This June, I gave a keynote talk at WDS 2019 about Ultralearning. I cover five lessons I’ve learned about life from undertaking my various projects: The hard way is the easy way. A little fear is very useful. Feedback is good, so ignore most of it. The shortest path is straight ahead. Happiness is not […]
The Complete Guide to Self-Control
Indulge now and pay the price later? Or wait a little and reap bigger rewards in the future? Many of life’s biggest challenges come down to a simple trade off. Self-control isn’t easy. But it is possible to make it easier. In this guide, I’ve teamed up with cognitive science PhD student Jakub Jilek for […]
Thinkers vs Doers: Who Gives Better Advice?
What makes someone an expert? The word is often used to refer to two different types of people: In short, doers and thinkers. This distinction tends to hold across many domains. An excellent pilot, or an expert in aviation. A crack coder, or a computer scientist. Legendary investor Warren Buffett, or Nobel-winning economist Paul Krugman. […]
Explore or Exploit: The Hidden Decision that Guides Your Life
Here’s a useful tip next time you go to a restaurant: The best dish on the menu is often the first dish you ever ordered while eating at that place. Why? Well if you live in a big enough city, with enough locations to eat out, you end up going to a lot of places. […]
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.