Jack La Lanne was born in 1914. “Jumping Jacks” are named after him, and he invented the first cable-fastened pulleys, and first leg-machines, and even the first weight selectors – all necessities of the modern gym. What’s most impressive about him isn’t even his muscles, but his mind. He is mentally alert, humorous, and lightning … Read more
Nassim Taleb gave a brief interview on risk and made some good points. I summarize them below. Practice Risk-Taking, not Risk Management The people who dominate the field of risk management are ‘empty suits’ who don’t understand the concept of risk. These people take many fat tail risks (that may ruin them) and not … Read more
Sam Harris had a discussion with Eric Weinstein on his podcast. Eric is a mathematician, economist, physicist and managing director of Thiel Capital. Eric and Sam talked about left and right political ideologies, religion, and well… Sam Harris. The discussion consisted of Eric basically telling Sam that he can’t be so rigid in the way … Read more
The Center of Gravity Strategy Man depends on his throat to survive. If his throat is strangled, his give sense organs will become useless. When you are faced with an enemy, know how to locate their throat. Crush your enemy not through brute force, but through intelligent force. Every person has a center of gravity, … Read more
Forcing Strategies In 1833, Mr. Thomas Auld, a slave owner of a plantation in Maryland, called back his slave Frederick Douglass, who was 15 at the time, from Baltimore. Douglass had spent several years in the city, serving Auld’s brother. But in life in the city has changed him, he taught himself to read and … Read more
The Blitzkrieg Strategy You must be slow in deliberation and swift in execution. Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) In 1218, Muhammad II, the shah of Khwarazm, received a delegation from the Mongol Empire to the east. Genghis Khan had sent the shah three ambassadors who offered gifts, and a treaty that recognized the shah as the superior … Read more
The Intelligence Strategy The key to success in battle is to know the mind of your opponent. If you understand their psychology, then you will know how to deceive and control them, while avoiding being preyed upon yourself. Pick up their unconscious signals and note what they imply about their hidden motives. Act friendly to … Read more
Grand Strategy Readiness is everything. Resolution is indissolubly bound up with caution. If an individual is careful and keeps his wits about him, he need not become excited or alarmed. If he is watchful at all times, even before danger is present, he is armed when danger approaches and need not be afraid. The superior … Read more
To remain disciplined and calm while waiting for disorder to appear amongst the enemy is the art of self-possession. Sun-tzu (fourth century B.C.) In the 1930’s, Mao Tse-tung was a rising hero of the Communist army. His philosophy and guerilla tactics led them to many victories against the Nationalist party, even though he was often … Read more
Deterrence Strategies When opponents are unwilling to fight with you, it is because they think it is contrary to their interests, or because you have misled them into thinking so. Sun Tzu Everyone is vulnerable. but some people are more aggressive. The ruthless see the weak and the timid as easy targets that they can … Read more