Obsidian Iceberg

Obsidian Iceberg navigates the intersection of history, science, technology, and personal development through practical insights for autodidacts and productivity enthusiasts. It discusses the use of AI and note-taking apps, historical perspectives, and personal anecdotes, aiming to enhance learning, productivity, and efficient thinking.

Productivity Techniques AI and Machine Learning Historical Insights Science and Technology Personal Development Efficient Learning Strategies Ancient Rituals and Religions Knowledge Management Book Reviews Fantasy World Building

The hottest Substack posts of Obsidian Iceberg

And their main takeaways

🌲 On what it means to not have time

872 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
  1. It's okay to say you shouldn't do something instead of just saying you can't. Sometimes we need to recognize our limits and prioritize what's truly important.
  2. People often feel overwhelmed and stressed when they don't manage their time well. Learning to prioritize can help avoid that last-minute rush that leads to anxiety.
  3. You don't have to hustle all the time to find happiness. It's fine to choose one thing that matters most to you in life, rather than trying to do everything at once.

🎓 On the origins of the merchant class

59 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
💾 History Trade Commerce Colonization Economics Civilizations
  1. Merchants used to work for kings and leaders, getting luxury goods for them. Over time, trade changed to focus on profit rather than just serving powerful rulers.
  2. As trade expanded, merchants started catering to smaller clients. This shift led to more diverse trading networks and a wider variety of goods available.
  3. Cities grew as places of commerce, not just government. Instead of being mainly for rulers, urban areas became important for trade and economic activity.

🎓 On cohort-based sociopolitical systems in East Africa

119 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Traditions Rituals Governance Community
  1. Age-sets are groups formed based on age, which help organize communities in East Africa. This system allows people to learn and gain experiences together as they transition through different life stages.
  2. Age-sets contribute to peace by preventing violent power shifts and promoting cooperation within communities. When people share experiences, they bond, which can help reduce conflict.
  3. In modern times, age-sets still influence leadership and governance in some regions. Leaders are chosen based on wisdom and experience rather than wealth, showing a different approach to community leadership.

💚 Quick Update, + How Can I Help You?

1368 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
  1. The post is a quick thank you to those who financially supported the author.
  2. Readers who have supported the author will receive a premium subscription.
  3. There is an offer for a 7-day free trial to access full post archives.

🌲 A Personal Take on Using LLMs

853 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
  1. AI can help summarize sources quickly for evaluation before digging deeper.
  2. AI suggestions and drafts can motivate you to keep writing even if they are sometimes wrong.
  3. LLMs can be handy for creating children's stories or providing reformatting prompts for original content.
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🌲 Secondary sources are pretty great, actually

694 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
  1. Secondary sources are valuable for distilling complex information in a way that's easier to understand.
  2. Evaluating the reliability of sources can be difficult, especially in modern contexts where information is abundant and opinions vary.
  3. Tracking claims back to their origins, verifying information, and considering the credibility of the source can help in determining trustworthiness.

🌠 Reflections on Sharpening Your Mind

912 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
  1. Bootstrapped companies tend to fly under the radar due to limited media budgets.
  2. Prioritize sustainable profitability over open source for long-term product viability.
  3. AI tools in note-taking apps offer improved search and proofreading, but won't make users smarter.

📚 Thinking rigorously, with tools, lists, & agency

714 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
  1. The article discusses micro reviews of nonfiction focusing on problem-solving, offloading thoughts, AI tools, and centaur struggles.
  2. The article highlights the importance of rigorous thinking in handling problem-solving and communication in different career environments.
  3. Various articles and resources linked in the post provide insights on learning, development of skills, and the use of tools like AI dictation apps and themed logs.

🎓 On Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

634 implied HN points • 23 Dec 23
  1. Blights caused by fungi can have a significant impact on organisms like the American chestnut.
  2. Chestnuts have economic and ecological importance beyond being a holiday delicacy.
  3. Fungal blights, like the one affecting the American chestnut, can devastate crops and lead to loss of biodiversity.

🏄‍♀️ State of the Eleanor 03

813 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
  1. The author had a baby and there were complications during late pregnancy and birth.
  2. The newborn's arrival led to adjustments like hiring a postpartum night doula.
  3. The author plans to continue writing about knowledge management but will no longer focus on the previous Obsidian Roundup format.

On the Difficulty of Being Pithy

674 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
  1. Attract readers with a good reputation or a good pitch.
  2. Interesting and informative subject lines are more likely to be read.
  3. Sell a story using your byline or reputation, not just the premise.

🎓 Curious Disasters: Failed Marriages in Folklore

337 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
  1. Folklore often contains cautionary tales about failed marriages, usually highlighting the consequences of not respecting simple requests in relationships.
  2. It is important to recognize that these moral stories are not just about gendered mistakes, but about the failure to respect boundaries and requests from loved ones.
  3. In relationships, it's crucial to pay attention to and respect your partner's wishes, even if they may seem trivial, as these small things can impact the foundation of a relationship.

🎓 Currency, Coins, & Curmudgeonly Choices

416 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
  1. Some human societies functioned without money or currency, relying on gift economies.
  2. Metal coins originated in more sophisticated civilizations to facilitate trade and commerce.
  3. Food has been used as currency in various cultures throughout history, showcasing the importance of surplus and agricultural practices.

🧁 It's My Birthday, So Ask Me Anything!

436 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
  1. Eleanor is open to answering questions about ancient history, parenting, startups, and productivity methods.
  2. She enjoys sharing insights about ancient history, parenting, technology, and personal knowledge management.
  3. Readers are encouraged to ask any questions, regardless of the topic, to get to know Eleanor better.

🎓 On Sacrifice: the real kind, with corpses

495 implied HN points • 04 Nov 23
  1. Sacrifices in history were sometimes done to maintain independence and autonomy for communities.
  2. Different cultures had rituals, like widow burning, to deal with grief and strengthen bonds.
  3. Human sacrifices played a role in social stratification and the evolution of caste systems in societies.

🎓 On the Difficulty of Fantasy Cartography

297 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
  1. Creating complex fantasy worlds in maps requires deep knowledge of geography and culture.
  2. Modern tools like Azgaar's Fantasy Map Generator simplify the process of generating detailed fantasy maps.
  3. When designing fantasy maps, consider factors like cultural diffusion, trade routes, and the reasons behind city locations.

📚 Cognitive Catalysts: Lists, Learning, and Leverage

416 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
  1. Building spaced repetition practice based on questions that challenge you is valuable
  2. Differentiating items in a list helps them stick in your brain as a study tip
  3. Modern search engines like Kagi offer customizable results based on user preferences

🎓 Practical Religion: Ancient Rituals as 'Vaccination'

436 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
  1. Many ancient religious rituals had practical purposes.
  2. Ancient societies combined medicine, magic, and rituals to address epidemics.
  3. Epidemics were seen as cyclical events, leading to rituals that anticipated and aimed to prevent them.

On the Many Different Types of Armies

317 implied HN points • 09 Dec 23
  1. Military scifi often distinguishes soldiers from warriors based on training and unit cohesion.
  2. Professional soldiers, levies/conscripts, and raiders/pirates form distinct categories of fighters.
  3. Mercenaries occupy a unique position, motivated by money and hired by states or entities for combat.

🎓 On leadership and dealing with the enemy

198 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
  1. The book 'Tyrants of Syracuse' lacks focus on its main subject, with excessive emphasis on unrelated topics like Athenian politics.
  2. Ancient temples served as banks and bases for military operations, showcasing the multifunctionality of religious institutions in the ancient world.
  3. The text touches on important historical elements like the rise and fall of tyrants, discipline in military operations, and the treatment of failed but competent leaders.

📚 Reading Roundup: On Intellectual Endurance

158 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
  1. Intellectual endurance is important for productivity and growth mindset.
  2. Learning from history can provide interesting insights and inspiration.
  3. Relaxation and play are essential for both kids and adults to function well.

📚 Reading Roundup: Chill Fiction Edition

119 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
  1. Reading fiction can be a relaxing escape, especially during stressful times.
  2. Authors like Nathan Lowell offer slice of life stories with surprising depth.
  3. Books like 'Apocalypse Parenting' and 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' provide interesting takes on apocalypse scenarios without being emotionally overwhelming.