The Better Letter

The Better Letter explores the intersections of markets, politics, faith, and personal life through a lens that emphasizes long-term thinking, reality-based decision-making, and appreciation for randomness and uncertainty. It critiques short-sightedness, promotes critical thinking, and reflects on societal trends and human behavior.

Investing and Financial Planning Economic and Market Predictions Decision-Making and Cognitive Biases Politics and Society Personal Development and Life Philosophy The Role of Luck and Randomness Faith and Culture

The hottest Substack posts of The Better Letter

And their main takeaways

The Better Letter: What could change your mind?

0 implied HN points • 15 Jan 21
  1. Determine if belonging to a group is like being in a cult by considering if you'd change your mind and leave based on information or events.
  2. Decide on your stance in political discussions based on facts and willingness to adjust based on new information.
  3. Participate in discussions across political and social spectrums to gain diverse perspectives.

The Better Letter: Where's the Fire?

0 implied HN points • 09 Mar 20
  1. The U.S. economy might be in trouble despite strong fundamentals, according to market indicators
  2. Uncertainty is prevalent in markets, with bond yields hitting historic lows
  3. Choosing kindness over being right, especially in today's polarized culture, can lead to more grace and understanding

The Better Letter: Not "The Onion"

0 implied HN points • 28 May 21
  1. Our beliefs affect what we see: where we stand determines what we see.
  2. Motivated reasoning influences how we interpret information: we tend to scrutinize ideas more critically when we disagree with them.
  3. Bias is universal: motivated reasoning is a human problem, not limited to one political ideology.

The Better Letter: Relentless Attachment

0 implied HN points • 12 Feb 21
  1. We tend to think we have everything figured out today, but often overlook how much we have changed in the past.
  2. Human nature doesn't change, even though we live longer and better than before.
  3. Extreme commitment to beliefs can lead to authoritarianism and closed-mindedness, making it important to stay open to change and progress.

The Better Letter: Actionable Complexity

0 implied HN points • 09 Apr 21
  1. Billy Beane's analytical approach in Moneyball led to success by focusing on avoiding outs rather than traditional measures like hits.
  2. Tampa Bay Rays excel in baseball by innovating and experimenting with data-driven strategies due to their low budget compared to high-paying teams.
  3. Effective communication and personalized advice from the Rays pitching staff show how simplicity and actionable insights result in success on the field.
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The Better Letter: Trading Stories

0 implied HN points • 24 Apr 20
  1. We love stories from cradle to grave, they help us make sense of reality.
  2. Trust the process - slow down and engage your thinking when faced with problems.
  3. Investing for the long-term is great, but plan with care and common sense.

The Better Letter: Politically Homeless

0 implied HN points • 04 Sep 20
  1. Feeling politically homeless in a culture that demands binary choices can be unsettling.
  2. The current GOP lacks clear principles and has shifted focus towards supporting the president.
  3. Investors should have the freedom to choose how they invest, regardless of political influence.

The Better Letter: A Delicate Balance

0 implied HN points • 28 Aug 20
  1. The Earth is getting warmer and we're experiencing the consequences.
  2. There is significant disagreement and denial about climate change, especially in the U.S.
  3. Efforts to address climate change must balance regulation and innovation.

The Better Letter: As Though the Truth Were True

0 implied HN points • 22 Jan 21
  1. Testimonies have shifted from faith to politics, often becoming platforms for virtue-signaling.
  2. Confirmation bias is a prevalent and dangerous driver of beliefs and actions, leading to poor decision-making.
  3. The digital world thrives on confirmation bias, fostering a frictionless environment for spreading misinformation and exploiting biases for profit.

The Better Letter: What I See

0 implied HN points • 18 Dec 20
  1. Take care of our medical workers by wearing masks, avoiding unnecessary travel, and washing hands.
  2. Perception of the world can be inaccurate; disagreements can arise despite looking at the same thing.
  3. Christmas reflects the story of a Baby-God coming to redeem a broken world, bringing light and hope.

The Better Letter: Vacation Edition

0 implied HN points • 10 Jul 20
  1. The post focuses on a list of horrible and great music covers.
  2. It mentions interesting and important things worth exploring.
  3. It ends with a message of hope and peace, inspired by a biblical reference.

The Better Letter: Beauty Will Save the World

0 implied HN points • 23 Oct 20
  1. The world needs more beauty and less politics.
  2. Beauty is universal and transformative; it has the power to inspire and bring people together.
  3. Self-righteousness numbs us to the suffering around us; valuing and serving others is essential.