I often get asked whether I’ll do another big learning project, like the MIT Challenge or Year Without English. The truth is I don’t know. Choosing projects—especially ones which will last many months and require intense effort—isn’t something I take lightly. Making a good choice about which projects to pursue can make a huge difference. […]
Are Anti-Vaxxers Rational? More Thoughts on the Power of Copying
My last post sparked some debate when I suggested that trying to think through a rational answer for every practical problem is likely unwise. Duncan Smith comments: This may be good advice for people with the discipline to distinguish between problems that can be solved with a completely rational approach and those that are complex […]
Is Rationality Overrated? What an 18th Century Medical Mystery Can Tell Us About the Power of Blind Copying
Should we copy without understanding? Doing so can often lead to surprising benefits like saving a whole country from Pellagra.
At What Age is it No Longer Okay to Be Bad at Something?
I’m grateful for having started this blog when I was quite young. I started writing when I was 17, in early 2006. That was nearly ten years ago. I’m not grateful because it’s better being a younger writer. If anything, it’s probably harder. You don’t have the life experiences or accomplishments to draw upon. There’s […]
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.