There’s a particular kind of mental math we all do, usually without realizing it. We add up achievements, subtract failures, and calculate whether we’re worthy of respect, love, or even basic self-acceptance. The equation feels logical: land the dream job = valuable person. Write the perfect book = deserve happiness. Get 500 likes = temporarily … Read More
In my book Tiny Experiments, I used Amelia Earhart as an example of a life lived through experimentation and adventure. Her willingness to try new things perfectly captured the spirit I wanted to encourage in readers. To my surprise, some people pushed back: “She’s a terrible example,” they effectively said. “She was just a publicity … Read More
You’ve probably said it or heard it: “I work better under pressure.” It feels true because when the deadline looms, your brain kicks into overdrive. That last-minute rush can feel productive (even thrilling!) but it’s not increased performance. It’s rushed performance to compensate for weeks of avoidance and inaction. Procrastinating then rushing to finish a … Read More
FEATURED TOOL Welcome to our Tools for Thought interview series, where we meet with founders on a mission to help us think better and work smarter. Arun Bahl is the cofounder of Aloe, a tool designed to support human cognition in our information-dense world – an AI computer that acts as a “superhuman attention.” In … Read More
Have you ever made a decision that looked right on paper but felt wrong in your gut? Or found yourself following rules simply because that’s what you were taught, not because they align with who you are today? If so, you’ve experienced the tension between external expectations and your own internal compass. Self-authorship is the … Read More
When I write knowing someone will read it, something changes. Having readers forces me to think harder about what I’m trying to say. My arguments become sharper and my examples clearer. Yet I notice the temptation to gravitate toward topics I know will get engagement. Should I explore the philosophy of boredom or write about … Read More
Here’s one of my favorite quotes: “I am not a writer. I’ve been fooling myself and other people.” This comes from the diary of John Steinbeck, who won the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature. This kind of intellectual self-doubt is common among high achievers. The smarter they are, the more acutely they seem to question … Read More
How does ChatGPT affect memory, brain activity, and critical thinking? A neuroscientist breaks down the science behind the MIT study.
FEATURED TOOL Welcome to this edition of our Tools for Thought series, where we interview founders on a mission to help us think better and work smarter. Dave Radparvar is the co-founder of Reflection, private AI-enhanced guided journaling app. In this interview, we talked about the transformative potential of journaling, how AI can make the … Read More
YAMA is the radical acceptance that missing out is inevitable, so there’s no need to stress about it. Rather than trying to optimize every decision or avoid regret, it reminds us that we’re finite beings in an infinite world.