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

The characteristics or traits of top performers (and why you’re screwed)

A lot has been written about the characteristics or traits of top performers. What makes them different? It would seem like they are cut from an entirely different cloth compared to everyone else. It’s like magic what they are capable of doing. some characteristics: 1. They do not necessarily work harder, but work smarter. They… Continue reading The characteristics or traits of top performers (and why you’re screwed)

Cancellation fail

Looks like I was right again. Richard Hanania survived his attempted cancellation with flying colors, as I predicted. Not only was his book not cancelled, but pre-order sales have surged. ‘Cancel culture’ arguably peaked in 2010-2017 or so. The left’ ability to cancel has been significantly diminished since the mid 2010s due to a combination… Continue reading Cancellation fail

Psychology does have a bullshit problem, but STEM is not immune either

I saw this going viral I’m so sorry for psychology’s loss, whatever it is Psychology is unloved, and deservedly so. It’s hard to find anyone, psychologists included, who can vigorously or unconditionally defend the field. I think even psychologists acknowledge that there are too many flimsy, weak, or underpowered studies, or unsupported generalizations about the… Continue reading Psychology does have a bullshit problem, but STEM is not immune either