Thinking

These posts cover topics relating to thinking: how we do it well, and what can drive us to make mistakes.
Feb
02
Painting of blue-skinned woman with black hair. Bright red wall behind painting

Critical Thinking In Practice

The common thread in these articles is the use of critical thinking to arrive at sometimes surprising conclusions
4 min read
Jan
27
Crowd of people on a city street

The West Owes this Couple a Huge Thank You

The Population Bomb was entirely wrong, but it helped persuade our greatest competitor to curb their growth
4 min read
Jan
20
Yellow rose in front of green leaves and tree trunk

Can Doing Less Help You Shine Like a Superstar?

Just practicing more doesn’t help if you aren’t learning valuable lessons
6 min read
Jan
13
Top-down view of the globe with swirling blue-green colors indicating ozone concentrations

The Healing Ozone Layer is a Warning, Not a Blessing

The good news is also a warning because it reminds us how incentives drive behavior
3 min read
Dec
16
Pink neon letters in front of deep red background: This present moment used to be the unimaginab

Effective Altruism Begins Close to Home

There's a way to significantly contribute to the human condition while helping yourself in the bargain
6 min read
Dec
09
Dark wall with a dark door opening onto a vivid red background

I'm Going to Share my Secret to Success

This simple concept explains why the world is divided into an elite one percent, a highly effective 10 percent, and everyone else.
6 min read
Nov
18
Facade of the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, seen from the edge of the National Gallery sculpture garden

What Will You Make That Lasts? (Newsletter 073)

There's always someone saying the system doesn't work perfectly. And they're almost always right.
6 min read
Nov
11
Six-box matrix showing Purpose on top, Influence and Power on left, and Purpose on the bottom

How to Measure Your Impact on the World (Newsletter 072)

Introducing the Purpose-Influence-Power Model
5 min read
Nov
04
Empty airport walkway, with seats in foreground and escalators stretching off in distance

The Scorecard One Year On – Is Anyone Winning? (Newsletter 071)

We can turn America's score around if we want. But first we have to accept that no one else is coming to do it for us.
5 min read
Oct
26
The Downside to Academic Life in the United States

The Downside to Academic Life in the United States

I can either go along and not make waves, or I can be an interesting and honest teacher who challenges students to think and learn. I'm not at all sure I can do both.
4 min read