Conversation of Our Generation

If you're looking for a better understanding of statistics and what they mean, Outliers, is a really interesting look into how trends can really affect individual outcomes en masse.

I have written and talked about the fact that statistics are an amalgamation of people, that when we see these numbers they represent actual experiences of people.

Outliers is a look into the trends that create incredible anomalies and the people who are there, ready and willing, to take advantage of a moving wave. I look at success a lot like surfing: in order to ride the wave to shore, you need to be there, see the right wave, and know how to ride it. This book tells you all about the waves, and the people who were poised to ride them in to shore.

If you'd like to understand how greatness comes about by being the one to see the trend and make the best of it, this is the book for you. It may not teach you how to identify the right trends as it chalks much of the success up to intuition, but it will show you what many successful people have done to see an opportunity and seize it.

Those of you who listen to my podcast and follow my blog know that I have no love lost for the authorities. I believe that many of our institutions have been corrupted beyond the point of deserving much respect, let alone the benefit of the doubt.

So, when I saw what happened to George Floyd, I was outraged and hoped that changes would be made to prevent this sort of thing from happening. This should not happen, and cops who do this should be fired, stripped of benefits, and brought up on charges - every single time. And no one should disagree with this.

That said, we should also not allow the sort of violent response to stand. We should push back against the violent and hateful tactics and negotiate a real solution. Looting your local neighborhood does nothing to solve this problem, and most everything to worsen it.

We need to find ways to express ideas peacefully and have a dialogue. Today, we'll talk about some of the problems with police and the violent protests, as well as some potential solutions to the problems between police and the black community.

Some of the problems I'm seeing with police:

Some of the problems I'm seeing with the riots:

Some potential points of improvement:

If you're looking for an entertaining read, True Crime is a great book. It is an interesting look into the criminal justice system and what it's like to sit on death row.

With all the discussion right now about problems in criminal justice, this is a great look at how one dedicated person can make a large impact. It also brings into question Political Correctness and the complexity of a not-so-great person's attempt to do the right thing.

I like Andrew Klavan's books, and I think this one is a really great thriller that will keep you wondering throughout and on edge till the very end.

I'm worried that we're being prepared for a "new normal," and one that will be harmful to us. I've seen a couple signs of this and wanted to call them out so we can find ways to push back and resist encroachments into our lives.

Here are a couple things I've noticed happening that touch very different parts of our lives.

I believe these will work to undermine our freedom and our way of life. My hope is that being aware will help us to push back and not loose those things we hold dear.

In a time when discussion is angry and partisan, it is refreshing to have a book that addresses real issues seriously- but not too seriously. Don't Burn This Book is a great look at Dave Rubin's political transformation, and it comes with great advice for those afraid of the PC Mob.

If you're open to honest and civil dialogue (which I hope you are if you're here) this is a good look at many of the issues people are facing today. It isn't a dense philosophical treatise and it surely isn't fluff. It's an approachable read that gives the reader a good read of the landscape both philosophically and politically... as well as memetically.

It seems to me all to common that people pursue theories for sake of pursuing them, rather than a search for truth. The problem in this is that truth is the end, and our capabilities to be rational and seek truth are a means. Treating the pursuit of truth as the end is like treating money as an end, rather than a means.

We ought not treat means as ends or ends as means. If we do, we are acting improperly and will not be able to reap the benefit of proper action.

What should be the focus of an intellectual pursuit is not notoriety, pride of accomplishment, or vindication. Rather, we should seek truth and if any of those come our way as a side effect, be grateful.

The worst thing one can do in search of truth is to attempt to subdue the truth and wield it, rather than to seek and accept it. This is a grave problem and should be avoided, as it is an exercise of pride and self-imposition on reality, rather than acceptance of the reality at hand. It is the beginning of ideology and tyranny, and many of the ills our society sees today.

Marcus Aurelius was an Emperor of Rome. He was also a wise, Stoic philosopher. He might be more remembered for his writings than what he did as a political and military leader.

His understanding of discipline and how you can grow in virtue only through channeling liberty for good is one that strikes a cord with me. I think that in an emotionally-driven culture, we can use some more stoicism and cold rationality as we discuss the relevant topics today.

In today's discourse there is a lot of bad dialogue. Many people fling ideas out there with little to no consideration, and many of these ideas are fallacious.

I'd like to look at several fallacies that really disrupt our ability to have a productive conversation. My hope is that in looking at these, we can find a way to push these fallacies aside and work to have a real, productive dialogue on the topic at hand.

These are three common fallacies I see used a lot right now that I think it's important to address.

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