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Don’t Trust the Odds (Ratio)
The odds are that most people don’t understand the odds ratio (and other metrics related to telling the odds). Let’s look at some common metrics and what they mean.
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[Book Review] The Art of Gathering
Review of the book “The Art of Gathering” – how to become better hosts at gatherings of all kinds, from birthday parties to home dinners to professional meetings.
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[Book Review] The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company
Book review of the memoir of Robert Iger, former top executive of Disney and named as the 2019 businessperson of the year by Time magazine.
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[Book Review] Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World
A review and takeaways of the book “Humble Pi” – a 5-star book that teaches mathematical thinking in stand-up comedy style.
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“Premature Optimization” and the Pandora Box of Debates that Followed
“Premature optimization is the root of all evil.” This popular phrase in software engineering has led to interesting discussions on technical debt, the meaning of engineering and the Swiss cheese model of accident management. Hello World – read on to find more.
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“Uncommon Sense” About COVID-19: Data & Opinions Worth Knowing (live updating)
This blog post – live updated from time to time – aims to filter out the signal amidst the noise: data & opinions on the COVID-19 that (a) I think are worth knowing & reflecting about, and (b) are inevitably colored with my own biases & POV. Do your own research, form your own (informed) opinions, and stay safe!
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Are reciprocal ratings the cure or the curse?
A Uber passenger can rate the driver and vice versa. An Airbnb guest can rate the host and vice versa. Reciprocal ratings are commonplace today – what are the pros and cons? Let’s do some thought experiments.
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[Flash Fiction] Save the “Date” (1): Tinder Stories
The 1st part of a short fiction on dating – what’s a hotter topic than Tinder, the app that is supposed to kindle hot romantic fires? Read on for how a Tinder super-user handles the heat of (probably 157+) dates. His views on dating may resonate with or surprise you.
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Dance in the Elevator, Dare to be Happy
Let’s talk happiness with some happy vibes from shows & media – from Billions to Sex Education to Devil Wears Prada. Happy vibes for a happy 2020!
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Live Deliberately, Not Conditionally: On Carpe Diem
Carpe Diem – seize the day while it lasts. Motivation for the new year of 2020 ahead.
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“I am a crazy idiot, and I am cool with that.” Kudos to (healthy doses of) self-deprecating humor
Admit and embrace two things about ourselves: 1/ We are idiots, 2/ We are crazy => and life suddenly becomes infinitely easier. Humor guaranteed, along with a (healthy dose of) self-deprecation.
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Choose or risk forever surrendering your peace – Why Having Your Own Philosophy Matters
A counter-argument against “philosophy is dead”: why it matters to choose a philosophy of life for ourselves
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The World ALWAYS Makes Sense
When was the last time you heard someone say “xxxx doesn’t make sense”? Good news: the world *always* makes sense. Not-so-good news: does not mean we always make perfect sense of the world.
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Come Out to Play for Fun – On “Finite and Infinite Games”
As this is a piece on playing games, of course I promise you a decent (over)dose of playfulness + humor + perhaps a winning strategy.
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Secret to Longevity: Make Frequent “Quantum Jumps” to New Reality-Matrices
Reality is messed up. And this post is intended to mess with reality.
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Stop Renting. Start Living: Rejecting the Second-Hander
What is the most expensive rent you could pay? It is the rent on your Self. Rejecting the second-hander is the prerequisite to be truly living.
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Defending Selfishness and Questioning Altruism (on Ayn Rand’s philosophy)
Let us put aside “conventional wisdom” and look at an “unpopular opinion”: why selfishness has its virtues, and altruism has its flaws. On Ayn Rand’s philosophy.
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Does meritocracy lack merit? A critique from “The Meritocracy Trap”
For Yale Law School professor Daniel Markovitz, the word “meritocracy” is ironically named – he argues the meritocratic ideal both lacks “merit” and creates a new form of aristocracy that hurts social mobility. This article looks at takeaways from his book, “The Meritocracy Trap”.
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How Strangers Confused Spies and Diplomats (Reading “Talking to Strangers” by Malcolm Gladwell)
How come the best-trained spies & diplomats were unable to judge strangers correctly? Why do our interactions with strangers go wrong so often? Malcolm Gladwell shares insightful tips from real stories & research in his page-turner: “Talking to Strangers”.
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What does it mean to be “Educated”?
“Educated” is a memoir that brought me to tears so many times. What does it mean to be educated? Let’s set diplomas aside and ask ourselves what it means to have an education.
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[Big Ideas – Special] Understanding Markets via “Narrative Economics”
Nobel laureate Robert Shiller looks at “how stories go viral and drive major economic events” via “narrative economics”.
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The Best Relationship Advice: “When People Tell You Who They Are, Believe Them”
Believe them – and believe them the first time. This is the best relationship advice that will set you free and save you from pain.
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The Tastiest Pizza is often the Messiest One
Guess what, your favorite pizza could be your best teacher on critical thinking. Check out what pizzas teach us about chaos & complexity.
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“All models are wrong, but some are useful”: Man’s Journey to Make Sense of the World
The world always makes sense. If you say something “does not make sense”, what really doesn’t make sense is your model of the world.
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【寻找黄金屋】R.Girard《自世界建立之日起便隐藏的事物》卷1章节1——替罪羊制度是宗教的基础
本期为大家总结和点评的是法国哲学家勒内·吉拉尔(Rene Girard)1978年的作品：《自世界建立之日起便隐藏的事物》(Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World)。这是一本受到Paypal联合创始人彼得 · 蒂尔(Peter Thiel)大力推荐的书。
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Heal With Herbs & Honey
Tips on how to select honey, what honey is good for, herbal honey tea suggestions & more to refresh your summer with some health tips.
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[Big Ideas 003] Role of Museums in Education & Science vs. Religion
When is the last time you visited a museum? How have museums shaped the way you view the world? Here is the ex-CEO of Chicago Field Museum sharing his views on how museums relate to education, and how museums posit themselves in the science vs. religion divide. | Part of the Big Ideas series, where I synthesize interviews by Discovery Magazine with the world’s best experts in multiple disciplines. Inspired by Peter Kaufman, who spent 6 months reading 140+ of these interviews, and came out knowing “every single big idea from every single domain of science”.
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Reach Union in Sound & Energy Centers: On Nada Yoga and Chatra
Tried Nada Yoga meditation for the first time and enjoyed the mindful experience. This article shares the basics of Nada Yoga (union via sound) and the 7 Chakras (energy centers).
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[Big Ideas 002] Psychotherapy
Part of the Big Ideas series, where I synthesize interviews by Discovery Magazine with the world’s best experts in multiple disciplines. Inspired by Peter Kaufman, who spent 6 months reading 140+ of these interviews, and came out knowing “every single big idea from every single domain of science”.
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Witch Hunt 2019 Version: On What Grounds Do You Stand?
“What if everything we are taught in economics 101 is not only wrong, but may even be setting us up for populism, dictatorship or revolution?” Wondering why that’s the case? Read more about a modern “witch hunt” in an “economy of deception” littered by “preference falsification”.
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[Big Ideas 001] Genes, Proteins, Pluto
Part of the Big Ideas series, where I synthesize interviews by Discovery Magazine with the world’s best experts in multiple disciplines. Inspired by Peter Kaufman, who spent 6 months reading 140+ of these interviews, and came out knowing “every single big idea from every single domain of science”.
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Mind Muesli – Soul Food from Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations
Delicious bites of nourishing food for the mind – highlights from Oprah Winfrey’s super soul conversations. Scroll to the end for a “recommended menu” of great foods for the mind & soul.
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[WTH & LOL] Episode #001: WTH should you listen to this podcast?
You’ve asked, I’ve listened: “WTH should you listen to this podcast?” I get it – you are busy, you are easily bored, and you have standards. You have asked this question because you have every right to as a listener. In this very 1st episode of the WTH & LOL podcast, I present two reasons… Read more
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Fantastic Lives & Where to Find Them – Tips from a Comedian (Chris Gethard)
If you know where the (first half of the) title comes from, I already like you. If you don’t, click to find out. I hope this piece brings you lots of laughter and food for thought. Happy Friday!
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Naming Contest: A New “A”-Word For A.I.
What word would you pick for the letter “A” to stand for in A.I.? Here are 4 candidates – and the last one is all natural & organic. Be prepared for some fun, creative time!
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Talk Takeaway: “Fintech & Blockchain in China” by Prof. He Zhiguo (University of Chicago)
Takeaways from a talk on fintech & blockchain – and the 1st topic we talk about is *pig faces*, which is of course highly relevant. Plus the topics of kings and how to summarize money in 4 words (or less).
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BEST Article I’ve Read in 2019: Multidisciplinary Approach to Thinking by Peter Kaufman
Peter Kaufman’s take on a multidisciplinary approach is arguably the BEST thing I’ve read in 2019. Here are my key takeaways & action plan – welcome to join me!
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[HK] Cool Events In Town This Month
Events in HK I’ll be attending in Aug – hope to see you there! Love to hear what cool events you have in mind too
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What Doesn’t Kill You Kills Again: A Game of Thrones in the War of the Roses
Churchill said: “In a war, you can only be killed once. But in politics, many times.” War is both a force that divides and a propaganda that unites. The War of Roses is a vivid example of how politics is a never-ending war with no triumph that is constant and with no threat that is fleeting.
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A Tale of 3S: Self-Esteem, Selfishness, Sexuality
Self-Esteem: rooted in Selfishness, revealed in Sexuality. A look at identity from the Ayn Rand school of thought.
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From Turning Wheels to Turning Wise (and this title kind of rhymes)
A piece on education – cannot guarantee it’s educational, but can promise it’s fun! Read and have a laugh about the wheels that never turn.
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Life Is The Ultimate Imitation Game (René Girard reading notes 1)
“Man differs from the other animals in his greater aptitude for imitation.” Let’s look at this quote from Aristotle from the modern lens of evolutionary biology, identity politics, game theory, and AI.
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The Violinist and the Symphony: How Pieces Complete the Puzzle
You are not (just) looking for a violinist. You are looking to create a great symphony. A look at the sum, the parts, and the relationships between them.
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“Are you open to durian ice-cream” & an Open-Minded look at Open-Mindedness (I)
An innocent question about durian ice-cream turns into an existential crisis: what does it mean to be open-minded?
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Call Me By My Rightful Name (Word Power Series #1)
What’s in a name? A lot – and a lot more than one typically takes for granted.
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“It will be waiting and it is yours”: The Atlantis in Your Eyes
There is another world out there. It is an Atlantis shaped by your world view, protected by your moral code. It is real. It is possible. It is waiting for you.
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What Silence Quietly Says: On The Chilling Effect & Strategic Silence
Silence speaks. Are you self-censoring via the Chilling Effect, or censoring others via Strategic Silence?
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