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

Salt, Official Truth, and the New York Times

0 implied HN points • 06 Jun 12
  1. The New York Times published an op-ed questioning official advice on salt consumption.
  2. Past cases like saturated fat advice highlight the potential dangers of blindly following official recommendations.
  3. Questioning official truth and being skeptical can sometimes lead to a better understanding of complex issues.

Confession Under Torture: The Visigothic Solution

0 implied HN points • 11 Apr 12
  1. Many legal systems have used torture to extract confessions from defendants and witnesses.
  2. An ancient Visigothic law code had a unique solution to the issue of false confessions under torture.
  3. In modern times, details in confessions can sometimes reveal the truth, but there are also risks of manipulation.

Wanted: A Better Search String

0 implied HN points • 10 Apr 12
  1. Author uses Google to search for mentions of themselves online.
  2. Author faces challenges with search results due to common name and web page links.
  3. Author seeks advice on constructing search strings to improve search results.

Alcohol, Warming, and Professionally Correct Speech

0 implied HN points • 27 Mar 12
  1. Moderate alcohol consumption may have health benefits but doctors may not advise patients to follow that guidance.
  2. Doctors may avoid openly supporting findings that go against popular beliefs to maintain professional correctness.
  3. Researchers may downplay findings that lessen the urgency of addressing global warming to align with societal views.

Nordhaus on Global Warming

0 implied HN points • 18 Mar 12
  1. Current approaches to addressing global warming, such as the Kyoto Protocol, are seen as highly inefficient.
  2. Estimating the costs of global warming includes uncertain catastrophic risks, which are crucial in determining the severity of the issue.
  3. The evaluation of preventing global warming should also consider potential positive outcomes, as there may be significant benefits alongside the negatives.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Obama's "compromise" and Behavioral Economics

0 implied HN points • 13 Feb 12
  1. Obama's 'compromise' involving health care and contraception may be more of a change in labeling than in substance.
  2. The deception in this situation could be influenced by the work of Cass Sunstein and Richard Thaler in Behavioral Economics.
  3. The approach of tricking people into certain behaviors, as seen in this situation, raises questions about libertarian paternalism.

Salamander: Magic and Physics

0 implied HN points • 01 Feb 12
  1. The system of magic in the book was based on mathematics underlying quantum mechanics, to create a coherent and interesting magical structure.
  2. Magic was depicted as being based on elemental foundations, but in reality, it was a complex combination of different 'basis stars' that could provide a complete description of magic.
  3. The development of the theoretical structure of magic in the book was attributed to a process of combining multiple spells in different ways to reveal the underlying principles.

Random Thoughts on Education

0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 11
  1. Teaching a wide range of courses can be a good way to learn
  2. Kids today may learn to write more from gaming and fanfic than from English classes
  3. Learning economic concepts from historical figures like Alfred Marshall can be valuable

What's Wrong With Gestational Surrogacy?

0 implied HN points • 18 Sep 11
  1. Gestational surrogacy is legal in some US states, illegal in some Western European countries, and difficult to arrange in other countries due to administrative obstacles.
  2. Arguments against gestational surrogacy include concerns about commodifying motherhood, restricting adoption opportunities, and considering it unnatural.
  3. Some oppose gestational surrogacy because it is seen as unnatural, not something our ancestors did, or because it involves financial transactions.

Reality Based Community?

0 implied HN points • 07 Aug 11
  1. The importance of factual expertise in opinions and viewpoints.
  2. Questioning the confidence in personally-held beliefs.
  3. Emphasizing the significance of reality over narratives.

Obama and Taxes: If the Truth is Too Complicated ...

0 implied HN points • 03 Aug 11
  1. Obama's rhetoric about tax increases often lacks factual accuracy.
  2. The burden of taxes can depend on the elasticity of supply and demand.
  3. Estimating the real effect of taxes, including corporate income tax, is complex and involves various economic considerations.

GKC, Liberal Toleration, and the FLDS

0 implied HN points • 30 Jul 11
  1. Modern liberalism often includes tolerance of cultural diversity as a form of moral relativism.
  2. Father Brown's story challenges the idea of forgiveness and Christian charity in the face of treachery.
  3. Acceptance of past societal norms, such as in Old Testament Judaism, can challenge beliefs in moral relativism.

Debt Limit as Incentive: A Modest Proposal

0 implied HN points • 28 Jul 11
  1. Increasing the debt limit can incentivize reducing government spending.
  2. Raising the limit by a certain amount can prompt action before the election.
  3. Selling government assets may be a strategy to tackle the debt problem.

Bogus Links

0 implied HN points • 14 Jul 11
  1. Many of the links in the post are bogus and not relevant to the content.
  2. The issue might be due to a glitch or an attempt to drive traffic to another blog.
  3. The author is looking for advice on how to handle the situation more efficiently.

OS Time Machine: A Modest Proposal

0 implied HN points • 09 Jul 11
  1. Consider creating an OS Time Machine for Mac users to access older software versions.
  2. Emulation technology could allow users to switch between current OS and older versions easily.
  3. Introducing an OS Time Machine could cater to older users and prevent the need to constantly learn new software.

SF and Alternative Economies

0 implied HN points • 29 Jun 11
  1. There are more than just two main economic systems like market exchange and centrally planned socialism.
  2. There are gift economies where rewards are based on custom, not contract.
  3. In gift economies, people give expecting social, not legal, reciprocation.

Blog to Book, an Open Source Project

0 implied HN points • 28 Jun 11
  1. Consider converting a blog into a book for more accessibility and usefulness.
  2. Explore creating a web page as an alternative to a physical book for better organization.
  3. Utilize a Wiki format with multiple authors for collaborative content creation.

The Blog, Considered as Book

0 implied HN points • 27 Jun 11
  1. The idea of turning a collection of blog posts into a book is interesting and low-effort.
  2. The blog already provides easy access to a variety of topics without the need for a book.
  3. Blogs may be the new way to publish extended collections of essays, replacing traditional books.

Textbooks that are Fun to Read

0 implied HN points • 26 Jun 11
  1. Textbooks can be boring because they are often selected by professors, not students.
  2. Authors are designing textbooks to be more engaging for readers.
  3. There is a growing interest in alternative, self-education models outside traditional college frameworks.

One Cheer for Islam

0 implied HN points • 25 Jun 11
  1. Religions, including Islam, can have desirable effects like organizing assemblies for demonstrations.
  2. Religions, as ideologies, provide competition to other ideologies like nationalism.
  3. Religions can sometimes constrain governments and provide a valuable source of competition.

What is FaceBook Good For?

0 implied HN points • 25 Jun 11
  1. Setting up a Facebook page can help with visibility for projects and free content.
  2. Facebook can be a way to reconnect with old acquaintances.
  3. It's important to understand how Facebook works before accepting friend requests.

Forced Speech

0 implied HN points • 24 Jun 11
  1. Prosecutors are seeking to increase Conrad Black's prison sentence despite nullified counts.
  2. David Friedman questions the idea of punishing someone for insisting they are innocent after being deemed guilty by a court.
  3. The article discusses the pressures and expectations of forced confessions in the legal system.

If I were a conservative congressman ...

0 implied HN points • 24 Jun 11
  1. The war on drugs has been a failure.
  2. There is a divide among the political base regarding repealing the federal ban on marijuana.
  3. Addressing the issue requires acknowledging mistakes and encouraging open discussion on alternative solutions.

Pot Puffing Politicians: A Moral Issue

0 implied HN points • 23 Jun 11
  1. Politicians who have admitted to past marijuana use face a moral dilemma in terms of supporting or opposing marijuana legalization.
  2. Supporting existing marijuana laws may result in unjustly imprisoning people, which politicians should be ashamed of.
  3. Politicians may need to consider their moral responsibility if they believe marijuana use should be punished.

Puzzles of the Linked Web

0 implied HN points • 21 Jun 11
  1. The author encountered puzzles while checking his web page's usage statistics, noting strange URLs leading to different content.
  2. One puzzle involved finding search results related to his book but no actual mentions on those pages, possibly due to outdated links.
  3. The author is seeking a clearer explanation for these phenomena and wondering if there are discussions on this topic.

Bitcoins Considered as Virtual Gold

0 implied HN points • 18 Jun 11
  1. Commodity money like gold has advantages in being less dependent on trust and less manipulable compared to fiat currency.
  2. Commodity money's value can be unpredictable due to external factors like new discoveries or changes in demand.
  3. Producing commodity money, like gold, requires real resources and labor, which can be a disadvantage.

Estimating Blog Traffic

0 implied HN points • 17 Jun 11
  1. The author is curious about accurately estimating blog traffic and how it compares to print publications.
  2. The author wonders if web page statistics are overstated due to web spiders and similar automated views.
  3. Understanding blog traffic is important for personal curiosity, marketing self-published books, and gauging the reach compared to traditional print media.

Orwell on Kipling, A Critique

0 implied HN points • 17 Apr 11
  1. Orwell praised Kipling's intelligence and writing talent.
  2. Orwell believed Kipling's writing reflected realism rather than sadism.
  3. Orwell underestimated Kipling as a poet and short story writer.

I Will Be Speaking in New York This Thursday and Friday

0 implied HN points • 02 Mar 11
  1. David Friedman will be speaking at an event on privacy at Columbia Law School in New York.
  2. He will also be giving talks at the Junto and at Lolita Bar in New York City.
  3. No advance reservation is required for either talk.

Guns and Freedom: A Different Argument

0 implied HN points • 14 Feb 11
  1. Private ownership of firearms in the US is linked to the belief that it enhances political freedom.
  2. The main argument for private firearm ownership is seen as a means for individuals to protect themselves against crime, reducing dependency on government law enforcement.
  3. The traditional argument that firearms make rebellion against oppression easier may not hold as much weight due to changes in military and societal dynamics.

Surveillance Considered as a Time Machine

0 implied HN points • 25 Dec 10
  1. Surveillance technology may allow viewing one's past without memory filters, providing educational insights.
  2. In a future with extensive surveillance, individuals could review public and private moments to learn, grow, and improve.
  3. Recording and saving interactions could help individuals gain a better understanding of their behavior and communication patterns.

The Invisible Elephant: The Payroll Tax Cut

0 implied HN points • 19 Dec 10
  1. The tax bill that passed made the tax system more progressive than originally proposed.
  2. The payroll tax is mostly paid by lower income individuals, while the income tax is mostly paid by higher income individuals.
  3. The bill included a cut in the payroll tax, which is significant for lower income individuals.

Jury Nullification: True and Dangerous

0 implied HN points • 11 Dec 10
  1. Jury nullification is a dangerous doctrine that allows jurors to refuse to convict based on their views on the law.
  2. True things can also be dangerous.
  3. The moral correctness of jury nullification can be debated when faced with unjust laws and decisions.

Open Source Stories

0 implied HN points • 01 Dec 10
  1. The author shares story ideas on their website for others to write.
  2. At least three people have written stories based on the author's ideas.
  3. Authors have taken the stories in directions that the original author hadn't thought of.

Translucent Backs for Laptops?

0 implied HN points • 17 Nov 10
  1. Consider using translucent material for laptop lids to provide a brighter background at no power cost in bright environments.
  2. Adjusting screen brightness can also help improve visibility on laptop screens.
  3. Two layers of polarizing material could be used for a high-tech version of the translucent back for laptops.

If the Web Had Come First

0 implied HN points • 06 Nov 10
  1. The web makes it easier to deal with copyright and credit issues by linking instead of quoting.
  2. Laws and norms around copyright and credit might have been different if the web had come first.
  3. Linking to content online can help authors achieve their objective and avoid plagiarism issues.

Shrink=Trainer=Coach

0 implied HN points • 02 Nov 10
  1. Psychoanalysis may not significantly improve psyches, but can make patients feel better by receiving attention.
  2. The role of the shrink as a psychoanalyst has been largely replaced by trainers or coaches giving life advice.
  3. Unlike becoming a shrink, being a trainer or coach does not necessarily require medical expertise or years of schooling.

"Unemployment compensation is unconstitutional"

0 implied HN points • 26 Sep 10
  1. Some believe federal unemployment compensation is unconstitutional based on enumerated powers.
  2. Unemployment compensation is actually administered by the states, funded by federal and state governments.
  3. Eliminating federal unemployment compensation would be a significant change but wouldn't remove state-administered benefits.

George Bush and the Tea Party Movement

0 implied HN points • 17 Sep 10
  1. George Bush's presidency influenced the rise of the Tea Party Movement by increasing government size and debt.
  2. Bush's unpopularity among voters helped Democrats succeed in the 2008 election.
  3. The Tea Party Movement's impact on future elections remains uncertain.

My Arguments on other People's Blogs

0 implied HN points • 26 Aug 10
  1. Author discusses the meaning of Adam Smith's invisible hand on one blog.
  2. Author debates whether it is wrong for certain groups to bring charges to their own authorities before involving the police on another blog.
  3. Readers may find these arguments interesting and worth exploring further.