Nature eventually weeds out even those irrational ideas people dogmatically hold—usually causing destruction to the people who held them.

As Naval says, “any system that doesn't get its feedback from free markets or nature eventually gets corrupted because free markets and nature are both truth-seeking mechanisms ... And as such, they're going to give you accurate feedback.”

Indeed, there can be no safety without a few dangerous ideas that challenge preconceived theories.

But the common adage, “Science advances one funeral at a time” need not hold true. For “we can let our theories die in our place”.

Bad ideas are weeded out of nature unless we do something about those ideas. That’s why a tradition of criticism—the most important consequence of the Enlightenment—is key to preserve.

Historically, traditions survived by keeping things the same. In a tradition of criticism, society survives by making progress, seeking good explanations, and identifying and correcting errors. No idea is out of bounds.

The weekly roundup

1. Book I’m reading

The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education by Grace Llewellyn

“Children do not need to be made to learn about the world, or shown how. They want to, and they know how.”

— John Holt

2. Conversation I’m listening to

Brett, Naval, and others talk about the latest on the philosophy, science and technology of AI and AGI (ChatGPT, Deep Learning, Neural Networks and LLMs) in a new format.

3. Nature is full of chemicals

Here is a list of the ingredients of an all-natural banana. Note that all the ingredients on this list are 100% natural in a non-GM banana. None of them are pesticides, fertilisers, insecticides or other contaminants.

4. Quote I’m pondering on

“Poke any saint deeply enough, and you touch self-interest.”

— Irving Wallace

New Podcast Episode

#16 – Nat and Martha Sharpe: Alternative-Education, Making Movies and Doing Stuff

Nat and Martha are filmmakers. In February 2023, they won a fellowship through O’Shaughnessy Ventures to explore alternative education. 

We talk about alternative education, homeschooling, socialization, Taking Children Seriously, making movies before YouTube, winning $100,000 fellowship through O’Shaughnessy Ventures, and more!

Thanks for reading.

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