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.

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The hottest Substack posts of Range Widely

And their main takeaways

That Time Serena Williams Made My Day

19 implied HN points • 30 Nov 21
  1. Serena Williams' upbringing included diverse activities like ballet, gymnastics, taekwondo, and track and field.
  2. The film 'King Richard' surprises viewers by showing a more nuanced portrayal of the Williams family's emphasis on fun over strict training.
  3. Richard Williams prioritized his daughters' long-term development by slowing down their progress in tennis, in contrast to the trend of pushing youth athletes too quickly.

Guns for Vaccines: Estimating the Tradeoff

19 implied HN points • 12 Oct 21
  1. Fermi estimation can help you think critically about news and headlines
  2. Vaccine lotteries can have an impact on public health tradeoffs
  3. Using numbers and estimations can challenge and improve your initial intuitions

Flying Saltshakers of Death

19 implied HN points • 28 Sep 21
  1. Science curiosity, not knowledge, can help evaluate new information.
  2. Fungi can hijack cicadas' behavior through mind-altering chemicals.
  3. Cicadas infected by fungi become hypersexual zombies spreading the fungus.

“My dad threw me into every sport you could imagine.”

19 implied HN points • 21 Sep 21
  1. Exposure to multiple sports at a young age can lead to better coordination and skill acquisition.
  2. Early specialization in one sport is not always the route to elite performance; a variety of physical activities early on may be more beneficial.
  3. Multisport development can reduce injury, prevent burnout, and create better learners in the long run.

Afghanistan Doomscrolling and the Reality of Deterrence

19 implied HN points • 23 Aug 21
  1. Past military actions may not impact a country's ability to deter violence in the future.
  2. Formal alliances and military strength do not always predict deterrence success.
  3. Economic interests and local military might play key roles in successfully deterring violence.
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Getting Over Gold

19 implied HN points • 10 Aug 21
  1. Compartmentalization is a mental tool for short-term peak performance but can be detrimental in the long run.
  2. Winning a big achievement doesn't mean everything is perfect forever; it can lead to identity struggles.
  3. Athletes should learn to balance skills used for sports with skills needed for life to prevent long-term challenges.

Piano Tuners and the Explosion in Beirut

19 implied HN points • 10 Aug 21
  1. Fermi estimation breaks problems into pieces for easier solving.
  2. Estimating using Fermi strategy can help identify nonsensical information in news.
  3. Practice Fermi estimation to improve number-curious skills and critical thinking.

Wait, Weed Makes You Faster??

19 implied HN points • 10 Aug 21
  1. Anti-doping regulations are based on World Anti-Doping Agency rules, not regional laws.
  2. US Anti-Doping Agency cannot overturn suspensions as it enforces WADA Code.
  3. Substances banned in sports are not specific to one sport, and marijuana is prohibited due to health risks and potential performance enhancement.