Is "Studies show..." the new "The Bible says..."?
Our knowledge of the world is not certain. It is practicable but not certain. Asserting that one has claimed certainty (in any field) is dogmatic, not scientific. People are fallible. We make errors. But this is not a depressing view of us cosmically significant entities. We make errors and we can correct them. Evils are caused due to insufficient knowledge. And we are only truly bounded by our knowledge and the laws of physics. Anything in between, we can do with the right knowledge. When we understand the fallibility of minds, we understand the opportunity for progress. When we deem an idea infallible, we pose danger to the growth of knowledge, progress, and our intelligent species.  Anything not forbidden by the laws of physics is possible.
That’s what makes me want to get after it. The Amazing Things & Ideas List1. A mind-blowing read:Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali The remarkable story of Ayaan’s life and her transformation from being raised in a strict Muslim family and being a devout believer to becoming intellectually awakened and going on to become one of today’s most admired and controversial political figures. 2. What a sensible AI use policy (or should I say non-policy) looks like: The new AI policy in my syllabus.
More on how I am integrating AI into my classes: oneusefulthing.substack.com/p/all-my-class… 3. The spiritual benefits of material progress:Romanticizing the past and a non-humanistic standard of goodness (e.g. the proverbial capital N nature and “humans destroying” it) is an impediment to the spiritual benefits of material progress. This blog post by Jason Crawford (whom I once had on the podcast) is a great defense of the Industrial Revolution. 4. How to look at comments for improvement:
Bonus tweet (thread) on the non-motherly nature of Mother Nature:It's fascinating that tomorrow if an asteroid were to collide with the Earth, humans would be at fault for not having deflected it.
Nature doesn't care. Thank you for reading.If you find value in my newsletter (and other works), consider supporting it by buying me a coffee. It helps me create better. You also help me (and the world!) out by subscribing and telling more people about this newsletter! Lastly, I’ve got to meet the coolest people through work I’ve published on the Internet. If you ever want to reach out, reply to this email or DM me on Twitter. Onward,
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Friday, January 20, 2023
Nature (eventually) weeds out bad ideas.
078 The one who changes the world
Sunday, January 8, 2023
+ Chasing dreams, denying the inevitable, podcasts, and psychological innocence
Sunday, January 1, 2023
It's possible to have lots of communication but no connection.
076 The rationalist's misconception about tradition
Sunday, December 25, 2022
Some excerpts from Sir Karl Popper
075 What I learned from David Perell about writing online
Sunday, December 18, 2022
I asked David what he would do if he were a 15 year old in high school again. He immediately said...
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
In the summer going into my junior year, I wanted to jump higher.
⏰ Cashflow Call in Just 2 Hours (Today 3pm CST)
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Hey team! It's that time again…Cashflow call Tuesday. I've seen in the some of our groups a few of you who either have a YouTube channel, or are asking how to start and utilize one. Thus,
Closes Tomorrow • Feb 2023 Reading Promo • Newsletter • FB Groups posts to 50,000 members
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Our Feb 2023 Newsletter Promo Close 2/8/2023 Join ContentMo's FEBRUARY 2023 Reading Promotion
Now I Know: The Man Who Did Well By Himself
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
(The title is a pun.) View this email in your browser · Missed one? Visit the Archives If you're looking to help the victims of the Turkey/Syria earthquake, CNN's "Impact Your World"
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Your weekly 5-minute read with timeless ideas on art and creativity intersecting with business and life͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Human systems and the stuff they make
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Also a mechanical navigation computer for Soviet spaceflight
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Creators usually wait too long to reap the benefits of working with a virtual assistant.
Redesigning This Copywriting Tool
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Redesigning an infographic to become a spreadsheet. Get the sheet here: Better Than Happy by BetterSheets.co
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
I've got a must-read post for you today about AI content writing. Narcis Bejtic from Content Refined explains some of the best strategies for how to use AI for content creation WITHOUT
[You're invited] Learn how to successfully run a one-person L&D department
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
View in Browser | Forward to a Friend Register here How to Successfully Run a One-person L&D Department Hello, How can a one-person department provide learning solutions for hundreds—if not