This is chaos: Chaos theory is an investigation into mathematical and physical systems that are highly sensitive to initial conditions. The simulated three-pendulum systems above only differ in the tiniest way from each other, yet, after a few seconds, they are all wildly divergent in their movements. I’ve grown to prefer the word “chaos” to […]
The Problem of Happiness
Imagine for second that you want to go purchase a car. You’ve decided the brand and model you want, and how much you’re prepared to spend. Then you walk into the dealership and leave… with a bicycle. That story feels absurd because people don’t go out seeking cars and accidentally getting bicycles. However, that is […]
Book Review: The Wisdom of Insecurity
A few friends recommended I read this book, because of my budding interest in Buddhism and Eastern religions. Alan Watts was one of the big popularizers of Zen and other Asian spiritual philosophies in the 50s and 60s, and I greatly enjoyed his television program. I’ve become interested in these sorts of ideas because, for […]
Simplicity Beats Nuance: Why the Wrong Answer Can Often Beat the Correct One
Nobody wants to be told their views are oversimplified. So, when thinking about issues, we tend to try to include as many factors as possible. The more nuanced our views become, the less likely they can be attacked for missing something important. But are more nuanced ways of thinking about a problem actually more useful? […]
I'm a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, podcast host, computer programmer and an avid reader. Since 2006, I've published weekly essays on this website to help people like you learn and think better. My work has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, TEDx, Pocket, Business Insider and more. I don't promise I have all the answers, just a place to start.