Follytics
-
Tweet by Neoliberal đ on Twitter
China absolutely cannot stop making the US look badass in their propaganda
Man... are we the baddies? Also we do look pretty great in these! -B
I have numerous questions about the Last Supper style painting. As in, many much questions. But I don't want any answers, the questions are more fun unresolved. -C
BTW one of these was the origin of âDark Brandonâ. If you donât know what that is I deeply deeply envy you. -B
Issue 87
-
Extremely long read (full of fun pictures and comics!) with one dude's thoughts on why politics become religion for so many people. -Brian
Issue 85
-
Trapped Priors As A Basic Problem Of Rationality
It's been a hot minute since we included an ACX link up in here. If you were scanning this newsletter for a link to a quick read, keep on scanning. We try to make sure our Follytics category is very meaty.
This essay details a concept I'm really trying to be more aware of when I'm listening to viewpoints different than my own. Basically: where are my assumptions that keep me from updating my brain despite the presence of new information? -C
WOW. What a great article. How does Scott explain complicated things so simply and clearly? I learned like 4.5 new things just now. -B
Issue 85
-
Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid
This has been making the rounds in several newsletters the past week or so, it seemed only right to include it in this one too. I haven't read much of Jonathan Haidt's stuff, but this made me want to go find more. "Uniquely Stupid" is going to be the name of the first restaurant I open. -C
The Coddling of the American Mind co-written by Haidt is a seminal classic must-read. It explains EVERYTHING. All the things. Explained. -B
Issue 85
-
I feel strongly about this. I've written extensively on it in previous issues. I have no idea how we fix it. -B
Issue 84
-
The Secret Diary of a âSustainable Investorâ â Part 1
Editor's Note: This link is an extremely long read. If you want a shorter, rantier, more uncouth take on the same topic feel free to skip to the Bonus Link down below.
I worked in B2B marketing for a long time. I never saw evidence that Americans would actually pay for "Made in America". They would express a preference for it and if there was no cost premium they would choose it. But at approximately +$.01 they were OUT. In the meantime I constantly saw evidence that Canadians would pay an enormous premium for "Made in Canada". It costs twice as much as the imported version? No problem, as long as it was made in St. Jean sur Richeliu or Edmonton or Goderich.
The venn diagram of the location of Canadian mouths and Canadian monies is a circle. America's is an 8.
Environmental, Social Responsibility, and Governance (ESG) is the new hot buzzword in corporate America these days. The theory is that investors are preferencing their capital towards companies that have strong ESG programs, which would indicate a willingness to accept lower returns as long as the company is a good steward in these areas. Are Americans really becoming Canadians? Or is this all window dressing? -B
Bonus Link: ESG Needs a Complete Rethink
Issue 75
-
Biden (and Trump) did the right thing on Afghanistan
Agreeing with Brian that all of this is horrible, I also agree with the overall decision to remove our country from this particular endeavor. I was too young when all this started to have any opinions at all, so this quick albeit opinionated summary was helpful for me.
Despite thinking itâs the right call to leave, I also feel very very sad thinking about the humans that trusted our country to help their country and are now being abandoned. If youâre a person that prays, dedicate some to those folks. -C
Issue 74
-
Afghanistan Meant Nothing. A Veteran Reflects on 20 Wasted Years
I have no take on Afghanistan except it is all terrible. I remember feeling strongly we were justified 20 years ago but today the calculus seems to only point towards the US affecting an increase in human suffering and misery and as I grow older I want that to override things like national pride and revenge.
However, I have been seeking out takes on the topic that I otherwise might not see due to tribal bubbles and media narratives. Without any sort of endorsement or rejection of these thoughts (because I'm a sandalwood scented coward who needs everyone to like me) I present to you two of these takes I find to be interesting perspectives. -B
Issue 74
-
Letâs quadruple the standard of living by 2040
This is completely wrong and makes no sense but also I kind of like it? -B
Issue 72
-
The 11 Nations of the United States and Their Cultures
So what if North America dissolved into 11 separate nations along these historical and cultural lines? I'm having an ongoing conversation with people around me about who would be elected King or Queen for life of each nation. This is a topic I'm actually pretty interested in and am low-key considering starting a podcast series on. Wes B. has even agreed to help co-host it. So stay tuned maybe? -B
Issue 70