Financing
Explanation: The article discusses the financial challenges faced by Genghis Khan and the European Crusaders in funding their wars. Both cultures had to find innovative ways to pay their soldiers and finance their military campaigns.
Quote: "This is a story of two types of wars. This is also a story of two cultures."
Why it Matters: Understanding the historical context of war financing provides insights into the origins of modern financial systems and the innovative solutions employed by different cultures.
Innovation with Paper Money
Explanation: Genghis Khan introduced paper money as early as 1227 to address the financial needs of his expanding empire. This innovation was later adopted by the Song Dynasty in China, which used paper money to solve similar financial issues.
Quote: "Genghis Khan went and built an empire, like nothing the world had seen before. And once built, in the middle of blood and horses, he had to deal with the small problem of paying for everyone. So he introduced paper money, as early as 1227."
Why it Matters: The introduction of paper money was a groundbreaking financial innovation that solved immediate financial problems but also had long-term implications for the economy.
Financial Solutions in Europe
Explanation: During the Crusades, Venice needed to finance its defense against the Byzantine emperor. The city-state resorted to forced loans from its wealthy citizens, which eventually led to the development of more sophisticated debt instruments and the bond-issuing revolution.
Quote: "When Venice needed to defend itself against the Byzantine emperor, she decided to levy a forced loan on its wealthy citizens, not having paper money or easy inflation."
Why it Matters: Venice's financial solutions laid the groundwork for modern debt instruments and financial markets, highlighting the importance of innovation in financing.
Long-Term Impact of Financial Decisions
Explanation: The article discusses how the financial decisions made by the Mongol Empire and European Crusaders had long-term impacts on their respective economies. For example, the overprinting of paper money led to the collapse of the Yuan Dynasty, while the development of debt instruments in Europe had lasting effects on financial systems.
Quote: "The Yuan Dynasty, successor state to the Mongol Empire, established by Kublai Khan printed ever increasing amounts of money which led to the dynasty collapsing. This is the first story."
Why it Matters: Understanding the long-term impacts of financial decisions is crucial for policymakers and economists to make informed choices and avoid historical pitfalls.
Comparison of Financial Innovations
Explanation: The article compares the financial innovations of the Mongol Empire and European Crusaders, highlighting the differences in their solutions and the contexts that influenced these choices. While the Mongols used paper money, Europe developed debt instruments and forced loans.
Quote: "This isn’t a question of which one is better, since for the purposes of warfare and expansion they both saw plenty of victories and drawbacks! This is a question of which one of those brought about the longer-term innovation for a country or a continent."
Why it Matters: Comparing different financial innovations provides insights into the contexts that shape economic decisions and the long-term implications of these choices.
Conclusion and Relevance
"On Wars And Money" by Rohit Krishnan offers a fascinating exploration of historical war financing and its long-term economic impacts. By examining the financial innovations of the Mongol Empire and European Crusaders, the article highlights the importance of understanding the historical context of financial decisions and their lasting effects on economies. The insights provided are particularly relevant for economists, historians, and policymakers seeking to navigate the complexities of modern financial systems and make informed decisions.