The Ruffian

The Ruffian, authored by Ian Leslie, explores a wide range of topics including history, music, philosophy, technology, social issues, leadership, and creativity. It challenges popular narratives, examines the impact of cultural phenomena, and delves into historical events, offering insights into human behavior, societal trends, and the complexity of various disciplines.

History Music Philosophy Technology and Society Social Issues Leadership and Innovation Creativity and Art Political and Cultural Commentary Human Behavior Literature

The hottest Substack posts of The Ruffian

And their main takeaways

The Wile E. Coyote Illusion

276 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
💼 Business Economics Remote work AI Productivity Companies
  1. Economies can experience a 'Wile E. Coyote moment' where everything seems fine but is about to crash.
  2. Working-from-home (WFH) might seem productive at first, but lack of in-person interaction can lead to long-term issues.
  3. The 'Wile E. Coyote illusion' can be seen in various contexts, such as relationships, consumer markets, and AI development.

The Infrastructure of Genius

270 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Institutions
  1. Some geniuses are highly distinctive and have a significant impact on their field.
  2. Scenes or particular times/places with networks of practitioners can foster genius.
  3. Genius often arises from a social phenomenon, within an ecosystem of artists, entrepreneurs, and thinkers.

Yog, Andy, and George

184 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
🎶 Music Pop Creation Friendship Critics
  1. The history of pop music is defined by the struggle for fun.
  2. Yog and Andy from Wham! creatively thrived in suburban settings.
  3. Wham!'s music celebrated glamour but had humble origins in domestic life.

The Happiness Paradox

288 implied HN points • 13 May 23
🎭️ Culture TV shows Happiness
  1. Happiness is more complex than we think and modern culture acknowledges.
  2. TV shows like _Succession_ and _White Lotus_ highlight the struggle for happiness in a world that caters to wants more than needs.
  3. Gender can play a role in determining happiness according to scientific literature.
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Keir Starmer, the Tortoise

282 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership Elections Psychology
  1. Keir Starmer faced a tough challenge when he took over Labour party leadership after a series of defeats.
  2. Despite lacking a strong personal connection with voters, Starmer shows determination and slow but steady improvement in his leadership style.
  3. Starmer's upbringing shaped his reserved and emotionally guarded leadership approach, but he is working on being more open and confident in public.

An Amis Reader

245 implied HN points • 24 May 23
📚 Literature Author analysis Book Reviews Quotes
  1. Martin Amis's writing style has been both praised and criticized for its length, reliance on mechanical plot devices, and portrayal of women.
  2. Amis had a significant impact on the literary world with his attention to language and his influence on other writers like Zadie Smith and Jesse Armstrong.
  3. Despite criticisms and shifts in perceptions over the years, Amis was known for his memorable sentences, wit, and ability to provoke thought and laughter.

A Brief History of Suburban Creativity

135 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
  1. Creativity can thrive in suburban environments, not just urban centers.
  2. Historically, suburbs have shown potential for fostering creativity due to isolation and dispersed talents.
  3. Density in urban areas is not the only factor that contributes to creativity; suburban spaces can also offer benefits for innovation.

Red Carpet Blues

245 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Celebrity Social media Communication Opinions
  1. Viral clips like Hugh Grant's red carpet moment can polarize opinions and prompt social media debate.
  2. Conversation analysis reveals how misaligned communication can lead to awkward interactions.
  3. Recipient design in conversations, tailoring communication to the person you're talking to, is crucial for successful interactions.

Rattle Bag

135 implied HN points • 05 Aug 23
  1. The post discusses art and the themes of light and love in a painting.
  2. The content includes a range of topics like music education, historical decisions, book recommendations, and TV suggestions.
  3. Readers can access the full post and archives with a 7-day free trial or by being a paid subscriber.

FLASHPOINTS #12: Are machines becoming more intelligent than us - and what does that even mean?

178 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Ethics Innovation Creativity
  1. There is skepticism about how the term 'intelligence' is used in relation to AI and tech, with concerns about oversimplification.
  2. Discussions about the intelligence of machines should consider the complexity and different components of human intelligence.
  3. Machine learning models operate more as giant libraries of data, lacking the elegant reasoning and principle-based calibration present in human intelligence.

Can You Have a Talent For Talent-Spotting?

221 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Music History
  1. Talent-spotting can be based on intuition or data analysis.
  2. John Hammond had exceptional talent-spotting ability, discovering great jazz artists.
  3. The shift from intuition to data analysis in talent-spotting is happening, but both approaches have value.

The Two Creatures Inside Us

184 implied HN points • 20 May 23
📖 Philosophy Mental models Balance Frameworks
  1. Life is full of trade-offs between exploring new opportunities and exploiting current knowledge.
  2. The 'explore/exploit' trade-off is a common dilemma faced by individuals, organizations, and organisms.
  3. Understanding and balancing the 'explore/exploit' trade-off can help in personal, work, and social situations.

FLASHPOINTS #10: A.I. risk for dummies (or, why we should worry less about climate change and more about killer algorithms)

196 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Future Tech Ethics Risk Assessment
  1. Many experts are concerned about the potential existential threat posed by artificial intelligence.
  2. The likelihood of AI catastrophe varies among AI researchers, with estimates ranging from 1% to 33%.
  3. AI has the potential to be a larger existential threat to humanity than climate change, as it may result in scenarios where human survival is at stake.

The Social Media Cage Fight

104 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
  1. The author is promoting his speaking engagements and paid subscriptions.
  2. The post includes links to related articles on suburban creativity and internal conflicts.
  3. The author shares various interesting anecdotes and recommended content in the post.

Better Call Geoff

172 implied HN points • 06 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Regulation Research
  1. Geoffrey Hinton resigned from Google due to concerns about AI safety
  2. Neural networks are essential in AI advancements
  3. Governments should fund research into AI safety similar to a Manhattan Project

The Real Black Mirror

172 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
🕹 Technology AI Chatbots AI Research Technology Ethics
  1. The history of black mirrors used for visions and prophecies in the 16th century.
  2. John Dee, a sage of the Elizabethan court, used a black mirror for communication with angels and visions of the future.
  3. AI development raises questions about its capabilities beyond simple reasoning and pattern matching.

When will an AI win the Booker?

110 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
  1. AI may someday compete with human novelists for prestigious literary awards like the Booker Prize.
  2. Large Language Models (LLMs) are capable of generating text similar to human authors, but they have limitations.
  3. Good novels offer mysteries that provoke questions and contemplation, which AI may not be able to replicate.

Why You Should Disagree With Yourself

178 implied HN points • 11 Feb 23
  1. Groups of people can be smarter than the smartest individuals among them
  2. Diverse perspectives can lead to better judgments and decision-making
  3. Encouraging disagreement and diverse viewpoints can improve thinking at individual and team levels

FLASHPOINTS #11: Why is knife crime rising - and is stop-and-search the solution?

129 implied HN points • 11 May 23
  1. Knife crime in England and Wales has been rising, with a focus on serious youth violence.
  2. The relationship between stop-and-search policies and knife crime is complex and has seen fluctuations over the years.
  3. Factors influencing the rise in knife crime include changes in the criminal economy, social media conflicts, and the impact of reputation battles on violence.

Rattle Bag

98 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
  1. Boris Johnson is facing challenges with his political brand due to being out of frontline politics and the mismatch between his serious political persona and his humorous public personality.
  2. Boris Johnson's talent lies in his sense of humor and mischief, which may be difficult to maintain in his current role as a political pundit.
  3. British PM Boris Johnson's brand as a columnist is in conflict with his current position, affecting the perception of his writing and political image.

Should We Raise Children To Be Brilliant Or Happy?

141 implied HN points • 18 Feb 23
  1. The post discusses whether we should raise children to be brilliant or happy.
  2. It prompts parents to question if they optimized for happiness or brilliance when spending time with their children.
  3. The main feature looks at how exceptional individuals were raised and educated, highlighting lessons for parents, educators, and citizens.

64 Reasons To Celebrate Paul McCartney

940 implied HN points • 08 Dec 20
  1. Paul McCartney has been writing and performing music continuously since 1956, creating songs that have touched people in various ways.
  2. McCartney's creativity spans across multiple areas, from songwriting and singing to bass playing and studio innovation.
  3. Despite challenges, criticism, and personal struggles, McCartney's work and impact in music and society are immense, diverse, and enduring.

Marginal Stupidity

202 implied HN points • 01 Oct 22
  1. Clever individuals can make dumb decisions, as seen in British politics.
  2. Tax cuts for the wealthy may not drive economic growth, despite popular beliefs.
  3. It's important to consider fiscal process and probity when making financial decisions.

A Ruffian Catch-Up

73 implied HN points • 27 May 23
  1. The newsletter provides a catch-up service for recent editions.
  2. Content covers topics like happiness paradox, knife crime, and AI in humanities.
  3. Encouragement for readers to share and subscribe for more content.

Rattle Bag

79 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
  1. The musical 'Guys and Dolls' at the Bridge Theatre was incredibly enjoyable with a talented cast and lively performances.
  2. The production of the musical focused on providing a frivolous, luxurious, and fun experience without delving into politics or current events.
  3. The show's ability to offer modern entertainment while maintaining a sense of traditional cabaret was a unique and transgressive experience.

Rattle Bag

86 implied HN points • 26 Nov 22
  1. The post is a mix of various smaller topics like a poetry anthology.
  2. It includes discussions on a new film, a podcast, Dostoevsky's views on altruism, and more.
  3. The content is exclusive for paid subscribers, but free access is available with a 7-day trial.

Activism isn't for everyone

116 implied HN points • 20 Aug 22
  1. Activism today has become abstract and can cover any cause, not just specific ones from history.
  2. There's a movement in academia and journalism to embrace activism over traditional neutrality and objectivity.
  3. Balancing activism with critical thinking is important to prevent being consumed by conflict and polarization.

Supernatural

208 implied HN points • 19 Sep 21
  1. Emma Raducanu's victory at the US Open was remarkable and improbable, breaking records and shattering expectations.
  2. Raducanu's success challenges the notion of talent as innate, highlighting the importance of hard work and evolution.
  3. The cultural fascination with talent versus hard work reflects a broader societal interest in excellence and achievement.

New Ruffian, New Offer (Plus my Books Of The Year).

122 implied HN points • 20 Nov 21
  1. The paid version of The Ruffian has received a positive response from subscribers.
  2. There is a special offer for signing up for the full-fat Ruffian at a discounted rate.
  3. Subscribing process to the paid tier is described as smooth and fast.

Keeping it real

110 implied HN points • 27 Nov 21
  1. In debates, be specific and ask for evidence and examples to make conversations worthwhile.
  2. Abstract terms in arguments can lead to lack of clarity and evasion of engaging with real issues.
  3. Stay grounded in specifics rather than using vague, abstract language to ensure clear thinking and writing.

MLK syndrome

122 implied HN points • 11 Sep 21
  1. Many in modern Western societies have a longing to be tested in moral battles of the past.
  2. There are fewer opportunities for grand moral contests in today's societies due to increased liberalization.
  3. Some individuals may inflate injustices to cast themselves as heroes in history's drama, leading to unnecessary conflicts and grandstanding.

Under pressure

98 implied HN points • 30 Oct 21
  1. The article discusses tensions in the LGBT community regarding sex and gender preferences.
  2. There is debate about whether a lesbian is transphobic for not being attracted to trans women.
  3. The piece challenges traditional views on gender and sexuality, sparking discussions on societal prejudices.

Angels, demons, and videotape

104 implied HN points • 07 Aug 21
  1. Journalists play a crucial role in presenting different angles and questioning narratives
  2. Viral videos can be misleading and viewers need to be aware of their biases
  3. Professional journalists should prioritize curiosity, empathy, and open-mindedness in reporting

Why did the 'terrible candidate' win?

122 implied HN points • 17 Nov 20
  1. Despite being underestimated, Joe Biden won the election by appealing to a wide range of voters, not just his party's base.
  2. Biden's success came from positioning himself as a moderate candidate, addressing voters across the political spectrum.
  3. Biden's authenticity, simplicity, and genuine connection with voters played a significant role in his victory.