David Friedman’s Substack

David Friedman's Substack explores a wide range of subjects from economic principles and climate change to intellectual debates and law enforcement, emphasizing critical thinking, skepticism towards mainstream narratives, and the interplay of natural and social sciences in understanding human behavior and societal issues.

Critical Thinking and Truth Seeking Political and Economic Theories Science and Climate Change Legal and Ethical Considerations Societal and Cultural Analysis Philosophy and Morality Education and Learning Methods Technology and Society

The hottest Substack posts of David Friedman’s Substack

And their main takeaways

Validating The Next Revolutions

0 implied HN points • 06 Jun 11
  1. Two impactful books in 2011: Academically Adrift and The Great Stagnation.
  2. Both books validate existing societal concerns with a rigorous approach.
  3. The impact of e-books highlights the slow adoption of the internet's potential.

Pattern recognition and image segmentation in connectomics

0 implied HN points • 24 Apr 11
  1. Pattern recognition is crucial in connectomics for segmenting images
  2. Metrics like warping error and Rand error help evaluate segmentation quality
  3. Machine learning surpasses traditional methods in image segmentation

Sometimes Simple?

0 implied HN points • 23 Apr 11
  1. Things may not always be as complicated as they seem at first glance.
  2. Our beliefs tend to evolve over time, often simplifying past ideas to make current ones seem smarter.
  3. It's important to challenge the notion that things are always more complicated than we believe.

Quote(s) of the Day

0 implied HN points • 13 Jul 08
  1. Americans are okay with a bit of flip-flopping in their leaders.
  2. Don't forget to take care of yourself amidst the busyness of life.
  3. Experiencing life in an authoritarian country can offer a new perspective on freedom.

3d human brain atlas for localizing gene expression

0 implied HN points • 16 Apr 11
  1. The Allen Institute released a 3D human brain atlas with microarray data localized in different regions of human brains.
  2. The Brain Explorer 2 software allows users to explore the atlas and learn about brain anatomy.
  3. The atlas includes maps created using structural MRI and diffusion tensor imaging, showing variability in brain structure between donors.
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MiniSOG, a light and electron microscopy fusable marker

0 implied HN points • 16 Apr 11
  1. Green fluorescent protein in 1994 revolutionized light microscopy in visualizing individual protein molecules
  2. Researchers created miniSOG, a fluorescent molecule for electron microscopy that marks mitochondria efficiently
  3. MiniSOG can be fused with other proteins like SynCAM for 3D location visualization in tissues

Three Thoughts For Spring

0 implied HN points • 25 Apr 11
  1. Perspective can be actively increased through certain actions.
  2. Cochrane reviews are important for systematically reviewing systematic reviews.
  3. Exploring how to make spaced repetition learning into an engaging game could revolutionize education.

The Wisdom Of Whuber

0 implied HN points • 17 Apr 11
  1. Use median instead of mean for summarizing ages due to demographic reasons
  2. Address scientific publication bias and improve exposure of important results
  3. Explore the limits of statistical methods and their connection with machine learning for advancements in AI

Why Trade-Offs Matter

0 implied HN points • 24 Jun 11
  1. Interestingness is a lower bound on the value of a good trade-off classification system.
  2. Awareness about trade-offs can help improve decision-making by considering what is being forgoing.
  3. Recognizing systematic bias in trade-offs can help align short-term decisions with long-term preferences.

Connection distributions between olfactory bulb and cortical regions in the mouse

0 implied HN points • 23 Apr 11
  1. Three recent papers in mice examine how cortical neurons are distributed based on odorant input in the olfactory system.
  2. The distribution of axon connections from mitral cells to the piriform cortex is uniform, but unique patterns exist for connections to the cortical amygdala and anterior olfactory nucleus.
  3. Findings highlight differences in interpretations between the studies regarding the organization of olfactory inputs and potential implications for odor perception.

Reconstructed rat neural and astroglial circuitry

0 implied HN points • 14 Apr 11
  1. The video shows reconstructed rat neural and astroglial circuitry in the rat hippocampus using 3D technology.
  2. Different components of the circuitry are color-coded to help visualize them, with descriptions like dendrites as yellow, axons as green, and astrocytes as blue.
  3. While the map is static, the real components in the brain are constantly changing, showcasing the dynamic nature of neural and astroglial connections.

Ranking Ideas In Science

0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 11
  1. Ranking ideas in science based on date of discovery may not accurately reflect importance.
  2. A good system to rank science ideas historically and as they are published would be beneficial for education and research.
  3. Allowing users to vote on milestones in different scientific disciplines can help create dynamic, post-peer review rankings.

What How You Read A Paper Says About You

0 implied HN points • 19 Mar 11
  1. How you read a paper can reveal a lot about your personality.
  2. Different reading styles like abstract, intro, methods, results, discussion, etc., are associated with different traits like lazy, n00b, nerd, etc.
  3. Combining specific sections of a paper can reflect different traits, like being arrogant, conceited, impatient, etc.

How neurons remain neurons

0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 11
  1. Neurons remain neurons through a process involving initiation, propagation, and maintenance.
  2. Terminal selector protein plays a crucial role in coordinating this process by binding to DNA sequences.
  3. Interplay between chromatin states, transcription factors, and histone modifications is important for gene expression in neurons.

Trade Off #19: Exploration vs Exploitation

0 implied HN points • 16 Mar 11
  1. In decision making, there's a trade-off between exploration to gain more info and exploitation of existing knowledge.
  2. Purely focusing on exploration can prevent reaping the benefits of information, while pure exploitation can lead to being stuck and unable to adapt.
  3. This trade-off is seen in domains like research investment, gambling scenarios, and organizational knowledge development.

Three Cool Active Ideation Innocentives

0 implied HN points • 05 Apr 11
  1. A communication platform is needed for family caregivers to provide educational information and support.
  2. Educating illiterate populations about the importance of purifying drinking water is crucial.
  3. An innovative way to drop humanitarian food and water packages into populated areas without endangering people is sought.

Trade Offs In Self-Identifying

0 implied HN points • 29 Mar 11
  1. Identifying with being rational can lead to better decision-making by following reason.
  2. Keeping your identity small can help avoid biased decision-making.
  3. There is a trade-off between plasticity (ability to change) and specialization (focus and bias).

Do not study human cognitive biases, part 1

0 implied HN points • 15 Jul 08
  1. Be cautious when people give you absolute probabilities without considering biases.
  2. Check your priors for selection and availability biases to avoid falling into a vicious cycle of annoyance.
  3. Instead of studying cognitive biases, read something enjoyable like an adventure novel.

The failed blog post series continues

0 implied HN points • 29 Oct 08
  1. Creativity involves generating lots of bad ideas to find a few good ones.
  2. Being altruistic by having a bad Halloween costume to make others feel better.
  3. Questioning the value of double majoring for specialization versus diversity.

Against couch pillows

0 implied HN points • 11 Jul 08
  1. The author is against couch pillows, finding them unnecessary and only good for covering up spills.
  2. A world without pillows might not have an adverse effect throughout the day, but it could have an impact at night.
  3. Reference to Larry David's perspective on couch pillows from an early episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Machine learning in brain-computer interfacing lecture

0 implied HN points • 10 Jul 08
  1. The lecture discussed using machine learning in brain-computer interfacing.
  2. One challenge in brain-computer interfacing is the cerebral cocktail party problem, where there are many quasi-independent pathways working together.
  3. Independent component analysis (ICA) is one technique used to sort between sources of interest and non-interest in brain activity data.

Jeffrey Sachs Lecture

0 implied HN points • 07 Jul 08
  1. Jeffrey Sachs emphasized the importance of tackling poverty as a key issue.
  2. It's crucial to vote for leaders who can effectively address problems, rather than those you want to have a beer with.
  3. Sachs provided policy recommendations including getting out of Iraq, addressing climate change, and focusing on the UN Millennium Development Goals.

Organizational musings

0 implied HN points • 03 Jul 08
  1. Tuesday Statisticz will now be monthly for better quality content
  2. Neurobiology posts will move to BrainsLab.net
  3. Economics posts will move to Vassar Investment site

Iron Man at the box office

0 implied HN points • 29 Jun 08
  1. The author predicted Iron Man would gross $300 million at the box office, which turned out to be accurate.
  2. Iron Man reached the $300 million mark at the box office, but its earnings are now slowing down.
  3. The author's prediction about Iron Man's box office performance was pretty close to the actual result.

More on correlation versus causation

0 implied HN points • 26 Jun 08
  1. Correlation is more important than causation in some cases.
  2. Science can progress without complete explanations.
  3. Models are still needed for making predictions.

The kiss of death

0 implied HN points • 24 Jun 08
  1. Greg Mankiw endorses Vampire Weekend as a great new band
  2. The author implies being endorsed by a 'square' like Mankiw may be detrimental
  3. Author offers to criticize bands instead, which could potentially improve their reputation

Tuesday Statisticz: Still the best

0 implied HN points • 18 Jun 08
  1. Kobe Bryant is considered the best in terms of assist to turnover ratio and points per game.
  2. Comparing Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce, Kobe comes out victorious in most cases.
  3. Statistics from Yahoo player profiles support Kobe's superiority over Paul Pierce.

Mouse visual cortex and retinal ganglion cell connectomes

0 implied HN points • 14 Mar 11
  1. Two recent papers have advanced research on the connectomes in the mouse visual cortex and retinal ganglion cells.
  2. By using techniques like fluorescence imaging and electron microscopy, researchers were able to study the structure and function of these neuron networks.
  3. The studies aim to uncover rules of connectivity that can help understand the functional properties of neurons, potentially leading to insights on how emergent functions emerge in neural networks.

Bacteria and the anxious brain

0 implied HN points • 09 Mar 11
  1. Gut bacteria can affect brain development and behavior
  2. Research shows that germ-free mice display signs of increased anxiety
  3. The interaction between bacteria and the brain is an important area of study for future research

How To Find Which Basketball Stats Matter

0 implied HN points • 08 Mar 11
  1. Adjusted plus-minus is a key basketball stat for long-term performance, but it can be noisy in the short run.
  2. Common stats like points and rebounds may not directly correlate with helping a team win.
  3. Using training data and features to predict adjusted plus-minus can help identify which stats are valuable for assessing player performance.

The future of neuro data mining

0 implied HN points • 07 Mar 11
  1. Challenges in neuro data mining include linking macro- and micro-connectomes, understanding gene mutations' impact, and combining different types of data.
  2. Neuroscience Informatics Framework offers access to raw data for research and analysis.
  3. Excitement is evident in the article about the future of neuro data mining.

Major forms of pre-synaptic endocytosis

0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 11
  1. Pre-synaptic endocytosis involves compensating for the release of neurotransmitters by retrieving plasma membrane back into the cell.
  2. Major forms of pre-synaptic endocytosis include Kiss and run, Fuse and collapse, and Bulk endocytosis.
  3. Bulk endocytosis is faster and clathrin-independent and occurs when plasma membrane size becomes larger than optimal.

Tuesday Statisticz: Tuesday Statisticz

0 implied HN points • 24 Jun 08
  1. The popularity of posts is not strongly correlated with word count or number of links.
  2. Comments on posts are not a reliable indicator of post quality.
  3. Consider other metrics beyond comments to gauge post engagement.

Does correlation equal causation?

0 implied HN points • 15 Jun 08
  1. Correlation doesn't always equal causation.
  2. To prove causation, rule out other possible third variables.
  3. Building up data can help make a stronger case for a causal relationship.

Tuesday Statisticz: Do movies make you more creative?

0 implied HN points • 10 Jun 08
  1. A study found no significant link between the number of cinema seats and creativity levels in different countries.
  2. The study used patent applications as a rough measure of creativity.
  3. This challenges the common belief that watching movies can enhance creativity.

Tuesday Statisticz: Urban carbon dioxide emissions, part II

0 implied HN points • 03 Jun 08
  1. Highly urbanized countries may have higher standard of living, leading to more emissions.
  2. There isn't a strong relationship between the Human Development Index and carbon dioxide emissions.
  3. Luxembourg has the highest carbon dioxide emissions per capita.

Polar Bear Theory

0 implied HN points • 31 May 08
  1. People tend to find more irrational fault with things that are close to reality but slightly off, like a polar bear on a tropical island in the show Lost.
  2. The phenomenon known as the 'uncanny valley' explains the discomfort or unease we feel towards things that are almost but not quite realistic.
  3. Things like robots that appear almost human, or anomalies in visual perception, can trigger the uncanny valley effect.

A superhighway to nowhere

0 implied HN points • 26 May 08
  1. Former neuroscientist found bliss after a stroke affecting her left brain.
  2. Two types of happiness: 'no learning state' and 'flow.'
  3. Question: Would you sacrifice 'flow' for moment-to-moment emotional happiness?

Do sports matter?

0 implied HN points • 25 May 08
  1. Sports have both physical and community benefits.
  2. The outcome of sports can create strong emotional connections.
  3. In the short term, people often care deeply about the results of sporting events.

The Indiana Jones Theory of Space Travel

0 implied HN points • 24 May 08
  1. In space travel, the lack of evidence of intelligent extraterrestrial life suggests it may be less common.
  2. Humans must colonize other worlds to survive potential catastrophic events on Earth.
  3. Finding evidence of past intelligent life on Mars could indicate humanity has not overcome significant obstacles to technological advancement.