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

Why Teach Evolution

0 implied HN points • 06 Jul 07
  1. Teaching evolution can challenge religious beliefs.
  2. Evolution is intellectually interesting.
  3. Understanding evolution helps students make sense of the world.

The Cost of Regulation

0 implied HN points • 13 Apr 07
  1. Regulations in licensed professions can make it difficult for new entrants to join.
  2. Regulatory restrictions in the eyeglass industry can make the cost of eyeglasses significantly higher.
  3. Estimated cost to consumers due to restrictions on competition in the eyeglass industry was around ten billion dollars a year in 2001.

A Nanobook Dream

0 implied HN points • 06 Apr 07
  1. Rumors suggest Apple is developing a nanobook, an ultralight laptop using flash ram instead of a hard drive.
  2. The ideal nanobook would be small and lightweight for convenient portability, with a screen and keyboard tailored to a compact form factor.
  3. Incorporating a tiny hard drive in the design could offer more affordable mass storage without compromising on instant booting capability.

Reality Based Environmentalism

0 implied HN points • 10 Feb 07
  1. Humans tend to react irrationally towards the threat of global warming.
  2. Sea levels are expected to rise and could lead to catastrophic consequences.
  3. Critics may underestimate the impact of environmental challenges.

Dishonest Words

0 implied HN points • 12 Dec 06
  1. Homophobia is often wrongly applied to any negative view of homosexuality, even if the source is not fear-based.
  2. The term 'racism' can be used dishonestly to imply that disagreement with certain views is solely motivated by bad intentions.
  3. Labeling those who disagree with libertarian views as 'statist' or 'collectivist' oversimplifies their reasons and can be misleading.
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Score One for Richard Epstein

0 implied HN points • 01 Nov 06
  1. Proposition 90 in California limits eminent domain seizures and requires compensation for property value reduction.
  2. Measure A in Santa Clara County imposes land use restrictions that could lead to compensation claims from property owners.
  3. Shifting the costs of governmental actions to those who receive benefits can discourage harmful government decisions.

Mind Drugs

0 implied HN points • 30 Sep 06
  1. The chapter on mind drugs will likely cover recreational, enhancement, and control drugs.
  2. Advancements in technology and understanding of the mind may lead to improved drugs for pleasure and performance enhancement.
  3. Potential ethical concerns arise with the development of mind drugs that could manipulate behaviors or emotions.

Some Things Never Change

0 implied HN points • 27 Jun 06
  1. Metaphors can change over time without people realizing it.
  2. It's important to be aware of how language evolves.
  3. Classic essays like Orwell's are worth reading.

Lying with Statistics: Today's Example

0 implied HN points • 19 Jun 06
  1. Deaths per motorcycle went down even though total deaths increased.
  2. Increase in 'unhelmeted deaths' can be misleading when considering registration numbers.
  3. Comparing statistics from states with different laws would provide clearer insights.

Successful Lies

0 implied HN points • 16 Jun 06
  1. Subliminal advertising does not work and was based on deliberate fraud.
  2. False information can have a long-lasting impact on culture and beliefs.
  3. Deceptions, whether intentional or unintentional, can shape societal norms and perceptions.

It's In The Bookstores

0 implied HN points • 25 Mar 06
  1. The novel _Harald_ by David Friedman is now available in local bookstores.
  2. The author received positive feedback from a reader about the intelligence portrayed in the book.
  3. This news is heartwarming for the writer and signifies a significant milestone in the book's journey.

Moral Luck: Part I

0 implied HN points • 17 Jan 06
  1. Success or failure in committing a crime can affect how we perceive someone's moral culpability.
  2. The difference in moral judgment based on factors like luck raises the question of fairness.
  3. The concept of moral luck challenges the idea that moral status is solely based on individual actions.

A Great Quote on Irish Law

0 implied HN points • 04 Jul 13
  1. Irish legal system had private law enforcement and kings with courts.
  2. Scholars debated whether ancient Ireland had anarchy or legal order.
  3. Irish legal system functioned on traditional custom and professional caste.

Ottoman Thoughts

0 implied HN points • 09 Jan 06
  1. The Ottoman Empire initially used fratricide as a way to choose its ruler, leading to competent and aggressive leaders.
  2. The shift away from fratricide resulted in the Sultan becoming a figurehead as power shifted to the Grand Vizier and generals.
  3. Regular raids by the Ottomans depopulated neighboring territories, making conquest easier with the incentive of tax advantages and loot.

The Best Revenge: A Platitude

0 implied HN points • 08 Jan 06
  1. Don't seek revenge when wronged by others, as it can backfire and prolong negativity.
  2. Focus on improving your own life and success instead of seeking revenge.
  3. Living well and succeeding in your own life is the best form of revenge against those who wronged you.

How One Might Climb Over the Great Firewall

0 implied HN points • 19 May 14
  1. In China, websites like Facebook and Google+ are blocked, so people use proxy servers to access them.
  2. To outsmart the blocking, one creative approach is to have multiple URLs or proxy servers and monitor which ones get blocked by suspected spies.
  3. By identifying and separating the blocked URLs used by spies, a system can continue providing access to genuine customers while updating the list of suspected spies.

Another Critic of Cook et. al. 2013

0 implied HN points • 08 Apr 14
  1. David Friedman criticizes Cook et al. 2013 for their climate researcher support statistics.
  2. Friedman finds a more detailed criticism of the paper from Richard Tol.
  3. Tol's criticism of Cook et al. 2013 is based on different grounds.

Sometimes the Good Guys Win

0 implied HN points • 16 May 13
  1. The story tells about a young lawyer succeeding in getting his client acquitted of serious charges.
  2. The client was involved in a situation with police officers during a SWAT raid.
  3. The police were not held accountable for their actions during the raid.

Cartoon Libertarians, Social Justice, and Bleeding Hearts

0 implied HN points • 15 May 13
  1. Social justice has different definitions, creating confusion in philosophy.
  2. The concept of what constitutes a 'minimally decent life' varies over time and is subjective.
  3. The definition and application of social justice in society can be ambiguous and lack clear meaning.

Benghazi and Intra-Party Politics

0 implied HN points • 10 May 13
  1. The Benghazi controversy involves conflict within the Democratic party.
  2. The State Department may have deliberately misrepresented information about the Benghazi attack.
  3. There may be tensions within the Democratic party regarding the handling of the Benghazi attack.

Report on a Successful Breeding Program

0 implied HN points • 18 Feb 14
  1. Three generations have successfully bred musical ability into the descendants.
  2. The breeding program aimed to enhance musical talent in the family line.
  3. Evidence of the program's success was showcased through a recent recording by the author's grandchildren.

The Economics of Finding a Wife

0 implied HN points • 04 Apr 13
  1. The essay discusses the economics of finding a wife in a charming and somewhat humorous way.
  2. It is written by an economist and provides a unique perspective on the topic.
  3. The essay offers a blend of sensibility and tongue-in-cheek humor.

How to Test a Vaccine

0 implied HN points • 03 May 20
  1. Method 2 of testing a vaccine may be faster and result in fewer deaths compared to Method 1.
  2. Choosing a vaccination method involves weighing factors like false positives and speed of results.
  3. Healthy young adult volunteers can minimize risks in vaccine testing, potentially saving lives by releasing vaccines sooner.

Mortality From AGW Warming: A Brief Analysis

0 implied HN points • 26 Sep 16
  1. Cold-related deaths outnumber heat-related deaths globally.
  2. Greenhouse gas warming tends to make winters milder more than summers hotter on average.
  3. Increased mortality from hotter summers may be offset by decreased mortality from milder winters due to global warming.

My June Speaking Trip

0 implied HN points • 24 Apr 15
  1. David Friedman is planning a speaking trip in June to New Delhi and Bali.
  2. Friedman is open to giving talks in cities like Shanghai, London, Paris, or Frankfurt during his trip.
  3. His trip also includes stops in Mumbai, Bangalore, Bali, and possibly Singapore.

Problems with "Fact Checking"

0 implied HN points • 26 Aug 14
  1. PunditFact's evaluations can be biased in favor of their own beliefs.
  2. Experts consulted by PunditFact influence their fact-checking ratings.
  3. PunditFact may judge statements based on weaker claims rather than their actual truthfulness.

The Half-life of Euphemisms

0 implied HN points • 18 Sep 12
  1. Replacing negative words with euphemisms doesn't erase the negative connotations.
  2. Negative connotations can transfer to the substitute word too.
  3. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggesting language shapes thought doesn't apply well to the euphemism strategy.

Wanted: Maps + a Time Machine

0 implied HN points • 10 Nov 12
  1. It would be helpful to have a time machine feature in mapping apps to see future traffic conditions
  2. Analyzing historical traffic data can help make accurate predictions on future traffic patterns
  3. A web page similar to Google Maps with a time setting feature for traffic conditions could be very useful

The Capcha Question

0 implied HN points • 05 Oct 12
  1. Capchas are used to verify if comments are made by real people, not automated programs.
  2. Disabling capchas can lead to an increase in spam comments.
  3. Keeping track of comments is important to avoid mistakes by spam filters.

Social Security, the Debt Ceiling, and Obama

0 implied HN points • 22 Jul 11
  1. Social Security Trust Fund surpluses were borrowed by the federal government.
  2. Cashing in special bonds can cover Social Security obligations without hitting the debt ceiling.
  3. Obama's claim about Social Security checks and the debt ceiling may be misleading.

Murdoch Musings

0 implied HN points • 20 Jul 11
  1. Murdoch claims he was unaware of the hacking at News of the World despite arrests and convictions.
  2. It's likely Murdoch wasn't surprised about the illegal actions of reporters given the nature of the industry.
  3. Consider the possibility of a set-up regarding the pie in the face incident benefiting Murdoch.

Orwell: Two minus, one plus

0 implied HN points • 08 May 11
  1. Orwell believed Basic English could deflate high-sounding phrases.
  2. Orwell thought swearing in print would reduce the magical quality of bad words.
  3. Orwell pointed out that beliefs often stem from trusting authorities rather than personal knowledge.

Does Someone at Sony Read this Blog?

0 implied HN points • 26 Apr 11
  1. The blog post mentions a desire for a specific type of pocketable tablet with two screens.
  2. Sony appears to have introduced a tablet similar to the one discussed in the blog post.
  3. There is speculation whether someone at Sony read the blog post for inspiration.

All the News that Fits We Print

0 implied HN points • 27 Nov 21
  1. Conservative media are reporting on concerning social media activity from the Waukesha parade attack suspect, Darrell Brooks.
  2. Mainstream media sources like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal are not mentioning these details in their coverage of the incident.
  3. The author suggests that the mainline media may be intentionally omitting information from the public.

A Europe Trip in August

0 implied HN points • 09 Jul 21
  1. U.K. is opening up on July 19th for travel.
  2. Planning a speaking trip in Europe for the second half of August.
  3. Considerations for vaccination proof and quarantine regulations when traveling.

Have We Reached Herd Immunity?

0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 21
  1. Number of new COVID cases per day in the U.S. and Santa Clara County has been decreasing.
  2. Decrease in cases suggests potential herd immunity is being reached.
  3. Optimistic outlook that COVID pandemic may soon be over due to current trends.

What I Find Depressing About the Election Outcome

0 implied HN points • 12 Nov 20
  1. Short term outcome is as good as hoped due to divided government potential.
  2. Long term outlook is bleak as both parties lack a commitment to the free market.
  3. The coalition created by Trump will likely persist, impacting future elections.

The Health Care Bill: Some Tactical Thoughts

0 implied HN points • 20 Mar 10
  1. If Nancy Pelosi doesn't have enough votes for the health care bill, she may choose not to have a vote to avoid losing without achieving anything.
  2. Predicting that the health care bill will either pass, fail by a very small margin, or not get voted on at all because of the potential consequences for reelection.
  3. The idea of not voting on the bill last minute could be an intriguing possibility, although its feasibility is uncertain.

Global Warming, Depletable Resources, Inconsistent Beliefs

0 implied HN points • 27 Jun 07
  1. Some calculations suggest that IPCC global warming estimates may overstate future hydrocarbon burning due to limited resources.
  2. There are two main arguments to reduce hydrocarbon usage: resource scarcity and environmental impact, but they are seen as inconsistent by the same people.
  3. It's possible to find different arguments to support a desired conclusion, even if they seem contradictory.