The hottest Substack posts of Defender’s corner

And their main takeaways

Feynman's Razor

273 HN points • 07 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Information Communication Error Handling
  1. If you can't explain a technical matter in a way that experts can understand, you may have oversimplified it.
  2. Avoid confusing users with incorrect or unclear messages, and be honest in your explanations.
  3. Adhering to Feynman's Razor means not underestimating users' abilities to comprehend technical terms, while still providing clarity.

A trick to dissolve social anxiety: close your eyes

339 implied HN points • 09 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Anxiety Mental health Self-care Mindfulness Therapy
  1. Closing your eyes in the middle of a conversation can help dissolve social anxiety by allowing you to focus on your thoughts without distractions.
  2. Others may not notice you closing your eyes to manage social anxiety, even though it may feel weird to you.
  3. Using the technique of closing your eyes can help you form your thoughts clearly and navigate through moments of social anxiety effectively.

How to avoid being legible (and why it's good)

119 implied HN points • 10 May 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity Solitude Productivity Art Self-Expression
  1. Explaining why "being legible" can be a challenge leads to a new perspective on creative work and self-expression.
  2. Embracing uncertainty and allowing oneself to follow instincts can lead to more productivity and a sense of fulfillment.
  3. Being comfortable with saying "I don't know" as a valid answer can alleviate anxiety and promote a healthier approach to creativity.

How to spot a genuinely happy waitress

59 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Emotions Well-being
  1. Listening to your body can help you spot genuine emotions in others. Trust your feelings.
  2. Rational reasons can back up emotional intuitions. Look for signs like symmetric smiles, relaxed body language, and non-agitated tones.
  3. Developing the skill of reading emotions can lead to new insights and self-discovery. Pay attention to what your body signals throughout the day.
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Twitter posts I'd love to talk about

19 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🎭️ Culture Discussions Education Futurism
  1. Engaging in thought-provoking Twitter discussions can lead to fascinating real-life conversations where new perspectives are shared and learned.
  2. Understanding different perspectives and reasons behind disagreements is crucial for progress and better communication.
  3. Exploring ideas that challenge the norm can lead to insights that may be overlooked or undervalued in the present, potentially shaping the future.

On why the advice "if you want to leave a meeting, just start getting up" works

19 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-care Work-life balance Personal Development Productivity
  1. The advice of getting up to leave a meeting without a specific excuse works by lowering your standard of what is an acceptable reason to leave.
  2. Deadlines function similarly, not creating work out of nowhere but pushing you to start and improve upon what you have.
  3. You can train your subconscious filter by consciously evaluating excuses and adjusting your automatic labeling of ideas, leading to better decision-making and creativity.

A Materialist's Guide for How to Listen to Your Body (PLACEHOLDER)

19 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care Body awareness Mind-Body Connection Placebo effect Emotional Intelligence
  1. Listening to your body involves more than just your rational mind; your body needs to be convinced too.
  2. There is clinical proof that placebos can work even when you know they are placebos, showing the mind-body connection.
  3. Pay attention to your initial bodily reactions to things before your thoughts, and learn not to override your body's signals.