Notes on Taiwan Before I start telling you about my recent trip to Taiwan, I’ll share a few anecdotes,… Notes on Taiwan
underrated regions vs overrated countries: how being a ‘country’ impacts travel desirability For people who travel a lot, there is always the question of: where is the next… underrated regions vs overrated countries: how being a ‘country’ impacts travel desirability
musings on adversarial capitalism I’ve lately been writing a series on modern capitalism. You can read these other blog posts… musings on adversarial capitalism
what road bikes reveal about progress There’s a common story we tell about innovation — that it’s a relentless march across the… what road bikes reveal about progress
Artisanal Slop Bowls as the next abstraction of capitalism [Note: I’m not happy with how this essay turned out, but this space is meant to… Artisanal Slop Bowls as the next abstraction of capitalism
do we really want to be 10x better or 95th percentile? There’s a phenomenon in the corners of the internet I frequent. Every few months, someone writes… do we really want to be 10x better or 95th percentile?
how an efficient market feels from the inside “I often think of the time I met Scott Sumner and he said he pretty much… how an efficient market feels from the inside
why I’m worried about an Azerbaijani invasion of Armenia and think you should be too I’ve become increasingly concerned about the prospect of an Azerbaijani invasion of Armenia and here’s why… why I’m worried about an Azerbaijani invasion of Armenia and think you should be too
the deep feelings of politics and society We all feel different things. There’s an anecdote about Derek Parfit watching a video of Hitler… the deep feelings of politics and society
On the importance of preserving and curating content Great content is an incredible gift to the world. The people who create it—the writers, musicians,… On the importance of preserving and curating content
On America The first few weeks of Donald Trump’s second presidency have been the most consequential period of… On America
deconstructing arguments against AI art Something I’ve been surprised by is just how fierce opposition to AI art has been. To… deconstructing arguments against AI art
in defence of “souls” Up until fairly recently, I used to pray for the things I really wanted in life.… in defence of “souls”
musings on death I find persuasive but unhelpful I’ve been thinking lately about a line from one of my favourite movies, When Harry Met… musings on death I find persuasive but unhelpful
On Miles Davis, talent, and innovation I’ve been thinking a lot lately about Miles Davis, innovation, and genius – specifically about how… On Miles Davis, talent, and innovation
the loss of magic: why Bob Dylan can’t write great songs anymore The hipsters aren’t wrong: most musicians really were better when they were younger, especially on their… the loss of magic: why Bob Dylan can’t write great songs anymore
Every niche event should also be a meetup I was just at a Tyler Cowen lecture in NYC — one of my heroes and… Every niche event should also be a meetup
a taxonomy of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Imagine you’re the CEO of a major ride-share company. Someone accuses your organization of sexism, pointing… a taxonomy of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
there is no progress in art: why jazz musicians are like gold miners Since I moved to NYC last month, I’ve been seeing a lot of concerts. Some of… there is no progress in art: why jazz musicians are like gold miners
most businesses don’t work that way “If you’re not paying for the product, you’re the product” has become a popular line people… most businesses don’t work that way
Why are intellectual podcasts so bad? There seems to be an endless supply of intellectual podcasts available now, and on paper, this… Why are intellectual podcasts so bad?
a short rant on culture One comment that frustrates me, which I’ve been hearing a lot lately since I moved from… a short rant on culture
Personal reflections on moving from Canada to NYC I’m moving from Canada to New York City this week, and I’m having a mini-existential crisis.… Personal reflections on moving from Canada to NYC
Why good things often don’t lead to better outcomes Many people believe that when something good happens, positive outcomes naturally follow — but I’m here… Why good things often don’t lead to better outcomes
Extreme Jewish Brain: A Reflection on Why Judaism Means So Much to Me I. A lot of people are very surprised to learn that Judaism is such an important… Extreme Jewish Brain: A Reflection on Why Judaism Means So Much to Me
How to get the benefit of a high-end fitness tracker without actually buying one To borrow a classic rationalist idea: if you know you’re going to change your mind about… How to get the benefit of a high-end fitness tracker without actually buying one
things that confuse me about the current AI market Since the release of ChatGPT, at least 17 companies, according to the Chatbot Arena Leaderboard, have… things that confuse me about the current AI market
maybe knowing too much about others isn’t so great A few years ago, I saw this Wait But Why Cartoon that perfectly encapsulated a phenomenon… maybe knowing too much about others isn’t so great
Twitter as the embodiment of the American ethos In the nerdy corners of the internet where I spend time, Twitter has become the dominant… Twitter as the embodiment of the American ethos
The Challenge of Building New Cities: Inside The Satmar Hassidic Takeover of Bloomingburg [This is the story of how a community of Hassidic Jews, through subterfuge and electoral fraud,… The Challenge of Building New Cities: Inside The Satmar Hassidic Takeover of Bloomingburg
Why I talk about utopia, not politics When hanging out with my nerdier internet friends, conversations about politics, policy, or the overall direction… Why I talk about utopia, not politics
Cocaine, Kim Jong-un, and BlackRock: why It’s good to reflect on boycotts One of the recurring themes on this blog is the exploration of small, often overlooked actions… Cocaine, Kim Jong-un, and BlackRock: why It’s good to reflect on boycotts
winning isn’t everything: the case for infinite games and functional decision theory [As an adult, I’ve come to believe that being consistently kind, compassionate, and selfless—as we’re taught… winning isn’t everything: the case for infinite games and functional decision theory
musings on feedback — and Tyler Cowen’s Straussian rating system I find the idea of rating systems and evaluation to be interesting. On the surface, they… musings on feedback — and Tyler Cowen’s Straussian rating system
Why (most) people don’t learn about the world on Twitter: the case for intellectual dark matter [(After smugly criticizing Jane Austen) “What Jane Austen novels have you read?” “None. I don’t read… Why (most) people don’t learn about the world on Twitter: the case for intellectual dark matter
A meditation on meaning: what Tea Leaf Green had but JRAD doesn’t Live music is a very, very important part of my life. I’m going to tell a… A meditation on meaning: what Tea Leaf Green had but JRAD doesn’t