At the risk of stating the obvious even more obviously than I usually do: sometimes the perfect approach involves tolerating imperfection.
Imperfection?! Yes. Specifically, the more macroscopic one’s view becomes, the more
…
»
The default course is: as soon as you’re doing a job well, you get encouraged to switch to a different job. This new job will likely be similar to what you’ve
…
»
Everything is connected. It’s a truism because it’s true. To move a physical thing, everything touching it must move also … and then the neighbours of the neighbours must make way … and
…
»
Thinking you’re a genius can be quite a handicap. People who believe they’re geniuses tend to be obnoxious to be around — especially if their belief is unfounded, which it often is.
…
»
A caveat before we get started: this essay will hopefully apply to people at least vaguely like me; it may not apply to people from different cultural backgrounds.
These days swearing seems almost
…
»
I like to get things done fast.
I’ve gradually learned, however, that trying to get things done fast can be self-defeating. There’s a balance. If I work too fast, I make
…
»
First presented to friends and family on New Year's Eve, 2022
When I was young, people would often tell me how lucky I was. I agreed with them, but wasn’t
…
»
It’s unlikely, but it’s possible. That’s the beautiful thing about writing on the internet.
I have no idea who you are. You might be the Queen of Denmark. You might
…
»
Or, “How to stop clicking on clickbait headlines like this one, and actually get some work done instead.”
I have used many tricks over the years to keep control over the fraught combination
…
»
I have a new opinion: I don’t need to have an opinion.
Having an educated opinion on a topic is a big investment. Many topics aren’t worth that investment. Not because
…
»
Brad, a top footballer, sits in the bleachers watching the game. He cannot believe his eyes. He has come to watch his friend Edgar play, and Edgar is the worst football player he
…
»
For years, I’ve had a folder on my computer titled Notes for Next Time. When I think of ways I could do a better job of something the next time around, I
…
»
In the grand scheme of things, I am one lucky cove. So are you. The fact that you are reading this article means you have internet, an expensive and mind-bogglingly complex piece of
…
»
Intelligence* — as far as I can tell — is a variable, not a constant. It fluctuates, the same way a healthy person’s heart-rate varies over time. Graph it, and it looks like this:
…
»
Elon Musk is planning to colonize Mars. If he succeeds, it could be one of the most important changes in human history. And, based on the surprising success of his previous ventures — including
…
»
Free will is a topic as old as the hills. We all act as though we’ve got it, but established science gives this slim probability. Trouble is, if we admit that it
…
»
