Unearned Wisdom Newsletter archive

Newsletter

Public essays and notes from Unearned Wisdom, preserved with their original publication dates and source links.

Public essays and notes

• The One-in-Seven Economy

  Last night, 60 Minutes put a question to prime-time America: will AI take your job? The number underneath the segment came from the McKinsey Global Institute, whose report “Workforce in Motion,” released last week, replaces the abstract fear with specific arithmetic.The headline…

  Originally published 2026-10-05 · Source publication

• The Price of the Future

  Last Thursday, the yield on the 30-year US Treasury bond broke above 5.5 percent for the first time since June 2004, and touched 5.53 percent on Friday. It was below 5 percent as recently as early July. The 10-year reached 5.22 percent, a level last seen in 2007. The selloff was…

  Originally published 2026-09-28 · Source publication

• The Servant Who Seized the Throne

  From The Dichotomy of the Self - my book about how the great thinkers split the person in two, and what those splits still explain. This week, the most famous split of all.Iain McGilchrist opens The Master and His Emissary with a parable he attributes to Nietzsche, and which nob…

  Originally published 2026-09-24 · Source publication

• The Lose-Lose Hike

  Last Wednesday, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time since July 2023 — a quarter point, to a range of 3.75 to 4 percent. The vote was unanimous, and that includes the man who led it. Kevin Warsh was handpicked by President Trump to run the Fed and deliver…

  Originally published 2026-09-21 · Source publication

• Advice and Its Evil Twin

  From The End of Wisdom - a book about why most advice is bullsh*t. This week, the chapter it opens with.The squeaky wheel gets the grease. The nail that sticks out gets hammered down. Both are proverbs, both are true, and they tell you to do opposite things. Neither one tells yo…

  Originally published 2026-09-17 · Source publication

• The Gorilla Problem Comes to Washington

  Something without precedent happened this weekend. On Saturday, Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei published an essay calling on the AI industry to deliberately slow the pace of frontier development. Within hours, his two biggest rivals endorsed it. Elon Musk wrote “Dario is…

  Originally published 2026-09-14 · Source publication

• Six Days in a Stanford Basement

  Another of the thirty. This is the most famous experiment in psychology, and the archives say it did not happen the way you were taught.August 1971. A Stanford basement is dressed as a prison, students are assigned at random to be guards or prisoners, and within days the guards…

  Originally published 2026-09-10 · Source publication

• The Logic of the Tanker War

  Monday, 7 September 2026On Saturday the war with Iran changed what it was aimed at. The United States struck three Iranian crude tankers: the Downy off Kharg Island, the Stark 1 near Jask, and the Kylo in the Gulf of Oman, which was sunk after its crew was told to get off. Centr…

  Originally published 2026-09-07 · Source publication

• What I Tell You Three Times Is True

  From Mastering Deception, which I wrote as Thomas Sawyer - a book about the twenty-four laws that fool us. This is Law 3: repeat the lie until it becomes the truth.The cuckoo is nature’s most successful liar, and it never says anything clever. It lays its egg in another bird’s n…

  Originally published 2026-09-03 · Source publication

• America Is Going to War With Its Own Map

  For more than a century, politicians have called the border between the United States and Canada “the longest undefended border in the world.” It was the ultimate geopolitical luxury: a 5,500-mile line that needed no forts, no tanks, and almost no thought. This month, it stopped…

  Originally published 2026-08-31 · Source publication

• The Pyramid Maslow Never Drew

  From the Shelf: the most recognized image in psychology came from a management consultant, not a psychologistNew this week: The 30 Greatest Psychology Books - thirty landmark works, what they actually argued, and where they go wrong. Here is one of the thirty.The most recognized…

  Originally published 2026-08-27 · Source publication

• The AI Boom Is Borrowing Its Way Toward a Minsky Moment

  For two years, the artificial intelligence boom was a story about the stock market — soaring valuations, “Magnificent Seven” earnings, the race for GPUs. Two weeks ago, this newsletter read the August equity shakeout through Carlota Perez. This week, the story moved from the equ…

  Originally published 2026-08-24 · Source publication

• One Strait, Half a Century of Lessons

  This week’s news, read through Daniel YerginSomething expires today, and the expiration matters less than what it reveals.Monday marks 60 days since the United States and Iran signed the Islamabad Memorandum — the 14-point framework that was supposed to end their war, reopen the…

  Originally published 2026-08-17 · Source publication

• The Architecture of Grit

  Grit—the capacity to sustain effort and interest toward long-term goals despite obstacles—sits at a fascinating intersection of brain chemistry, psychological architecture, and social construction.

  Originally published 2026-01-15 · Source publication

• The Paradox of Effortless Achievement

  “Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity.” – Lao Tzu. In a world obsessed with optimization, productivity, and relentless self-improvement, Lao Tzu’s ancient wisdom about the path to serenity strikes a profoundly countercultural note.

  Originally published 2026-01-08 · Source publication

• The Emotional Substrate of Intelligence

  In 2017, a remarkable patient known in medical literature as SM provided neuroscientists with an unprecedented opportunity to understand the neural architecture of human emotion.

  Originally published 2026-01-01 · Source publication

• The Paradox of Control

  In early 2023, Geoffrey Hinton resigned from Google with a stark warning that sent ripples through the technology world.

  Originally published 2025-12-25 · Source publication

• Understanding Ray Dalio’s Debt Cycle Theory

  Ray Dalio stands as one of the most successful hedge fund managers in history, but perhaps more importantly for our purposes, he has spent decades developing a framework for understanding how economies actually work beneath the surface of daily market movements.

  Originally published 2025-12-18 · Source publication

• The Mind is an Excellent Servant, but a Terrible Master (Reversal)

  The aphorism “The mind is an excellent servant, but a terrible master” encapsulates one of humanity’s most enduring struggles: the challenge of achieving conscious control over our mental processes while avoiding the tyranny of overthinking and mental rigidity.

  Originally published 2025-12-11 · Source publication

• The Population Bomb and Today’s Demographic Crisis: A Study in Failed Predictions and Unlearned Lessons

  When Paul Ehrlich published “[The Population Bomb](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EI3XOS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000EI3XOS&linkCode=as2&tag=unearnedwis05-20&linkId=ac7921a4d3ebe9a6e8e813a6d127dcf4)” in 1968, he opened with one of the most

  Originally published 2025-12-04 · Source publication

• The Theater of Finite Games

  There’s a peculiar anxiety that pervades modern life, one that James Carse identified with startling clarity in his 1986 work “Finite and Infinite Games.

  Originally published 2025-11-27 · Source publication

• Be Bored

  In our modern world, boredom has become something of an endangered experience. We reach for our phones at the slightest lull in activity, scroll through social media while waiting in line, and fill every [quiet](https://www.amazon.

  Originally published 2025-11-13 · Source publication

• The New Power Grid

  The rapid and exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI) has triggered an unprecedented surge in demand for computational power, and consequently, for the energy required to fuel it.

  Originally published 2025-11-06 · Source publication

• Hard Times Create Strong Men

  The quote “Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times” has become one of the most widely circulated aphorisms of the 21st century, despite originating from G. Michael Hopf’s 2016 post-apocalyptic novel “Those Who Remain.

  Originally published 2025-10-30 · Source publication

• Don’t Try

  Charles Bukowski’s deceptively simple philosophy of “Don’t Try” represents one of the most misunderstood yet profound insights into the nature of authentic effort, creative expression, and human fulfillment.

  Originally published 2025-10-23 · Source publication

• The Reasonable Person Adapts Himself to the World...

  George Bernard Shaw’s provocative assertion that “The reasonable person adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.

  Originally published 2025-10-16 · Source publication

• He Who Fights With Monsters

  Friedrich Nietzsche’s haunting observation that “He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster.

  Originally published 2025-10-09 · Source publication

• The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions

  The proverb “The road to hell is paved with good intentions” represents one of humanity’s most enduring observations about the paradoxical nature of human action and consequence.

  Originally published 2025-10-02 · Source publication

• The Allure of Investing in Gold

  In August 2025, gold glitters near $3,350 per ounce, a fresh all-time high after climbing over 30% this year alone.

  Originally published 2025-08-28 · Source publication

• Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers

  If you’ve ever felt the weight of modern life pressing down—deadlines, traffic jams, or existential worries about the future— “Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers” is a revelation.

  Originally published 2025-08-21 · Source publication

• Tech Debases Mind

  The quietest revolutions often happen unnoticed. There was no great announcement when boredom disappeared, no public mourning for the demise of daydreaming. But slowly, stealthily, technology erased one of our deepest human capacities: the ability to let our minds wander.

  Originally published 2025-08-01 · Source publication

• The Symbolic Order

  ### Mirrors and Shadows: How Lacan and Žižek Explain Today’s Society Jacques Lacan’s ideas about language, desire, and identity—highlighted by Slavoj Žižek’s sharp insights—give us a clear and powerful way to understand what’s driving society today.

  Originally published 2025-07-25 · Source publication

• Art Prices Are Down—But Don’t Blame the Economy Just Yet

  Art prices have taken a nosedive lately, and the numbers don’t lie. In 2024, global art sales slumped 12% to $57.5 billion, the sharpest drop since the pandemic, per the *Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report 2025*.

  Originally published 2025-07-17 · Source publication

• The Death of Dead Internet Theory?

  At first glance, the internet seems dominated by automated agents—bots tirelessly scraping, clicking, and indexing. Common wisdom suggests we’re drowning in bot traffic, and recent data initially seems to support this. Reports often claim that nearly half of online traffic is non-human.

  Originally published 2025-07-11 · Source publication

• The Unreasonable Signature

  Eugene Wigner famously observed the “unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics in the natural sciences,” highlighting the striking phenomenon that abstract mathematical concepts, formulated without explicit reference to the physical world, repeatedly prove astonishingly applicable to it.

  Originally published 2025-07-04 · Source publication

• The Predictive Power of US Treasuries on Stock Market Movements

  Financial markets often rely on signals to predict future movements, and one popular indicator has historically been US Treasury yields.

  Originally published 2025-06-27 · Source publication

• Blood Meridian Summary

  Cormac McCarthy’s novel, [Blood Meridian](https://amzn.to/4dhPNJy), is a stark, brutal depiction of violence and human depravity set along the US-Mexico borderlands in the mid-1800s.

  Originally published 2025-06-20 · Source publication

• The Unconscious of AI

  We live in an age where talking to machines is no longer science fiction. Virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, and chatbots are now part of our daily lives, answering questions, offering advice, and even providing a semblance of companionship.

  Originally published 2025-06-13 · Source publication

• Machines of loving grace

  Imagine a world where diseases are eradicated not through decades of trial and error, but in a matter of years—where poverty shrinks not as a distant dream, but as a tangible outcome of ingenuity unleashed at scale.

  Originally published 2025-06-06 · Source publication

• Moravec’s Paradox and the Hierarchy of Human Labor

  The history of technology is a history of human aspiration—our ceaseless desire to transcend the limits of muscle and mind.

  Originally published 2025-05-29 · Source publication

• Does Trump Want a Recession?

  There’s been an interesting idea bouncing around platforms like X lately: could President Trump actually want a recession? On the surface, it sounds strange. Leaders usually avoid recessions like the plague. After all, recessions mean job losses, business closures, and collapsing confidence.

  Originally published 2025-05-27 · Source publication

• The Ecstasy of Communication

  Jean Baudrillard’s book, “[The Ecstasy of Communication](https://amzn.to/44a7TL0),” explores the profound ways modern technology and media have reshaped human experience and society.

  Originally published 2025-05-23 · Source publication

• Abstraction and Reality

  The world feels like it’s spinning off its axis lately. Stock markets dive without warning, climates shift unpredictably, and trivial disagreements explode into major conflicts overnight.

  Originally published 2025-05-16 · Source publication

• The Future Abyss of Technological Power

  *A Day in 2035* In a lab near Zurich, a swarm of nanobots meant to clean oil spills escapes containment. Instead, they devour everything carbon-based—plastic, rubber, even concrete. Highways crumble, power grids fail, and desperate governments deploy electromagnetic pulses to stop the chaos.

  Originally published 2025-05-09 · Source publication

• The Sale of the Brooklyn Bridge

  In the bustling heart of early 20th century New York City, amid a frenzy of rapid progress and unending ambition, existed opportunities not only for honest prosperity but also for remarkable deception.

  Originally published 2025-05-05 · Source publication

• The player of games

  Below is a review and summary of Iain M. Banks’s classic, *The Player of Games*, and how it relates to our times. **The Adventure Unfolds** Imagine a man named Jernau Morat Gurgeh, a citizen of the Culture—a vast, galaxy-spanning civilization where [scarcity](https://www.amazon.

  Originally published 2025-05-02 · Source publication

• The Specter of Artificial Intelligence: Labor, Progress, and Human Worth

  The history of human progress is a chronicle of tools. From the flint knife to the steam engine, humanity has perpetually redefined its relationship with labor through invention. Yet, with each technological leap, there arises a chorus of voices insisting, [This time is different](https://www.

  Originally published 2025-04-25 · Source publication

• The Age of Technopoly

  Neil Postman’s concept of “[Technopoly](https://amzn.to/3QxneNy)” describes far more than just a society saturated with machinery; rather, it names a cultural mindset that grants technology ultimate authority over how we understand knowledge, morality, and human purpose.

  Originally published 2025-04-18 · Source publication

• The Law of Accelerating Returns: Why the Future Isn't What It Used to Be

  In 2007, when Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone, few could have predicted its transformative impact. What began as a combination of phone, music player, and internet browser—dismissed by many as merely an expensive toy—has evolved into something far more powerful.

  Originally published 2025-04-10 · Source publication

• Heidegger On Technology

  Here’s a summary of Martin Heidegger’s The Question Concerning Technology published in 1954. --- **The Opening Shot: Tech’s More Than Gadgets** Heidegger doesn’t mess around. He’s not here to chat about your phone’s battery life—he’s asking what technology *means*.

  Originally published 2025-04-04 · Source publication

• Living in a Hall of Mirrors

  Below is a long-form piece—around two thousand words—expanding on Jean Baudrillard’s concept of hyperreality, connecting it to the phenomenon of “influencer villages” and to broader modern developments. The language aims to remain straightforward while offering depth, clarity, and vivid examples.

  Originally published 2025-04-04 · Source publication

• Trump's Tariffs: Great or Terrible for US Markets?

  Trump’s tariffs have ignited a heated debate. Are they a smart move to safeguard American industries and jobs, or a dangerous bet that could harm the very markets they aim to protect? The reality isn’t black-and-white—it’s a trade-off with big stakes.

  Originally published 2025-04-03 · Source publication

• The Hidden Architects of Global Power: A Reflection on The World for Sale

  Commodity trading is the invisible engine of global commerce, operating silently beneath the surface of the everyday transactions that define our lives. In The World for Sale: Money, Power and the Traders Who Barter the Earth’s Resources, Javier Blas and Jack Farchy bring this h…

  Originally published 2025-04-01 · Source publication

• Winners, Losers, and Knowledge Monopolies

  In Technopoly, Neil Postman’s observation that every technology creates “winners and losers” challenges the widespread assumption that progress is invariably a tide lifting all boats. He draws on the work of Harold Innis to illustrate how technological shifts reconfigure social…

  Originally published 2025-03-28 · Source publication

• Kayfabe: The Theater of Wrestling and Its Influence on Modern American Politics

  Kayfabe is a curious and uniquely American concept, originating in the colorful and bombastic world of professional wrestling. At its heart, kayfabe refers to the deliberate portrayal of scripted events as real, preserving the illusion at all costs. Wrestlers pretend to be genui…

  Originally published 2025-03-25 · Source publication

• Do Artifacts Have Politics?

  Langdon Winner’s seminal essay, Do Artifacts Have Politics?, published in Daedalus in 1980 is a razor-sharp exploration of how technology isn’t just a neutral tool but a force that shapes power, authority, and social order in ways we often overlook. Winner doesn’t mince words—he…

  Originally published 2025-03-21 · Source publication

• Beyond Biology: The Singularity and the Dawn of Human Transcendence

  A Day in 2045Imagine waking up in the year 2045. Your bloodstream hums with trillions of microscopic robots, silently repairing DNA errors, neutralizing pathogens, and fine-tuning hormone levels. Your morning coffee is brewed by an AI that knows your taste preferences down to th…

  Originally published 2025-03-13 · Source publication

• The Two Faces of Technology

  Neil Postman’s Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology begins with a striking myth about the Egyptian god Theuth, who presents his invention of writing to King Thamus. Theuth proclaims writing to be an incomparable gift: a remedy for faulty memory and a gateway to kno…

  Originally published 2025-03-07 · Source publication

• Simulation Theory

  The idea that our world might be nothing more than a sophisticated illusion has grown from a fringe notion into a topic that both captivates and unsettles us. The simulation hypothesis asks: What if everything we experience is generated by an advanced computer program running in…

  Originally published 2025-02-28 · Source publication

• Can AI be Conscious?

  In our modern age, a question haunts both scientists and dreamers alike: can a machine ever truly be conscious? This isn’t merely about how computers process data or solve puzzles—it’s about the rich inner life we call experience. We know that our own minds feel, think, and suff…

  Originally published 2025-02-21 · Source publication

• Why do Empires Collapse?

  In the long sweep of human history, empires have risen with brilliant promise only to crumble into dust. Their collapse is neither sudden nor simple. Rather, it unfolds like the slow receding of a tide, marked by the interplay of internal decay and the force of external pressure…

  Originally published 2025-02-14 · Source publication

• The US–China Tariff War

  The escalation of trade tensions between the United States and China has entered a new phase since what many in policy circles now refer to as the “deepseek moment” – a turning point after which tariff measures have become a principal instrument of economic statecraft. The lates…

  Originally published 2025-02-11 · Source publication

• Recurring Patterns

  History is not a straight line marching inexorably into an unknown future. Rather, it is a rich tapestry woven from threads that repeat, transform, and re-emerge over time. Across the span of centuries, recurring cultural tropes and mythic archetypes—like the hero’s journey, the…

  Originally published 2025-02-07 · Source publication

• The Stupidity of Proverbs

  In the first chapter of The End of Wisdom, I discuss proverbs, those concise expressions of cultural wisdom, have long been cherished as guiding principles for life. Yet their simplicity, while appealing, often conceals a troubling flaw: they oversimplify the complexities of hum…

  Originally published 2025-02-04 · Source publication

• Irrational Exuberance

  The below sections will summarize chapters 4, 5, and 6 from Irrational Exuberance. The emergence and evolution of speculative bubbles in financial markets is intricately tied to the history and role of the news media. Speculative bubbles date back to the advent of newspapers, wi…

  Originally published 2025-01-31 · Source publication

• Manias, Panics, Crashes

  Chapters 5-8 in Manias, Panics, Crashes explores the mechanisms and consequences of financial crises, tracing their predictable yet complex nature through historical and economic lenses. It begins by outlining the typical lifecycle of financial crises, starting with economic exp…

  Originally published 2025-01-28 · Source publication

• A Random Walk Down Wall Street

  For this post, we will continue covering chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8 in the classic text, A Random Walk Down Wall Street. In the realm of investment, two principal approaches, technical analysis and fundamental analysis, vie for dominance as tools to predict stock prices. These meth…

  Originally published 2025-01-24 · Source publication

• Mastering Deception

  Below is a summary of the first three chapters of Mastering Deception: Unveiling the 24 Laws that Fool Us (V.1) Chapter 1: Master the Art of Plausibility and Partial TruthsThis chapter lays the foundation for understanding how deception thrives on believability. The most effecti…

  Originally published 2025-01-21 · Source publication

• Irrational Exuberance

  On December 5, 1996, Alan Greenspan's phrase "irrational exuberance" resonated globally, reflecting a deep-seated anxiety about the sustainability of soaring stock markets. Markets reacted immediately, with indices dropping worldwide. This phrase encapsulated concerns about whet…

  Originally published 2025-01-17 · Source publication

• Manias, Panics, Crashes

  In Manias, Panics, Crashes, we are reminded that financial crises are recurring phenomena in market economies, typically arising from speculative manias fueled by credit expansion. While historians view each crisis as unique, economists identify patterns in these events, suggest…

  Originally published 2025-01-14 · Source publication

• A Random Walk Down Wall Street

  The narrative of speculative booms and busts, as examined in A Random Walk Down Wall Street, underscores the timeless interplay between human psychology, market dynamics, and economic outcomes. From the Dutch tulip-bulb craze of the 17th century to the South Sea Bubble and the i…

  Originally published 2025-01-10 · Source publication

• A Natural Experiment of History

  The tragic fate of the Moriori people in the Chatham Islands serves as a poignant illustration of how environmental factors and cultural evolution can shape societies. By the 19th century, the Moriori—a small, isolated population of hunter-gatherers—faced annihilation and enslav…

  Originally published 2025-01-07 · Source publication

• Kurzweil vs. Thiel: Bits vs. Atoms

  The debate between Ray Kurzweil and Peter Thiel represents a fundamental difference in how we conceptualize progress. Kurzweil posits that the future of humanity lies in the domain of information—what he calls "bits." In his framework, intelligence and progress are reducible to…

  Originally published 2025-01-03 · Source publication

• Past developments and present capabilities

  Growth Modes and Big HistoryNot long ago, our ancestors were still swinging through African trees. In evolutionary terms, the rise of Homo sapiens was a rapid ascent. Small shifts in posture, thumbs, and brain organization led to an extraordinary leap in cognition. Humans became…

  Originally published 2024-12-27 · Source publication

• Shadows in the Sky

  Few phenomena capture public fascination more than unexpected lights dancing in the night sky. When drones allegedly appeared over New Jersey, multiple theories sprang to life, each one invoking different shades of skepticism and intrigue. This overview connects each theory to T…

  Originally published 2024-12-23 · Source publication

• Russia

  Russia, the largest country in the world, spans six million square miles, crossing eleven time zones. Its immense geography defines its history, politics, and worldview. From the forests and steppes of European Russia to the frozen expanses of Siberia, this vastness has shaped a…

  Originally published 2024-12-20 · Source publication

• Financial Crisis

  The years since the 1970s have been a whirlwind of financial turbulence, marked by wild swings in the prices of commodities, currencies, real estate, and stocks. Financial crises, once relatively rare, have become unsettlingly frequent, with their roots often in the same recurri…

  Originally published 2024-12-17 · Source publication

• The Mystery of Scaling

  Scaling describes how one property of a system changes if a related property changes. The scaling mystery in biology concerns the relationship between an organism's body mass and its basal metabolic rate—the average energy used while resting. Metabolism, the conversion of food,…

  Originally published 2024-12-13 · Source publication

• Sunk Costs

  “Do not follow up a folly. Many make an obligation out of a blunder, and because they have entered the wrong path think it proves their strength of character to go on in it. Within they regret their error, while outwardly they excuse it. At the beginning of their mistake, they w…

  Originally published 2024-12-10 · Source publication

• The Axis: Comedy (Part 1)

  1. "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas AdamsA comedic science fiction novel that takes you on a wild journey through the universe, filled with absurdity, satire, and clever humor.📖 Read more on Goodreads2. Game to PlayFunny or Not: The Joke GameA laugh-out-loud pa…

  Originally published 2024-12-06 · Source publication

• Network Thinking

  An article in Science magazine discussed how the behavior of ant colonies can be viewed as "computer algorithms," with each ant running a simple program that enables the colony to perform complex tasks such as deciding when and where to move the nest. Unlike a central leader, an…

  Originally published 2024-12-03 · Source publication

• The Axis: War (Part 1)

  The Axis: Unveiling the Many Faces of WarThis is an Unearned Wisdom weekly exploration into the crossroads of philosophy, psychology, war, history, geopolitics, and business—offering sharp insights and timeless lessons to understand the forces that shape our world.This Week's Th…

  Originally published 2024-11-29 · Source publication

• Small Worlds

  The concept of the “small world” was famously investigated by Harvard psychologist Stanley Milgram in the 1950s. Milgram wanted to determine how many links it would take to connect any two people in the United States.

  Originally published 2024-11-22 · Source publication

• The Shaping of Europe

  In World Order, Henry Kissinger chronicles three monumental events that forever altered Europe’s landscape: the Peace of Westphalia, the French Revolution, and the Treaty of Versailles. Each event remade Europe’s politics and people, shifting them from a continent of warring dyn…

  Originally published 2024-11-19 · Source publication

• Creative Destruction

  The concept of creative destruction, first coined by economist Joseph Schumpeter, is central to understanding the dynamic nature of capitalist economies. It describes the continuous cycle where innovation not only drives growth but also dismantles established businesses and indu…

  Originally published 2024-11-12 · Source publication

• Why Common Sense Beats Catchy Anecdotes

  If there's one thing we've all experienced, it's the magnetic pull of a flashy story. The allure of a clever anecdote, dressed up in technical jargon or pronounced with the authority of a best-selling author or influencer, can feel irresistible. After all, humans are wired for s…

  Originally published 2024-11-01 · Source publication

• Self Reproducing Computer Programs

  What Is Life? How did life originate, and what exactly constitutes being alive? While the origin of life is still hotly debated, the question of defining life itself is equally contentious. There is no consensus among scientists or the public.Questions like “When does life begin…

  Originally published 2024-10-29 · Source publication

• AI and Financial Forecasting—How Machines Are Changing the Game

  In the world of finance, the ability to predict market trends has always been key to gaining a competitive edge. For centuries, traders and financial institutions have sought better ways to forecast economic shifts and navigate risks. But with the rise of artificial intelligence…

  Originally published 2024-10-22 · Source publication

• The Evolutionary Logic of Self-Deception

  Robert Trivers begins this chapter of The Folly of Fools by describing his efforts in the early 1970s to construct social theory based on natural selection. He aimed to understand the evolution of basic social relationships like parent/offspring, male/female, and in-group/out-gr…

  Originally published 2024-10-15 · Source publication

• Truth, Power, and Knowledge: Foucault, Aliens, and the Sayid Dilemma in Lost

  In *Lost*, Episode 3, the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 face a grim reality: stranded on a mysterious island with no apparent chance of rescue.

  Originally published 2024-10-08 · Source publication

• The Battle Against Uncertainty

  2.1.1 The Battle Against UncertaintyDo not hold your Views too firmly. Every fool is fully convinced, and everyone fully persuaded is a fool: the more erroneous his judgment the more firmly he holds it.- Baltasar Gracián11. The Paradox of Financial AdviceIn the world of finance,…

  Originally published 2024-10-01 · Source publication

• Evolution: From Blasphemy to Consensus

  The second law of thermodynamics states that entropy in an isolated system always increases. This principle resonates with our perception of history and our own experiences. Yet, life stands as a defiant counterexample, exhibiting increasing complexity.

  Originally published 2024-09-24 · Source publication

• The Coming Wave

  The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman (co-founder of Deep Mind) is a sweeping and provocative exploration of the transformative potential - and existential risks - posed by the rapid advance of artificial intelligence (AI) and synthetic biology. Drawing on a wealth of research and…

  Originally published 2024-09-17 · Source publication

• The China Rules: Chinese Cyber Espionage Against the United States

  This chapter from *The Perfect Weapon* provides an in-depth look at Chinese cyber espionage activities targeting the United States government and corporations in the early-to-mid 2010s. It reveals details about specific hacking groups, major breaches, and the U.S.

  Originally published 2024-09-10 · Source publication

• The Simulation Argument

  Imagine you’re playing a really advanced video game, so advanced that the characters in it think they’re real. Now, what if our whole world was like that game, and we were all just characters in it? That’s the basic idea behind the simulation argument.

  Originally published 2024-09-03 · Source publication

• Pandora’s Inbox: The Unfolding Cyberwar Scenario

  In the realm of cyber warfare, the boundary between science fiction and reality is rapidly dissolving. Nitro Zeus, a code name for a massive cyberattack plan by the United States against Iran, is a stark reminder of this shift. This isn’t just a hypothetical scenario; it’s a gli…

  Originally published 2024-08-27 · Source publication

• Information and Computation

  What Is Information? Information is a widely used term referring to knowledge or facts, whether in newspapers, books, phone conversations, or digital communications. In complex systems, information pertains to the communication and processing of data. The precise definitions of…

  Originally published 2024-08-20 · Source publication

• Staring Into the Singularity

  Eliezer Yudkowsky’s “Staring Into the Singularity” hits you like a lightning bolt with its bold assertion: AI will soon outstrip human intellect, catapulting us into an unknown future. But is this techno-prophecy a guaranteed trajectory? Ray Kurzweil certainly thinks so.

  Originally published 2024-08-13 · Source publication

• Pandora’s Inbox: The Unfolding Cyberwar Scenario

  In the realm of cyber warfare, the boundary between science fiction and reality is rapidly dissolving. Nitro Zeus, a code name for a massive cyberattack plan by the United States against Iran, is a stark reminder of this shift. This isn’t just a hypothetical scenario; it’s a gli…

  Originally published 2024-08-06 · Source publication

• Apocalypse and Hope

  In the final three chapters of his book "Battling to the End," René Girard engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Benoît Chantre, exploring the intricate relationship between mimetic desire, the escalation of violence, and the role of the Catholic Church in shaping Eur…

  Originally published 2024-07-30 · Source publication

• The Digital Battlefield: How a Secret Cyberweapon Changed Everything

  Picture this: It's the day before Christmas Eve, 2015. The lights go out across western Ukraine. Not because of a winter storm or a blown transformer, but because of something far more sinister. Something that would make even the most hardened cybersecurity experts lose sleep.Th…

  Originally published 2024-07-23 · Source publication

• Dynamics Chaos and Prediction

  Complex systems are made up of many simple components interacting with one another without a central controller, yet they exhibit complex, organized behaviors. These systems are found in nature and society, including ant colonies, the human brain, the immune system, economies, a…

  Originally published 2024-07-16 · Source publication

• Ultra-Processed People by Chris Van Tulleken

  In "Ultra-Processed People," Chris Van Tulleken embarks on a compelling journey to uncover the pervasive influence of ultra-processed foods (UPF) on our health and society. As a medical doctor and researcher, Van Tulleken provides a unique perspective, combining scientific rigor…

  Originally published 2024-07-02 · Source publication

• The Quantum Leap

  Quantum mechanics, the branch of physics dealing with the behavior of subatomic particles, holds immense potential for revolutionizing technology. When combined with AI, quantum mechanics promises to bring about a new era of computing power and innovation.Classical vs. Quantum C…

  Originally published 2024-06-28 · Source publication

• The Two Ages of War

  René Girard and Benoît Chantre explore the religious and apocalyptic implications of their dialogue on Clausewitz and modern violence. They begin by considering Péguy's attempt to oppose a chivalric conception of the duel, rooted in honor, to Clausewitz's more ruthless vision of…

  Originally published 2024-06-25 · Source publication

• Will Machines Ever be Conscious?

  In June 2022, Google engineer Blake Lemoine claimed that LaMDA, a Google AI and large language model, exhibited signs of consciousness.

  Originally published 2024-06-21 · Source publication

• Complexity

  In “Complexity: A Guided Tour,” Melanie Mitchell provides a comprehensive overview of the field of complex systems science, exploring its key concepts, historical development, and potential implications for our understanding of the world. The book’s central argument is that comp…

  Originally published 2024-06-18 · Source publication

• The War Economy

  In an episode of the Flagrant podcast, former CIA operative Andrew Bustamante provided a concise and insightful explanation of the military-industrial complex and its role as a lifeline for the United States economy. According to Bustamante, the U.S. has a vested interest in per…

  Originally published 2024-06-14 · Source publication

• Surrogate Activities

  > “A surrogate activity is an activity that is directed toward an artificial goal that the individual pursues for the sake of the “fulfillment” that he gets from pursuing the goal, not because he needs to attain the goal itself.

  Originally published 2024-06-11 · Source publication

• The Future of Work

  The document “Navigating the Future of Work: Perspectives on Automation, AI, and Economic Prosperity” presents three perspectives on the future impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation on jobs and the economy. The authors are Erik Brynjolfsson, Adam Thierer, and Dar…

  Originally published 2024-06-04 · Source publication

• What's Happening to Us

  In part 2 of The War on Normal People, Andrew Yang tells us a story about the typical life of an American. After college, many smart people end up working in big fields like finance, tech, law, medicine, and teaching. They move to big cities on the coasts like New York, San Fran…

  Originally published 2024-05-31 · Source publication

• The End of Moore's Law

  The Age of Silicon is coming to an end, and a new era of computing is on the horizon. Quantum computers, which harness the peculiar properties of quantum mechanics, are poised to revolutionize the world in ways that were once thought impossible. Unlike traditional digital comput…

  Originally published 2024-05-28 · Source publication

• Hegel and Calusewitz

  In Chapters 2 and 3 of Battling to the End, René Girard and Benoît Chantre discuss the relationship between the key ideas of Hegel and Clausewitz, both of whom were deeply influenced by Napoleon. While Hegel saw Napoleon as an incarnation of the World-Spirit moving through histo…

  Originally published 2024-05-21 · Source publication

• The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect

  In “The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect,” Roger Williams crafts a riveting narrative that delves deep into the heart of post-singularity existence, where the boundaries between human desire, technological omnipotence, and ethical quandaries blur. This novel not only interrogate…

  Originally published 2024-05-14 · Source publication

• What's Happening to Jobs?

  Andrew Yang, in The War Against Normal People, recounts that after his early career success, he eventually became disillusioned with the state of the country, witnessing firsthand the economic decline and despair in many American cities and communities. This led them to question…

  Originally published 2024-05-07 · Source publication

• Money for Nothing?

  In the third part of Andrew Yang's book, "The War on Normal People," he explores the transformative idea of Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a response to the challenges posed by automation and artificial intelligence. Yang presents UBI not just as a financial safety net, but as…

  Originally published 2024-04-30 · Source publication

• The Mechanized World Picture

  In his thought-provoking 1971 book, "The Pentagon of Power," Lewis Mumford delves into the profound impact of the mechanized world picture on our understanding of the cosmos, nature, and humanity itself. He traces the origins of this paradigm shift to the work of luminaries such…

  Originally published 2024-04-26 · Source publication

• The First Link

  Albert-László Barabási's book "Linked: The New Science of Networks" is a fascinating exploration of the interconnectedness of our world, from the microscopic level of cells to the vast expanses of the Internet. Through a series of compelling examples and groundbreaking research,…

  Originally published 2024-04-23 · Source publication

• The Rise of the Scientific World State

  In “[The Scientific Outlook](https://amzn.to/4cm3UfQ)“; Bertrand Russell imagines a future that is dominated by science and technology. In this world, there will be one government.

  Originally published 2024-04-19 · Source publication

• Israel and Palestine

  his book "Divided," author Tim Marshall dedicates a chapter to the long-standing conflict between Israel and Palestine. Titled "Israel and Palestine," the chapter begins by describing the stark contrast between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, separated by a 26-foot-high concrete wall t…

  Originally published 2024-04-16 · Source publication

• The Containment Problem

  Once technology is introduced into the world, its creators quickly lose control over its trajectory and impacts, leading to unintended and often unpredictable consequences. This reality, known as the containment problem, underscores the difficulty of managing technology's ripple…

  Originally published 2024-04-12 · Source publication

• Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut (8/10)

  “Player Piano,” Kurt Vonnegut’s first novel released in 1952, kickstarted his notable career by critically examining societal norms and the unbridled march of technology—themes that echo throughout his later works. Set in a post-Third World War America, the book unveils a dystop…

  Originally published 2024-04-12 · Source publication

• Ch.1: The Escalation to the Extremes

  In "Battling to the End," René Girard takes a deep dive into Carl von Clausewitz's famous book, "On War." He shows how his ideas about imitation and history can help us understand the changing nature of wars better. Girard, who usually focuses on literature and human behavior, w…

  Originally published 2024-04-08 · Source publication

• Israel and Palestine: Historical Backgrounds

  The fourth chapter of Fateful Triangle discusses the historical backgrounds of Israel and Palestine.The invasion of Lebanon in 1982 by Israel marked a contentious chapter in the special relationship between the U.S. and Israel, challenging the ideological foundation of their all…

  Originally published 2024-04-04 · Source publication

• Farewell to Humanity’s Childhood

  “The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity" by David Graeber and David Wengrow challenges conventional narratives about human history, particularly the origins of inequality. The authors argue that most of human history is unknown, and what is often discussed is based on…

  Originally published 2024-04-02 · Source publication

• Understanding Globalization

  The chapter: Understanding Globalization in How the World Really Works discusses globalization, a game-changer, shaping how countries and cultures connect. It's come a long way, starting from ancient trade routes and really picking up speed with tech advancements. This chapter d…

  Originally published 2024-03-29 · Source publication

• Kolwezi's Shadow: Cobalt, Exploitation, and the Quest for Progress in the Congo

  “[Cobalt Red](https://amzn.to/3P4sBUg)” delves into the heart of the electric vehicle (EV) revolution and the world’s tech-driven economy, focusing on Kolwezi, a unique city that harbors about a quarter of the planet’s cobalt reserves.

  Originally published 2024-03-26 · Source publication

• Ch.2: The Skills of the New Machines

  “The Second Machine Age” explores how digital technology is changing our world. It looks at the big impact of computers and the internet, comparing this change to the Industrial Revolution. The book talks about the good things technology brings, like more choices and easier acce…

  Originally published 2024-03-22 · Source publication

• Return of the Sun God

  “Return of the Sun God" in "The Myth of the Machine" delves into the profound transformation of Western thought and society, marked by the resurgence of solar theology and the dawn of the scientific era. This shift signifies a departure from a world dominated by theological doct…

  Originally published 2024-03-19 · Source publication

• Ch.1: Unspeakable Richness

  “Cobalt Red” shines a light on how important cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo is for our gadgets and electric cars. It talks about the journey of batteries from their start in the 1970s to powering today’s tech world. But, it also shows the dark side of getting c…

  Originally published 2024-03-15 · Source publication

• Chapter 3

  In "Fateful Triangle," Noam Chomsky examines the attitudes and policies of key players in the Middle East conflict since 1967, focusing on the United States, Israel, the Palestinians, and the Arab states including the PLO. He highlights the ideological interpretations of these p…

  Originally published 2024-03-12 · Source publication

• The 800th Lifetime

  In "The 800th Lifetime," Alvin Toffler presents a profound analysis of the transformative era we inhabit, a period he terms as the "800th Lifetime." This concept is central to his broader thesis in "Future Shock," a groundbreaking work that dissects the impact of rapid technolog…

  Originally published 2024-03-08 · Source publication

• The Structure of Scientific Revolutions Summary

  Thomas Kuhn’s seminal work, “[The Structure of Scientific Revolutions](https://amzn.to/3I9d9SU),” is a pivotal text in understanding the evolution of scientific theory and practice.

  Originally published 2024-03-05 · Source publication

• Trapped in the Casino

  "The Chaos Machine" delves into the profound and often unsettling impact of social media on society, exemplified by the story of Renée DiResta. DiResta, an analyst with a background in intelligence, discovered the pervasive influence of social media during her maternity leave. H…

  Originally published 2024-03-01 · Source publication

• Ch. 3: Understanding Our Material World

  In Chapter 3 of How the World Really Works, Smil writes about the four key materials of modern civilization: cement, steel, plastics, and ammonia. These are indispensable for infrastructure, transportation, communication, and other essential functions. Despite their critical rol…

  Originally published 2024-02-27 · Source publication

• New Explorations, New Worlds

  In "The Myth of the Machine: The Pentagon of Power", Lewis Mumford describes the transformative period starting in the late 15th century, known as The Age of Exploration. This era was marked by significant advancements in both physical and intellectual exploration. Western civil…

  Originally published 2024-02-23 · Source publication

• The Art of Invisibility

  "The Art of Invisibility" is a book that teaches us how to be careful online. It shows us the risks of using the internet and how our information can be found and used by others. This book is good for anyone who wants to keep their personal stuff safe while using computers and p…

  Originally published 2024-01-05 · Source publication

• Wars Shape Destiny: Zero Day

  What's a Zero Day? Think of zero days like secret doors in software that even the makers don't know about. These are hidden flaws that hackers can use to break into systems and cause problems before anyone knows there’s an issue.The Birth of Zero Days Zero days have been around…

  Originally published 2024-01-02 · Source publication

• The Changing World Order

  Ray Dalio's book, "The Changing World Order," talks about how big countries and empires have grown strong and then fallen over time. He looks closely at history, money, and government to see patterns in how these big powers rise and fall. Dalio knows a lot about global markets a…

  Originally published 2023-12-29 · Source publication

• Ch. 2: Understanding Food Production (How the World Really Works)

  ### Eating Fossil Fuels - Securing food is an existential imperative for all species. Human ancestors evolved key physical traits like erect posture, bipedalism, and large brains, enabling them to scavenge, gather, and hunt more efficiently.

  Originally published 2023-12-26 · Source publication

• Wars Shape Destiny: Technology

  War, often described as the darkest aspect of human endeavor, paradoxically shines as a potent catalyst for technological innovation. This relentless pursuit of advantage on the battlefield has inadvertently propelled humanity into new realms of scientific discovery and technological advancement.

  Originally published 2023-12-22 · Source publication

• A New Era: The Dawn of Superintelligent AI

  The future, rather than being an unknown abyss, can often be predicted based on past and present trajectories. Consider the advancement of technology since the 1960s, following Moore’s law which suggests a steady exponential increase in processing power. Combine this with Marvin…

  Originally published 2023-12-19 · Source publication

• The Matter with Things

  In his compelling work "The Matter With Things," Iain McGilchrist presents a revolutionary perspective on how our understanding and interaction with the world are deeply influenced by the intrinsic architecture of our brain. At the heart of this exploration is the brain's divisi…

  Originally published 2023-12-15 · Source publication

• Chapter 1 (Hamas: Politics, Charity, and Terrorism in the Middle East in the Service of Jihad)

  Hamas, an Islamist group in a secular, conflict-fatigued society, retains support through various means. It utilizes its reputation for honesty, grassroots activism, and social services to gain public favor, contrasting with Fatah’s corruption.

  Originally published 2023-12-12 · Source publication

• Summary of The Trial of Henry Kissinger

  In "The Trial of Henry Kissinger," Christopher Hitchens plays the role of prosecutor, historian, and moralist, weaving a narrative that is as much an indictment of a man as it is of a system that allowed, and perhaps encouraged, his alleged transgressions.The Litany of ChargesHi…

  Originally published 2023-12-08 · Source publication

• The Historical Foundations of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

  Mark Tessler's "The History of the Palestinian Israeli Conflict" provides a comprehensive historical analysis, challenging the notion that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict stems from ancient ethnic or religious rivalries. Tessler underscores the relatively recent nature of Jewis…

  Originally published 2023-12-05 · Source publication

• USA (Divided: Why We’re Living in an Age of Walls)

  In the second chapter of “[Divided](https://amzn.to/47NwqnK)”, Marshall recounts how after the day after Donald Trump was elected President, conservative commentator Ann Coulter jokingly made a plan for his first 100 days in office, mainly about building a wall on the US-Mexico border.

  Originally published 2023-12-01 · Source publication

• Chapter 1 (The Fateful Triangle)

  In the shadow of the current conflict between Hamas and Israel in 2023, it is enlightening to revisit Noam Chomsky’s “[The Fateful Triangle,](https://amzn.to/3stlhJU)” first published in 1983.

  Originally published 2023-11-28 · Source publication

• China (Divided: Why We’re Living in an Age of Walls)

  The following is a summary of the Chine in the book, [Divided: Why We’re Living in an Age of Walls ](https://amzn.to/47zBsnK)by Tim Marshall. Chinese emperors, including Xi Jinping, have aimed to unite China’s diverse regions into a cohesive whole.

  Originally published 2023-11-24 · Source publication

• A History of the Future

  Observe the technological enchantment we take for granted daily: your smartphone, a feat of photographic and computational prowess, your communication hub, and your music library; or the silent electric cars that glide past you, capable of self-navigation. Consider the gym equip…

  Originally published 2023-11-21 · Source publication

• Ch.1: Understanding Energy: Fuels and Electricity (How the World Really Works)

  The section paints a grand panorama of the evolution of life on Earth and humanity’s journey towards technological and environmental [mastery](https://www.amazon.

  Originally published 2023-11-14 · Source publication

• Shadow Medicine

  In “Shadow Medicine,” John S. Haller invites readers to journey into the enigmatic world of the placebo effect. This phenomenon, often relegated to the periphery of medical discourse, emerges in Haller’s hands as a complex and multifaceted subject that transcends mere illusion.…

  Originally published 2023-11-07 · Source publication

• From Draughts to DeepMind: The Unstoppable Ascendancy of Artificial Intelligence

  AI isn't just about tech; it concerns morality, ethics, emotions, and more. The power to handle the potential threats of AI lies not with the experts but with all of us. Imagine a future where we might either live off-grid due to AI domination or freely enjoy nature due to AI co…

  Originally published 2023-10-31 · Source publication

• The New Map

  Energy is a resource that binds our world together, acting as the invisible force that powers our homes, fuels our vehicles, and drives the industries that define our global economy. However, it also represents a point of contention among nations and a source of profound global…

  Originally published 2023-10-24 · Source publication

• Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man

  In "Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man," communication theorist Marshall McLuhan explores the effects of various media on human perceptions and society. Published in 1964, the book is a pioneering study into media theory that introduced groundbreaking ideas about how dif…

  Originally published 2023-10-17 · Source publication

• How to Create a Mind

  Ray Kurzweil, an inventor, futurist, and Director of Engineering at Google, has long been known for his visionary outlook on technology and its potential to shape our future. With his book “How to Create a Mind,” he once again propels us into a conversation that is both provocat…

  Originally published 2023-10-10 · Source publication

• The Precipice

  "Six thousand years." That's how long human civilization has existed, according to Toby Ord, a Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University's Future of Humanity Institute. This is but an instant compared to the 200,000 years of homo sapiens, and a mere heartbeat against the 3.5 b…

  Originally published 2023-10-03 · Source publication

• China's Great Wall of Debt

  A stunning image begins our exploration of Dinny McMahon’s “China’s Great Wall of Debt”: towering skyscrapers, extravagant shopping malls, high-speed railway networks, and entire cities seemingly emerge out of nowhere in China, a display of unrivaled economic progress. Beneath t…

  Originally published 2023-09-26 · Source publication

• The Emperor's New Drugs

  "The Emperor's New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth," an analytical and revealing exploration by Irving Kirsch, Ph.D., demystifies our understanding of antidepressants, their effectiveness, and their societal influence. Consider the startling fact that the global antidep…

  Originally published 2023-09-19 · Source publication

• Next

  "Next" by Michael Crichton is a complex, speculative fiction that dissects the convoluted and controversial world of genetic science and biotechnology. Crichton weaves an intricate tapestry of plotlines and characters to illuminate ethical, legal, and moral dilemmas presented by…

  Originally published 2023-09-12 · Source publication

• How Innovation Works

  "How Innovation Works: And Why It Flourishes in Freedom" is an insightful book in which Matt Ridley explores the world of innovation, arguing that it's a process that can be encouraged or stifled based on societal and political factors. He argues that innovation flourishes in en…

  Originally published 2023-09-05 · Source publication

• Pre-Suasion

  "Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade" is a deeply insightful book written by social psychologist Robert Cialdini, a recognized authority on the subject of persuasion. Published in 2016, it serves as a follow-up to his acclaimed book, "Influence: The Psycho…

  Originally published 2023-08-29 · Source publication

• Dopamine Nation

  “Dopamine Nation" by Dr. Anna Lembke explores the role of dopamine, the neurochemical linked to pleasure, in contemporary society's rapidly increasing addiction to everything from drugs to food and technology. The book highlights how the evolution of "limbic capitalism" or "dopa…

  Originally published 2023-08-22 · Source publication

• Top 5 Must-Read Books on Artificial Intelligence

  AI has been changing the world for a long time but not many people have been paying attention to it. In 2022, that changed with Chat GPT and generative AI. The future is ever-changing, and it’s hard to imagine it without more Artificial Intelligence (AI). Therefore, staying info…

  Originally published 2023-08-22 · Source publication

• Challenging Age-Old Wisdom: The Paradox of Self-Reflection

  Know ThyselfThis ancient Greek aphorism urges introspection and self-knowledge. However, overemphasis on self can lead to narcissism and a lack of empathy for others."Know thyself" is a timeless piece of wisdom, often attributed to Socrates, and immortalized in literature, self-…

  Originally published 2023-08-18 · Source publication

• The Probability of Aliens Existing (According to Sherlock)

  Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson have been known to tackle the most perplexing mysteries of their time.

  Originally published 2023-08-16 · Source publication

• Global Dynamics of the Semiconductor Revolution

  The eighth chapter of "Chip War" delves into the Soviet Union's attempt to build its own microelectronics center, Zelenograd, under the leadership of Nikita Khrushchev. The Soviet Union, armed with an integrated circuit brought back by Soviet student Boris Malin from Pennsylvani…

  Originally published 2023-08-15 · Source publication

• Bounded Rationality

  Herbert Simon, a pioneer in the field of cognitive psychology, introduced the concept of “bounded rationality” – a concept that I cover in “[The End of Wisdom: Why Most Advice is Useless.](https://www.amazon.

  Originally published 2023-08-08 · Source publication

• UFOs

  The history of UFOs, also known as Unidentified Flying Objects, is deeply intertwined with the culture and collective psyche of the last seven decades, and has proven to be a fertile ground for both controversy and fascination. The term UFO was coined in 1953 by the United State…

  Originally published 2023-08-01 · Source publication

• Unveiling the New Edition of "The End of Wisdom"

  Dear Reader,I hope this email finds you well. I am excited to announce the launch of the updated version of my book, "The End of Wisdom". If you enjoyed the first edition, you're in for an enriching journey as this updated version dives even deeper into the world of proverbs, of…

  Originally published 2023-08-01 · Source publication

• From Sputnik to Silicon Valley

  The fourth chapter of "Chip War" takes us back to the aftermath of the launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union in 1957. This event created a crisis of confidence in the US, leading to a crash program to catch up with the Soviet’s rocket and missile programs. President John F. Kenn…

  Originally published 2023-07-25 · Source publication

• The Ticking Time Bomb of Superintelligence

  In his book "Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies" (2014), philosopher and futurist Nick Bostrom presents a compelling and sobering analogy to describe humanity's precarious position on the brink of an intelligence explosion. He likens us to "small children playing with…

  Originally published 2023-07-18 · Source publication

• Technological Disruptions and The Rise of Robots

  In our previous discussion of Martin Ford’s “[Rise of the Robots](https://amzn.to/3N6Tqqi),” we delved into the disruptions that automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are causing in the job market.

  Originally published 2023-07-11 · Source publication

• The Pioneers of the Chip Revolution

  "Chip War" begins by transporting readers back to the era of World War II, a time that was not only a defining moment in human history but also a catalyst for technological advancement. The war was characterized by industrial attrition, with the United States' production of tank…

  Originally published 2023-07-04 · Source publication

• Autofac

  “Autofac” is a short story written by Philip K. Dick and was first published in 1955. This story revolves around post-apocalyptic survivors trying to resist an automated factory system, termed “autofac.

  Originally published 2023-06-27 · Source publication

• Rise of the Robots and The New Economy

  In every era of technological advancement, there has been an accompanying chorus of doom and gloom. The advent of the printing press in the 15th century was met with fear of information overload and moral decay.

  Originally published 2023-06-20 · Source publication

• The Difference between Risk and Uncertainty Before a Post-Singularity Future

  There is a certain duality that exists between the notions of risk and uncertainty. However, the stark contrast in the public perception of these two concepts, often cloaked in false interpretation, makes it important to probe deeper into their essence.

  Originally published 2023-06-13 · Source publication

• Xenobots: The Living Robots That Could Change the World

  In the ceaseless pursuit of innovation, humans continually redefine what it means to be alive. From the dawning of the artificial intelligence era to the advent of genetic manipulation, we’ve journeyed far into the realm of what once seemed impossible.

  Originally published 2023-06-06 · Source publication

• The Fascination with Fear

  This post is about an American philosopher with an unmistakable southern accent who lectured about Kierkegaard.Roderick has multiple lectures on Youtube on different classical philosophers. He has a way of bringing these ideas to the modern world and making them relevant. Althou…

  Originally published 2023-05-30 · Source publication

• Meditations on Moloch And Mimesis

  In the vast expanse of human history, civilizations have been plagued by coordination problems that have given rise to destructive forces. These forces, often characterized by a lack of cooperation and harmony, have the potential to undermine the very fabric of societies.

  Originally published 2023-05-23 · Source publication

• Beyond the End of History

  With the end of the Cold War, an intellectual spark emerged in the form of a provocative thesis known as "The End of History," introduced by Francis Fukuyama in his 1989 article and later expanded upon in his 1992 book, "The End of History and the Last Man." As a keen observer o…

  Originally published 2023-05-15 · Source publication

• The Singularity and The Six Epochs

  *The future ain’t what it used to be.* *—YOGI BERRA* In his book “The Singularity is Near,” futurist and inventor Ray Kurzweil presents a compelling vision of the future, detailing the six epochs of evolution that ultimately lead to the Singularity—a point in time when artificial intelligence will

  Originally published 2023-05-09 · Source publication

• Martin Luther and The Printing Press

  "Young Man Luther" is a groundbreaking book written by renowned psychologist and psychoanalyst Erik Erikson in 1958. The book is a psychobiography of Martin Luther, the German theologian and central figure of the Protestant Reformation. In this work, Erikson uses Luther's life a…

  Originally published 2023-05-02 · Source publication

• The Modern Self

  In our quest to understand the development of the modern self, we shall examine six seminal works that shed light on the cultural, social, and psychological forces that have shaped our current milieu. These texts weave a narrative of transformation, painting a portrait of a soci…

  Originally published 2023-04-25 · Source publication

• Specism and the AI Merge

  Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk were recently discussing the possible dangers of AI, mainly focusing on AI safety and the unchecked growth of advanced AI systems. Elon Musk expressed his concerns about AI safety, pointing out that AI could end up taking control and making irreversi…

  Originally published 2023-04-21 · Source publication

• Dethroning the Dollar?

  Let us examine the recent talk about the potential end of the US dollar's dominance as the world's reserve currency. Are we witnessing the early stages of a Black Swan event or is it merely the manifestation of our inherent inability to predict and comprehend the intricate dance…

  Originally published 2023-04-11 · Source publication

• Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich

  "Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich" is a meticulously researched and thought-provoking book by German author Norman Ohler, which explores the pervasive use of drugs in Nazi Germany and their potential influence on the decisions and actions of the Nazi leadership during World War…

  Originally published 2023-04-04 · Source publication

• The Chinese Room Problem

  The Chinese Room problem has long been a subject of debate and discussion in the fields of philosophy and artificial intelligence. First presented by philosopher John Searle in 1980, the Chinese Room argument challenges the idea that machines can ever truly be intelligent, by pr…

  Originally published 2023-03-28 · Source publication

• The Chat GPT Debate

  The rise of large language models (LLMs), exemplified by Chat GPT, has sparked a fervent debate over the capabilities and constraints of artificial intelligence.

  Originally published 2023-03-21 · Source publication

• Toffler's 'Future Shock': A Prophetic Vision of the Future

  “Future Shock” is a book written by Alvin Toffler, a renowned sociologist and futurist. First published in 1970, during a time of significant social and cultural upheaval, the world was experiencing rapid technological advancements and unprecedented changes. Toffler’s book warns…

  Originally published 2023-03-14 · Source publication

• A Dance with the Devil

  It is difficult to capture the intimate relationship between technology and war. It is an idea that is so totally twisted, when you think about it. What, more than technology, has given so many millions of people the basic necessities of life, such as food and shelter and securi…

  Originally published 2023-03-07 · Source publication

• The Free Will "Illusion"

  Picture this - you're a member of an Italian mob family, and you're about to make a big decision. Your boss has tasked you with carrying out a hit on a rival gang leader, and you're torn between carrying out the orders and following your conscience. You start to wonder whether y…

  Originally published 2023-02-28 · Source publication

• From Darwin to Hitler

  In "From Darwin to Hitler," Richard Weikart delves into the intersection of Darwinian biology and ethics, exploring the impact of Darwinism on thinking about the value of human life. The book sheds light on the debates surrounding the application of Darwinian theories to ethics,…

  Originally published 2023-02-21 · Source publication

• Brave New World Revisited

  Brave New World is a novel written by Aldous Huxley in 1932. The book is set in a futuristic society where technology and science have advanced to the point of creating a totalitarian state in which individuals are genetically engineered, conditioned, and controlled by the government to fulfill spec

  Originally published 2023-02-14 · Source publication

• Nature's Playground

  Ivan Petrovich Sokolov was a Soviet physiologist and neuroscientist who made significant contributions to the study of the orienting response. The orienting response is a reflexive shift in attention to a new or novel stimulus, characterized by changes in physiological and behav…

  Originally published 2023-01-31 · Source publication

• Beyond Materialism

  Mark Twain once said, “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” This quote is particularly relevant in today’s age, where consensus is everything and the majority opinion is often considered to be the correct one. As Twain suggest…

  Originally published 2023-01-24 · Source publication

• The End of the World is Just the Beginning

  In The End of the World is Just the Beginning, author Peter Zeihan attempts to show readers how the world will look after the end of globalization. He argues that without globalism, states and nations will pursue policies based on their own interests, creating a more “disorderly…

  Originally published 2023-01-09 · Source publication

• The Relationship Between Gnosticism and Techno-Utopianism

  In his book AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order, Kai-Fu Lee outlines his vision for the future of artificial intelligence (AI). He believes that AI will bring about a “greater divide” between those who have the skillset to take advantage of it and thos…

  Originally published 2022-12-20 · Source publication