NonTrivial

In this episode I argue that the detailed patterns we study cannot be used as the basis for improving things. The inspection of bird's wings does not lead to human flight, the admiration of a wise man's character traits cannot tell you how to achieve inner peace, and the government's preoccupation with desired outcomes cannot be used to direct funding, and other examples. It's likely going to challenge some deep-seated beliefs you have about how things work, but I'll be supporting my argument with known properties and mechanisms related to information, uncertainty, risk and complexity.

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In this episode I talk about penny-pinching, which I take to mean any kind of nit-picking or hyper-detailed behavior, that I argue leads to bad long-term outcomes. Penny-pinching is when we try to use all the information available to weigh pros and cons, and make some informed decision as how to best act. I will argue that while this might make us feel better in the moment, and sound smart to others, it's in fact more often than not, unintelligent because it doesn't take into account how things play out over the long run. I use the term "rich" in this episode to mean any kind of prosperity whether that's money, family, friends, contentment. What's important to understand here is that when I say the Rich Don't Penny Pinch, the non-penny-pinching behavior came before the person got rich. It's an approach to life that is high-level, approximate, and often looks "dumb" or "uninformed" in the moment, yet leads to truly successful outcomes.

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In this episode I'll be challenging the idea that human progress owes its advancement to the efforts of a few, that society has progressed by riding the coattails of giants; those individuals that history tells us made the greatest contributions. While the narrative that so-called geniuses contribute far more than others seems to make sense, does it hold up to what we know about how problems are solved? While history paints the picture that geniuses bring forth the momentous, the memorable, the profound, is it possible this attribution to the few is more narrative fallacy than reality?

Suggested Reading
https://bit.ly/3pBVgBk

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This is part 2 of my episode on facts and logic. In this part we're going to look at 2 hot debates as examples for when logic does and does not work. We'll discuss whether or not to wear a mask, and whether or not a God exists. We'll end the episode with a resolution on how to strike these conversations around mutual respect.

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In this episode I talk about facts and logic; when they work and when they don't. I explain the power of logic and how it helps us structure arguments. I discuss how to know when arguments are done well and how to know when they're not. I also cover the severe limitations of logic. I explain the mechanism behind why and how logic falls short, specifically in complex situations. I provide real-world examples of controversial issues, and furnish listeners with a potential resolution that balances the power of logic with a deep appreciation for its limitations.

Logical Fallacy Tree: https://bit.ly/3guvF8q

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Members: Join for full access to additional talks, practical exercises, member Q&As, and more at dekyon.io.

In this episode I talk about the difference between consuming and creating. I discuss how we often assume the process of creating is supposed to resemble how we read about it, when in reality the creative process is fundamentally different. I show how this leads to a conflict between consumption and creation, hindering our ability to create effectively. Ultimately, I delve into the intrinsic difference between how we consume and how we create, outlining the latter as a process of wrapping a problem around a solution, rather than the usual narrative of bringing a solution to a problem.

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In this episode I talk about the apparent dichotomy between specialization and generalization, and how choosing just one leaves us unfulfilled. I look at our inevitable attempt to balance both sides, leaving us ultimately defeated, and bound to making a choice between them. I contend that specialization and generalization are actually a unified concept when viewed correctly, and can be reconciled such that we go deep in one thing while engaging in many different aspects of life.

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In this episode I talk about skill, specifically how skill is often not what we think it is. I take a look at our perception of skill and what I think is wrong with that perception, specifically how it's rooted in the idea that a deep foundation of knowledge must come before we can be considered skilled at something. I reframe skill in terms of solving complex problems, and take a deep dive into the difference simple and complex challenges. 

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Members: Join for full access to additional talks, practical exercises, member Q&As, and more at dekyon.io.