The Myth of Wealthy Boomers (why they are not much ‘better off’ compared to later generations)

I saw this going viral : Baby boomers are becoming homeless at a rate ‘not seen since the Great Depression’ — here’s what’s driving this terrible trend. And from WSJ: Why More Baby Boomers Are Sliding Into Homelessness. Let me get out my little violin. But in all seriousness, this agrees with my earlier post… Continue reading The Myth of Wealthy Boomers (why they are not much ‘better off’ compared to later generations)

How Smart is Elon Musk?

Scott reviews comments in regard to Elon Musk’s latest biography. Not surprisingly, a lot of the discussion focusses on Elon’s IQ. For some reason many people, including those who otherwise believe strongly in HBD, get irked at the notion that Elon may not in fact be the smartest person in the world, or as smart… Continue reading How Smart is Elon Musk?

Developing GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs was ‘Harder’ Than Detecting Gravity Waves

I don’t think it’s possible to overstate how big of a deal these GLP-1 weight loss drugs are, the primary two being Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide). Although these drugs have only been on the market for a couple years, there are already large communities discussing them. In all likelihood, actual usage is probably a… Continue reading Developing GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs was ‘Harder’ Than Detecting Gravity Waves

Why I’m not optimistic the student loan debt situation will improve

My opinion has generally been that the student loan bubble/crisis, like global warming or the ever-looming threat of China, is overblown and the product of media hype. For as far back as I can remember we’re been told by the alarmist media that America is on the brink of war with China, or that global… Continue reading Why I’m not optimistic the student loan debt situation will improve

The Interlocutor’s Advantage

I have tried to figure out why online discussions and social media sucks or has become more stressful over time, compared to decades ago. What changed? It’s common to blame politics or ideological division, such as in 2016 in regard to Trump or 2020 in regard to Covid, which were highly divisive to the nation… Continue reading The Interlocutor’s Advantage

The Daily View 9/13/2023: Trump, Ukraine, Bitcoin, Ark Investments

#1 Huge sentences handed out for Proud Boys members, including a record 22 years for Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio for Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy. As I said here, this notion that Trump is being persecuted is wrong. It’s more like his followers and supporters are, but Trump is still above the fray. Despite a… Continue reading The Daily View 9/13/2023: Trump, Ukraine, Bitcoin, Ark Investments

Why Influence/Reach is Better than Power, Wealth, or Social Status

Imagine if like a video game you have to choose between some combination of allocation of the following attributes/abilities, but you cannot max out all of them: 1. power 2. influence/reach 3. wealth 4. social status Power is the ability to make large, important decisions which can potentially affect a lot of people and or… Continue reading Why Influence/Reach is Better than Power, Wealth, or Social Status

The increasing concentration of culture

From Richard Hanania, On the Death of a Common American Culture. The subtitle is “the meaning of cultural fragmentation and political centralization,” but I think it’s the opposite: power has become more fragmented and culture more centralized into hubs, franchises, and brands. His overarching point seems wrong. I don’t see the fragmentation he is talking… Continue reading The increasing concentration of culture