FutureIQ

FutureIQ is a Substack focused on exploring a wide range of topics from technology, science, societal issues, work culture, and personal development. It offers nuanced takes on trends, misconceptions, and strategies for navigating the complexities of modern life and an uncertain future, integrating insights from various disciplines including psychology, economics, and philosophy.

Technology Trends Science Developments Societal Issues Personal Development Work Culture Health and Well-being Economic Trends Educational Insights Environmental Concerns Cultural Studies

The hottest Substack posts of FutureIQ

And their main takeaways

Pollution Is Making You Dumb

1 implied HN point • 16 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Pollution Government Response Research Studies
  1. Pollution can reduce cognitive abilities, affecting performance in various activities like chess or investing.
  2. Research shows that exposure to pollution can lead to long-term health issues like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
  3. Taking measures like moving away from pollution, using air purifiers, and indoor plants can help reduce the negative impacts of pollution on health and cognitive abilities.

ChatGPT is making our software engineers dumb

2 HN points • 18 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Software Engineers Artificial Intelligence Programming Generative AI Job Interviews
  1. Many programmers are using ChatGPT to solve programming problems without verifying answers, which can lead to poor code quality and bugs.
  2. A significant number of software engineers struggle to write basic programs like fizzbuzz, highlighting a long-standing issue in the industry.
  3. Companies should adapt to the use of AI like ChatGPT, focusing on testing candidates' abilities with such tools and ensuring the correct and productive use of AI technologies.
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Understanding The Dip

7 implied HN points • 21 Dec 21
  1. Anything worth doing will have a difficult phase called The Dip. Stick through it for success.
  2. Many people give up when they reach The Dip, but those who persevere achieve substantial success.
  3. It's important to know when to power through The Dip and when to give up, a challenging decision in life.

Two Brains, One Team: System 1 and System 2

1 implied HN point • 20 Mar 23
🔬 Science Neuroscience Psychology Behavior Cognition Learning
  1. We have two brains: a lizard brain that controls instincts and emotions, and a rational human brain for logical thinking.
  2. System 1 (fast, automatic, emotional) and System 2 (slow, logical) take turns solving tasks based on complexity and time constraints.
  3. System 1 and System 2 work best when they collaborate like a driver and a navigator, each having their roles.

Misconceptions about Income Distribution in India

9 implied HN points • 21 Sep 20
  1. We are in the top 0.5% of a country of 1.3 billion people
  2. We don't know what the rest of India lives like
  3. The world is not like you or me or our friends; look for data for better understanding

The Elegance of the Devanagari Script

7 implied HN points • 01 Oct 20
  1. Understanding the organization of Devanagari script, based on rows and columns, reveals its beauty and elegance.
  2. Pronunciation in Devanagari is linked to tongue and lip positions, which stay consistent within rows and columns.
  3. Exploring foreign sounds in Devanagari, like q and sounds in English, gives insights into pronunciation variations across languages.

Understanding Organizational Power: Title, Expertise, Relationships

4 implied HN points • 28 Apr 21
  1. People often focus on the wrong types of power in organizations like title and expertise, but the real power lies in relationships.
  2. Building strong relationships at work is crucial for effectiveness, happiness, and productivity.
  3. Networking and relationships play a major role in career growth and opportunities, often more so than expertise or formal title.

Quantity vs Quality

5 implied HN points • 03 Sep 20
  1. The people who produce the best works also produce the most works, including their worst ones.
  2. Success is probabilistic, so following the advice to focus on actions may result in failures.
  3. Producing a lot of quantity is the key to achieving high quality.

Winning vs Being Nice

3 implied HN points • 11 Sep 20
  1. The Bhagavad Gita advises doing the right thing even if it means standing up for yourself.
  2. Game Theory shows that being forgiving initially but retaliating when necessary is the winning strategy.
  3. In real-life situations, being a 'Copy Kitten' can lead to identifying good outcomes and win-win scenarios.

Top Tweets: 4 May 2021

2 implied HN points • 04 May 21
  1. Critical thinking is essential in evaluating data and claims like the Sputnik V vaccine comparison.
  2. The world is primarily designed for the average white male, causing issues for women in various aspects.
  3. Moon rainbows, known as moonbows, are real and appear faintly colored in moonlight.

Giving Cash is Better Than Giving Goods

2 implied HN points • 21 Oct 20
  1. Giving cash to the poor empowers them to make their own choices
  2. Cash is harder to steal compared to goods or services
  3. Data shows that cash giving leads to measurable improvements in outcomes

Karmanyevaadhikaraste in Modern Life

2 implied HN points • 02 Sep 20
  1. Focus on your actions, not the outcomes.
  2. Success is best achieved by finding motivation in the process, not the results.
  3. Consistently taking action based on a system or process is key to success.

Specialists vs Generalists

2 implied HN points • 26 Aug 20
  1. Specialization is important in stable environments, but generalization can be more beneficial in unpredictable situations.
  2. Having a diverse range of skills allows for different perspectives and adaptability.
  3. Entrepreneurs benefit from being able to handle various roles and deep dive into different subjects.

The Birth of the Sony Walkman

2 implied HN points • 24 Aug 20
  1. The Sony Walkman was designed to be small and portable but still play a full-length opera.
  2. The decision to remove the ability to record on the Walkman was based on psychology and customer behavior.
  3. Reducing functionality can sometimes lead to clearer use and better customer understanding.

Training for a long-term career in AI/ML

1 implied HN point • 15 Jun 21
  1. Before diving into AI/ML, focus on basic mathematics (statistics, linear algebra) and get comfortable with programming (Python).
  2. High school students should focus on strong fundamentals in basic maths and programming, not necessarily advanced AI/ML concepts.
  3. Postgraduates should delve into AI/ML algorithms, including deep learning and reinforcement learning, and combine classical AI with learning AI.

The Risk of Ransomware

1 implied HN point • 20 May 21
  1. Ransomware attacks are increasing globally, targeting both large and small companies
  2. The rise of cryptocurrencies has made ransomware attacks more profitable and accessible to hackers
  3. It is crucial for individuals and businesses to take cybersecurity precautions, like regular backups and software updates, to prevent ransomware attacks

Free Money for All: A Poverty Fix?

1 implied HN point • 12 Oct 20
  1. Universal Basic Income (UBI) is an idea where the government gives a fixed income to everyone in the country without any conditions.
  2. UBI can be beneficial as it reduces administration costs, eliminates corruption, empowers individuals to make decisions about their needs, and has shown positive impacts in pilot programs around the world.
  3. Despite objections and challenges, UBI has the potential to address poverty, improve social equality, and enhance productivity, but large-scale implementation requires careful planning and consideration.

Learning Without Boundaries

1 implied HN point • 21 Aug 20
  1. Real-life challenges often require knowledge from diverse areas.
  2. Studying unrelated subjects can bring unexpected benefits.
  3. Having a wide range of skills reduces the risk of job automation.

Prime Numbers Will Rock You

0 implied HN points • 23 Aug 20
  1. The stomp-stomp-clap rhythm in Queen's 'We Will Rock You' is created using prime number multiples.
  2. Brian May used prime numbers in the song to avoid harmonics and echos, giving the effect of a large crowd.
  3. Prime numbers played a key role in creating the iconic rhythm of the song.

AI is now smarter than the average human: What does this mean?

0 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Intelligence Future Ethics Innovation
  1. The average IQ is 100 with a standard deviation of 15, impacting how we perceive intelligence levels in different populations.
  2. IQ alone is not a perfect measure of success, and high IQ does not guarantee achievement; other factors like hard work and communication skills play crucial roles.
  3. Even though AI might achieve the average human IQ, it doesn't mean they are like humans; be prepared for surprises in their capabilities and behaviors, and always stay updated with AI advancements.

Best of Twitter: Creators of the Future, In Support of Imitation, Microbiome, and more...

0 implied HN points • 11 May 21
  1. Consider studying a variety of disciplines, not just computer science, as other fields may become intertwined with technology.
  2. Data can be misleading, make sure to understand the sources and limitations before drawing conclusions.
  3. Imitation in business can be effective, don't underestimate its value compared to innovation.

Quick Thoughts: Black Fungus, Privacy, and Watching Others Play Video Games

0 implied HN points • 01 Jun 21
  1. Fungus is becoming a health threat due to climate change and medical advances.
  2. Marketing companies collate data from various sources to create a detailed profile of individuals.
  3. Video game streaming is hugely popular, with more viewers than major entertainment platforms combined.

Organizational Power: Further Discussions and Comments

0 implied HN points • 06 May 21
  1. Plan your career in 4 phases: focus on learning and networking, becoming an expert, identifying your goals, and planning for retirement.
  2. Networking should be genuine and not just transactional, approach it like building real relationships.
  3. Networking is important not just for job hunting but for opening up various opportunities, trust and relationships compound over time.

The Importance of Humanities Studies for STEM Students

0 implied HN points • 06 Sep 20
  1. STEM students need exposure to humanities subjects to solve complex, real-world problems.
  2. STEAM education is suggested to incorporate Arts into STEM fields for a broader perspective.
  3. Including humanities studies in education can help prevent mechanized minds with routine reactions to challenges.