Bet On It

Bet On It, authored by Caplan and Candor, delves into a range of topics including political policies, economic theories, personal growth strategies, and the complex interplay of society and individual choices. It critically examines the effects of ideologies and practices on both macro and micro levels, encouraging a non-conformist and pragmatic approach towards understanding and navigating the challenges of modern life.

Political Policies Economic Theories Personal Development Societal Trends Educational Systems Media and Content Censorship Market Mechanisms Justice Systems Relationship Advice Career Development Libertarian Views Technology and Society

The hottest Substack posts of Bet On It

And their main takeaways

My Freethink Podcast

65 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🎙 Podcasts Media Education Culture Entertainment Communication
  1. Education is important for personal growth and future opportunities. It helps individuals gain knowledge and skills that can lead to better jobs.
  2. Social desirability bias can affect how people respond in surveys and studies. This means they might give answers that they think are more acceptable rather than honest.
  3. Podcasts can be a powerful tool for sharing information and ideas. They allow for engaging discussions on various topics, reaching a wide audience.

Happy Halloween/U.S. Presidential Election

80 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Bias Voting Campaigns Public Opinion
  1. It’s important to think about the connection between Halloween and the upcoming U.S. Presidential Election. Both events bring out strong emotions and opinions in people.
  2. A lot of people feel they might lose no matter who wins an election, which can create a sense of hopelessness.
  3. Bias can affect how we see problems and solutions, and being aware of that can help us think more clearly.

Self-Help Podcasts

45 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🎙 Podcasts Self-help Interviews Media Personal Development Culture
  1. Self-help podcasts can provide deep insights and personal stories that inspire growth. They often feature interviews with interesting guests who share valuable experiences.
  2. Books like 'Self-Help is Like a Vaccine' offer unique perspectives on personal development. They can be a great addition to your self-help journey.
  3. Sometimes, e-books may face delays due to administrative issues, so staying updated on their availability is important. Physical copies might still be an option while you wait.

EconTalking Housing Deregulation

70 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🎙 Podcasts Audio Shows Interviews Discussion Education Economics
  1. The podcast discusses how housing is often too expensive due to regulations. These rules limit the building of new homes, which can drive up prices.
  2. There are ideas on how to make housing more affordable by changing or removing some of these regulations. This could help more people find homes without breaking the bank.
  3. The conversation includes insights from the book 'Build, Baby, Build,' which offers solutions for better housing development.
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Linda the Bank Teller Versus Freedom

261 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Government Policies
  1. People often fall for the conjunction fallacy, where they choose an option with a lower probability because it seems more logical.
  2. Support for general concepts like free speech can differ drastically from support for specific instances of it.
  3. People often endorse freedom in theory but struggle when faced with specific applications, showing a discrepancy in general versus specific judgments.

I Can’t Help but Feel Like You’re Trying to Intimidate Me Into Pretending to Agree with You

483 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Opinion Literature Quotes
  1. The post discusses feeling pressured to agree with others
  2. The author reflects on how this feeling arises in different situations like mandatory training or academic institutions
  3. The phrase 'I can’t help but feel like you’re trying to intimidate me into pretending to agree with you' is used as a coping mechanism and shared with the world

Natalism as Non-Conformism

181 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Parenting Society Faith Social norms Family Dynamics
  1. During historical events like the Great Depression and post-war periods, the birth rates fluctuated unexpectedly.
  2. Social conformity plays a significant role in influencing people's decisions on family size.
  3. Non-conformity can challenge societal norms and promote unique perspectives on family and child-rearing choices.

"Is Capitalism Bankrupt?"

155 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Debate
  1. The author received some harsh feedback after a debate on the merits of capitalism, with one viewer calling them a 'self-satisfied, close-minded, pompous, elitist jerk.'
  2. The author admits to smirking during the debate, but explained that the other guests were really funny, possibly explaining their expression.
  3. The full debate video is available for viewing to see the dynamics and humor of the participants.

How "Good and Honest" Is the Media?

145 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
  1. The author engaged in an adversarial collaboration about the honesty of the media.
  2. They discussed major media stories without looking at the news first.
  3. Through the collaboration, they both shifted their views on the media, with one person feeling they influenced the other more.

Out-of-State Tuition Is Out of this World

130 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🚌 Education Higher Ed Subsidies
  1. About 75% of American college students attend public schools, yet out-of-state tuition is significantly higher than in-state tuition, with an average ratio of 3:1.
  2. The significant price gap between in-state and out-of-state tuition is primarily due to massive subsidies by state governments for in-state students, making out-of-state tuition competitive rather than monopolistic.
  3. Despite concerns about high college costs, state governments contribute about two-thirds of the total cost for public colleges through various subsidies, making higher education more socialist than commonly perceived.

Immigration in an Nth-Best World

130 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Libertarianism Policy
  1. In a society like ours, that is neither fully libertarian nor totalitarian, libertarians face challenges in deciding which proposals to support in order to promote the freedom philosophy effectively.
  2. Libertarians must address the problems caused by the mixed economy, such as issues related to public property, like parks and buildings, while advocating for privatization.
  3. Supporting open borders aligns with libertarian principles of nonaggression, promotes individual liberty, and is economically sound according to experts like Bryan Caplan.

Best Business Thinker?

135 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investing Finance Management
  1. The post discusses the search for the best business thinker who is intellectually responsible and data literate, with a focus on making money through various mediums like lectures, podcasts, or books.
  2. There is an exploration of finding a voice of reason in the realm of business, investing, finance, and other related fields, seeking individuals who can provide intellectual clarity and resist biases.
  3. The post mentions the question of whether there is a 'LessWrong' equivalent in financial mathematics, business, and career development, pointing out the quest for insightful and reasonable resources in these domains.

Goff on the Cost Disease

140 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🚌 Education Economics Healthcare Higher Ed
  1. Prices and expenditures in medical care need to account for quality and income levels
  2. Healthcare services have improved in quality over the years, impacting prices
  3. Education has evolved into a consumption-driven industry with a demand for the 'college experience'

The Unabridged Ridley-Caplan Exchange

120 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🚌 Education Debate Innovation Exchange Policy
  1. Innovation often results from small, incremental improvements rather than sudden bursts of inspiration.
  2. Historically, small countries have led the world in innovation, suggesting that population size doesn't guarantee economic success.
  3. Increasing interconnectedness within large populations can enhance innovation more effectively than just striving for population growth.

Walsh on the Judeo-Christian Tradition

125 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Ethics History Lecture
  1. In a six-hour course, George Walsh covers the history and ideas of Judaism and Christianity with erudition and humor.
  2. The Judeo-Christian tradition explores the commonalities, divergences, and origins of these influential religions.
  3. Despite controversies and purges in philosophical circles, George Walsh's lectures from 1989 continue to inspire awe and admiration.

Appreciating *Casablanca*

120 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Film Gender Values Character development Patriotism
  1. The film 'Casablanca' presents unrealistic premises that serve as symbolic elements reflecting moral themes, inspiring and edifying viewers.
  2. The movie showcases themes of upward vitality, virtue, and moral growth, particularly in the character arcs of Rick and Laszlo.
  3. The gender dynamics in 'Casablanca' highlight male agency and Americanism, with a focus on male characters embodying higher intelligence and upward vitality, while female characters are often positioned as objects of admiration.

GMU's "Just Societies" + March Events: Nashua, Boston, and AMA

95 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Events Critique Policy
  1. GMU economist shared a first-hand account critiquing the 'Just Societies' course requirement at the university, highlighting issues with DEI promoters.
  2. Upcoming Bet On It events include a Premium Subscriber Ask Me Anything session, the Liberty Forum Experience in Nashua, along with a Boston Meet-Up.
  3. Bryan Caplan's events include discussions on localism, land-use regulation, and his famous 'Build, Baby, Build' keynote talk, showcasing his engagement with current socio-economic topics.

Somin on Conformism: A Reply

85 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Conformity Tradition Experts Intellectuals
  1. Conforming to majority intellectual trends on certain issues may be a strategic choice to avoid unnecessary conflicts.
  2. While adhering to certain traditions may hold valuable wisdom, being open to questioning and evolving traditions is important.
  3. Balancing deference to experts with critical thinking is crucial, especially in situations where expert views are likely to be reliable.

Talking Non-Conformism with Carlos

45 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Essays Discussion
  1. Non-conformism can be a mix of common sense and eccentricity, different from conformism which was more functional in the past than in today's world.
  2. Despite the appeal of non-conformism, conformism is the norm, possibly due to its historical functionality.
  3. The shift from functional conformism in ancestral environments to the complexity of non-conformism in modern society indicates changing societal needs.

Next Premium AMA

45 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
💼 Business AMA Subscription
  1. The next Premium Ask Me Anything (AMA) is scheduled for March 2 at 10:30 PM ET
  2. Participants will receive the Zoom link a couple of days before the event
  3. There is excitement about Kaiju Uncle Sam from a series called Build, Baby, Build, releasing on May 1

Fiscal Crisis and Beyond

45 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🎙 Podcasts Interview Economics
  1. The post shares an interview with Vance Ginn for his 'Let the People Prosper' podcast.
  2. The interview is described as fun and enjoyable.
  3. The conversation likely focuses on fiscal crisis and beyond, engaging with important economic topics.

Be My Guest at UoC Friday

10 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Arts Lifestyle Entertainment Events Social
  1. You can be a guest at the University of Chicago this Friday. It's a chance to join in and learn more.
  2. This event is meant for paid subscribers only, so make sure you're signed up if you want to attend.
  3. It's a good opportunity to engage with others in the community and expand your knowledge.

Talking Non-Conformism With Kaufman

30 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Interview Essays
  1. Chris Kaufman is interviewed on the topic of non-conformism in the book 'You Will Not Stampede Me: Essays on Non-Conformism'
  2. Chris Kaufman is recognized for interviewing the author on all five of his essay collections
  3. The author finds joy in talking with Chris Kaufman and hopes readers will enjoy the interview too

Next Premium Event: Zoom or Written?

20 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Events
  1. The post discusses the upcoming premium event and whether it will be on Zoom or in written form.
  2. The event by Bryan Caplan is set for Feb 15, 2024, and is for paid subscribers only.
  3. Want to know more or participate? Check the link at www.betonit.ai.

Tomorrow's Premium AMA

5 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Tomorrow's Premium AMA by Bryan Caplan is on March 1, 2024, at 10:30 PM ET.
  2. The post is for paid subscribers only.
  3. To access the post or subscribe for future updates, visit www.betonit.ai.