Author Archives: idj4thinking

Richard Nisbett, a prominent social psychologist and writer, wrote a book about how human cognition in different regions is different, and that these differences are scientifically measurable. Regardless of whether one thinks these cognitive systems are different because of environmental factors or genetic factors, different thinking would probably suggest different goals that people aim forContinue reading “Negotiation, Non-Zero, and Nisbett”

If one postulates that its hard to consistently achieve more than your skills allow, it follows that success must be a lagging indicator. Increasing your skills must happen prior to seeing the rewards from doing so. This idea comes with a couple implications. First, it’s a good reason to be skeptical of people who’ve neverContinue reading “Success is Necessarily Lagging”

I don’t know if the media ecosystem changed, or just my algorithm, but I’ve recently been getting deluged by information from Y Combinator. Y-Combinator is a startup accelerator that aims to build successful companies, usually with a tech bent. YC has an eco-system of things that help to make startups successful including close by ventureContinue reading “Prestige Startups”

My problem, put simply, is that sometimes I ought to keep quiet when I do not. Much of the time, creativity and curiosity encourages a sort of blasphemy, one where many things one recognizes may not be noticed or spoken about without social consequences. Most people aren’t particularly smart or observant. Couple that with aContinue reading “Shut Up Already!”

Important to change way you think, work, and deal with never ending river of responsibilities. Can’t do everything MAYBE READ: Peter Drucker, Alex Mackenzie, Alan Lakein, Stephen Covey  (Deep Work) Very Important- Single-Minded Focus on Important Task, Well & Completely.     Success is action + Worst thing to do, do first. “If two frogs, eat uglierContinue reading “The Juicy Bits of ‘Eat That Frog’”

Accompanying delusions of grandeur is often inaction. As one thinks in terms of the limits of one’s potential, paradoxically, they become less likely to achieve their goals. In a sense, looking upon one’s fate is like Schrodinger’s cat, doing so alters what lies beneath the service. Instead of providing motivation, and actionable next steps, lookingContinue reading “Paralysis Lost”

There’s a lot of airports in the United States, and also the NY metro area. Many more convenient to get to as well. But, recently, I’ve been going to Newark when I need to travel, and price plays a big role because I’m between jobs at the moment. Every single time I try and getContinue reading “Newark Airport, How I Love You, Let Me Count The Ways”

One idea that seems to show up a lot is that if people build a metaphorical cathedral to anything, people will flock to it, because of the time, meticulousness, and effort into crafting something wondrous. So, if you build a stock exchange, write an excellent movie, or design a wonderful product, your expertise will shine,Continue reading “If you build it, will they come?”