In My Tribe

In My Tribe explores complex societal, political, and economic issues with a focus on skepticism, the importance of epistemology, and the critique of managerial elites and institutional dynamics. It addresses contemporary social debates, including drug policy, gender roles, and the influence of libertarianism, while promoting intellectual discussions.

Societal and Epistemic Analysis Political and Economic Views Drug Policy and Regulation Gender Dynamics in Institutions Racial Perceptions in Legal Systems Generational Cultural Shifts Evolutionary Perspectives on Behavior Managerial Class Critique Cultural and Political Discussions Religious Authority in Modern Societies Financial Regulation Economics and Sociology Political Beliefs Formation Libertarianism Health Insurance Policy

Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways

My Number One Issue

1655 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🚌 Education Higher education Intellectualism Social Issues Cultural critique Critical Thinking
  1. Higher education is facing an anti-intellectual trend. Many students are taught to think simply about identity, rather than critically.
  2. The growth of colleges and universities has led to a decline in intellectual quality. More students don't necessarily mean better thinking; it can create mediocrity.
  3. There's a need for new educational institutions for young people. Current colleges may not be fixable, and we need alternatives to support thoughtful learning.

Tough Love for California

1306 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government reform Public Policy Environmental Issues Budgeting
  1. California will likely need financial help from the federal government due to massive damages from wildfires. This support should come with conditions to improve how the state manages its resources.
  2. The state's public employee salaries are much higher than the national average. A bailout should come with rules to give the federal government more control over salary adjustments and workforce management.
  3. California struggles with water and forest management. New laws should allow federal agencies to build necessary water infrastructure and implement better forest practices to prevent wildfires.

My Social Journey Toward the Right

1245 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Ideologies Social influence Economic Theory Political History
  1. Beliefs are influenced by the people we trust. For example, trusting certain professors or colleagues can shape your view on politics.
  2. Life experiences, like working in different environments, can also change your political stance. Being around business-minded people can lead you to adopt more right-leaning views.
  3. Understanding complex issues, such as economics and evolution, can lead to a more nuanced perspective on human behavior and society, making one appreciate different political ideologies.

If I Ran the DOGE

1199 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Structure Political Reform Public Administration Policy Analysis
  1. Reorganizing the government can make it more efficient by reducing the number of management layers and clarifying who is in charge. This could lead to better decision-making and less wasted effort.
  2. Creating a Chief Operating Officer to manage executive branch operations would help streamline authority and reduce overlap between agencies. This would allow a focus on running the government smoothly.
  3. The government could be simplified by cutting down from many agencies to just eight main ones, which would help eliminate redundancy and make it easier to manage services for the public.

Complicated Plots, Undetected

1199 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Intelligence Elections Media Public Policy
  1. Keeping secrets is really hard, and it's important for countries to figure out how to protect sensitive plans from being leaked. The recent October 7 attack showed how much trust someone needs to have in their team to keep everything quiet.
  2. Communication is key in military strategy. Disrupting your enemy's communication can be just as powerful as using weapons. Militaries need to focus on not just protecting their own communication but also finding weaknesses in the enemy's.
  3. Modern politics struggles with transparency, as seen with the cover-up of President Biden’s health issues. People in charge might prioritize their positions over honesty, which can lead to serious problems for the country.
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The Conservative Worry

1184 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Revolution Conservatism Governance Leadership
  1. There's a concern that Trump’s style is more about radical changes than traditional conservatism. This could lead to extreme actions rather than stable governance.
  2. People in leadership roles, like running the Defense Department, need to have experience managing other managers. Without this experience, they might struggle to lead effectively.
  3. The new appointments might focus on what they want to change, but managing large organizations is hard, and mistakes could happen if they move too quickly.

University and State

1093 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🚌 Education Higher Ed Political Influence Alternative Education
  1. Government involvement in higher education often leads to a focus on pleasing officials rather than genuinely educating students. This can create a cycle that stifles diverse ideas.
  2. There are too many people going to college instead of exploring other options like trade schools or apprenticeships. We need to rethink and expand our education paths.
  3. Instead of just making universities hire more conservative professors, we should consider cutting funding for traditional higher education altogether, and instead support alternative educational models.

Greater FOOL Theory

1093 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Libertarianism Government Regulations
  1. The idea of who should make important decisions varies. Some believe it should be individuals, others say experts, and some think it should be decided by everyone voting.
  2. People often fear what others do, leading to ideas like restricting things just because someone might misuse them. This fear can come from both ordinary folks and elites.
  3. While real democracy has its problems because people may not be informed, relying on unelected officials can also make things worse. Finding a balance between the two is tough.

My Communist Vision

1078 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Family Communism Lifestyle Parenting Community
  1. Young families benefit from living close to each other, creating a supportive community where kids can play together and parents can help one another.
  2. Having children early in life can lead to more grandchildren and a fulfilling family life, so society should encourage early marriage and parenting.
  3. Communal living arrangements for young families can help ease the challenges of parenting, but they should maintain individual households instead of being collective.

Risers and Fallers

1032 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Intellectual history Cultural impact Psychology Political Science Sociology
  1. Some 20th-century thinkers, like John Kenneth Galbraith, have fallen in status, meaning fewer people today recognize their ideas or read their work.
  2. Others, like Rene Girard and John Maynard Keynes, have gained importance over time, with more people today acknowledging their contributions and theories.
  3. The relevance of intellectuals can vary by field; for example, figures in psychology like B.F. Skinner may be less noted now, while sociologists like Granovetter are gaining recognition.

Why are we badly governed?

1032 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Public Policy Political parties Elections Corruption
  1. Governments often choose leaders based on their ability to navigate politics rather than their skills in managing and delivering results. This leads to poor governance because the focus is not on actually solving problems.
  2. Unlike businesses that need to perform to survive, governments tend to take on too many roles and rarely stop doing something, even if it is not effective. This makes them inefficient and less effective.
  3. Limitations in government activities can lead to better governance. Businesses succeed by focusing on a few things they do well, while governments often try to do everything without a clear focus, leading to clumsiness.

If the doctrine fits, ...

1002 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Ideology Political theory Ethics History Human behavior
  1. Some ideologies, like Communism, can attract people who seek power and control, often leading to oppressive regimes. This happens because the ideology allows leaders to justify cruelty in pursuit of a supposed utopia.
  2. Certain belief systems can be appealing to individuals with violent tendencies, while others attract more peaceful people. This means that personality can shape which doctrines someone might follow.
  3. The way people interact with each other, such as cooperating or competing, is influenced by their personal traits. People usually lean toward beliefs that match their nature, which affects how societies function.

The Real Cause of Health Care Dysfunction

1002 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Health care Public Health Health Policy Medicare Insurance
  1. A big reason we spend so much on healthcare is that we often get expensive tests and procedures that don't help us much.
  2. Simply making more people eligible for Medicare won't fix the problem of overspending in healthcare.
  3. Many people like to think that healthcare costs are high because of greedy doctors or insurance companies, but that's not the main reason.

Beware of Econ Grad School

956 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🚌 Education Higher education Economics Career Advice Teaching Methods
  1. Econ grad school might not be the best choice if you're just curious about ideas. It's better to explore other careers that can satisfy that curiosity, like business.
  2. Many econ programs focus on teaching specific skills rather than encouraging discussions and new ideas. This can stifle your interest and creativity.
  3. You can learn a lot about economics on your own. Understanding basic concepts and real-world business behavior can be more valuable than fancy math techniques from grad school.

Six Laws of Social Learning

896 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🚌 Education Learning Theory Cognition Epistemology Communication
  1. We decide what we believe based on who we trust. Trust is built through communication, reputation, and personal connection, even if these aren't always the best indicators.
  2. Status-seeking can sometimes get in the way of truly seeking the truth. People often support ideas or beliefs to look good, rather than because they genuinely believe in them.
  3. Healthy debate and competition of ideas lead to better outcomes. It's important to allow different opinions to be heard and to stay open-minded, even when faced with contrary evidence.

My Takes on the Election

865 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Government Policy Political parties Intelligence
  1. People can argue about why the Democrats lost, but there are many reasons to consider. Each side will focus on factors that support their views and can raise their status.
  2. J.D. Vance could keep Trump voters happy, but many voters are unsure about Trump. If things go wrong, there might be a quick change in popularity for him.
  3. The government can't keep increasing debt forever. The challenge will be finding ways to cut spending that don't upset voters. Intelligence agencies also need to be managed well to make sure they work effectively.

Narrower, Deeper, Older

820 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Hobbies Leisure Tradition Generational Change
  1. Hobbies often become more complex and less accessible over time. What used to be easy and fun for beginners now requires a lot of skill and effort to enjoy.
  2. As hobbies evolve, they often attract a smaller, older group of dedicated participants. This means fewer younger people are getting involved and learning the basics.
  3. Many traditional hobbies are losing their casual appeal. Newer generations may find them too complicated and end up choosing different activities instead.

Wars of the Sexes

820 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues Social Change Human Rights Cultural Conflict Feminism
  1. Cultural conflicts often arise between men and women, but not everyone fits neatly into one side or the other. It's more about which side certain people feel connected to.
  2. Women's movements like suffrage and temperance had a huge impact historically, but not every cause gained lasting support. For example, the end of Prohibition showed a shift in societal values.
  3. There's a growing trend in institutions towards more feminine values, but this can create tension. Ideally, we should find a way for masculine and feminine values to coexist peacefully and appreciate each other.

The Intimate World and the Remote World

789 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Social media Communication Relationships Identity Community
  1. We are connecting more with strangers online than with people we know in real life. This shift is causing us to lose touch with our close relationships and communities.
  2. Social media blurs the lines between public personalities and intimate friends. This can create anxiety and make us feel insecure about our own social lives.
  3. To feel happier and healthier, we need to focus more on rebuilding our real-life connections. Being connected to family and friends in person is essential for our well-being.

Team Technocrat vs. Team Woke

774 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Parties Voters Campaigns Political theory
  1. The Democratic Party has two main groups: Team Technocrat and Team Woke. Both seem to be trying to gain influence after the recent election.
  2. The outcome of the election is being interpreted differently, and it's not a clear win or loss for either faction. Events leading up to the 2028 election could change everything.
  3. Swing voters might not see certain candidates, like Kamala Harris, as legitimate. They tend to prefer candidates who seem more credible and have campaigned actively.

How the national debt will play out

774 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Debt crisis Government spending Political Conflict Fiscal policy Social Security
  1. Ignoring the national debt can lead to a sudden financial crisis. When people lose confidence, the government might face high interest rates quickly.
  2. Government spending is heavily tied to mandatory benefits like Social Security and Medicare, meaning cuts alone might not solve the debt issue. A lot of tax revenue will go just to paying interest on the debt.
  3. If a crisis happens, it could create intense political conflict over cuts to benefits, increased taxes, and how to handle debt. A balanced budget amendment could help avoid this but may be too late now.

Will President Trump Revive Liberalism?

774 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics Government Elections Ideology Bureaucracy
  1. Liberalism works best when it allows for competition and debate, but those in power might forget this when they become too dominant.
  2. People in powerful positions often become resistant to change, even if they originally supported liberal ideas.
  3. To truly revive liberalism, there needs to be a system that encourages regular changes in leadership and holds those in power accountable.

On the "elite overproduction" problem

774 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Social Issues Education Inequality Public Policy
  1. The idea of 'elite overproduction' suggests that there are too many people aiming for top positions, which leads to instability. However, many college graduates still find good jobs, showing this idea might not hold true.
  2. Mounk argues that while many pursue fame in arts and media, this ambition has always existed. It can't explain the current issues in society.
  3. There are concerns that some sectors, like nonprofit and education, prioritize their own status too much, leading to a misunderstanding of what 'elite' really means.

Producers and Parasites

759 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Political Ideologies Social Class Political elites Political Activism
  1. Political elites can be divided into two groups: producers who create goods and services and parasites who rely on those producers for income. This distinction helps understand their political leanings.
  2. Some professions, like lawyers and government workers, can straddle the line between being productive and parasitic. Not all roles in these fields are equally beneficial to society.
  3. There is debate about the Woke movement. Some see them as part of the parasitic group, while others argue that many symbolic professionals also contribute positively to society.

How Much Dissent is Optimal?

744 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Dissent Censorship Social media
  1. Dissent is important because it helps to challenge wrong opinions and beliefs. If everyone only agrees with the mainstream view, mistakes can go uncorrected.
  2. Censorship can lower morale and create a negative work or social environment. People should feel free to express concerns without fear of punishment.
  3. Policing dissent is risky because those in power might misuse it to silence voices that challenge their ideas. It's better to allow open discussion, even if some views are unpopular.

Mads Larsen on the Fertility Crisis

698 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Social norms Gender Roles Reproductive Rights Evolutionary Psychology
  1. Women today enjoy more independence and choices, which can lead to lower birth rates. As they become more selective in choosing partners, it impacts family size.
  2. Historical pair-bonding cultures ensured support for women and children, but this tradition is weakening as gender equality rises. The value of women's financial independence changes relationship dynamics.
  3. To encourage family growth, society may need to change how we view relationships and partnerships. Promoting earlier marriage and family life could help reverse declining birth rates.

Why are corporations cutting managers?

698 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
💼 Business Management Corporate Structure Organizational Behavior Employment Trends
  1. Many companies are reducing their number of middle managers to trim costs and cut bureaucracy. This means fewer people are overseeing employees, which can simplify decision-making.
  2. Firms are focusing on their core business and letting go of complex managerial structures that don’t add immediate value. They might be cutting back on certain initiatives to streamline operations.
  3. Cost-cutting has become a priority for many senior executives, especially when revenue growth slows. This focus on reducing expenses can lead to a significant reshaping of company structures.

Accountability and Authority

683 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
💼 Business Management Bureaucracy Leadership Accountability Authority
  1. Clear job descriptions should state the authority and the accountability of a role. This helps everyone know who is responsible for what.
  2. Bureaucracy tends to make it hard to point fingers when something goes wrong. In businesses, leaders try to keep accountability clear, unlike in government.
  3. When people have less authority in their jobs, it's harder to hold them accountable for results. Finding the right balance is crucial for effectiveness.

The Brokenism Axis

683 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance
  1. The political scene is shifting from traditional left-right divides to a new battle between those wanting to reform current institutions and those pushing for radical changes.
  2. There are two types of people in both political camps: institutionalists who want to improve systems like government and media, and brokenists who think those systems need to be completely replaced.
  3. Silicon Valley influences and views on politics are changing, with some tech leaders now aligned with radical right ideas, moving away from their previous more progressive views.

DOGE, Software, and Government

668 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Technology Public Policy Digital Infrastructure
  1. DOGE aims to completely change how the government uses technology. If it works, it could make federal spending easier to track and reduce the number of government jobs through automation.
  2. Historical examples show that improving information systems doesn't always lead to better results. Without discipline and cooperation in departments, new tech can't help fix deeper issues.
  3. Unlike Estonia's fresh start, the US has a complex and disorganized government structure. For any major tech changes to succeed, the executive branch may need a complete overhaul first.

Jonathan Rauch on Disinformation

668 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation Congress Media Trust
  1. Disinformation is more about the actions and tactics used to manipulate people, rather than just labeling certain information as false. It's like a tricky game where bad actors twist the facts to confuse us.
  2. Fixing Congress could help heal divisions in society because it's the place where different groups can come together to negotiate and make compromises. When Congress isn't working well, everyone suffers.
  3. To reduce disinformation, we need better civic education so people understand how government works and how to engage in constructive discussions. But it's also important to recognize that the failures of elites can be a bigger problem than populism.

Which Jobs will AI Take?

653 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Jobs Automation Industry Productivity
  1. AI will change many jobs, especially in sectors like transportation and finance, where automation is expected to replace a lot of workers.
  2. Some industries, like health care and entertainment, will likely grow and adapt to include both humans and AI, creating new types of jobs.
  3. The future job market will be different, with many traditional roles disappearing, but it’s believed there will still be plenty of new jobs created in emerging fields.

The central planners come for me

653 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance Urban planning Transportation Policy Community Development Zoning Laws
  1. Central planners are trying to reshape communities based on their ideas, which may not reflect the preferences of the people living there. Residents should have a say in how their neighborhoods are developed.
  2. Plans for new walkable communities can complicate life for those who rely on cars, especially in areas that are already affordable and diverse. It's important to consider the needs of all residents before making drastic changes.
  3. Incremental improvements might be better than sweeping changes. Solutions like reducing traffic speed can help, but they should not disadvantage those who depend on cars to get around.

The Oversized Conglomerate

653 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Public Policy Political theory Management Regulation
  1. A government that does a few things well is better than one that tries to do many things poorly. When the government gets involved in too many areas, it often struggles to manage them effectively.
  2. The federal government acts like a big, clumsy business conglomerate. It has overlapping agencies and goals that conflict, making it hard to oversee and improve its work.
  3. When considering government interventions, we should expect them to be less effective than planned. This means we should rethink how much we ask the government to do and focus on making sure it does a few things really well.

World Policing or World Perfecting?

637 implied HN points • 19 Oct 24
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy Military Strategy Global Governance International relations Regional conflicts
  1. Policing the world can be necessary sometimes, like ensuring safe navigation and commerce. However, trying to forcefully change other countries' systems usually leads to problems.
  2. Past U.S. actions in the Middle East often focused too much on perfection, like trying to build democracies instead of just maintaining order. This overreaching has had high costs without much benefit.
  3. America should find a balance between policing and staying less involved globally. While policing might not be ideal, it's often better than allowing worse alternatives like unchecked aggression from other nations.

How are Trump and DOGE doing?

637 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Climate Elections Policy Government Public Opinion
  1. There's a change in mood among people, with many feeling worried about job security and the future due to political changes. More people are looking to leave the country because of these concerns.
  2. The American political system is seen as deeply divided and dysfunctional. Despite this, there are opinions that some political figures can still gain support by appealing to certain segments of the population.
  3. Some believe that government agencies are wasting taxpayer money, highlighting a disconnect between those in power and the average citizen. This leads to discussions about accountability and how taxpayer money is spent.

My Two Summers in a Factory

622 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Work Life Social Class Manufacturing Personal narrative
  1. Working in a factory exposes you to hard, repetitive tasks that can be boring and sometimes unsafe. Many people today don't have this experience, leading to a disconnect between blue-collar work and white-collar jobs.
  2. The author highlights how different backgrounds can affect perceptions in a factory setting, showing that coworkers accepted him despite his different upbringing.
  3. Political talk about the glory of manufacturing jobs often misses the reality of those jobs, which can be unpleasant and unhealthy. It's important to recognize both the challenges and the necessity of these jobs.

We Argue in Metaphors

622 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Discourse Media influence Public Opinion
  1. We often use metaphors in our discussions, which can make our points unclear. It's important to recognize that metaphors can be helpful but aren't always perfectly accurate.
  2. When we disagree, it can help to focus on the implications of the metaphors we're using. If we can agree on what those implications are, we might find common ground.
  3. Differences in opinion often come from how we interpret metaphors. It's okay to have different views, but we should try to understand why the other person believes what they do.

Hedging Inflation with Real Assets

622 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
💰 Finance Investments Inflation Bonds Real Estate Commodities
  1. Investing in real assets like real estate, gold, and commodities can help protect against inflation. These assets are expected to appreciate more when inflation rises.
  2. Understanding profitability is key when investing. It combines rental income, appreciation, and interest rates to determine if an investment is worth it.
  3. Inflation-indexed bonds (like i-bonds) can be a good hedge but have limits on how much you can buy. They provide some safety against inflation, even though their performance can vary.

The Real Mission of the Fed

607 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
💰 Finance Central Banking Government debt Monetary Policy Financial Crises Quantitative Easing
  1. The main job of the Federal Reserve is to help the government borrow money easily and cheaply. This allows the government to spend on various programs, including wars and welfare.
  2. Despite originating to stabilize the banking system, the Fed has faced criticism for not preventing financial crises. Even after its creation, the U.S. has experienced repeated financial problems.
  3. Quantitative Easing, a method the Fed uses to handle money and loans, may need to end. This would help limit government debt and potentially benefit everyday Americans in the long run.