Social engineering is a hot topic in information security. Even articles published as recently as a couple years ago have many citations. But how much of it is hype? This is not to say social engineering does not work–clearly it does in some notable cases. But I believe the success or efficacy of social engineering… Continue reading Is the claimed efficacy of social engineering overhyped?

In early November 2024 it went viral that Elon Musk is also a top-ranked Diablo player. This came as a surprise, as how does he find the time or learn so fast? Elon Musk runs 6+ companies, raises 12 kids, and still ranks in the Top 20 of the World gamers list for Diablo, where… Continue reading A high IQ is a huge head-start to mastery

I saw this going viral: Are Social Media Platforms the Next Dying Malls? It got over 1,400 Substack ‘likes’, which I think is close to a record for that site, indicating considerable agreement or people who want to believe it’s true. It looks like Mr. Gioia is inventing his own reality again to suit his… Continue reading Social media platforms are not like dying malls

The possibility that someone as deft with words as Noah Smith or David Brooks is smarter than someone as outwardly competent or accomplished as Elon Musk or Peter Thiel seems absurd, but verbal ability has among the highest ‘g loadings’ of any IQ subtest, more than even fluid or spatial IQ, so it axiomatically follows… Continue reading The cognitive elite we already have

I saw this going viral: This is a good visualization of why those who say “calories in = calories out” actually are arguing that calories out are inflexible, because the only intervention they advocate for is reducing calories in. “You could eat less…” You can change calories out!! https://t.co/UQzQ7FbNQW — anabology (@anabology) December 13, 2024… Continue reading The sad truth about metabolism: why nothing works

A major problem with educational or informative content, such as on YouTube or social media, is an overreliance on studies. I see this a lot in anything health or fitness related. Studies are much less useful than their presumed authority would suggest. The assumption is that because studies are perceived as objective instead of opinion,… Continue reading The problem with studies–why studies are not as useful as assumed

Bitcoin is falling hard again the morning in opposite of the strong or neutral performance of the stock market, the second day of the week this has happened. In explaining why my method [1] works so well, it takes advantage of a quirk, or more accurately, a weakness in Bitcoin liquidity and market microstructure, that… Continue reading The myth of Bitcoin liquidity

Item #1: From Noah Smith, Nobody knows how to stop humanity from shrinking. It’s hard for me to lose much sleep over this. This seems like a problem invented by business elites and economists, and propagated with the help of the media, to justify more consumption. They are not going to be affected by overstrained… Continue reading The Daily View 12/9/2024: Depopulation, Sports Betting, Elon, UNH Shooter ID’d

The UNH shooter is still at large. The fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson has captivated the nation, overtaking anything going on with the Trump transition team. It has all the necessary ingredients for a thriller: mystery, suspense, a high-profile target, and it affects an issue everyone can relate to or has experienced,… Continue reading The UNH shooter is still at large.

The murder of United Health CEO Brian Thompson has engendered a discussion about healthcare and health insurance in America. Somewhat unexpectedly, many on the right are in agreement with the left that health insurance is broken. His death is not going to change anything. He will be replaced by someone who will continue the same… Continue reading Brian Thompson’s death: some thoughts on healthcare and health insurance