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

Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways

Rattle Bag

178 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Theatre Literature Gender Violence
  1. The play Macbeth explores themes of toxic masculinity, manhood, and violence, showcasing the complexities of showcasing strength and expressing emotions.
  2. Macbeth delves into the concept of legitimate violence versus illegitimate violence, examining the distinctions and societal perspectives on celebrating different forms of killings.
  3. Shakespeare uses Macbeth to analyze the transition from feudalism to a centralized state, questioning the monopoly of legitimate violence held by modern states.

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.

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 Ruffian Speaks

159 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Curiosity AI Humanity
  1. The author is available for hire as a keynote speaker for talks on topics like curiosity and productive disagreement.
  2. The author has experience giving talks to various organizations and is open to discussing speaking engagements.
  3. The author also discusses themes like AI and being human, emphasizing the importance of maintaining humanity in the face of advancing technology.
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Movies as Discourse Generators

147 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Movies Film analysis Discourse
  1. The film 'Saltburn' is more about generating discourse than delivering a cohesive narrative.
  2. Sometimes a movie designed for discussion may not be enjoyable to watch.
  3. Questioning elements in a film without clear answers may highlight its aimlessness.

Rattle Bag

141 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
  1. The importance of historical accuracy and integrity in academic writings.
  2. Exploring topics like fast learners, education, ceasefires, suitcase-packing, and more.
  3. Encouraging historians to participate in organized responses to academic controversies.

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.

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 #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.

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.

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.

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.

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.