do clouds feel vertigo?

The Substack explores the impacts of AI, decentralized technologies, and evolving communication on society. It addresses issues of trust, perception, adaptability, risk, and legacy in a rapidly changing world, emphasizing the value of strategic thinking, diverse perspectives, and embracing ambiguity.

Artificial Intelligence Decentralized Technologies Communication Perception and Reality Societal Change Strategic Thinking Legacy and Memory

The hottest Substack posts of do clouds feel vertigo?

And their main takeaways

The Map is not the Territory

59 implied HN points • 20 Jul 24
🚌 Education Mental models Cognitive Science Learning Strategies Critical Thinking Decision-making
  1. Understanding the difference between perception and reality is important. Different people have various ways to see the world, and it helps to have multiple perspectives.
  2. Mental models are valuable thinking tools that can help us make sense of complex situations. Organizing these models by subject can guide our decision-making.
  3. Learning about complex adaptive systems can provide a solid foundation for understanding how different parts of a system interact. It's a good starting point for anyone new to the topic.

The Erosion of Memory

19 implied HN points • 25 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Legacy Memory Cultural values Human experience
  1. Legacy today is changing as we create less permanent records, like videos and posts, instead of lasting monuments. Our descendants might have more data about us, but that doesn't mean they will remember us.
  2. The concepts and contributions that stand out are often shaped by their timing and the culture around them. What’s valued in society can change, making some legacies fade while others endure.
  3. Many legacies are the result of collective efforts rather than just individual actions. The connections between ideas and how they spread play a big role in determining what is remembered.

Quantum Quandaries

19 implied HN points • 21 Jun 24
🔬 Science Quantum Computing Physics Education Technology Games
  1. Quantum Country is a great book for learning about quantum computing. It's easy to understand if you know some basic math.
  2. Thinking about problems in more than two dimensions can open up new ideas. It can be really helpful to have extra complexity in your thinking.
  3. There’s a board game called Entanglion that teaches quantum logic in a fun way. It's a creative way to see quantum concepts in action.

Walk Your Talk

1 HN point • 31 Aug 24
💰 Finance Market Analysis Economic Trends Investment Strategies Behavioral Finance Risk management
  1. Navigating emotions in finance is tough. Just like a story, the market has ups and downs, often driven by fear and greed.
  2. Understanding market patterns can help you make better choices. Key events, like earnings reports, can change how stocks perform quickly.
  3. It's smart to think about who benefits from market movements. Often, the loudest voices can mislead you, so keep a clear perspective.

New decisions in a cloudy world

99 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Digital Media Copyright Society Information
  1. AI is creating new divisions in society, leading to more debates about our future and survival. It's making conversations about technology very heated and complex.
  2. Deepfakes and manipulated images are changing how we perceive reality. We can no longer trust everything we see, which can have big implications for privacy and reputation.
  3. In a world full of uncertainty, having a clear mind and being skeptical about information is essential. Embracing ambiguity instead of fearing it can help us navigate changes better.
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Pathless Path

19 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Mindfulness Cognition Perception Identity
  1. Breaking out of our usual habits can lead to surprising discoveries. When we pay attention, we might find new paths and experiences waiting for us.
  2. Curiosity can help us push past our fears. Feeling anxious about the unknown is normal, but choosing to explore can open up new opportunities.
  3. Innovation often starts from simply noticing something different. With courage and a willingness to step off the beaten path, we can reshape our understanding and create new adventures.

From the Alphabet to Blockchain: Encoding the Author’s Voice

59 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🕹 Technology AI Blockchain Digital Media Communication Information Theory
  1. Communication involves repeating and reshaping each other's ideas to better share information. This helps us work together more effectively and has made humans more resilient over time.
  2. AI, like ChatGPT, compresses information in a way that can lead to the loss of important details and sources. This makes it crucial to understand the limits of how technology represents knowledge.
  3. Blockchain technology offers a solution by creating unique digital items that are hard to replicate. This maintains a sense of originality and trust in our increasingly digital world.

99% of people just get AI wrong...

39 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Data science Programming Innovation
  1. Microsoft claims that GPT-4 shows potential for Artificial General Intelligence, but some critics doubt its transparency and reliability, feeling it's more of a marketing claim than factual science.
  2. Generative AI models can produce creative outputs but shouldn't be judged like traditional knowledge tools. They often generate believable yet false information, showcasing a need for a different evaluation standard.
  3. As AI technology evolves, the cost to create content is decreasing, which raises questions about who will really profit from it and how existing knowledge can be effectively leveraged in this new landscape.

What if you could tweak the algorithm?

39 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Social media Decentralization Content curation Algorithms Blockchain
  1. Users should be able to customize their social media algorithms to see content that truly interests them. This way, they can avoid echo chambers and connect with valuable information.
  2. Decentralized social networks have the potential to disrupt the current big platforms by giving users more control over their data and experiences. Open protocols can lead to better privacy and diversity.
  3. Algorithms are crucial in shaping online experiences, and their evolution will continue. Community-driven algorithms in decentralized networks could offer new ways to recommend content effectively.

Unbundling Twitter

39 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Social media Protocols Web3 Decentralization Identity Management
  1. Nostr is a new open protocol that allows for decentralized and censorship-resistant social media. Unlike traditional platforms, it gives everyone the freedom to use it without a single owner controlling the content.
  2. The idea of unbundling social media means breaking down the services offered by platforms so users can pick and choose what they want, rather than being stuck with everything a single platform provides.
  3. Identity management can be decentralized too, meaning you can control your online identity without needing a central authority. This could give users more power and security over their personal data.

What do Alpacas have to do with AI's future?

19 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Computing Innovation Business Models Data science
  1. AI training costs are dropping significantly, which makes it easier for more people to create their own AI models.
  2. AI models can become more common and even borrowed from others, which leads to questions about ownership and competition.
  3. Companies now face a choice between buying AI capabilities or building their own, affecting how they manage privacy and efficiency.

Today is riskier than tomorrow

19 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Internet Innovation Finance Creativity
  1. Today brings a lot of risks and distractions due to the rapid changes in AI, making it harder to keep up. People often feel lost or overwhelmed by all the new possibilities.
  2. Having clear intentions and the ability to ask the right questions is becoming very important with AI tools. It's not just about using them, but knowing how to make the most of them.
  3. The future of creativity may involve more collaboration between people and AI. Instead of one-on-one interactions, we might see team-based conversations that bring ideas together in new ways.

Mountains of evidence

0 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Narrative Theory Cognitive Bias Social influence Storytelling
  1. Changing long-held beliefs can be very difficult, similar to trying to change family traditions. People often resist changes to their narratives, even when there is strong new evidence.
  2. We are naturally inclined to seek agreement with others, which helps shape our stories and perspectives. Our social circles greatly influence our thoughts and actions.
  3. When new ideas challenge established beliefs, it can create disruption. Over time, fresh perspectives will challenge and change old narratives, leading to new understandings.

The world is an open system

0 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Narratives Cognition Science Worldview
  1. The world gives us a fresh start every day. This means we can change our stories and try new things, even if it feels hard sometimes.
  2. Simpler stories often hold more power in our lives. They can connect us better and are easier for everyone to relate to, even if they're vague.
  3. Some ideas stick around longer because of our shared experiences and how we connect with each other. This can make it tough to change our perspectives or break old habits.

We're not ready for the future

0 implied HN points • 26 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Art Storytelling Identity Tradition Community
  1. It's important to question established truths and narratives. When historical stories are wrong, we need to confront and change them.
  2. Crises can lead to new ideas and movements that challenge the status quo. These crises are opportunities for change, even if they feel chaotic.
  3. There are growing concerns about internal conflicts, like a potential civil war in the US. We need to be aware of how quickly things can shift and disrupt our society.

Wednesday Whatnot: Diego Gualandris

0 implied HN points • 19 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Art Music Literature Fashion Traditions
  1. Diego Gualandris is exploring new ideas in his art, leaning into his raw thoughts for creativity. This could bring exciting changes to his work.
  2. Diego and Matteo Binci have a close friendship and partnership that blends their artistic and curatorial talents. They often challenge each other while working together.
  3. The art scene can be tough, and Diego feels a bit boxed in by his earlier success. He's eager for new challenges to keep his creativity alive.

Strategic depth

0 implied HN points • 23 May 24
🌍 World Politics Military Strategy Geopolitics Diplomacy Conflict Studies International relations
  1. Strategic depth is about having enough space and time to protect important things, like a country or our personal values. This helps us withstand attacks from outside forces.
  2. Companies with high profit margins can survive tough times longer. It's important to know how much risk we can handle daily, similar to the Kelly Criterion in betting.
  3. Strategic intensity means being very observant and smart in decision-making. It's about reading situations well and knowing when to take risks or simplify things in a game.

Paris, may day

0 implied HN points • 07 May 24
🌍 World Politics International relations Diplomacy Geopolitics Economic Policy
  1. It's important to look beyond simple East-West thinking in global politics. Understanding different perspectives can help us see how countries interact in more complex ways.
  2. Economic challenges like inflation are affecting families all over the world. We need to think about how these factors impact our lives and what we can do to prepare for them.
  3. Valuation can be tricky and depends on many factors, including geography and culture. It's interesting to consider how we might value things differently in various contexts.

Drown in an inch of water

0 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Epistemology Metaphysics Logic Ethics Rhetoric
  1. It's okay to change your mind about things. Believing that all knowledge is uncertain can make life feel lighter and more open.
  2. We often wrongly assume our conclusions are true without enough evidence. It's important to question our beliefs instead of just accepting them.
  3. Knowledge can be viewed like a financial option. It has a limited time to be useful, and we should regularly assess its value and relevance.

Stories with three characters

0 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
📚 Literature Fiction Storytelling Character analysis Themes Narrative structure
  1. Stories with three characters often have a dynamic structure. They allow for different interactions and conflicts.
  2. The concept of three can be found in various cultural references, like the Greek Fates or the division of regions in France.
  3. In mathematics, three basic components, like an origin and two signs, can represent crucial ideas. This highlights the simplicity and versatility of the number three.

Short-range dependance

0 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
📚 Literature Fiction Storytelling Narrative Reading Books
  1. Bob wants to spoil Alice's book reading by starting a few pages ahead. He realizes there's a balance between starting too far ahead or too close to her current reading.
  2. Alice enjoys page-turners where the story keeps getting exciting, which makes it easier for Bob to guess the next part. The density of the story affects how spoilers work in their reading game.
  3. Eventually, Alice catches onto Bob's plan and decides to read something like dictionaries, which makes it impossible for Bob to spoil anything.

Long-range dependance

0 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Metaphysics Aesthetics Epistemology
  1. Sometimes, the value of something isn't about how complete it is, but about the impact of specific parts. For instance, losing the last page of a story can feel like a big deal, while a missing page in a dictionary doesn’t change much.
  2. Different experiences in life have varying levels of importance. Some events or moments are like the very valuable pages in a novel, while others are just pages that don’t add much to our overall experience.
  3. We should think about what makes our daily experiences worthwhile. Just like in a book, some days or moments can bring a lot of joy while others might not seem significant at all.

The ebb and flow

0 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💰 Finance Market Trends Investment Strategies Economic Models Risk Analysis
  1. Time isn't always the same for everyone. There's regular time for coordination and a deeper, personal sense of timing that shapes our experiences.
  2. The concept of 'kairos' highlights the right moment to take action - it's about finding those critical opportunities in life.
  3. Financial markets show that prices reflect collective disagreements and decisions. They hold important information about how people view value over time.

The thing which embraces

0 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Thought Humanity Crisis Knowledge Complexity
  1. Complex thinking helps us connect different pieces of knowledge. It allows us to understand complex problems more deeply.
  2. We often learn in separated topics, which can prevent us from seeing the bigger picture of being human and our challenges.
  3. Right now, we face many linked crises, like ecological and economic issues, that we need to understand together to find solutions.

Stories with two characters

0 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
📚 Literature Narrative Themes Characterization Philosophy Storytelling
  1. Stories often use two characters to create interesting conflicts, like a hero and a villain. These relationships help drive the story forward and keep readers engaged.
  2. Dualities like good vs. evil or supply vs. demand help us understand complex ideas. They let us see different sides of a situation and how they relate to each other.
  3. Using duality in storytelling helps break down chaos and build clear relationships. This makes it easier to communicate deeper messages within the story.

Three principles to overcome clouded judgment

0 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Mindset Creativity Judgment Knowledge Art
  1. It's important to avoid rushing to judgment, especially about art. Taking time to understand and appreciate ambiguity can lead to deeper insights.
  2. Letting go of the need for control helps in gaining better understanding. Being open to different outcomes can lead to new ideas and creativity.
  3. We should treat knowledge like stock options that expire. Our understanding can change over time, so we need to remain flexible and ready to adapt our views.

Five thinking principles I learned from the discovery of Bitcoin as a teenager

0 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
🔮 Crypto Digital Currency Blockchain Decentralization Innovation Investment
  1. You can find amazing ideas in unexpected places. Keep your mind open and explore things that seem out of the ordinary.
  2. Sometimes the weirdest ideas can turn out to be the most interesting and valuable. Don’t be afraid to dig into concepts that sound crazy at first.
  3. It's important to understand the basics of how things work. Asking fundamental questions can help you see the true nature of ideas and concepts.

Coming Soon

0 implied HN points • 27 Jan 23
📚 Literature Fiction Storytelling Narrative Analogies Philosophy
  1. Challenge the way things are and ask tough questions. It's important to think differently and be open to new ideas.
  2. Use stories and comparisons to understand big ideas. They help us think about complicated things in a simpler way.
  3. The stories we tell ourselves matter. They shape how we see the world and can give us freedom to think and feel differently.

Abstract paths

0 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Abstraction Measurement Science Time Value
  1. Abstractions, like time and money, help us connect different stories and experiences. They give us a way to understand and compare things in our lives.
  2. Fungible measurements, or quanta, are tools that allow us to compare different items, like the price of a house and tuna. They show that all things can be understood in similar ways.
  3. Using units of measurement helps compare experiences across cultures and stories, like relating a day in Harry Potter to a day in the Bible. This shows how universal these concepts are.

Principles not facts

0 implied HN points • 28 Jun 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Metaphysics Epistemology Logic Aesthetics
  1. Understanding principles is often more valuable than just knowing facts. Having a good grasp of key ideas helps to fill in knowledge gaps.
  2. Real-life systems are complex and often unpredictable. You can't always expect straightforward results from your actions.
  3. Linear relationships can be useful, but they don't always tell the full story. It's important to consider the bigger picture and not get stuck in rigid thinking.

Vanishing into the near future

0 implied HN points • 17 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Strategy International relations Philosophy Market Dynamics Cultural perspectives
  1. Chinese strategists view the future more like music, feeling the rhythm and anticipating changes rather than trying to predict exact outcomes. This means adapting quickly to the present situation.
  2. Traditional Chinese thought emphasizes a holistic view of knowledge, where understanding is about sensing interconnections and relationships rather than focusing on isolated parts. It's about seeing the bigger picture.
  3. The concept of 'vanishing into things' encourages letting go of rigid perspectives. By flowing with circumstances and understanding subtle cues, one can navigate challenges more effectively.

The Cloud and the Soup

0 implied HN points • 10 Jun 24
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Epistemology Ontology Existentialism Aesthetics
  1. Clouds can be unique in their shapes and appearances. Each cloud can remind us of personal experiences, making them feel special.
  2. Clouds share universal qualities with each other and everything in nature. At a basic level, everything is connected and similar, regardless of differences.
  3. There are patterns and structures in the universe that help us understand how things relate. Looking for similarities can help find connections, but it's also interesting to explore what remains the same despite changes.

Stories with four characters

0 implied HN points • 26 May 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Metaphysics Narrative Theory Cognitive Science Strategic Thinking
  1. Stories can have four key characters: you, your opponents, the known, and the unknown. This helps create a clear strategy in any situation.
  2. Using four characters can bring a sense of stability compared to just three. It's about finding balance and understanding different perspectives.
  3. In both stories and computer science, the concept of four relates to structure and relationships. Recognizing these connections can deepen our understanding of both fields.

Loosing focus in decision-making

0 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Decision-making Cognitive Science Critical Thinking Mindfulness Productivity
  1. Focusing on too many tasks at once can lead to a lack of quality decisions. It's important to realize that deep focus is rare and valuable.
  2. Not all decisions are equally important. Some choices can be made quickly and changed later, while others require careful thought before proceeding.
  3. Using curated lists can help simplify decision-making. They reduce complexity and make it easier to choose among options without feeling overwhelmed.

A letter from China

0 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Authoritarianism China Economics Technology Culture
  1. One idea discussed is called a 'walk-and-talk', where a small group walks together while sharing deep conversations. It seems like a nice way to bond over a journey.
  2. There's a spot in China where young people relax and take it easy, showing that even in busy places, people seek downtime.
  3. Bitcoin is debated as a tool against authoritarianism. Even critics see its potential value as many people want to protect their freedom in a world that often centralizes power.

When the tide goes out

0 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🔬 Science Physics Biology Neuroscience Complex Systems Thermodynamics
  1. We all have internal rhythms that control our daily life, like how we breathe and sleep. These rhythms have critical points where they shift from one state to another.
  2. When something shifts between two states, like being calm and angry, it’s similar to how systems in nature move from order to disorder. This helps us understand how change happens.
  3. Counting breaths can help us manage our emotions better. Instead of saying 'I'll see you later,' we can measure time in breaths for more peace and balance.

Know when to stop searching

0 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Knowledge Cognition Metaphysics
  1. Having courage can inspire more courage in others. Being brave can create a chain reaction of bravery.
  2. Focusing too much on every detail can lead to feelings of meaninglessness. When everything is known, it can feel like nothing matters.
  3. Having choices is great, but having too many can complicate things. It helps to set some limits to make decision-making easier.

Quanta or Qualia?

0 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Epistemology Narrative Theory Globalism Information Theory
  1. We can look at storytelling by considering the medium, or how interconnected we are. It makes a big difference if information flows easily or if there are barriers.
  2. Understanding the message means examining how different stories connect and influence each other. This can be challenging but is really important.
  3. In our global world, spotting new connections and patterns in information is crucial. It's all about understanding how stories overlap and what that means.