Arrogance vs. Confidence: what’s the difference?
A long running debate in my own mind is the difference between arrogance and confidence. Here are two definitions:…
Category: Philosophy
When is good data impossible?
I was thinking recently about skepticism in small sample sizes. How its wise to doubt big claims based on…
Cynicism is intellectual cowardice (short video of the week)
“I started coming to the conclusion that cynicism is intellectual cowardice. It’s basically you not taking the time to…
Open letter to college graduates
Dear college graduates: I will share what no one told me when I graduated: live for yourself. Do not…
Believe nothing
My favorite Buddha quote, in honor of his birthday: Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who…
Why Do Arguments Become Hostile?
When conversations go wrong, there’s a moment right before it gets bad that something must have changed. What is…
Why today is not the future
In The First Decade of the Future is Behind Us by Kyle Munkitrick for Discover magazine, he ask the…
Does information overload matter?
Recently I’ve been involved in quantity vs. quality arguments related to the web. I have a half-baked thought I…
Quote of the week
“If we only wanted to be happy, it would be easy; but we want to be happer than other…
Book review: The checklist manifesto
Gawande’s first effort, Complications is a great book. He’s honest about the limitations of surgeons in a way few…
More on free work / Designer job
Update: the book this job was for was published. Weeks ago I posted a job ad for a designer position…
The impact ratio (why it’s hard to know what’s important)
We like to think we know how important everything is when it happens. But looking backwards, it’s clear some…
On working for free
Recently, this comment was left on my job posting for a book designer: You know what they say, Mr.…
Interview: man who owns only 15 things
Well known start-up founder and conference organizer Andrew Hyde (@andrewhyde) recently decided to sell most of his worldly possessions.…
The fallacy of “They Don’t Get It”
A phrase often uttered in frustration is “They don’t get it.” When spoken among colleagues, a chorus of heads will…
The make vs. consume ratio
Years ago I realized the pleasure of spending a few bucks to see something that cost $100 million or…
Moments: a video you will enjoy
There is a cliche among short videos of trying to make you feel something amazing or wonderous, and I…
Yoda and different kinds of trying
Yoda said “Do or do not, there is no try.” I have always had problems with this nugget of…
Why does faith matter?
In a series of posts, called readers choice, I write on whatever topics people submit and vote for. If…
Is Cool a low bar?
Many years ago, cool was rare. It was hard to find interesting things. You had to read lots of…