Does an easier life make people lazier? It might not make them lazy, but prehaps less persistent and productive. The more obstacles you have faced and overcome, the easier your viewpoint on life becomes. So maybe how much we achieve is more of a function of persistence in the face of difficulty. Persistence is a … [Read more…]
Easing part of the human struggle is knowing that you can make a difference in the world. I don’t know what percentage of people realize it, but all people of history were individuals. It’s quite a sobering thought to think of the influence Benjamin Franklin or Thomas Jefferson had on their future. There are people … [Read more…]
I read a essay by Paul Graham recently that discussed the disagreement heirarchy. There was an interesting quote in it that said: “Most intellectual dishonesty is unintentional. Someone arguing against the tone of something he disagrees with may believe he’s really saying something.” I hope that is generally the case, but it still seems some … [Read more…]
The current system of law is generally produced in a manner like this: the public casts ballots (voting) and certain people are chosen (elections). Some of these people write things down (creating bills) and then the group of chosen people vote on it (making laws). If enough do, it becomes law and now must be … [Read more…]
It seems humans mostly agree that stealing is Not Good. The problem, like with many things, is the definition. Is it stealing if someone takes something from a deceased person? How long does something have to be left alone before it is considered abandoned? Of course the most interesting and relevant today is the idea … [Read more…]
Trust is a fundamental part of human social reality. It is a requirement for interaction to go smoothly. If you deny that free markets can include the lubricant of trust so you can promote a theory for government being necessary, where violence in favored instead of trust, you have chained yourself with a straw man … [Read more…]
Humans have lived with amounts of aggression in their lives for so long, that currently even to question the practice is seen as backward. Yet aggression can only beget more aggression. Feed a bully or a politician your monies and he’s sure to take more. And what does all this tyranny achieve? Poverty: in mind … [Read more…]
It is not like a lake or a barrel of oil. It does not run out: it is not a scarce resource. Creativity is like a small seed that can grow into a mighty tree. Nurture creativity by making novel connections between distinct things, by studying the ideas you have, by having interesting conversations with … [Read more…]
Do you realize your mind is created by a bunch of nerves in your head? Did you think that it was out of your control? The low-level operations are, but much of what we accept as inherent, such as sadness or joy, are influenced by our desire to feel them. As Aristotle said, you are … [Read more…]
Absolutely live for you. You can’t expect anyone else to do so. It also means not accepting always living for your future self. You live in the present, and that’s all you can experience. If you aren’t happy with your situation, get out of it. Don’t ditch people depending on you. But, if the relationship … [Read more…]