Range Widely

Range Widely is a newsletter focused on exploring a broad spectrum of ideas and disciplines. It emphasizes creativity, innovation, and the importance of a flexible, interdisciplinary approach. The content spans from productivity techniques, sports innovation, scientific discoveries, to philosophical musings and historical anecdotes, advocating for a generalist perspective in a specialized world.

Creativity and Innovation Productivity and Performance Historical Insights Scientific Discoveries Philosophical Musings Personal Development Leadership and Management Sports and Athletics Technology and AI Health and Medicine Reading and Literature Societal Issues

The hottest Substack posts of Range Widely

And their main takeaways

The Trouble With Heroic Individualism

98 implied HN points • 07 Sep 22
  1. The post discusses a more realistic view of heroism in literature and life.
  2. Heroic individualism is critiqued for its focus on short-term optimization and status as measures of success.
  3. Groundedness is highlighted as a way to sustainably navigate life's challenges by identifying core values and making deliberate decisions.

Aspirin About-Face

196 implied HN points • 19 Oct 21
  1. Medical recommendations change based on updated knowledge, like the recent reversal on aspirin use.
  2. Understanding the number needed to treat (NNT) can help compare the benefits and risks of treatments.
  3. Consider if the information you have is enough to make informed decisions, to avoid biases like 'What You See Is All There Is.'

Happy 106th Bday to the Greatest CEO You’ve Never Heard Of

176 implied HN points • 23 Nov 21
  1. Frances Hesselbein transformed the Girl Scouts organization by focusing on what was needed at the time and making impactful changes.
  2. Frances's circular management style prioritized communication over hierarchy and allowed for innovative approaches in leadership.
  3. Leadership, as exemplified by Frances, is more about how to be rather than what to do, emphasizing the importance of personal interactions and local impact.

Keep The Talent Funnel Wide

137 implied HN points • 22 Feb 22
  1. Focus on pushing talent selection later to improve results
  2. In Norway, youth sports prioritize participation and fun over competition and rankings
  3. Keep talent development pipelines wide to allow for varying speeds of development
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

TikTok Tourette's

157 implied HN points • 02 Nov 21
  1. Mass social media can amplify outbreaks of mass hysteria and illness.
  2. Outbreaks of epidemic hysteria can manifest as physical or verbal symptoms due to stress and shared beliefs.
  3. The rise of 'mass social media-induced illness' like YouTube algorithmically-induced Tourette-like symptoms highlights the influence of social media on health.

Everything in Your Fridge Causes and Prevents Cancer

117 implied HN points • 25 Jan 22
  1. Specific subgroups in studies may show different effects than the general population.
  2. Many health studies can have conflicting results on the impact of certain foods on diseases.
  3. Be cautious of health headlines and look for nuances and details beyond initial findings.

What Nobel Laureates and Elite Athletes Have in Common

117 implied HN points • 05 Oct 21
  1. Short-term results can undermine long-term development in fields like research and innovation.
  2. Pressure for immediate marketable applications can hinder long-term breakthroughs and sustained excellence.
  3. Nobel laureates and elite athletes share the need for time, risk-taking, and a meandering path to success.

Running with Malcolm Gladwell: Arguing About the GOAT, and Sharing What Running Teaches for Life

58 implied HN points • 01 Jun 22
  1. Malcolm Gladwell and David Epstein discussed their favorite races and runners, demonstrating the joy and passion of running.
  2. They highlighted the importance of longevity in greatness in sports, like track and field, over peak performance, emphasizing the value of consistent excellence.
  3. Lessons from running, such as faith, patience, setting actionable goals, and the significance of persistence, can be applied to other aspects of life for personal growth.

The Bestselling Author of “High Conflict” Explains What it Takes for Someone to Break With Their Political Tribe

39 implied HN points • 12 Jul 22
  1. Breaking with a political tribe in high conflict situations is difficult but essential for personal growth.
  2. People often leave high conflict situations when the costs to their core beliefs become too great.
  3. Escaping high conflict, whether in politics or personal life, often requires support, a change in identity, and rituals to create healthy conflict.

Here’s Why Coverage of the Cash-Improves-Baby-Brains Study is Misleading

58 implied HN points • 31 Jan 22
  1. A study suggested that cash stipends for poor mothers may positively affect babies' brain activity.
  2. The study's results did not meet the traditional standard for statistical significance.
  3. Pre-registration of hypotheses in scientific studies can help reduce false positive findings.

The Fast Way to Change a Habit

78 implied HN points • 10 Aug 21
  1. Changing your environment can help in breaking a habit.
  2. Addictions are often linked to environmental triggers.
  3. Changing small triggers in your environment can facilitate in overcoming romantic feelings.

Can Bad Number Sense Amplify Deadly Hate?

39 implied HN points • 18 May 22
  1. Bad number sense can amplify deadly hate
  2. Understanding demographics could counteract radicalization
  3. Developing number sense for factual information is crucial

Here Are Two Tips for Picking Out Misleading Stats in the News

39 implied HN points • 02 May 22
  1. When you see a statistic in the news, pause and think about if the numbers make sense.
  2. Be cautious of claims that small changes lead to big results in science and health news.
  3. Improve your news literacy by questioning numbers and being skeptical of dramatic effects from minor interventions.

My Ill-Fated Newsletter Launch

58 implied HN points • 16 Sep 21
  1. The newsletter launch faced unexpected challenges.
  2. Hanlon's razor suggests not attributing malice to situations explained by stupidity.
  3. Assuming the best intentions in others may lead to a more collaborative environment.

"War and Peace" and Ukraine

39 implied HN points • 28 Feb 22
  1. Leo Tolstoy's _War and Peace_ argues against the 'Great Man Theory' of history.
  2. Individual actions in war can have a significant impact beyond grand strategies.
  3. Images and videos from Ukraine showcase individual defiance and may impact collective spirit.

Regret Is A Powerful Teacher (If You Use it the Right Way)

39 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
  1. Regret can improve performance by teaching important lessons.
  2. It is beneficial to embrace regret as a powerful teacher.
  3. Research shows that regret can lead to improved decisions, performance, and a deeper sense of meaning.

“They Don’t Understand Why I Want To Take Such A Risk”

58 implied HN points • 10 Aug 21
  1. Author Jhumpa Lahiri decided to stop writing in English after becoming successful to challenge herself and grow as an artist by learning Italian.
  2. By taking risks and embracing change, Lahiri aimed to escape the boundaries of expertise and explore new possibilities in her writing.
  3. Lahiri's decision to write in Italian reflects a desire to reinvent herself and maintain a 'beginner's mind' to foster personal and artistic growth.

How Film Editing Made Me a Better Writer

39 implied HN points • 11 Jan 22
  1. Using film editing techniques can improve writing by helping to organize information more effectively.
  2. Structured editing processes can aid in bringing clarity and drama to written work.
  3. Viewing writing as a process of arranging 'chunks' of information, akin to film editing, can make it easier to translate ideas from the mind onto paper.

The Simple Reflective Practice That Boosts Self-Knowledge

39 implied HN points • 14 Dec 21
  1. Regular reflection can lead to a better fit between who you are and what you do.
  2. Encouraging self-reflection and exploring different experiences can help discover strengths and interests.
  3. Systematic self-reflection and monitoring can enhance self-knowledge and improve decision-making.

Exploration is Key for a “Hot Streak” at Work

39 implied HN points • 09 Nov 21
  1. Exploration before a 'hot streak' at work is crucial for success
  2. Balance between exploring new ideas and exploiting existing knowledge is important
  3. Periods of exploration and trying new things can lead to impactful work and personal growth

Missing the Burning Forest for the Trees

39 implied HN points • 26 Oct 21
  1. Differentiate between the chain of communication and chain of command to ensure better flow of information and prevent disasters
  2. Implement systems like 'Monday Notes' to encourage open communication and transparency within organizations
  3. With remote work becoming more common, it's essential to maintain and potentially enhance methods for informal communication and problem-solving

Why Comparing Gun Ownership Rates Across States Shouldn’t Inform Policy

19 implied HN points • 07 Jul 22
  1. Comparing gun ownership rates across states may not provide accurate information for informing policy decisions.
  2. Understanding data presentation nuances is crucial for interpreting information correctly.
  3. Isolating variables and using longitudinal data analysis can provide better insights for policy-making regarding gun ownership and its impact.

Welcome to RANGE WIDELY

39 implied HN points • 07 Sep 21
  1. Being a generalist with diverse interests and experiences can lead to great success and innovation.
  2. Serial innovators have a range of interests, read broadly, and connect different ideas in new ways.
  3. Expanding your knowledge beyond your field can spark creativity and help you make unique connections.

Mental Illness Isn’t Driving Violent Crime

19 implied HN points • 15 Jun 22
  1. Research indicates that mental illness combined with substance abuse can increase the risk of violent crime, but it is not the main driver of overall trends, especially for random violence.
  2. People tend to overestimate the danger associated with mental illness and violence due to rare but dramatic stories, leading to skewed perceptions.
  3. Studies suggest that mental illness does play a role in violence, but the primary factor is substance abuse, and individuals with mental disorders are less likely to commit assaults against strangers.

Maybe This Is How We Can Have A More Productive Discussion About Guns

19 implied HN points • 26 May 22
  1. Focusing on the Second Amendment hinders actionable gun violence research
  2. US has high gun ownership but rates of gun deaths differ significantly from other countries
  3. Discussion on gun violence prevention strategies should go beyond the Second Amendment

3 Inspiring (and 1 Odd) Creator Quotes

19 implied HN points • 12 Apr 22
  1. Creators find joy in the process of creating, not just self-expression.
  2. Success and career paths can sometimes be unexpected journeys.
  3. It's important to embrace experimentation and the unexpected in creativity.

How My Electric Toothbrush Made Me a Better Public Speaker

19 implied HN points • 04 Apr 22
  1. Learn to manage nervousness by implementing self-check-in routines.
  2. Monitor your own nerves and schedule moments for self-regulation before important actions.
  3. Utilize personal strategies, like a self-check-in routine, to handle and channel nervous energy effectively.

Instead of “What’s Next?” Try Asking This

19 implied HN points • 29 Mar 22
  1. Consider asking people what they are enjoying now instead of always asking what's next.
  2. Living in the moment and enjoying the present can be more fulfilling than constantly focusing on the future.
  3. It's important to appreciate and acknowledge the journey and successes of individuals rather than always looking towards their next steps.

If Humans Came From Apes, Why Are There Still Cats and Bananas?

19 implied HN points • 21 Mar 22
  1. Multiple variations from a common ancestor can exist at the same time, like with Covid variants.
  2. Organisms share DNA with their closest relatives, explaining why humans share DNA with apes, cats, mice, and even bananas.
  3. Evolution doesn't follow a linear path towards a 'best' form; different species can coexist and evolve separately from common ancestors.

Why Propaganda Works (The “Illusory Truth Effect”)

19 implied HN points • 15 Mar 22
  1. Repetition of information leads to the Illusory Truth Effect, making people more likely to believe it's true.
  2. Debunking false information effectively involves providing a 'truth sandwich' - presenting true information, addressing the false information, and then reinforcing the truth.
  3. Solutions to combat misinformation include scrutinizing larger accounts on social media and adding metadata to photos and videos to prevent the spread of cheap fakes.

How the 18th Century Version of an X Prize Changed the World

19 implied HN points • 08 Mar 22
  1. Napoleon's crowdsourcing for food preservation research revolutionized public health.
  2. Napoleon's innovation of offering rewards for research led to the creation of canned food.
  3. José Andrés, inspired by his value of not letting anyone starve, serves thousands of meals to refugees through World Central Kitchen.

The Olympics Have an Integrity Problem. Here's How to Fix It.

19 implied HN points • 08 Feb 22
  1. The Olympics faces integrity challenges, including issues like corruption and governance conflicts.
  2. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is struggling to maintain trust and interest, with declining bids from potential host cities.
  3. Efforts are needed to address conflicts of interest, improve governance, and uphold values to restore credibility to the Olympic movement.

China's Language Revolution

19 implied HN points • 18 Jan 22
  1. The Chinese language presents challenges in transliteration due to its tonal nature.
  2. Chinese script has remained largely unchanged for over 2,200 years, creating complexity in literacy.
  3. Innovators in China worked to modernize and simplify the Chinese script to connect with the rest of the world.

The Best Opening Lines Of 2021

19 implied HN points • 28 Dec 21
  1. The post highlights the best opening lines of 2021 from various genres like travel writing, biography, musical biography, history, YA, Nobel lectures, articles, Dante's Inferno, and science writing.
  2. Notable opening lines from different works are shared, showcasing the power of a compelling beginning to draw readers in.
  3. The diverse selection of opening lines demonstrates the range and impact of strong introductory writing in different literary genres.

Why New Year's Resolutions Actually Work Astoundingly Well

19 implied HN points • 21 Dec 21
  1. Seemingly arbitrary benchmarks can act as springboards for change
  2. The timing of behavioral changes can be crucial for success
  3. Creating 'new chapter' moments can help in turning identity pages for new habits

Even Tiger and Mozart Weren't Tiger and Mozart

19 implied HN points • 07 Dec 21
  1. The journey to success for prodigies like Tiger Woods and Mozart involved unusual interest and prowess in a structured activity at a young age.
  2. Parents should focus on exposing children to various interests and let them explore to find their passion.
  3. Specializing children from a young age is not the only path to success; allowing for exploration and reflection can lead to high match quality in the future.