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

Iceland, Shari'a, and the Reliability of Oral Transmission

0 implied HN points • 12 Mar 12
  1. The reliability of oral transmission of prose texts is a key issue in understanding the legal systems of saga period Iceland and Islamic law.
  2. In saga period Iceland, debate surrounds whether sagas were composed shortly after events, transmitted orally, and then written down, or if they were composed much later.
  3. In the history of Islamic law, scholars have debated the authenticity of traditions about Mohammed and his companions, analyzing chains of transmission and competing sources.

Who is the Least Bad Candidate?

0 implied HN points • 22 Jan 12
  1. Candidate evaluation often involves choosing the least bad option based on policy positions and potential consequences.
  2. Consideration for a libertarian shift within the parties influences candidate assessment.
  3. Factors like policy preferences, political strategies, and potential party influences play key roles in determining the least bad candidate.

International Healthcare Comparisons

0 implied HN points • 10 Nov 11
  1. U.S. healthcare outcomes are generally better than UK outcomes according to the data
  2. The U.S. outperformed the UK on pure outcome measures such as mortality and survival rates
  3. The UK had high numbers of patients waiting for elective surgery compared to other countries

Celtic Wanderings?

0 implied HN points • 28 Oct 11
  1. David Friedman is working on a book about legal systems from different cultures.
  2. Ancient Irish law and traditional Somali law have similarities, such as the obligation to provide sick-maintenance to those injured.
  3. In both legal systems, kin-groups are responsible for ensuring members pay fines or damage payments.

Mormons, Fundamentalists, and Critics

0 implied HN points • 10 Oct 11
  1. Mormons are perceived more positively in politics than evangelical fundamentalists, despite having belief systems that are equally unconventional.
  2. The LDS beliefs may seem odd, but cannot be proven false just like other religious beliefs.
  3. Some Republican political candidates face scrutiny for their religious views, but scrutiny is lacking for the beliefs of Mormon candidates.
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Could There Be a European War?

0 implied HN points • 30 Sep 11
  1. The European Union was primarily created to maintain peace in Europe after two world wars.
  2. There is uncertainty about whether a European war is more likely if the EU dissolves or if European integration increases.
  3. European integration may potentially decrease the likelihood of a major war in Europe.

What is Wrong with Global Warming Anyway?

0 implied HN points • 05 Sep 11
  1. Arguments for and against large efforts to prevent global warming focus on temperature trends and human activity, largely ignoring the potential consequences.
  2. Predicting the net effects of global warming over a century is uncertain and challenging due to the complexity of factors involved.
  3. The presumption that any climate change will be bad because current human activities are optimized against current conditions may not hold for slow changes over a century.

Probability of U.S. Default

0 implied HN points • 07 Aug 11
  1. The United States can always print money to pay debts, ensuring zero probability of default.
  2. However, excessive money creation can lead to high inflation rates, effectively causing a default in a different form.
  3. Greenspan is unlikely to recommend such actions to avoid default.

"The Sorcerer" Considered as a Political Statement

0 implied HN points • 27 Jun 11
  1. The play 'The Sorcerer' can be seen as a political statement against paternalism.
  2. The central figure in the play, Alexis, embodies an irresponsible young man with idealistic beliefs about love.
  3. Modifying classic works like this play can be a gamble, but in this case, it worked well.

Sovereign Default and Future Borrowing: A Query

0 implied HN points • 23 Jun 11
  1. When a country defaults on its foreign debts, it may not always be unable to borrow in the future.
  2. The more a country owes, the greater the incentive to default.
  3. Historical data may provide insights on whether countries that defaulted on their debts saw an increase or decrease in future loan interest rates.

Learning from Evidence: Not

0 implied HN points • 21 May 11
  1. The speaker highlighted the failure to modify beliefs based on evidence
  2. The judge's experience with government services and private market transactions showed contrasting workability
  3. Observing contradictions between beliefs and experiences can lead to potential shifts in viewpoints

U.S. Military Expenditure: The Power of Factoids

0 implied HN points • 26 Apr 11
  1. The U.S. spends a little more than half as much on its military as the rest of the world combined.
  2. Memorable factoids can be powerful and persuasive, regardless of their truth.
  3. Factoids can cater to different groups, providing arguments to support various positions.

Found: Case for my Macbook Air

0 implied HN points • 17 Jan 11
  1. The author found a suitable carrying case for their Macbook Air at a luggage store.
  2. The case they purchased was the 'Finatex for Netbook' by Tuscano, intended for an iPad or a 10"-11.6" netbook.
  3. The author's ideal case would hang vertically, and they were able to find such a model at the store.

More Loaded Dice

0 implied HN points • 20 Dec 10
  1. Surveys or studies may be biased based on how questions are framed and which viewpoints are targeted.
  2. It's crucial for researchers to provide adequate support for their conclusions, especially on contentious issues.
  3. Biases in selecting questions can significantly impact the results of a study.

Real vs Virtual: The Coming Great Divide?

0 implied HN points • 28 Nov 10
  1. People are dividing between valuing real world accomplishments and virtual achievements
  2. The distinction between real and virtual activities is becoming increasingly important
  3. The disagreement about values and what matters is creating a divide between those who focus on real activities and those who prioritize virtual accomplishments

Three Wrongs Don't Make a Right: Thaler on Estate Taxes

0 implied HN points • 07 Nov 10
  1. Capital gains are often not properly indexed for inflation, leading to taxation on imaginary profits.
  2. Inheritance laws can allow assets to be passed down with a stepped-up basis, avoiding capital gains tax.
  3. The estate tax can result in double taxation on some parts of an estate, single taxation on others, and no taxation on a third part.

Eggs: An English Lesson

0 implied HN points • 25 Aug 10
  1. The U.S. may benefit from requiring chicken farmers to vaccinate hens against salmonella like in Britain
  2. British success in reducing salmonella cases was not due to legislation but voluntary industry action driven by market demand for the red lion seal
  3. Market pressure encourages 90% of British egg producers to vaccinate hens for salmonella

What does "most" mean?

0 implied HN points • 23 Aug 10
  1. There is a debate over the meaning of the word 'most.'
  2. Some interpret 'most' as a large majority, others as any majority.
  3. The context of the word 'most' can influence its interpretation.

Maybe He Really is a Liberal

0 implied HN points • 20 May 10
  1. A recent speech by Nick Clegg hinted he may truly be a liberal in the traditional sense.
  2. The idea centers on repealing restrictive laws to promote freedom.
  3. Being liberal means trusting individuals to make good decisions for themselves and their communities.

Is Boycotting Arizona Unconstitutional?

0 implied HN points • 14 May 10
  1. Boycotting Arizona to protest its immigration policy may raise constitutional issues.
  2. Actions of cities count as actions of the states they are in.
  3. The U.S. Constitution restricts states from imposing tariffs or restrictions on trade with other states.

Obama and Community Organizing

0 implied HN points • 29 Aug 08
  1. Community organizing can be a strategic career move for aspiring politicians.
  2. Past associations of politicians can be influenced by their career goals and the environment they come from.
  3. Initial impressions of politicians may not always reflect their capabilities for certain roles.

Why is Tort Law like Accounting?

0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 06
  1. In tort law and accounting, all probabilities are seen as either zero or one.
  2. Both disciplines depend on simplified decision-making mechanisms.
  3. Accountants use simple rules to prevent manipulation by those running the business.

Third Parties and Political Investments

0 implied HN points • 13 Mar 10
  1. Investing in third parties in political systems can have strategic advantages.
  2. Third parties may yield larger payoffs for investors due to less competition for resources.
  3. Even with lower probability, investing in third parties can potentially result in significant returns.

Merit Scholarships and Conspiracies in Restraint of Trade

0 implied HN points • 10 Mar 10
  1. Elite schools may collaborate to avoid competing for top students with merit scholarships.
  2. Financially benefiting elite schools could lead to a less secure position in the future.
  3. Merit scholarships and diverse admissions practices may introduce more competition in collegiate education.

Salamander is now Webbed

0 implied HN points • 17 Feb 10
  1. People discuss whether to publish unpublished work online.
  2. Some believe fiction shouldn't be published online before being published.
  3. There are differing opinions on the impact of posting work online on publishing opportunities.

Parenting, Peer Groups and Keeping Kosher

0 implied HN points • 22 Jun 09
  1. Children's personalities are primarily influenced by their peer group, not just their parents.
  2. A strong family dynamic can lead to children identifying more with their family than with peers.
  3. Costly religious restrictions may promote community cohesion and identity.

More Fun with Jewish Law

0 implied HN points • 08 Dec 09
  1. Killing someone dying of a lethal disease may not be considered murder, but witnesses' testimony can't always be trusted.
  2. Maimonides' legal discussions show a blend of conventional legal systems and feud systems in deciding damages and punishment.
  3. The legal rules in place reflect a time without cities of refuge, hinting at a potential reestablishment of past legal codes.

Role Playing Games Considered as a Creative Writing Course

0 implied HN points • 17 Feb 09
  1. Successful authors may not value creative writing courses but may develop skills through role-playing games.
  2. Role-playing games involve collaborative storytelling, similar to writing novels.
  3. Engaging in activities one wants to do can lead to effective learning.

One Small Problem

0 implied HN points • 25 Nov 08
  1. Obama's economic solution involves a stimulus package with federal spending and a tax cut.
  2. The government borrowing money to address the economic problem may not be the best approach.
  3. The Great Depression was triggered by a money supply collapse due to bank failures.

Was the Sexual Revolution a Mistake?

0 implied HN points • 11 Nov 08
  1. The sexual revolution may have led to an increase in children born out of wedlock despite the availability of contraception and legal abortion.
  2. The link between sex, childbearing, and commitment in relationships was disrupted by contraception and abortion, potentially impacting the well-being of children in single parent households.
  3. The shift towards non-marital cohabitation in the current world may make it harder for individuals to find the right long-term partner, leading to potential emotional and rational challenges in relationships.

Larry Lessig on Sarah Palin

0 implied HN points • 24 Sep 08
  1. Larry Lessig admires Sarah Palin for her courage and intelligence.
  2. Lessig argues that Palin lacks the experience needed for the Vice President role.
  3. The debate focuses on the kind of experience that is relevant for high-ranking political positions.

Which Vice Presidential Candidate Was it Who ...

0 implied HN points • 24 Sep 08
  1. In 1929, when the stock market crashed, Herbert Hoover was the President, not FDR.
  2. Television was not a mass medium when the stock market crashed in 1929.
  3. Historical knowledge may not be critical for political roles, but inaccurate statements can still draw attention.

David Friedman, Barack Obama, and the Game of Telephone

0 implied HN points • 08 Jul 08
  1. David Friedman preferred Obama over Hilary and McCain, but he does not endorse him.
  2. David Friedman clarifies his political stance as a libertarian, not a conservative.
  3. There was confusion surrounding his political views in the media due to the game of telephone effect.

Can State Actors be Liable for Defamation?

0 implied HN points • 17 May 08
  1. State actors may be held liable for defamation.
  2. Sovereign immunity doesn't always protect state workers making false statements.
  3. Deliberate defamation can be a serious issue in legal cases.

Equality Times Two

0 implied HN points • 09 May 08
  1. Egalitarianism can be seen in two forms: attitudes towards others and distribution of goods.
  2. Treating everyone equally in personal interactions does not necessarily translate to supporting economic equality.
  3. Belief in more equal incomes can stem from a fear of being perceived as inferior due to wealth differences.

In What Sense is Polygamy Currently Illegal?

0 implied HN points • 24 Apr 08
  1. Polygamy is not necessarily illegal in most of the developed world.
  2. The main legal issue with polygamy is engaging in deceptive marital practices.
  3. Maintaining a low profile polygamous relationship is possible but may face legal challenges.

Recognizing a Theory

0 implied HN points • 07 Dec 07
  1. Talking to economists at colleges can indicate cultural tolerance of diverse viewpoints.
  2. Economics as a science is its own ideology, not strictly right wing or left wing.
  3. Real scientific theories clash with other theories, showcasing internal consistency.

Global Warming: The Hidden Assumption

0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 08
  1. Global warming assumption: Earth's climate is not stable without human intervention.
  2. Geological evidence shows past climate instability with extreme temperature swings.
  3. Question raised on whether hot or cold end of climate range is more dangerous.

Who Homeschools?

0 implied HN points • 08 Dec 07
  1. Homeschooling is widespread across different income levels and races.
  2. Parents with higher education levels are more likely to homeschool.
  3. Families with one working parent and more children are more inclined to homeschool.

Home Unschooling: Theory

0 implied HN points • 05 Dec 07
  1. The traditional K-12 schooling model assumes everyone should study the same subjects, but that may not be necessary.
  2. For effective learning, children should be free to explore what interests them rather than having information fed to them.
  3. Children can benefit from learning to find and evaluate information themselves, a skill not always emphasized in standard education.