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

Is open-source the future?

0 implied HN points • 23 May 08
  1. Google shows that being 'good' can be profitable for corporations.
  2. Google makes money from search and ads to support free services like Google Docs.
  3. Question remains if Google's model will be the future standard for businesses.

The Carbon Cycle

0 implied HN points • 16 Jun 08
  1. The earth has experienced temperature changes in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
  2. Carbon levels have risen and fallen before without causing the end of the world.
  3. Even with high CO2 levels, the earth's temperature will eventually decrease over time.

Percieved speed varies based on visual contrast

0 implied HN points • 08 Jun 08
  1. At lower speeds, an object appears slower with less visual contrast.
  2. Around 8 Hz, perceived speed is not affected by contrast.
  3. At higher speeds, reducing contrast can make the object appear faster.

Neurogenesis drug to be clinically tested in humans

0 implied HN points • 05 Jun 08
  1. One conundrum in psychotherapy is not fully understanding why SSRIs work for depression.
  2. Neurogenesis hypothesis suggests a link between depression and the growth of new brain cells.
  3. Clinical trials are underway for a drug that stimulates neurogenesis, potentially offering new treatment options for patients.
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Forgive and forget, forgotten

0 implied HN points • 14 May 08
  1. Forgiveness is important for dealing with others' transgressions
  2. First impressions may not accurately depict a person's true nature
  3. Striving to act ethically is valuable, even if challenging

Distance, Knowledge, and Information

0 implied HN points • 04 May 08
  1. Consider the likelihood of the other person knowing your small city when stating your location.
  2. Factors like age, geography, and perceived intelligence influence when to mention a major city versus a smaller one.
  3. It's a complex decision, so judging someone for saying a major city instead of a smaller one can be unfair.

More blogging from teachers that have given me B-plusses

0 implied HN points • 04 May 08
  1. Teachers may not always give out As, but that can be a good thing as it encourages higher standards.
  2. For grad students, extensive reading is key to being valuable in your field.
  3. Knowing the secondary literature is crucial for contributing meaningfully to discussions in your field.

Tuesday Statisticz: Breaking down the success of superhero movies

0 implied HN points • 13 May 08
  1. Successful superhero movies have a strong correlation between IMDb ratings and box office gross
  2. Spider-Man 3 overperformed due to high ratings from females under 18
  3. Females under 18 ratings can impact box office numbers in ways that may not be intuitive

First good impressions

0 implied HN points • 12 May 08
  1. Good teachers are not afraid to apologize and explain their teaching methods.
  2. Apologizing for potential offenses shows authenticity and commitment to effective teaching.
  3. Teachers who prioritize learning over avoiding complaints can make a positive impact on students.

May day, May day

0 implied HN points • 02 May 08
  1. People should wait to start tests until everyone is ready.
  2. There's confusion about hipsters not using normal backpacks.
  3. Some people get upset when geographical details are clarified.

Tuesday Statisticz: The Dude would have voted Libertarian

0 implied HN points • 22 Apr 08
  1. The correlation between the number of bowling alleys per capita in a state and the number of people voting Republican in that state is significant.
  2. Other factors like average temperature and proximity to the ocean could also play a role but were not fully explored.
  3. The study suggests that states with more bowling alleys per capita tend to have more people voting Republican.

Laptops in class

0 implied HN points • 21 Apr 08
  1. A student was playing an online RPG in class while participating in a discussion about literature.
  2. The student's dual engagement in both activities may have made his comment more intense and forceful.
  3. Some people may have been irritated by the student's behavior, but the writer found it impressive.

Words vs. action

0 implied HN points • 17 Apr 08
  1. The importance of taking action over just using words.
  2. Contrasting articles in the NYT about setting emissions goals and fees in the Bay Area.
  3. Mention of Greg Mankiw's Pigou club and President Bush's actions.

Tuesday Statisticz: God vs. JK Rowling

0 implied HN points • 15 Apr 08
  1. The debate between Harry Potter and religious figures is impacted by data
  2. Data plays an increasingly important role in discussions and arguments
  3. Empirical evidence from sources like Belief Net is shaping debates

Notes from the Buddha, part V

0 implied HN points • 13 Apr 08
  1. Buddhism encourages questioning and sharing different viewpoints.
  2. Meditation and tea can improve mood and overall well-being.
  3. Being open to learning from different religions can enrich one's life.

Notes from the Buddha, part IV

0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 08
  1. The lama and his brother exuded extreme happiness despite simple joys and language barriers.
  2. The lama laughed at things that most adults wouldn't, finding joy in everyday moments.
  3. Despite not speaking English, the brother communicated happiness through actions and expressions, bringing people closer.

Notes from the Buddha, Part II

0 implied HN points • 10 Apr 08
  1. Learn to control your thoughts
  2. Train your mind to think positive thoughts
  3. Consistent practice leads to improvement

First, bad impressions

0 implied HN points • 02 Apr 08
  1. Bad first impressions have a stronger impact than good ones.
  2. We are quicker to form and recall bad impressions.
  3. It's important to avoid discounting people's ideas based on personality biases.

These days those days

0 implied HN points • 16 Apr 08
  1. The text reflects on the concept of political affiliation passed down through generations.
  2. The message conveyed can be applied to both Republican and Democrat beliefs.
  3. The novel mentioned was published 80 years prior to the article.

On Jealousy

0 implied HN points • 29 Mar 08
  1. Jealousy can stem from comparing ourselves to others.
  2. Channel jealousy into inspiration for personal growth and success.
  3. Supporting friends' success can motivate us to achieve our own goals.

I love other people's dogs

0 implied HN points • 28 Mar 08
  1. When I visit other people's houses, I love their dogs for being playful, soft, loud, and happy.
  2. Having a dog is like a public service; you take care of the troubles so your friends can enjoy playing with them.
  3. People may argue that their dog is the best, but really, everyone's dog is special and better in their own way.

National News

0 implied HN points • 24 Mar 08
  1. Political pundits focus on predicting public reaction, not sharing their true opinions.
  2. Biases exist in discussions of political news, even when presented as objective.
  3. Some individuals, like PhilaLawyer, provide a refreshing perspective by sharing their unfiltered opinions.

Happy Birthday, Charles Darwin

0 implied HN points • 12 Feb 08
  1. About 48% of Americans polled in 2007 do not believe in evolution.
  2. Charles Darwin introduced the concept of natural selection as a mechanism for evolution.
  3. Celebrating Charles Darwin's birthday is still relevant today.

Let other people use your computer!

0 implied HN points • 29 Mar 08
  1. Letting others use your computer can optimize your experience by sharing helpful tips and tricks.
  2. Being open to computer sharing can lead to discovering useful hacks and ways to improve efficiency.
  3. Consider letting others use your computer to learn new ways to organize and utilize tools for a better experience.

The end of an era

0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 08
  1. The basketball team's season ended with a loss.
  2. The captain reflected on his career by highlighting the achievements of other players.
  3. Acknowledging others' achievements can be a humble and insightful way to look back on one's own career.

Introspection supported via laboratory results

0 implied HN points • 03 Mar 08
  1. Introspection is backed up by laboratory results.
  2. People's choices can be influenced by presentation and context.
  3. Past behavior may not predict future decisions accurately.

Tuesday Statisticz: Reverse Engineering the Oscars

0 implied HN points • 26 Feb 08
  1. No Country for Old Men won Best Picture at the Oscars, surprising many.
  2. The Academy's voting pattern aligns closely with the preferences of old, pretentious men.
  3. The demographic that votes most similarly to the Academy are older individuals with specific movie preferences.

Qualifications

0 implied HN points • 21 Feb 08
  1. Being willing to take risks is an important characteristic to look for in potential employees or partners.
  2. Playing games like Madden can reveal traits like decisiveness and willingness to take action.
  3. Judging character based on traits like willingness to go for it is valuable in decision-making.

Tuesday Statisticz

0 implied HN points • 12 Feb 08
  1. The author created a new segment called Tuesday Statisticz to explore the correlation between violent movies and real-life violence in cities.
  2. The data analysis showed a weak correlation between cities with higher violent crimes and a preference for violent movies.
  3. The first edition of Tuesday Statisticz resulted in a non-significant correlation, setting the tone for future investigations.

Am I the only one that has ever read this?

0 implied HN points • 06 Feb 08
  1. Be careful with typos in academic textbooks - proofreading is important.
  2. Consider the impact of typos on reading comprehension.
  3. Wonder if there are studies on typos and reading comprehension.

Cranky altruism

0 implied HN points • 05 Feb 08
  1. Cranky altruists do good deeds even if they're not happy about it.
  2. Cranky altruists challenge arguments that altruistic acts are done solely for personal gain or approval.
  3. Being cranky while doing good deeds doesn't necessarily mean someone is seeking praise or self-satisfaction.

Comparative advantages of conversation

0 implied HN points • 01 Feb 08
  1. Conversations can offer comparative advantages like playing games and having debates.
  2. Engaging in guided meditation during conversations can be beneficial.
  3. Talking to someone about worries and fears can help put things in perspective and ease anxiety.

Tips on Writing, Part I

0 implied HN points • 21 Jan 08
  1. Try not to get drunk outside your own house.
  2. Believe in the holy contour of life.
  3. You're a Genius all the time.

No country for old business models

0 implied HN points • 10 Jan 08
  1. Business models need to evolve and adapt to survive
  2. Don't rely on outdated systems to last forever
  3. The world doesn't owe success to anyone; innovation is key

The psychology of hating the referee

0 implied HN points • 16 Nov 07
  1. People tend to believe they can control or influence outcomes they cannot - like sports games.
  2. People often overestimate the impact of referee decisions on their emotional states.
  3. There's a bias to attribute referee decisions to their faults, rather than considering the circumstances they face.

Models of Learning

0 implied HN points • 29 Oct 07
  1. Reading influential blogs can be as rewarding for learning as attending a rigorous college for a term.
  2. Engaging with blogs can provide diverse knowledge and encourage active learning.
  3. Blogging and writing about various topics can contribute significantly to personal growth and understanding.

Mixing art and science

0 implied HN points • 23 Oct 07
  1. Mixing art and science can lead to faster results in the scientific field.
  2. Artists could work in genetic engineering to create new forms of art.
  3. Thinking beyond traditional mediums can lead to innovative and unique artistic expressions.

Note to Self

0 implied HN points • 21 Oct 07
  1. Writer's block can be a result of having too many individual ideas that seem useless when compared to the whole.
  2. Taking a break from writing, especially if you are not a paid writer, can be helpful to let ideas develop in your mind.
  3. Writer's block can actually lead to the formation of new and stronger ideas over time.

What I'm Reading

0 implied HN points • 01 Sep 07
  1. Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl is a moving account of survival in concentration camps with deep insights on human nature.
  2. Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson offers spiritual lessons through basketball, emphasizing respect for competitors.
  3. The Firm by John Grisham is a thrilling novel about a lawyer caught in a dangerous web of deception and secrets.