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

So wtf was that about?

49 implied HN points • 09 Jan 21
  1. The Capitol riot was a messy, bottom-up event incited by Trump.
  2. About a quarter of Americans may have given up on democracy.
  3. US democracy facing critical challenges amidst global expectations.

Biden takes the buck

36 implied HN points • 21 Aug 21
  1. Biden encountered challenges in the execution of foreign policy
  2. There were intelligence oversights in the Afghanistan situation
  3. Biden's decision aligns with his long-held beliefs about military interventions

Ranters and ravers

36 implied HN points • 29 May 21
  1. Expressing emotions online can have real-life consequences.
  2. Rants are a prevalent form of expression in today's digital age.
  3. The factors and risks associated with engaging in a rant, and how it affects public discourse.

Why is Bob Dylan's art worth less than Damien Hirst's?

43 implied HN points • 19 Dec 20
  1. Bob Dylan's art value is less than Damien Hirst's due to the difference in uniqueness and aura associated with their respective art forms.
  2. The value of artistic production is influenced by the presence of 'aura' and authenticity in the age of reproduction.
  3. The most financially lucrative artistic form involves creating fantasy worlds that can be diversified into various forms and formats.

Reflections on the non-revolution

36 implied HN points • 24 Apr 21
  1. Elites can make stupid decisions by neglecting to communicate properly and failing to address public concerns.
  2. Ignoring feedback and neglecting public opinion can lead to partners backing out and the failure of initiatives.
  3. Cultural symbols, like football, hold importance in society and can unite people across borders, showing the power of populism and national pride.
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2021: Best Bits

24 implied HN points • 30 Dec 21
  1. The author had a good year in 2021 with personal and professional achievements.
  2. The author expressed gratitude to subscribers and shared plans for new content for paid subscribers.
  3. The author compiled a list of favorite things from 2021 for paid subscribers.

One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

43 implied HN points • 10 Oct 20
  1. Remote work is expected to continue increasing, even after the pandemic, due to the decline of physical spillover effects and the internet as a substitute.
  2. There is a case to be made for optimism in public speech, as moods are contagious and influence others.
  3. Sean Ono Lennon's radio documentary about his dad John Lennon is insightful and touching, showing a positive relationship with his half-brother Julian despite their challenging childhoods.

Good fights

36 implied HN points • 13 Feb 21
  1. Don't worry too much about the South African variant of Covid-19 as our defense is strong against it.
  2. Conflict doesn't always mean a breakdown in relationships; it can be a sign of vitality.
  3. It's important to simplify things first, then allow complexity to come in naturally.

When scientists fall out

36 implied HN points • 06 Feb 21
  1. Disagreements among scientists can get personal as seen during debates on pandemic responses.
  2. Pain from setbacks can be viewed as knowledge rushing in to improve our mental models of reality.
  3. There has been a wave of positive news in the fight against COVID-19, showing progress in vaccination efficacy and transmission reduction.

I've been waiting for this moment for all my life

43 implied HN points • 15 Aug 20
  1. Biden's choice of Kamala Harris as running mate is strategic to keep the focus on Trump
  2. Gossip during lockdown could be seeing a decline which may have negative effects
  3. Understanding the success of TikTok can provide insights on social media algorithms and digital product strategies

The All New Ruffian

24 implied HN points • 13 Nov 21
  1. The author is introducing a subscription fee for their newsletter to sustain their writing
  2. The content of the newsletter is diverse and does not stick to a specific niche
  3. The author is working on a book about the relationship between John Lennon and Paul McCartney

In Praise of Sheeple

24 implied HN points • 02 Oct 21
  1. The group can be more intelligent than an individual, enhancing thinking through disagreement and diverse perspectives.
  2. Individual brains have limitations, benefiting from external perspectives to improve cognition and overcome biases.
  3. Although conformity can lead to groupthink and stupidity, some level of herding and conformity can be beneficial for society and survival.

Joe Biden's secret sauce

30 implied HN points • 27 Mar 21
  1. Joe Biden's success lies in his approach of staying low-key and avoiding drama.
  2. Blandness can be a powerful tool in politics, allowing for bipartisan support.
  3. Running centrist candidates can lead to the successful enactment of left or right-wing policies.

The words that some survivor read

36 implied HN points • 12 Sep 20
  1. Traditional media companies faced challenges in the past decade, but the New York Times thrived due to innovative digital leadership.
  2. Some Asian governments are hoping for a Trump re-election due to concerns about Biden's softer stance on China.
  3. The rise in COVID-19 infections in Europe might not have led to a proportional increase in hospital admissions due to factors like social distancing and mask use.

Exit strategies

30 implied HN points • 30 Jan 21
  1. Jerry Seinfeld emphasizes the importance of addressing conflict openly and fearlessly.
  2. Relevance in education and discussions should not be limited, but expanded to include various perspectives.
  3. The fast and diversified approach of the UK's vaccine task force under Kate Bingham was crucial for successful vaccine procurement.

Totes emosh

24 implied HN points • 10 Jul 21
  1. Unscripted, raw moments in politics can have a significant impact.
  2. Politicians should learn to use volatile encounters to connect with voters.
  3. Showing emotional truthfulness as a politician can make a big difference.

Fights and flights

24 implied HN points • 12 Jun 21
  1. Social media can lead to toxic positivity and hinder healthy disagreement and critique.
  2. In science, premature convergence on single hypotheses can hinder progress and innovation.
  3. Understanding cultural clashes and tones in politics, like Boris Johnson's unique appeal, is crucial for defeating opponents.

Making and faking it

24 implied HN points • 15 May 21
  1. Personality plays a significant role in politics, as seen with figures like Boris Johnson and Donald Trump who defied traditional political norms.
  2. Happiness can sometimes lead to diminished cognitive function, showing that a certain level of stress and challenge can keep us mentally sharp.
  3. Interpersonal challenges in teamwork situations can help develop social intelligence, highlighting the importance of navigating various personalities effectively.

Burning for the ancient heavenly connection

30 implied HN points • 26 Sep 20
  1. Intelligence is more about effort and curiosity than raw processing power.
  2. Older people are showing cognitive improvements and declining dementia rates.
  3. Climate change activism emphasizes the need for market dynamism alongside government action.

Why do happy couples argue more?

24 implied HN points • 20 Mar 21
  1. Arguments can bring happy couples closer together by revealing deeper feelings and emotional investment.
  2. Conflict and confrontation in relationships can provide essential updates on partners' thoughts and feelings over time.
  3. Regular arguments help prevent complacency in long-term relationships, forcing partners to pay attention and see each other afresh.

Tough Talk

24 implied HN points • 27 Feb 21
  1. In disagreements, start by establishing a deeper connection before delving into the disagreement itself.
  2. When facing resistance in persuasion, showing genuine interest in the other person can be more effective than pressuring them.
  3. History can be viewed through different lenses such as conflict history and consensus history, each offering unique perspectives on events.

True believers

24 implied HN points • 20 Feb 21
  1. Former believers in extreme ideologies can provide powerful insights on how people get sucked into such beliefs
  2. Persuasion often happens gradually, step by step, rather than with sudden changes in beliefs
  3. During crises like plane crashes, people tend to behave calmly and with focus, rather than panicking

It is you my love, you who are the stranger

30 implied HN points • 04 Jul 20
  1. Innovation can be driven by small, empowered teams of generalists, not just specialists.
  2. Armchair experts, like in the case of the pandemic response, can sometimes offer valuable insights that specialists might miss.
  3. Being skeptical of your own tribe's beliefs is important for individual and collective intelligence.

The pandemic breakers

24 implied HN points • 21 Nov 20
  1. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines show 95% efficacy, considered pandemic breakers
  2. Superforecasters predict a 95% chance of widely distributed US vaccine by April 2021
  3. Confidence in UK's vaccine rollout success and expertise in production

How to think about Tuesday

24 implied HN points • 07 Nov 20
  1. The election results could surprise us, reminding us that the world is difficult to predict.
  2. Trump's influence in American politics may persist due to his strong appeal and energy.
  3. The 2020 US election highlights the complexity of voter behavior and serves as a humbling reminder of the unpredictability of democracy.

Biden's bet

18 implied HN points • 01 May 21
  1. Biden's speech highlighted his moderate approach and focus on common ground
  2. Biden emphasizes the importance of democracy in the face of technological challenges
  3. The need for effective communication in engaging the public on complex issues

I can't stop trying, I can't give up hope

24 implied HN points • 29 Aug 20
  1. Sharon White faces challenges as Chairman of John Lewis and Waitrose
  2. Biden's age gives him a unique political strength
  3. Understanding superspreading events and the importance of testing in handling COVID-19

What have we learned?

18 implied HN points • 10 Apr 21
  1. Modern societies are resilient and can adapt to major changes quickly.
  2. Society can efficiently solve big problems with motivation and focus.
  3. Trust in authorities but also be skeptical; not all experts are the same.

Something even non-believers can believe in

24 implied HN points • 18 Jul 20
  1. There is no trick to success, just hard work and honed technique.
  2. Writing is gaining value in the corporate world, making crisp communication important.
  3. A Biden presidency might feel like a return to normalcy and sanity in US politics.

Who else should we be clapping for?

18 implied HN points • 05 Dec 20
  1. Applaud the pharmaceutical companies for their rapid vaccine development
  2. Recognize the importance of government actions like Operation Warp Speed in accelerating vaccine availability
  3. Acknowledge the contributions of immigrants, tech companies, and other public sector workers during the pandemic

The outsider and inside air

12 implied HN points • 24 Jul 21
  1. Discovery can come from unconventional thinking; Dr. Omalu's outsider perspective led to breakthrough in understanding CTE in sports
  2. Ventilating indoor spaces is crucial for health during the pandemic; tracking CO2 levels can help determine air quality
  3. Pandemic may have had some positive impacts on mental health; some countries reported a decrease in suicide rates

Call it magic, cut me into two

12 implied HN points • 01 Aug 20
  1. Podcasts have become a big part of Spotify's business because of their vast and niche options.
  2. Sporting rivalries can push individuals to achieve greater successes.
  3. Police need to balance crime-fighting with trust-building in the community.

I can hear so much in your sighs

6 implied HN points • 24 Oct 20
  1. Leaving the office can lead to increased productivity and innovation.
  2. Boris Johnson's pessimism regarding vaccines is puzzling given his usual optimism.
  3. Trump's rhetoric on North Korea did not align with the real policy actions taken during his presidency.

If you're lonely you can talk to me

6 implied HN points • 20 Jan 18
  1. Intermittent fasting and eunuchs living longer offer insights on aging.
  2. Google Trends may not always accurately reflect public opinion.
  3. Mumsnet and Wikipedia showcase the collective wisdom of the internet.

The Ruffian: Launch Episode

6 implied HN points • 28 Aug 17
  1. The Ruffian is a weekly compendium of interesting finds, writings, and thoughts from Ian Leslie.
  2. Recommended podcasts include Rahm Emanuel interviewed by David Axelrod and Russ Roberts interviewing John McWhorter.
  3. Ian Leslie shares insights on status inequality versus economic inequality as a lens to understand social tensions.

So baby listen carefully while I sing my comeback song

0 implied HN points • 28 Apr 18
  1. Learning complex concepts involves repetition and practice, similar to learning a sport.
  2. Football is a highly cognitive game that requires mental processing power to make quick decisions.
  3. Face-to-face communication carries more information than just words or body language.

They wouldn't go for my story, they wouldn't hear my plea

0 implied HN points • 17 Mar 18
  1. Being extroverted can be favored over actual ability in some workplaces.
  2. Wikipedia's design can teach tech companies valuable lessons.
  3. Impostors can exploit low governance standards in industries for personal gain.

What the hell am I doing here?

0 implied HN points • 30 Mar 19
  1. The prices of solar and wind power are falling steeply, offering hope in the fight against climate change.
  2. There is a push for politicians and journalists to limit their use of Twitter to maintain professionalism.
  3. A simple car door opening technique using the left hand is helping prevent accidents with cyclists and pedestrians.

I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad

0 implied HN points • 24 Feb 18
  1. The tone and pitch of our voice can have a significant influence on how our message is received.
  2. The decline of mid-market restaurant chains is less about Brexit and more about a lack of long-term planning and product quality.
  3. Russia's use of social media, including Facebook, aims to sow discord and undermine democracy in various ways, not just by supporting certain political candidates.