Developing Your Powers of Concentration
The post argues that modern technology—from Walkmans to smartphones and social media—has fragmented attention and made deep concentration rare. It explains how multitasking further erodes focus by forcing the brain to switch tasks, which impairs memory and productivity. The author proposes the Pomodoro technique as a practical antidote, using timed work‑rest cycles to train sustained attention. Over time, disciplined use can lead to the flow state, where work feels effortless and output quality improves.
Are You Awake?
The post invites readers to examine whether they are truly present, then promotes Sam Harris’s Waking Up meditation app. Author William Irvine, a scholar of evolutionary psychology and Stoic philosophy, recounts his collaboration with Harris to create a “Stoic Path” series...
Are You Putting the Dope Back Into Dopamine?
The post explains how dopamine drives human reward seeking and how modern online betting platforms—FanDuel, Kalshi, and Polymarket—exploit that chemistry to turn everyday choices into high‑frequency wagers. It highlights real‑world fallout, from a journalist’s $10,000 gambling stake spiraling into addiction...
Are You a Thinker or a Feeler?
The substack essay reintroduces the Thinker‑Feeler dichotomy, positioning it on an intellectual spectrum from pure Feelers—who rely solely on emotion—to pure Thinkers—who depend exclusively on evidence‑based reasoning. Most people sit in the middle, alternating between head and heart depending on...
The Evolution of Rationality
The article traces human rationality to evolutionary pressures, showing how the brain’s pre‑frontal cortex emerged millions of years after mammals developed basic reasoning and emotions. It explains that this cortex, while enabling complex prediction and planning, consumes about 20‑25% of...
Wisdom, Reconsidered
The post redefines knowledge as true, justified belief, separating it from mere belief or lucky guesses. It argues that stipulative definitions can prevent miscommunication, especially when discussing complex concepts like wisdom. Wisdom is portrayed as a blend of knowledge and...